In seminary we read many deep...
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In seminary we read many deep theological books going into great intellectual detail, but Jesus only uses stories as examples. It is easier to see God's purpose through these parables then through lengthy diatribes using language that is very academic and obscure.
If some prophet arose today, we might expect him to be approved by the synod first before we feel safe listening to him (or her). Jesus did not go through the proper channels and the leaders felt snubbed by God. They were also more interested in preserving their status as top dogs and being popular with the people. That could sound like presidents and congressmen (and perhaps bishops and synods). It certainly could not be true of us pastors.
Yes, we want to be careful whom we believe in. Bible bookstores are full of volumes by those who claim to "know" when the end of the world will happen. They know when a tornado was caused by God's wrath against the people whom it hit, assuming they must have been guilty of something terrible like allowing gays to marry. Just look at the titles by self-proclaimed "prophets," both religious and political, who know exactly what we must do to come to God or to solve all the problems in our country.
We must also be careful that we do not condemn someone who might be truly speaking for God as they did in our text. They demanded proof, but proof would only come to those who recognized John's message. It is only through God's Holy Spirit that we can recognize him speaking today.
We must also judge others and ourselves not by what we say, but by what we do. The doing is the proof of the promises that we make in church.
I was a jail chaplain in addition to serving my church once, but when I brought some of the former prisoners to give a testimony to my people, I heard complaints from some members who asked if they had to have done drugs or broken the law in order to find the Lord. I tried to tell them that these former prisoners had first turned the Lord down, but then found him and started to serve him. How many promise in their confirmation vows to serve the Lord and then don't come back to church again? It is a shameful statistic and I think the parents of those kids must share some of the blame.
We need God's Spirit in our hearts to guide us in whom we direct our lives.
If some prophet arose today, we might expect him to be approved by the synod first before we feel safe listening to him (or her). Jesus did not go through the proper channels and the leaders felt snubbed by God. They were also more interested in preserving their status as top dogs and being popular with the people. That could sound like presidents and congressmen (and perhaps bishops and synods). It certainly could not be true of us pastors.
Yes, we want to be careful whom we believe in. Bible bookstores are full of volumes by those who claim to "know" when the end of the world will happen. They know when a tornado was caused by God's wrath against the people whom it hit, assuming they must have been guilty of something terrible like allowing gays to marry. Just look at the titles by self-proclaimed "prophets," both religious and political, who know exactly what we must do to come to God or to solve all the problems in our country.
We must also be careful that we do not condemn someone who might be truly speaking for God as they did in our text. They demanded proof, but proof would only come to those who recognized John's message. It is only through God's Holy Spirit that we can recognize him speaking today.
We must also judge others and ourselves not by what we say, but by what we do. The doing is the proof of the promises that we make in church.
I was a jail chaplain in addition to serving my church once, but when I brought some of the former prisoners to give a testimony to my people, I heard complaints from some members who asked if they had to have done drugs or broken the law in order to find the Lord. I tried to tell them that these former prisoners had first turned the Lord down, but then found him and started to serve him. How many promise in their confirmation vows to serve the Lord and then don't come back to church again? It is a shameful statistic and I think the parents of those kids must share some of the blame.
We need God's Spirit in our hearts to guide us in whom we direct our lives.
