Treatment of the Stranger, an Indicator of Devotion

Recently I was in the Salford Meetinghouse near Harleysville, Pennsylvania. I was alone, standing in that small chapel that seats maybe 60 people, viewing the large pulpit and the pot-belly stove; wondering what worship would have been like in the early 20th century. The worship services were in German, you know.

Looking out the window onto the cemetery, I was reminded that there are the remains of 29 emigrants that left their home in Silesia, Germany, to travel to America because the Jesuits and Lutherans would not let them live in peace.

I imagine they were feeling quite overwhelmed as they had to leave in the middle of the night, on foot.. But they believed wholeheartedly that God does not help those who help themselves. Rather, God helps those who are helpless. He rescues, saves, provides, protects, those that trust in Him.

The early Schwenkfelders eventually braved a three-month trek across the Atlantic Ocean. The heat was unbearable. They encountered a hurricane at sea. They were at the mercy of the wind and waves. Their water went sour. Their food ran scarce. They landed at Penn’s Landing and the following day, September 24, 1734, held a service of thanksgiving.

And so that begs the question, how should we, the Christian church, help the helpless?

I am a self-confessed traditionalist. I like traditional worship. I love the Scriptures. I enjoy history, thinking that other than the Bible, it is our best teacher.

I personally did not think there was much to pick from in the last presidential election. People and personalities have become more a focus, rather than policies. I agree with the rock star Sting who sang:

“You would say I lost my belief in our politicians; They all seem like game show hosts to me.”

It was the first time I actually felt like skipping the vote.

Today, one of the hot-button issues is immigration. Is there any place in the world where immigration is being handled well?

And so the following message is not so much a presentation of better policy on immigration. I’m not at that paygrade. But I do want to remind us of things we’ve always known. I aim to encourage you to be an agent of help and healing in an otherwise difficult situation.

I am also one who loves different cultures. I’ve been overseas a handful of times; only to Europe.

When I’ve come across a person from a different land, I ask: “How many languages do you speak?”

There’s an old joke that I like to tell: What do you call a person who speaks two languages? (bilingual) What do you call a person who speaks three languages? (trilingual) What do you call a person who speaks one language? (American)

As Augustine said:

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Someone interpreted this statement as that which

“…encapsulates the idea that experiencing different cultures and exploring the world is essential for gaining a holistic understanding of life.” (Saint Augustine: ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.’ — The Socratic Method; accessed 16 September 2025).

But today, we have the world coming to our towns and villages.

  • Lansdale has an increasing population of Muslims from Bangladesh.
  • My son’s neighbors in Telford are from Mexico.
  • In my neighborhood in Schwenksville are a family from Albania, a French Canadian woman, a couple from China, a family from Belarus, a couple from Morocco and a lady from Hong Kong.

So a valid question is how are we, as Christians, to treat those who come from other lands? Well, it would seem that the Schwenkfelders have an upper hand compared to other denominations on the subject. Emigration has a significant place in our history. We have a story to tell.

In the background of this dilemma are the many recent stories in the news that threaten to bring our souls down. I am particularly troubled by the recent barrage of violence in our country.  I trust you are as well.  Here are just a few of the heinous crimes in the news:

  • The assassination of the Minnesota state Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, with her husband and pet on June 14.
  • The murder of a young Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22.
  • The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a political activist, who was also a Christian, a father and husband, on September 10. 
  • The recent ambush of law enforcement offers in York County, Pennsylvania, leaving three officers dead.

At this I ask, what is this country coming to!?

On the other hand, I turn to the Scriptures and find that Jesus warned us about such things. The truth is that since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, times have always been trying. Atrocities pile up. Just visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C..

The things going on in our country don’t compare with what is going on overseas.

People are moving to different countries to find peace, much like the Schwenkfelders, with only the clothes their wearing and a bag.

On a mission trip to Athens, Greece, a team from Central witnessed how parents of children were grateful that we played soccer and other games with their children, often giving us the universal sign of gratitude: a hand over the heart and a bow.

One afternoon, we fed dinner to a group of about 40 people from Afghanistan. Mothers came into the fellowship hall and laid their exhausted children on the tables so they could sleep, while the room was filled with loud chatter of stressed adults.

If I was fleeing for safety from my village in central Mexico, or because I could not get food and water in Gaza, I would take my family and go. I assume you would too.

So let us pray and not lose heart. 

These matters are sad and complicated. And we are reminded that a sign of the end times is what Jesus said in Matthew 24:10-14:

“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

At this we must be reminded of the two greatest commandments: to love God and love others. This is what sets us apart.

In ancient Israel’s time, there was not a sense of illegal immigration. God has much to say about how we treat the sojourner.

It is more than just the Hippocratic oath: “to do no harm.” Rather, we are to be proactively kind to the sojourner. Leviticus 19:33–34 tells us:

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

You are not to change your practice, but you are also called to accommodate and at the very least, “do no harm.” Deuteronomy 10:19:

“Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”

I was recently counseling a young lady who lost her mother in a horrific accident; lost her grandmother to suicide; has been estranged from her dad for many years; works hard and is on her feet every day in the food industry; yet, she has a vibrant Christian faith and is seeking a church home.

Another one of my church members had a father who came to this country from Ireland. He worked on an estate in the Glenside area. He was not formally educated, but found a place in the United States to raise a family.

Christians are known for their hospitality, for we know what it is like to be a sojourner.

And so I ask, What is your attitude towards others from another country or who speak another language? Hebrews 13:2 reminds us:

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

People are fleeing their homelands because it is no longer safe to live there or it is not economically possible.

Is there such a thing as residency without citizenship? Is there such a thing where people without criminal backgrounds, could enter our country, work and support themselves and their families?

