One of the most compassionate moments in Jesus’ life happened while he was dying on the cross.

The criminal crucified next to Jesus pleaded for God’s mercy when he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42

At the moment this man begs for grace, he had already admitted to fact that he was guilty of the crime he committed, and the crime was worthy of a death sentence. In other words, he was not a very nice person by his own admission.

Yet he dares to ask Jesus for mercy knowing he deserves nothing.

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Even in the depths of painful suffering, Jesus offers this man a future.

This is a touching moment. I can see myself in that criminal asking for an eternal lifeline and Jesus responds by essentially saying, “I will see you later today at my house.”

This moment shows us the heart of Jesus for all people, not just the criminal.

Remember: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

Yet there is a hypocrisy within some circles of Christianity that see their salvation as secure but then question the sincerity of other people’s faith. The hypocrisy of being forgiven by Christ but denying that same forgiveness or even grace to others.

I have witnessed the hate and judgment of various groups of people by Christians! This should not be! Not now, not ever.

The truth of God’s love is this: For God so loved the world…

Not some of the world.

Not a few people.

Not the people who live like me.

For God so loved the world…

There is no one that we lock eyes with that does not matter to Jesus.

You can’t claim the love of Jesus when you hate others (or groups of others) for any reason.

If you have received the grace of Jesus’ love, share it with others.

God bless,
Pr. Ben

There are some good reasons I love serving at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada…

1. First and Foremost: We are faithful to Jesus. We trust him to lead us as a church and as individuals.

See, others are puffed up; their desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by God’s faith— Habakkuk 2:4

We live by faith. Not by hate or anger or cruelty towards others.

2. We are regular people with everyday troubles (like everyone else). We don’t pretend to be better than anyone else.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

We remain humble and point to Jesus for all things.

3. We know that bad things happen in life because we live in a broken world but we also know that God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to anyone.

God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44

Simply, God cares for all.

And…

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

Jesus doesn’t cause bad things to happen, he died and rose again to forgive us from the bad things we have done to cause harm.

4. We live with joy at Community Lutheran Church. We don’t base our joy on external circumstances. We have internal joy because of Jesus and the support of each other.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Joy is our secret weapon against hate!

5. Deep down we know Jesus and others within our church family care for us.

Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7

And…

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

I love our church for these reasons. If you have never been to Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, NV… come see for yourself.

God bless you,

Pastor Ben

Last week we started a new sermon series on Prayers of the Bible. We are using the petitions of sections of the Lord’s Prayer guide us to look at different prayers that reflect the same themes from the Old Testament.

For example, in the opening line of the Lord’s Prayer, (“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name) King David prays a prayer that reflects the theme of God who is like a loving parent and the acknowledgment that God is holy and special.

We will continue doing this for the entire Lord’s Prayer in worship over the next month. I hope you will join us online or in person to expand your understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and be exposed to other prayers in the Old Testament.

Besides the Lord’s Prayer, are there other prayers found in the New Testament? YES!

One of my favorite prayers in the New Testament is a prayer of Saint Paul written for the church in Ephesus. Paul’s prayer expresses the desire for everyone to grow in their faith and knowledge of God.

Saint Paul prays,

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:16-18

There it is! Paul wants the church to grow in “wisdom and revelation”. Not only to apply God’s word to their life (wisdom) but see Jesus more clearly (revelation) in their daily lives. We all should want that!

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19a

This is where the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart” comes from. Paul desires all Christians to be able to see life through the lens of faith and not just with our eyes. To be able to make sense of the world with our heart (with Jesus help). Why? So we can have hope in the present moment about what awaits us: heaven.

Knowing there is more to life than this life gives us hope to persevere and keep the faith until the end (which is really a beginning)!

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:19b-21

Having faith and hope to move forward in life is powerful! It is the same explosive power that raised Jesus from the dead! That kind of power rules the universe! Therefore, do not diminish or downplay faith or hope. That is the power of God at work in you. Pray for those two gifts to increase in your life!

I am praying for that too… for you!

God bless,
Pr. Ben