Holy – Holy – Holy
God’s holiness confronts us with a side of God that we can hardly grasp. It shows us him as the completely different one who is nevertheless turned towards us. It remains a challenge to encounter this God and to make him neither small and predictable nor distant and frightening. Dealing with the topic is worthwhile, for the fact that God is holy is the deepest and most comprehensive description of God’s nature. In it, it becomes clear why God is God. It is the greatest gift for Christians to be able to say Father to precisely this God and to live in his presence.
The motto for 2024 was originally said to the Church of Corinth: «Everything you do should be done in love» (1 Corinthians 16:14 NLB). In the context of the circumstances at the time, these words take on great poignancy. The much greater miracle than spectacular spiritual gifts is love. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily grow on the soil of the gospel, but love does. Without love, faith suffocates – it is the breathing air of faith. The motto for 2024 seems succinct: «Let everything you do be done in love…
Jesus Christ is the Word. As such, he was there from the beginning. He gave the world his light and thereby also life. His light shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome by it. At Christmas we celebrate the greatest gift. We celebrate that the Word became a man and lived among us. If we now believe in the word of Jesus Christ, that is, if we accept him as a gift from God, then we become children of God. My first godfather Bueb is…
The people of Israel lived in exile in Babylon – an extremely bleak time for the individual Jews as well as for the entire nation. But then a message of joy arrives through the prophet Isaiah. Although Zion and Jerusalem lie in ruins, new hope germinates. The same gospel (= good news) reaches us in this Advent season – a similarly challenging time. It was the cold winter of the war in 1944 and a rabbi was hiding with his son in Silesia. Their future was completely…
«Advenire» means to arrive. During Advent, we remember and look forward to the arrival of Jesus Christ. It is both a look back and a look forward. We look back to the first coming and look forward to the second coming. Because we do not know when Jesus Christ will return, it is important to watch and not sleep. We need to get ready and be ready. In this time of waiting, we should hold on to Jesus Christ and keep our…
This sermon illuminates the spectrum of the petition «Deliver us from evil!» from the Lord’s Prayer. In these very turbulent times, this outcry can be heard very often in this world. What is happening here is unsettling and fuelling fear. Wars everywhere, almost on every continent. The homelessness of refugees. Hunger, disease, injustice… Lord, deliver us from all this evil in the world! In fact, the petition of the «Our Father» comes very close to us: «Deliver us from evil!» I clarify: «from the…
Sanctification means that Christ takes shape in us and increasingly characterises our lives. A new way of being leads to a new way of doing. Christians tend to shorten this process by acting on their own initiative. The result is sobering. It is our concern that we as a church do not define ourselves by our programme, but by the quality of sanctification among the people. When I was a little boy, I had many exciting adventures with the gang in our neighbourhood. Chasing foxes, sparrows…
At first glance, the demands placed on a follower of Jesus Christ appear to be a pure imposition and sometimes even unattractive – because they often seem to put you on the losing side. However, when these are contrasted with a life with contrary moral ideas, they suddenly seem very desirable. The church is a good place to practise these things. But the crucial thing is not THAT we try to keep these guidelines, but our MOTIVATION. This should…
Our personal sanctification should grow out of our amazement at the mystery of God’s holiness. This happens in partnership between God and us humans. The human part consists of taking off the old clothes of deceitful desires and putting on the new clothes characterised by righteousness, holiness and truth. What happens in the dressing room is crucial to our personal sanctification. A few months ago, I shared one of my most exciting and glorious childhood memories here. As a big bunch of armed boys, we very often went…
It is part of God’s identity and nature that he is a God who sees us. There is truth and freedom in his gaze. He sees you and your life completely differently to how other people see you. We can hold on to this fact. Every day anew, we can detach ourselves from the human gaze and place ourselves completely under the gaze of God. When my husband and I do sport, we make sure that we wear our sports watches and that we are in the right place at the right time…
In the Bible we are challenged again and again to be holy. To live holy means to live a truly fulfilling life. People are then in the process of sanctification when they live more and more according to the conferred status of «saint». The more we contemplate the glory of God, the more we see the mighty love and the more we become holy. The LORD says, «You shall be holy, for I am holy» (Deut. 19:2 LUT). Is «being holy» even worth striving for? Or…
King Solomon took in 666 talents or 22 tons of gold alone annually, the equivalent of CH 1.27 billion per year. He was God’s chosen king of Israel, God’s people. He was the wisest man of all time. His incredible glory was a picture of the glory of God – as long as he trusted in God alone. But things turned out differently… Every person, every one of us has a «glory». What governs your life and mine will be in your…
Jesus Christ was challenged by the religious leaders. They wanted to set a trap for him, whereby he either had to turn to grace or to the law. But Jesus Christ takes a different path. He catches us humans in our dealings with offences that are against God’s law. In his grace, he meets the individual and straightens him out. In this way, the commandments of God are not abolished, but rather confirmed. Through this encounter with the holy God, we are called out into…
The holy God is fathered by the people who make a covenant with him. A child of God lives in complete security, benefits from the compassionate wrath of God and is given an ultimate home. These experiences and grasping this truth in the depth of the heart changes us for the rest of our lives. In action movies, actors are often portrayed one-dimensionally as heroes or villains like cartoon characters. Since we can’t relate to them personally, we don’t mind if they are blown away.…
Often we humans are too busy to deal with religious matters. We keep a safe distance and hide behind what we already know and can do. But Jesus Christ wants to meet us and he does. He disturbs our busyness. But the knowledge of the holy evokes resistance in us. For we are anything but holy. Yet we recognise that we want the encounter with the holy. So we are in a tension like Peter.…
We observe the different behaviour of two kings who find themselves in an almost hopeless situation. Can we learn something from them? We have probably all experienced moments and situations in which we hardly knew what to do. It was exasperating. For some, such moments only last a short time, but for you they last a long time. You have a bigger problem – and others complain about little things. Some experience God’s help, but you don’t, although you are closer to God…
Elijah is in deep crisis. Nevertheless – or precisely because of this – he takes the long way through the desert to the mountain of God under his feet. He wants to see God and experience who He is. When he reaches his destination, he experiences the grace of the holy God in an indescribably impressive and gentle way. Although he is corrected in a loving way by God’s Word, he experiences full acceptance at the same time and gets a new perspective on the future. Just recently someone wrote me the following…
Elijah has fought and won a great battle for Yahweh, his God. Unfortunately, the expected response from God is not forthcoming, which confuses Elijah and drives him into depression. Despondent, he sets out to see this holy and strange God. On the long way to the mountain of God, he encounters his God in indescribable diversity and wisdom. In a city like Vancouver, where I have now lived for a long time, there is a huge offer for spirituality. There are Buddhist temples,…
Often we think faith has only something to do with an inner attitude and our thoughts. However, the Bible teaches us that faith also has a lot to do with how we act and behave. How rooted our faith is is expressed in our actions. It is not a matter of pious actions, but of acting out of faith. And this faith always has its root in the encounter with the holy God. I would like to start today with a little joke.…
In today’s world, it can easily happen that we are overwhelmed by a lack of strength, stress and fear in our daily lives. God gives us, through his holy word, the power to live out our personal calling. In order to fully utilise this power, we need to know the Word like Jesus through and through. Today is the first Sunday after the big school summer holidays. I assume that many have had the opportunity for a holiday. After this break, we are hopefully refreshed to face with renewed strength the…
Waiting for promises – bottomless or with ground under our feet? How do we make ends meet? A warm welcome to all who are back after the holidays! Back in your familiar home! This is where I would like to start my sermon: What is home for you? Is it where you live at the moment? Or is it your parents» house? The other question is: What is home for you? Is it also your home? Or your hometown, where you are naturalised? Maybe you have an adopted country?…
Today we come to the last sermon of the small summer sermon series on persons from the Old Testament. We accompany these people and see how they are on the way with a holy God. Today we come to the prophet who has the same name as my son – Hosea. A life in the service of God When we look at the prophets, we notice that they all have their one-sidedness. This is precisely the strength of the prophets. Last Sunday was about Jonah. His message was: «God…
Today we come to the second part of the summer sermon series, in which we accompany people as they go through life with their holy God. Last time we looked at the three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego as they went all out for their God. They were ready to lay down their lives for him – but God saved them. This ultimately led to a great king who could not help but confess that only this God can save. Today we want to look at…
Through the story of three Old Testament friends, we want to immerse ourselves in what it means to follow a holy God. The three friends live in a foreign country and adapt as much as possible. They integrate well, but a conflict is inevitable at the latest when they have to decide between their faith and the demands of their king. They are even prepared to lay down their lives for this. Followers of Jesus Christ are also strangers in this world. They live here,…
At his first sign, Jesus makes 600 litres of the best wine for a wedding party in Cana, which has run out of wine. No healing, no raising of the dead, no multiplication of bread – no, but wine in quantity. What does this mean? And why does Christ make this the first sign? Marriage – coming together – bearing fruit «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. And God blessed them and gave them…
Disappointments unfold great power in us when we let them take effect. We are hurt, horrified, angry and sad. Disappointments put us in crisis mode. Every unresolved disappointment takes away a piece of our life space. We become cautious, distrustful, cynical, bitter and live the way burnt children live. Disappointment, however, is always the end of a deception and an invitation to take a closer look and learn. Possible questions for the small group Read the Bible text: Ephesians 4:15 Outline a disappointment,…
Worshipping God as a holy God means worshipping him even if you do not experience him as a loving, merciful, just God. In doing so, you bring a piece of heaven to earth, because it is the heart of worship. But if we refuse or distract ourselves with other things, how that leads us into inner turmoil and discontent. Tomorrow my husband and I celebrate our second wedding anniversary. I am not saying this to give my husband a heads-up and give him time to…
The first king of the divided kingdom of Israel in the north was Jeroboam. God promised him and his family that they would remain in power forever if they only kept to one thing: To be faithful to the God of Israel. But Jeroboam was led by fear, which ultimately led to the downfall of his kingdom. Followers of Jesus Christ are called to leave behind all false securities and to trust God completely. The promise of God gives a future! This morning we look at…
Every person forms a worldview with which he or she interprets the world. Often this is unconsciously adopted by the surrounding world. Our worldview influences our interpretation of the Bible and how we live out our faith life. God wants to change our thinking so that we align ourselves with Him and do not become a product of this world. Am I aware of how I think and form my opinions? Orientation and goal My first paragliding flight was so exciting that I was fascinated by this sport for years.…
The story of Cain and Abel is an example of a conflict between a human being and the holy God. First there is a difference which triggers something in Cain and influences his inner attitude. He throws God’s warning to the wind and looks for a scapegoat in Abel, on whom he finally takes out his anger. Cain projects the guilt onto Abel and makes him responsible for HIS problem. Today we are immersed in one of the first conflicts in human history.…
Many things that you may think are unthinkable in life are in God’s reality also changeable. Your previous wealth of experience does not have to remain the limit of your future possibilities! With Jesus, existing patterns of life are broken and thus you are confronted again and again with the rethinkable. Lord, give us a heart for your word and also a word for our heart. Amen. Our life patterns Do you also know such situations in which you react in a similar way again and again? In which you repeatedly behave in the same way? To…
God seeks communion with people with all the fibres of his being. In the Garden of Eden a line begins that leads through the tabernacle, the temple, the incarnation of Jesus, the body of an individual believer to the church. At Pentecost, the followers of Jesus become temples of the Holy Spirit. This is a huge privilege and at the same time comes with the responsibility to extend the presence of God to the whole earth. What better thing could happen to us than to witness live how Jesus heals people, demons…
Holiness and love belong together. He who loves completely does not allow harm to come to the beloved. We have a choice: we can place ourselves under the love of God or we can choose self-realisation and selfishness. With the latter, our actions will affect, harm others. Because God loves all people, he does not allow that, his holiness does not allow that. God’s holiness is so important for love because it guarantees that he will never let up, that absolutely…
God introduces himself as «the jealous one». When it comes to the people of Israel, God cannot tolerate them following another God. For he has chosen them for himself. The holiness and jealousy of God belong close together. Because the people of Israel are supposed to be holy, God’s jealousy hits them when they become unfaithful to God. God’s jealousy seeks us human beings. In Jesus Christ, God comes close to us and intercedes for us. Jealousy is in our…
Focusing on God’s holiness could at best create pressure or a sense of distance. Holiness is God’s core characteristic. On this ground, however, He is also love. Both belong together. Holiness without love would emphasise the rift between God and human beings. Love without holiness would explain it away. Holy love, on the other hand, overcomes the rift, but does not abolish it. Such love is strong, penetrating, winning and changing. The weekend before last, our son and I went on a city trip.…
Through the story of the Good Samaritan we can learn a lot about how the application of our faith should be done. Being close to God does not equal being like God. Just because we spend a lot of time in the proximity of God does not necessarily mean that this influences our thoughts and actions. Therefore, help can sometimes come from the very people from whom it is least expected. Followers of Jesus are to emulate the example of the Good Samaritan. But Jesus Christ himself is even more merciful than the Samaritan. He…
Some passages in the Bible seem to disturb us. Because they do not fit into our picture, because they do not correspond to what we would expect from God. The righteousness of God is dependent on his holiness. Only when we bring this together do we understand why God acts differently than we imagine. In the face of things that do not correspond to God’s will, it is precisely his justice that is revealed. God cannot simply leave them as they are, but must do justice. Followers of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, should…
Is the fear of the Lord a shelf warmer with an expiry date or is it still relevant today? The normal reaction of a person who encounters God in His holiness is awe and respect. Where this fear of God is missing, God becomes a means instead of the centre of life. Such faith, however, is neither crisis-proof nor does it lead to a fulfilled life. Therefore, our great endeavour should be to encounter this God in His majesty, greatness and glory. In the last service of the evening, we received…
Easter – a joyful drama with extras and leading actors. Good Friday and Easter affect us all. On Good Friday, dramatic events of Jesus» suffering and crucifixion happened and the disciples were frustrated after his death. But on Easter Sunday, a new day dawns as the tomb is empty and Jesus is risen. The disciples are fearful and unbelieving at first, but Jesus appears to them and brings them rest and peace. The story of Jesus with his church was not finished at that time -…
