Capitol Hill Presbyterian NCD

Bags of Gold

2008-07-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

June 29
Matthew 25:14-30
Call to Worship: Psalm 30:8-12
OT Reading: Isaiah 30:1-5

This parable is part of three that Jesus told on the steps of the temple the week he was crucified. He talking about the Kingdom of Heaven in the context of his return at the end of the age.
Here he says that the kingdom of heaven is like a man entrusting his servants with his possessions before he leaves on a long journey. To each slave he gives talents—or bags of gold. After a long time, the master returns and demands a reckoning from his servants. To those who put his wealth to work, he gives glory and honor and happiness. But to the slave who hid his gold, he condemns and sends into the outer darkness—“where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus’ words fill me with hope, while making me shudder as well. Jesus is the master. The servants are obviously the people of God. The bags of gold—God’s gift of salvation, the spiritual gifts he blesses us with, as well as the opportunities education, abilities, experiences we have in this life. What will Jesus say to us on the day of reckoning? Will we hear “well done, good and faithful servant,” or those dreadful words of condemnation?

Our secular culture pressures us to bury our gift, to avoid telling others about the riches of the gospel each of us has been entrusted with. We often don’t say anything because we fear we will say too much, that we will offend, that we will push people away, or that we will be shamed ourselves. Often, we just over-schedule our lives, crowding out opportunities to talk to others about what are the true riches of our lives. Even if we “screw our courage to the sticking point”--to quote Lady Macbeth—what will we say? To whom? And when?

This is a call to lean on our savior. After all, it’s his kingdom. Image that at the start of each day that you reach into that bag of gold you’ve been given. You take out a coin and ask Jesus, “what do I do today? To whom shall I speak? How shall I use the treasure you have entrusted me with today?”

But you might say to me. How do I speak to Jesus so directly? How will I know his voice?

Good questions. For this, we must tune our souls. To do this, I suggest you consider joining the Year in the Life … project. Our bulletins contained five areas of discipleship that our leadership discerned essential for our growth as God’s people this year. They are.

worship
fellowship
prayer
biblical literacy
getting your house in order.

Pray about each category, and set a goal for each. How can I increase my attendance at worship? Is there a small group I can join? I will spend 5 more minutes in prayer each morning? I will take the book marks in the bulletin and begin a regular schedule of bible reading? Or what area of my life needs cleaning up? These practices will tune your soul so that you will better attend to Jesus. Then you will better be able to hear and understand his voice.

The stakes are high. In fact, they could not be higher. The words of the master’s condemnation should put the fear of God in our souls. But remember, the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom.

Jesus is our shepherd. It is he that promises to lead us in paths of righteousness for his name sake. Look to the shepherd of your souls.

Grace and peace,
James Kearny

Discussion questions:
Look at the Year in the Life … list. Take some time to ponder them. What 2 categories strike you? Write down two goals for each. Tuck them into your pocket. Will you follow through?

Capitol Hill Pres Official Opening

2008-06-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday, June 13th, at 7 pm, Presbytery will join us to commission us as the newest congregation in the Presbytery of Seattle. Members will join, the pastor installed, and the elders and deacons ordained and installed.

On Sunday, June 15th, after worship at 9 and 10:45 am, we will throw open our doors, block off the street, and welcome the neighbors to an Open House party from 12:30-4:30 pm. Food will be grilling. The band will be playing on the street. Children will be playing. Tours will be given of the building.

Come celebrate the goodness of God through the life changing reality of Jesus Christ.

The Closet

2008-06-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

June 1
Hidden Treasures.
Joshua 7:1-26
Jesus has been going through our lives room by room. Pushing and shoving, intimating himself in every area of our lives. Sooner or later, he’s going to start asking embarrassing questions. Like, what’s that funny odor? What’s that terrible smell? Then he’s going to go right to the closet at the top of the stairs and say, “I think it’s coming from here. Can I open the door and take a look?” What will you do then?
The Story of Achan Joshua 7.
Joshua is leading the Hebrews to take the Promised land. They had just defeated the city of Jericho. This victory was purely an act of God—his crushing the wall of defense, so the armies of the Israel are able to attack and conquer the well defended city. Now, this conquest wasn’t just about real estate. It was an act of God’s judgment. The cities of the Canaanites were to be totally delivered over to the Lord. The army swore a solemn vow not to keep any of the plunder. Every person and every thing was devoted to the Lord-meaning completely destroyed.
Joshua 7:1 26 a bible study.
V 1—Yet Israel acted unfaithfully—though it was one individual, the entire people is indicted. This is a theme throughout—corporate responsibility.
V 2-5—Because of their victory at Jericho, Israel is confident. They didn’t seek the Lord. They thought that this one little city we can handle ourselves. They are destroyed. Individual sin leads to 36 deaths and widespread panic.
V 6-9—now the leaders call on the Lord. “Lord, why did you do this? This disaster is all your fault!
V 10-15—the Lord responds with a dope slap. What do you mean me? You guys have sinned. You only win because of me, and I won’t be with you if you cling to sin. Therefore, sin and you lose me in your corner. Repent and I’ll draw near again.
V 16-21—the whole community is brought to trial. Everyone is examining their heart. Then they find the man and he admits his sin.
V 22-23—proof is provided.
V 24-26—judgment and sentence are carried out. Achan was given opportunity to repent, which he did, thus saving his soul. But justice is met through his punishment. His disobedience, his arrogance to think that God would not see his sin, or that his love of riches was greater than his love of God. For God to let that sin go is like letting cancer go through the body unchecked. Israel was on the verge of establishing an outpost of God’s kingdom. A small patch of light in a world covered in darkness. The stakes could not be higher.
Reflection
Things are not so different today. Our private sins, our privately treasured sins have public consequences. It could be that the lack of fruitfulness in our community stems from un-confessed sin. As members of this community of faith, we all share the responsibility for its success. Like Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, the work of establishing a church is impossible apart from God.
But what are we to do? How do we work for holiness, purity of heart? Anyone who has struggled with sin will sooner or later find a sin that can not be removed through our effort and willpower. The work is done through allowing Jesus to clean our the closet for us. How do we do this? The work is coming to him. Admitting to him our weakness and asking for help. We do this through confessing our sin to another in Christ.
Did you get that last point? Confessing our sin to God in the privacy of our prayer closet is good, but if you are serious about repentance, if you intend to rid your self not only of your sin but of any habit of sin, confess your sin to another brother or sister in Christ. Trust me. I practice confession and it works.
So, what have you got stuffed in your closet? Is Jesus knocking on the door? It’s embarrassing to admit to our sin to a friend, but what a relief to have that sin dealt with, to have Jesus clean out the closet. It’s an important key to personal freedom. It is also the key to leading an effective life.
Grace and peace,
James

Jesus in the House--The Living Room

2008-04-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who know, the door will be opened.
We started a new series this week—Jesus in the house, it’s a metaphor for asking Jesus into our lives. Then he goes through our lives, room by room. We begin with the living room, asking Jesus to come in. He initiates it all by knocking, knocking on the door of our hearts and asking if he can come in. It’s that simple. Of course, it’s the living room. The conversation begins with small talk, simple things, talking about the stuff. But that’s how you begin—don’t spill your guts, that might come later.
Our passage was Luke 11:1-13. Jesus tells his disciples about prayer—a conversation between us and God. The disciples see Jesus pray, and they want to pray like him as well. You see Jesus was God’s son and he prayed that way, not with formality, no elaborate formality, but with an ease, a familiarity as if he knew God well. In prayer, Jesus talked with his father. He talked with one who he knew cared for him, who treasured him and desired the best for him. Jesus knew that he was beloved.
Then he tells a story about a couple of friends and a request that comes at midnight—surprise guests and the need to borrow some food. The love of a friend overcame his sleepiness, the inconvenience, the late hour. Jesus ends with a funny comparison about hungry children asking their father for food, and the absurdity of the father giving their child a snake or a scorpion, instead of food.
You see, in prayer, ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened. Why? Because the one listening to your prayers, the one you need to respond to you, he is your heavenly Father, a trusted friend. God loves you like his own child, like an old friend. He will give you what you need, show you where you should go, and open the door when you get there.
This whole teaching is Jesus’ encouragement for us to pray. Pray knowing that we are heard by one who loves us best, one who will give us what we need most. This is important to remember because we don’t have our prayers answered at the first request. Jesus tells us to pray and pray and pray, not with endless repetition, or formulas, or prayer wheels or flags on mountain tops. No pray to your heavenly Father who hears you the first time, in fact who knows what you need before you even ask for it. But our heavenly Father wants us to ask and ask, perhaps because of how this practice changes us, strengthens in us our desire for those things we need most. For the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us, to glorify his name, to bring others into his kingdom, to do God’s will, to provide for our needs, forgive our sins, and win our battle over the evil one that fights so desperately to pull us down.
So come into the living room, and talk with the one who loves you best.
He is risen,
James

