Romans 8:26-39: Overcoming My Moments of Pique

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

God will get us there. There are many possible objections to our making it to be with the Father. Our prayers are too weak or misdirected. We are full of wrong motives. We aren't smart enough. We have too many strikes against us. Our obstacles are too big. Our enemies are too strong. Our future is too short to pull it off. Our life is too short to accomplish anything. Someone else has priority over us. This chapter starts with one reason ("Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.") and concludes with a laundry list of objections to our making it to be with the God who loves us--"trouble", "hardship", "persecution", "famine", "nakedness", "danger", "sword", "death", "life", "angels", "demons", "the present", "the future", "powers", "height", "depth" and in case we missed something--"all creation". 

But here it says: toss all that out the window. God wants us to be there, we will get there. But do we want it bad enough to toss out the other things we cling to. The list in this chapter doesn't look too inviting, but Paul is saying that's what we would rather hold onto rather than making Christ. It seems simple, but I can testify that I often choose the lesser happiness of being right or looking good or being self-sufficient rather than the assurance of God getting me through to be with him. Thank God he can overcome even my moments of pique and settling for less and get me to him.

Romans 8:26-39: Caring Through Disagreement

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:26-39

The worst sort of accusation is the charge of doing the right thing-when the right thing for the right reasons looks wrong. There are people who are advantaged by the fact that you look wrong. There are people who never look deeper than the appearances and make a snap judgment from which you must dig your way out. I remember when we had to dismiss someone from their very public role, I received notes and phone calls and was pulled aside for private chastisement. Because of the situation, I couldn't defend myself and it was hurtful when people who I thought of as friends and people I respected could not take, "Trust us, it is the right decision, but I can't tell you more." as an answer.

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things?" There is a point where you can do nothing and say nothing and must trust God when he says the same sort of things to me: "Trust me, it is the right decision, but I can't tell you more." Ultimately, God is the judge who will see through all  secrets. But trusting that is tough. 

The one thing I recognize now is that I did not add caring into my response. In these verses, God is careful to tell us "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Trust is difficult if you don't really know how someone cares about you and in my situations before, my disagreements with people led me to withhold caring. But if I am to follow Jesus, care must extend through any disagreement.

Romans 8:12-25: Am I A Credit to My Family

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  - Romans 8:12-25

Sometimes we who work for a salary are termed wage slaves. We may or may not be able to switch employers, but we still need to work for someone--an employer or a customer-because we need what they can provide. We give up some of our freedom and our strength in exchange for tokens (money) that someone else will accept in exchange for gods that we need or want. 

The world of the New Testament was built on many types of relationships: slave, master, freedman, citizen, foreigner, beggar. But each of these relationships was ultimately transactional: you do something for them and they will do something for you. Slaves gave up their freedom or had their freedom taken from and received livelihood at the discretion of their masters. 

But there was another type of relationship-the familial relationship-that was not transactional. In its ideal form, the parents poured into the children, not expecting a return other than gratitude at the relationship. God didn't give his Spirit to gain something from us-toe put us in debt (the usual way people entered slavery initially in Roman times). Paul says, "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you have to live in fear again." No, the gift of the Spirit moved us away from that transactional model of relationships by making us sons, "...rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship...Now if we are children then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." From the market place, we transition the family. 

When I reimagine my relationship with God the Father and God the Son in these terms, it is a great freedom and a great obligation. Family is not transactional, but it does come with responsibility: our actions are no longer just our own, but reflect on the rest of the family-one the parents, the siblings. Yes, they love us but they can be hurt when we don't. Will I love the Father and my brother Jesus in equal measure with how they love me? Not to gain credits that I can spend. But to love them.

Romans 8:6-11: One Person, Two Kingdoms

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. - Romans 8:6-11

I think that a great deal of tension arises in Christians because they are one person living in two different kingdoms. There are two loyalties: one to the devil and one to Christ. Each loyalty has a claim on us: one was our boss since birth, where we are led by our desires to sin, selfishness and death. The other is our boss since choosing Christ, where we are led by our desires to follow Christ. 

The kingdom of the devil has its own systems of reward based on self-centeredness. Manipulating those very desires to advance ourselves, the devil tricks us into thinking we are securing our own kingdom while we are, in fact, building his. Part of this manipulation is to hide the fact that the end result of this kind of living is death.

