Peter Hiett is a former Reformed Presbyterian pastor (EPC) who now pastors The Sanctuary in Denver.  We are continually growing in our appreciation of his ministry as he is a student of the Living Word and believes that “theology matters.”  This has led to his very rich and honest approach to the Scriptures and the Christian walk.  As believers with a Reformed background (PCA, EPC, SGM, A29, SBC) we highly recommend Peter’s writings and sermons.  They are deep, rich and profound.  Explore his books from his website: https://relentless-love.org/books/ or check out many of his own library: https://relentless-love.org/library/

The following is an excerpt from the sermon entitled “The Divine Romance” from the sermon series “Jesus Everywhere.”  This series shows how Jesus has always been “hidden yet present.”  Here is a little teaser cartoon he used to illustrate how Jesus is always closer than we think!

You know I think I’ve always felt the call of the Great Commission. But I really started working on it in high school.

I started witnessing to old friends like Brad. Brad had lived up the street from me and been my best friend through most of elementary school. He was Jewish. His dad was Jewish by race and his mom by conversion. She had been Presbyterian (switching is called apostasy). Well by high school we ran in different crowds, but we had Jewelry Making class together – 7th period, senior year.

I think I really loved Brad and so I would try to evangelize Brad. I presented really good arguments to Brad on why he needed Jesus. And I was “winsome.” I acted relaxed and free. I chuckled at Brad’s comments but I was terrified – terrified for Brad and for me ‘cause Brad just continued to reject Jesus; pack up his notebook and leave.

A few years ago I got a phone call out of the blue.

”Is this Peter Hiett that used to live on Prince Circle in Littleton?” 

“Yes.” 

“I’m Michelle, Brad’s little sister.” 

“Oh wow. Michelle, how are you?” 

“Brad died. He died of AIDS. He would want you to do his funeral.” 

People say theology doesn’t matter, but suddenly it mattered a lot. I mean Brad wasn’t a concept to me…I knew Brad. I encountered the Breath of God in Brad. I needed to know

“God do you love Brad?”

OR

“Do you despise Brad and long to torment Brad without end?”

You know I was terrified to witness to Brad in High School ‘cause I loved Brad and worried God didn’t love Brad. And so I had to save Brad …from God. So with my words I testified that Jesus saves for God is Love. And with my fear I testified that I save for God may not love Brad.

Once in Seminary, Brad called me at the church where I worked in LA. He had become an artist and moved to Hollywood near us. He said, “Peter, I’m having a party and you have to come. I’ve got a Communist, a physicist, a lesbian, a Rabbi and an atheist and you’re a pastor – it would be perfect. And I could show you my latest piece of art: an 8 foot phallus….” I remember I stuttered and said something like “I don’t think I can.”  I would’ve hated it. I would’ve felt like I had to judge everybody and save everybody. So I hung up … on Brad.

But ya know Jesus showed up at parties kind of like that (prostitutes and sinners). And when folks were drunk He even changed water to wine. Jesus is God’s word – Theo Logos: it means God Word. Theology matters.

The voice on the other end of the phone said “Peter would you do Bradley’s funeral?”

And I said “Yes.”

I hung up the phone and began looking for Jesus in Brad’s life.”

 (Excerpt from Pastor Peter Hiett, The Divine Romance  from his series “Jesus Everywhere”)

The point that Peter makes that is so freeing is the release from having to “save everyone and judge everyone” at the same time.  And you know how exhausting that can be.  That’s because it’s Jesus’s job!  When you really believe deep down that Jesus really is “The Savior of the world” you can be free to love and serve the world and let God do the saving and judging!

This point made by Peter is deeply diagnostic and I think it is worth repeating:

You know I was terrified to witness to Brad in High School ‘cause I loved Brad and worried God didn’t love Brad. And so I had to save Brad …from God. So with my words I testified that Jesus saves …for God is Love. And with my fear I testified that I save …for God may not love Brad.

Thank God it is He who does the perfect loving and saving!

Jesus=”God Saves”