This Sunday we focused on Psalm 98 and discussed how we pray to God, specifically in our praise of God.  I claimed that our praise for God rebuilds our trust in him. Our website has the sermon posted now here: firstfreebrooklyn.org/sermons

Here is a quote I used in the sermon that I really enjoyed:   “When I give thanks, my thoughts still circle about myself to some extent. But in praise my soul ascends to self-forgetting adoration, seeing and praising only the majesty and power of God, His grace and redemption.” – Ole Hallesby, Prayer, 1957

According to Richard Foster’s book on Prayer, CS Lewis (Letters to Malcom) wrote that four thing keep us from adoration:

1. Lack of attention
2. Negative attention or misunderstanding
3. Greed : Ever asking God for an “encore” or another blessing
4. Conceit : A high view of self

As we learn to pray, I hope we will learn to praise God for his actual goodness and learn to cherish him for himself.

Practicing Prayer With You, Pastor Chris

And this is a post to just mark that fact and list the titles and dates.  They are all on our website to listen to. (online here)  Enjoy!

April 28th: Titus 1:1-5 An Unfinished Calling

May 5th: Titus 1:5-9  An Unfinished Character

May 12th: Titus 1:10-16 An Unfinished Battle

May 19th: Titus 3:3-8 An Unfinished Inheritance

May 26th: Titus 2:1-10 An Unfinished Relationship

June 2nd: Titus 2:11-15 An Unfinished Proclamation

June 9th: Titus 2:15 – 3:2 An Unfinished Investment

June 16th: Titus 3:9-15 An Unfinished Commitment

I started a note to the church Elder Board and possibly the entire church way back in 2018 and never finished it.  It was kind of important, so I’m finishing it and putting it here so I can direct people toward it in the future.

I don’t know how important the 2018 theology conference was for the EFCA, but I know it was important for my involvement in the EFCA. As a relative new comer to the denomination, I have found one question keeps coming to my mind. Is God’s redemptive work unifying people across ethnic boundaries in Christ to be his Church central to the EFCA’s understanding of the gospel? That’s a mouthful. Perhaps a shorter version would be: Do we believe the gospel requires BOTH reconciliation to God AND to others?

Below I’ve linked to the talks that were delivered at the conference with the summary that the EFCA folks gave to each (so they are not my summaries).

In listening to these episodes, let me encourage you to pace yourself appropriately. If you have been a part of conversations like this for many years, of course you may want to hear Dr. Perkins first and then enjoy the other talks or you may just listen to them in the order that peaks your interest. If however, you don’t recognize some of the names of these speakers, or perhaps this hasn’t been a major focus of your ministry thus far, start with these two:

1. Episode 153: Doug Sweeney on American Evangelicals and Racial and Ethnic Partiality AND
2. Episode 155: Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. on The Gospel, Martin Luther King Jr. Contextual Theology and Evangelicalism.
3. If you get to a third, listen to this one: Episode 152: Jarvis Williams on The Cross and Racial Reconciliation.
   Of course I think you’ll find a great amount of value in all of them.

Episode 155: Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. on The Gospel, Martin Luther King Jr. Contextual Theology and Evangelicalism (March 22, 2018 from EFCA Theology Podcast)

https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-155-dr-carl-ellis-jr-gospel-martin-luther-king-jr-contextual-theology-and

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This often is one of those racial markers over which there are differences of opinion. Likely, many white brothers and sisters have probably not thought much about this anniversary. Conversely, most African American brothers and sisters are quite aware of this anniversary, and not to remember or recognize this in some way would be hurtful. Many of the differences regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. are along racial lines. Join us as Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. discusses the relationship between The Gospel, Martin Luther King, Jr., Contextual Theology, and Evangelicalism.

Episode 154: Dr. John Perkins on Miles Walked and a Lived History (March 20, 2018 from EFCA Theology Podcast)

https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-154-dr-john-perkins-miles-walked-and-lived-history

It is one thing to address this issue theoretical or academically. It is another to address this personally and experientially. One is not more or less important than another. Both are necessary, even though the issue is approached from different vantage points. Both provide significant and important insights into the issues we are studying, discussing and living. Join with other EFCA pastors as we listen to the wisdom of Dr. John Perkins as he discusses the need for unity within the church.

Episode 153: Doug Sweeney on American Evangelicals and Racial and Ethnic Partiality (March 15, 2018 from EFCA Theology Podcast)

https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-153-doug-sweeney-american-evangelicals-and-racial-and-ethnic-partiality

The church, committed to and compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ, has engaged in both the proclamation of the gospel and its accompanying social ministries of compassion and justice. This has been reflective of the church from the beginning. Affirming this reality, it is important to address and assess how Evangelicals have historically addressed these matters of race in the 18th-19th centuries, some of our significant right-steps and have some of the other painful missteps and sins of the past 150-200 years which remain with us today. Join with other EFCA pastors as they listen to Doug Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Church History and History of Christian Thought at Trinity Evangelical School.

Episode 152: Jarvis Williams on The Cross and Racial Reconciliation (March 13, 2018 from EFCA Theology Podcast)

https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-152-jarvis-williams-cross-and-racial-reconciliation

As Evangelicals more broadly, and as the EFCA more specifically, we are people of the Book. One EFCA motto has been and remains, “where stands it written,” which addresses both the biblical truth of a doctrine and also the practical outworking of that truth in life. Join us as Dr. Jarvis Williams, an Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary walks us through how to live out this truth.