Some have thought of a three tiered experiment, such as Victor Davis Hanson, who wrote the book, The Dying Citizen (2021). According to Hanson, there can be pre-residents, residents and citizens. Exodus 23:9 states:

“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”

I am not saying we have to adhere to Old Testament law. But I do think there is a moral principle in these verses that should not be lost in 2025.

Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. But we must know that God is sovereign.  Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is at work, bringing many to the saving knowledge of Christ.

We are heading towards a goal.  Let us take encouragement with the words of the Nicene Creed that teaches us that Jesus: “…is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.”

Will he find us faithful, that we’ve regarded the sojourner with respect and dignity?

I’m troubled, but I must have faith.

I am particularly troubled by the recent barrage of violence in our country.  I trust you are as well.  Here are just a few of the heinous crimes in the news:

  • The assignation of the Minnesota state Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, with her husband and pet on June 14.
  • The murder of a young Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22.
  • The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a political activist, who was also a Christian, a father and husband, on September 10. 
  • The genocide of innocent people in Gaza, as reported by a UN Commission.

At this I ask, what is the world coming to!?

On the other hand, I turn to the Scriptures and find that Jesus warned us about such things.  In his Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:12-14:

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The truth is that since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, times have always been trying. Atrocities pile up.  But we must know that God is sovereign, and nothing escapes His ultimate will.  Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is at work, bringing many to the saving knowledge of Christ.

We are heading towards a goal.  Let us take encouragement with the words of the Nicene Creed that teaches us that Jesus

 “…is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.”

So let us pray and not lose heart. Let us bring our burdens before the Lord who knows what we need before we ask. Let us be ready to act differently than the world on many issues. And let us remember Jesus’ words in John 16:33:

I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Does God really help those who help themselves?

Recently I was in the Salford Meetinghouse in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Standing in that small chapel that seats maybe 60 people, viewing that large pulpit and the pot-belly stove, I wondered what worship would have been like in the early 20th century. The worship services were in German, you know.

Looking out the window onto the cemetery, I was reminded that there are the remains of 29 emigrants that left their home in Silesia, Germany, to travel to America because the Jesuits and Lutherans would not leave them alone.

They eventually braved a three-month trek across the Atlantic Ocean. The heat was unbearable. They encountered a hurricane at sea. They were at the mercy of the wind and waves. Their water supply eventually went sour. Their food supply ran scarce. They landed at Penn’s Landing and the following day, September 24, 1734, held a service of Thanksgiving at a local Quaker meetinghouse.

How would they respond to the statement: “God helps those who help themselves.”

If we were to ask Rev. George Weiss and others, this question, I assume they would answer: “Nein!” Rather, God helps those who are helpless. He rescues, saves, provides, protects, etc.

In this post, I will address the well-known statement: “God helps those who help themselves.” Where did this come from? Is it true? Is it Biblical?

The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is a motto that emphasizes the importance of self-initiative and agency. The phrase originated in ancient Greece as “the gods help those who help themselves” and may originally have been proverbial.

It is illustrated in Aesop’s Fables and a similar sentiment is found in ancient Greek drama. It has been commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin. The phrase is often mistaken as a scriptural quote, though it is not stated in the Bible.

The truth is that we are helpless to change what is in ourselves without the grace of God. God is not a “guide on the side.” He is much more active than that. Consider the many scriptures in which God is proactive on behalf of those who cannot help themselves. God helps those who are helpless.

There is example upon example of individuals in the Scriptures that testify of God’s saving grace, when his people were helpless. God is a rescuing God.

For example, the Israelites certainly could not have left Egypt believing: “God helps those who helps themselves.” They were helpless against the most powerful army in the world. Consider Psalm 106:7-12:

Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. 10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. 12 Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

And so the Exodus was proof that God helps the helpless.

Furthermore, in the days of Gideon, the Lord told Israel‘s leader to only take 300 men with him and go up against the Midianites and the Amalekites who greatly outnumbered them. Judges 7:2-7 tells the story.

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. 4 And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there… And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men… I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”

Did you get that? So that Israel would not boast in their own abilities, God reduced the number of foot soldiers to 300, even though they would take on thousands upon thousands. God does not pay attention to numbers. He loves impossible odds.

A third example is King Solomon was unsure how to help himself when he took over the throne from his father, David. 1 Kings 3:7-8 tells us of Solomon’s prayer:

“And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.”

Finally, Jesus spoke of our inability to do anything good apart from Him. Our actions might seem pure, but our motivation could be tainted or sinful. We are unable to produce genuine spiritual and moral goodness without the presence of Christ in our lives. Jesus said in John 15:4-6:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

In each of these examples, the subjects presented were helpless until God moved. Finally, Jesus comes right out and summarizes them all when He said: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

And so, let us turn to the subject of salvation. There we discover that…In our salvation, we can do nothing to save ourselves. Even repentance and faith are provisions of a gracious God.

Paul would preach in the book of Romans, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Furthermore, dead men cannot do much. Jonathan Edwards took this idea when he said that we bring nothing to the table of salvation, except the sin which got us there. Every believer’s testimony before he or she met Christ is given to us in Ephesians 2:1-3.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Furthermore, in talking about election, he states in Romans 9, that it is a matter of God’s sovereign mercy. Romans 9:14-18:

“What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”

Furthermore, there is an inability to respond to the gospel without God’s grace in us. Why? Because without regeneration, we are dead to the gospel. Jesus said in John 6:29:

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

And John 6:44:

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Those at Laodicea in Asia Minor obviously felt self-sufficient and that they were in God’s favor. But Jesus corrects their foolish understanding in Revelation 3:17-18:

“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

And so the Bible is replete with the message that every man, woman, boy and girl is completely dependent upon God for physical and spiritual life. And so… Let us live as though we are dependent upon God for life and breath and everything.

Let us not go on about our lives as if we secretly or really believed that God was optional. So consider the way in which we do so.

