Disciples pray

Posted on January 20, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 6:5-15

As our Lord Jesus teaches his disciple to pray, notice he does not say “if you pray” but “when you pray.” God commands his children to pray. God wants us to be in relationship with him, expressing our joys and sorrows, needs and wants. Prayer is yet one more mark of discipleship.

Disciples of Jesus follow his example of prayer. Each of us prays, of that there is no doubt. But to follow Jesus’ example means that we would be intentional in our prayer, seeking out times each day when we withdraw from others and all distractions, spending time alone in prayerful conversation with God. This means quiet time, peaceful and uninterrupted. It also includes time to be quiet and listen for God’s answer.

Our Father in heaven hears our prayers. Even as we await his response, God is already at work answering prayers in his own way and in his own time. God knows our needs even before we do. Be still, know that he is God. He will hear you and fulfill your needs in great measure, in ways you can’t begin to imagine.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. Amen.

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Disciples worship

Posted on January 19, 2020 by David Nuottila

Psalm 150:1-6, Revelation 4:1-11

The psalmist exhorts God’s people to worship him in his temple. Worship God in his house with singing, with music and with thanksgiving and praise. In his vision, John witnesses the worship in heaven as the company of saints gathers around God’s throne. One of the hallmarks of discipleship is that followers of Christ worship him and sing his praises.

Disciples not only worship Christ regularly, they understand the purpose and benefit of worship. The chief purpose of worship is that Christians receive God’s good gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. This is the reason for our worship. The fruit of our worship is that we are strengthened in our faith, thanking God and singing his praises for all he provides.

When we fail to worship, we fail to gather with God’s people and receive that which God pours out. We are absent from the table to which God calls us to receive a foretaste of the feast to come. Thus, when we fail to gather for worship, we miss the opportunity to join with the people of God and bear the fruit of thankfulness for all God continues to do for his people.

Prayer: Grace us with your presence, O God, as we gather in your name for worship. Amen.

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Salt and light

Posted on January 18, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 5_14

Matthew 5:11-16

“Salt and light;” that is what Jesus says about you. “You are the salt of the earth and light for the world.” Think about it for a minute. Because of God’s love for his people, and his redeeming you through Christ Jesus, you get to be salt and light.

Salt is a true treasure. It provides flavor where there is little, and preserves what may not naturally endure. Salt is valuable and essential for life. Light shines in the darkness, illuminating our path so that we may avoid stumbling blocks. It provides security and reveals the unknown. Jesus says we get to be salt and light for the world. What an incredible gift.

Because God has claimed us in Baptism, forgives our sins and poured out his Holy Spirit upon us, Christians are made salt and called to season the world with the gospel. The light of our faith, when shared with others, overcomes darkness and makes God’s grace and peace visible to a world broken by sin.

“Salt and light,” that is what Jesus says about you. May you continue to season the earth, and bring the light of Christ to the hearts of others.

Gracious Lord; may the words of my mouth and the works of my hands bring glory to your name. Amen.

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Great expectations

Posted on January 17, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 6_33

Matthew 6:25-34

Ours is a world of expectations. Children are expected to do well in school. College graduates expect to embark on a high paying career. Investors expect their portfolio will pay huge dividends. Life is filled with expectations, some are met, others are not.

God also has expectations. God expects humanity to obey his law. He expects people will worship him, that his people will love him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. God expects us to love our neighbor as ourselves, sharing our faith in order to bear fruit for God’s kingdom. Yet, it seems there is a wide gap between God’s expectations and those of humanity.

These days, people tend to live for themselves more than for God. We strive to be self-sufficient, secure and independent. The farther we stray from God’s expectations, the more we fall short. Our best effort is not good enough. In the end, our sense of expectation is replaced with worry. Why? Simple, our expectations don’t match God’s.

Jesus teaches us that God supplies everything we need to live a fruitful and abundant life. Even as God cares and provides for the plants and animals, how much more will God care and provide for those created in his image and likeness? The truth is God provides for his people and expects we will acknowledge him for it. As we do, we realize the tremendous blessing of being called “Child of God.”

The world expects people will live a certain way, living for self rather than for God. God’s expectations are much different, and when we fall short God supplies his grace which is sufficient in every need. For just as our failure to meet God’s expectations weighs heavy on our hearts, even greater is God’s desire to provide for his people.

Father, give me the strength and will to seek your kingdom above all else, and follow your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Dead to sin

Posted on January 16, 2020 by David Nuottila

Romans 6:1-11

Many years ago, in the middle of January, I was born, the third child for my parents. Seventy-eight days later I died. How can this be since I am writing this today? The answer is found within our text this morning. On April 3rd, I was baptized.

At the age of only seventy-eight days, I had already become proficient at sinning. It’s something we all have in common. We are all born into original sin and cannot deliver ourselves from its consequence of death. There is only one remedy, being baptized in the name of the Triune God, becoming joined to Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection and relying upon the gift of faith to believe God’s promises are true.

Being washed in baptismal waters joined with God’s Word and promise, my sins were forgiven on the day I died to sin. Having been born just months before, I was now reborn, claimed as a child of God. For all who believe and are baptized, death no longer has dominion. The sin Jesus Christ took to the cross for the sake of the world was put to death once and for all.

Prayer: Thank you, O God, for saving your people through Christ the Lord. Amen.

Original image: Holy Baptism at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church – Charleston, South Carolina

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Serve the Lord

Posted on January 15, 2020 by David Nuottila

Acts 9_6

Matthew 4:17-22, Acts 9:1-9

Four men were simple fishermen. They really did not have the qualifications we might think necessary to build a church. Their expertise was working with nets and boats, finding fish, catching and selling them. Another man was a tax collector, a traitor in the eyes of many of his peers. He worked for the oppressive government, taking in more than he was asked so that he could skim off the top and live a lavish lifestyle. Certainly, as we size up the twelve, none would seem made of the metal required to carry on Christ’s mission.

