FROM PASTOR TIM JOHNSON:
Politics is everywhere, and until Jesus returns politics will continue to define our culture, our communities, our churches, our families, our businesses, our sports, our schools, our academic pursuits, and every conceivable nook and cranny that is part of life. We cannot avoid it.
Whenever someone feels compelled to influence a situation, “politics” comes into play. This political paradigm is not limited to the partisan politics of Democrats and Republicans, left or right; but includes old versus young, rural versus urban, one race versus another race, rich versus middle class, poor versus privileged.
We should not be surprised, then, to see the level of political activity that surrounded Jeremiah’s prophetic life. Re-read Jeremiah 25-29 and just count how many times Jeremiah struggled with false prophets who were all more intent on pleasing the authorities than on listening to God.
Our antidote will always, always, always be the Word of God. RVC’s statement of faith begins with a clear statement on Scripture first because we want to declare that we cannot say anything about God, ourselves or the world without first appealing to Scripture.
When the EFCA removed Scripture as their first article of faith in 2008, they made a mistake and it was not a big surprise to then see them remove Premillennialism from their Statement of Faith this past June.
We will not abandon Scripture as our first article of faith. Ever.
One saint on Sunday was so pleased with the message’s ever insistent call to read our Bibles. And she pointed out how important it is to memorize Scripture because there are times when we will not have our Bible’s readily available, or we may be incapacitated and unable to even hold a Bible. Amen.
Here’s a lovely prayer from the Anglican tradition (often called a “collect”) that I held so dear when I taught at an Anglican Seminary. Providentially, it is scheduled to be read in some Anglican circles this coming Sunday, November 17. Enjoy:
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Let’s join together RVC and “inwardly digest” God’s word so that, like Jeremiah, we will be better prepared by God’s Word to know what is true and what is false.
You can start by reading the section of Jeremiah I mention above, and then, for this Sunday, read Jeremiah 30-33. You will be better prepared to receive His word that unpacks one of the great truths of God’s everlasting promise to the Jews…and to the world. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Inwardly digesting God’s Holy Scriptures together, we are, by God’s grace alone,
Rescued by Christ,
Pastor Tim