Hearts Ablaze: Luke 24:32-35

2008-04-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

Do you long for meaning? For truth? For relationship that fill our hearts with passion and fire? That’s the end of the gospel. The end of our faith. The reason we come to church.
We began this worship series 3 Sundays ago, walking on the road to Emmaus with two men, sad, disappointed, hollow. Life was empty. Then, Jesus walked with them. He opened the scripture, broke the bread. The result? Luke 24:32-35. Their hearts burned within them. Their hearts went from being hollow, empty, to being full, full of passion, fire.
That’s why we come to worship. To gather together with Jesus in our midst, to hear the scriptures, to break bread, to light our hearts ablaze once again. Hearts that can become cold in the rush of life, empty through all the demands of life, of work, of relationships, of sin.
The book of Revelation—we see a vision of heaven, of the end of this age—what do we see? All creation worshiping at the throne of God .hearts ablaze reflecting the blaze of light and love coming from the throne, from our Father whose heart burns in love for us. The fire of love we long for and search for so fervently in so many lesser things. Idols are simply items other than God that our hearts burn for.
Sunday worship is central for us as a church because At it’s best, it is a foretaste of heaven. Worship rekindles our hearts with fire for God and for each other. Worship as the energizer for mission. We go forth to tell others about we have found—that Jesus is risen from the grave—that everything he said was true—because he rose from the dead, our dead hearts can be raised with him, from the grey of depression, the haze of indifference, the cold of cynicism to the blaze of light and life, of joy and wonder. Just like those two on the road to Emmaus, they took off to Jerusalem with a message that changed their lives.
Keeping Capitol Hill church open is keeping a light lit in the heart of our city for God, shining out proclaiming the Father’s love for this city. This is a piece of ground dedicated solely to keep that lamp burning and to invite others to come and have their hearts set ablaze as well. That is why we are here. That is why we labor as a community on this church. We are chartering as a time to celebrate the fact that the Holy Spirit has re-established this church for a new season of service, of witness to God’s burning heart for this city.
We came forward last Sunday and signed the petition to charter. This is the formal request to Presbytery to let us charter, to be a fully functioning, independent church.

Why? So we can continue to gather to keep our hearts burning. To hold open a place where we can invite others to gather as well, so together we might light a blaze of love for God and each other.
He is risen,
James

Road to Emmaus 3-Revealed through the breaking of bread

2008-04-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

The disciples invite Jesus to stay with them. As they eat with Jesus, he breaks the bread and they recognize the stranger in their midst. It is Jesus who has been with them all along the road. This scripture is used by the church to underscore one of the purposes of the sacrament of communion. Through the mystery of the Holy Spirit coming over the elements of bread and juice, God opens our eyes to his presence in our midst.

Communion is also a metaphor for discipleship. Every time Jesus breaks bread—whether it is the Lord’s Supper or feeding the multitudes—the gospel writers use four verbs: taken, blessed or gave thanks, broke and gave.
Taken—we are chosen by God. From the foundation of the world. We are unique, formed by God’s Spirit in our mother’s womb. We are not an accident. The world tells us different. What to do?
Open your eyes to the world that is violent, manipulative, desiring you to feel unwanted, rejected—this makes it easier to use you. To take advantage of you.
Find a community that will remind you of your chosen-ness. You are the beloved of God.

Blessed—we are blessed by God. We love this part, we are healed, instructed, inspired. We have many ceremonies of blessing in the church. This is important because we so often feel cursed, rejected. The curse is a lie. We introduce the curse into the world through believing it. What do we do?
Take time for Prayer, for prayer, especially silent prayer, opens our heart to hearing God’s blessing.
Be Attentive—look for the ways God has blessed you.

Broken—we are broken by God. Everyone who follows Jesus will be broken. We hate this part. What to we do when everything falls apart, all our plans seem ludicrous, our lives go into crisis mode, where instead of changing the world, we are trying not to completely fall apart. At this point, we can turn from God and go back to our truth, the truth of our selves. To go into damage control, fix the problem, ignore the truth. Or we can turn to God, allow ourselves to fall apart, realize that there is nothing good in us.
Embrace your brokenness. We are all broken.
Put it under the blessing—don’t let your brokenness confirm the lie, the curse. Accept the pain as God’s deep transformative work.

Given—we are given by God in service to the world. Our greatest joy as human beings is to give ourselves to others. Only now, assured that we are chosen of God, that we have been blessed by God. Only when we have been broken of our independence, our confidence in our selves, our strengths. Only now, can we experience the blessing of being given to the world

He is risen,
James

Road to Emmaus 2

2008-04-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

April 6
Revealed through telling Stories
Luke 24:25-29
I believe that most of us never really consider Jesus until we have been profoundly disappointed by this world. Disappointment. This is where we find our two friends on their road to Emmaus. Their religious leaders disappointed them. Instead of welcoming Jesus as the leader that would bring freedom to their nation, they rejected Jesus because he was a threat to their position of influence and power. Jesus had disappointed them. Couldn’t he have eluded the arrest? He walked straight into danger, Jerusalem, where the religious authorities had threatened to kill him. But all their discussion of disappointment did not change things. Jesus was dead and despite all their talk, they were no closer to finding an answer, figuring out what to do next, where to go.
Jesus walked with them a while, quietly listening. Then he began to speak. Luke 24:25-27. Does he commiserate? No. Does he sympathize? Not really. Rather than indulging their despair, he gives them a bracing rebuke. “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe everything the prophets have written.” Jesus dives right in and gives the sermon of a lifetime. He goes through the entire Hebrew scripture and explains how Moses and the prophets predicted the events of his life—especially his death. And if you read further, the prophets told not just the Messiah’s humiliation, but his glorification, his justification, his ascension into glory.
So, what was Jesus talking about? Luke does not record Jesus’ words, but it might have included the following.
Gen 3:15—in God’s punishment of the snake after the first sin, he decrees that the seed of woman—the Messiah—will crush the snake’s head, after the snake has bitten his heel. This is the sufferings of Christ and his victory over the devil.
Nu 21:9—Moses made a bronze snake and lifted it up on a pole so that the snake bitten Hebrews would be miraculously healed. Jesus who knew no sin became sin—the snake—and lifted up on a cross, so in his death, sin might be killed and whosoever look to Jesus lifted up might find healing from their being snake bit by sin.
Deut 18:15—Moses promises that “the Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your own people.” No one was like Moses who spoke face to face with God like a friend until Jesus came.
Isa 7:14—the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. God with us. Jesus was not just a great leader who would inherit the throne of his father David the greatest Jewish king. Jesus was the very presence of God sent to earth.
Isaiah 53—told the entire story of Jesus’ life, an ordinary looking man, who ended up rejected and crushed. Then exalted by the Father. Jesus was the suffering servant whose wounds brought healing.
This was how Jesus taught during his ministry.
Luke 4:18-19—today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
Luke 4:36—the people exclaimed “what is this teaching? With authority”
Mark 1:21-21 they went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”
this was how the apostles taught during their ministry.,
Jesus taught this interpretation of Hebrew scripture to his disciples and that’s how they taught and preached. Peter on the first Pentecost—Acts 2:17-quotes Joel 2:28-32, Psalm 16:8-11, and Psalm 110:1 all to proof text Jesus as God’s Messiah. The early church members all met in the temple every day to hear Jesus’ apostles expound from the Hebrew scriptures about Jesus and the kingdom of God. When Peter explained about the healing of the crippled beggar in the temple gate he quoted Deut. 18:15, 18, 19. When Peter stood before the Sanhedrin, quoted Psalm 118:22. In Acts 4:25-30, the believers quoted Psalm 2 when they were trying to explain the anger of the religious authorities.
This is how we as modern day apostles and disciples should teach as well. Not just the preachers and clergy, but every member of the church, Christ’s body.
What about you? What do you say when your experience leads you to doubt the gospel, God’s love, His redemption? What do you say to a friend who is grieving over the death of a loved one, or in despair over a personal weakness? How do respond to a friend who has been profoundly disappointed by life?
Heed the example of Jesus. Know your bible. Biblical literacy has been a weakness of our church. We have not had enough classes and even those classes have been poorly attended. One early goal of our new church is for us to grow in our understanding of the Bible. Not to impress our friends, or win arguments. Few of us will fall into the ditch f the bible know-it-all. The ditch will often fall into is on the other side of the street—biblical ignorance. Let’s not fear saying too much. Let’s fear not having anything to say.

