Our Alternate Society

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Pastor Steve

1 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus

Paul thanked God for the society of Corinthian believers. Paul sees this group of believers as a gift. American Episcopal Theologian, Timothy F. Sedgwick. wrote, “While we are individually called, as God addresses each of us, we are not called individual into faith.”[1] God forms this church community and intends that we will live in community, loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These days Paul would be so disappointed. Numerous congregations over the US are now tragically divided. The causes are many. It is troubling to see the resolve of each side, while realizing that the topics are often ridiculous. Thom S. Rainer, on his blog, “Church Answers,”[2] shared 25 silly things church members fight over, of which my favorite is, “a deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter, and deciding to settle the matter in the parking lot.” In Rainer’s expected humor, he explained, “The church could have sold tickets to this event and raised a lot of money.” So many church arguments are a laughing matter when I’m not involved. Perhaps you’ve felt the same. But not so funny is that fact that we are far from the City of God described by Augustine, and we seem to like it that way. Sedgwick reminds us on that point, “to be is to be “we,” and not “I.” We have been gifted by God to exist as one body in an alternate society. Seemingly beyond our imagination, so allow me to try. What will it look like? The divinely inspired alternate society will look like nothing we have yet to see. It will be a new way of being and living together. It will be filled with the peace of God, in the presence of Christ Jesus, a gift of God’s grace. Our alternate society will look like heaven.     

In Christ,

Steve

“The kingdom of heaven is a literal kingdom. Heaven isn’t just an ethereal thought. It will be an actual place, an actual world, under Christ’s rule and reign.”
― Rachel Braunscheidel, The Heart-Home Builder: Cultivating an Inner Sanctuary with Christ amid Life’s Difficulties

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2023

[1] Sedgwick, Timothy F., Commenting on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 in Feasting on the Word, Year A, Volume 1, p.258.:

[2] Twenty Five Silly Things Church Members Fight Over (churchanswers.com)

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On Nothing Less

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Isaiah 7:9 (ESV)
“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

Ahaz, King of Judah (B.C. 740-724), was known for his wickedness and idolatry. King Ahaz had refused to join his peers to rally against the Assyrians, the reigning power to the East. The Assyrians were ready to take Judah. Isaiah’s words, “If you are not firm in your faith,” were for Ahaz to hear. Through Isaiah, God told Ahaz to ask for any miracle as a sign to encourage Ahaz to join in on the fight against Assyria. Ahaz would not, and the prophesy came to be, “you will not be firm at all.” In other words, you will fall, and he did along with his people. Assyria exiled Judah. Nevertheless, God said that even though Ahaz would have no part of this, God would anyway provide a sign to all the house of David. I hear it as God saying, Ahaz, you are too evil to know what is good for you. The sign would assure all faithful people that God offers a way to prevail over the powers of this world. Isaiah prophesied this miracle almost 2,800 years ago, and it still offers hope to us. We are Christians embattled by the powers of this world. We growingly feel like we are standing on sand, and the promises of Scripture sometimes seem so far away. And then we are reminded through Scripture of these ancient words prophesied by Isaiah, brought before us to be hope, through our faith received as hope, and made good by its fulfillment by God in that lowly manger, “The Lord will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”[1] Human prophesies are often not worth the breath it takes to utter them. God’s prophesies become hope through their fulfillment by our faithful God. That child was born. God is our hope through Jesus Christ. Our hope (in Christ) is built on nothing less.[2]

In Christ,

Steve

“God shall be my hope, my stay, my guide and lantern to my feet.” William Shakespeare, Henry V

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

[2] Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns: “My Hope Is Built” (umcdiscipleship.org)

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The Power of Love

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Matthew 26:52 (ESV)
“Put your sword back into its place.

