Last fall I looked out my office window to see a man sprawled out on the lawn under the shadow of the Calvary Bible Church monument sign. I watched him for a few minutes to see if he was moving. He wasn’t. He had a backpack under his head and grocery bag next to him but remained motionless. I hurried outside to check on him. He said he was just tired and needed to rest a bit before he could make it back to the home he was renting, a couple blocks away. I offered some water; he declined. Is there anything I can do for you?  No.

I returned to my office and got back to work. About an hour later I looked again to see that he had not moved. When I checked on him a second time, he said he had lost all sense of strength in his legs and was too weak to walk. I offered to take him to the hospital or call an ambulance both of which he refused. I pleaded with him to let me take him home. When he reluctantly agreed, I drove my truck out on the lawn as close to him as possible, lifted him up into the seat, buckled him in, and drove to the place he was staying. Once there, I unbuckled him, lifted him out of the seat onto the sidewalk where he shuffled along as I carried most of his weight through the front door and onto a couch. You sure you don’t need a doctor?  Do you want me to call a friend? Is there anything else I can do for you? No. No. No. He was ready for me to leave. As I stepped out of the house and closed the door, he thanked me and lived happily ever after.

I hope.

The fact is, I don’t know what happened to him. I thought a lot about him in the following days and tried to check on him but never did see him again. I wanted to do more, but it is hard to help people who don’t want help – even when they’re in obvious trouble.

All this reminds me of what it’s like today trying to help people see their need of Jesus. So many are in a terribly broken place, feeling weak and powerless. Their need for spiritual renewal is obvious. But they go on insisting: I’ll be OK; I don’t need help; I can do it. I just have to rest, center myself, and everything will be fine. I’m good!

As frustrating as it may be, we can’t make people accept the gospel – we can only keep telling it. This is the primary responsibility and work of the church: Preach the gospel!   Sometimes people reject us. Sometimes the scales fall off and broken people believe in the name of Jesus. John 1:11, 12 describes the pattern this way:

He [Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

The rejection of Jesus is commonplace. The salvation of repentant sinners is the miraculous work of God. We can’t do it, but we can tell the gospel that leads to it. Jesus promised he would empower his followers with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses right where they were – and then ultimately to all the world.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 

Our “Jerusalem” is Boulder, Erie, and Thornton. Let’s keep our eyes open for the broken who need the Savior and pray God will deliver them. I’m asking God to save hundreds of people through the ministry of Calvary in 2025. I’m asking you to pray for two or three people in your circle of influence to come to faith in Jesus this year.

Extending the gospel is our mission and our joy.

With you on the journey,

Tom

One of my all-time favorite friends volunteered in his retirement at a homeless shelter cooking meals, serving men and women whom life had wounded, heading home only after the kitchen was thoroughly cleaned and ready for tomorrow. I often wondered what he might say when someone asked, “What did you do before you were a dishwasher?” He never would have offered that he was a Senior Vice-President at a multi-billion-dollar aerospace and technologies company, or that he had a Ph.D. in physics.  Both were true, but he shunned adulation.

In most public and professional gatherings, it is a social convention to ask others about their lives, their families, their work accomplishments. If they are polite, they will reciprocate, and we will relay (only) the best things about our life story. Where do you work? What is your title? Have you ever published? Do you have children? Where do they go to daycare; preschool; high school; college? What neighborhood do you live in? What do you drive? Where was your latest and greatest vacation? Pastors are not exempt. I have never been to a conference that someone has not asked how big is your church? Or how much is your annual budget? Naturally, we are happy to talk about ourselves in the most favorable light as we put our best foot forward.

This is what makes Christmas so remarkable at the deepest level. He who possessed every perfection and unlimited power condescended to the unfathomable depths of being human. From all eternity Jesus Christ was face to face with God the Father and the Spirit. He was in very form—God. He performed the works only God can do; creating the world and all things in it; holding the universe in perfect order; performing miracles throughout Old Testament history. And then, late in time behold Him come – offspring of the virgin’s womb. The incarnation of Jesus is the most marvelous surrender of privilege and status that the world has ever witnessed.

He who was and is and is to come – the all-glorious, omnipotent, and self-sufficient God – gestated in Mary’s womb for nine months. Once born He was laid in a feeding trough, nursed and daily cared for by his mother, taught to walk and work by his father. Although He was a son, he learned obedience through what He suffered. And suffer He did, all the way to the cross. He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant. He did not flaunt His rank; He laid it down to bring us to God.

