David Bahn - Reflections David Bahn

Gathering with other believers for worship and the Lord's Supper is a blessing too easily and often ignored by Christians today. Too often we treat gathering for public worship to be an add-on to life, rather than a springboard of grace into the week ahead. Covid certainly put a dent in people's appreciation and practice of public worship and sacrament. But it is not only a mystery and miracle. It is a treasure not to be despised or abandoned.

Injury by friendly fire is a casualty of war. But friendly fire that isn’t really so friendly is so very sad. Wounds of a friend can be trusted. Let’s do all we can to wound others only for their good, only when absolutely necessary, and only with the kindest heart. Correcting and disciplining a brother or sister must be done gently, as Paul counsels so graciously in Galatians 6:1, “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” The temptation would be to self-righteousness and pride. The goal is always to win the brother or sister in Christ, and restore her or him to fellowship and faithfulness.

That’s not friendly fire, that’s friendly faithfulness.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well it takes a team - the body of Christ - to propel God's mission. You may think of someone who has helped you along the path of faith active in love. Thank God for them. Do it now.

Falling asleep in church isn't the most grave danger. I've done it a couple times in years gone by. Nor is falling out the window - embarrassing as that might be. The greatest danger is being asleep to the word of God, trading the truth of God's word comfort of the pillow, and remaining unaware of God's presence in our lives - in a church service, or a Tuesday afternoon commute.

Luke records that Gaius and Aristarchus accompany Paul as he continues his mission. They are listed in Acts 20:1-6 along with Timothy and others in that journey. He is listed in Romans 16:23 as a gracious host to Paul. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:14 that Gaius was one of the people he baptized. In 3 John 1:1, a man named Gaius is mentioned as a beloved brother in Christ. But the name was apparently common in those days it is not widely believed that these are the same persons. 

According to ChatGPT, Aristarchus is portrayed as a steadfast and loyal associate of Paul, playing a significant role in the early Christian movement. His repeated presence alongside Paul in various challenging situations underscores his commitment to the spread of Christianity and his support for Paul’s ministry. He is mentioned here as well as in Acts 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10 (where he is listed as a fellow prisoner with Paul), and Philemon 1:24.

When the city clerk quieted the crowd it ultimately aided the mission of God. Paul was not caught up in the mob. He would make his way to Jerusalem, and on to Rome eventually. But when the crowd was not silenced, and the people continued to shout, "Crucify," it also aided the mission of God! Jesus' crucifixion was part and parcel of God's plan for our salvation. This is akin to Luther's thought, The devil is always God's devil. God limits the power and reach of Satan. So, we could say, the mob is always God's mob. Sometimes they will be quieted, sometimes not.