Discipline

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David Nuottila

Matthew 4_19

Matthew 4:18-25

Discipline. Just the word itself seems intimidating enough without us having to talk about it. But discipline is what the season of Lent calls for, spiritual discipline is what so many Christians the world over hope to achieve. By dedicating time each day for prayer, reading Holy Scripture, repentance, worship, fasting, works of love and giving alms, our hope is to draw closer to God, strengthening our relationship with Christ Jesus.

Becoming a disciple of Christ Jesus isn’t easy. Accepting Christ’s call to follow him and become fishers of men means Christians must become living reminders of God’s love for his people. In order to become such followers of Jesus, Christians must draw closer to God, strengthening their faith and relationship with Christ Jesus on a daily basis. The disciplines of Lent are the tools for building such faith.

As Jesus walked along the shoreline, he called out to four ordinary fishermen. They learned the way of discipleship through the example of Christ. Jesus continues to call disciples. As we respond to God’s call, spiritual discipline is the means by which we carve out time and space to learn from our Lord and follow his example. Soon, we also become fishers of people.

Lord, grant me the discipline to follow you, that I may fish for people. Amen.

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What must I do?

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David Nuottila

Mark 10_17

Mark 10:17-31

What must I do to inherit eternal life? This is a question much like that asked by so many people today. “What must I do to make it into heaven?” The rich man in the text told Jesus he had kept the commandments, yet Jesus finds him still lacking. The Lord tells him to sell all he has, give the proceeds to the poor and then follow him. There will be no need for personal wealth as he will have treasure in heaven. Sadly for this fellow, he can’t bear to part with his worldly possessions. The reality, it seems, is that his material goods possessed him.

So is that how we inherit eternal life? Does the act of passing on our wealth to the poor, filling our days doing good works, and keeping the commandments provide the final punch for our ticket to heaven? In a word, no! If we believe this we also will find ourselves lacking.

To inherit, one must be an heir, someone to whom the inheritance is passed down. Through Holy Baptism, God makes us his children; we are made inheritors through water and the Word. Joined to Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made heirs. Go no longer finds us lacking, and so to us, the kingdom of God is passed down. What must we do? Simply believe, for Christ has done it for you.

Gracious God, thank you for making us your, and thus, heirs to your everlasting kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Building up God’s house

Posted on February 17, 2016 by David Nuottila

Haggai 1_8

Haggai 1:1-15

As the Word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai, The Jews were finally returning from exile. Disobedience to God’s Word and wrongful worship of false gods brought down upon them God’s wrath. Having returned from exile, the Jews focused attention to reestablishing the comfort of their homes while neglecting God’s temple which still lay in ruins.

God sent his prophet to point out the people’s selfish ways and inward focus, reminding them of his displeasure with their prior disobedience. Surely God would not prosper their homes as the house of God lay in ruins. And so, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month during the reign of Darius, the people worked on the house of God.

Soon, Easter will be upon us. It is our disobedience to God’s Word which led Jesus to the cross, reconciling God and man and restoring from death to life those who believe. Yet, as this most holy day approaches, the world continues to be caught up in activities which displease the Lord. And so, God speaks through the prophetic voice of the Church, calling to repentance those who wander.

From Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, Lenten worship prepares Christians for living a life in Christ. Prayer, daily reading of scripture, weekly worship and celebration of the Sacrament of the Altar causes faith to grow and deepens our relationship with God and one another. Attention is turned toward our need for God’s mercy and a desire to turn away from behaviors that lead. During the season of Lent, faithful practice builds up the house of God.

Turn our hearts toward you, O God, that we may work to build up your house of prayer. Amen.

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Pray in secret

Posted on February 15, 2016 by David Nuottila

Matthew 6_4

Matthew 6:1-18

Today, high profile celebrity preachers entice us by saying God will reward our religious acts, especially if we openly demonstrate that we are righteous people. They have even written books in order to tell you how to earn God’s favor and blessing. And so some Christians put their faith on display calling attention to their giving of large gifts. Others will step forward to offer long wordy prayers. But if this is the formula to gain God’s favor, how do we explain Jesus’ warnings?

The opposite behavior is just as dangerous. Only a small percentage of Christians are truly generous in their giving. Few Christians fast and even fewer are comfortable leading public prayer. Either Christians today dismiss the importance of these faithful practices, or we have become very good at hiding our fasting, giving and prayer from the public eye.