The desire to improve ourselves more and more is inherent in us humans. But unfortunately, this optimisation fails in the encounter with the holy God. Because even an optimised ego cannot stand before God on its own. The problem is so-called sin, which means missing the target. In order to restore man’s access to God, Jesus Christ died on Good Friday. He was the completely blameless sacrifice needed to bear all the guilt of the world.…
The prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of a river whose source is in the Holy of Holies of the Temple. From there the water flows through the land into the Dead Sea. Everywhere it passes, health, food and life emerge. One day this vision will be fully and globally fulfilled. Until that time comes, the followers are entrusted with the task of wetting their surroundings with the life-giving water and thus promoting life. Later in this service we will hear Martin…
The vision Ezekiel received testifies that living water that brings salvation will flow from the sanctuary of the temple. Jesus took this prophetic word and promised that streams of living water would gush forth from the believers. The water, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, will fill and overflow his followers. We as Christians are chosen to bring life and healing to this world. This year we have already learned a lot about the holiness of God through the various sermons.…
Through Moses» simple prayer «Oh God, heal her» Miriam was healed of leprosy. It is also true today that God’s holiness heals. Ever since man first challenged God in the Garden of Eden, sickness has been part of our existence on earth. When we pray for healing, we do so with the great certainty that God always heals – sometimes in the now, one hundred percent in the tomorrow. After the encounters with the holy God, Moses» face shone so brightly that he could see it with…
After the encounter at the thorn bush, Moses lived with a longing desire to see the glory of God again and again. There were extraordinary experiences in his life, such as at Mount Sinai. More importantly for Moses, however, he organised his daily life in such a way that shared times with God became a regular habit. These encounters with the very Other changed Moses in his being and doing. A holy life arises from intimacy with God, which, however, we decide to do and which we…
The holy God allows us humans to encounter him. However, there are passages in the Bible where people die because they came too close to God. This is also the case with Uzzah. He tried to save the ark of the covenant from falling over and ended up dying himself. This reaction of God is infuriating and meets with great incomprehension. However, this reaction is only consistent. For God’s holiness should not be met with too much levity. But if God is met with respect and…
Moses» encounter with the holy God at the thorn bush completely turned his life around. As the basis for his maximally challenging mission – to lead a people of millions out of captivity into an unknown land – the LORD introduces himself by name. «I am he whom I will show myself to be.» The holy God is not comprehensible to us humans, but HE is not arbitrary either. His holiness guaranteed purest goodness, mercy, love and empathy. The quality of a Christian grouping.…
Moses is tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the desert when he suddenly becomes aware of a burning, but not incinerating, thorn bush. This encounter with the holy God fundamentally changes his life. From now on, he lives with a passionate desire to see this mysterious God and his life is set on a new course. Moses» experience is an example of how a person can encounter the very Other and what the consequences are. Meanwhile, our children have grown up. But…
We cannot force encounters with the holy God. But when we do encounter him, it can sometimes be terrifying. Nevertheless, we do not have to be afraid of this God. For if we use this fear properly, it leads us into fear of God. This in turn leads us to worship in reverence, as befits a holy God. I recently had a conversation with a person about this year’s teaser for the annual theme. This person expressed a basic…
Holiness is a virtue given by God, which does not have its origin in me or my actions! Man wants to optimise himself We live in an atmosphere of self-improvement in our society today! What is good should become better and what is better should become the best! We don’t just want to be fit, we strive to become even fitter! Healthy living, that was once! Now we strive for the healthiest. The current chairs at the dining table are already more comfortable than the last ones;…
God created the earth in six days and on the seventh he rested. Therefore, he blessed it and gave it a special meaning and endowed this seventh day with healing power. But he not only blessed this day, he sanctified it. He set this day apart from all others because it was the day when God himself rested from his creation. But God did not rest because he was exhausted, but because everything was perfectly yielded.…
God chose Israel to be his holy people. The overriding meaning of holy is set apart. Thus the people of Israel are also set apart from the other peoples because they are God’s own people whom he has chosen for his history with humanity. In this people there are priests whose main task is the service of God. Their lives are entirely dedicated to the service of God. Followers of Jesus Christ are also part of this holy people. They form a holy people of royal priesthood. The…
God’s holiness confronts us with a side of God that we can hardly grasp. It shows us him as the completely different one who is nevertheless turned towards us. It remains a challenge to encounter this God and to make him neither small and predictable nor distant and frightening. Dealing with the topic is worthwhile, for the fact that God is holy is the deepest and most comprehensive description of God’s nature. In it, it becomes clear why God is God. For Christians, it is the greatest…