Leaning into the Lord's People - Henry Knapp

One Lord, One Faith

“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” Though I am almost certain you’ve never heard of him, this quote is attributed to a German theologian named Rupertus Meldenius (just try pronouncing that). I love that quote. I believe in this wholeheartedly. But let’s be real—interacting and rubbing shoulders with real-life sinful and broken people makes this lovely sentence almost unimaginable. It is hard to stress the essentials, to give liberty and to act charitably toward others.

I do believe that if we got our biblical anthropology right, we might be more united, in liberty, and charity. Biblical anthropology is simply the Bible’s way of discussing what it is to be human. What is Man according to the Bible?

First, each person is created in the image of God. God says humans are good. You are good. I am good. Fundamental to our created nature is that we are the crowning point formation of creation: We are good and pleasing to God. My grandmother used to say “God don’t make junk!” Made in the image of God, we are good. Very good. The creature is not a mistake or not without worth. Just the opposite, we are wonderfully made by our Creator.

Second, however, and what I believe is largely downplayed, the Bible describes how incredibly broken and sinful we are because of the Fall. We are not good morally, ethically, in our character, our thinking, our will, our emotions. Therefore, we are broken and sinful in our rebellion against God, and that shows in all our relationships: first, with Him, then, with every other person on this planet. You’ve heard it said, “The problem with the world… is ME!”

The third factor in our biblical anthropology is whether or not someone has been made new through the salvation offered by Jesus Christ. Christ’s redemption on the cross, once applied and received by faith, transforms a person. We downplay this. We frequently think (and act) as though our faith is a side gig; or a part-time job. But, being a Christian is the key identity factor in our existence. Biblically speaking, you have more in common with a person from another country, who may not speak your language or be of your skin color or intellect or social status than you do with non-Christian members of your own household.

Given this biblical understanding of humanity, the unifying factor for all of us in the church is that we are (1) made in the image of God, (2) fallen and sinful, desperately needing a Savior and (3) saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ alone. Our unity, our liberty and our charity rests in Christ.

So, what is Christian unity as we gather this week as the body in ONE worship service at Hebron (10AM in the Sanctuary!)? It is not that we all know each other, like each other, or think the same way. It’s not that we hold to the same political stance or dress the same or value the same things. We may not look alike or act alike: What makes us unified across the board is that Jesus is our Savior! We are the people of God, the church, each made in the image of God, desperately sinful and broken and needing the redemption of Jesus. For some, this redemption has happened. For others in our midst at Hebron, we pray that will yet happen. That’s the unity we should long for. The unity that is good and pleasant in God’s eyes: That Christ would be known, exalted, loved and served. To the praise of His Glory, may we seek true oneness in Christ!

In preparation for worship this week, read Psalm 133.

1. This psalm is part of the “Psalms of Ascents,” which means that people would sing it on the way to worship. Why would this be a good song to come to church with?

2. In verse 1, the psalmist asserts that it is good to dwell in unity—What is good about unity? Why would unity be stressed here?

3. Why do you think blessings are associated with “oil running down the beard”? Why would this be a good metaphor for blessings?

4. Same question for the “dew of Hermon”? Hermon was a central mountain in Israel, one of the highest. Why would dew be like blessings?

5. Where have you experienced the greatest sense of unity? What helped bring it about? How can we foster that more faithfully?

Speaking Forgiveness - Henry Knapp

 I realize I’m showing my age, but… remember “Fonzie”? A character in the popular TV sitcom “Happy Days” “the Fonz” was the ideal stud of a man—strong, capable and utterly confident in himself and all he is and can do. Much of the sitcom humor surrounding the Fonz was built around his “cool-ness” and everyone else’s embrace of that identity. One exaggerated expression of this overwhelming self-esteem was the character’s inability to admit that he made a mistake comically portrayed by Fonzie’s physical inability to say the word “wrong.” Forced into a corner, he stumbles, “I was w…, I was wro…, I was wroooo…” Hilarious. (See “Fonzie’s word trouble” on YouTube). Hilarious because we know that confessing a wrong shouldn’t be that hard—we all need to do it more and more often!

 I think of Fonzie’s struggles with confession when I think of forgiveness. Like confession, forgiveness should come easily to us—because we should all have lots and lots of opportunities to practice it! As with the frequency of our sin, we frequently have the chance to give forgiveness and to receive forgiveness. Every negative interaction we have with family, friends, and workers is an opportunity to either ask for, or to give, forgiveness. Yet, like the Fonz, most of us can’t quite get the words out.