The kingdom of Christ also has its own system of reward based on Christ-centeredness. Teaching us that the desires for God himself, rather than our own advancement, are the source of "life and peace" 

Because one of these kingdom has been with us since our beginning, it is our default allegiance. Changing that allegiance in our daily lives is a continual series of choices away from self-interest to God interest. Fortunately, God provides his own spirit to counteract the 'default' allegiance and lead us away from death into life. But wanting to choose God because of God rather than for a way of extending and enhancing our own kingdom is tricky business that requires actually trusting God to take care of all of the things that would normally worry us. Today I prayed that God would use his superior knowledge to make things go the way he wants them and show me how he wants me to participate, even if it weakens my personal kingdom. That is my pledge of allegiance.

Romans 8:1-11: The Mind Governed By the Spirit is Life and Peace

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. - Romans 8:1-11

There are three problems: we are condemned because we fail to meet the righteous requirements of the law, we are in debt because we cannot pay for the sin that resulted from that and we are decaying and dying because of the death that result from that sin.

But Jesus could meet the requirements of the law. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matt. 5;17) 

But Jesus could pay the debt of sin for us as the sin offering. If we are "in Christ" then his payment for sin is also our payment for sin.  

But Jesus could give life and escape death. If we are "in Christ" then we share his Spirit dwells in us and the Spirit will outlast the decay and death of our body.  "...if the Spirit ... is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies."  

Paul says, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." I feel that I am of two minds and each moment I get to choose under whose governing I am living. Jesus made a new mind possible and a new life possible. Why do I live in fear that I am still condemned and in chaos.

Romans 8:18-25: Each Gap, Each Groaning Is A Signal Fire For Hope

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:18-25

Suffering is meant to teach us. First, it teaches that we have something in common with everything else. We are frustrated and the whole world is frustrated. It isn't working the way it should be. We aren't working the way we should be.  Things aren't going the way they should be going. We can watch things happen and we have an innate sense about what ought to happen. But it doesn't-and we are frustrated. That is true of the world and it is true of our inner selves and even our own paths. We try hard and it fails, or we don't exert full effort and it still succeeds. We want to discipline ourselves but we still do-again and again-what we wish we didn't do. But Paul says that this frustration is pointing us forward to the day when we are liberated from "bondage to decay" and brought into the freedom and glory of children of God.

Why does God do this to us? To me? To teach us how to hope. If everything just worked out all right. then we would never learn the key lesson that we are dependent on God. We would just assume that everything would work out as it ought just as a part of the way the universe worked and never look up to the God who created that universe. So when things don't work out right, we "groan inwardly" and "eagerly await"-the two sides of the coin that is hope. 

It teaches us a second lesson: patience. There is a gap between the mess that we and the world are in and the resolution the mess and we don't know how big that gap is. The not knowing, along with the gap, is the training ground for patience.

Each gap, each groaning- they are signal fires to draw our focus to hope in God's goodness.

Communion Liturgy: Rejoice

Communion Liturgy: Rejoice In The Lord

Leader: The Lord is with you. 

All: And also with you. 

Leader: Lift up your hearts. 

All: We lift them up to the Lord. 

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

All: It is right to give him thanks and praise. 

Leader 1: Lord Almighty, our king and our God. Today, our souls yearn, even faint for your presence. And even if our lips will not form the words, our hearts and our flesh will cry out for the living God.  The trees of the field clap their hands to applaud you. The mountain and hills burst forth in song to praise you.  The flowers of the field raise their blossoms in exaltation. The birds of the field soar and dive in pure joy in your presence. Some days, we who are your people are strangely silent. But today is not that day. We will rejoice! Hallelujah.  

Lord, your life pours into us and overflows to us. Like rain in the summer heat, you refresh us for the journey-a journey with your presence as its destination. Your nearness is our good. We are blessed to come close to you. We will rejoice! Hallelujah!

Therefore, we join our voices with the angels and all of creation and with all those you have redeemed from every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

All:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Faithful, Good and Worthy. Full of Grace and Truth.

Blessed be Your Name, Mighty God.

Leader 2: You are holy, O God of majesty and blessed is Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.  At this table we celebrate that first Communion where Jesus said to his disciples, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”  Your eager desire for unhindered fellowship with your disciples, which Jesus demonstrated on the cross, is unchanged. We are handfuls among billions in your care, yet you are mindful of us. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all and, along with him, graciously give us all things!  How incredible to think that your love moves you so much! We rejoice. Hallelujah!

Leader 1: On the night Jesus was betrayed, arrested and sentenced to death, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: "Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you."

