So April begins with the events of the end of Jesus’ life. But the first Sunday of April is all about a new beginning. And what I want you to experience is that Jesus still loves us that much.

The events of Passion week remind us of this. The humiliating kangaroo trial, the gruesome whipping with the cat of nine tails, the painful crown of thorns, the horrible death by crucifixion – all point out just how much Jesus loves us. It’s a marvelous thing to begin to comprehend the love of God – especially when we know that His love overcame even death. Oh, that we might respond to that love with praise and obedience and a lifestyle that glorifies Him.

I was surprised to read recently that on a typical weekend, about 2% of the nations atheists and agnostics attend Christian church services (according to a Barna Research Group study), but on Easter Sunday, the figure climbs to 12% (about 1.5 million adults). What an amazing opportunity we have to bring a friend – even if he or she is atheist or agnostic – to a church service so they can hear about this amazing love!

Let’s celebrate the Resurrection with Christ and His love as the focal point. Let’s remove the worldly foolishness that blocks our vision (candy, Easter eggs and bunnies) and let’s celebrate Him with our whole hearts. Join me on Easter Sunday for the celebration – and bring a friend!

Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

This year, March has another reminder for us about the wonderful creative and transforming power of our supreme Lord.  The last Sunday of the month (March 28th) is Palm Sunday, which celebrates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey – and the people acclaimed Him with Hosanna’s.

But the rest of the week – and going into the first part of April – is Holy Week, when we remember the last days of Jesus’ life on earth before He died.  Fully one-third of the Gospels are written about those events because Christ’s “Passion” is such a pivotal event not only in Christianity, but in all of world history.

But along with the events that happened that week, there is another creation that we look to.  It has little to do with the first creation of the earth or its re-creation (renewal) in the Spring, but with the beautiful truth that we who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) are made new by Christ.  We’re even called a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19a).

This is amazing!  Can you see the beauty in taking something that’s dead and making it live again?  That’s what we are as a result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That’s why we worship a supreme Lord.  No one else and no other religion can promise that we are being made new with the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  But Philippians 3:21 says the Lord Jesus Christ, “who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

Do you want to be transformed?  There’s a saying that goes, “everybody wants to be transformed, but nobody wants to change.”  But this is a creative change that I glory in ñ my new life in Christ today and my new body in the future.

Revel in this; delight in it.  God’s transforming power is making us into a beautiful new creation in Christ!

Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

“Who is It?” the shy young man asked. It turned out to be the friend’s cousin Mary. But since he never met her, this introvert immediately responded, “Oh no, I’m not going on any blind date!”

“Hey, don’t worry about this one,” his friend said. “Mary is a terrific girl, and trust me she’s really pretty. But if you don’t believe me, I’ll tell you how to get out of the date if you don’t agree. This is what I do: I go to the girl’s house to pick her up, and when she opens the door, I check her out. If I like what I see, then great, we’re all set. But if she’s ugly, I fake an asthma attack. I grab my throat like I am choking and scream ‘aahhhggg!’ So we have to call off the date. Just like that; no problem!”

The shy young man thought about it. He still wasn’t sure, but he didn’t want to appear scared, so he agreed. Besides, the whole scam seemed easy enough if he had to use it.

So the big night came. He went to pick Mary up at the house. He knocked on the door and she opened it. He looked at her and to his surprise, his friend was right. She was beautiful! He stood there not knowing what to say.

She looked at him for a moment, and then she grabbed her throat like she was choking and screamed, “Aaahhhggggg!”

Chances are you’ve been rejected by someone at some time in you life because, for whatever reason, you didn’t measure up. You didn’t drive the right car, have the right job, or mix with the right people – the list of potential “flaws” is endless.

But the great thing is: God doesn’t look at us that way. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God’s love for us isn’t dependent on anything superficial, but on His deep and abiding love for His own. He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Because God loved us first (1 John 4:19), we love Him in return – not with a sticky sweet, romantic, twitter-pated sentimentality (“Jesus is my boyfriend”), but with a passion for His supremacy borne out of thankfulness for His sacrificial love for us.