 That is not to say we are an unforgiving people (though I’m positive we should all practice forgiveness much more than we do). In my experience, even when we forgive, getting the actual word out is hard. Think back for a second… how often have you actually said, “I forgive you”? I am sure you have often thought: “Well, I can let that go,” or, “I’ll just ignore that one.” Or, when pressed, saying something like, “It’s ok, let’s just forget it,” “Oh, it’s all right,” or, “Let’s just move on.” The idea might be the same (might be, though, might not be!), but for some reason, getting the words out, “I forgive you,” is hard to do. If you doubt me, next time you are in any little squabble, try it on… it’s hard!

 What makes it so hard? Well, I think that to hear from someone that they forgive you, really emphasizes the original hurt.  We forgive sin; and if I need forgiveness from you, then I must have sinned against you.  If you have said, “I forgive you,” that means you think I have actually sinned against you! Usually, even when sin is at the core of our difficulties, we don’t like to call it what it is—sin. So, to try not to actually identify sin in your life, I hesitate to say, “I forgive you.” I actually don’t want you to feel that badly. If I am right about this, isn’t that just backwards?!?

 I think these words are also hard to say since we know that forgiveness is more than just “ignoring it,” or “getting over it,” or just “forgetting it.” Forgiveness is really, truly, completely giving up any claim of hurt, pain or injustice done against you. You can ignore, get over or forget an injury and yet still harbor a legitimate sense of right-ness, or superiority. But, if you forgive, then that’s it, it’s all over with, total, complete absolution; never again to be thought of or brought up. Now, that’s hard!

 No wonder then, that the Bible calls us to be a forgiving people—new creations in Christ who give to others what we have been given. Jesus highlights this principle to His disciples—if we truly realize what it means to be forgiven our sins by God, what sin by others could we possibly hesitate to forgive? (Matthew 18) And, how often? Of course, Jesus’ challenge is an infinite number of times—the same number of times the Lord forgives me.

 The forgiveness of the Lord is wonderfully portrayed for us in Psalm 32, which I invite you to read in preparation for worship this Sunday.

 1. In verses 1 & 2, what terms are used for sin? How do they differ? In what ways is forgiveness described? What insights into forgiveness are there?

 2. Can you explain the “wasting away” of the author’s bones? How might we describe that in today’s lingo?

 3. Verse 5 is seen as a solution to the trauma of verses 3-4. How is the problem “solved” by these verses?

 4. “Therefore” in verse 6 draws a conclusion—what is the conclusion, and how does it flow from the previous verses? If you have gone through the experience of verses 3-5, have you concluded as the psalmist does with verse 6?

 5. Verses 8-9 speak of God instructing us (assuming the “I” is God speaking), what other assumption/conclusion might be made? How does the instruction flow from the preceding verses?

Your Only Comfort in Life and Death - By Kelly Knapp

“What psalm and topic are you preaching on this week?” I asked while we were walking hand in hand at a local park. Henry softly replied, “Psalm 27.” I immediately responded with “Oh, I know that one well through experience - the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” “Let me write on that one from my heart!” So, here I am. I am writing and reflecting on this week’s passage because recently I feel like I have a lot of experience with this need to lean into the Lord’s comfort.

When asked to speak in the Central African Republic back in the Fall of 2022, one very daunting thing hanging over my head was the U.S. State Department’s warning to NOT travel in this country. The site says: Level 4: Do not travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) due to Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Armed groups control large areas of the country; and they regularly kidnap, injure and/or kill civilians. In the event of unrest, airport, land border, and road closures may occur with little or no notice.

So, what does it mean to be wise and yet NOT walk in fear? What does it look like to have valid concerns and fears about various things, and yet not freak out in fear or live with a sense of panic or dread? I don’t have a lot of answers to those things, but I do know one thing. This Psalm is asking you and I the question that goes like this; Who or what should you fear if I am your light? Do you trust me as your Savior? I am the stronghold of your life. Is someone or something stronger than me? The Lord wants us to make wise, informed decisions as we go about this day to day life in this world. This is exactly what we did when we listened to a “risk assessment” coordinator who gives the green light or red light for missionaries to enter various countries. We were told “come ahead”—and so we went! Was it easy? No. Was it fun? No. Was it good for me spiritually: You bet!

Here’s why this is so practical and was so good for me spiritually: I had to face my fears and go forward in the midst of fear. I walked by faith and not by sight. Needless to say, I prayed through it, talked it through, cried it out—and boarded the plane. I have learned through experience like this that you are safer when you are in God’s will on the front line of a battle than if you play it safe by sitting at home on your sofa and are not in God’s will. Sure, something could have happened to us, but we were still safe! Safe in His grip. Safe because He was with us, and we are always spiritually safe. No matter what. Safe in His presence.

Safety concerns (obsessions?) have run amuck I believe. We are often more concerned with getting the question answered “Is it safe?” than the questions “Is it right” “Is it good?” “Is it necessary? “Is it God’s Will!?” One thing that has made me feel very safe and comforted through the past few months of facing fear in Africa, and then facing fear when I had to come face to face with death (in Florida while my father in law was dying), was the classic line from the Heidelberg Catechism: What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Note: ONLY comfort. What was my ONLY comfort heading to Africa? Or, my recent flying to Florida alone to walk through “the valley of the shadow of death” as Henry’s dad was failing and eventually dying? I did not want to do these things. But, I am not my own. I am comforted by His grip of me. He is upholding me and eternally has me. That is my ONLY comfort. He is my only comfort in the midst of the fears. And man, I have fears! Fear is real. Yet, Jesus trumps fear. He is the only one who can. Lean in…lean in…oh, brothers and sisters, He is your light and your salvation. I pray you know this freedom, not from fear, but in the midst of fear - trusting Him.

For this Sunday, read Psalm 27.

1. Verse 1: How is the imagery of light used in the Scripture? Where is “light” present elsewhere? What is behind the picture of God as “light”?

2. Verse 2 describes those who oppose us. In what ways might evil show itself in your daily life? Externally, and internally?

3. How does verse 4 naturally arise from verse 1? What is the connection between gazing upon the beauty of the LORD and identifying Him as “my light/my salvation/my stronghold”?

4. There is a shift between verses 6 and 7—The earlier verses are statements of fact, the latter verses are addressed to God as a prayer. If you had to summarize the “mood” of these sections, what would it be?

5. The entire psalm speaks of the confidence we have in the LORD—that He has it all! How does verse 14 speak to this? What role does the author’s thought in verse 14 have in his argument?

Leaning Into the Lord's Confidence - Henry Knapp

A Heep of Humility.

Growing up in my household, Uriah Heep was a prominent figure. More than once he was referenced in terms of my own upbringing. Uriah Heep is a fictional character in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Heep plays a minor role in the storyline but is so well written that he stands out and is easily remembered—particularly for his insincere flattery. An oft-repeated line for Dickens is when Uriah Heep expounds upon his humility—“I’m a very ‘umble person,” “I am the ‘umblest person going”! Of course, the joke is Heep’s bragging on his humility: he is very proud of being humble!

Uriah Heep’s false humility was referenced in my household as a mocking corrective to my own incredible lack of humility. Like most people, I was (am!) very protective of myself, overly conscious of any slight and paranoid that my faults will show. Consequentially, again, like most people, pride rises up in very unsightly ways, frequently dominating, if not my outward actions, then certainly my inward attitude and thoughts. There is great reason why the sin of pride has consistently been identified in the church age as the cause of much, much harm and wickedness.

When we look critically at the presence of this sin in our lives and honestly face the pervasive presence of a proud self-image, we walk a hazardous road. The dangers of pride are self-evident. Rarely, if ever, are we as truly good or truly special as we think we are. Crossing from pride to arrogance, and haughtiness is quickly done. But excessive pride is not wrong simply when it is annoying—pride is opposed in Scripture simply because it so often misplaces us in relation to God. The proud forget that they are the creature, and so easily assume the role of the Creator. On the other hand, the alternative is not false humility, nor a degrading of oneself that denies our created grandeur. For, our Lord did make us “but a little lower than the angels” and “crowned us glory and honor” (Psalm 8). So, the corrective of pride is not false, deferential, self-effacing. The corrective to pride is… reality!

The Bible urges us to see ourselves as the Lord Himself made us, as our Savior redeemed us, and as the Spirit is transforming us. Yes, He created/redeemed/sanctified us to be glorious in His sight—and so we are! There is every reason in the world for the Christian to be proud of what God has done, to be in awe of what the Lord has made us into. However, every single ounce of that pride is located in heaven, in our God! Yes, we are marvelous, but we are marvelous “in His eyes” because of Him. All that is good comes directly from Him, and we can claim none of it.

