Author: Jerry Wirtley

humiliate

Jerry Wirtley

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with us.”) When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25, CEB)

I think we overlook the part in this verse where it says, “Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly.” Joseph should have brought her before the high council and had Mary stoned to death. But because he was a righteous man and he didn’t want her humiliated, or killed, he was going to figure a way out of the engagement and let her live. Now we can’t really say what kind of life it would have been, but he didn’t want her death on his hands or conscious. And then he has a dream or a vision. And he finds out the child is from God. So Joseph marries Mary and calls the son, Jesus.

How many times do we push people to their doom because we know some secret that isn’t ours to share?

We are sharing things freely we have no place to share.

We should love and be of a righteous heart like Joseph.

Love Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

confirms

Jerry Wirtley

The one who comes from above is above all things. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all things. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever accepts his testimony confirms that God is true. The one whom God sent speaks God’s words because God gives the Spirit generously. The Father loves the Son and gives everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever doesn’t believe in the Son won’t see life, but the angry judgment of God remains on them.” (John 3:31-36, CEB)

When we believe the promises from the Hebrew Scripture and the promises Jesus gives us, we confirm that God is true.

When we hold fast to the truth that God gives us, we speak the truth in love to the world.

The Father gave everything to the Son and when we believe in Jesus, who is the Son of God, we have eternal life. That is not something we are waiting on, but it is ours now.

So love Out Loud and share the love you have been given and help others believe in the truth.

Loving People. Loving God.

no longer a slave

Jerry Wirtley

I’m saying that as long as the heirs are minors, they are no different from slaves, though they really are the owners of everything. However, they are placed under trustees and guardians until the date set by the parents. In the same way, when we were minors, we were also enslaved by this world’s system. But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God. (Galatians 4:1-7, CEB)

We were once not a part of the kindom of God.

But Christ came. born through a woman, born under the law, so he could redeem us under the law and allow us to be adopted.

We no longer cry master, but abba, father!

We are not a slave but a member of the household, and an heir to the kindom.

Love the world around you and help them know they have a place in the kindom too.

All are welcome.

Loving People. Loving God.

all one

Jerry Wirtley

Before faith came, we were guarded under the Law, locked up until faith that was coming would be revealed, so that the Law became our custodian until Christ so that we might be made righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian. You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:23-29, CEB)

We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Nothing separates us. Not our ethnicity, our status, or our gender. No one is more important in the kindom of God.

We are all Abraham’s descendants and heirs to the promise.

We need to treat each other like we are all a part of the same body.

Love each other as God loves you.

Loving People. Loving God.

healed

Jerry Wirtley

Jesus went home with Peter and saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and served them. That evening people brought to Jesus many who were demon-possessed. He threw the spirits out with just a word. He healed everyone who was sick. This happened so that what Isaiah the prophet said would be fulfilled: He is the one who took our illnesses and carried away our diseases. When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed came from among the tombs to meet him. They were so violent that nobody could travel on that road. They cried out, “What are you going to do with us, Son of God? Have you come to torture us before the time of judgment?” Far off in the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you throw us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” Then he said to the demons, “Go away,” and they came out and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned. Those who tended the pigs ran into the city and told everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole city came out and met Jesus. When they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. (Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34, CEB)

Why did the people plead with Jesus to leave?

I mean other than the fact he just killed a herd of pigs. Shouldn’t the men’s freedom from the demons be enough to cover the pigs? Or are the pigs worth more to this community than these two men?

It is different and not what we expect. Jesus comes across the man at the Sheeps Gate (John 5:1-13) and he asks him if he wants to be healed. The man replies he has no one to help him get to the pool. It is almost as if he wants to stay the way he has been for 8 years. Jesus didn’t ask him why he didn’t get in the pool he asked if he wanted to be made well. And that is scary. Things will change.

If those men are no longer possessed then all of the community’s life changes. Sometimes it is easier to stay unwell than to be made well.

Are we ready to be made well?

Are we helping to heal the world by sharing the grace, mercy, and love we have been given?