Jesus warns about making a spectacle of our piety, but he stops short of dismissing faithful acts of discipleship. With these warnings, Jesus knocks down the self-righteous and affirms faithful practice. Our Lord humbles us to the degree that we know and understand that we are not actually the righteous ones, but ones made righteous through his suffering and death. Because of Christ, God quietly rewards us with the inheritance of his kingdom.

In the quiet of my heart, O God, I offer you my praise and thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

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You are dust

Posted on February 10, 2016 by David Nuottila

Genesis 3_19

Genesis 3:1-19, Romans 5:17-21

“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” These are the words of Ash Wednesday. They are the words said over us as we receive the ashes reminding us of our mortality. We are reminded that we are not eternal creatures, for we have sinned and the wages of sin is death.

In the beginning, God did not intend for Adam and Eve to return to dust; God did not intend for humans to die. God placed Adam and Eve into his garden and gave them dominion over all he had created. Yet, it seems this was not enough, Adam and Eve faced the power of temptation and fell into the grasp of death. Giving in to the powers that defy God, they ate from the forbidden tree and brought sin into the world.

Since this time in the garden, all humans are born into sin and we cannot escape the penalty of death on our own. We will return to the dust from which we were so wonderfully made. God, however, does not leave his people abandoned; he saves his children from the power of death through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Yes, we shall return to dust, but through Christ, God forgives our sin, and though we die, he raises us to a new, abundant and eternal life.

Thank you Father, for your grace that comes through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Building up the Church

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 14_4

1 Corinthians 14:1-12

There is a tale of two builders. The first worked alone building a house he could enjoy. The outside was not much to behold, but the inside was beautiful. The builder spared no expense in building himself a lovely and comfortable home.

The second builder worked as member of a team of craftsmen. They received instruction from their foreman, followed detailed plans and built a magnificent church, beautiful and inviting to all who saw it. The workers, guided by their leader, built a cathedral that would glorify God for centuries.

The story of the two builders is an example of the apostle Paul’s teaching in our text. Paul gives a contrasting view of one who builds up personal spirituality and one who builds the spirituality of others. Paul points out that the one who speaks in tongues builds up himself, while the one who prophesies builds up the church (1 Cor. 14:4).

There is nothing wrong with building a personal spirituality. It is good that we do this. Yet, if we strive for this only, and do not build up the faith of others, we have gained little. Christians gathered for worship and prayer strengthens the entire body. As God’s people share their faith and work together in the mission of God, we build up the Church. By this, others may come taste and see the goodness of God.

Bless the worship of your people, O God, that your name be glorified throughout the world. Amen.

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Falling at Jesus’ feet

Posted on February 7, 2016 by David Nuottila

Luke 7_48

Luke 7:37-50

Have you felt the strong desire to be near Jesus? Is this desire stronger when you are ashamed of your sins, when you feel lonely, or perhaps when you are angry, hurt or betrayed? What would it take to fall at the feet of Jesus? No matter how broken your relationships, no matter how shameful your sin, there is nothing that the love of God in Christ Jesus cannot forgive.

The great difficulty with forgiveness lies with the sinner who cannot find his way to Christ. The proud Pharisee, in the text above, thought more of his status than he did of the woman at Jesus’ feet. Her sin was great yet, she laid her sin and shame before her Lord seeking God’s grace. The Pharisee remained blind to her repentance.

Today, too many churchgoers are quick to point out the sins of the many while failing to see the seriousness of their own disobedience. The truth is, we all depend on God’s mercy, and we all are in need of his grace. Our sin is no less shameful than that of another. We are so quick to decry another’s behavior and fail to admit our own fault. We need Christ as much as the woman who cried at Jesus’ feet.

Understanding the example of this woman of the city, can we imagine what it would take for us to fall at the feet of our Lord? She showed so much love for Jesus and Jesus forgave her much. Where are we in this story? What is our place at the table? What does it take for us to fall at Jesus’ feet?

Lord God, give me the will and desire to fall at your feet, confessing my sins and receiving your forgiveness. Amen.