This is the spirit of Christmas: humility, generosity, and love. May God help us give glory to the new-born King as we exemplify these virtues by His grace. The marvel of the incarnation compels us to incarnational ministry to the world. Let us be humble as we make room in our hearts for Jesus to lead us.  Let us be big-hearted and open-handed in our giving to ministries like Calvary and projects that impact the world.  Let us be loving enough to see and meet the needs of those still searching for hope and grace in Jesus.  

With love and appreciation for you and your vital role in the ministry of Calvary, Lucy and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Tom
Senior Pastor

It’s over. Another election cycle in American history is in the books. Whew. The pendulum moved right but the sharp divide in our country remains cavernous. After months of contentious campaigning there is now talk of healing the nation. We can hope. But normally, political junkies place inordinate optimism in election outcomes. We know that our hope is not in government, but in the One who rules the nations. A reminder of some distinctly Christian perspectives on politics could help us think and pray on a day like today.

Paul reminds us that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1.

Sure enough, good Christians on both sides of the aisle often wonder after an election whether the outcome is a blessed answer to prayer, or a judgment from God on a country that has shut Him out of their lives. John Calvin famously said, “When God wants to judge a nation He gives them wicked leaders.” We should pray that all who were elected to public office this week will humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, earnestly seek His wisdom, and recognize that ultimately, they are God’s ministers to govern a nation for the good of all people. We recall what Daniel said in His day:

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22.

Secondly, we should recommit to our duty, not only to vote, but more, to pray for those who govern us. Paul wrote;

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1, 2.

There is not much about this election season that was quiet or godly or dignified. But the church can exhibit these amid all the political clamor in that way. And we must. The church possesses an over-the-horizon kind of vision that sees beyond the frailties and failures of human leaders to the sovereign King who is enthroned in heaven. We know that one day all the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah! Until then, we pray Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Paul gives the rationale for such fervent praying.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

God is pleased when His people pray for their leaders. He hears our prayers for our nation. Just possibly it may create a climate in which gospel proclamation can flourish, and people can be saved through the knowledge of the truth about Jesus. Could the frustrations of another political cycle or a change in political leadership give way to a greater openness to the gospel? Government can’t save us, but the gospel of Christ can. We pray for our leaders, we pray for a peaceful society, and we pray for opportunities of gospel sharing.

Consider one last word from Paul about the distinctively Christian way the church can live in our society while we embark on another transition of American leadership. 

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1, 2.

Political wrangling will go on. The church on the other hand is called to stay above that quarreling, gently and courteously being engaged in every good work as exemplary citizens. The world is watching. The world is asking. Let’s do our part to demonstrate how righteousness exalts a nation.

With you on the journey,
Tom

Last week Lucy and I traveled to Utah to tour a couple national parks. At Arches National Park, we got on the trail early and ascended to the Delicate Arch, pictured below.  It was a glorious morning, taking in the sunrise and spectacular morning sky. The unique rock formation stands 60 feet tall and more than 30 feet wide, a precarious balancing act on the side of a rock cliff.  It is an exceptional display of God’s glorious creation.

Hundreds of people each day hike down to the edge of the cliff to have their pictures taken under the arch, looking like ants under a picnic table. Invariably, they raise their arms in triumph before the giant structure, perhaps in hope of feeling larger than they are before such enormity. They pose with both arms held high as if to say, “I’m great too!” What is it about the human heart that moves us to posture our largeness while in the presence of something so magnificent?
 
Perhaps it is just the euphoria of the experience that led each person to offer the universal sign of triumph.  We do it after touchdowns, or any big win.  We raise our arms high in exaltation as an expression of joy and celebration.  It just seemed a little ironic to me watching something so puny exalt beneath something so grand.
 
In the best-case scenario, every hiker was reveling in the glory of creation then giving God thanks for His eternal power and divine nature. God anticipates such a response as humans enjoy the world He made for us. Seeing His handiwork leads us to worship; worship begins with humility. Self-exaltation makes worship impossible.
 
 Our study in 1 Corinthians has already offered several warnings not to boast in anything except the greatness of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s be reminded that God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. So, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that in due time He will exalt you. Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!
 
With you on the journey,
 
Tom