And it is that self-image, that perspective of who I truly am, that the Scripture expresses. I am all that God says that I am, and not a lick less. To depreciate myself is to falsely condemn what God has done. But, to be proud in myself is foolishness and forgets that I am but a redeemed creature and not in any way the Redeemer-Creator.

In our culture, it is hard to maintain this perspective. It is easy to think too highly of oneself, as if it is deserved. It is also too easy to ground our self-identity in anything other than in God. And, it is too easy to be overwhelmed with our sin and brokenness that we ignore the Savior’s voice. But, listen! He speaks to us as we truly are—sinners, loved and redeemed by Jesus Christ.

Please read Psalm 131 in preparation for worship this week.

1. The sermon title this week is “Leaning into the Lord’s Confidence.” How is the greatness of our God expressed in this psalm?

2. There are a number of reasons to think/feel negatively or critically about yourself. What are some bad reasons? What are some good reasons? What “reasons” does the psalmist have for encouraging a humble approach?

3. What does the psalmist mean when saying that his “heart is not lifted up/eyes are not raised too high” (verse 1)? How would we phrase something similar today?

4. What is “a weaned child with its mother” like? Why is this image a powerful one for someone who has not lifted heart/eyes too high?

5. How does verse 3 connect? It almost looks like a non-sequitur, but I don’t think it is—if flows naturally from verses 1 & 2. How so?

Plog Along - Dan Bender

In a slight change of pace, today we are going to actually do a PLOG. That's right. Prayer blog. So, take a look at the Scripture for this week and follow some of the prayer prompts between now and Sunday.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Wednesday:

1. Reflect on Psalm 23:1-3 while you pray.
2. What does it mean for the LORD to be YOUR shepherd?
3. How have you seen the LORD lead you recently?
4. What does the path of righteousness in your life look like?

Thursday:

1. Reflect on Psalm 23:4 while you pray.
2. What does it look like in the Valley of the Shadow of Death? Have you been there?
3. Can you say at this point that you fear no evil?
4. What does David mean about the rod and staff bringing comfort?

Friday:

1. Reflect on Psalm 23:5 while you pray.
2. What do you think it means to have God set a table for you? Then, have it be in the presence of your enemies?
3. When is the last time your cup overflowed?

Saturday:

1. Reflect on Psalm 23:6 while you pray.
2. What do you think the connection is between Goodness and Mercy might be?
3. What do you think about when you imagine what being with God forever will be like?

"Leaning into the Lord's Goodness" - Henry Knapp

Who hasn’t heard the encouragement to “grow up to be a good boy/girl”? My guess is that most parents either say that directly, or imply it over and over again in their parenting. After all, the alternative is pretty silly—“I hope you grow up to be evil and wicked.” You certainly do not have to be a follower of Christ to have a desire for “goodness.” We are all pretty much raised to pursue goodness, and it certainly appears to be a desire built into us as humans by God Himself.

But, what do we mean by “good”? What, after all, does it mean to be a good boy/girl? What does
“goodness” look like?

On one level, this calls to mind the old adage, “I know it when I see it.” We all have some innate sense of what goodness looks like. When we see something wicked or evil, we have a visceral reaction. When we see something good or beautiful, we just know it. We don’t define “good” or explain it because it is self-evident.

But what if it isn’t self-evident? What if there is more to “goodness” than what we can just assume? After all, sometimes the Bible makes it clear that we are to be “good,” and at other points that only God Himself is good. Sometimes “goodness” in humanity is applauded. Sometimes “goodness” is beyond our grasp. Perhaps we need help in understanding what “goodness” means.

The Bible uses the word “good” in various ways, often similar, but not always identical. To do that which is “good” often means something like “helping-the-old-lady-across-the-street.” Is that a “good” thing? Well, of course it is! When we treat one another as we should, we are acting in good ways, doing good things. These are evident and clear to us as humans. Our common humanity calls for responding to one another in ways that are morally acceptable. These actions are deemed “morally good.”

When we say, with Jesus, that only God is good (Mark 10:18), are we implying that only God can do a morally good thing? Of course not. Hundreds of times a day (hopefully) each of us acts with moral goodness toward one another. But God is indeed the only One “good” in terms of “saving good.” Here we are measuring “goodness” in terms of meriting God’s favor. Do our morally good deeds save us? Do they make God respond to us? Do they put God under obligation to treat us well? NO! All our “moral goodness” does not merit us “saving good.” Only God is good in that sense; only God is perfect in goodness.