Be on the look out for new opportunities to learn the bible. Our new member classes will include scripture studies. Each bulletin has a bookmark with daily bible readings. Follow the example of Jesus who with his words was able to lift the spirits of his two friends from numb despair to burning hope.

He is risen,

James

March 30-The Hiddenness of God Luke 24:13-24

2008-04-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

What do you do when God is silent? What do you do when God seems distance or absent?
We are beginning a four week series "On the road to Emmaus”. This is a story that happened late in the afternoon on that first Easter day. It begins with two disciples walking down the road to the town of Emmaus. It begins with silence. Jesus had died and with his death went their hopes for the redemption of their lives and of their nation, Israel. As they walked, they practiced the ancient Jewish custom of talking about the law when they traveled. Moses introduced this custom after he gave Israel the law. Walking gave them the opportunity to talk things out, to try and make sense of what happened to Jesus: his rejection, trial and death. Indeed, they had most likely been talking about little else for the past three days. This is a custom worth our adopting. Think of the time we spend waiting in travel, in traffic.
Then Jesus comes and walks alongside them unrecognized. Jesus promised nothing less then he taught that “whenever 2 or 3 witnesses gather in my name, there I will be in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). The same is true for us today. Remember that whenever we gather in Jesus’ name, in a small group, with a prayer partner, in a committee meeting, Jesus comes and walks alongside us. We don’t see him, but he is in our midst none the less.
Then Jesus enters into the conversation by asking a question. In the gospel’s Jesus often began an interaction by asking a question. To Bartimaeus the blind man, he asked “What do you want?” To the 2 disciples of John, he asked “What are you seeking?” To the man by the pool of Bethsaida, he asked “Do you want do get well?” To the Samaritan woman, he asked “Will you give me a drink?” These questions put the focus on the disciples, on those Jesus is interacting with. Jesus loves us and is interested in discussing whatever is on our hearts.
I wonder if the silence of God is part of his entering into a conversation with us. When I experience the silence of God, I often hear a question well up deep within the quiet. Like the way an effective counselor will be still, giving us room, and suddenly we are pouring out our hearts.
The two disciples are silent for a moment. After all, they didn’t know Jesus and if he is working for the Jewish authorities, they could be arrested for their allegiance with Jesus. Cleopas takes a chance and begins, cautiously. Jesus asks another question, “What things?” scratching the surface a little deeper. So Cleopas pours out his heart. His grief and bewilderment are so great he tosses caution to the winds and tells this stranger everything, including Cleopas’ allegiance with Jesus. It’s all a jumble, but there it is.
What do you do when God is silent? I keep telling you to believe in God and all that from up front. Then you set aside time for God, begin to pray, sincerely, earnestly, and you hear nothing but silence.
The answer might be simple—sin. In other words, we have wandered away from God. His silence merely reflects the distance we have put between ourselves and God. But what if we have not done anything particularly wrong? What if, it appears as if God has withdrawn from us? What do we do then?
At those times, it’s important to remember that God has a purpose for these times of silence. First, silence is a regular part of our walk with God. According to the Westminster confession of faith—a summary of Reformed Theology written in the 17th century used by the Presbyterian church, God seems to withdraw his presence for a season to test us, to show us our hearts, our weakness, so we will cling to him all the more. According to the Hebrew prophet Habakkuk “the righteous will live by faith” not by sight. Paul repeats this principle in his letters. To remove signs of God’s presence, his silence in words and in provision compels us to lean all the more on just faith.
St John of the Cross, a16th century Spanish mystic, confessor for St Theresa, wrote about this experience in his poem “The dark night of the soul.” For those wishing to know God, they must embrace the path of nothingness as the way towards having everything. He called this the ascent to Mt Carmel—or union with God. He exhorts us to accept our worst circumstances, with thankfulness, with joy, for these terrible gifts will put our feet on the straightest road to knowing God. Our world pulls at us to expect everything, on time, right away, yet it leaves us wanting more, impatient, and bored. The way to contentment is for us to expect nothing.. If you want to become loving go where there is no love. If you want to be faithful, go where there is faithlessness. If you want to become patient, go to the land of delays. If you want to become joyful, dwell with depression.
This is counterintuitive and extremely difficult. In fact, this is impossible for us.
But as followers of Christ, we are never truly alone. For in the darkness of depression, of poverty, of pain, of betrayal, of loss, of grief, the man of sorrows, one acquainted with grief, walks with us like he did with those 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus. The gentle shepherd of our souls and once instructed in the hard school of loss, we will become forever full of the fruits of righteousness, of joy and patience, goodness and kindness, of love and purity.
This is the road Jesus traveled. This is the road he bids us to walk. This is the straight path to glory. Few travel it. What will you do?
He is risen,
James

March 23 Easter

2008-03-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28:1-10—“He has risen from the dead”
“we’re gonna live forever” Oasis (sung during worship this Easter)
Since Easter is about Jesus conquering death, it seems like an apt fit for a song that defiantly claims life everlasting. With this song, Oasis pointedly acknowledges fear and pain and unbelief, but instead of crying into the void in despair because of it, they proclaim that they choose to embrace life, to live fully and to live forever. This song actually represents quite a turning point in pop music history for that reason, because Oasis exploded out of England in 1994 with this song, and a whole lot of British swagger, right at the moment that the angst and cynicism of grunge, which had thus far dominated the decade, flamed out with Kurt Cobain's death. It was a bracingly different attitude, and, at least for me and everyone else my age, the beginning of a new generation. Gen X ended where Oasis began.

Think of it, what would it mean if you knew you were going to live forever? Life after death gives your actions in this world greater impact, for they will follow you into eternity. It also means that life is stronger than death. To live forever means that death is not the final reality. I think this is why optimism always trumps or at least outlasts pessimism. Think of all the kingdoms come and gone, all the death and famine and war and pestilence, yet here we are dressed and in church, life continues.

For my generation, it was the fear of nuclear destruction, MAD, that was the ultimately reality, inevitable, then came the fall of the Soviet Union and the rebirth of hope. There are always enemies to life. Now we live with the fear of terrorists, political extremists fueled by fanatical religious beliefs waging war against civilians. But life will win. Why? Some elemental life force? Like the coming of spring after the killing chill of winter. Like the birth of a baby after the death of a patriarch. The emergence of the mammals after the destruction of the dinosaurs? No, it’s because of the God that created this world continues to love this world despite our continual fascination with the ways of death. God loves us and he is a God of life, not of death. He is at work to defeat death and pain and destruction and sin.

