2-9-2016

Good Morning All!!   

         Acts 28: 30-31; “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,  proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

     I remember being engaged in a discussion with some classmates in a college history class one time.  We were discussing different eras of history and what it would have been like to live in those different times.  A couple wanted to live at the beginning of the Enlightenment Age.  One fellow wanted to live in the Medieval Times because he wanted to try the jousting and the games.  We all picked different times and then for a few minutes explained what fascinated us about the period of time we were looking at.

    A few years ago, I asked my Confirmation class what time frame they would have wanted to live.  I received pretty much a blank stare.  I then discussed a little what the living condition were in the Old and the New Testament and asked them if they wanted to live during those times.  They looked back blankly and thought it would be ok as long as they could take their cell phones.  When I told them that probably wouldn’t work out they all declined.  Then I told them they couldn’t decline.  I told them we are living in biblical times; we are living in the New Testament era.

   It is really fascinating when we think about it; we are actually living in the New Testament era.  Almost all of the stories in the New Testament, almost all the books of the New Testament are really open ended, that is, they do not end.  None of the books end with “The End” or “They lived happily ever after.”  Our verses for today are the last verses recorded in the Book of Acts.  The Book of Acts tells of the birth and advancement of the Church and it does not end.  The author of the book, Dr. Luke, simply stops telling the story as it was up to date when he stopped to send it around for others to read.  We are living in the New Testament era.

    So all the things that are recorded in the New Testament still apply, still are completely relevant.  We are to still be about being witnesses of Jesus.  We are still to be about telling others about his wondrous love.  We are still to be living in the joyous contentment of our salvation.  We are still to be looking at our faith family as our real family.  We are still to be waiting with great anticipation for the return of Jesus just like Peter, John and Paul did.  The New Testament still matters because we are still in it.  It is not some ancient document past its usefulness; it is the living continual story of Jesus and his Church; the Church that you and I make up.  The story is not over and there is a place in it for you.  The story of Jesus continues and will until he returns and begins a new phase but, until then, we live in the New Testament era serving Jesus in all that we do.

Father, there are times when I forget.  I forget that I live for you.  I forget that I am your servant.  Forgive me and restore me that I may always serve you in all parts of my life.  Guide my by Your Spirit and lead me in your paths.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.   

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret