The Sanctifying Spouse

In his mercy the God the Father directs our paths and makes us holy continually. Through moments of his grace, if we respond, we may indeed be brought closer to him. For some people these moments of grace and sanctification come when listening to sacred songs. They are moved deep within and accept the call of the still small voice they hear singing through the tones to which they listen. For others the preaching of others may prick their hearts in a special way. God seems to speak to all through his word and the labor, worship, and sacraments of the Church of his Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, God sanctifies us, or makes us more holy, through the relationships in which we are engaged as well. To be sure, the friendships and acquaintances we find ourselves enveloped in through the years have profound effect on us. Yet few relationships carry the power for God to work through than does the bond of marriage.

Relatively few examples of a truly balanced husband and wife relationship are to be found in scripture. All too often, as a result of the cultural norms of the day women were left unnamed in the annals of Biblical history. But there are a few examples of which to take note: 1) Abraham and Sarah- They seem to get each other into trouble more than anything, yet Peter pays tribute to Sarah's example of a holy wife in 1 Peter 3. 2) Manoah and Wife- Found in Judges 13, the parents of Samson: Set forth a good example of a couple working together to determine God's will and intent. 3) Elkhanah and Hanna- Found in 1 Samuel. Okay, there was a second wife Peninah too. But the story centers on the relationship of Elkhanah and Hannah and the conception of Samuel. Again a husband and wife team works together to discern God's will. (As you may be noticing all of these instances involve a woman whose womb is barren.) Of course, there are many others: Aquila and Priscilla, Hosea and Wife, Zachariah and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, Ruth and Boaz; all glimpses of Biblical married life.

In almost all of the above cases this is true: God works through one or both spouses to change either how they view each other or how they view God. Truly, again and again, marriage is proven to be a powerful means of grace.
Have you surrendered yourself to your spouse and to God? Are you allowing God to use your spouse or significant other to change you? Are you allowing God to use the difficulties and trials of married life to bring you closer to his heart, to sanctify you? If not consider the doors you have shut to God's grace working in your life. Take Abraham and Sarah for example. More than once they came to a pivotal point in their life and were divided over what was best to do. When in danger in Egypt Abraham instructed Sarah to pretend to be his sister. When Sarah was barren she led Abraham to Hagar. They were listening to each other all right, just at the worst possible times!

Now consider Hosea who married a woman of the culture of his day. It was a culture obsessed with sex and prostitution. Yet, though she strayed again and again Hosea remained loyal to her and would bring her home, wash her wounds and nurse her back to health. Through him Gomer, that was her name, was eventually redeemed. You can be certain that Hosea's sacrifice for her brought him closer to God as well. This is the Biblical hope for marriage. As Christ loved us, husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). Out of reverence to Christ (and certainly to the benefit of our relationship with him) we are to also submit ourselves to one another (Ephesians 5:21).

From time to time we may joke about marriage. We may tire of the effort it takes. We may grow weary of the never ending change it demands. Yet, we must realize that it is through a Christ centered marriage that God makes grace available. Thank God for your spouse this evening and thank your spouse for being themselves. The next time trials come cling to them and submit to them. After all, God may be trying to tell you something.