How does God over come the forces of death? Through sending Jesus. Jesus in his death and resurrection broke the power of sin and death forevermore.
Let’s begin with the crucifixion. The cross killed Jesus. He was dead, as dead as could be. Mocked, Beaten, Tortured, forced to carry his own instrument of death, where he was nailed to the cross beam and hung up to die a slow agonizing death. This was done by professionals. Then he was taken down, wrapped in a shroud and hurried placed in a tomb carved from the rock, the coup de grace being a huge stone rolled over the front to seal out the stench and protect the corpse from grave robbers, then sealed and even guarded by Roman soldiers to insure the disciples would not steal the body.

Then, three days later… Matthew 28:1-10.
Vv 1-2 Two women go to mourn at the tomb. The text gives no indication that they expected Jesus to be gone or alive. They had been there when he died. For them, Jesus was dead and that was it. Women were stronger than the male disciples. They had stayed at the foot of the cross throughout it all. Thought women would not have been taken seriously by the male religious leaders or soldiers.

Vv 3-4 There is a violent earthquake-an angel of the Lord came down from heaven—nothing theoretical, not a warm religious feeling, an inner knowing. This was God intervening into a very real world with a very real angel. An angel that strode to the tomb, rolled back the heavy stone, sat on it. His appearance was so glorious, so powerfully good, clean, pure and strong, the professional soldiers, trained for war, literally fainted away from fear.

V 5 Yet the women did not faint. They were afraid, but for them, somehow, this angel was more than merely terrifying. The unveiling of heaven will be frightening for all, and all will see it. It will be a terrifying assurance of the truth of the bible, of what Jesus taught, no longer a theory to be accepted or not. And sinners will faint from fear and remorse, terrified at the prospect of judgment. The followers of Jesus will be terrified but the terror will be temper by joy. Yet for these women, I wonder if the angel reminded them of Jesus?

V 5-7 The angel gave his message. This was his purpose. Angel is Greek for “messenger.” He is not here. He has risen just as he said. Come and see where they lay him. Then go and tell his disciples that he is going ahead of them to Galilee. There they will see him.

V 8 the women believed and ran to obey—filled with fear and joy.
V 9 suddenly Jesus met them. Greetings—Literally, “Xairete” which means “Joy”. He repeats the message of the angel. Why? Perhaps, he could not wait to be with them again. Perhaps the very love that enabled him to endure the cross, caused him to break the well thought out procedure which included the angel and Jesus just had to talk to the women himself. If the women felt joy over seeing Jesus again, imagine Jesus’ joy at being with his followers again.

This story is not offered as proof of the resurrection. It is the story of the believers first encounter with the risen Jesus. This story is not intended to prove the resurrection. It’s a story told and retold by believers about the joy and terror they experienced at seeing and embracing the risen Christ. That witness has continued down through the ages, for you see Jesus is risen. We proclaim that in pulpits and homes and street corners in every country around the world by people who have met the risen Christ as well. This is not a clever story the early disciples used to convince others of some colossal religious hoax. No, the first disciples, women included, believed that Jesus was dead. They had to meet him before they believed he was alive and that continues to this day. Jesus is alive. He has risen from the grave and lives forevermore. He has broken the power of death not just the death that held him in the grave but the death that continues to hold us and our world in its iron grip. The good news of Jesus’ resurrection is that he has broken that power of death on all of us. Will you believe it? You can believe that death has the final word. Or you can join with the followers of Jesus and try the faith out for yourself. What do you have to lose?
Christ is risen,
James

March 16 Passion Sunday

2008-03-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 50:4-9

We are in the midst of a fight between life and death. Everyday we face decisions that point us towards life or death. Whether you like it or not, the forces of death are attacking our life, trying to blot out the light. You choose to fight the forces of darkness, the riptide of death, or you give up and let the forces of death pull you under.
This past Sunday is known as “Passion Sunday”. It’s the beginning of holy week, when we remember the greatest warrior for life, for light, fought his greatest battle—against the religious authorities he challenged, rejected by those he came to save, ground up by an human system interested only in power and control.
But Jesus said that all of this had been predicted long before, hundreds of years before. In fact he explained from the Hebrew scripture where the prophets spoke of him and this week of rejection, death, and victory.
The prophet Isaiah received his message from the Sovereign Lord. Literally, “Adonai Yahweh”. The prophet heard from the Lord of Heaven and Earth, direct communication. His book is a record of what he heard. We are still reading these words, this record of God’s speaking to a mortal. Isaiah heard the word of truth.
How did the listeners receive this precious revelation?
For the weak—these words were like food, medicine, a tonic strengthening their weary souls, worn out bodies. Enlivening their minds dulled by suffering. This prophet was speaking to the Israelites when they were in exile in Babylon. They were weary, disheartened, they desperately needed a word that would sustain them.
For others it was another story. Isaiah, the bringer of God’s word, was beaten, humiliated, mocked. His beard was plucked out. In the middle east the beard was a sign of dignity for a man. Pulling out the beard was turning you back into a boy. Yet the prophet didn’t shrink back from this humiliation.
Why? Because the sovereign Lord helped him. The prophet sets his face like flint.
The sovereign Lord is near to vindicate the speaker of truth. After all, the one who gives the counsel is the same one who delivers the messenger. Isaiah imagines a courtroom. He challenges his accusers to confront him publically, knowing that the judge of all judges will support him, will strengthen him, will sustain him. While his accusers, those beating his back, tearing out his beard, mocking him and spitting, they will be like cloth. They might look good, but time will show how flimsy they are. They will be worn out and eaten by moths, rotting away, eaten by bugs.
Jesus referred to these verses when he warned his disciples of his rejection by the religious leaders. How he would be mocked and spat upon, his beard pulled out, then crucified. Luke 18:31-33.

We who follow Jesus, the man who fulfilled the words of Isaiah, we are invited to follow the same model. The sovereign Lord wishes to speak to us—to waken us day by day to instruct us to know the word that sustains the weary.
Do we give him the time? Make room for him to speak to us? God wishes us to deliver his word to a world weary with sin and the ways of death. To speak a word of life that will overturn the death around us. But be warned, we are in a battle. The forces of death will not go done easy. They will fight us tooth and nail. Those forces of death in the structures of business, of government—inequality in opportunity because of race, ethnic origin, color of your skin, whether you are considered beautiful or not. Those forces of death are in your family, roots of bitterness because of past hurts that have not been forgiven. Those forces of death are in your heart, a heart still half in love with the ways of death, times when you want to give up, and sink back into the welcoming arms of death, of sleep, of peace.
Where are you battling the forces of death? Don’t back down. Remember that the sovereign Lord that sustained Jesus when his back was beaten, when his beard was plucked out, when he was nailed to a cross. The sovereign Lord did not abandon him, even though that’s exactly how it felt.
Remember that you are not alone in your battle. Come to worship to be with other believers fighting the same fight. Come for help, ask for prayer. Ask the sovereign Lord to draw near, to sustain you, to overcome your accusers, to give you victory over death. He who called you is faithful. Remember that the cross leads to resurrection, life forevermore. This is only the beginning.
Grace and peace,
James

March 9--Come Out!

2008-03-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

John 11:1-45
Who was Jesus? A good teacher? A Jewish Religious leader? A revolutionary? A wonder worker? A good man? God? Let me tell you a story.

Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, is sick. In fact, Lazarus is dying. So his family sends for Jesus. To them Jesus is a wonder worker, a healer, a spiritual doctor. But Jesus is always doing the unexpected. Now when he hears of Lazarus’ illness, he doesn’t go to him, he loiters around for 2 whole days. Then he says to his disciples, “Let’s go.” The only problem? While Jesus delayed, Lazarus died.

When Jesus gets to gravesite, Martha, Lazarus’ sister confronts him. “Why weren’t you here? You could have save my brother. Don’t you care about us?” For Martha, Jesus is the healer, the wonder worker, perhaps an Old Testament prophet. She calls him the Messiah, but by that she means not much more than the power of an Elijah. Jesus tells her, “Do you believe that Lazarus will rise again?” “Yes, Lord, I believe he will rise at the end of the age.” Then Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, even if they are dead, will live forevermore.”
Martha wondered what that meant.