God pours out His love for us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) so we can reach out and love all kinds of people, regardless of their outward appearance or the rejection they’ve felt from others.

Let’s use this season of love to savor Christ’s love for us and then practice spreading His love to others so they too might have joy.

Loving you in the LORD,

Pastor Bill Linton

There are many aspects of His coming we could celebrate. As you reflect on the meaning of Christmas this year, keep these three in mind:

1. Our sins have been taken away. If you are a Christian, you can be sure that God has forgiven your sins, but the good news of Christmas is even better than that. The Bible says He took them away so that you are now justified – that is, you’re in a position as if you’ve never sinned at all. Nothing. They’re all gone and no trace of sin is left on your (now- holy) spirit. It is just-as-if-I’d (justified) never sinned! You don’t have to shirk away from God in embarrassment about anything because God’s heart toward you is to do nothing but love you.
2. God’s anger has been taken away from us. Since there are no sins to stand between us and God, there’s nothing that would cause Him to be angry with us anymore. You may have grown up thinking that your heavenly Father is looking at you with a disapproving look on His face, but it’s not true. God looks on us with delight as He sees Jesus in us. We may still see our sins, but from the eternal realm God knows “it is finished” and that they’ve all been totally obliterated. Think outside the box – the time box – and be assured that your Father is happy with you because He has dealt with your sins already.
3. We don’t have to try to change ourselves. Religion is man’s attempt to make himself become acceptable to God by changing himself. You don’t have to do that anymore. You are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). If you look at yourself through the legalistic lens of performance-based acceptance, you’ll see flaws and will find yourself experiencing an urge to improve yourself on your own. When you look at yourself through the lens of God’s grace, you will know that He loves you at this very moment. He loves you enough that He will assume responsibility for bringing any changes into your life that may be needed.

It’s Christmas and our Father has given us a gift in Jesus Christ that surpasses anything we can imagine. He has taken away our sins. He adores us completely. He has let us off the hook so that we don’t have to assume full responsibility for changing our lives. Those gifts are just the tip of the iceberg.

Will you embrace the full meaning of Christmas? Jesus didn’t die just so you could go to heaven. He came to give you life – His life; an abundant life free from guilt, condemnation, and slavery to both sins and “religion.” He came to bring a grace revolution to the world and that is exactly what He accomplished. Now, that’s a reason to have a Merry Christmas!

Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

Some people may wonder what we have to be thankful for when we’re in a time of recession. Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for:

• That turkeys have some meat besides livers and gizzards.
• That there aren’t twice as many congressmen and half as many doctors.
• That teenagers will ultimately have children who will become teenagers.
• That the space available for messages on T-shirts and bumper stickers is limited.
• That God loves me whether I feel like it or not.
• That I have a family that loves me too.
• That women whose husbands take them for granted don’t all scream at once.
• That everybody DOESN’T tell me every Sunday what they think of my sermon.
• That TV’s, i-pods and car stereos can be turned off.
• That no one can turn off the sun, moon and stars.
• That I live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
• That I’m not a turkey (O.K., I know that one’s debatable).

There are more things to be thankful for than we may think!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce poor food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God, my Savior.”

Rejoicing with you in the mercy of our Father,

Pastor Bill Linton

1) What happens if the pager goes off during a worship service?

No problem. If it goes off on my next turn as primary, I’ll take the next opportunity in the service to phone the police department and ask them to page the secondary (there are several pastors who don’t have services on Sunday morning who are available). Or, if it’s close to the end, I’ll let them know I’m coming in 10 or 15 minutes.

2) What exactly do Peta luma Police Chaplains do?

We serve the Police and Fire Departments and the hospital by helping them during times of crisis.

This includes going to the hospital emergency room when a patient has died or is dying and the family needs care (probably the most common occurrence).