Within today’s Church, many pastors come with prior experience. Some filled occupations in skilled labor, others held professional positions. Many, myself included, had never thought themselves qualified or to be one called to the office of Pastor. Yet, there they are and here I am.

And so we have the conversion of Saul, who was once a persecutor of the Church. Along the Damascus Road, Jesus confronted Saul, brought him to faith, and made him God’s instrument in the gospel mission. God chooses whom he will. And he alone equips and qualifies those he chooses. Who knows? If he has not already, God may choose you. Actually, he already has.

Every Christian man, woman or child is called to share the good news of Christ Jesus. Sharing faith with friends and family, inviting others to worship and doing acts of charity are all ways in which we proclaim the goodness of God. Certainly, through the power of the Holt Spirit, God has called us all to do all the above. Go in peace; serve the Lord.

Prayer: Fill me with your Spirit, O Lord, and use me as you will. Amen.

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What do you say?

Posted on January 14, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 1:19-28

There is a buzzword getting plenty of attention in churches. Discipleship. Churches across the Christian spectrum seem to be on fire for discipleship. In Matthew’s gospel, we hear Jesus’ words “Go make disciples.” And so we go. Some congregations send out missionaries. Others engage in community mission projects. Still others simply cease calling those within their congregation “members” deferring to a new word, “disciples.”

John the Baptist was not a disciple of Jesus. John was the forerunner, the voice calling in the wilderness “prepare the way.” But as we take a close look at John’s ministry, we can say that in a sense, John was doing the work of discipleship. John pointed others in the direction of Jesus. He proclaimed the truth of Christ, that he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And when questioned about all he was doing, John did not speak of himself; rather, he spoke of Christ, thus giving Christ glory.

Facing the same question the Priests and Levites posed to John, “What do you say about yourself?” Is it evident that you are a disciple of Jesus? Do you learn from his example each day then put what you learned into practice? Do you share the gospel and point others toward Christ at every opportunity? The truth bears hearing. One cannot make disciples unless one first becomes a disciple.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me your ways and give me the will and desire to be your disciple. Amen.

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To fulfill righteousness

Posted on January 13, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 3:13-17

As the crowds gathered along the banks of the Jordan River, Jesus took his place among them. He stood shoulder to shoulder among sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, liars and thieves. All of had come to John to receive a baptism of repentance. As Jesus stepped into the waters, John objected. John knew himself to be a sinner. He too was in need of God’s grace. Jesus, however, came to the Jordan to be joined with humanity in the struggle against sin. Why? To fulfill all righteousness.

Jesus had no need to repent. Still, Jesus is the only one who could emerge from the waters of such a baptism and truly live a God pleasing life. All others, once they came forward out of the waters would again give in to temptation and sin.

Today, there is no longer a baptism for repentance. To be baptized is to receive the grace that comes through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Baptism is God’s action, not ours. Instead of Jesus taking is place among sinners, we sinner come to Christ for forgiveness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the baptized are joined with Christ in his death and resurrection. Through baptism, God makes us his children. Through Baptism, we receive God’s mercy, grace and the promise of eternal life. Why? The answer remains, to fulfill all righteousness.

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the gift of Holy Baptism, that we may be your children forever. Amen.

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Through the faith of others

Posted on January 12, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 9:1-8

He could not walk; he could not approach Jesus on his own. Friends brought him into Jesus’ presence. They carried him. They did this in order that he may be healed, restored, brought back to fullness. The paralytic man contributed nothing to his healing; it happened because of the faith of others.

As we hear these words from Matthew, we can better understand the role of the inviting and welcoming church. We might better understand those who bring infants to the waters of baptism. Babies cannot come by their own strength. The unchurched and non-believing persons shrug off the notion of worship and prayer. Such are those, infants and unbelievers, they are the ones who depend upon the faith of others in order that their sins may be forgiven. Through the faith of others, they encounter the One who overcomes sin through the power of his healing grace.

Sharing faith is central to living a Christian life, for it is through the faith of others that we first came to the waters of Baptism. Through the faith of others, we encountered Christ who has forgiven our sins. Through faith, we too bring people to Christ, where sin is defeated and life is restored.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you  for your healing grace, saving people from their sin. Amen.

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The light of God’s truth

Posted on January 11, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 9:27–31, 1 John 1:1–10

Today it seems fashionable to redefine most anything. It has become socially acceptable to order daily life according to personal thoughts and experiences. Yet, the truth remains that we humans do not have the power or authority to redefine that which God defines. We cannot deem acceptable that which God declares sinful.

Ezekiel warns the people of God to be on guard against sin. Those who fail to recognize evil will certainly fall victim. John says that those who deny their sin continue to walk in darkness, severing their fellowship with God and his people.

In her attempts to redefine what God has ordained, the world lives in darkness and denies its sin. In this, humanity remains blind to its disobedience, breaking fellowship with God and walking under the veil of darkness. Still, God does have mercy upon those who confess their sin.

Jesus asked the two blind men seeking restoration, “Do you believe I am able to do this?” In faith they responded, “Yes Lord.” Just as Christ lifted the veil of darkness from these men, so too does Christ forgive sins and restore fellowship to those who confess.  The veil of darkness yields to the light of God’s truth.  Jesus is Lord and Savior. Through him there is mercy for those who repent.

Prayer: Merciful God, hear our confession and remove the stain of our sin through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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