December 4
Daniel 11:36-12:13 | PS 123:1-4 | Prov 29:2-4 | 1 John 4:1-21
Our Pastor, Lloyd Pulley, reflected on the aftermath of 9/11, when he and many members of the church quickly went to NYC to reach out to so many that were devastated from the attack. He didn't speak at them, give them Bibles and tracts, etc. He listened to them. He listened to their stories. He loved those who were absolutely shaken to the core. Though the gospel message was presented, it was done so, not in a cookie cutter format, but directed at the individual after listening and gaining some understanding of where they were. In John 3, Jesus presents the truth of salvation to a learned, distinguished rabbi, Nicodemus. In John 4, Jesus presents the same truth to a Samaritan woman who had lived a very unsavory life. In both scenarios, Jesus took the time to listen and engage, while never forgetting the importance of why it is that He came, to bring salvation to the world. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul speaks about how he adjusts his actions and conversation depending upon his audience with this summation in 9:22, "... I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
We come to a portion of Scripture in Daniel 12:1-4, which we must realize the prophet, himself did not fully comprehend (1 Peter 1:10-12). Speaking of the future tribulation, the reality of eternity in heaven and hell, we read, “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." He speaks of a time of unsurpassed trouble, also called the "time of Jacob's trouble" by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 30:7, but we now know as the tribulation. Every single person will be judged, both before this period of time and during. As foretold, knowledge truly has increased, but wisdom has not. We need to be less about a technique, and more about actually listening to people then delivering the message of salvation to a world that seems on the precipice of the tribulation.
When we read 1 John, it should open our eyes. The word used over and over again throughout this letter is love. But this love in the Greek is "agape", which is different from friendly love, sexual love and family love which is often all about feelings. "Agape" love involves goodwill, delight in the object of our love, faithfulness, commitment, an act of will, not feelings. It is all about the object and not about ourselves, being selfless. Therefore the book of John if read honestly often takes that smile off of ourselves as we realize just how far from the mark we truly are. Consider this comparison with God in 1 John 4:10-11, " In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." Jesus was sent as the propitiation or payment for our sins, how can we, who know salvation remain quiet as those we claim to love around us are literally perishing before our eyes. Though you might state that you don't know what to say, or are afraid of the response, remember we are talking eternity here, and reflect on how Jesus approached those throughout the gospel, or how my pastor approached those in that uncomfortable arena in 9/11, and just remember the truth in 1 John 4:4, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: