Listen to Him

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David Nuottila

Bible with glasses“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark 9:7

How often do we hear the words of Jesus yet fail to listen to him? How many times are we engaged in the struggles and pitfalls of earthly life and forget that Jesus showed us the way? In reality, it happens all too often. As a pastor, I sometimes wonder if Christians really understand the words God spoke when he said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

Recently I had an opportunity for conversation with a colleague during which he made the statement, “I wonder if the words from my mouth spoken on Sunday make any difference in people’s lives Monday through Saturday?” His thought process was such that he cited Bible studies and sermons based on the Sermon on the Mount, parables of Jesus and the revelation of God’s power made evident through Christ’s miracles and wonders. Truth be told, I often have this same thought. Do Christians listen and apply the words of Holy Scripture, or is the Bible simply viewed as an ancient voice that gives advice from time to time?

As individuals, families and congregations struggle with the many challenges in life, we tend to look for the “fix” or the “remedy” for our troubles. We begin looking at bank accounts and bottom lines. In our churches, we wonder why it is that only a few members end up doing the bulk of the work. These are realities, but they are in no way the faithful first steps of a disciple of Jesus. All too often we get caught up listening to the voice of struggle, frustration and apathy that we forget God is still speaking. We need to hear God’s voice and listen to his Son.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray, to love others, to forgive and refrain from judging, to give generously and to serve the neediest among us without holding back. Through his parables, our Lord teaches us the way of sacrificial love, what it means to be stewards, managers and caretakers of all God provides. The many miracles, signs and wonders of Jesus point to the power of God’s love and the faithful assurance of his promises, so that in all situations, the people of God can know Christ is Lord, our ever present help in times of trouble.

God is not distant; he is close to his people. His love is real; it’s not some imaginary force bringing momentary respite from worry. Prayer is our means to grow in relationship to God; it’s not just a gratuitous gesture before a meal or an opening to meetings. Holy Scripture speaks God’s Word and its teaching is foundational for all aspects of human life.

So how do we know if our worship, sermons and Bible studies make a difference? Well, if you don’t know where to find the teaching of Jesus, you’re not reading enough. If you’re consumed with worry about issues in daily life, you’re not praying enough. If your offering to the church seems burdensome, or is given without thought, you’re not giving enough. If you grumble about the homeless and the poor begging along the roadside, you’re not loving enough. In short, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (A nice place to start would be looking up this verse.)

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Beginning the Forty Days

Posted on March 6, 2014 by David Nuottila

???????????????????????????????“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” These are the words of Ash Wednesday. They are the words said over us as we receive the ashes reminding us of our mortality. We are reminded that we are not eternal creatures. Shaped and molded by God’s hands from the dust of the ground, it is our Creator and Father who breathes into our lungs and fills us with life.

In the beginning, God did not intend for Adam and Eve to return to dust; God did not intend for humans to die. God placed Adam and Eve into his garden and gave them dominion over all he had created. Yet, it seems this was not enough, Adam and Eve faced the power of temptation and fell into death’s grasp by following the powers that defy God. Giving in to the power of temptation and evil, they ate from the forbidden tree and brought sin into the world. God’s words, that they shall not eat of this tree lest they die, became a reality and eventually to dust they did return.

Since this time in the garden, all humans are born into sin and we cannot escape the penalty of death on our own. We will return to the dust from which we were so wonderfully made. God, however, does not leave his people abandoned; he saves his children from the power of death through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Yes, we shall return to dust, but through Christ God raises us to new and eternal life in his kingdom of glory.

The Lenten journey is one during which God’s people reflect on our need for a savior. We reflect upon the instances when we fall short of God’s calling in our lives, those times when we fail to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as God loves us. The Lenten journey is a time to seek repentance, turn away from behaviors that distance us from God’s love. It is a time to draw closer to our heavenly Father, to confess our wrong doing and to live into the promise of eternal life.

This year, as I do each and every year, I strongly encourage the people of God to take seriously the journey of Lent. Establish the good habits of faith; weekly worship, daily prayer and reading of Holy Scripture, giving alms, fasting (giving up something), fellowship with God’s people and doing works of love. Remembering that you are dust and to dust you shall return, I invite you all to grow in faith, love, fear and trust in the Lord. And as we make our journeys end, we will witness the victory of our Lord Jesus upon the cross, and look beyond to the promise of the empty tomb at Easter.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Photo – Preparing the ashes in the midst of the saints.