Leader 2: When supper was over, he took the cup, and after giving thanks, gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take this and drink it; for this cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you and many, for the forgiveness of sins."  

As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we do proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again. May our lives be resurrection-lives, always proclaiming the mystery of our faith:

All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

Leader 1: We rejoice. Hallelujah. Amen. 

Call to Worship: What More Could God Give? (Romans 8:31-37)

Call to Worship: What More Could God Give? 

L: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

C: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all

L: How will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?

C: It is God who justifies.

L: Who then is the one who condemns?

C: No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

L: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

C: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Call to Worship: The Mind of the Lord (Romans 11:33-36)

The Mind of the Lord (Romans 11:33-36)

L: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

C: How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

L: “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”

C: “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”

L: For from him and through him and for him are all things. 

A: To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Good Friday 2015

This was first used as a series of devotions for Good Friday at Cornerstone Christian Church, April 3, 2015. Each devotion corresponded to a location on the church property. The response card mentioned can be found at the end. The locations were the Mount of Olives, The High Priest's Courtyard, Pilate's Courtyard, The Road to Golgotha and Golgotha

Station #1: The Mount Of Olives

During our short walk, we will visit six stations that represent six scenes from the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life. At each station, we will read a small section from the records of Jesus’ life, and think about the impact of that 24 hour journey towards the cross. We have a chance to come clean with God about the rust that has accumulated from this life, and claim the renovated life He offers. Let us pray.

We come first the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his disciples have just eaten the Passover meal together. Two unexpected things happened: Jesus was more open with them than he had ever been and Jesus had just told them that he was leaving. Luke’s biography of Jesus records what happened next:

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-26)

The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way like we are tempted. Here we see it. There was alternative narrative—another plan--one where Jesus became king without the agony of the cross, the humiliation before his people, the betrayal and desertion of his friends and the blackness of the world’s sin. So compelling was this narrative that the devil used it to tempt Jesus—so forceful that Jesus was in anguish—so intense that he sweat blood. Asking for any alternative within the Father’s will, he nonetheless returned to this simple phrase “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Not my will. Not my agenda. Not my plan. Not my dreams. But your agenda. But your plan. But your dream, oh God. Jesus taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Spent any time dreaming this week? For your career, for your kids, for your friends, for your security, for your ministry, for your health? Was there ever a time when you have to give up what you really wanted in order to do the right thing? Write that down on your response card.  

God has a bigger dream for us, but we cannot always welcome it when our hands are full of our own dreams. Perhaps less prominent, less visible, less secure, less comfortable, or less respected—but ultimately bigger, more impactful, more joyful and more satisfying.

If you are able, will you kneel with me here to pray? If you cannot kneel, place your heart in an attitude of kneeling before God. Now, life your closed hands toward heaven. Let us pray (as they pray to open their hands to let go of their dreams, and welcome of the aspirations and dreams of God)

Station #2: The High Priest's Courtyard

We are standing now in the High Priest’s Courtyard. Witnesses after witness, come following Jesus’ nighttime arrest to give their conflicting testimony to the chief priests and temple officials. Nearby, another crowd of servants and temple guards gather around a fire to warm themselves. Peter, Jesus’ disciple, mingles anonymously nearby. Luke’s biography of Jesus records the scene:

Then seizing him [Jesus], they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 

But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter’s dreams and aspirations were built around Jesus. Not the actual Jesus. Not the arrested and condemned Jesus. Not the suffering servant, love-thine-enemy Jesus. No, his plans were built around the successful Jesus, the conquering, kick-Roman-butt, iconoclastic, king Jesus. Now, miserable, he came to this courtyard to see what would happen. Knowing Jesus was a sort of liability. As in, he was liable to get arrested himself.

Jesus is an uncomfortable word in our vocabulary. Not because we don’t know who he is, or what he has done. We are free enough within our circle of the friends of Jesus. But, like Peter, we worry how the stigma of his name will carry over to us. Are we weird? Are we pushy? Are we negative? What will people think if they know we are with Jesus? So we mutter our prayers, muffle our thanks and mumble about the source of our strength and guidance. Jesus is a Sunday word, or a swear word, but not the name of a friend mentioned in polite company.

On your card, list one scene in your life, where it was tough to talk about Jesus, even though you knew you should. You were unnaturally quiet about Jesus. Work? Friends? Family? School or after school? Clubs?

Pray (ask them to join you in saying the name Jesus).

