Keeping the Sabbath Holy

Posted on December 30, 2013 by David Nuottila

???????????????????????????????“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. Exodus 20:8-10

The world is a busy, noisy place filled with people at work and play. Our culture is one in which we try to fill every moment with the sights and sounds of modern day life. There is so much to choose from, so much to do, and so little time. The “other” gods of the world demand our precious time and we have to work longer and harder to make enough money to appease them. The rhythm and pace of life today drives us to unhealthy habits of eating fast food (The defendant will rise), neglecting our families, (Guilty as charged), and not getting the rest needed to rejuvenate our bodies. (Bailiff, take him away!)

The world is so busy and distracted, that the voices of competition, success, selfishness, pride and pleasure deafen our ears and fill our hearts and minds with earthly troubles. But as God’s people become quiet, we hear yet another voice. We hear that whispering voice that calls out to us; we hear the voice of God. If we can break out of the rhythm set by “other gods” we will soon find that it is the one true God who sets the rhythm of life, blessing his people with all they need, allowing six days for work and giving the seventh for rest, worship, and prayer.

According to Luther’s Small Catechism, we are to fear, love, and trust in God, so that we may be rested and refreshed; not only by our taking time from work, but also by gathering with the people of God to pray, to hear God’s Word as it is preached and to receive the Sacrament of the Altar which is Holy Communion. We gather as a community and celebrate the love that God so freely gives to the world. Remembering the Sabbath day means we remember God is the source of our very lives and livelihood. Keeping it holy means we gather with the saints for worship and thanksgiving.

As we consider this commandment, remember to pray for those who are under stress from overwork, sleepless nights, and driven by the urgency of a fallen and broken world. Pray for those who work in this noisy, busy world, and pray that, for one day in seven, all may find peace and quiet, so that they may also hear the whispering voice of God calling them to rest in his Word.

Holy God, you give your people one day in seven to rest from work, to pray ad to give you thanks. Strengthen us in faith that we may keep holy the Sabbath. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Calling God by Name

Posted on December 29, 2013 by David Nuottila

7373baptism“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Our names are precious to us; they identify not only who we are, but also where we come from. Our names remind us of our heritage and serve as a vital link to past generations; they allow us to pin point our niche in the history of our family. When we speak of our relatives, friends and those whom we love we tend to use their names with respect. The closer we are to a person, the more careful we are in using his or her name. Such is the case among God’s people and the relationship we share with our heavenly Father.

As Christian people we have another name by which we are known; Child of God. Through baptism, God claims us to be his children, calls us by name and includes us within the history of his people. The relationship established by God is such that he reveals his name unto us that we may worship him, give thanks and call upon him in times of need. Just as we use the names of those we love in endearing ways, we ought to consider the ways in which we use the holy name of God.

Christians call out to God in various ways. When we pray we often use names such as Lord, Christ, Savior, Creator, or most times we simply call him God. Often times we use adjectives such as almighty, everlasting, gracious, and loving. These are all terms of endearment we use to show our great love for God. The ability to call upon God by name is a great privilege, but one that comes with great responsibility. God gives us his name that we might live in close relationship with him and with his people. And in the giving of his law, God reminds us of our duty to use his name with respect.

Within his small catechism, Martin Luther teaches the Church that we are to fear and love God so that we do not use God’s name superstitiously, or to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but to call upon God in prayer, praise and thanksgiving. When we pray, we may want to ask God to help us always use his name in endearing ways, to help us examine our close relationship with God, and to use God’s name to bless others rather than curse. Pray for the church around the world, that all may come to know God and rightly call upon his name in praise and thanksgiving.

Almighty God, you revealed your name unto us that we may call upon you. Help us to use your name in faithful ways, that we may tell other of your grace. Amen.

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God of Deliverance

Posted on December 28, 2013 by David Nuottila

IMG_2261And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:1-3

Hear these words from God, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out…” There is great comfort in knowing that the God we worship is the very same who delivered, that is, rescued His people from a life of bondage. God, who is eternal and unchanging, continues to rescue His people.

We all are in need of rescue, we all wander from God’s intent and purpose in our lives. There can be no denying that each of us is a sinner in need of redemption. Certainly, we need a Savior. Thankfully, we have one. The God of the Exodus who delivered the children of Israel so long ago is the God who sent His son Jesus as Savior for a fallen humanity. Through Christ’s self-giving sacrifice, God has delivered His people from the consequences of sin and the powers that defy God.