For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

“Hurt people hurt people.”[1] This quote has hung with me since I read it last Sunday. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Sunday, December 4, 2022) had an online article on a wave of violence involving children in the city. Children are being killed by gun violence. Toddlers are dying. The quote relates to what happens in a setting of violence, “hurt people hurt people.” In other familiar words, “violence begets violence.”[2] Jesus had a response to the violence of biblical days, “Put your sword back in its place.” Take note, Jesus did not tell his disciple to get rid of the sword. Jesus warned his disciple, “For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” As I wrote above, “violence begets violence.” Rev. Dr. Allen C. McSween, Jr. wrote on this verse in the commentary, Feasting on the Gospels, “Violent retaliation is both forbidden and unnecessary.” What is the Christian to do? When confronted with violence, or interacting with victims of violence, we are taught to respond with love. A very difficult expectation, but supported by Jesus’ teachings. Jesus himself was the target of violence and chose the response of love. We are to love because God loves us. If we are ever to break the pattern of “hurt people hurt people,” it will not be through law, force, and restriction. It will be with the power of love. Loved people love people.

In Christ,

Steve

“We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Children under fire: Framing gun violence as a public health epidemic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[2] Violence begets violence – Wikipedia

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Go Figure Out

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Matthew 3:2 (ESV)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

“Go figure out what this Scripture means, ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders,” said Jesus in Matthew 9:13 of The Message translation. Eugene H. Peterson carefully brought forward this verse to teach us of Jesus’ intention. That intention is not clear in today’s passage. Jesus was surrounded by the “insiders,” or Pharisees. When Jesus shocked the Pharisees with his rejection of religion, Jesus hit the heart of the problem. The Pharisees were very good at going through the motions of ritual, and making it their religion. Jesus’ message is harsh on the leaders, then and now. As we see today, world leaders are good at ritual, but lack mercy. Jesus targeted all leaders who are out for their own gain. When Jesus commanded them to repent, he wanted more than their turning away from sin, Jesus wanted them to turn toward God. Put God at the center of their lives. This was unpopular then as it is now. The Pharisees thought they knew their Scripture. As an ancient Jewish rabbi, Jesus told Pharisees to, “Go figure out.” A common rabbinic term used to inform the student/disciple that they have homework. In other words, go away, then look deep into Scripture, as they look at themselves, and work to recognize their need for God’s mercy. And then upon that realization, show that same mercy to others. Jesus was condemning the Pharisee’s mechanical approach to religion, as it should for us, too. God wanted then and wants now an attitude of heart that includes a right relationship with God and with mercy to others. This is the merciful attitude that reaches the outsiders, those having been at a distance from the good news of Jesus Christ. Go figure out what this means for you, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

In Christ,

Steve

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” Abraham Lincoln

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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Before You Speak

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Philippians 4:5 (ESV)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.

For so many of us, by tomorrow we will be gathering around the table to share a meal in response to the United States holiday, Thanksgiving. The settings will be as varied as the people participating. Though smiles and hugs and good food may prevail, anxiety can be the order of the day. Why? We’re not the culture that first celebrated this day on November 26, 1789. “Individualism is an excellent example of the culture because everyone can be their selves in America.”[1] This is more so these days. Rather than putting differences aside as we approach the Thanksgiving meal, we pull up a chair and express our individualism. “I don’t like sweet potato casserole,” utters someone. “No dark meat, please,” says another. It does not stop there. Political opinions may come to the forefront in the blessing, of all places! That is not new. The Apostle Paul observed this in his struggling churches. Paul wrote to one, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” In some translations, “Let your gentleness be known.” A study of the ancient text reveals the translation may best be, “Let your moderation be known.” In other words, moderate your response. Moderation is not inclusion, but something difficult these days, letting reason prevail. From my perspective, think before we speak. I can admit, there have been a few Thanksgiving meals when I wish I had thought before I spoke. Why is reasonableness an important virtue of Christians? The Lord is at hand. Figuratively speaking, the Lord is seated at our Thanksgiving table. If your meal is fraught with tension, consider the words to the Philippians, setting the example, in the words of Bernard Meltzer[2], “Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.”