Station #3: Pilate's Courtyard

We’re standing in Pilate’s courtyard. While the chief priests could convict Jesus of all sorts of trumped-up charges, only Pilate, the Roman governor, could authorize the death sentence. I’m going to read a portion of Matthew’s biography of Jesus that records the scene, but I need your help. When I come to a certain point in the story, I will raise up my left hand, and you should shout out “Barabbas” and when I raise up my left hand, you should shout out, “Crucify him.” Let’s practice that. etc.

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Are we innocent? The funny thing is, everyone in this scene knew one truth: Jesus was innocent. Pilate knew it. The chief priests knew it. The crowd was led away from it. The guards didn’t care. Even Pilate’s wife knew it. But somehow, at the end, despite that innocence, Jesus is led away to be crucified.  Why?

Because they settled. The priests should be the point people for God, but settled for staying atop the garbage heap religiously by pushing Jesus down. Pilate should be governing with an even hand, but he settled for the upper hand by sticking it to the priests. The crowds had been shouting for Jesus Messiah “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” just the day before, and now they settled for Barabbas. The guards, well, they were bored and, when you don’t believe in anything yourself, you settle for making fun of those who do believe. Jesus was standing right in front of them! But they settled.

Have you settled? Maybe you once were excited about the future, maybe excited about where God was going, maybe excited about this new life of faith in Jesus. The truth burned within you. But then something happened, maybe you couldn’t see how it was going to work out, maybe you got in a relational cold war, maybe you felt threatened, or just tired and burnt out and so you backed off. You settled.

Settling traps you, but:

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

God has shown you great things, but think of one area where you’ve settled, where you knew what was really true, but did nothing about it and settled. Then pray with me. 

Station #4: The Road to Golgotha

We are following the road from the governor’s palace, out of the city of Jerusalem, towards the place of execution, Golgotha, perhaps a mile away. We read in Luke’s biography of Jesus these words.

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. (Luke 23:11-12)

This is the second time during these last 24 hours that Jesus’ physical strength has failed him. First, it was in Gethsemane when he prayed. Angels came while his disciples slept. Simon Peter has denied Jesus and fled, but now the Roman soldiers escorting Jesus conscript Simon, a spectator, an outsider to carry what was probably the cross-beam, weighing as much as 100 pounds. 

Jesus’ mission was uniquely his own, but it was not his to do alone. When other disciples fell away, others were found to walk behind Jesus.  Why wasn’t Jesus strong enough? Why weren’t more angels dispatched? It was to leave a gap, so that Simon could be a participant in God’s plan, rather than just a spectator. Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

God has left a gap; left something undone—not because he couldn’t arrange to do it for himself, but because he want us to participate, not spectate. Maybe someone else should have done it or could have done it. Not because it is natural or a good fit or convenient for you or me. But because we want so desperately to go where Jesus goes. Will you take up Jesus’ burden and follow after him? He said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Has God left a gap for you-for you to participate? On your response card, list one area where God has left something for you, but it would require a big change. Then, pray with me. 

Station #5: The Cross

Now we come to Golgotha, the place of the skull. Jesus is stripped naked, his arms stretched out and nailed to the crossbeam, the crossbeam lifted and attached to the upright, his legs bent slightly and nailed to the post. Luke records it this way:

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:33-34, 44-46)

Why did Jesus go there? Why the cross?

Each of us carries secrets. Memories of things we’d rather forget. Helping hands withheld. Words that we should not have spoken. Things we wish we’d never done.  Thoughts that we can’t unthink. We like to think better of ourselves, but our secrets would tell a different, shameful story. 

That’s why the cross. Jesus knows those secrets. He took the shame, the humiliation, the punishment you deserved for your secrets on that cross.  The Bible says:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

No one can say, “Not good enough” or “Used up” or “Damaged” When we trust him, those secrets no longer control today or tomorrow or forever. The Bible says:

He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13b-14)

Maybe you have secrets. Never shared. Will you let God take the shame from you? Write a word on your card, fold that card in half, and with the other words you’ve written this evening, take a nail, take the hammer and agree with God by nailing it to the cross. Take the freedom he offers through that forgiveness.

Response Card
The boxes were for stamps that were present at each station for people to record their progress. They were originally meant for children, but proved as popular with adults.

Ephesians 1:8: Grace Lavished

If you're going to give, go over the top. Yes, they could get by with X and be happy. But why not go the extra mile and give them X + 1 and let them rejoice exceedingly, abundantly (see Matt. 5:40-42)? This isn't about money or stuff. It is about helping and loving, with everything that entails.