Then Jesus speaks with Lazarus’ other sister, Mary. She too asks him, “Why weren’t you here to save my brother?” Like Martha, Jesus is the healer. Jesus is the Messiah who forgave her sins. Remember Mary is the one who anointed his feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair.

Then Jesus cries at the gravesite. Some onlookers comment on how he cares. Jesus is compassionate. Jesus is fully human—he is sympathetic to our sorrows, he weeps with those who weep, he rejoices who rejoice. To others, Jesus is the slacker—couldn’t he have come sooner? Nice one, Jesus.

Then Jesus reveals who he is. He commands that they raise the stone. He approaches the grave. He challenges Martha. “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Then he commands the corpse to Come Out! Lazarus walks from the tomb. His body alive, rejoined with his spirit, healed, long after he was gone.
Through this miracle of raising the dead, Jesus proves that he is more than a healer, he is more than simply compassionate, he is not a slacker, but active and willing to intervene. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Even if you are dead, it is not too late. Just as he called Lazarus from the grave, from decay, from death, Jesus stands ready to call you from your grave of sin, of decay, of death, into life.

Sometimes Jesus waits until we have fallen from sickness into death, so that he can prove who he is, more than a wonder worker, more than a great teacher, more than a sympathetic friend in every season. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Do you believe this?

Are you dead in your sins? Are you beyond all earthly help? Lost because of what you have done? Is your life over?

This is not a message for the comfortable
This is not a message for those whose life is well established.
This is a message for those who are desperate, those who have made a wreck of their lives, those who know that they are dead, those who are hungry, those who are broken, those who have come to a dead end, those who have crumpled into a heap at the end of the road and sat their rotting for four days.
To you, Jesus commands, Come Out! Leave the halls of death and enter life again. Not the same life you left, for this new life that Jesus calls you to is eternal, by clinging to Jesus you will receive life that will never bow to sin and death again, life that extends forever. Even though the body will fail, will decay, will die. This eternal life given to you through faith in Jesus Christ goes on and on forever.

For those of you who are following Jesus. Is your life hum drum? Does your belief in Jesus not make that big a difference? Remember his words to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” Don’t sell him short. God is praised for his great deeds of power. Through Jesus that power is available to us who believe. I am not talking about salvation, but I am talking about your faith giving God room to over turn your world and the worlds of those around you.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
Who do you know who is dead? What about yourself? Where are you dead? Where have you given up? Is it your marriage, your career, your children, your dating life, your finances? Perhaps a dream you cherished once. What needs to be resurrected for you this week? To what does Jesus need to command, "Come Out!"
Where will you go this week where you will confront death? Perhaps the Holy Spirit will prompt you to say those words, "Come Out!" Come back from death, from the darkness, back to life, back into the light of God's love and wholeness.
Come Out!
James

March 2 - "Wake up, sleeper"

2008-03-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 5:8-14
“you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”
Are you stuck in your life? Despite all your hard work, do you always end up in the same place? Do you want to get better? Do you want your life to matter? Your actions to count? Your memory to be blessed?
Live as children of light—in holiness, in the light, not in the dark. Paul is telling his saints to be like Jesus, to walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
Living in the light will make our lives not just healthy but fruitful—with all goodness, righteousness and truth.
Goodness has to do with being. As we live in the light we will become more good, more the way we were created to be—fully alive. More like God—God is good. All creation reflects his goodness and glory. For you to become good is to reflect his character.
Righteousness has to do with doing. As we live in the light, our action will become righteous, more in line with God’s law. This has to do with action. Our actions affect our relationships. To be righteous is to be in right relationship with God and with each other. Jesus makes us righteous, in right relationship with God and each other, but we work this out with our daily actions.
Truthfulness has to do with integrity. As we live in the light, our wholes selves will become more integrated. What we do will become more in line with who we are. In our speech, our actions, at home, at work, and all of this in line with Jesus Christ who is the truth.
Great theory, but how do we make this real? How so do we grow in integrity, in truth, in righteousness, in goodness? The key is called “Rebuke”.
Verse 11 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them.” The Greek word translated here as "expose" is often translated as “rebuke” also meaning "bring to light” Rebuking someone is not pleasant. It is never easy. To expose someone’s actions with a rebuke takes courage. But remember Jesus. Why do you think Jesus was killed? He rebuked the authorities for their evil ways. He exposed their deeds of darkness. It is hard to read half a page of a gospel without Jesus rebuking someone. He rebuked Satan in the wilderness. He called the religious authorities snakes and white washed tombs. He told the crowds that they followed him not to find God but to get free bread. He even called his chief disciple “Satan” at one point.
Get ready. If you follow Jesus, you will get rebuked. This will usually come from a brother or sister in the Lord, another Christian. Rebukes almost always come from other people. This is really counter cultural.
But the stakes couldn’t be higher. Deeds of darkness are fruitless. Fruitless means you might be having a really good time, but nothing much is moving forward in your life. All your activity is basically pointless. Words of truth restore fruitfulness. Fruit here means lives that have a point, that are going somewhere, you are growing, maturing, your life is making more and more sense. You are overcoming challenges dealing with struggles.
Are you stuck in your life? Perhaps you have an area of darkness that is holding you back. Do you really want to grow? Do you really desire to grow up? Then, pray for God to send you someone to rebuke you. Pray for God to reveal that darkness. Your life can matter. It’s up to you.
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Grace and peace,
James

Iconostasis

2008-03-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

The iconostasis in orthodox tradition is a set of doors connecting heaven (the Holy of Holies) and earth (the nave). It represents Christ, Who is our door, meeting us in our humanness and bringing us into His holiness.

Using this image of Jesus as a bridge between the human and the divine, Iconostasis is a time when CHP opens up its doors and invites everyone to experience this mystery through music, art, poetry, scripture and worship.

The next Iconostasis is Good Friday, March 21, 2008. Doors open at 7 pm for stations, and the community gathering is at 8.

http://iconostasisseattle.blogspot.com
http://tasteandsee-seattle.blogspot.com

Congregational Meeting

2008-02-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

Emerging Vision of the New Church

Act 1—A New Beginning
Easter 2006, we opened Capitol Hill Presbyterian New Church Development as a merger of two congregations. Church at the Center-a 13 year old church from lower Queen Ann, with the tag line "real, relevant and a little bit radical" came togethere with Westminster-a 110 year old church devoted to traditional doctrines and liturgy.
We began with wild hopes of mission and growth with 3 plus pastors on staff.
Act 2—Reality Intrudes
We worked hard to settle into a new life together, devoting ourselves to prayer, a mission partnership in Africa, children and youth ministries, outreach to the international students next door, contemporary worship, emergent worship. We were a busy church. But we did not grow. We did not shrink either. It became clear to the leadership, that we were not growing to the size necessary to support our abundant pastoral staff. So, after much prayer, discussion and honest soul searching, we let our two associate pastors go October 15, 2007. At the same time, our InterVarsity pastor who provided leadership for our evangelism ministries went on sabbatical. our children's director left as well as our church administrator. Then James, our senior pastor, left for Africa for 2 weeks. Our busy church became quiet for a season.
Act 3—Signs of New Life
In retrospect, our downsizing of staff meant the end of our old church system. While it was painful at the time, it cleared the ground for the new church to emerge. Since then, our steering committee has focused on Discipleship. We narrowed our focus to 5 ministry priorities:
Worship
Prayer
Community
Bibilical Literacy
Service
We also heard a clear call to "get our house in order."
A group of elders visited "Adventure in Faith" a Presbyterian church in Port Orchard. They were impressed with their governance structure. This thriving church has three groups of leaders: Elders, Deacons and Ministry Team Leaders. Elders provide leadership through prayer, visioning, ministry priorities and evaluation. The Deacons provide ministries of pastoral care. The ministry team leaders will do simpl that--lead ministry teams--youth, children's ministry, finance, facilities, mission partners, etc.
This reduce the work load by involving more people with more specifically focused tasks.
A Date for Chartering—June 15
Chartering is when a New Church Development--like us--becomes a full fledged church. This means we will be free to make our decisions without a group from Presbytery reviewing our actions.
Why charter now?
When we started the new church Easter of 2006, we could have chartered that first sunday. We did not, because we wanted to give God time and space to end our former church systems and begin a new way of doing things. Since the departure of staff in the Fall, the STeering Committee has witnessed the emergence of this new church. Therefore, it is time to set that new direction by chartering.
This will mean a number of tasks, including:
The Selection and training of elders and deacons.
If you are feeling a desire to be an elder or deacon, if you know of someone in the congregation who would be a good elder or deacon, talk to James or a member of Steering Committee. We are beginning to meet to prayerfully decided on the new leadership of the church.
Stay tuned for a New Member’s class. Everyone wishing to be a charter member of the new church will need to take the class where James will be teaching about the mission of God through Jesus Christ and how our church is following that mission with the individual ministries of our church.

