The text for this blog is below. Here is a YouTube video link for this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9NEUE0BvVg
What does “birth” mean? Life? New life? Renewed Life? Yes! When we, our children, or when anyone is born, do we know who and what we are going to be? No! However, God knows. We believe all life was “birthed” by God (Genesis 1 and 2). Hence, all life is a part of God, and all life, will ultimately return to God. Until God’s forever kingdom is “birthed” and given to us, we are called to live our lives, helping everyone know their God-given “birth” status.
God “birthed” the world in love. All of creation lived-in harmonious love. Then, Genesis 3 happened. We forgot our “birth” status. We “birthed” the idea, of us, being God. And as we know, our world suffered the consequences of “birthing”, and living-in, the hell, we created. What did God do? God began the “birthing” process of a new and renewed life. God came to Adam and Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Ruth, David, and all the prophets to help our world know God’s continued love for all.
Then, when the time was right, Jesus was “birthed” into our world. Jesus came to show us what being “birthed” by God means; living a life filled with love! Throughout His life, Jesus lived God’s loved. He welcomed, accepted, fed, healed, and forgave all people: friends, family, and especially His enemies. Why? To give us all a “rebirth”; to give the world a new and renewed life filled with love.
God’s “rebirth” for the world did not end with Jesus’ death. God raised Him, yes, to vindicate His life; more so, for Jesus to continue to live God’s love, which He did. Jesus came to His hiding and scared disciples in their Upper Room of doubt and fear, and gave them a new and renewed “birth” by breathing the promised Holy Spirit into them; helping them to continue to learn, know, and live God’s love.
Then, on that first Christian Pentecost (Acts 2), God breathed the Holy Spirit into our world to continue to give “rebirth” to our world to live God’s love, which people like Peter and Paul and countless others did. That same Pentecost Spirit continues to breathe into our lives today. Why? So, we can learn, know, and live Jesus’ love. Why? So, we can bring God’s “rebirth” to our world. Why? To have God take away the hell we brought, and continue to bring into our world, by partnering with God to bring Jesus’ love, hope, and peace we all so desperately need.
God gave the world “birth” at creation. Ever since our “Fall in the Garden” (and please know it was ‘our’ fall, God never fell out of love for us and the world), God continued to breathe, to give the world a new and renewed “birth.” As we await the “birthing” of God’s kingdom to come, our calling and command is, to help everyone know and live God’s Pentecost “birth” of love. How do we do that? By becoming more involved in learning about God’s love. If you are not currently attending Bible Study or Worship, I encourage you to do so. If you would like to join us in our many Faith-nurturing Bible studies and Worship. Send me an email at: pastorricksjlc@bellsouth.net for an invitation to ZOOM with us while we continue to rebuild our Church (go to www.stjohnsnashville,org to see our story).
What if we all learned more about God’s all-inclusive love? How much more peace would our world have? May God’s Pentecost breath of grace give us a “rebirth” to learn, live, and share God’s love for all.
As always, I welcome your comments by clicking on the comment/no-comment button below.
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