Why are we such stingy givers? Here are three reasons I have found in my own life:

First, we gauge our gift based on the perceived worthiness of the recipient. They don't need it. They will waste it or misuse it. There are others who need it more. Even in church (see James 2:2-4). But God doesn't act that way towards us. "Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?" (Rom. 8:32) I want my love to look more like grace, not like a transaction based on return-on-investment.

Second, we don't get appreciated for our gift. We do the right thing but no one-including God-seems to notice. We resort to subtle reminders to let others and God know what we've done. No need for trumpets  (Matt. 6:2) when the off-hand comment and self-deprecating remark will do the trick. Down that path is resentment and disappointment. Rick Warren commented, "What you get out of service is joy. You don’t get approval. God approves of you, but it’s not because of what you do. He approves of you because of what Christ did for you already. That’s grace."[1] I want my love to look more like grace, not a barter economy.

Third, we need to ration our giving. We might run out. If I give too much here, there won't be enough there. But this isn't a limited grace universe.  Paul comments, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." We live like the impoverished when, in fact, we have access to God's inexhaustible resources of hope and power. I want to give like I am rich in God's grace.

His grace is lavished upon us. Lavish it on others:



[1] Is Legalism Killing Your Ministry, Rick Warren, http://pastors.com/legalism-in-ministry/, retrieved on 26 February 2015

Romans 8:15-17: The Cast of Characters Called "Father"

"In the absence of a real father, I had a cast of characters that were at times hilarious, pitiful, perfect, kind and wise." - Donald Miller, Father Fiction, p. 5

How many of those I care about grew into adulthood without a father in the house? Several. The stories are different, but the emotions are similar. Many of those struggle themselves in their relationships, priming the cycle to repeat. It also makes it difficult to understand our relationship with God the Father, forcing us to rely on other analogies and descriptions. Consider Paul's powerful call to spiritual freedom in his letter to the Romans:

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. - Romans 8:15-17

When Jesus purchased us from sin and death, where we were slaves,  he did not merely make us slaves again under a new, more benevolent regime. Rather he adopted us as children and co-heirs of the vast privilege conferred upon Jesus.

But is that a good thing? For those whose experience within families has been generally positive, it may be hard to even understand this question. "Of course its a good thing!" But for those whose relationship with parents has been painful, confusing or absent the idea of placing God into the Father role may not seem so appealing.

In fact, the slave role may seem simpler and less emotionally risky. Commands are given on one hand and carried out on the other. I don't have to like the Master, I just have to obey the Master. Do what He wants, no one gets hurt, I pay a well-defined cost resulting in well-defined benefits, and my emotions are my own.

The role of Father (or, worse, Abba or Daddy!) carries with it the expectation that I should love God, that I should feel something for God, that I should long to be near him. Uncertain about fathers in general, some might wonder whether they want to slot God into that role in their lives.

There is fear there. Fear of putting any person or institution or idea into such a powerful role within our lives. We try to protect ourselves by never filling that vacancy, never ceding authority or emotional significance to a "Father". But we have to recognize it for what it is: fear. Fear of what God might do, what disappointment he might inflict, what foolishness he might get us into.

It is exactly the role of Father that casts this fear out. Not the type of father we might have experienced or which we might still dread, but the type of father we were designed to be in relationship with. For those of us with a less-than-perfect family landscape, it is unfamiliar territory but the journey through that territory is one worth making.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

Romans 8:28-39: Love Conquers All

Love Conquers All

(Romans 8:28-39)

Introduction (vs. 28-30)

What is heaven like? (wait for response)

Why would God mess up his heaven with us? (love)

So what’s he going to do about it? Can he do anything about it?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The genius of God is his ability to take the worst situations and repurpose them for good. He does do it. He is doing it. For those who love him.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Before you and I were born, before the Earth began, before we were even able to love Him, God was planning to love us. That’s what “predestined” refers to—God’s unchanging plan to love you and me.  God wants to be in a loving relationship with us.

God’s love leads to his desire to be close to him. He works for the good of those “who have been called.” “…those he predestined, he also called.” God wants us to be close to him, so he calls.

But now we come to that problem again: If heaven were populated with us, the way we are now, it would not be heaven. We would drag heaven down. Do you honestly think that progress has or ever will fundamentally change the problems we have, human to human? Do you think that putting us in a perfect place, with no wants or worries, would eliminate hatred, hurt, jealously, selfishness? Wait, that’s been tried before, in a place called Eden.

