Of wheat and weeds

Posted on March 4, 2018 by David Nuottila

Matthew 13:24-30

Surely you have heard someone say, “I don’t attend worship services because the church is filled with hypocrites.” Others say that they don’t worship on Sunday morning because they do not see that it makes a difference. People in the church act just like those outside the church.

Sound familiar? It should. That’s where so many people are today in their thinking. They are disenchanted with churchgoers who are judgmental about others. Well, guess what? They are right; the church is filled with hypocrites. That’s because the church is filled with sinners. It’s filled with broken, sinful individuals in need of a Savior.

Today, as in yesterday’s post, the gardener sows good seeds in good soil. But in the night, the evil one sneaks into the field and plants weedy seeds among the good wheat. When they sprout up, the good and the bad are so intertwined, it is difficult to tell which is which. But as the seeds of faith sprout and grow, sinners are brought to repentance.

Yes, the church is filled with hypocrites. It’s packed with sinners in need of redemption. But remember, Jesus came to save sinners. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).

Prayer: Turn me away from sin, O Lord, that I may live for you alone. Amen.

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Sowing seeds of faith

Posted on March 3, 2018 by David Nuottila

Matthew 13:1-17

As we read the parable of the sower, we soon discover that God has some peculiar farming techniques. It doesn’t seem to matter where the farmer cast the seed, he just throws it everywhere. Certainly, a farmer would not expect seeds to sprout up and yield a crop if they were sown along a path or among thorny bushes. Regardless, the sower in Jesus’ parable scatters seed quite liberally, where ever it may fall.

God continues to sow the seed of his word throughout the world. It is his desire that people would receive the gospel and share it with others, thus producing the fruit of faith among many. Yet, the devil and all the powers that defy God will continually attempt to snatch it away.

Living together in a community of faith is an essential and strong defense against such powers. As Christians gather to hear the gospel and receive the Father’s mercy and grace, hearts are gladdened as we put our faith and trust in Christ Jesus. Living in faith and trust, God’s people respond by going into the world sowing this same seed, so that others may have their hearts gladded by the good news of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Go with me, Lord Jesus, that I may sow the seeds of your Word. Amen.

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Hold fast

Posted on March 2, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 10:1-16

In the tenth chapter of Mark, Jesus continues his teaching as he is making his way even closer to Jerusalem. Along the way the Pharisees continually tried to trap Jesus with his own words. Sometimes it is about the Sabbath, sometimes concerning Jewish rituals and even complaining about the company he keeps. In this instance, they bring up the subject of law, specifically, divorce.

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they ask. However, Jesus turns the question around on them. “What did Moses command you?” To be sure, Moses did not give a commandment concerning divorce, merely permission to do so because of human hardness of heart. Then as now, those seeking divorce had to fulfill the law’s requirements. Still, that did not address the brokenness brought about by sin.

Divorce is sad. It is tragic and certainly painful. That is because divorce is brought about by sin. Yet, thanks be to God that when we are repentant, we have the assurance of forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, this lesson isn’t about divorce at all. It is about God’s love for his people. It is about striving to keep his commandments. And most certainly, it is about seeking God’s mercy and grace through the one who came to save people from their sin.

Prayer: Loving Father, heal the brokenness of our lives, and grant us the joy f your saving grace. Amen.

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Centered on Christ

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 9:38-50

What gets in the way of your relationship with God? Is it money. Perhaps it is selfishness or ego? Because of sin, all people have hindrances to their relationship with God. In our text, Jesus tells the twelve that it is time to get serious with their faith and remove these stumbling blocks. The Lord uses strong language to alert the disciples to their need to cut away all of those things that get in the way of loving God and neighbor.

Jesus says, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off!” Sounds extreme, doesn’t it? Well, it is. Jesus’ words and tone are meant to make a strong point. We need to remove those obstacles that lead us into sin and away from God. So how do we remove the stumbling blocks? First, we must look to our core values.

Like the hub of a wheel, the center becomes the core of our personal ambitions. Whatever is at the center of our lives, this becomes the primary source of our support system. For Christians, this center is our Lord Jesus Christ. A life centered on Christ gives us the necessary tools to pluck those obstacles from our lives and anchor us to a faithful foundation. When we are serious about our faith, we have ears that hear Christ and hearts willing to follow as he leads us.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit upon us, and fill our hearts with your love. Amen.

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Be reconciled

Posted on February 24, 2018 by David Nuottila

Matthew 5:21-25, Genesis 32:1-20

People argue over the darnedest things. Once, two friends nearly came to blows over a slice of pizza. Serving their plates, one fellow took three slices while the other took only two. The one who took only two finished quickly and helped himself to more. Following the previous actions of his friend, this time he took three. Well, most pizzas have eight slices, so if two were to share, there would be four slices each. So there ensued the argument. The two friends did not speak to one another for a very long time afterward.

Jacob feared his reunion with Esau, his brother. Years before, Esau sold his birthright to the younger Jacob. Then later, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing that was to come from his father Isaac. Given the ramifications, Jacob feared for his life, so he sent gifts to his brother in order to regain favor. Still, it was the love of God, shared between brothers that finally accomplished the work of reconciliation.