You live as if God helps those who help themselves, when you go prayerless. When we feel that we’re good and God can go off and pay attention to someone else. That we can get along without him just fine. When we believe that Christianity is nothing more than fire insurance for eternity. Prayer, rather, is fellowship with God and you need it just as much as air, water and food.

You live as if God helps those who help themselves, when you are not generous with your resources. When we don’t give to missions and to the poor. When we don’t give our time to those in need.  James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

You live as if God helps those who help themselves, when you fail to evangelize and share the love of Christ with others. I was recently given the opportunity to walk away from two people, or to pray with them. I circled back and prayed with them, hopefully giving them a sense that God cared about them and that they should trust him. 

It takes a little bit of courage to present yourself as a follower of Christ.

You live as if God helps those who help themselves, when you are distracted in worship. When we don’t sing with all of our hearts or pray as if our lives depended on it. When we don’t listen to the word or read the word. It’s as if we live as though God we’re just a side interest rather than loving him with all of our heart, mind soul and strength.  Matthew 15:8: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

You live as if God helps those who help themselves when you fail to appreciate what Jesus did for you on the cross. When we go about our daily lives and forget that he voluntarily suffocated to death so that we could be reconciled to the father.

In a day and age when people doubt the historicity of Jesus, let us never forget that not only did he live 2000 years ago, but he perfectly fulfilled God‘s law, and then at the appropriate time went to the cross and gave his life voluntarily. Jesus said in John 10:18: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

We live as if God helps those who help themselves, when we fail to repent of any besetting sin. When we love our sin more than we love Christ. When we continue to dwell in sin rather than loathe it or live the way that we want to rather than the way that God wants us to. Hebrews 10:26-27: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.”

John Piper said: “Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God.”

You live as if God helps those who help themselves, when you think and behave as if daily faith did not matter. As if Christianity was done out of habit, more than out of one’s love springing forth from the heart.

Many people treat church as optional, not knowing that you are relying upon your own Christian education of years ago, but failing to grow in the here and now. 

I heard a woman say that of all the Bible verses she memorized when young, she could not remember any of them in her old age. But what she failed to mention is the formation of those verses over time. And that you memorize to recall in a time of need for God to feed your soul.

I will frequently run through the verses I have memorized just to remind myself of the gracious love of God. While God is gracious to us, He also has given us intellect and abilities to serve ourselves and others in His name, out of gratitude.

Many years ago, Daniel Fuller wrote a book entitled, Unity of the Bible. He states that one of the things that separates Biblical faith from all the world religions is that our God works on our behalf. He provides for us. He protects us. He saves us. He does so much for you and me.

On the other hand, we are not to think that we are helpless after we know God. We may look at this question and say that we deny such a belief.

Certainly, we are to take initiative and work hard and instigate progress in our own lives. It is God who gives you the education and skill for perfecting your craft. Use it for His glory! 

Paul mandates each Christian to be productive when he states in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

So how are we to think rightly about this statement: “God helps those who help themselves”?

Qualify it with the following:

God helps those who trust in Him.

God helps those who are helpless.

God expects us to help others with the gifts and abilities that He has given us.

Remember Deuteronomy 10:18 as a verse that displays God’s help of the helpless:

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”

She was 24. Fresh out of college.

He was 3 months old.

Left in a box outside a hospital with a note that read: “I’m sorry. Please love him.”

No one came for him. No family. No calls. Just silence.

They called him “Baby Elijah” on the news. But everyone assumed he’d end up in the system. Except her.

Rachel wasn’t planning on being a mother. She was just volunteering at the hospital nursery.

But the first time she held him, his tiny hand curled around her finger and wouldn’t let go. Neither did her heart.

The agency told her she was too young. Too single. Too inexperienced. She told them:“I may not have a husband. I may not have money. But I have love. And he needs that more than anything.”

She adopted Elijah. Her white skin and his dark brown curls drew stares. She heard the whispers: “Is that even her child?”

“She won’t last a year.” “He’ll resent her.”

But they never saw the way he clung to her during storms.

Or how she worked three jobs just to afford his piano lessons.

Or how she cried when he called her “Mom” for the first time.

She raised him on courage, bedtime stories, and unconditional love.

Years passed. Elijah grew tall, kind, brilliant.

When he turned 18, he got into Harvard. Full scholarship.

At the graduation dinner, he stood on stage and said: “Everyone always asked where my real mom was. Well, she’s right here. The woman who chose me when no one else would. Who gave me a name, a home, a future. She didn’t give me life…She saved it.”

The room cried. Rachel cried. But Elijah just smiled and whispered in her ear: “You’re still holding my hand, Mom. And I’ll never let go.”

Walking in the Valley

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

I was recently notified of a friend that has been battling a lot of pain as well as receiving a challenging diagnosis. It reminds me that nothing is guaranteed in this life. You can be the picture of health and beauty one day; then a few days later, be in a battle for your life.

But through a relationship with Jesus Christ, we can be guaranteed of companionship and help through life’s challenges. Notice that King David was not spared the adversity. He still had to go through the valley. But he had something that many do not. He could lay claim to the presence of God, which had a profound impact on his fear.

It is normal to be afraid. We encounter different things in our lives that produce anxiety within us. One of the basic reactions to fear is “fight or flight.”

But there’s something about the presence of Christ that makes fear dissipate. It lessens. It no longer has a stranglehold upon you.

In Mark 4, the disciples feared for their lives, while in the boat upon the Sea of Galilee. A storm had taken them by surprise, so they did what anyone would have done: they panicked. In Mark 4:38, we read: “But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”

Jesus then rose from his sleep and rebuked the wind and waves. And they immediately became calm.

What are you facing that is causing some fear within? Have you placed that thing or situation before God? Have you asked Jesus to help you as you go through it?

And He Made Them Male and Female…

Recently, I was conversing with two friends, and we were talking about the subject of gender and sexuality. As you can imagine, there were differing opinions in the room.