We have also been discussing the shape of Sunday morning. In an effort to make room for Adult Education, we are discussing 2 options
 Keep things the same and adding classes during worship.
 Going to One service with a designated education hour for children, youth and adults.
Continue to pray for wisdom for your leaders.

Finally, Jan Supler passed out a financial summary of 2007 and a first draft for 2008. Miraclously, through all the ups and downs of the past year, we are doing fine. We are paying our bills and even have some money to use for what's next. Remember that Mike and Heather are still receiving their salaries until April 15th as severance.
We finished the meeting with a few questions. But that is basically what happened.
God continues to lead us forward step by step. We are uncertain of the long term, but we are confident of God leading us in the future. The question is, will we be faithful?
Courage,
James

Boast in the Hope—Rom 5:1-11

2008-02-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

February 24

What causes you to rejoice? In our special music this week, the singer rejoices in the intimacy she feels with her lover. “We rejoice like stars—exploding with light and heat.” Our culture idolizes this sort of romantic ecstasy. It is at the heart of every comic story.
In the movie “Stranger than Fiction” Harold Krick finds himself as the hero in a story. It begins when he is brushing his teeth and a voice begins to narrate. In his search to find out what is happening to him, he consults a professor of English literature, who helps him discover what sort of story he is in, a tragedy or a comedy. In tragedy, the hero dies. In comedy, the hero falls in love and gets married. The stakes can be no higher.
But in the long run what difference does it make? I hate to disappoint you, but even if Harold’s story is a comedy and he finds the right woman, he is still going to grow old and die. His story will ultimately be tragic.
This is true for us as well. What causes us to rejoice? I hate to disappoint you but finding the right woman, the right man, the right relationship will not bring you everlasting joy, in the romantic thrill of the first season of love, you will rejoice like stars, but after 18 months tops, these feelings will fade. Even if you endure and your relationship matures. You are still heading towards death, first one and then the other. Where can we find a more lasting foundation for rejoicing?
Paul, in Romans 5:2, states that “we boasts [rejoice, exult] in the hope of the glory of God.” As Christians, we rejoice in the hope of sharing God’s glory. We exult in the fabulous gift of God to us through Jesus Christ. I am reminded of the words of Delmar in “Oh Brother where art thou?” After he was baptized, he says to Everett and Pete—“Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward.” So far so good, but what happens when life gets rough, and the initial romance of having our sins warshed away fades?
V 3 “we also boast [or rejoice] in our sufferings” How is this possible? Paul goes on. “Suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character. Character produces hope.” Suffering is the key to our transformation—from children of darkness, to children of the light, from agents of hell to citizens of heaven.
By accepting the most difficult of our circumstances, rejoicing in those areas of our lives that are most broken, most in need, those parts of our lives that we are ashamed of, that are a source of pain. What do you struggle with? A physical infirmity, unloving parents, a spouse who has rejected you, mental illness, an Addiction, unrelenting Poverty, Loneliness?
By embracing our area of struggle, facing it squarely, suffering whatever it is, we will find our struggle beginning to shape us—mature us, forming the trait of perseverance—ability to tolerate pain, discomfort. This in turn will begin to build up our character, develop character strengths, hard working, reliable despite the odds, people who keep their promises. Because the way we handle adversity is the key to our achieving our potential, to our becoming the people God has created us to be. With this notion, sin becomes our giving up, turning from the path of suffering to a side road of momentary pleasure or distraction.
But who is equal to this task?
V 6-8 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This transformation begins with God’s work in our hearts long before we are engaged with God’s work of changing us. Infant baptism is a sign of this—we rely upon God’s work in our children, long before they are aware of it. Knowing that God is at work in our hearts long before there is any evidence enables us to pray with hope for those who give no sign of interest in God or Jesus or salvation. Somewhere hidden deep within the person, God might be at work.
The Christian story is both a tragedy and a comedy. It begins as a tragedy—we are corrupted by sin, assured by our heritage and our actions to suffer the wrath of God on judgment day. But for whosoever believes in Jesus and follows him, we by being bound with him, we die with him in his death on the cross—tragedy, and then because God’s wrath is satisfied through Jesus’ death, Jesus is raised from the death, and those of us who cling to him, are raised as well to eternal life, free from our sins and the judgment they deserve. Our life story becomes a comedy, has a happy ending—eternal life. That enables us to rejoice in all circumstances, good times and especially in bad.
Grace and peace,
James

Go to the land I will show you ...

2008-02-20T17:04:00.001-08:00

February 17
Genesis 12:1-5

If someone came up to you and said, “leave everything you know, everyone you know, everything familiar and comfortable and come with me.” What would you say? What if this someone said, I will not tell you exactly where we are going? But I will go with you. What would you say? Would you go?
That was God’s word to Abram. “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Abram knew what he was losing, it was concrete, real. All Abram knew about where he was going came from a promise.
I will make you into a great nation.
I will bless you.
I will make your name great
And you will be a blessing
I will bless those who bless you
Whoever curses you I will cures.
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Abram was a Pilgrim. A Pilgrim is a foreigner, a traveler from another country, often traveling to a sacred site as a religious act of devotion. Devout Muslims make a pilgrimage once in a lifetime to Mecca. In Israel, the religiously faithful would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
As Christians, Jesus Christ calls us to be pilgrims, to leave our homes, our families, our father’s land and go to the land he will show us.

In John Bunyan’s book “Pilgrim’s Progress”, we meet a man named Christian. This man started reading a book and became very upset for it foretold destruction on the city he was living in. This man was frightened because he knew that when his city was destroyed, he would sink down to everlasting punishment because of the burden of sin on his back. A man called “Evangelist” found him wandering in the field upset and told him to go to the small wicket gate. Christian started out, but his family and friends called for him to come back, some mocked him, some pleaded, until he put his fingers in his ears and ran towards the gate shouting “Life, life! Eternal life!”

This is true for us as well. We have the same choice to make. All you see is going to burn. Everlasting torment will be for all whose sins are not cleansed by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice. Our mainline churches tend to preach morality and good deeds, but being a follower of Jesus Christ is so much more. It is turning from the ways of death, to the ways of life, it is rejecting this world and its pleasures, its goals, its distractions, and heading towards the celestial city where the angels of God, cherubim, seraphim, dwell, where the elders praise God around his throne, where ever tear is wiped away, a restored paradise—a new heaven and a new earth, a garden for us to live in, with restored bodies, resurrection bodies, that will never hurt, or break down, or get sick. Meaningful work, deep friendships, knowing God and being known by him.
So, if someone came up to you and asked you to leave everything you know and go on a pilgrimage to the land he will show you, what would you say?

Listen to Evangelist, forsake this world, leave the city of destruction. Ask for forgiveness of your sins and dedicate your steps to a lifelong pilgrimage to the celestial city. Life! Life! Everlasting Life, awaits you.
Grace and peace,
James

Who do you listen to?