Nonetheless, God’s love will not be blocked. God’s plan is not primarily about getting us to heaven—God’s plan is about making us fit for heaven so that we don’t ruin it. Look at what it says: “…he also predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” He doesn't just want to be your God. He wants to be your family. By every means at His disposal, he is changing you to be like your kuya (elder brother) Jesus. God wants us to be like Jesus. Heaven is the family reunion. Almighty God is using every resource He has to bring you into His family. God wants us to be family to him.  And here’s the crazy part: God made you part of His family before you acted like someone who should be a part of his family, with the full confidence that you will grow up to be just like Jesus. 

Looking around this room and looking the mirror, God’s view seems just a bit naive. I mean, just look at us. You know at the wedding, when the pastor or priest asks “if anyone knows of any reason why this man and this woman should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold you peace.”? When you say God loves you and you love God, someone is bound to raise their hand and say, “Excuse me, I have a few objections.” What are those objections?

• Opposition. You are not strong enough.
• Accusation. You are not good enough. 
• Labels. You are hopeless. 
• Separation. You are too weak.

The Opposition Says: You Are Not Strong Enough (vs. 31, 32)

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

God loves us. God calls us. We make the first step. Then there’s the backlash. Then there’s the fallout. We have built up a lifetime of habits that reinforce the cycle of trying, hope and then disappointment. Our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues, our communities have built up a comfortable relationship with those habits.   Those habits, those patterns, those friends, those supports threaten to fall away. Fear speaks to us and says: you won’t make it.

When we start to move in response to God’s call on us, we find that the pattern of our life fights against us. This is the opposition.

God’s love says: You are weak, but I am strong enough for both of us.

The Accusation Says: You Are Not Good Enough. (vs.33)

Be honest:  have you ever seen your kids do something embarrassing, and turned to your spouse and said: “Anak mo iyan.” (that’s your kid!) Or have you ever seen your parents do something embarassing and turned to your siblings and said, “Kamaganak ba namin?” (are we related to them?)

As God changes us, making us like his son Jesus, there are failures. Not just mistakes. Failures. Not just set backs. Failures. Then there rises up the accuser say: if you were really the son or daughter of God, like you claim, you would never act like that, or think that or fail like that. Do you think Jesus would approve? Paul writes:

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

There was a story about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes novels, in the Washington Post many years ago.

"I heard Dr. Conan Doyle tell a good story during a trip I made to London last winter," said George D. Aldrich at the Arlington last night. "He said that at a dinner party he had attended the guests began discussing the daily discoveries made to the detriment of people occupying high stations in life and enjoying the confidence of the business world. Dr. Doyle said that it had always been his opinion that there was a skeleton in the closet of every man who had reached the age of forty. This led to a lot of discussion, some of the guests resenting the idea that there was no one who had not in his past something that were better concealed. As a result of the controversy, Dr. Doyle said, it was suggested that his views as to family skeletons be put to the test. The diners selected a man of their acquaintance whom all knew only as an upright Christian gentleman, whose word was accepted as quickly as his bond and who stood with the highest in every respect. 'We wrote a telegram saying 'All is discovered; flee at once" to this pillar of society,' said Dr. Doyle, 'and sent it. He disappeared the next day and has never been heard from since.'"[1]

God does not accept any accusation against us, because he has already changed our status from guilty to acquitted. There is no secret that will be uncovered and no accusation so shocking that it will change God’s mind because he knows it but has chosen to not hold it against us.

God’s love says: You are good enough, because I say so. Nothing will ever make me love you more. Nothing will ever make me love you less. You are family

The Labels Say: You Are Hopeless (vs. 34)

You will always be like that. The gavel comes down…bang! You don’t have to wear an orange jumpsuit. You now wear a label, whether official or unofficial, and it changes the way people treat you.  That label defines who you are.

Perhaps you struggled with finances, your spending was out of control, and then, too soon, the debt is compounding with interest and penalties and you have no hope. Creditors are calling you. No one lends you money. You are labeled a bad investment. That’s what you expect people to see.

Perhaps your relationship just gets worse and worse. You said things. He said things. Angry words. Mean words. Hurtful words. Now every conversation seem to push the same buttons and ends in a fight. You are labeled a failed marriage. That’s what you expect people to see.