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The Sure Foundation

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David Nuottila

DSC_0682“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.” 1 Corinthians 3:10

As most people know, in order to build a structurally sound house, one must begin working from the ground up. To build on top of the soil, you have to dig down into it and lay strong foundational support that will bear the weight of what you plan to build above the surface. No matter the strength of your building materials, if the foundation isn’t sure and strong, it will buckle under the weight and the building will collapse. This is not only true of buildings; it can also be said about the life and fellowship of the church.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes to a young church which is still in the developmental stages. Paul himself brought them the gospel, taught them about God’s grace through Christ Jesus and laid a foundation built upon the truth of God’s salvation through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Paul taught the new Christian converts the basics of faith and how to live in community with one another as God’s precious children. It wasn’t long after Paul left Corinth, however, that conflict emerged. Paul writes to the Church in order that he might remind them of what is truly important, the foundational teaching of grace through Christ crucified and risen.

The conflicts in first century Corinth are much the same as some issues surrounding the Church today. Even the most faithful Christians sometimes disagree and conflicts arise. Yet, as we continue to live and worship together in Christ, we do so building our community on the strong foundation of the truth concerning our Lord Jesus crucified and risen. As the community is set upon such a firm foundation, we continue building with the durable materials of faith; Holy Scripture, daily prayer, regular worship and frequent celebration of Holy Communion. And even in those times when we stumble and fall, it is the sure foundation of faith in Christ which bears us up.

Almighty God, we thank you for your peace, hope and love which come through Christ. Help us always to build our lives and community upon him so that even as we are weakened by sin, we might stand on the firm foundation of your grace which comes through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Answering Life’s Greatest Question

Posted on January 13, 2014 by David Nuottila

1382078_10151887277079927_699878518_n“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Life is filled with mysteries and wonders. Since the beginning, humans have struggled to figure out just how, when, and especially why the world came into existence. When we think about all the great discoveries over the centuries, we realize most were made while trying to answer the basic questions; how, when and why? Throughout the ages, theories have been pondered and challenged and yet humanity as a whole has offered no definitive answer to these three basic questions. What’s amazing is that at the center of our human quest for knowledge, there is a much deeper question, one that for the most part the world is reluctant to ask: “Who?”

Who started all this? Who brought it all to being? Who are we and why should some higher power care about us? The people of God have known the answers to these questions all along. The answer is God. God started it all; God sustains it all and God loves it all. The trouble Christians face when making these statements is that the world still doesn’t accept such answers as authoritative. When asked, the world expects Christians to have all the answers concerning life’s great mysteries lest their faith be exposed as weak or unsure. People of the world demand the definitive answers that they by themselves cannot provide. Even when presented with the truth about God, all too often humanity chooses another way, the way of the world.

God calls his people to share the gift of their faith with others and in doing so we share the source of the answers to life’s greatest questions. All God’s people have the ability to share their faith regardless of background. Sharing faith doesn’t require one to be filled with knowledge or eloquent in speech. There is no status one must reach or credential to possess. The only requirement to bring someone to faith is that we speak the truth of Christ, his life, death and resurrection. God will do the rest.

Science will never fully understand, let alone reveal the answers to life’s the greatest mysteries. But by keeping Christ at the center of our discussions, Christians may help others come to realize the answer to the greatest question of all; “Who?” Once we understand that God is the creator of all there is and the author of all life, suddenly the how, when and why don’t seem so important. For in time, these too will be revealed through the one who answers the questions for all ages, Jesus Christ our savior and Lord.

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Boasting in Christ

Posted on January 12, 2014 by David Nuottila

???????????????????????????????Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

There’s a cliché in sports that says, “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” This is a favorite among gifted athletes, especially those who have set records, won championships and continually make the morning highlight reels. Their ability and athleticism is on display for all to see, and given the accomplishments, why should they not toot their own horn? Their fat paychecks and multiple trophies are a testament to their ability to “back it up.” And what if they can’t accomplish what they claim? Well, then it’s just bragging.

As the early church was established in Corinth, it wasn’t long before divisions arose between several groups. Some perhaps claimed to have special wisdom, others wealth. Whatever the issue, word got back to the apostle Paul that the church was in conflict. Paul reminded the Corinthians, as he reminds us, that the wisdom we have, the wealth at our disposal and the spiritual gifts we employ are all given by God through Christ Jesus. Apart from Christ, the church accomplishes nothing.

Throughout the ages and even today, the church is called to do extraordinary things with the gifts and talents God provides. Yet we still experience conflicts between members and rivalry among congregations. Some congregations are young and vibrant, others engage in dynamic ministries throughout the community, and still others are known for their faithfulness in worship. The bottom line is, no matter the ministry, the church accomplishes all of these and more through the power of our risen Lord Jesus.

As sinners in need of redemption, Christians have to know that as one member of the church succeeds in proclaiming the gospel, the whole church rejoices. Yes, some congregations are more active than others, and some pastors are better preachers. But it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we become doers of the gospel as Jesus calls us. And may the good works accomplished through the church give glory to God who enables his people through Christ the Lord.

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