In Christ,

Steve

“Reason shows me that if my happiness is desirable and good, the equal happiness of another must be equally desirable.” Henry Sidgwick, late English philosopher

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] American Culture: An Overview of United States Culture | Seema

[2] Meltzer, Bernard, 20th century US radio host, his advice call-in show was, “What’s Your Problem?”

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Be the One

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Colossians 1:11 (ESV)

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.”

In Paul’s prayer to the church in Colossae, he asks God to grant these saints and faithful in Christ all power according to God’s glorious might. Believers in Colossae were surrounded by persecution and false teachings. That said, this was an immense request. To receive God’s power is to gain incredible strength. This is the same power that ushered the creation into being.  A creation that is now observed to be 93 billion light years wide. Perhaps you feel powerless. Consider this, you already have unimaginable power. In the world of quantum physics there is an understanding known as The Observer Effect.” The act of observing affects the observed reality. The simple act of looking at an object changes the reality of that object. Brilliant scientists have been able to prove this phenomenon in the study of a sub-atomic particle known as an electron. An electron naturally exists as a wave of energy, but the moment we observe the electron it immediately exists as matter. Does your head hurt? Mine does! Imagine this power of the human mind that changes reality, and we are not God. Our “observer effect” is feeble compared to God. By faith we receive God’s power. Imagine the new reality that may come into being when we rely on God’s power. Imagine what you may overcome. If by observation you can change reality, imagine by prayer and faith what change may come to you. The Holy Spirit is here to fill you with God’s power. Be the one with the power and the might of God.

In Christ,

Steve

“The greatest works are done by the ones. … It is the single units, the single individuals, that are the power and the might.” Charles Spurgeon

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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Rejoice Forever

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Pastor Steve

When will the political texts and robocalls ever end?

Isaiah 65:25 (ESV)

The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

In the closing verses of Isaiah, the prophet introduces us to God’s offer of hope, “to create new heavens and a new earth.” This offer follows horrendous years for God’s people. What caught my ear was the images of animals known to be at odds with each other, would be at peace in the new heavens and a new earth. Speaking of peace, today my phone is at peace after weeks of political “robocalls.” Yesterday was Election Day and I live in a state with high political tensions, Pennsylvania. The candidate’s personalities come across like animals known to be at odds with each other: wolf and lamb; lion and ox; and the common serpent at odds with all creation. Reaching back to Genesis 3:14, the prophet expanded upon the image of the evil serpent. The serpent’s threat will be devalued in the new world as the prophet wrote, “it’s food shall be dust!” The serpent will no longer need to live off its prey. In other words, the venom of the serpent will be subdued,[1] and peace and unity will prevail on the earth. I’m getting a glimpse of that future as my cell phone has not chirped once while I’ve been writing this note. Yesterday, the texts and robocalls were relentless. The noise of my device was an audible outgrowth of the venom being released by the political opponents. The good news of Christ is that in new heavens and a new earth the serpents of our world will no longer be injurious, in fact, no one shall hurt or destroy, says the Lord. Be glad and rejoice forever, the days are coming.        

In Christ,

Steve

“Sing me a new song; the world is transfigured, all the Heavens are rejoicing.” — Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th-century German philosopher and cultural critic

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Barnes, Albert, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol 2

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Factory Reset

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Luke 20:38 (NRSV)
“Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”

The Sadducees had just questioned Jesus about the resurrection, as if they cared. It was a trick question because to them there was no resurrection, while Jesus taught that there is the resurrection.  The Sadducees thought they would challenge Jesus’ teaching with the situation of a woman who was widowed seven times and then she died, too. The Sadducees inquired of Jesus, if all the husbands are resurrected along with the woman, “whose wife will she be?” Jesus said, children of the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage. Essentially, Jesus is saying, whatever you did before the resurrection no longer matters upon the resurrection. We may get some insight into Jesus’ teaching if we consider our cell phone, or tablet, or computer. When we do the factory reset, the hard reset, when we seem to press an inordinate number of keys in a very specific order, then the device goes dead, nothing we did before that moment on that electronic device matters anymore. Like that app I should have never downloaded … Gone!  I like to describe resurrection like this, the resurrection for believers is God’s factory reset of our life. Nothing we did before the resurrection matters, all is forgotten. Moreover, Jesus assures us we will recover from that hard reset and be alive, eternally alive! I’m looking forward to my factory reset. How about you? 