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Trouble with the Church

Posted on January 30, 2016 by David Nuottila

1 Peter 2_16

1 Peter 2:6-16

It’s obvious; the world has trouble with the church. For those who belong to the world, two messages prevail. The first is “Get what you can and keep it for yourself.” The second is like it, “Do what you want, when you want.” Of course these messages are contrary to the gospel; therefore, the world has trouble with the church.

Sadly, it often seems even Christians have trouble with the church. Two more statements bear witness to this. The first is, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” The second is like it; “I experience God in my own way.” Such statements are contrary to scripture. It’s for this reason I say even Christians have trouble with the church.

The difficulty is, the unchurched see little, if any appreciable difference in the way Christians live their lives. Too often, Christians, especially those who go it alone, fall into the trap of conforming their life to a pattern of societal norms rather than the biblical witness. We do what we want, when we want. We get as much as we can get and keep it for ourselves. It’s no wonder the world has trouble with the church.

All people are sinners and face temptations. Even the most devout and spiritual Christians need to be encouraged in their faith. Thinking you can remain faithful on your own is perhaps Satan’s most potent weapon. By ourselves, we are easy prey for the powers that defy God.

Peter exhorts the church, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” 1 Peter 2:16. The community of faith is the Christian’s sure defense against the tempter’s power. The very nature of being Christian means we worship together, live in fellowship and strengthen one another in faith.

Strengthen your Church, O Lord, that we may live in faith. Amen.

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A sure foundation

Posted on January 26, 2016 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 3_10

1 Corinthians 3:1-11

In order to build a structurally sound house, one must begin working from the ground up. To build on top of the soil, you have to dig well below the surface and lay strong foundational support that will bear the weight once the home is built. No matter the strength of your building materials, if the foundation isn’t sure and strong, it will buckle and the building will collapse. This is not only true of buildings; it can also be said about the life and fellowship of the church.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes to a young church which is still in the developmental stages. Paul himself brought them the gospel, taught them about God’s grace through Christ Jesus and laid a foundation built upon the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul taught the new Christian converts the basics of faith and how to live in community with one another as God’s precious children. It wasn’t long after Paul left Corinth, however, that conflict emerged. Paul writes to the Church in order that he might remind them of what is truly important, the foundational teaching of grace through Christ crucified and risen.

The conflicts in first century Corinth are much the same as some issues surrounding the Church today. Even the most faithful Christians sometimes disagree and conflicts arise. Yet, as we continue to live and worship together in Christ, we do so building our community on the strong foundation of the truth concerning our Lord Jesus crucified and risen. As the community is set upon such a firm foundation, we continue building with the durable materials of faith; Holy Scripture, daily prayer, regular worship and frequent celebration of Holy Communion. And even in those times when we stumble and fall, it is the sure foundation of faith in Christ which bears us up.

Almighty God, we thank you for your peace, hope and love which come through Christ. Help us always to build our lives and community upon him so that even as we are weakened by sin, we might stand on the firm foundation of your grace which comes through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Life’s greatest question

Posted on January 24, 2016 by David Nuottila

Hebrews 1_10

Genesis 1:1-2:3, Hebrews 1:1-14

Since the beginning, humans have struggled to figure out just how, when, and especially why the world came into existence. When we think about history’s great discoveries, we realize most were made while trying to answer the questions how, when and why? It is amazing that in this quest for knowledge, the world fails to ask the most central question; “who?”

Who started all this? Who are we and why should some higher power care about us? The people of God have known the answers to this question all along. God started it all, sustains it all, and loves it all. The trouble Christians face when making these statements is that worldly powers still do not accept God as an answer. When asked about the beginning, Christians are expected to have all the answers. Non-believers demand Christians offer definitive answers that even they cannot provide, but they will not believe the truth of faith.

By sharing faith, we share knowledge of God, who is the source of the answers to life’s greatest questions. There is no status one must reach or credential to possess in order to share faith. The only requirement is to speak the truth of Christ, his life, death and resurrection. God will do the rest.

Science will never fully reveal the answers to life’s greatest mysteries by asking how, when and why. Yet, by keeping Christ at the center of our discussions, Christians may help others come to realize the answer to the greatest question of all; “Who?” Once we understand that God is the author of all life, suddenly the how, when and why don’t seem so important.

Lord Jesus, keep our focus upon you, for you are the author of all life. Amen.

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