The Lavishness of Grace
(NIV) Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Can we take a few minutes to look at a few of the words Paul used in this scripture?
Redemption: Deliverance, buy back
Forgiveness: Pardon, exoneration
Lavished: sumptuous, generous
Paul tells the church at Ephesus that through Jesus’ blood, we have been bought back so that our sins no longer define us and we are not under the penalty of sin. God has pardoned us because of Grace, the unmerited favor that is only available through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. What is the penalty of sin? Separation from God and death.
But look at what else Paul says. He says that Jesus has lavished God’s grace upon us. He has been generous, pouring out the sumptuous or luxurious grace that comes only through God. Can I tell you no one has ever lavished anything upon me—not love, nor praise nor anything. Only Jesus. Paul said that Jesus was the mystery revealed to the Christ-followers. What a wonderful revelation of who Jesus is and who we are in Him.
And I have to say I have read this scripture countless times, but I don’t ever recall seeing the word “lavish” before. Of course, for years I read only the King James Bible and the word used there is abounded. But I have been in different translations for almost thirty years (NIV and NRSV) and the word “lavish” appears in both. It is one of the great mysteries of our faith that the Holy Spirit shines the light of truth upon the Word at the exact moment we need it. I needed to hear about the lavishness of God’s Grace today.
May each of us continue to seek after Jesus with our whole hearts, knowing that regardless of where we are, Jesus will hold us closely.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grace, mercy and pardon
Grace, mercy and pardon
Titus 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Are you familiar with Titus? Titus is one of Paul’s pastoral letters. The pastoral letters of 1 & 2 Timothy, Philemon and Titus are called that because, unlike the epistles, these letters are not written for the body of believers but instead, to specific leaders. But, although these letters are more personal in nature, we can still find inspiration and instruction.
Titus was the son of two Gentile parents and was converted when he heard Paul preach. He traveled with Paul and at some point they visited the island of Crete where the gospel message really took off. Churches started and Paul left Titus to choose leaders for the churches. The letter to Titus sets out the qualities of leaders, and reminds him of what we all were like before our salvation. Paul knew that sometimes Christ followers need to be reminded that God didn’t call us because we were righteous, he made us righteous after he called us.
So Paul tells Titus that God saved each one of us through grace, mercy and pardon. Grace always comes first. It is that wonderful free gift that we don’t deserve, yet God pours it upon us so that we can be reconciled to him through salvation. Mercy necessarily follows grace and if it did not, then grace would not be sufficient. But we know that cannot be—God’s grace is always sufficient. God will always show mercy to us, sparing us from the judgment we deserve. If God shows us mercy, then we must show mercy to others.
What follows grace and mercy? Pardon, where we are forgiven, and when we are forgiven we must likewise forgive. Forgiveness is not a choice for Christ followers. We forgive not because we feel like forgiving, but because we are told to forgive. We may not feel the warm fuzzies—it is not an emotional response but rather an act of obedience to God.
How much of this letter can apply to us today? All of it. We need to be willing to go to the cross as many times as it is needed. Why? Because it is in the shadow of the cross where our sins are covered, it is the shadow of the cross where we learn humility, and it is in the shadow of the cross where we receive our freedom.
I think of Fanny Crosby’s song, “In the Cross,” and recall that fourth stanza:
Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
It is not a matter of begging God for salvation repeatedly because our initial experience was not enough. The salvation available through Jesus is always enough. It is understanding that as long as we are on this earth, we are under the canopy of sin. Our sin problem was resolved on the cross, but our sin nature remains.
What is sin? Anything that separates us from God. But, the gulf caused by sin is spanned by the cross and access comes first through grace, and then through repentance. Not remorse, not regret, but turning away from sin and toward a holy God.
We are heirs to the promise of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Let us purpose to act like it.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May it be a Sweet, Sweet Sound in Mine Ear
(NIV) John 1:1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
I love, love, love John’s illustration of the Good Shepherd. I encourage you to read the entire passage, from 1-19.
Jesus tells the Pharisees there is one way, one gate, into the sheep’s shelter, and that way is Jesus. Oh, what a wonderful expression of love, to show us that, when we have a right relationship with Jesus, we will recognize His voice. And it is not just the sound of his voice, but the content of what He says.
When I was an Associate Pastor at Lakewood UMC, I was approached by one of the residents at Parkstone Place and asked if there was anything we could do to help those who were visually impaired in reading the Word. Out of that conversation a new initiative was born called “Faith Comes by Hearing.” We met weekly and I, along with four volunteers began reading the word aloud.
After I was appointed to the Cabot area, the members at Lakewood who had joined me in this venture continued to minister to the men and women at Parkstone Place until they completed reading the entire Holy Scriptures. How blessed I have been to work alongside so many devoted Christ followers.
May each person reading today’s Scripture and devotional be so attuned to the sound of our Savior’s voice and the content of His message that there will be no hesitation when He speaks.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Armor of God
(NIV) Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
When our son was entering the fourth grade, I began taking turns driving him and three other kids to school. I know that Jonathan dreaded the week when I drove, because I would not let any of the kids get out of the car until I prayed over them, putting on the full armor of God so that they would be protected from seen and unseen terrors.
I started with the helmet of salvation, because the enemy attacks our minds so we must keep our thoughts pure. Then the breastplate of righteousness, or right living, covers our hearts. The belt of truth is vital because we cannot walk in a lie and have communion with God. We must wear shoes that leave footprints of peace wherever we go, and carry the shield of faith to stop the arrows that are being thrown at us. The shield is light enough to carry but heavy enough to block the attacks by the enemy.
The only offensive weapon is the sword of the spirit—the very Word of God! But to use this weapon we must know God’s Word. And we must put on the shoes that help us leave footprints of peace wherever we go.
And then what? Then, we rest in knowing that we have stood against the wiles of the devil. May we continue to war against the enemy, knowing God is on our side.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Matt 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, [a]blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the[b]new covenant, which is shed for many for the [c]remission of sins.
The Great Thanksgiving from the Book of Worship
On the night Jesus gave himself up for us, He took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks to God, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink this, each of you; For this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice,
Pour out your Holy Spirit on we who are gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be the body of Christ for the world, redeemed by His blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
How important is the sacrament of Holy Communion to you? When we partake of this most holy event, it is not just an idle reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made to reconcile sinful man to a holy God. Nor is it merely a monthly exercise whose purpose is to simply fill a slot on the church calendar.
No, Holy Communion is where we can receive God’s grace. We do not just acknowledge the acts performed by Jesus, we are mindful of all He gave so that we might live. It is where the church comes together as one body as we proclaim the mighty acts performed by Christ Jesus.
I remember serving Communion to a sweet lady in a nursing home, and she said, “ I wondered what it would be like to take Communion here, but it’s just like church.” I have served Communion in homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. I have served it to people who are well, and I have served it to those on their deathbeds. The experience for me as their pastor is always sweet and there are times when I can scarcely get through the liturgy because it is so deeply personal.
How precious is this sacrament of the church? To me it is one of the most significant means of Grace and it is available to each one of us. When we partake of the bread and the wine (or juice) it is as though we are in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
May we remember today, and every day, the meaning of this sacrament, and when we approach the Table may we do so with the expectation of receiving grace.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 