We may also be called to a home or to the scene of an accident to help family or other bystanders who have been emotionally impacted from the event. This could be a car crash, a suicide or even a major disaster. We stay at the scene until the Coroner arrives so that the police or fire personnel are freed up to do their jobs. We also do death notifications.

Probably, most of you don’t know about the Chaplaincy because you’ve never needed it services, and that’s a good thing!

3) How much do Chaplains get paid?

In this case, nothing. It’s a volunteer service that about 10 pastors perform for the city. We are official representatives of the City of Petaluma and are trained in our duties, but like God’s grace — it’s all free!

Rejoicing with you in the opportunities to serve God in our city,

Pastor Bill Linton

But what kind of work is needed to build a strong church? Not sensationalism! Not gimmicks! Nor more committees, nor mere programs, nor a “fun and games” emphasis! Those things may be right for civic clubs, social clubs, and country clubs, but not for the Lord’s church!

So what does it take to build a strong church?

1. STRONG BIBLE PREACHING AND TEACHING!
God’s word, when disseminated plainly, forcefully, uncompromisingly, and yet gently, will build up! Paul said, “I commend you unto God, and to the WORD of his grace, which is also able to building you up” (Acts 20:32).

2. EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP!
We need leaders who are “examples to the flock” and who are careful in tending it (1 Peter 5:2-3). To grow, the church must have quality leadership people who know how to lead and will do so! (Let’s thank God for our leaders!)

3. HOLY LIVING ON THE PART OF EVERY MEMBER!
Unimpeachable conduct clearly evidenced in the lives of Christians will illuminate the way for many in the realm of darkness. Read Matthew 5:16 and Philippians 2:15.

4. CONGREGATIONAL WARMTH AND LOVE!
The fellowship of the Lord’s church should be so sweet and precious that the whole community takes notice and observes, “See how they love each other!” Without this, a congregation will never be what God would have it be! Read John 13:35.

5. COMPASSIONATE HEARTS!
The church of Christ needs to be known as the most tenderhearted bunch of people in all the world…ready and willing to help all, and especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10).

6. EVANGELISTIC FERVOR!
The emphasis of the early church was soul winning! The church will grow when we “teach and preach Jesus as the Christ” every day as we have opportunity! Read Acts 5:2.

7. AN “I WANT TO SERVE” ATTITUDE PERMEATING THE CONGREGATION!
People serving the Lord because they love Him, and the find joy in serving, not out of a spirit of drudgery. Read Ephesians 6:6.

8. AN ATMOSPHERE OF HAPPINESS, FRIENDLINESS, CORDIALITY, AND HOSPITALITY!
No stranger should ever come into the midst of the Lord’s church without being graciously welcomed by a happy, friendly membership! We must reach out to others, and not just “visit” with friends only.

In short, it takes just one thing to grow a strong church. People who love Jesus above all else.  Let’s strive to be those people!

Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

Anyway, summer is a great time of year. School is out. College students have come home or gone to summer jobs. Families are on vacation. (One definition of summer vacation is: “When parents suddenly realize that teachers are grossly underpaid.”)

The apostle Peter no doubt loved summers. Every break he had produced one thought: “I’m going fishing.” One such occasion is related in John 21 after Jesus had gone to the cross and been raised from the dead. Peter probably needed time and space to sort things out in his own mind. So his natural reaction (verse 3) was, “I’m going fishing.” He and some other disciples fished all night.

The next morning, Jesus was on the shore cooking breakfast for them (verse 12). He took Peter aside and asked (verse 15), “Do you love me more than these?” Now, everyone knew that Simon Peter loved everything about fish and fishing. So this was a tough question. Peter had to settle some things in his mind. What’s more important, the souls of men or my pleasure? Peter didn’t have to give up fishing completely. He just had to settle in his own mind what was more important.