One of my friends said: “When I speak on the subject of homosexuality, I keep in mind what Jesus had to say about it.” And when I pressed my friend on what that was, she said: “Nothing.”

I came away questioning if, in fact, Jesus had nothing to say on the subject of gender and human relationships. I think there is more there than meets the eye.

One place where Jesus had something to say about gender is found in Mark 10. Here, he is answering a concern brought up by the Pharisees regarding divorce. Jesus promptly said that Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be used, but this was not God’s design from the beginning.

This is because Jesus affirmed the traditional understanding of marriage, between a man and a woman for life. He quoted from Genesis 1:27-28 in Mark 10:6–9 (ESV):

“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

So you can see that Jesus certainly affirmed the two genders of male and female, as image-bearers of God. And that male and female were equipped to have a lifelong relationship, capable of producing children, under the grace of God.

But why did Jesus not mention homosexuality? I would argue that our Lord did not specifically talk about this subject because the gospels were written in a Judeo-Christian context that assumes heterosexual practice and relationships. Although the Roman empire had its examples of same sex relationships (many of the Roman emperors practiced pederasty and Paul references that some in the church at Corinth had left the gay lifestyle), Palestine was a place where heterosexuality was a given. The Levitical law was upheld on this and many other subjects. For instance, Leviticus 18:22 (ESV) reads:

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”

Same sex relationships would have been an extremely silent minority, if any presence, in the time and place where Jesus lived. But that is not to say that Jesus did not have some thoughts on the matter.

In addition, the deconstructive philosophy of today is completely at odds with the idea that one is born with a specific gender that is not dependent upon how one feels. In contrast, a Barna research study found that “One-third of teenagers indicated that gender is how a person feels inside and not the birth sex. Seven out of 10 believe it’s acceptable to be born one gender and feel like another.” (https://biola.edu/blogs/talbot-magazine/2018/what-every-church-needs-to-know-about-generation-z/

So to say that Jesus did not have something to say about gender and sexuality is untrue and demands deeper questions and a more-thorough combing through the Scriptures, in my humble opinion.

What Makes a Church Big?


A big church seems to be the goal of many congregations. But I wonder if the term “big,” is limited too much to physicality, and not enough to spirituality.

‌Pastor Levi Hoffman spoke these words at the dedication of this building on June 10, 1951. He said: “

‌“Speaking about the material structure, this is a big church. When is a church big? A church is big when God is at the center of her life. A church is big when her members are dominated by the spirit of Christlikeness. A church is big when the flame of compassion and concern for all who need her redemptive ministry burns upon the heart altars of her members. A church is big when her members pass through open doors for prayer, for worship, for dedication; seeking divine instruction and receiving a divine commission. A church is big when her members, while worshipping, feel it is good to be here, and still feel coerced to go forth to serve in His Vineyard, under the influence of Him who said: “And lo, I am with you always.” (Levi S. Hoffman, “The Dedication Sermon,” Schwenkfeldian, July 1951)

Rev. Hoffman applies the term “big” to the spirituality of the congregation. I appreciate that.

When I came to this congregation many years ago, I was told by my colleague, Dr. Drake Williams: “We must be responsible for the depth of our ministry; God will be responsible for its breadth.” I agree whole-heartedly.

‌There are many church structures in Europe that no longer house working, viable congregations. Their enormous buildings take up a lot of space in the skyline, but inside are museums or skateboard parks, not the place where the Bible is taught, people are encouraged and Christians are trained for ministry.

‌​Ephesians 4:11–12 in the English Standard Version reads:

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ….”

‌Our building at Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania must be a place where the saints are equipped for ministry, and the people are built up.

‌Nevertheless, in 2016, our beloved building seemed tired. There was an accumulation of things and some spaces used more for storage than ministry. New carpet and paint were not enough. Many felt that we needed a renovation which would include the following:

  • ‌A dedicated space for fellowship apart from fellowship hall;
  • ‌Updated restrooms on the main floor that were more accessible, accommodating and private;
  • ‌A children’s wing that would enhance our Happy Days’ preschool during the week and our children’s Sunday School classes on the Lord’s day.
  • ‌Two worship services to accommodate two styles.
  • ‌A dedicated space for choir rehearsals, which would limit the amount of necessary setups.
  • ‌And finally, an area that spoke “Welcome,” as folks pulled into our parking lot and made their way into the building.

‌And so a committee came together, did their homework and oversaw a tremendous renovation project that we could not be more proud of. It was not easy. And it took a while. But the Lord was good. And here we are.

‌And now we are in the middle of another campaign- this time a prayer-evangelism one, designed to introduce people to our God who cares and acts.

‌We want to be a church were truth and love are found. We want to honor God and make His glory known as Psalm 96:3 says:

‌”Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Our most exciting and effective years are ahead of us. But I have my questions.

  • ‌Who will come to faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized?
  • ‌Who will serve in leadership?
  • ‌Who will be called into missions?
  • ‌Who will sense God’s drawing into full time ministry?
  • ‌Who will the future pastors be of this congregation?
  • ‌What impact will God enable us to make in this community?

‌I invite you to join in these efforts with prayer, a willingness to serve with enthusiasm, and to share in the responsibility for the ministry. I like what was published on the backside of a church bulletin which stated:

‌“We have a few pastors, but a whole congregation of ministers.”

‌You need the church and the church needs you. It will take all of us to declare the Lord’s glory to the extent He deserves. Let us lift the name of Jesus, our King. Let each of us dedicate ourselves for this purpose. Amen.

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Some Thoughts on Alcohol Consumption

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Lately, I’ve been thinking about alcohol. Not that I’m obsessed with it or loathe it. I don’t mind enjoying a cordial now and then, especially in the company of a good friend. But I do think that a Christian’s consumption of alcohol must be different than that of the world’s or by worldly standards.

I remember attending a large university in the fall of 1988. I was a pledge in a fraternity. I treasure the friendships I made while there. But looking back, I remember that the alcohol flowed freely. It was nothing for underage college kids to drink several nights per week.

I also witnessed how alcohol and the treatment of young ladies went. More than once did I observe girls making poor decisions or being taken advantage of by male counterparts while under the influence of alcohol. Not too long ago, I read a statistic that 25% of all ladies suffer sexual assault on our college campuses. I wonder how much alcohol plays a part in such occurrences.

In student orientation, I recall the speaker saying: “Half of you will not be here for the second semester.” Again, I wonder how many had to drop out or decided to attend other schools because their partying got out of hand.

As Christians, we must be reminded of one of the golden fruits of the Spirit, as Paul presents them in Galatians 5. Self-control is a precious characteristic of personal practice in a world that often lives in excess. I recently reminded a young person attending a university to focus on their studies and, “…remember, you are not getting your degree in alcoholism.”

May God give us grace to live with more self-control, as well as teach temperance to a younger generation. Amen.

Fellowship is More than What We Assume

‌One of our members recently encountered a bout of illness and was hospitalized. It has been a difficult time.‌ As she was visited, she underscored several times how much the prayers and meals, visits, etc. have meant to them. She said:‌

“Sometimes you think that God has given you more than you can handle – but then he brings people to help you to handle it.”‌

Fellowship is important for the health of any church. The Greek word is κοινωνία, which also means participation or sharing. It is not just showing up and being in the same room as others, nor is it synonymous with potlucks or exchanging small talk. It is deeper than these things; a unique characteristic of the church. Acts 2:42 states:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

‌Fellowship is another stop on the Christian’s pathway to spiritual growth. It may be the one that is most overlooked or taken for granted. Maybe fellowship is more than what we assume. First of all…

‌Fellowship was a necessary element of life in the early church, as it is today.

‌κοινωνία implies much more than just being in the same room with others. It means close association. In the first century, as it was unpopular to be a Christian, this fellowship was the one opportunity to live in solidarity with others.

‌In the first century, there was much opposition to the early followers of Christ. Not only did you have the Jewish religious establishment that were hostile to Christians, but you also had the Roman government, who encouraged its citizens to worship the Roman pantheon, as well as consider Caesar (king) a god.‌

But early Christians could not do this. Their loyalty was to Jesus. And they were encouraged by others who were sharing in their suffering.‌

In 1989 as I was a student at Missouri Southern University, the college ministry was called κοινωνία, letting us know that our relationships were vital to the thriving of our faith in that secular environment.‌

Fellowship is critical for today’s church. This is why small group settings are so important, for it gives you an opportunity to share life with others and give and receive help.

‌Fellowship was a badge of partnership and support among the early Christians, a family.

Galatians 2:9 reads: ‌

“…and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”

‌The actions of Peter, James and John were monumental because Paul was a former persecutor of the church. But now he knew the Lord and the early Apostles forgive his former behavior and accepted him.

Fellowship also implies connection. In Philippians, it denotes partnership in a cause, as Paul was writing to the Church of Philippi and is greatly blessed by the efforts of Christians there.

Paul writes from prison in the opening comments of his letter to the church in Philippi: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership (fellowship) in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

‌And finally, fellowship is that which brings with it life which flows from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and extends to every believer across all times and places.

‌”…that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

‌

1 John 1:3-4, ESV

We participate in fellowship because it mirrors the relationship of the godhead. The Athanasian Creed, dating back to fourth century states in part:

‌“And in this Trinity, no one is before or after, greater or less than the other; but all three persons are in themselves, coeternal and coequal; and so we must worship the Trinity in unity and the one God in three persons. Whoever wants to be saved should think thus about the Trinity.” (The Athanasian Creed | Reformed Church in America (rca.org)

‌We tend to downplay the importance of doctrine and ethics, but they are both important to Christian witness.‌

Furthermore, fellowship is the church’s answer to a depressed and lonely world. One of the greatest needs in our society today is the need for fellowship, as reports of the pandemic of loneliness plagues our land. Ben Sasse points out:

“…there is a growing consensus that the number one health crises in America right now is not cancer, not obesity, and not heart disease- it’s loneliness. Loneliness is surely part of the reason Americans consume almost all of the world’s hydrocodone (99%) and most of its oxycodone (81%).’” (Michael Horton, Recovering Our Sanity, p. 131-132)

‌Fellowship is not optional.

‌We tend to think that fellowship is optional. But fellowship is what makes faith a cooperate exercise, a characteristic of church life that is synergistic. It is what John Ortberg states:

‌“Fellowship has become a churchy word that suggests basements and red punch and awkward conversation. But it is really a word for the flow of rivers of living water between one person and another, and we cannot live without it.” (Jodie Berndt, Praying the Scriptures for your Adult Children.)

‌Fellowship is what is hinted at when a person joins Central Schwenkfelder Church. They are asked the following:‌

“Will you be ever mindful of the welfare of your fellow members? Do you promise to walk with us in faithfulness and Christian love? And do you promise that, so far as you are able, to attend the services of this church, observe its sacraments, share in its work, and support its benevolences and missions, and endeavor to make it a fruitful body of Christians?”

‌In other words, we’re asking: “Would you participate in our fellowship?”

‌And the congregation responds with these words:

‌“We then, as members of this church, gladly welcome you to be a part with us in the hopes, the labors, and the joys of (our congregation). We promise to walk with you in Christian love and sympathy, and to promote, as far as in us lies, your growth in the Christian faith and life.”

‌In other words, we are extending a formal welcome and inclusion into our fellowship. Sometimes it is labeled “life on life.”

‌I see three things that are critical to fellowship. They are the following:

‌Critical to fellowship is openness.

