“Adoration in Prayer”

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40; Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 24:9-14

Why are some people so afraid of prayer? Oh, I don’t mean afraid to hear prayer, or to have someone pray for the needs of others, or to even be involved in prayer. But even though most never describe their hesitation this way, I believe that many folks are afraid to pray out loud with and for others. Some say that they don’t think that they pray well enough, that they don’t know what to pray for, that they don’t want to say the wrong thing when they pray.

The truth is that prayer is nothing more than a conversation with our Almighty God. It is, admittedly, a different kind of conversation than we might have with our friends, but prayer is just a time to join together with others to rejoice in God and in who he is for us, as well as an opportunity for us to share our most intimate needs and desires with the One who can actually do something about those needs.

For the next four weeks, we will be considering one of the aids to prayer – an acronym that helps us to frame our approach to prayer, and one that gives us a start on what and how we can pray. The acronym is A-C-T-S, with each letter standing for one important aspect of prayer. The letters, and their significance, are:
A – Adoration
C – Confession
T – Thanksgiving
S – Supplication, or petition

Each week, we will be addressing one of these issues, and today we begin at the beginning – with Adoration and a few passages from scripture that give us a basis and a reason for our admiration and love of God.

Read Matthew 22:34-40

Our Lord is worthy of our love. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with our entire being, and that loving others with that same, deep committed way is no less important than loving God. And what does it take to love like that? It helps if we understand that the order that Jesus placed on these commandments is not a random thing. When we truly and fully love God, it is then that we have the capacity and ability to love others.

Love is one, if not the most powerful emotion that we will ever share. And yet, it is dependent on so much more than just a will to love. Love requires trust, and compassion, and putting others’ needs ahead of our own, and a desire to spend time and effort with them, and our wanting to know more about them, and to share our joys as well as our struggles with them, and the list could go on for quite a while.

But it isn’t all that easy to love some people! And you have already been naming a few of them silently, haven’t you! If we put our love for them first, it will be strained to the point of breaking, to say the least. But if we learn to love the Lord first, and experience the love that He has for us, we come to understand that this love has nothing to do with the things that we, or they, do – there is no commandment that I have ever read that says we should like them and their ways– only that we must love them as Christ has loved us!

Adoration begins with love, and love, in and of itself, must always begin with God.

Read Exodus 34:6-7

This passage is part of the account of Moses’ return to the summit of Mount Sinai to receive the second set of 10 Commandments. You’ll remember that he had broken the first set in a fit of rage over Israel’s sinfulness. The Lord has just come down in a cloud, and after he speaks these words of love to his servant, Moses worships him and asks for God’s forgiveness for not only himself, but for all of the people.

Moses is reminded of the compassionate and loving and forgiving nature of his Yahweh. And in that, we have to know that compassion and forgiveness can never exist outside of love – God’s, as well as our own. And Moses also hears that his Lord is gracious, that he never jumps to conclusions or anger or retribution like people do, that his love is boundless and his forgiveness is specifically for those things we do that go against all that he stands for. There is also judgment and condemnation and hurt in this love – there is no question of that – but the anger and hurt that the Lord feels only lasts a little while, and then we can be welcomed back into his love and passion.

How long does our pain and anger against others last?

Moses had destroyed the written commandments that the Lord had given, but he was given a second chance to stay in relationship with his Great Jehovah God. Through the many years before this – over 80 of them – Moses had a lot of ups and downs in this relationship, and he had even tried to escape from it, but God never gives up and this servant of the Most High God had now finally discovered what Godly love was all about. And in that discovery, he would be able to endure the trials that would come against him for the next 40 years, and he could now love his God with a true and faithful heart – at least most of the time.

How quickly do we welcome others back into relationship with us?

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

In the Matthew 22 passage that we read a few moments ago, Jesus quotes this commandment. Israel knows this as the Shema, which is the first word in these verses – “Hear”. And not only are the people to “hear” what God has to say, but they are called to remember the words in their hearts, and to share them with their children. They are to discuss them with each other – and not just once in a while, but all the time, no matter what the circumstances!