2008-02-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Sermon Notes – February 10th

Gen 2:15-17, 3:1-7

Who do you listen to? Whose advice do you follow? Mentors are people important to us because they model behavior, they embody character or attributes we want to imitate. As we follow their advice, imitate their habits, we become more like them.
In the beginning, God created paradise and put us in charge. We had everything we needed. Plenty of food, meaningful work tending the garden. God made us male and female so we wouldn’t be along. Then he gave us a single command. Don’t eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or you will die. With this command, we had a choice to listen to God or not.
Then comes the serpent who questioned God’s command. The snake questioned God’s motive for setting up the command. The tempter tells us a different command. Eat the fruit for you will not die, the fruit will make you like God.
Adam and Eve had a choice. Who would they listen to? Who would they trust? Who was telling the truth? They chose to trust the snake, I believe, because the snake told them what they wanted to hear. You have no limits. You can be a god. You do not have to obey anyone, any law. You can be at the center of things.
The results? Adam and Eve became aware that they were “naked”. In Hebrew this word is spelt the same as the word for “clever”, the word that described the snake. So, Adam and Eve did not become like God, they became like the snake. They became like the one they listened to.
So, who do you listen to? The next time you are presented with a choice, consider the source. Consider the person advising you. Do you want to be more like them?

Grace and Peace,
James

Incarnation-December 30

2008-01-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 2:10-18
For this Christmas season Sunday, we spent time contemplating the mystery of the incarnation. As a church, I believe we are more comfortable envisioning Jesus as fully God than fully human. The problem of this emphasis is that as we follow this overly divine Jesus, we over emphasize our need to be divine ourselves. We hide our humanness, our frailty, our weakness. We are ashamed of our weakness, the ways we fall short, the ways we fail each other, and in our shame we stitch together fig leaves to hide behind. The problem with fig leaves is that others can see right through them, so our attempts to hide ourselves do more to hide ourselves from ourselves than others. It’s a holiness game the saints often play with devastating consequences.

But our frailty is nothing to hide. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church that the parts of the body that are un-presentable we treat with special modesty. Jesus quoting the Hebrew scripture blessed the meek, declaring that they would inherit the earth. God allowed a thorn to vex the apostle Paul declaring that God’s strength was perfected in Paul’s weakness.

So, we turn to the scriptures which chronicle the mystery of the almighty becoming weak, the all knowing giving up his omniscience, the omnipresent contracting into the tiny form of a newborn. So that weakness might overpower the mighty, the foolish confound the wise. So that hope might enter into the bleakest, darkest, most forsaken of God’s creatures, and so enter into those places in ourselves as well and find redemption.

With hope for us all,

James

Sermon Notes – December 16th

2007-12-20T13:19:00.000-08:00

The Difference that Christ Makes
Matthew 11:2-15

Jesus came to earth as a baby 2000 years ago. God with us, Emmanuel. The angels sang, the shepherds wondered, the kings came from afar. So what. After 2000 years, what difference has Jesus made?

Evil people still rule over evil systems. Injustice and unfairness are institutionalized. Wasn’t the Messiah supposed to take care of all that? What about John the Baptist’s words of the Messiah laying the ax to the root of every unfruitful tree, of the Messiah gathering the wheat into his barn and burning the chaff with unquenchable fire?

Looks like business as usual to me.
John the Baptist wondered the same thing. Imprisoned by the corrupt ruler, Herod, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he were the one, or if they should wait for another?
Jesus answered not with words, but with a witness. He showed John’s disciples the fruit of his ministry. Blind men seeing, the lame walking, the leprous cleansed and the poor hopeful because of Jesus’ announcement of the arrival of God’s kingdom.

When God came to earth, his first concern was not judgment of the wicked. His first concern was the healing of the hurting. God hears the cries of the oppressed, the maimed, the crippled, the poor. Jesus came because God so loved the world, not because God was angry with the world.

Besides, if Jesus had come with judgment, who would stand? All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We would all be consumed by the unquenchable fire. There are no good guys and bad guys, we are all bad guys. We are all part of the problem. God loves us. He doesn’t want to come back and condemn the entire world. He wants to redeem a remnant first. This was his message to John. His message to us.

The truth?

We are blind. We are blinded by the glare of this world and our attraction to the glitter of sin. Jesus gives us sight to look up to heaven and glimpse our creator, Jesus gives us sight to look around us and see the miracles that surround us everyday.
We are lame—we are crippled by sinful desires, and are unable to walk in paths of righteousness, in right living, to keep our promises. Jesus strengthens our weak knees and unsteady feet.
We are leprous—our souls are defile by sin, the most loathsome and inveterate of diseases, getting worse and infecting others. Jesus cleanses us and makes us vessels which bring this cleansing to others.
We are deaf to the voice of God, his word, and our own conscience Jesus restores our ears so we can here his voice once again.
We are dead in our sins and transgressions, separated from God and without hope of heaven. Nothing less than the power of Christ can redeem from all this.
We are poor towards the things of God. Jesus preaches to us, the poor, the Good news of God’s love and redemption.

The good news of the gospel is that God so loved us that he came to us not as a judge but as a savior. Judgment is coming, but that is not first on God’s list. What is first is our redemption, our healing, our cleansing. The question is not does Jesus make a difference? The question is will you trust him to make a difference in your life. This Christmas, make that step. Give your heart, your steps, your life to Jesus.

Grace and peace,
James

Get Ready::Matthew 3:1-12

2007-12-12T15:17:00.000-08:00

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” V 1.

The best way to prepare for Christmas is to Repent! Christmas marks the time when the world remembers the creator coming to earth in the flesh, as a human being. The King of heaven and earth came to bring his kingdom near. As his subjects, we prepare for the coming king by repenting of following the way that seems best to us and submitting ourselves once again to his authority. Remember John was a Jew preaching to fellow Jews. For 2100 years, God had been working with the Jews to be his chosen people. Now the moment had come. God was drawing near. The Messiah was coming. What would they do?

John was a classic old testament prophet—rough clothes, gnarly food, uncut hair and unshaven beard, preaching hellfire and damnation for the disobedient. And the Jews, the people of God, hungry to draw near to this promised kingdom, came out in droves. They confessed their sins and accepted John’s baptism in water to mark their confession and seal God’s pardon. They prepared their hearts to welcome the coming king.

What about us? As Christians, we do not have to fear judgement. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17. That is a great comfort, for we are weak and often fall back into our old ways of sin. Yet this assurance of salvation should not lull us into complacency. We are the people of God just as those Jews listening to John. John calls us as well as them to prepare for the coming king.

During these days before Christmas, are we taking time to take stock of our lives? Are we too busy getting the tree up, the packages bought, the parties prepared? Is the reason for our excitement at this time of year all the presents and food and family time? Are we depressed because of broken families or grieving lost family members? Are we cruising along without any change at all?

Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John preaches with urgency. Make the most of this time, for our king is coming. Presents are not bad. Jesus himself loved parties. But why do we give? Why do we party? Is it self-indulgence or acts of kindness? Do we use this time of get togethers for reconciliation and blessing relationships or time to draw into ourselves in isolation? Use this season wisely for the time is coming when it will all be over. Then the wheat will be gathered into the barn and the chaff burnt with unquenchable fire.

Courage as you follow him who loves you best,

James

Sermon Notes::Look Out

2007-12-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

Matthew 24:36-44

Perspective. What would you do today, if you knew you would be dead tomorrow? Would you flood yourself with pleasure? Throw over all restraint? Would you call up old friends and catch up? Would you give away all your money and spend the night with your loved ones?
What is certain is that our perspective would change. We would make room for the things that are most important to us. It’s funny how the little things in life crowd out the big things.

In our scripture this week, Jesus talked about his return to earth. This will be the “day of the Lord” prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. It will mean the end of this age, the end of our lives as we know them, judgment of the wicked, rewards for the good. Jesus stressed that while his return is certain, no one will know the day or the hour; that no one will be expecting him. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2Peter 3:10). The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. We will be going about our daily routines, work, chores, relationships and then, Boom! A trumpet blast. The skies will roll back, Jesus will enter with the armies of heaven. Whatever we are doing will be done. So the message is Prepare yourself—make yourself ready.