Jesus teaches us that as we realize someone has something against us, we are to go to them and be reconciled. Confession, acknowledging hurtful behavior, and striving for a path forward are the first steps to regaining trust. It isn’t easy. But only when the wrongs we have done unto others are acknowledged, can we begin the work of reconciliation and live in the love of Christ with our neighbor.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to admit my sins against my neighbor, that we may be reconciled in the love of Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Because he lives

Posted on February 23, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 11:20-44

One Sunday morning, a teacher showed her Sunday school class a picture of famous people gathered around God’s table in heaven. The teacher asked them, “Where are you in this picture?” The children were puzzled. Finally, a child spoke up; “We can’t be in the picture, we’re not dead yet.” Such an understanding presents the resurrection as a distant and future reality.

Jesus’ announcement, “I am the resurrection and the life,” teaches us that the resurrection is closer than we may realize. Because of sin, every moment of human life occurs in the face of death. Yet, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, our sins are forgiven and death has lost its sting. Therefore, the resurrection is not some far off point in time that we await; it is a present reality for those who know Christ as Lord and Savior.

In their grief, Mary and Martha saw only the earthly picture, the one in which their brother Lazarus was missing. They could not imagine life without their brother, nor understand that in Christ, death is swallowed up in victory. Jesus invites us to gaze upon the heavenly picture and realize our place at God’s table. As we do, we have fellowship with the saints of every time and space, because we are in Christ, the resurrection and the life.

Prayer: Keep us in fellowship with all your saints, O Lord, as we gather around your table of grace. Amen.

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Whoever loves God

Posted on February 22, 2018 by David Nuottila

1 John 5:1–12, John 15:1-10

In one of his songs, Christian singer and songwriter Steve Bell points out; “Whoever loves God loves all that God loves. Think about that.” Truly, think about it. As Christians we learn from scripture that indeed God is love, and if we are to love God we will keep his commandments. We will strive to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. It is as simple as that. Love is the key to keeping God’s commandments. Unfortunately, our sinful nature continues to present a stumbling block to love.

Self-centeredness, greed, violence and contempt are such stumbling blocks hurled into the path of faithfulness. Overcoming these obstacles is well out of reach for sinners. On our own we are no match for the devil and his minions. We need strength. We need rescue. We need a Savior whose love overcomes the powers that defy God. Thankfully, we have such a Savior.

John reminds us that through the power of God’s love, Christ has overcome the world and all its evil powers. Through the waters of Baptism, God has poured out his grace and given believers life in his Son Jesus Christ. Living in this life and light, and because he first loved us, we can finally strive to love all that God loves. Think about that.

Prayer: O God, give me the will to love all that you love. Amen.

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The Father’s good pleasure

Posted on February 20, 2018 by David Nuottila

Luke 11:1-13

As it is with most fathers, I have gotten used to the fact that when my kids call, it’s not long before the conversation gets to the point when money becomes involved. I can usually tell when the request is about to be made. Suddenly, the tone in my child’s voice becomes just a little bit sweeter. I am then reminded just how much I am loved. Then, at the point of opportunity, “So Dad…you know that thing I told you about?” In all honesty, I am happy to help as much as I can, when I can. It’s truly a father’s joy.

Jesus teaches his disciples, and so he teaches us as well, that it is our heavenly Father’s good pleasure to provide for his Children. As we pray “Give us this day our daily bread,” our Father graciously provides that which we need. We have the assurance of daily bread, for God is also the one who has provided his grace through the Son given for the sake of the world. So in faith, ask, seek, knock. Those things that are needed will be provided by the hand of your Father.

Prayer: Give us this day our daily bread, O God, and fill us with your love. Amen.

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In the end

Posted on February 19, 2018 by David Nuottila

Luke 21:5-19, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Alongside the road there is an old VW van with a sign propped up against it; “Repent, the end is near!” The car in front of you in traffic has a bumper sticker warning that, “In case of RAPTURE this vehicle will be unmanned!” Finally, in bold letters, the theater marquis assures you that you do not want to be “LEFT BEHIND!” It seems someone at every turn is attempting to decipher the signs and sift through the hidden clues in Holy Scripture in order to determine just when the end will come. Even Jesus’ disciples wondered openly about the end times. “When will all these things take place?” “What will be the sign?”

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus foretells the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. In Matthew’s gospel, he speaks of the reality of earthly life. In both of these, our Lord instructs God’s people to pay little attention to such events. They must happen, but they are not the indicators, merely moments in history. Only the Father knows when he will make all things new. Until then, we have assurance that even as such events occur, Christ is present among us, even to the end of the age.

Prayer: Christ our Lord, give us faith to persevere and to patiently await your coming in glory. Amen.

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The power to preach

Posted on February 17, 2018 by David Nuottila

Acts 8:1-13

Following the martyrdom of Stephen, Scripture tells us persecution arose against the Church. A great number of Christians were thrown into prison for their alleged blasphemy, while others, including Saul the Pharisee, stood by in approval. He too went from house to house and dragged believers away because of their faith.

In the far reaches of our present world, brutal persecutions against Christians still exist in terms that are all too real. Across the globe, Christians are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed because they confess Christ crucified and risen. Yet, just as it was in for the earliest Christians, the gospel of Christ Jesus has the power to overcome the powers of evil and the Church continues to grow.

Wherever the gospel travels, there are challenges to faith which give rise to unexpected joy. Following the stoning of Stephen, many Christians escaped similar fates by fleeing to neighboring lands. Those who fled did not remain silent. Philip traveled to Samaria, preaching the gospel with boldness and passion, leading a great number of people to be baptized. And lest we forget, along the Damascus Road, the power of the risen Christ overcame the greatest persecutor of all.

Prayer: Almighty God, keep safe, those who proclaim your Word. Amen.

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