And just so they don’t forget, they are to wear this commandment, as well as others (Deuteronomy 11:13-21; Exodus 13:1-16) on their forehead (a reminder for their thoughts) and on their sleeve (to make them obvious in all they do) throughout the day. (Exodus 13:9)

Remember all that the Lord has done for you; remember all that you have received whether you have accepted it or not; whether you wanted or even like it or not. Give praise to the one who is always more generous, and more accurate, in responding to our needs than we can imagine!

But the greatest praise, and the greatest love, and the greatest obedience to Godly ways will never block the hatred and opposition that the world will bring against us. The passion and zeal of the Lord doesn’t stop the world and its ways, but it will see us through those times of testing.

Read Matthew 24:9-14

Our Lord is the God of Salvation, and why so many are opposed to his grace is a mystery to me. Scripture tells us that they can cause fear to grip our lives, they can cause us mental harm, they can even take our human life, but they can never destroy the love and life that comes to us from our God of Salvation. “…the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”. And this firmness is dependent upon the call of Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Apparently, there is no great act that we have to perform, no amount of people who we must evangelize, no set number of mission trips to take, no demand to preach a lot of sermons - nothing that the world would expect as a required payment for such an incredible gift as eternal life. All we are asked to do is to love the Lord our God as faithfully and as honestly as we possibly can. And John 14:15-21 reminds us that if we truly love our God, then we will keep his commandments.

Isn’t all of this sufficient reason to show our love, our adoration, our admiration, to the one and only God of heaven and earth, the God of Redemption and Salvation, the God who will be with us every moment of every day for the rest of our life?

Will you pray with me this prayer of Adoration to our Lord and King?

Almighty God, great Lover of our soul, our Helper and Keeper of the Divine way, Creator and Guide for this life - Master, we are lost without you. By your death, our death has been destroyed, and by faith in your resurrection, we have received eternal life. Your glory illuminates our way, and by your grace, we are able to know the difference between your narrow path and the broad, neon-lined way of earth. All honor and praise to you – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – that we might know the difference between earth’s wickedness and your righteousness.
We pray all these things in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

“More Than Just Water”

Scripture: John 4:7-15, 27-30

Today, we consider our second sacrament – Baptism. As we discussed about a month ago during our series of messages on the Nicene Creed, there are a lot of differing thoughts on what baptism is all about. Is it a means to salvation? No. Is it a means of commitment to Christ and the church? Yes. What are the acceptable means of baptism? Immersion, pouring, and sprinkling. Is it spiritual in nature? To a great degree, yes. Is it only for adults? No (Acts16:15 – Lydia and her household; Acts 16:25-34 – the jailer and his entire family; Acts 18:8 – Crispus (official of the synagogue) and all his household; 1 Corinthians 1:16 – Stephanas and his household). Is baptism by water all that we need as Christians and United Methodists? NO!

In a United Methodist Discipleship article “By Water and the Spirit”, we read of John Wesley’s thoughts on baptism. “… although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace [which is, of course, everyone!]. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God’s grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective.”

So what is baptism for each of us?

Read John 4:7-10

In Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, he never actually addressed baptism, but he did discuss the comparative issues between the world’s water and the “living water” that he offers.

The Lord begins with a request for the water that the woman could provide for him. This was a taboo in so many ways, and even the woman understood that Jesus was going far beyond what societal and religious norms would accept. And even beyond that, He brings another concept into play – which the woman doesn’t grasp right away. He suggests that the Gift of God is standing in her presence, and if she had only asked him, she would have received a renewing beyond her greatest imagination.

But she didn’t understand. For her, “living water” was water that came from an artesian well – a well that constantly sent forth a stream of water without the need to haul it up to the surface. This living water receives its lift from an unseen pressure deep below the surface of the earth, just as the Spirit works within us by a power that we, too, have trouble understanding.
Friends of my parents, who lived their retirement years in the Adirondacks, had an artesian that provided water supply to their home. Even in that cold winter climate, the water flowed year round, with the excess running down to the river that flowed past their property.

But while this analogy is a pretty good description of the water Jesus was offering, it wouldn’t be water as we know it – it is a spiritual renewing that comes to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read John 4:11-15

The living water that Jesus is for us is far greater than the water the world gives us, and yet, we are in immediate need of both. Without physical water, we can only live for a few, very painful days before death claims us. Without Living Water, this life will never be complete, and death will be eternal. With the water that we drink every day, thirst will always return, but with the water of Christ, His Living Water will well up in us, and will flow within us and through us, for eternity.

There’s a praise song that I have always liked called “Spring Up, O Well” – it was one of our songs at Vacation Bible School.

I’ve got a River of Life flowing out of me.
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Opens prison doors and sets the captives free.
I’ve got a River of Life flowing out of me.

[Chorus]
Spring up O Well, within my soul
Spring up O Well, and make me whole
Spring up, O Well, and give to me
That Life abundantly.

This is the water that Jesus was offering to the Samaritan woman, and to each and every one of us.

Read John 4:27-30

The disciples were surprised, but the woman had finally gotten it. The disciples would struggle with what was actually working within them until Pentecost, but the woman was beginning to let that Living Water flow through her that very day. And the townspeople who had been snubbing her before, now listened to her testimony about the Man who knew everything about her, and, without having to say it, had filled her with Living Water.
And the people began going to Jesus - the source of Ever Flowing, Ever Sustaining, Ever Living Water, to bath their parched souls in his refreshing and renewing Spirit-flow for themselves.


This story of Jesus’ encounter with the woman of Samaria is very similar to humanity’s understanding of baptism. We know about water, and that John baptized Jesus in the waters of Jordan, but all too often, we forget about the spiritual aspect of that baptism.

Read Matthew 3:11-17

In this passage, John the Baptizer tells us that baptism holds two components – the first was the water of Jordan. John had been baptizing many here, as a sign of repentance for sin. This is that “Outward sign of an Inward grace” that we sometimes hear about. And as important as that is, he wants us to know that there is far more to baptism. John described it as baptism with “the Holy Spirit and fire”. Not only did Jesus receive John’s baptism of repentance, which he didn’t need, he also received the baptism of Spirit and Fire which, as fully Man, he did.

And we need both, too. At our water baptism, we accept the following vows of faith:
1. Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil power of this world, and repent of your sin?
And we respond “I do”.
2. Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
And again we respond “I do”.
3. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
And once more we respond “I do”.

Baptism isn’t just through water – it must also involve our receiving the Holy Spirit – the Living Water of Jesus Christ. We receive water baptism as a sign of repentance of our sins, as well as a confession of our need of Jesus Christ. But as Wesley said, we still need to come to Christ and his way for salvation. Remember Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3:5 – “..no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Remember John Wesley’s words – “Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective.”

Have you rejected the power that evil has over you, do you repent of all that the world’s sin has done within you?
God has blessed us with the freedom to use his power to resist the evil and sin that comes against us. Have you claimed that gift for your life?
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, and trust in all that he tells you and offers you?

Baptism by water is truly that “outward sign” of death to the ways of earth, that we are being raised into the new life that Jesus has created for us, and that we will rejoice in the work of the Living Water - his Holy Spirit.
It can never be any other way.

"The Life and the Way"

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

Last week, we began a reflection on sacred moments, those times when we experience the God of creation working in wonderful ways for us. We considered not only what they might be, but more importantly, what they should mean for our lives. Today, we take a look at one of them, the first of our two sacraments – Holy Communion.

Nearly every Christian denomination sees communion as a sacrament – one of those opportunities in faith that Jesus has called us to celebrate. (Luke 22:14-23) It was at the Last Supper that Jesus offered this new truth of salvation – that it was to be seen as the fullness that the Passover had always stood for. Israel had only understood Passover as a call to sacrifice and remembrance, that it was their way of rejoicing in God’s rescuing them from Egyptian slavery, and little more than that.

But as we all have learned in our walk with the Lord, His way is never shallow, and it is seldom understood without study and seeking. So let’s begin with the Passover – not the celebration, but the original that occurred over 3,000 years ago in Egypt.

