March 29, 2009
STEPS TO SAINTHOOD
The mission of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst, WI is to “REACH UP AND REACH OUT.” Our Evangelism board, in an effort to follow that mission, is in the process of introducing some activities that will, “Equip the Saints at St. Paul’s to REACH UP connecting to Christ, and REACH OUT, connecting others to Christ.” We felt it was a pretty good plan and took it to the Elders and the Council for their blessings. Well, after the meeting I got an email from a fellow member who said he really couldn’t buy into the whole thing because, as he put it, “there simply are no saints at St. Paul’s.” Is he right – are there no saints at my church? If not, how does one become a saint? How does one become a saint – here’s what God says?
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word… I have tried hard to find you… I have hidden Your word in my heart….I have recited aloud all the regulations… I have rejoiced in your laws…. I will study your commandments…reflect on Your ways... delight in your decrees and not forget your Word… Psalm 119
There you have it in black and white - do all those things and you can apply for sainthood right? Well, yes, if you can do ALL those things ALL the time -24 hours a day, 365 days a week for your whole entire life. Well, let’s face it folks, if the steps to being a saint are based on the criteria in Psalm 119, the guy in my church was right – there are no saints at St. Paul’s or at any other church for that matter. Because, no matter how hard we try we don’t do all those things. Oh we may do some of them some of the time, but we simply can’t keep doing them because we are steeped in sin. Yet, look at what Jeremiah tells us about God’s perspective of sainthood:
“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors…“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jeremiah 31:31-34
Did you hear what God said? “I will be there God and they will be my people.” Do you realize what that infers? In order for us to be the people of God we need to be holy, perfect, and blameless - saints - because God cannot be in the presence of anything less than that. Yet, here God is saying that it WILL happen. Doesn’t God realize what and who He’s dealing with here – there are no saints at St. Paul’s remember? Of course God remembers – He knows that better than we do. So what did He do? He sent His Son to die.
“We are going up to Jerusalem," He (Jesus) said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." Mark 10:33-34
Our steps to sainthood were accomplished with Jesus’ steps to the cross and His steps away from the empty tomb. You see Jesus took all those things that we cannot do, to the cross and to the tomb and HE LEFT THEM THERE. Now, although we are still steeped in sin, we can also claim sainthood, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered… and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8
So are there any saints at St. Paul’s – I can emphatically say YES –by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: “For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths.” Psalm 149”4-6
Church Season –
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Week ending: MARCH 29, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Jeremiah 31:31-34
At that time – check out Luke 2:11 and John 19:30 to see when that time is
Tuesday – Psalm 119:9-16
How does Romans 12:2 compare with this Psalm?
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Hebrews 5:1-10
Jesus – the ultimate Pastor, shepherd, Savior
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 10:32-35
The road to our salvation and sainthood
Friday – REFLECT
Take some time to watch “The Passion of the Christ” and reflect on what our sainthood cost our Savior – then rejoice that He willing paid the price
Saturday – SHARE - How has God been speaking to you this week?
Sunday – Taste and see that the Lord is good