A Lenten Prayer

We thank you Lord Jesus for your life of which we are reminded in this season.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your love which has marked our souls and sealed our hearts.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your benevolence which has supplied our every need and want.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your charity, so great that you gave even yourself.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your tenderness, for you have heard your people's cry.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your affection for us; it was because of this that you did leave your throne.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your mystery; that you were conceived of the Holy Spirit by you blessed mother, Mary.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your humility; so great that you emptied yourself of omnipotence and power to be born a man.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your lowliness; that you were born in manger, attended by shepherds.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your meekness; that you grew into manhood in wisdom and favor with both God, your true Father, and man.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your glory, which was revealed unto us at your baptism.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your wisdom, which was displayed to us in your teaching.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your prophecy, which called a corrupt and sinful world to repentance.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your healing touch, which opened the eyes of the blind, caused the lame to walk, and soothed the sores of the lepers.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your word, committed to record by your disciples and the followers of your disciples.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your temptation, which displayed unto us the power of the Spirit over the enemy and his sirens.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your vision, which saw ahead the road to Calvary, yet did not waver or quake.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your redemption, which was everywhere left in your wake.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your touch; the woman at the well, the leper, the harlot, the tax collector, and the thief knew it well.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your breath; inhaled and exhaled among us.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your teaching stamped upon our minds and souls.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your passion, from which you prayed in the garden for your disciples and we who would yet believe because of their witness.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your conviction that no sword be raised in your defense.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your exploitation. An mock trial and miscarried justice declared your guilt in error.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your humiliation. That cross, those scars, the pain of the spear: these were ours to bear.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your suffering, which redeemed suffering for all mankind.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your sacred frame, wounded and crushed to atone for the sin of Adam and of each man and woman.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your death, which broke the bonds of the tyranny of sin.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your sleep in the tomb, for you would turn a sepulchre of sorrow into a vessel of victory.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your descent, to the lowest you descended and preached your gospel, that none might be beyond the grace of your Father.
And We thank you Lord Jesus for he who did beget you and who did raise you from the dead in power.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your Resurrection, which speaks of the hope of all mankind.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your life, because you do live!
We thank you Lord Jesus for your ascension; that we may anticipate your return.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your majesty in which you now reign.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your holiness which is your robe and mantle.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your righteousness which shines forth to light the hearts of men.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your salvation; atoning, sanctifying, delivering, and emancipating.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your Kingdom which shall never end.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your peace which has been imparted to our hearts.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your promise that you will return on that glad day from the eastern sky to the trumpets' blast.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your governance which is without error.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your reign which will be in the New Jerusalem.
We thank you Lord Jesus for your covenant that we too shall join you in the streets of that city.
We thank you Lord Jesus and on that day we shall proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb!"
To you, oh Lord, be all glory, honor, and praise for ever and ever.
May our entire being be bound unto your will, wed unto your heart, conformed unto your image, transformed into your new creation, sanctified unto your way, submitted to your plan, and enslaved unto your service.
We thank you Lord Jesus for you will hear our prayer. Amen.

The Road To Rural Revival #2

How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,

To list'n to the clear ringing bells;

It's tones are so sweetly calling,

Oh come to the church in the vale.

Come to the church in the wildwood,

Oh come to the church in the vale,

No spot is so dear to my childhood,

As the little brown church in the vale

The Church in the Wildwood has always been a favorite song of mine. Perhaps this is because it harkens back to what many eulogize as a simpler time. Perhaps it is because the second verse speaking of the clear ringing bells reminds me of my own home church. Yet, let us not be in delusion, the days of the church in the Wildwood are far gone. Rural churches are no longer able to press on in seclusion or stale tradition as they were in eras past. Today, the rural church is in the midst of a half century decline of both numbers and spiritual vitality. Where does the restoration begin? Consider my broad but flexible suggestions...

1) Rural Church revival must be coupled with rural economic revival.

This is a task that is certainly easier said than done. Yet, churches in small towns or rural areas should not be afraid to be thoughtful voices in the community for economic growth. Smart zoning and rural development, small farm subsidies, conservation, tax concerns, and rural education are all areas that require advocacy and attention. (Maybe not from the pastor directly, but rural church members should be heartily encouraged on these issues.)http://www.pcusa.org/rural/ is a good website to visit for more on this.

2)The rural church must embrace the best of its identity.

a) This means utilizing the highly relational nature of rural congregations. The small country church is much more likely to have the feel of a large family. Church's should nurture this strength and use it to the best of the ability. In rural society church is one of the few places you can "belong".

b) The rural church cannot be afraid of traditional worship or even worship with a more "country" or "gospel" twist. As long as worship is theologically Triunely centered and balanced and edifies the believers it is a plus. On occasion the praise choruses of megachurchdom can be fairly innefective especially in conservative areas or in areas were there are a large number of unchurched people. (ex. rural areas)

c) The rural church must also seek to intentionally develop its community voice and presence by fearlessly speaking out on community issues or beginning a community mission of some sort.

3) The rural church must readily reject the worst of its identity.

a) The rural church must seek intentional diversity with new or isolated people groups. In much of the midwest this means having a Hispanic outreach ministry or begining a Spanish-language worship service. (Of course, this implies the willingness and resources to bring a Latino(a) pastor on staff.) At any rate, many of the cities, towns, and rural areas of the upper Wabash Valley have Hispanic populations ranging from 8%-30% and all are rising.

b) The rural church must discard its closed nature. One of the pitfalls of being a family is exclusivity. This is a cloak the rural church must shed or it is doomed.

c) The rural church must be Bible based. Too often the devil sneaks in under the guise of "common sense", cultural wisdom, and "how we've always done things".

Coming Soon... The Conclusion to the Road to Rural Revival series.