There is one more sense in which the Bible uses the word “good.”: First, to speak of the way we should relate to one another (moral good); second, to describe the kind of life that merits salvation (God’s saving good); and, third, a kind of goodness which arises from a faith in Jesus. We are called in this Christian life to respond in ways that please our Lord, in ways that come from our faith in Christ, to honor and praise our Savior. These are deemed in the Scripture as “good.” Arising from a life of dependence upon the cross, these actions are “spiritually good”—a way of living which comes only from the new creation, only from a life given to the Lord. Do these “spiritual good things” earn us God’s pleasure? NO! This is by grace and grace alone. Rather, these are actions, deeds, thoughts, attitudes, which are produced by trust in Christ. If/when we trust in Him, our lives are transformed, and what we do from that transformed life is pleasing to our God, they are “spiritually good.”

This week in worship we will be looking at the goodness of our Lord, and the goodness we are called to by our Good God. I look forward to exploring Psalm 34 with you!

In preparation for worship this Sunday, please read Psalm 34.

1. Verse 2: “my soul makes its boast in the Lord.” What might this mean? Have you ever done this? What would this look like?

2. Verse 3: “magnify the Lord with me.” What might this mean? Has this become part of your daily life? Can you express this yearning today?

3. Verse 8: “taste and see that the Lord is good.” What does the imagery of “tasting” imply? How does one “taste” that the Lord is good?

4. Verse 15: “the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous.” The author intends this as comfort, encouragement. Why so? How is that good news for us?

5. Verse 22: “none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” Why does the psalmist come to this conclusion at the end of his psalm? What condemnation is he seeking to avoid?

"Leaning into the Lord's Deliverance" - Dan Bender

When I was younger I spent some time playing bass for church. Now, I must confess, I knew nothing about what I was doing but putting my fingers in the right spots to make the sound come forth. I cannot read a lick of music, I have tried. It is like a foreign language to my eyes, but my ears...they seem to work. So, interestingly enough, most church songs 20 some years ago were not hard to play in terms of the bass. Now, I am sure they are far more complicated. Nevertheless, I can remember one song in particular which seemed simple, but proved to be pretty difficult for me. We were attempting to play one of U2's songs in youth group. It was 40. (Pronounced For - E with the best Irishness you can muster).

This song was built off of the bass line. I couldn't get it down. It came time to actually play the song at youth group; and as you might have guessed, I butchered it. I mean it was so bad that I still get embarrassed about it now some 20 years later and am much better at playing now. It is all of that to say, sometimes I think that we treat our Christian lives in a manner such as I have viewed this bass line. We feel as if we have to play it perfectly or else it isn't worth its tune. I was so focused on getting all of the notes right, i was not paying attention to what I was really doing. I was playing a new song. Now, it took some time, but eventually I got it.

Some of the words from 40 actually ring true when it comes to how I was frustrated. “How long to sing this song?” says Bono. I said the same thing.  Like “Lets just get it over with”, or “How long must we endure this??”

The older I get the more I understand that it isn't how perfectly I play the line, it is that I play for the King. When I try to force my fingers to hit the right notes I can and sometimes mess up. But what if I were to submit my fingers and be guided to the notes? Using the ears that God gave me to hear the music He wanted me to play? Turning frustration into persistence and even perhaps a nice tune.

It all stems from my understanding of deliverance. I bet on some level you might identify with me in this. For many years, I assumed that when I was delivered from my sin and shame that it was gone like I had been told. It was years and wisdom that helped me understand that while the immediate and long term consequence of sin (that which I have been delivered from) is still an active force in this world. You see...It wasn't just me who was affected by it; like I was the only person playing in the band. It impacts all of the created order. So, while I stand reconciled and redeemed, I stand next to that which is not. So....what do we do with this reality?

We need to introduce a new song. That song is the Good News of the Gospel. It is a new song that for those who are delivered and need deliverance, need to sing every day. How long? How long? How long? How long to sing this song?

Every. Single. Day.

This week read Psalm 40 in its entirety.

Reflect on the following.

1. How often do you sing the new song of the Gospel to yourself? 

2. Who in your life can attribute knowing the new song because you have sung it to them? 

3. Do you ever have a hard time believing that you have actually been delivered from the sin and shame in your life? 

4. Do you know anyone who says the same thing about themselves? 

5. Make a plan to sing a new song to yourself this week and someone who you know needs to hear it.