There is peace, joy and comfort in these words, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out…” As you read them, consider from what have you been delivered? In what ways has God rescued you? As you ponder these things, pray and give thanks to the One who saves. Pray for those who are in the midst of struggle that they too might grow in faith understanding. Pray for the lost and the lonely, the hungry and those who thirst for God’s love, so that they too may believe God loves them so much, He promises to deliver them from sin and open the gates to everlasting life through Christ our Lord and Savior.

 

Photo is of a gift of artwork from one of my confirmation students.  Thanks Sarah!

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Light and Life

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David Nuottila

DSC_0051If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7

Two days following the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, the Church remembers the apostle John, beloved disciple and witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. John is an apostle, a pastor, and a teacher connecting the gospel to daily life. His intended purpose is to teach the early Church concerning what was from the beginning, the things heard and seen; the things he had looked upon and touched with his hands concerning the Word of life.

What humanity must remember from the beginning is that God placed limits on what humans should and should not do. From the beginning, God’s desire was to supply all that is needed for humanity to live in his abundant and all-encompassing love. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, ate from the forbidden fruit and thus sin entered the world. As John walked with Christ, he witnessed God’s answer to sin, the answer he gave from the beginning, light and life. Walking in the light of Christ we recognize where we fall short of God’s intentions, confess our sin and receive the full measure of God’s forgiveness and grace.

Today, God calls all Christians to follow John’s example and bear witness to these things seen and heard. Through the lens of faith and the words of Holy Scripture, we too are able to share the good news concerning God’s redeeming grace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus Christ, fellowship between God and humanity is restored.

Merciful Father, we give you thanks for your grace and for the witness of John. Give us all strong voices, that we too might proclaim your gospel of light and life; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Encountering God’s Word made Flesh

Posted on December 26, 2013 by David Nuottila

Union Lutheran 2013And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The gospel according to John gives the Church a much different picture of the birth of Christ. There are no shepherds, no angels and no intimate scene of the holy family huddled in a stable. For John, Christ coming into the world is all about God’s coming to earth and establishing a relationship with his people and saving them from sin. The same God who established time and space, created all there is and continually provided for his people Israel is the same God who would overcome the darkness of our fallen world forever. In order to convey this message to the early Church, John starts not with the birth of the Christ child, but in the beginning. This same Jesus Christ who came into the world so long ago is the same God incarnate who created the heavens and earth and all that is in it. But why take upon himself human flesh and become so closely intertwined with humanity?

For the people of first century Israel, there was great value in God’s earthly presence. To be able to see, hear, touch, and taste God’s goodness and mercy through the person of Jesus is a tremendous blessing. As the children of God awaited the Messiah, they did so from a distance. They heard words of God’s Law, salvation and deliverance from the mouths of prophets. But having encountered God in Christ Jesus, those who believed him to be Messiah and Lord could hear his authoritative teaching. They could see the mighty acts he accomplished in the lives of people. Those who were touched by the hands of Christ were healed from their disease. And the hungry that were fed in the wilderness ate their fill and were satisfied. Certainly there was great value for those who encountered Christ in his humanity. But what about now? What value is there for the Church today in God’s Word made flesh?

Writing for the ages, the authors of the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life have provided a timeless witness to God’s coming to earth and dwelling with his people. Even as Jesus gave his life and was raised on the third day, he promised to be with us always even unto the end of the age (Mat. 28:20). The incarnation of Christ changed the dynamics of a people separated from God by sin. Through the witness of those who walked with Jesus, we know the truth of how far God is willing to go in order to save his people. Blessed with the gift of God’s Holy Spirit we continue to hear the voice of Christ through the reading of Holy Scripture. We see his compassion as we are witness to the goodness shown to those in need. Through baptism and the laying on of hands we feel the power of God’s mercy and saving grace. There is great value in the incarnation of Christ, God’s Word made flesh, even for the Church today.

The reality of Jesus’ humanity and life among his people is our reality today. Remember, the night in which Jesus was handed over, he promised he would not leave his people orphaned. Through the institution of Holy Communion, Jesus gave his body and blood for the sake of the world for all time (Mat. 26:26-29). His promise to be with his people is remembered and shared each time we celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar. Though Jesus is no longer with us in human form, we can see, feel, touch and taste his goodness through the bread that is broken and the wine that is poured out. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of faith and the receiving of this holy meal, we encounter the living Christ, God’s Word made flesh.

The gift of Christmas is not simply a child born unto Mary and Joseph. Through the incarnation of Christ Jesus, the gift of Christmas is a relationship with our Lord and Savior who came to earth in order to save God’s people from sin. Through the reading of Holy Scripture, the works of the Church and the sharing of Holy Communion, we encounter this same Jesus who walked among God’s people. This is the gift we have received in God’s Word made flesh, and we are to share this most precious gift with others until that day when Christ comes again in glory.

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