Pastor's Page May 2020

FROM THE PASTOR

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.  Romans 3:21-2

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“He is risen!” 
            “He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!” 

I thank God for the inestimable gift of His Son, whose resurrection was celebrated again this Easter, but this was a different Easter Celebration than any previous one in my history and I’m sure yours as well.  Churches were empty.  Christians were gathered in homes.  But still, this great proclamation rang out around the world.  And the power of the proclamation is not sullied by the darkness of the world because Jesus Christ died in our place to save us from the darkness of the world.  The author of Psalm 46 knew the frailty of this earth thus he wrote:

    The Nations rage, the kingdoms totter;   
He utters His voice, the earth melts.      Psalm 46:6

This Psalm has always been true, but what a vivid illustration of tottering kingdoms we have had in the month of April 2020.  School buildings were closed, restaurants were closed, oil dropped to -$40.00 a barrel (yes, negative $40).  Talk about tottering kingdoms.  These  are just a few of many illustrations that I could choose from, but let’s all agree that April of 2020 demonstrated the fragileness of our kingdoms in many and various ways.  And yet, the truth remains.

“He is risen!” 
            “He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!” 

If our minds are fixed on the things of the world, our scope is limited to the resources of this Earth.  With this limited vision

these changes could seem unbearable, and the personal losses in so many areas of life could seem to have created a gulf that we cannot bear. 

Praise God, this is not what our Heavenly Father has for His children.  As we move forward in faith in Christ Jesus each day is received as a gift – not a right.  And as each year passes, we are closer to our own departure.  Jesus told His followers when they see the things of this world slipping away, “…straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  Luke 21:28

This confidence in the finished work of Christ – which is testified to throughout the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ and which are also testified to clearly in the history of the world – sets us free to serve those around us whom God has placed in our lives, to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us, and to live with confidence and joy that those whose eyes are fixed in the world cannot comprehend.  This confidence even sets us free to enjoy glimpses of heaven on this Earth!

“He is risen!”  And life has conquered death!

Whatever the “New Normal” looks like, the “Eternal Normal” is that Christ our Savior and Redeemer has conquered sin and death, and this life is about serving His kingdom.  Because of His forgiveness, we can do this with freedom and joy.  Our doors to worship are open once again.  Please come to worship when you are comfortable, and feel free to stay home if you are not.  Wherever you are, the good news remains…
“He is risen!”   
            “He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!” 

Resurrection blessings to you!

Pastor Steve Lundblom