In Christ,

Steve

“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” — Frederick Buechner

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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We Get Through

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Are you frustrated with God?

We know very little about Prophet Habakkuk. All we know is gathered from this prophecy, the word-choice, and the literal translation of his name, “The Wrestler.” By this prophecy we can see for ourselves Habakkuk wrestled with a reality. The reality was that God was doing nothing while the people of Judah, God’s people, were overtaken and ruled by Babylon, a powerful and violent gentile nation. Understandably, the prophecy of Habakkuk begins with the words, “O Lord, how long shall I cry?” The prophet was growing weary of begging God to do something, anything to defend God’s very own people. His desperation is captured in the choice word, “Shema!” In this case, the word is literally demands, “Respond!” Have you ever been that frustrated with God? Perhaps you identify with Habakkuk. Though you prayed ceaselessly, not only would God not respond, but the situation kept getting worse! In the Bible the people of Judah were nearly destroyed by Babylon. In your situation, it may seem you too will cease to exist. Know this, the people of Judah did not vanish. God did bring them home to Jerusalem. The only thing that got them through was their faith. After the horrendous prophecy, Habakkuk wrote these words, “The Lord God is my strength.” God is not accountable to any of us, including our opposition. God is sovereign. Habakkuk could not have known the horrors to be experienced by humanity in the coming centuries. And when the prophet’s voice seemed to go silent, and we seemed abandoned in a world filled with injustices, we were sent The Christ. Christ faced the evil of the world and overcame it, even victorious over death. That victory is shared with us. The good news is that we worship a sovereign God, accountable to no one, while loving everyone. You may be frustrated with God. You are in good company. In Christ, we can get through.     

In Christ,

Steve

“We don’t get over it. We get through it.” — Anonymous

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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From Depravity to Righteousness

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Luke 18:14 (ESV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

How is that?

Today’s verse is the punch line of the popular parable often called, “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.” The fact that it is found in Luke tells us that there is going to be a reversal taking place. Such is seen throughout Luke’s Gospel. Simply recall an earlier Lukan parable, “The Lost Sheep,” where ninety-nine “righteous” sheep were left to tend for themselves as the shepherd left to find that one lost sheep. The joy in heaven over one sheep found, one sinner who repents. In the parable, the Pharisee exalts himself in prayer while the lowly tax collector begs forgiveness from such a low place that he cannot even look up to heaven. In the reversal, we learn the tax collector was exalted. What does this all mean? Jesus’ gospel of salvation flips our assumptions. We often assume the pure and pious are righteous. We also often assume that those who are distrusted and despised are unrighteous. Consider this that the Pharisee’s self-righteousness came at the expense of everyone else. Even the lowly tax collector got stepped upon that day in the temple. The Pharisee held no love for anyone but himself. The news reports are filled with so full of themselves they have no room in their heart for God, much less their neighbor. They too may be humbled by Christ’s gospel of salvation. William Muehl, when Professor of Homiletics at Yale Divinity, wrote, “There is saving power in (the) sense of personal depravity.” That is non-existent in the Pharisee. That is what we see in the tax collector. That is what Jesus wants to see in us, a sense of personal depravity. Christ already forgives us, we are simply urged to admit that we need forgiveness, and justification will follow, becoming righteous before God. From depravity to righteousness through Christ.

In Christ,

Steve

“Most of our assumptions have outlived their uselessness.” — Marshall McLuhan, Canadian Educator and Philosopher

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