‌If you are a person that struggles with interaction with others, fellowship will be hard for you. We are all different. Some have social anxiety. Others just don’t want to be bothered. But we must be careful. We cannot use others only when it is convenient for us. We must be open to others and willing to minister as the Lord leads.

‌Another critical element of fellowship is intentionality.

‌Good fellowship does not just drop out of the sky, but it must be intentional. It was inspiring to hear testimony about the late Mary Jane Kriebel. Both Holly and Carl Sensenig, as well as Bill and Portia Potts credit the intentional efforts of Mary Jane and Everett Kriebel as reason that they joined Central Schwenkfelder Church. Bill Potts wrote:

‌“When we moved to this area in 1988, Mary Jane and Everett, as well as Steven and Jennifer, were among the first to welcome us to the church and help us become acquainted and feel comfortable in our new community. It was largely because of Mary Jane and Everett that we joined Central. They were our Shepherds when we joined the church. No one could have done a better job! Many of our fondest memories are of celebrations and parties including good food and laughter with the Kriebel family. Dinners at their house were legendary! To say that Mary Jane will be missed is an understatement.”

‌Finally, a third critical part of fellowship is unity.

‌

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

‌when brothers dwell in unity!

‌It is like the precious oil on the head,

‌running down on the beard,

‌on the beard of Aaron,

‌running down on the collar of his robes!

‌It is like the dew of Hermon,

‌which falls on the mountains of Zion!

‌For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,

‌life forevermore.

‌Why the reference to oil? Because it contains nuances of healing, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God. In fact, we are told that where there is unity, God commands His blessing.

‌Unity does not necessarily mean that individuality is done away with. But it does imply that we are are the same page and working for the same goal.

‌Sometimes though, fellowship can and must be broken. Take for instance the situation of the man in 1 Corinthians that was living an immoral relationship. There, Paul instructs the church to break fellowship with the man.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 reads: ‌

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.”

‌And he further states in verses four and five: “When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

‌In other words, his fellowship is cut off, it will show him that his life of “anything goes,” is not acceptable. It is actually a safeguard against hypocrisy and a bad witness. And so this so-called brother, was to be dealt with, so that he might recognize his mistakes and turn and be reconciled to God.

‌You may be saying to yourself: “Aren’t we all sinners?” Yes, but some sin is more public than others. And the church cannot be guilty of endorsing sinful behavior. In fact the church has done too much of this and that is why we are losing our credibility in the public eye.

‌Charles Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, wrote these words:

‌“Fellowship is more than unconditional love that wraps its arms around someone who is hurting. It is also tough love that holds one fast to the truth and the pursuit of righteousness.” (Charles Colson, The Body, 130).

‌And finally, fellowship is training ground for ministry.

‌So critical was fellowship to the early church, that they implored the Christians in

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us: ‌

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

‌It is critical to your growth as a Christian to make time for others in the faith; to encourage and be encouraged; to be corrected and to serve alongside of. If the Hebrew Christians were to neglect coming together, there would be no stirring up each other for love and good works; there would be no encouragement and no pushing ahead as we anticipate the coming of Christ.

‌What I see today is that people often use Facebook and other social media outlets to function as their platform of fellowship. But the computer screen was never meant to take the place of a living, breathing individual.

‌A friend of mine led me to this piece this week by Michael Carl:

‌“As church attendance numbers fade across the nation and online services become very convenient it’s important to remember why church attendance for you and your family matters so much.

‌You can’t serve from your sofa. You can’t have community of faith on your sofa. You can’t experience the power of a room full of believers worshipping together on your sofa.

‌Christians aren’t consumers. We are contributors. We don’t watch. We engage. We give. We sacrifice. We encourage. We pray by laying hands on the hurting. We do life together. The church needs you and you need the church.”

‌If it’s gonna be, it’s up to me!

‌Someone once wrote:‌ “This is my church. It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service. If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.” May God help us as we minister in and among His church.

Abram’s Response to the God of Promise

The sinking of the Titanic was one of the worst maritime disasters in history. The British luxury liner on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, struck an iceberg about 95 miles south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland just before midnight on April 14, 1912.

Of the more than 2220 persons aboard, about 1513 died, including the American millionaires John Jacob Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, and Isidor Straus.

The ship had been proclaimed unsinkable because of its 16 watertight compartments. Nevertheless, the iceberg sufficiently damaged the Titanic to make it sink in less than three hours. Subsequent investigations found that the ship had made a number of mistakes:

  • The ship had been steaming too fast in dangerous waters;
  • Lifeboat space had been provided for only about half of the passengers and crew;
  • The Californian, close to the scene, had not come to the rescue because its radio operator was off duty and asleep;

When passengers were boarding the Titanic at South Hampton, England, a nervous woman asked a deckhand, Is this ship really unsinkable? He replied, Yes, Lady. God Himself could not sink this ship.”

As you know, the story turns out differently. The deckhand placed his faith in the wrong object.

Faith is a term used several ways, often in a religious sense. When we talk about people being of a certain faith, we refer to what church they attend, or what religion they are a part of.

Sometimes “faith” is used to describe confidence. Sometimes people say: “You need to have faith in yourself.” It is evident from the sailor’s statement that too much faith was placed in a man’s ingenuity.

But faith is an action word. To believe God is different than to believe in God. Genesis chapter 15 is one of those key passages in all of Scripture. It was used by the Apostle Paul as he explained the gospel in both his letters to the Galatian churches and to the church in Rome. It is the response of God’s promise. Let us first learn that…

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES.

We must first ask, Who was Abraham? He was a human being just like you and me. Abram’s hometown would have been within the borders of modern-day Iraq, then called Ur of the Chaldeans. He had a family, consisting of parents, aunts and uncles, cousins. He had a wife, whose name was Sarai. And God appeared to him and promised to make his name great and form him into a great nation. Now, fast forward a few years. Had God forgotten?