Read Exodus 12:1-4

After Moses and Aaron had asked Pharaoh to allow the people to go and worship the Lord in the desert, Pharaoh not only refused, but decided to punish the people by placing unrealistic demands on their construction work. (Exodus 5:1-6:27) Moses and Aaron continued to try to convince the ruler to let the people go out into the desert to worship, but to no avail. (Exodus 7:1-13) So God would begin a rain of 10 plagues upon Egypt and her people, but the Lord had hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he refused all pressures. (Exodus 7:14-10:29) The first 9 plagues had no effect on Egypt, except to increase the persecution against the people of Israel.

But it would be the 10th plague that would break Pharaoh’s will to resist, at least temporarily. (Exodus 11) And in our text for today, the Lord God Jehovah tells the people what they must do to escape this plague. And the first step was to focus on the sacrifice of a lamb. The purpose of the lamb was, first of all, to feed all of the people. If there was more meat than one family was able to eat, then others were to be invited to join them in the feast. This lamb – the means to Israel’s freedom from death – was not to be a common or ordinary animal. It was to be chosen on a specific day; it was to be a special gift; its selection had been ordained in every way by their Jehovah God.

Read Exodus 12:5-8

And God gave very precise instructions on the lamb’s characteristics, as well as on its preparation for the meal. It was to be a one year old male animal, and could be either a sheep or a goat. This lamb was born for this special time, and would never have any other purpose for its life – it would be innocent of any wrong doing; it would be too young to produce wool for the shearers; too young to bear other lambs; too small for general use as food – it had no other purpose whatsoever except to die for the benefit of the people Israel.
Remember that it was to be chosen on the 10th day of the month, and now we read that the lamb was to be cared for until it was slaughtered 4 days later at sunset. Its blood was to be reserved and spread on the door posts and lintel of the house where each lamb was to be eaten. The meat was to be roasted, and eaten with bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.

Not only was the lamb and its meat to be treated in very special ways, but the lamb’s blood was also vitally important for Israel’s rescue, and was, itself, to be utilized in a very specific way. Why would the Lord want the people to go through all these measures, if the result was to simply be their rescue from Pharaoh’s grasp? Why not just change the king’s heart, instead of hardening it so he would oppose Jehovah’s desire? Apparently God had a plan that required these specific details to be carried out exactly as he described them!

The details, of course, weren’t to enable God to bring his plan to fruition, but were to be a means of stimulating Israel’s remembrance of the event. The details, and not just the outcome, were to become part of Israel’s history and tradition, and it was to trigger a celebration of their release from slavery every year for the rest of their existence.

Read Exodus 12:9-14

The meat was to be roasted - not left raw, and not cooked by boiling - and the lamb was to be left whole – not cleaned, not dressed, not separated. The only thing that was to be removed from the lamb was its blood. And nothing was to be left over – anything that wasn’t eaten was to be destroyed.

And the Lord was even specific as to how the people should be dressed for the meal, and how they were to eat the feast. They were to be fully dressed with shoes on their feet and a walking staff in their hand – they were to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. They were even to eat the Passover feast quickly, so that nothing could delay their departure when the time arrived.

There was urgency. There was specificity. There was a divine purpose. There would be a heavenly judgment that no one could stop, and only those who listened to Yahweh, and followed his word, would be able to avoid it.

And the judgment that come down against all first born males – who would it be upon? Egyptian people and their animals and the false gods that were being worshipped! And how was Israel to be spared from the judgment? It would be by the blood of the sacrificed Lamb.

Jesus is that Innocent, Sacrificed, Unbroken Lamb for the people of earth. We are to feed on him, to be nourished through his purpose, to trust in his way and word. His life was given for the freeing of all people from their bondage to sin and death. We are to receive him immediately, without delay, for the time of the judgment is not only unknown, but is rapidly approaching. We are to claim his Blood, we are to receive his Blood, as a sign of our allegiance to him and him alone, and acceptance of this Holy Sign from God will be our only hope of deliverance. And last, we are also to know that when our Sacrificed Offering arose to new life, that nothing was let behind to become either evidence, or to be seen as waste.
And all who do not receive his Body, all who are not anointed in his Blood, all who do not surrender to his way and word, will be subjected to judgment, and they will suffer.

And we are to celebrate God's great gift of freedom on a regular basis. May it be so for each of us.