1:8 "For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything."
Transformed lives are usually the megaphone for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here in this particular passage and verse we see where the faith and transformation of believers from Thessalonica went out throughout the region and beyond.
This is Jesus' desire for people, to be transformed by the truth of the gospel. From the transformed and redeemed people, his desire is for them to live a life which flows from the gospel. This will mean people will turn from their idols and serve the living God. They will empty their baggage of filth, guilt, shame, and sin onto Christ, who died to free people from these things that they might live freely and whole heartily to him.
What is the gospel doing in our life? Is the gospel dormant? Does the gospel sit there day in and day out really never affecting our behavior, words, or life? Is the gospel alive? Is it changing us on a daily basis? Is the gospel affecting our behavior, words, and life? Is the gospel leaping from us onto others? The gospel, when it truly penetrates and changes a life, produces fruit. This does not mean perfection is attainable, but that we strive to please and be continually conformed into the image of our Savior.
A penetrating gospel does not mean we will have it all together. It does mean we have a Savior who has implanted within us the Holy Spirit for our lives to be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Are these qualities flowing from our life? Paul in the very first part of the letter to the Thessalonians writes, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
The gospel transforms! Simple as that. As we live out today, let us makes sure we live it out through the power of the gospel working in our lives. The gospel, through our lives, will sound forth to the places we go.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Throwing Away our Past and Pursuing our Future Hope
PHIL 3:1-16; 20-21
The Past He Threw Away because of the Present and the Future He Pursued in the Present
Paul's identity no longer was placed in his past in who he once was. Although he had a past to boast about. He was of the real circumcision party, which was Israel. Paul was an ancestor of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a zealous Pharisee who was extremely skilled in the law. However, in light of all this past, he considered it rubbish, dung, feces because of the surpassing worth, grace, salvation, and identity he had in Christ. The present reality of salvation in Christ overwhelming took over Paul's life in such a way he was willing to throw away the past. His past and who he once was no longer mattered to Paul. What did matter was Christ. Joy and purpose for Paul flowed through knowing Christ and Christ's will for his life.
In his present reality Paul prayed for him to continue to know Christ. In this pursuit of knowing Christ, Paul prayed for three distinct things, but interconnected with one another, in the pursuit knowing Christ more. First, he prayed he would know the power of (Christ's) resurrection. He wanted to experience the resurrection power that Christ had experienced. Second, Paul prayed this knowing Christ would allow him to share in Christ's suffering. This is a difficult thing to pray for the majority of believers. Obviously Paul knew Christ had suffered prior to the resurrection. The road to experiencing resurrection might be marked by suffering. And here Paul is praying he participate and share in Christ's suffering. How many of us pray like this? I know I do not. The third thing Paul prayed for in the context of the pursuit of knowing Christ was for him to become like Christ in his death. What was Christ in his death? Victor, redeemer, a perfect sacrifice, pleasing aroma to God. Christ completed what God had willed for him to complete. He came to save sinners by being the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
In other words, Paul is praying that he would emulate Christ, even to the point where he shares in his suffering, completes God's will for his life, so that the resurrection he is looking forward to will be that much sweeter and savory. He is not working for his resurrection. That is already a reality because of his salvation. What Paul is doing is vigorously striving to know Christ, which leads him to taste the future resurrection he will experience.
This future hope was a part of Paul's life that conformed him and shaped him into the person he was the the way he lived. Paul goes on to share with his readers that his desire had not become a reality yet, but that he presses on to obtain it. Paul in pursuing with intensity the thing which Jesus purchased for him, which was salvation, reconciliation, restoration, glorification, which all will be completed in the resurrection. In Paul's vocabulary this is the 'goal' and 'prize' of the upward call of God. Our future hope should become a present reality to us in such a way that our lives mirror this future hope.
Paul ends this particular context with these words, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." This is a huge part of Paul's motivation to forgo, forget, and even throw away his past in order to pursue this future that Christ has obtained for him. Paul lived in light of heaven. Notice he did not live to earn heaven. That had already been purchased through Christ. Paul's citizenship was paid for. Now, all that is left is a life of gratitude and service in the kingdom of God. Are we living in light of our future citizenship? Are we striving and pursuing Christ with vigor and intensity? Are we forgetting who we once were in the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ and identifying with him? May today we live in light of what Jesus has done for us as well as live in light of what Jesus has obtained for us in the near future.
The Past He Threw Away because of the Present and the Future He Pursued in the Present
Paul's identity no longer was placed in his past in who he once was. Although he had a past to boast about. He was of the real circumcision party, which was Israel. Paul was an ancestor of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a zealous Pharisee who was extremely skilled in the law. However, in light of all this past, he considered it rubbish, dung, feces because of the surpassing worth, grace, salvation, and identity he had in Christ. The present reality of salvation in Christ overwhelming took over Paul's life in such a way he was willing to throw away the past. His past and who he once was no longer mattered to Paul. What did matter was Christ. Joy and purpose for Paul flowed through knowing Christ and Christ's will for his life.
In his present reality Paul prayed for him to continue to know Christ. In this pursuit of knowing Christ, Paul prayed for three distinct things, but interconnected with one another, in the pursuit knowing Christ more. First, he prayed he would know the power of (Christ's) resurrection. He wanted to experience the resurrection power that Christ had experienced. Second, Paul prayed this knowing Christ would allow him to share in Christ's suffering. This is a difficult thing to pray for the majority of believers. Obviously Paul knew Christ had suffered prior to the resurrection. The road to experiencing resurrection might be marked by suffering. And here Paul is praying he participate and share in Christ's suffering. How many of us pray like this? I know I do not. The third thing Paul prayed for in the context of the pursuit of knowing Christ was for him to become like Christ in his death. What was Christ in his death? Victor, redeemer, a perfect sacrifice, pleasing aroma to God. Christ completed what God had willed for him to complete. He came to save sinners by being the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
In other words, Paul is praying that he would emulate Christ, even to the point where he shares in his suffering, completes God's will for his life, so that the resurrection he is looking forward to will be that much sweeter and savory. He is not working for his resurrection. That is already a reality because of his salvation. What Paul is doing is vigorously striving to know Christ, which leads him to taste the future resurrection he will experience.
This future hope was a part of Paul's life that conformed him and shaped him into the person he was the the way he lived. Paul goes on to share with his readers that his desire had not become a reality yet, but that he presses on to obtain it. Paul in pursuing with intensity the thing which Jesus purchased for him, which was salvation, reconciliation, restoration, glorification, which all will be completed in the resurrection. In Paul's vocabulary this is the 'goal' and 'prize' of the upward call of God. Our future hope should become a present reality to us in such a way that our lives mirror this future hope.
Paul ends this particular context with these words, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." This is a huge part of Paul's motivation to forgo, forget, and even throw away his past in order to pursue this future that Christ has obtained for him. Paul lived in light of heaven. Notice he did not live to earn heaven. That had already been purchased through Christ. Paul's citizenship was paid for. Now, all that is left is a life of gratitude and service in the kingdom of God. Are we living in light of our future citizenship? Are we striving and pursuing Christ with vigor and intensity? Are we forgetting who we once were in the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ and identifying with him? May today we live in light of what Jesus has done for us as well as live in light of what Jesus has obtained for us in the near future.
Monday, October 18, 2010
What are We Willing to Risk?
PHIL 2:25-30
Epaphroditus...nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me." (v20)
What are we willing to risk for the gospel? We are a society that is comprised of risk-takers and risk-fearers. Many today seem to fall in the category of risk-fearers. Maybe of a bad experience. It could have been a stock market crash, a housing bubble, an unstable economy, fear of the unknown, rejection, or failure. These and more tend to paralyze people from taking a risk. When it comes to church circles it is not much different. Believers tend to cling to comfort, tradition, and familiarity. It is difficult for many to attempt to risk trying a new method or model of ministry due to familiarity, comfort, and tradition.
In our church we are gearing up to move our services from our permanent building to a school. There are many good reasons for this move, but it is still a risk that we are making as a church. We believe it is in a better location, with more room to grow, and that it is a more neutral location for potential unchurched people to attend. Obviously the downside is the set-up and portability that we will ensue upon this journey. This is a risk we are willing to take. This is not the only risk we want to take for Christ, but this is a present one. And this risk that we are taking is far less dangerous than the risk Epaphroditus and many of our brothers and sisters around the world are having to make. They are risking their lives for the gospel. Ultimately this is the greatest risk anyone will ever make in their lives.
When put in perspective, risking moving to another location, becoming portable, trying a different way or method, seeking to implement a different ministry model, trying a new ministry, or spending money in order to try and reach people, are far less risky for the gospel than having to risk your life for the gospel. Here in the comfort of American society, may believers begin to risk more and more for the gospel. May we risk our money, pride, tradition, comfort, and presuppositions for the sake of the gospel. In the end, if we risk these things, will we risk losing our lives as many do each and every day?
Epaphroditus...nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me." (v20)
What are we willing to risk for the gospel? We are a society that is comprised of risk-takers and risk-fearers. Many today seem to fall in the category of risk-fearers. Maybe of a bad experience. It could have been a stock market crash, a housing bubble, an unstable economy, fear of the unknown, rejection, or failure. These and more tend to paralyze people from taking a risk. When it comes to church circles it is not much different. Believers tend to cling to comfort, tradition, and familiarity. It is difficult for many to attempt to risk trying a new method or model of ministry due to familiarity, comfort, and tradition.
In our church we are gearing up to move our services from our permanent building to a school. There are many good reasons for this move, but it is still a risk that we are making as a church. We believe it is in a better location, with more room to grow, and that it is a more neutral location for potential unchurched people to attend. Obviously the downside is the set-up and portability that we will ensue upon this journey. This is a risk we are willing to take. This is not the only risk we want to take for Christ, but this is a present one. And this risk that we are taking is far less dangerous than the risk Epaphroditus and many of our brothers and sisters around the world are having to make. They are risking their lives for the gospel. Ultimately this is the greatest risk anyone will ever make in their lives.
When put in perspective, risking moving to another location, becoming portable, trying a different way or method, seeking to implement a different ministry model, trying a new ministry, or spending money in order to try and reach people, are far less risky for the gospel than having to risk your life for the gospel. Here in the comfort of American society, may believers begin to risk more and more for the gospel. May we risk our money, pride, tradition, comfort, and presuppositions for the sake of the gospel. In the end, if we risk these things, will we risk losing our lives as many do each and every day?
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