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”

Genesis 15:1-3

God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 15 is an elaboration of the previous one made by God to Abram in Genesis 12:3: “, …in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Since then, we see that Abram was faced with a dilemma. Lot was taken into captivity as the result of two warring factions. Abram’s going to war against the Canaanite kings with his 318 men was an act of faith. He rescued the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and freed his nephew Lot from captivity. He could not have done this without God. But he had the courage of Moses, Phineas, David, and others who knew that when wrong happens, good men cannot stay idle.

Winston Churchill was a man of great courage. He gave his famous speech in June of 1940:

“Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender… .” (Winston Churchill Speech – We Shall Fight on The Beaches (presentationmagazine.com))

Abram knew that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And so he set out, with God’s help and his company of over 300 trained men, to rescue Lot and his family.

And afterwards, when the Lord gave him victory, he worshipped and gave an offering to Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the most high God.

Moreover, we are told in Genesis 14:22: that when the king of Sodom wanted to give Abram a reward for his service, Abram refused to take something from an evil king. So he withheld his desire for wealth and told the king of Sodom that he could keep his gifts.

I am reminded of a story that happened many years ago where Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton wanted to make an donation to the College of the Ozarks, a Christian school. The leaders of the school decided against it, because Mr. Newton was known to have a vulgar show in Branson. Wayne Newton was rebuffed, because the college did not want accept money from someone making a living off of being foul-mouthed.

And so the Lord appeared to Abram in Genesis 15 and reminded him that his reward would be great and that the Lord was his shield.

But Abram reminded God that he and Sarai were still childless. Had God forgotten His promise? We read in Genesis 15:4-5:

“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”

This appearance of the Lord most likely took place several years after the Genesis 12 account. You almost hear the desperation in Abram’s voice. He is not getting any younger. And the one who stood in line to receive everything was Eleazar of Damascus who may have been a slave to Abram. And the one who would be given Abram’s possessions after Abram died. But God is never late nor is He early. He is always right on time.

How many times are we impatient with ourselves, with others, or especially with God? Faith requires waiting on the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31: “…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

The promise God made was not easy to believe. Woman today cease having children, for the most part, by the time they are 40. It’s not that Abraham and Sarah did not want to have children; they just could not. But God would not let that be the end of the story. In fact, it was God, at each interval, who was revealing Himself to Abraham and bringing him along.

FAITH IS THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO GOD’S PROMISES.

​Genesis 15:6: “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

This is a monumental statement. It shows how Abraham responded to God’s word; and how God responded to Abraham’s word. Abraham believed in the Lord. What does that mean, to believe? Dr. Jack Scott, Old Testament scholar helps us by stating that the Hebrew term a-man denotes, firmness and certainty. Biblical faith is “…an assurance, a certainty, in contrast with the modern concepts of faith as something possible, hopefully true, but not certain (TWOT, 51).” In other words, Abraham confirmed that God would keep His promise for an heir. Now this was no small thing, as we have said. Abraham and Sarah were old, by this time; Abram may have been close to 80 and Sarai was into her 70’s.

The King James version states that the Lord “…counted it to him as righteousness.” This really contradicts the popular idea of how to be righteous before God. We base it on works. Abraham was justified in the eyes of God because of faith. But Abraham did no work, and yet was considered righteous by God.

And so we see Abram’s response in Genesis 15:6: “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

We must understand that faith is a work of God. It is the process by which the Holy Spirit draws you. Your heart is opened to the good news. And you receive Christ and follow Him. Jesus stated in John 6:28-29: “Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ 29 Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’”

This verse has been the basis for the apostle Paul to teach the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of our relationship with God. We can never earn God‘s favor. We can never be good enough to achieve His love.

The only way that we can be in right relationship with God is through faith in the atoning work of Christ. Abraham believed God. He took his promise as fact. He believed and it was settled. And if we want to be in right relationship with God, we must also believe God and His provision. We cannot believe in our own devices. We cannot outsmart God. We cannot go about life our own way. We must conform ourselves to God’s way; to God’s provision; to God’s means.

This also lends understanding of God‘s law. The law of God was never meant to be a means to salvation. It functions as a mirror, to show us our sin, and to show us God‘s perfect righteousness. It shows us how perfect the Lord Jesus is who was tempted in every way that we are, yet without sin. It shows us that we need Christ in order to be in right relationship with God. As Galatians says, “the law is our tutor to lead us to Christ. “

Again, it is not a question of works, for you could never do enough to please God. At the moment of birth, your predisposition to sin incriminated you to the extent that pleasing God was impossible through good deeds.

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Moreover, this trust would lead Abraham to obey God when the child was requested as an offering later. As God made His promises, Abraham responded in faith, in trust, in certainty.

Maybe you have asked the question: “How can I please God?” If you want to please God, don’t just turn over a new leaf. Don’t just become a nicer person. Don’t simply start attending church. Don’t merely drop bad habits. Rather, trust Christ. Jesus is the one who enables you to become nicer, participate in worship, and drop bad habits. Remember what Paul said in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 3:5-9: “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

So if you want to please God, trust Him! Start today by giving Him your life! Walk with Him! Stop counting on your own good deeds. God has never obligated Himself to those who are do-gooders. Rather, He’s about the business of changing lives. He changed Moses from being a murderer to the humblest man on the face of the earth. He altered Peter from being a brash hot head into a humble apostle and shepherd of God’s people. He changed Paul from being a persecutor of Christians, to teaching them. He goes down in history as the model of a missionary. Lastly, God transformed Abraham from a hardened pagan to one who is known for his faith in God. The Lord and His grace is about making us kind, and most of all, holy, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And as we expect, God did keep His vows. We read in Genesis 21 that Isaac was born. Yes, God keeps His promises.

How reliable is God?

