Words for Reflection

We need to face the truth of the limits of our perceptions and look again at who Jesus is revealing Himself to be.  Jesus' words are an invitation to contemplation, a call to awareness.  His admonition is the gentle but powerful reminder that a great deal of the work we do as we follow Him along the Way is to keep opening our eyes and ears to the truth of who He is.  He can never be exhaustively described by us.  There is always more about Him to discover.  The ingredients of mystery and humility are part of what fuels our journey with Him.

David Rohrer, The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry

 

Premodernism asserted that there was an objective truth that could be known by those who had the skill to see it.  Modernism objected that truth was relative, that different people saw truth differently according to their own situations.  Postmodernism insists that there is no truth at all, that whatever truth there might be must be created by each person, for any larger claims to truth are in reality disguised bids for power.  The meta-narrative of the Christian community compassionately demonstrates that Jesus is the Truth, an objective Truth who can be known.  We know Him only partially, but because we know Him we do not have to try to create truth for ourselves.  Furthermore, His truth is not oppressive, for as Mark Schwehn emphasizes,

     For Christianity, the quest for truth is bound up inextricably with discipleship, and therefore the  

     shape of power is for them always cruciform...So long as Christians remember that, for disciples,

     power is not dominion but obedience, faithfulness, and suffering servanthood, they can rightly

     claim an integral connection between truth and power.

The Christian story we offer to our neighbors introduces them to Jesus, the Truth, who brings healing to postmodernists' fractured souls.

Marva Dawn, A Royal Waste of Time

 

Order of Worship, April 28 2013

Grace Presbyterian Church



 

 

 

I do not think that any of us yet knows what this [Christian discipleship] will involve.  We have accepted for too long the position of a voluntary society among other such societies, conceived of as alternative options within a religiously and ideologically neutral society...The church can never settle down to being a voluntary society concerned merely with private and domestic affairs.  It is bound to challenge in the name of the one Lord all the powers, ideologies, myths, assumptions, and world views which do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord.  If that involves conflict, trouble, rejection, then we have the example of Jesus before us and his reminder that a servant is not greater than his master.

Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society

You did not choose me but I chose you.  And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.  

Jesus, The Gospel of John

Worship must equip us for that [gospel] mission with a deep vision of the extravagant splendor of God.  Rather than being "a vendor of religious goods and services" that cater to people's tastes, the Church is called to be "a body of people sent on a mission." 

Marva Dawn, A Royal "Waste" of Time

Paul speaks far more often of Christians being 'in Christ' than of Christ being 'in Christians.' It's important to see our individual experience within the larger picture of our membership in God's family in the Messiah, within the worldwide plan Paul [writes in this letter]. 

N.T. Wright, Ephesians Study Guide

Order of Worship, November 14 2010

Grace Presbyterian Church

Let there be no mistake.  To proclaim the lordship of Jesus in all the world can never be a matter of merely inviting people to embrace a personal salvation that leaves the power structures of the world untouched.  If it is reduced to that, then in the name of the whole New Testament we must say that the Jesus of whom such a message speaks is not Jesus of Nazareth, but an idol who has usurped his name and distorted his message.  And at the same time, we must say that to work for justice and peace in the world on any basis other than the declaration that the crucified and risen Jesus is Lord of the world, and that his Spirit is at work today to implement his victory, is to fight idolatry with idolatry.  Only Jesus, the real Jesus, is Lord; only by his Spirit is there victory, is there hope.  The gospel promises the life of the age to come, the hope of resurrection, to all who turn from idols and trust in this Jesus.  The same gospel promises that, because his victorious reign has already begun, the power of his self-giving love can challenge and dethrone the usurping idols that still enslave, distort and destroy human life.  There is one gospel, because there is "one body and one Spirit & one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, on baptism, one God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).  There is one world, one God, one gospel.  And with this gospel we, however surprisingly, have been entrusted.  We are not spectators in this drama.  We ourselves are summoned to be God's agents in bringing this earth-shattering message to the world--and to the church!--that so desperately needs it.

N.T. Wright

God is a peacemaker.  Jesus Christ is a peacemaker.  So, if we want to be God's children and Christ's disciples, we must be peacemakers too. 

John R. W. Stott, Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today

Order of Worship, October 31 2010

Grace Presbyterian Church

American religion is a mass of contradictions.  We want community, but on strictly individual terms.  We want human closeness without feeling cramped or obligated.  We want a personal God who doesn't ask much personally.  We want mystery, but in a controlled, non-disruptive way.  We want a faith that's fulfilling, practical, earthy, tolerant, transcendent, fun, empowering, morally serious without being morally demanding, a faith that restores wonder and deepens intimacy, and we want it not to cost too much or take up too much time.

Mark Buchanan ,  Article in  "Books & Culture"

Order of Worship, April 15 2007

Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New Orleans

Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly, and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way.  The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it.  But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Order of Worship, March 18 2007

Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New Orleans