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Pastor Tim's Blog

connecting faith with everyday life

The Power of Forgiveness (and unforgiveness)

10/27/2024

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The word of the day is "freedom."

Every election cycle seems to bring the fringes of freedom to the forefront. On one hand, we hear that we are losing our freedoms. Moments later, we discover new dimensions of our freedom. And then we hear stories about how freedom has been used and abused for personal gain and not to love and serve others.

I think we can all agree that to have freedom is to have power. And as Jesus' followers, we have the power to forgive.

Yes, forgiveness is a human choice. It is also the responsibility of Jesus' followers.

Here is why.

Pastor/Author Tim Keller shares that the modern definition of freedom is having complete human autonomy, and that's not a new idea. In John 8, people tell Jesus they are not slaves to anyone.

Truth… we do have the freedom to forgive. It's our choice… unless Jesus has a different definition of freedom (which He does).

Jesus says that freedom is not autonomy but rather doing things that free people get to do.

Jesus says that you only get free by obeying His teaching. If you are really my disciples, you will obey my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. And, if Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life - this is how we know the only wholly free person who has ever lived - Jesus Christ, by freely choosing to do what He says to do.

In a world that defines freedom as complete individualism, that sounds outrageous. But that's how freedom has always worked. Human beings have always been influenced, motivated, or driven (or enslaved) by someone or something.

For Jesus followers, we are free because we are loved and forgiven apart from what we do. Through Jesus, we are loved and forgiven by His free grace, forgiveness, and love. Period.

Why? So we can be free to give away the same grace, forgiveness, and love to people who are undeserving of it (that would be all of us).

Do you see how choosing to forgive others generously is a matter of our freedom to live more like Jesus? And if you have ever forgiven someone who knew they didn't deserve it, you know how powerful that can be for you and the recipient.

Which means there is also power in unforgiveness. But not in the way you may think.

We may assume that we are free to withhold forgiveness (which we are). By doing so, we unleash power over someone else for the wrong they have done to us. But the reality is that unforgiveness really unleashes power against ourselves. Instead of being influenced, motivated, or driven (or enslaved) by Jesus, we turn deeper into ourselves.

Unforgiveness is like a cancer that suffocates our soul. Our faith weakens because unforgiveness is another way we place ourselves on God's throne—the only one who can forgive sins. We look more and more to ourselves to justify or adjudicate the wrong or injustice we have experienced. And as if the cross was not enough, we choose to crucify ourselves (or others) for the sin that has already been forgiven.

The power of unforgiveness is real and powerful. It destroys us from the inside out.

The truth is that the only way out of unforgiveness is to see God as a loving parent who wants you—His forgiven child—home with Him again.

Have you experienced the power of forgiveness? If so, please drop me a note—I'd love to hear all about it.

If you are struggling with unforgiveness, know that you are not alone. Email me, and let's walk through it together.

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3 Unexpected Experiences at Communion

10/20/2024

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Pastor Matt shared this week that each of us desires a relationship marked by love, unity, sharing, and authentic connection.

It's difficult to admit when we don't have that kind of connection and experiencing it often surprises us.

It made me think about how communion reaffirms and reconnects us with Jesus’ love, unity, sharing, and authentic connection each time.

So, here are three unexpected experiences I have had at communion:

I become part of Jesus' life
When I participate in communion, I think about how the love of Jesus led Him to sacrifice His body and spirit to reconnect me to God. By trusting in this promise, I become part of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Jesus' body is broken for my brokenness, and His blood, which gives His body life, is emptied so I can be filled with His life. It is a personal affirmation and reconnection to His life.

This leaves me feeling empowered to do what God has given and called me to do with joy and confidence.

I am unified with generations before me
Communion is not just a here-and-now experience, but a forever experience. It reminds us that we are part of  millennia of people who were unified through Jesus and connected by His Spirit. This gives me a firm foundation in Jesus and a connectedness to generations who love Jesus.

This makes me feel humbled. I am part of a forever family rooted from the very beginning and extending into eternity.

I am connected to the people around me
Communion links unlikely people together in Jesus. It brings together individuals in humility, repentance, and forgiveness, creating a connectedness that the world craves but will never experience outside of Jesus.

This just makes me smile. I know that no matter what, we are bound together as God’s family by Jesus’ love, unity, sharing, and authentic connection for us. And that’s what matters both now and for eternity.

Communion is a way that God provides a relationship or personal connection marked by love, unity, sharing, and authentic connection.

Have you had an unexpected experience at communion? I'd love to hear about it.

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2 Reasons You Need the Church (and 1 Reason the Church Needs You)

10/10/2024

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Years ago, my friend Ross texted me, "I don't need a church to be a Christian."

I used to believe that, too.

As a young Christian, I focused on a personal relationship with Jesus, singing "Jesus and Me" songs and immersing myself in a hyper-individualistic culture. But I found myself spiritually stagnant and isolated.

Despite my efforts—reading the Bible, praying, and listening to worship music—I felt alone and frustrated.

My mentor asked when I last attended church. Realizing I needed community, I decided to give it a try. I found a church where I could worship, grow, and discover that faith isn't meant to be lived alone. It's a place where I belong, where we all belong.

Here are two reasons you need the church (and one reason your church needs you).

We need each other to keep growing.
God cares about our growth, and the church helps us focus on Jesus. Weekly confession, communion, and hearing God's Word remind us we're not alone. The church is there to support us, to encourage us to keep going, even when life is messy.

God's mission is a team effort.
The church embodies Jesus' presence and power, reaching out to others in love.
Last week, an older woman's son was working on rebuilding her deck. Last weekend, he got injured and couldn't complete it. A small group of guys heard about it and knocked it out on Saturday morning. This is the incredible power of the body of Jesus, the church, and it's God's heart and mission.
It's impossible to fulfill God's mission alone. Jesus said people would know God by our love for one another. The church is essential for participating in this mission.