When twentieth century evangelist and author G. Campbell Morgan was a young man he visited two elderly ladies each week to read the Bible to them. When he read Matthew 28:20, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” He said, “Isn’t that a wonderful promise?” One of the ladies quickly replied, “Young man, that is not a promise. It is a fact!”

All of God’s promises are fact. That is how reliable God is! It would be against His character to break His promises.

Today, consider God’s promise, as found in the life of the patriarchs and traced through sections of the Old Testament, and ultimately fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. In it we discover some wonderful things about God and the faith that He instilled in the man we know as Abraham.

God calls Abram in the midst of judgment.

It should not be lost in our reading that God’s call upon Abram occurs right after the incident of the Tower of Babel. Here is where man reaches the height of his arrogance and tries to accomplish God. This is found in

Genesis 11:4 “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’”

Their use of technology (for their time), their quest to be mighty and their determination to live without God, marginalized the One who made them and created them for fellowship with Him. And so the Lord confused their language and caused them to scatter over the whole earth. It is where we get the term “babal,” which is based on the Hebrew term which means “to confuse.” As a result of their rebellion, God judges man and scatters them. The inability to communicate and socialize is a huge curse upon the land.

But it is out of this situation that God seeks to reverse the situation caused at the Garden of Eden and the banishment of our first parents. In the aftermath of judgment, God calls Abram to leave his comfortable and familiar surroundings and go to a land that has yet to be revealed. Talk about an adventure! The promise is found in verses one through three:

Genesis 12:1–3 says: “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis is the book of beginnings. It gives the account of how God made the heavens and the earth. It gives the significance of man, made in God’s image and the unique people of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and finally Joseph.

God promises to bless Abram, make His name great and make (out of his posterity) a great nation. God, reaches down and essentially rescues Abram in the midst of judgment. And so Abram obeyed God and started his trek. He responds in faith.

And that is what the calling of God is- to trust Him. We are told in

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him… .” The calling of God upon your life is first and foremost, to trust Him.

Abram’s call came with adversity and responsibility.

Genesis 12:4 states: “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”

Noteworthy are the following points:

First off, Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah dies. Losing a parent is a significant adversity.

Second, Sarai became Abram’s wife, but she was barren (11:30). In that time and culture, one’s success, even one’s survival, was dependent upon having children.

Thirdly, Abram and his extended family traveled from Ur of the Chaldeans into the land of Canaan. This trek was anywhere from 400 to 1500 miles in length. A person could average 30-40 miles per day. This was a commitment that placed demands physically upon everyone involved. And they were to go into a land where they knew no one. That was dangerous! It would require faith!

This would occur when Abram was 75 years old. Abram could have said: “It’s time to call it a wrap. My life is in its twilight years. I’m too tired for this!” But he did not.

What’s more is that the promise to be formed into a great nation would undoubtedly require children, but Sarai was in her sixties and barren. How could a great nation come from one who cannot have children!? Nevertheless, God said:

“I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great.” so that you will be a blessing.”

Our own Dr. Drake Williams, in his book Making Sense of the Bible, points out that God’s promise to Abram is three-fold: land, seed and blessing. Drake states:

“At the time that God called him, Abraham has neither land nor children. It seems impossible from a human perspective that Abraham would ever have a child- he was seventy-five years old and his wife was in her late sixties. Nevertheless, God promises Abraham that he will, indeed, have land, children, and a blessing.” (Williams, Making Sense of the Bible, 32).

In 12:7: “The Lord appeared to Abram.” God’s appearing is often associated with the giving of promises.

What is also noteworthy is that the land to which they are going is filled with the Canaanites. This a broad term, including many different types of people. They were wicked in the eyes of the Lord, performing all types of sexual sin and human sacrifice in their worship practices, even sacrificing their children to appease their false gods. And God would judge them for their sin.

God called Abram to live exclusively for Him in a very challenging spiritual environment. Abram’s calling was nothing small. The Lord drew Abram out of that which was warm and comfortable, to go into a section of the world and live for Him.

The result of Abram’s call was worship.

Genesis 12:7 tells us: “So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.”

Abram built an altar at Shechem, by the oak of Moreh, between Bethel and Ai. This was a practice repeated by each of the patriarchs, as we see their devotion to God develop throughout the pages of Genesis.

In future chapters, God will prove Himself faithful by showing Abram the land he and his posterity would possess (Genesis 13:14). He would rescue Lot from an awful situation that would cost him his own wife (Genesis 14). God would remind Abram of his promise with a sign of this covenant (circumcision) and impart to him righteousness in Genesis 15:6: “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

Abram’s call is significant because he did not know God before all of this. He was a pagan, raised in a home where their was no recognition of God. You and I would never have come to faith in God unless He revealed Himself to us.

This challenges us because you and I are married to the familiar, the comfortable and that which is habit. God has to break through all of that to get our attention.

Abram’s calling also reminds us that life is not about us. It is about being a blessing to others: serving God and serving others. We are blessed to be a blessing.

You might ask: “So what? What difference does this make?” First, observe that God’s call to Abram was to trust him. We are reminded that every time God calls a person, it requires faith. Hebrews tells us: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Many times, Jesus is recorded as saying: “Your faith has made you well.” Faith is “The assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.” Faith requires action: and that action is trust in God no matter what.

Secondly, we see that faith requires us to do thinks that are uncomfortable at times. The Lord does not save us to live a plush life. Rather, it is uncomfortable to “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow,” Jesus.

Thirdly, Abram’s response is worship. He built an altar to the Lord. Do we have an altar to the Lord in our lives? Are we visiting the altar of the Lord to worship Him weekly? Daily? Remember that Jesus said: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

And so Abram needed a redirection of His comfort: not in things or places, but in God Himself. It was the Puritan George Gifford who said: “This is a singular comfort, that all things come to pass not according to wicked men’s counsels, but according to what God determines.” Great peace comes from knowing that God rules over all circumstances. Therefore, we can trust Him.