It doesn’t take a judge to give you a label. We carry around a whole jury box in our heads, filled with voices who tell us: You are a _____ (you fill in the blank). Talagang ganiyan ka. Maybe it’s your parents. Maybe it is those teachers. Maybe it was those kids at school. They have pronounced judgment. Addict. Alcoholic. Liar. Betrayer. Mean. Failure. Loser.  And very often they are right. If you had a journal from where you listed out your struggles, would the entries today be similar to those 10 years ago? We can feel hopeless.

But Paul writes a different story:

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

The voices around us tell us: you will always be like this.  What you are is what you will always be. You can’t escape your situation in life and you can’t escape your own bad habits.  That is what the world promises. Paul notes that Jesus died. Like everyone else. But then something strange happened. They went to the grave of Jesus on the third day and there was no dead body, because he broke the pattern of death and established a new precedent—he was raised to life. He pioneered something new.

You are not stuck with the label. That’s what Paul says: “Who then is the one who condemns?” Who judges, who assigns labels? Jesus has a new label for those who trust him—not a label of failure or disappointment or misfortune—no, the title he has given you is: son or daughter of the Most High God.

Now live like it. Are you struggling to make a name for yourself? Or are you rejoicing in the name Jesus has given us?

Those other failures? Yes, they are things you did, but they are not who you are, because Jesus is interceding for us.  

        So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

--Forgiveness Interlude--

How can he do this? Sure, he wasn’t condemned because he was the perfect man. But he wasn’t just the perfect man, he is also the perfect God. This is important, because we are condemned to feel the results of the curse—death and failure—because we have offended God—hurt him. But God forgave our sin when Jesus took the pain upon himself. How?

When one person forgives another, it does not mean that there is no hurt and pain. It does not mean that it goes away or is forgotten. Rather, when one person forgives another, they take—carry--the hurt on themselves instead of requiring that the one who hurt them pay the penalty. Jesus’s suffering on the cross was the visible and tangible effect of God forgiving us. To forgive us, he took the pain on himself rather than requiring we pay ourselves.

--Forgiveness Interlude--

God’s love says: You are not hopeless, because you are who I say you are.

The Separation Says: You Are Too Weak (vs. 35-37)

Can I still have a meaningful life for God, with all of the bad things that have happened? We have wasted so much time with problems, so much energy with sickness and paying the rent, that there seems that there is nothing left for a relationship with God.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Rick Hoyt Illustration

When Rick Hoyt was born, the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, cutting off oxygen to his brain.  He also had celebral palsy, meaning he can't control most of his movements.  The doctors told his parents to put him in an institution, because he would never walk, never write, never talk --they said he'd pretty much be "a vegetable" all his life.

His parents refused.  As he grew a bit older, they thought they detected intelligence in his eyes.  They sent him to public school.  When he was 11, they took him to Tufts University and asked some engineers there if there was a way to help him communicate.  The engineers didn't want to waste their time, so they asked for proof of his intelligence.  Dick said, "Tell him a joke," They did, and he laughed!  They built him a machine that let him type by tapping a stick with his head.

[1]

When Rick was in high school, a classmate of his was paralyzed in an accident.  The family couldn't afford the medical bills, so the school organized a 5-mile race to raise money.  Rick typed out "Dad, I want to do that."  At the time, his father, Dick was in pretty bad shape.  He pushed Rick in his wheelchair for the 5 miles, but he was sore for the next two weeks.  But at the end of the race, Rick typed out "Dad, when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"

That sentence changed their lives.  Dick decided he was going to give Rick that feeling as much as he could.  He started training to get into shape.  In 1979, he felt he was ready to try pushing Rick in the Boston Marathon. "No way," said a race official.  But eventually, years later, Dick was in such good shape that they made the runner's qualifying time (even pushing a wheelchair)!

After that, someone suggested they do a triathlon:  swim 2 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a 26-mile marathon!

As of January 2014, they'd competed in 70 marathons (best time 2:40:47), 247 triathlons, and numerous other races, including running across the country. [2]

The truth is that many things separate us from the love of Christ. But nothing separates the love of Christ from us.

Conclusion: God’s Love Wins, If You Let It (vs. 38-39)

When I proposed to Helen in the Philippines in early 1989, I had been doing my research. The little that I’d learned about Filipino culture taught me that if I was going to profess my love to her, and she was to accept that, that this was not a dating relationship, but rather the start of a relationship that naturally culminated in marriage. At the same time, the little that Helen had learned about American culture, mostly from a few American missionaries and American movies, was that professions of love were thrown around like water balloons, fat, gushy and easily broken. In fact, while I was calling in “being engaged” she insisted in calling it her “experiment.”