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way what sort of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2Peter 3:11-12).

A Confession. To be honest, all of this talk of judgment and Jesus coming back should lead us to follow Christ more fervently, more closely. But often it wears us out. We greet this good news like we would greet another chore, another thing to do. We are weak. That is why Jesus taught us to pray. That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts. That is why Jesus left us a sacrament, a sacred meal to strengthen us, so that we might have a foretaste of his presence and anticipate his coming again with joy and constancy. This Advent then, keep it simple: remember to say your prayers; read your bible daily; and come to church. After all, Jesus could come today. \

James

Sermon Notes::A Concluding Word

2007-11-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

1 Kings 19

Elijah was the preeminent prophet in Israel. He lived in the Northern Kingdom in the 9th century BC during a time of unprecedented material prosperity. Omri--a military strongman--had recently taken over the kingship and reorganized the chaotic nation. He bought a plot of land and built a new capitol city--named Samaria--to help set this new direction. He made alliances with the surrounding kings to establish trade and ensure peace. He married his son Ahab to Jezebel--the daughter of a local king and high priestess of Baal and Ashtoreth. However, as Israel grew in prominence and prosperity, she declined in faithfulness and distinctiveness. God's one chosen people was becoming just like the sinful nations that surrounded her.
God chose Elijah to bring his people to their senses. You can read about the particulars in 1 Kings 17-18. Suffice it say that the job of shifting the momentum of an entire country--economically, politically and religiously--was staggering. In chapter 19, despite a series of astonishing successes, Elijah collapses emotionally and runs south into the desert to die. In his frustration, he asked God to take his life. God refused to take his letter of resignation. instead, God sent angels to strengthen him and then sent him out into the wilderness of Sinai to meet with him at Mt Horeb.
There on the mountain, God drew near to Elijah, speaking to him in soft, still voice. Elijah formally brought his complaint. All of my work, all of my effort, all of my life have not been enough. I am a failure. Nothing has changed. In fact, no one cares about following you or your ways anymore.
Yahweh doesn't offer words of advice or comfort or correction. God whispers Elijah's next assignment. For you see, Elijah still had much to do. God had chosen him to live a life much bigger and significant than even Elijah could conceive.
So it is with us. God has much for us to do. He has created each of us with a particular assignment, work that only we can do. These assignments are bigger and more significant than we can conceive. What is your assignment? To be a loving and faithful husband or wife? To be a hardworking employee? To finish a course of schoolwork? To be a patient friend? To lead at church? Are you tired? Are you worn out? Are you done with working your assignment, ready to give up? Are you convinced that nothing you have done has made any real difference?
I'm sorry but God doesn't want your letter of resignation. He has chosen you to go and bear fruit for his kingdom, fruit that will last. Look back on what you have accomplished. Imagine what else God has in store for you. There will be a time to rest, a time to lay down our burdens. But that time is not yet.
Be strong and courageous. Free your feet from the sin that so easily entangles. Lean into the God who promises to be the strength of our heart and run the course set for you with endurance. He who called you is faithful. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Courage,
James

Sermon Notes (11/4) :: Consuming Fire

2007-11-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 12:14-29

The author of Hebrews (we don’t know who it is) pens a text aimed at convincing his people not to turn back. The folks he’s writing to are Jews who have converted to this new way of Jesus. But they are tired of being the new kids on the block—the government doesn’t like them and neither do the Jewish people. The author tries to convince them not to turn back to a Jewish faith without Jesus by comparing two mountains—Mt Sinai and Mt Zion.

Mount Sinai is where Moses received the ten commandments. At this great event, the earth trembled, the mountain was covered in clouds and lightening, and the people were terrified. Hebrews presents us with a different mountain.

Mount Zion is one of the names in the New Testament for what is “up ahead”—heaven, the new Jerusalem, the new heavens and the new earth are other names for it. It’s important that we take this vision of Mount Zion and try to imagine it in our own heads—we have numerous visions of the future given to us every day by news and media. But the biblical vision of the future, presented in verses 22-24 needs to take root in our minds and guide how we live in the present. Take some time reading these verses and noting some of the characteristics of Mount Zion:

How do we, living between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion, connect with such a futuristic and utterly different vision than the world now we’re living in? Hebrews speaks of God “shaking” the earth and the heavens (12:26). The point of this shaking is that “what cannot be shaken may remain”. This tells us that these future realities are present now, but there is other distracting stuff alongside them. God will shake that stuff away in the future, leaving what “cannot be shaken”. So…
• Don’t give up! We all go through periods of doubt or questioning or syncretism (making up our own hybrid-Christianity) when we think things in our religious life have gotten stale or unsatisfying. Don’t give up! We have hope in a future beyond description!
• Fight against the things that are not part of this future—in our lives as individuals and in the world.
• Look for signs of the “shaking” happening even now. 12:28 tells we “are receiving” a kingdom that cannot be broken. Not “will receive” sometime in the future. The things of God are present now – a firm foundation; vibrant human community; joyful angels; the believers of previous generations; people transformed from distorted humans into their true selves. Look for them and hold onto them. Look for the shaking!

Matthew Koenig

Updates from Kenya

2007-11-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

In an email this week Doreen writes,

"things are going very well here in Nairobi, We have spent the last couple of days visiting four different ministries and have been blessed by how evident it is that God is at work in the lives of the people we have met. Thank you for all your prayers. We arrived Sunday morning with all 18 pieces of luggage and we are all doing well with the exception of a couple of colds. Tomorrow morning we drive five hours to Arusha, Tanzania. Please pray for traveling safety. Blessing to you guys. You have been in our prayers.

"In a separate email the same day Pastor James wrote,

"We arrived in Nairobi on Sunday with all our luggage and on time. We have had a busy couple of days visiting Rafiki, Parkland Baptist church, New Life Homes and Kibera. Today we are taking a breather. We'll see some baby elephants at an elephant orphanage and tomorrow take a bus to Tanzania. Once in TZ, I doubt we'll be able to send any more messages...Kibera was intense but the light of the love of God shining through a group of HIV positive women at Positive Change gave evidence that 'the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.' We have all been praying for you all, the church, the leadership, the changes. We feel your prayers as well."

As they say in East Africa, "Mungu Ni Muema, Na Waku Wote" (God is good All the Time!)

Tanzania Trip :: 10/26 - 11/10, 2007

2007-11-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Nine members from the CHPC community are currently traveling in Kenya and Tanzania as part of our church's partnership with World Vision International in the Kisongo-Makuyuni Area Development Project (ADP).

They are ::

Pastor James Kearny, Doreen Franson, Diana Rosemond, Kimberly Hamilton, Shannon Barbour, Mindy Moore, Mycah Wittinger, and Tyler and Kerri Whitworth.

The group will be visiting the children we have sponsored, observing World Vision projects, meeting with the leaders of local ministries, and sneaking in some time for rest and reflection. Below is their full itinerary.

Please take time this week to pray for them and for the communities we support.

Mon - Tues Oct 29-30 :: Visit ministries in Kenya working with orphans and women living with HIV/AIDS.
Thurs Nov 1 :: Travel to Arusha, meet WV staff.
Fri Nov 2 :: Visit Olarash, Lendikinya, and Mesereni villages to visit primary schools and see construction of classrooms and businesses & meet with several community groups.
Sat Nov 3 :: Meet with CHP’s Sponsored Children, OVCs supported by the Makuyuni ADP, and Maasai women income generating projects.
Sun Nov 4 :: in Monduli to attend church and meet with pastors (James is preaching for at least 1 hour.)
Mon Nov 5 :: Travel to Makuyuni ADP office and meet with Hope Teams as well as visit the medical staff house at Mswakini village.
Tues - Thurs Nov 6-9 :: Debrief and Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Fri Nov 9, 11:20 pm :: team leaves Nairobi
Sat Nov 10th 3:50 pm :: Team arrives home at SeaTac!