Finally, here's why your church needs you.
Your presence, voice, and smile are not just important, they are vital. You might be the encouragement someone else needs. The church is a gift from God, and you are a precious part of it, helping us grow and reminding us we're loved beyond our understanding. Let's journey together, supporting each other as "the church", people united by faith in Jesus, together.

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3 Ways to Grow Your Faith (and 1 Way to Destroy It)

10/6/2024

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You want to grow in your faith. I haven't met anybody (yet) who says they do not want to grow in their faith.

Faith is what gets you through a tough day or season. Maturing faith is like an anchor for not only the rough days but also the good ones.

But here's the catch. Not all ways to grow your faith are healthy. In fact, I can think of some really terrible ways to increase your faith (and erode your soul). I'll share a common one at the end of this blog.

In the meantime, here are three sure (and faithful) ways to grow in your faith.

Listen to Jesus every day.

In Exodus 33, God speaks to Moses like a friend, and we learn in Hebrews 1 that God speaks to us today through His Son, Jesus. So, how can we listen to Jesus, given all the noise in our lives?

Open and read God's Word. Like the disciple John says, the Word becomes human and lives among us (John 1:14). So, whenever we read the written Word, we are also listening to Jesus.

If you already listen to Jesus by reading your Bible daily - great! Keep it up!

If you don't regularly read your Bible, you can start by downloading the Bible App. You can start by opening the app daily and reading the verse of the day.

If you're more interested in a physical Bible, read a Psalm a day or the Gospel of John (if you're into stories). You will be satisfied.

The wonderful thing about listening to Jesus every day is that after a while, you begin sounding more like Jesus when you talk. That's just the way God's Spirit works.

Talk with Jesus every day.

If God speaks to Moses (and us) like a friend, then Jesus wants nothing more than to hear from you, too.

I remember the story of Samuel, in which God speaks to him. Samuel doesn't recognize God's voice until his mentor, Eli, tells him to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Samuel then talks with God.

I think about how I share my day with my friends. I talk about what I did, what I ate, where I went, and how I felt. But beyond a summary of events, I ask my friends, "How did your day go?".

It's easy to talk a lot about myself regarding my prayers. Recently, I started asking Jesus questions in my prayers, like, "How is your day going?" "What do you think about the election?" "Where do I go with this challenge?" 

It's amazing how talking to God is a two-way experience. Some people see pictures when talking with Jesus, while others hear music. I have scripture verses that come to mind. And while that might be a human phenomenon, God can use sights, sounds, and His memorized Word to respond to our questions.

If you haven't tried asking God a question and waiting silently for a response, give it a go. Don't be bummed if you don't see, hear, or think of anything right away. Sometimes we need to learn to hear God speak. Recognizing God's voice when we talk with Him through prayer is something we learn to do over time.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start. You can start today by saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Thank God for everything, every day.

Everything is a gift. The Apostle Paul shares with people in Colossae that all things are made by God, for God (Colossians 1:16).

When I receive a gift, I say, "Thank you". My parents taught me to do that, and other adults reinforced that practice.

I remember in college realizing that everything I had was a gift from God. My Ford Temp, my bed, my time, my skills and abilities, my reasoning and intellect, my clothes, the food I ate, and even the $5.67 in my bank account… They were all gifts from God given to me by means of others (gifts or in exchange for my time and efforts).

At that moment, I began saying, "Thanks, God" throughout my day.

I often drive and encounter a gorgeous view of the mountain, and I say, "Thanks, God."

The posture of not only seeing everything as a gift and saying "thanks, God" in response has increased my faith and trust in God. My family and I have always had enough at just the right time. Sometimes, it resulted from the expected exchange of my time and talents. Other times, it was an unexpected gift.

When did you last say "thanks, God" for something? If you already do it, begin thanking God for something you haven't already thanked Him for (I'm positive there is something). 🙂

If you haven't really thanked God for something before or have done it in a general sense, consider starting small and saying, "Thanks for waking me up," "Thanks, God for being able to breathe this morning," or "Thanks, God for the water I just drank.".

There is so much to thank God for… and it prepares our hearts for the upcoming Thanksgiving season, too!

​So there you have —three sure (and faithful) ways to grow in the gift of faith God has given you: Listen to Jesus every day, talk to Jesus every day, and thank God for everything every day.


If you've read this far, you probably want to know the one sure way to destroy your faith…

Compare your faith with others.

The temptation is real.

You critique others from a distance based on what you see (which is usually about 1% of life). It's terribly unfair. And we are our own worst critics. The comparison game regarding faith (or really, anything else) is destructive. It erodes your sense of your God-given identity.

Instead, what would it look like to encourage each other in our faith journey? Some are near, others are far off - but through the cross, Jesus has connected Himself to all people near and far. So, let's not tear each other down (even in the silence of our minds). We all suffer when one part of the body of Christ hurts.

Usually, the comparison is rooted in insecurity or pride. Either way, when we remember being baptized into Jesus' journey of faith and life by God's grace, our confidence rises, and our pride is drowned.

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    ​Pastor Tim

    Meet Pastor Tim

    Tim Bayer has served as Our Savior's Lead Pastor since September 2019. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Concordia University - Irvine, a National Leadership Facilitator and Resource, and with the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

    Tim studied sociology, psychology, and theology prior to earning his M.Div at Concordia Seminary - St. Louis. He also is a candidate for an Ed.D (ABD) in Transformational Leadership.

    He is married to Beth and they have three children. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors, experiencing culture, and pizza and movie nights.

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