So we plotted a course forward together, because we loved each other, but I was returning to the U.S. only four months later. Because we were both trying to finish are studies, we knew that it would be a long time before we could see each other again. So we wrote to each other daily, and my heart always jumped when I saw the air-mail envelope with the Philippines stamps show up in my mail box. And we could afford to talk on the phone once a month. But that was no substitute for being together.

There were those who said this wasn’t a good idea. The mission agency had a policy against short-term workers getting in relationships. Helen had to defend her choice to those to whom she had told that her “beauty was not for foreigners.” I had to explain to my parents that I’d gotten engaged to someone I’d met overseas. We had to convince my pastor that our marriage would really be a good idea. Helen had to convince a U.S. embassy worker that her coming her was not some sort of marriage fraud.

You can imagine that Helen was somewhat perturbed when I reported to her that the one other girl who I had ever dated (Heather) called me shortly after my return and asked me if I wanted to go out. I hope you told her “No” she said later. Later, when I mentioned another girl, Angela who was a class mate in debate class and who had the extreme misfortune to be dating another guy whose name was Tim, Helen wrote me in no uncertain terms to never speak with her again.

There was this assumption (rightly so) that my relationship with Helen would preclude certain types of relationships with other women. And she was very insistent. 

Then there was this assumption that she would do likewise and one day, come to me. Because that’s what love does. Love acts as one even when separated. Love compels us to find a way to be together. Nearly two years later, she arrived on American soil and in my home church, we were married. We were no longer two separate people, we one.

God’s plan has always been that we should be with him, that his family should be united together. He has made the arrangements, he has spent everything, and he has worked out every detail. He is acting as though it is a fact.

Look at what Paul said:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This love of God has to very practical implications:

1. We can be courageous because we are children of God. Our status is not failure. Our status is beloved of God. So many times we react out of fear. Fear of being hurt. Fear of failing. Fear of missed opportunity. No! The courageous child of God runs forward because know that the outcome is in the hands of a Father who loves them.
2. We communicate our love to God by how we help people in need. When we were apart, Helen and I were desperate for letters or phone calls or once in a long while, a special treat was a package. How we treasured those? If you are truly part of this family relationship with God, how do you communicate like that? God seems so far away. Yes, you can pray. That’s like those letters and phone calls. But do you want to send him a love gift? Jesus told us: ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’’ Helping those who are weary, hurting and helpless-is a special package that Jesus receives with joy.

There was a period during our writing back and forth to each other where I noticed that Helen had started to say, “if we get married.” And I said, “What do you mean ‘If’? You should say ‘When we get married.’” But she wasn’t sure. Too many worries, too many doubts. It was when I sent her the money for her to buy her wedding dress that she moved from ‘if’ to ‘when’

Jesus has paid. God has said, it is not ‘if we are together’ God’s love will bring us all together, it is ‘when we are together’

---

[1] www.teamhoyt.com, retrieved on March 1, 2014

[2] About Team Hoyt, teamhoyt.com, http://www.teamhoyt.com/about/index.html (accessed June 6, 2010)

[3] Men Met in the Hotel Lobbies, The Washington Post, 16 June 1901, p. 18, as cited on http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=19954 retrieved on March 1, 2014

The Larger, More Disturbing, More Urgent Jesus

Currently, I am reading "Simply Jesus" by N.T. Wright. I have always been challenged by his writing, both as a scholar and as a pastor. In the introduction to his book, he challenges followers of Jesus like this:

"It is we, the churches, who have been the real reductionists. We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety, the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience, and Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark, tale." (Simply Jesus, p. 5)

Why do we have such small expectations of God in our world and in our life? N.T. continues claims that we have the same issue as those 1st century listeners:

You see, the reason Jesus wasn't the sort of king people wanted in his own day is...that he was the true king, but they had become used to the ordinary, second-rate sort. (p. 5)

 It challenges me to think: Which part of "broken" do I think God isn't interested in transforming? Not my life (only), but the lives around me.  In fact, the whole world longs for freedom from the effects of sin and decay:

creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  - Romans 8:21

So I wonder what sort of second-rate thinking and expectations I have for the God of the infinite imagination. This week I am wondering how that applies to my thinking about the churches I am actively a part of.