Love Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

build each other up

Jerry Wirtley

But you, dear friends, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the end time scoffers will come living according to their own ungodly desires.” These people create divisions. Since they don’t have the Spirit, they are worldly. But you, dear friends: build each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life. Have mercy on those who doubt. Save some by snatching them from the fire. Fearing God, have mercy on some, hating even the clothing contaminated by their sinful urges. To the one who is able to protect you from falling, and to present you blameless and rejoicing before his glorious presence, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, belong glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, now and forever. Amen. (Jude 17-25, CEB)

We need to build each other up on the basis of our most holy faith.

We need to pray for each other in the Spirit.

We need to keep each other in the love of God.

We need to wait for mercy from Jesus.

We need to uphold those who question or doubt.

We need to help all understand the love God has for them.

Love Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

regularly

Jerry Wirtley

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. They would come together regularly at Solomon’s Porch. No one from outside the church dared to join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. Indeed, more and more believers in the Lord, large numbers of both men and women, were added to the church. As a result, they would even bring the sick out into the main streets and lay them on cots and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow could fall on some of them as he passed by. Even large numbers of persons from towns around Jerusalem would gather, bringing the sick and those harassed by unclean spirits. Everyone was healed. (Acts 5:12-16, CEB)

The apostles would gather regularly. And as believers grew in number more and more would bring those needing healing to the place where the apostles were and everyone was healed.

Do you gather regularly with other believers?

Do you make the space and time to be in the presence of those who follow Jesus?

We need this. Not just for ourselves, but for the community.

Our gathering as believers is Loving Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

hear and see

Jerry Wirtley

Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.” When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in refined clothes? Look, those who wear refined clothes are in royal palaces. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you. “I assure you that no one who has ever been born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:2-11, CEB)

Are you the one we are expecting or is there another?

Seems John and his disciples didn’t get the memo.

But Jesus said:

The blind see!
The crippled walk!
Those with skin disease are cleaned!
The deaf hear!
The dead are raised up!

God is doing things and moving in this place.

And why did you go to hear these things?

Do we come because God is moving or to see a spectacle?

Do we really believe or are we wanting to see a show?

God is moving and will we join God?

Loving People. Loving God.

What should we do?

Jerry Wirtley

In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler over Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, A voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked will be made straight and the rough places made smooth. All humanity will see God’s salvation.” Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.” The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.” Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?” He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.” The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people. (Luke 3:1-18, CEB)

What should we do?

If you have two shirts give one of them to someone who doesn’t have one.

Collect no more than you are told to collect.

Don’t cheat or harass anyone.

What should we do?

Treat all people with love and respect, as we would want to be treated.

Love unconditionally and share grace and mercy.

What should we do?

Love Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

Hastening

Jerry Wirtley

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Because of that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace—pure and faultless. Consider the patience of our Lord to be salvation, just as our dear friend and brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of these things in all his letters. Some of his remarks are hard to understand, and people who are ignorant and whose faith is weak twist them to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been warned in advance, be on guard so that you aren’t led off course into the error of sinful people, and lose your own safe position. Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him belongs glory now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:11-18, CEB)

We must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. What does that mean, and how do we do that?

We must live holy and godly lives. Our lives should be lived in such a way we can always be in the presence of God, free from sin and evil. That should be easy, right? I mean I only sin once every half second or so.

But we also need to be waiting for the coming of Christ. How are we waiting? Not very patiently most of us. But are we also doing that second part, hastening the coming of Christ? Well to be hastening the coming of Christ we need to know what hastening means. I have a general understanding that it implies moving quickly. I looked it up. M-W.com says:

intransitive verb
: to move or act quickly
She hastened up the stairs.
transitive verb
1: to encourage to move or act quickly : to urge on
hastened her to the door A. J. Cronin
2: to cause to happen more quickly : ACCELERATE
His death was hastened by alcoholism.
hasten the coming of a new order D. W. Brogan

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hastening

So the best definition for us is the second under transitive verb, to cause to happen more quickly. So as we wait we are supposed to also make Christ’s coming to happen more quickly. How are you doing that?

We can do that by actually loving God and loving our neighbors. By sharing grace and mercy in everything we do. We can hasten the coming of Christ by Loving Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.