Monday, April 29, 2019

GETTING A "GOD-RESET"


        Carol and I received a special blessing yesterday. A plumber came to our home after church Sunday, fixed our water heater and charged us nothing. How about that! Of course, there’s a little more behind this story. Eric, a master plumber and owner of “Doctor Plumber”, was my confirmation student 25 years ago.
        He was a bright young fella, too. He wrote his confirmation essay on a little-known topic of “Double Predestination.” It’s a rationalist idea that since God predestines believers to heaven, He must also predestine unbelievers to hell. Eric had argued against this idea with an uncle, so he asked if he would write his essay about it. He did a good job of proving Double Predestination false, based on the Bible.
        Eric’s a good plumber too. Instead of replacing our non-working relatively new water heater, he found a way to fix it. Its Honeywell gas control unit got its electronics messed up, and all it took was a few turns of a dial in the right directions to reset it to heating water again. I took notes in case it happens again.
        So many of our electronics today need a periodic “reset” - routers, computers, even TVs. Wouldn’t it be great if we sinful people could get a “reset” for our sins? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if instead of being replaced, we could be forgiven and righteous again?
        Friends, that’s what Easter is all about! God knew that without forgiveness we sinful people would perish, so He sent His Son to forgive us our sins by dying on the cross. I’m hopeful the apostle John won’t mind if I rewrite his beloved John 3:16 like this:
        “God loved this messed up world so much that He made a “forgiveness reset” for us all. Now whoever has faith in what Jesus did on Calvary and the open grave is forgiven and has eternal life.” (John 3:16 PBV)
        Yes, Jesus died, but He is risen indeed - hallelujah! With faith in Him our lives are forgiven, “reset” for heaven!
        And how nice it is that our home has hot water again, thanks to Eric, who knows what he’s doing (for your plumbing needs, call 720-276-3000). But especially, thanks be to God for what He did for us. In Jesus, we need not be in “hot water” for our sins any more. 


Cool way of thinking about it, right?

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, April 8, 2019

WHY BE PART OF A CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

        Why do people attend a Christian church? Why take time to worship, volunteer, give gifts or even spend a lifetime of service as a church worker? While the harpies of modernism chant their mantras for secularism and the “evils” of religion all around, why do millions still go to God’s House for worship?
        Palm Sunday is this coming weekend. It recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, hailed by onlookers with palm branches, declaring Him to be the Messiah promised by God long ago. Although it is a joyful Sunday, it ironically begins the week during which Jesus was arrested, tried, crucified, died and was buried. 
        Last year on Palm Sunday, Carol and I gathered with our son and his family at Christ Lutheran Church, Phoenix, to stand with their eldest child before the congregation as he confessed his faith in Jesus in the Rite of Confirmation. It was a memorable time as each of us gave him our personal blessing and love.
        This year it will be his sister’s turn. She will now stand to declare her faith in Jesus, and be given a memory verse to treasure. Her brother’s was John 15:5, of Jesus the Vine and we the branches. Hers will be Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What a great Bible verse to have for one’s life!
        We hear so much today about youth and adults struggling to find an identity, or seek a life’s purpose, or experience the love and acceptance of those around us. But those essentials are part of why there is a church. Being in a Christian congregation which observes the rituals on which we base our faith and life can help youth and adults hold fast to those needed elements of life.
        My Confirmation Day was May 10, 1959, and my memory verse was John 15:5. Relatives and close friends greeted me with congratulations and encouragement after I'd promised to be faithful to Jesus. It was a needed step on my Christian journey. I also remember many classmates, some who have remained friends for life.
        Why attend a Christian church? Why learn of Jesus in the Bible? Because these are things eternal in a world that is fleeting, among people who are falling away. Because in God’s Word we will find what are seeking - identity, purpose, love and acceptance - for eternity.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for giving us the Church and faithful believers.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com