Episode 151: Greg Strand Introduces the 2018 Theology Conference (March 01, 2018 from EFCA Theology Podcast)

https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-151-greg-strand-introduces-2018-theology-conference

Earlier this year, our 2018 EFCA Theology Conference theme explored The Gospel, Compassion and Justice and the EFCA. Recent events in our nation and world have made it clear it is both timely and necessary to address the topics of racial reconciliation and immigration. The gospel is being undermined and tarnished by the lack of reconciliation among believers and the lack of concern for the immigrant. Join with fellow EFCA pastors and leaders in listening and learning from the speakers at our 2018 conference as they address this theme from biblical, theological, historical and pastoral perspectives.

from Basil the Great:
Therefore, the common director of our lives, the great teacher, the Spirit of truth, wisely and cleverly sets forth the rewards, in order that, rising above the present labors, we might press on in the spirit toward the enjoyment of eternal blessings.
“Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.”
What is most truly good, therefore is principally and primarily the most blessed. And that is God…. For truly blessed is goodness itself toward which all things look, which all things desire, an unchangeable nature, lordly dignity, calm existence; a happy way of life, in which there is no alteration, which no change touches; a flowing fount, abundant grace, inexhaustible treasure. (Homilies on Psalms, 10:3)

Disciples not yet apostles, followers not yet the Church sit expecting, waiting, and praying.
What silent requests, what mumbled musings might they utter? Every shift or breeze raises hairs and quiets lips. (Acts 1:12-14)
Some slept, others prayed, some recalled Jesus’ words or dwelt on prophets promises.
“Here am I.”  …  “Here am I” is a good prayer.  A good prayer for waiting.

“Here am I” was Mary’s prayer as God’s Angel announced her nine-month anticipation. “May it happen as you said,” a shaky confidence awaiting the anointed one’s birth. (Lk 1:38)
“Here am I,” Isaiah’s prayer as God’s glory filled the temple and his holiness rang from heaven. “Send me” he screamed and a long deafness eclipsed ears as hardness shriveled hearts. (Is 6:8-10)
“Here am I” was Samuel’s prayer as God’s whisper awoke his slumber. “Speak. I am listening” stammered a boy, holding God’s secrets, aging to become final judge to anoint a great king.
“Here am I,” Moses’ prayer at a flaming bush. “Here am I,” Abraham’s prayer before Moriah’s sacrifice. “Here am I” is a good prayer. A prayer of waiting. A prayer of faith. (1Sm 3:4-11, Ex 3:4, Gen 22:1)

But “I am hiding” was Adam’s prayer when God called. It feels a more natural prayer for me. It’s my first prayer when God seeks me out.  I am hiding. I am hiding and I am ashamed. Waiting for God, leaves rustling, steps approaching, I am exposed. I am exposed and ashamed. (Gen 3:8-11)

“I am here!” Jesus’ thundering words knocked back the soldiers demanding his arrest. (Jn 18:4-6)
“Here I am” echoed David’s psalm,
“Here I am, I have come. It is written about me in the scroll.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness.” (Ps 40:6-10)
“Here am I, I have come to do your will” an early apostle remarked. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:9,10)

Suddenly God’s closeness is sensed, but I am clothed with Jesus’ robe
and I pray “Here am I.” (Rom 13:14)
Quietly his Spirit rises, I am not ashamed of Christ. I think more on him,
less about myself. (Gal 2:20)
“Here am I” we pray as prepared patience becomes the roux of obedience. (Jas 1:2-4,22-25)
“Here am I” we whisper cusping our ears until the lover of our souls speaks. (Ps 103)
“Here am I” we tremble. God’s presence, God’s direction, God’s mission.  (Acts 2:1-4, Jn 14:25-27, 20:21,22)

Waiting for Pentecost – A Reflection By Pastor Chris
(Bulletin – First Free Brooklyn, 4/10/2016)
On the morning I wrote this, I had read: all worship is a preparation for being in God’s presence. Is that true? I wonder what it felt like to wait with the disciples for the Holy Spirit (aka Pentecost)? Did it feel like preparation? Did they know what they were waiting for… really? (Acts 2)
The above is my short reflection on this idea…

These are most or all of the quotes I used in Sunday’s sermon.  The entire (although atypically short) sermon can be found on the church website here: firstfreebrooklyn.org/sermons)

“People have an idea that the preacher is an actor on a stage and they are the critics, blaming or praising him. What they don’t know is that they are the actors on the stage; he (the preacher) is merely the prompter standing in the wings, reminding them of their lost lines.” ― Søren Kierkegaard

…when finally the string him up, they do it for the wrong reasons and string him up as a nationalist revolutionary when the only revolution he is after is a revolution of the human heart and his concern is ultimately for all nations. – F. Buechner

You tried to drown your sorrows
You shouldn’t have taught them how to swim
And now you are right back where you began
– John Craigie

The deepest motive for mission is simply the desire to be with Jesus where he is, on the frontier between the reign of God and the usurped dominion of the devil.” – Lesslie Newbigin

Why did it come about that the cinema really is often more interesting, more exciting, more human and gripping than the church? – D.Bonhoeffer

Jesus, our only hope, appeared from obscurity, poverty, occupation. His crown was suffering. His royal courts were roadside leper colonies and lake-side hungry-peasant gatherings. He created pulsars, black holes, molecules of mater, and holds together the fabric of time, AND he gave himself to buy what he refused to demand.  Your affection, your filial devotion, your heart.  He woos your will from hurt, pain, and selfishness.   He stands with you in each decision to step toward God, to step away from wickedness, to be eager to do what is good.  Jesus, our only hope, will appear soon and grant us the completion of what he’s begun in us. – C. Hooper

The only thing Jesus is recorded to have written was in the dirt.