Living in the Gap

10/22/23 • 28 min

In his sermon, Doug Pratt discusses the constant struggle between spiritual aspirations and human fallibility, using the analogy of a 'gap' to describe this. He references the Apostle Paul's words in Romans about the internal struggle between sin and righteousness, relating it to everyday frustrations faced by individuals. Pratt mentions the tendency of people to either give up due to the difficulty of living up to spiritual standards or to lower these standards to attain comfort. He advises against these approaches, instead suggesting a path of confession, accepting God's forgiveness, forgiving oneself, and daily surrender to God's will. He emphasizes the importance of allowing Christ's spirit to work within individuals to overcome the 'gap' and experience spiritual growth, urging the congregation not to abandon their faith or lower their spiritual standards, but to keep striving for spiritual maturity with God's help.

www.venicepres.org

www.venicepres.org

Previous Episode

Finding God in Pain and Suffering

Pastor Carolyn's sermon is based on 2 Timothy 4:5, which says, "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

She begins by sharing a story about an evangelist from Australia who came to speak at Asbury Theological Seminary. She says that after hearing him speak, she went home and told her husband that she wanted to be an evangelist. But at the time, she didn't really know what that meant. She thought it was about preaching a good message and giving an effective altar call.

But over time, she has come to understand that evangelism is more than just that. It's about sharing the love of Jesus with others in a way that is genuine and authentic. It's about building relationships with people and helping them to see the hope that Jesus offers.

Pastor Carolyn then goes on to talk about the importance of enduring hardship in ministry. She says that there will be times when we face challenges and setbacks. But we need to remember that God is with us, and He will help us through. We also need to remember that our ministry is not about us. It's about Jesus.

Finally, Pastor Carolyn talks about the importance of discharging all the duties of our ministry. She says that this means being faithful to the calling that God has given us. It means using our gifts and talents to serve others. It also means being a good witness for Jesus in the world.

Pastor Carolyn's sermon is a call to be faithful evangelists who are willing to endure hardship and discharge all the duties of our ministry. She reminds us that our ministry is not about us, but about Jesus. And she assures us that God is with us, and He will help us through all that we face.

Next Episode

The Priesthood of All Believers

In the 16th century, before the Reformation, only priests were allowed to read the Bible, and the general populace heard it in Latin, a language they didn't understand. The belief was that sins could only be forgiven through a priest's confession and absolution. At the time of death, a priest's presence was essential for the last rites. The medieval Catholic Church viewed priests as a higher, holier class of Christians, intermediaries between God and people. This perspective persists in modern Roman Catholic theology and is also found in many Protestant and non-denominational churches where pastors are highly revered.

Martin Luther, a priest himself, challenged this notion. His study of the New Testament revealed no evidence of a superior class within the church with exclusive rights to read scriptures or mediate God's presence. Luther emphasized that all Christians are priests by virtue of their baptism, faith, and the gospel.

In the Presbyterian Church, clergy are not referred to as priests because of the belief that every Christian is called to be a priest. Pastors have specific roles, but they are not inherently holier or superior. Everyone stands before God in the righteousness given through Jesus Christ. The New Testament, especially the book of Hebrews, emphasizes this, highlighting that all believers can enter heaven's most holy place because of Jesus' sacrifice.

The Old Testament had priests from the tribe of Levi who offered sacrifices for the people to maintain a right relationship with God. These sacrifices foreshadowed Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. The primary role of a priest was to bridge the gap between God and His people. The Latin term for priest, "Pontifex," means bridge builder.

In the New Covenant, there's no need for a special class of priests or temple sacrifices. The New Testament declares all Christians as priests. Every believer is called to be a bridge builder, bringing others into God's presence and being a channel of His grace and mercy. This calling is not limited to church settings but extends to homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and every interaction. The priesthood of all believers means that everyone has direct access to God and is also called to be a conduit of His grace and mercy to others.