From our Pastor
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Looking For God
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 20:27-40 November 10/11, 2007
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Did you hear about that man that was looking all over for his glasses and just couldn’t find them, until someone suggested he look in the mirror? It seems everyone is searching for something. Some are looking for love. Some are looking for peace and rest. Some people search for happiness, others for meaning and purpose in life. And some just want to find a really good restaurant. Seriously, there are many people who looking… for God.
Some of those looking for God are doing a really poor job of it. It reminds me of that song that has the refrain “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Well there are a lot of people who are looking for God in all the wrong places. Some think they’ll find God by finding enjoyment. These are the people whose god is entertainment. Just look to see what you spend your money on most, and you’ll see what’s important to you. Do you spend your money on entertainment and things related to entertainment? Is your god sports? Is that where your time and money go? Some people search for God in things, having nice things whether that be electronics, or clothes, or cars or homes, or… on and on it goes. Don’t imagine that’s where you’ll find God.
Some look for God in false religions. They seek to find God in astrology, or in some Eastern religion, or (this has really become popular) there are people who look for God in their own personal designer religion. Take a little from Buddhism, a little from Mormonism, a little from mysticism, a little from Christianity, throw in a little Islam and make a religion that fits you, that fits your lifestyle, as if you could make God the way you want him to be! You won’t find God that way.
Then there were the people who were looking for God and were worried that they had already missed him. St. Paul was trying to reassure the Thessalonians when he said “ Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. (2 Thess. 2:1, 2) Can you imagine people who are upset, thinking they’ve missed out on Jesus’ coming? Paul assures them it has not happened. It won’t happen until the man of sin, the man of destruction is revealed and destroyed. Don’t be all shook up, says Paul. Don’t be listening to the false reports that Jesus has already come and you’ve missed him. That just isn’t true.
So where are the right places to be looking for God? Can you see God in nature? Of course God is the creator of nature. You see the beauty God designed in a rainbow. I was amazed to see a tree raining when I walked here Wednesday morning. The leaves were pouring down from one tree after another. It’s fascinating to observe God’s creation. In the Spring, watch those trees bud and flower and put forth leaves: life from the dead. You can see God’s hand in the mountains, and the rivers and lakes and in the rows of corn. We don’t want to get off base with nature and worship nature. Nature is God’s handiwork. It’s not God. But you can see God’s hand in nature.
If you’re looking for God, look among the living. Jesus makes the point that God is the God of the living. Do you remember the Easter account? Jesus has died, and the women go to the tomb to prepare his body with spices. They don’t find his body, but they do find an angel. And the angel says, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" He’s not here. He has arisen, just like he told you he would. Look for Jesus among the living. See him in the people he has made alive. See Jesus living in the people around you as they demonstrate the Savior’s love. See Jesus in the people whose souls are alive by faith, who talk about and demonstrate the love of the Lord.
Another place you could look for Jesus would be in the clouds. Watch for him to come again to earth. But don’t strain your eyes. Don’t put your neck out of joint because you’re always looking up. You don’t really have to worry about catching a glimpse of Jesus when he comes again. You won’t be able to miss him. You’ll see him. Because the Bible tells us that all eyes will see him when he comes again.
As a matter of fact, God is searching for you! Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. He’s looking for you, even when you’re not looking for him. We read about Moses this morning. Moses wasn’t searching for God. He was looking for pasture for his flock. Then God showed up. He piqued Moses’ curiosity over to a bush that was burning, but would not burn out. If you’ll be looking for him, you’ll see God everyday in all sorts of ways. God shows up every day. Each time you sit down to a meal, there again God has provided for you. Every time you come home, once again God has provided shelter for you. Thank him for your health. See God forgiving you day by day as you turn to him. See God loving you, and caring for all your needs. If you seek him, you’ll find him. Know that he’s looking for you, too.
“We ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers, dearly loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through faith in the truth.” (13) Every time you remember that you believe, remember who gave you that faith. Remember who saved you. You’ll clearly see God. “He called you to this through our Gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (14)
Now after all that God has done for us, and how he has shown himself to us, don’t you think it makes sense that we would see to it that God is seen in us? Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is that God would encourage their hearts and strengthen them in ever good work and word. (17) May God strengthen you to do every good work and word that he gives you opportunity to do. May people see God in you through your love, through your words as you tell about Jesus.
Don’t be looking for God in all the wrong places. Look for God in his word, in his world, in his people. And by all means, let God be seen in you.
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MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
2001 N. Alpine Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
815-399-3171
Pastor Ken Krause: kkrause@mtolivelutheran.com