That’s the great thing about Christ. His grace gives us permission to enjoy many of His good gifts without the entanglement of legalistic rules. But we do need to settle in our minds what is most important. When all is said and done, Jesus, salvation in Him, and helping others to know Him are far more important that any temporary pleasure. So enjoy the summer. But don’t forget what’s most important.

Here are some suggestions on how to do that: Host a block party in your neighborhood to get to know people. Invite another family to church and take them out to lunch after- wards. Visit a shut-in who can’t get out. While on vacation, point out to your children the wonders of God’s great creation. Use the time on vacation to talk to your family about Jesus (Deuteronomy 6:7). Visit another congregation on Sunday and pray for those of us back home who aren’t on vacation. Remember that the financial needs of your church family in Petaluma don’t take a break. Make sure your regular tithes and offerings get here even if you’re someplace else.

“Do you love me more than these?” is a penetrating question. Answer it by saturating your summer (and ever other season) in the things of God.

— Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

But our founders certainly didn’t believe that religious ideas should be excluded from the public square. Read what they said and compare it with the idea of “liberty” from religion today:

Patrick Henry: It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

George Washington: Of all the habits and dispositions which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

John Jay, first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: It is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.

Thomas Jefferson: Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.

James Madison: We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government – far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.

John Quincy Adams: The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. We have not government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral religious people; it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Why not read some of these quotes to your children or grandchildren before you watch the fireworks displays? I can’t think of a better way to celebrate!

— Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

“I have a dream of a church which is a biblical church — which is loyal in every particular to the revelation of God in Scripture, whose teachers expound Scripture with integrity and relevance, and so seek to present every member mature in Christ, whose people love the word of God, and adorn it with an obedient and Christ-like life, which is preserved from all unbiblical emphases, whose whole life manifests the health and beauty of biblical balance. I have a dream of a biblical church.

I have a dream of a church which is a worshiping church — whose people come together to meet God and worship him, who know God is always in their midst and who bow down before Him in great humility, who regularly frequent the table of the Lord Jesus, to celebrate His mighty act of redemption on the cross, who enrich the worship with their musical skills, who believe in prayer and lay hold of God in prayer, whose worship is expressed not in Sunday services and prayer gatherings only but also in their homes, their week-day work and the common things of life. I have a dream of a worshiping church.

I have a dream of a church which is a caring church — whose people are drawn from many races, nations, ages and social backgrounds, and exhibits the unity and diversity of the family of God, whose fellowship is warm and welcoming, and never marred by anger, selfishness, jealousy or pride, whose members love one another with a pure heart fervently, forbearing one another, forgiving one another and bearing one anthers burdens, which offers friendship to the lonely, support to the weak and acceptance to those who are despised and rejected by society, whose love spills over to the world outside, attractive, infectious, irresistible, the love of God himself. I have a dream of a caring church.

I have a dream of a church which is a serving church — which has seen Christ as the Servant and has heard His call to be a servant, too, which is delivered from self-interest, turned inside out and giving itself selflessly to the service of others, whose members obey Christ’s command to live in the world, to permeate secular society, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, whose people share the good news of Jesus simply, naturally and enthusiastically with their friends, which diligently serves its own congregation, residents and workers, families and single people, nationals and immigrants, old folk and little children, which is alert to the changing needs of society, sensitive and flexible enough to keep adapting its program to serve more usefully, which has a global vision and is constantly challenging its young people to give their lives in service, and constantly sending its people out to serve. I have a dream of a serving church.

I have a dream of a church which is an expectant church — whose members can never settle down in material affluence or comfort, because they remember that they are strangers and pilgrims on earth, which is all the more faithful and active because it is waiting and looking for its Lord to return, which keeps the flame of the Christian hope burning brightly in a dark, despairing world, which on the day of Christ will not shrink from Him in shame, but rise up joyfully to greet Him. I have a dream of an expectant church.”

Such is my dream of a living church. May all of us share this dream, and under God may the dream come true!

— Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton