Monday, September 30, 2013
We Are A New Creation In Christ
One of the things that Bill Johnson was speaking about on one of the teachings I was listening to, was that we are a new creation in Christ, literally a new race, or new species. I was familiar with some of that idea, but not to the depth that he was expressing, so I wanted to do some research this morning. The formative verse comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!". The New King James Version reads, " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Which conveys the message a bit better.
David Guzman has a helpful commentary on this verse:
Jesus resurrection life gives us new life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
a. If anyone: This is a promise for anyone. Anyone! It doesn't matter what class, what race, what nationality, what language, or what level of intelligence. Anyone can be a new creation in Jesus Christ!
b. Is in Christ: This is a promise for anyone who is in Christ. This is not a promise for those who are in themselves, or in the religion of men, or in someone or something else. This is for those in Christ!
c. He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Paul here teaches the great principle of regeneration. Jesus Christ changes those who come to Him by faith, and who are in Christ. The saved are not "just forgiven." They are changed into a new creation.
This is an incredible thought, and one that is hard to fully comprehend. We are, according to Paul who was inspired by the Holy Spirit, made into new creatures when we unite ourselves to Jesus through repentance and confession of faith. We become like Christ, after His resurrection and like Christ, are something new, that only is possible in God. Guzman continues:
i. It is unfair for us to expect those who are not in Christ to live as if they were a new creation. However, it is not unfair to expect a changed life from people who say they are Christians! "I know no language, I believe there is none, that can express a greater or more thorough and more radical renewal, than that which is expressed in the term, 'a new creature.'" (Spurgeon)
ii. However, being a new creation doesn't mean that we are perfect. It means that we are changed, and that we are being changed.
d. Who makes us a new creation? This is something God alone can do in us. This isn't just "turning over a new leaf" or "getting your act together." But the life of a new creation is not something God does for us, but in us. So, we are told to put off . . . the old man, and to put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
i. Being a new creation is a gift from God received by faith. "God is surely the author of the second creation as he was of the first." (Harris) "A phrase which argueth the greatest change imaginable, and such a one as can be wrought in the soul by no other power than the power of God." (Poole)
Lord, help us to comprehend and embrace this incredible truth in our lives. We desire to experience the fullness of all that You have for us. Help us to change and become like You, constantly deciding to put off the old, and put on the new, embracing the regeneration that You made possible.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Jesus and Sinners
This morning I am reading out of John's Gospel. Here is an excerpt from the 4th chapter, dealing with Jesus and the women at the well:
John 4:15-26, 39-41 NIV
[15] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
[16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
[17] “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
[19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. [20] Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
[21] “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
[25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
[26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you---I am he.”
[39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” [40] So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. [41] And because of his words many more became believers.
I am always amazed when I read this story, and I think sometimes we overlook some pretty astounding things. First Jews and Samaritans did not interact. The Samaritans were a foreign people who were planted in the land, and told to worship the God of the land (2 Kings 17:24-28) - the same God as the Jews, but were not of Jewish decent. The whole land was generally off limits, and all good Jews knew this, yet Jesus is walking right through with His disciples, and I am sure many of them were more than uncomfortable with the idea.
Secondly, Jesus was having along conversation with an adulteress! He knew her living situation, knew the kind of women that she was, yet had a long conversation with her - one of the longest described in the Gospels - and at the end revealed He was the Messiah to her, a full blown sinner! Wow!
If we ever think we are too far immersed in sin for the Lord to be able to break into our lives, or care for us, this story is a great example of Him doing just that! The women had a bad reputation. The town people didn't want to interact with her, which is why she was out in the heat of the day. We could say she had made her own bed and was now having to sleep in it - in other words her reputation was the result of her bad choices and sin, and she had no real way to change either. Jesus seemed unconcerned with her sin, and her sin did not keep Jesus from breaking in. We have been taught that sin separates us from God, but that is clearly not the case here, as Jesus, even after telling her He knows about her sin continues the conversation. What a great truth - Jesus is not afraid of our sin, is not repulsed by our confession, does not see us as our sin, but as people whom He was sent to love and save. It was AFTER she confessed her sin that He told her He was the messiah.
I am reminded of Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 1:15: ..."Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.". In this story of the women at the well, we see Jesus doing exactly that, saving a sinner. This is the heart of the Gospel, and true for us all. We must not lose touch with this fact, and separate ourselves from those the Lord came to save.
My final reflection this morning is that Jesus stayed two full days in that town - a Samaritan village - and many were saved. This women, a confessed sinner, became one of the first Christian evangelists to her own people, and many came to know Jesus because of her testimony, and their desire to hear more from this man. We have heard how sin can open a door, and in this case Jesus walked through that door, and into the lives of all the people in that village. Talk about poetic justice. Taking a little literary license - the woman was trying to find a love that would fulfill her, and had swung wide the door and all sorts of bad things had happened, yet in walks the only One who could love her perfectly, and He redeems her from her life of shame, guilt and separation! Not only that but He walks into the life of all her neighbors and family and friends, and redeems them as well! It was clearly a great few days for the Kingdom of God!
So as we encounter sinners in our lives, walking as Jesus' representatives, let us be aware that any one of them could become the doorway to all their people, who are equally needy of the Lord's salvation! Let us lean on the Lord and let Him lead us to those He came to save.
John 4:15-26, 39-41 NIV
[15] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
[16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
[17] “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
[19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. [20] Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
[21] “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
[25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
[26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you---I am he.”
[39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” [40] So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. [41] And because of his words many more became believers.
I am always amazed when I read this story, and I think sometimes we overlook some pretty astounding things. First Jews and Samaritans did not interact. The Samaritans were a foreign people who were planted in the land, and told to worship the God of the land (2 Kings 17:24-28) - the same God as the Jews, but were not of Jewish decent. The whole land was generally off limits, and all good Jews knew this, yet Jesus is walking right through with His disciples, and I am sure many of them were more than uncomfortable with the idea.
Secondly, Jesus was having along conversation with an adulteress! He knew her living situation, knew the kind of women that she was, yet had a long conversation with her - one of the longest described in the Gospels - and at the end revealed He was the Messiah to her, a full blown sinner! Wow!
If we ever think we are too far immersed in sin for the Lord to be able to break into our lives, or care for us, this story is a great example of Him doing just that! The women had a bad reputation. The town people didn't want to interact with her, which is why she was out in the heat of the day. We could say she had made her own bed and was now having to sleep in it - in other words her reputation was the result of her bad choices and sin, and she had no real way to change either. Jesus seemed unconcerned with her sin, and her sin did not keep Jesus from breaking in. We have been taught that sin separates us from God, but that is clearly not the case here, as Jesus, even after telling her He knows about her sin continues the conversation. What a great truth - Jesus is not afraid of our sin, is not repulsed by our confession, does not see us as our sin, but as people whom He was sent to love and save. It was AFTER she confessed her sin that He told her He was the messiah.
I am reminded of Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 1:15: ..."Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.". In this story of the women at the well, we see Jesus doing exactly that, saving a sinner. This is the heart of the Gospel, and true for us all. We must not lose touch with this fact, and separate ourselves from those the Lord came to save.
My final reflection this morning is that Jesus stayed two full days in that town - a Samaritan village - and many were saved. This women, a confessed sinner, became one of the first Christian evangelists to her own people, and many came to know Jesus because of her testimony, and their desire to hear more from this man. We have heard how sin can open a door, and in this case Jesus walked through that door, and into the lives of all the people in that village. Talk about poetic justice. Taking a little literary license - the woman was trying to find a love that would fulfill her, and had swung wide the door and all sorts of bad things had happened, yet in walks the only One who could love her perfectly, and He redeems her from her life of shame, guilt and separation! Not only that but He walks into the life of all her neighbors and family and friends, and redeems them as well! It was clearly a great few days for the Kingdom of God!
So as we encounter sinners in our lives, walking as Jesus' representatives, let us be aware that any one of them could become the doorway to all their people, who are equally needy of the Lord's salvation! Let us lean on the Lord and let Him lead us to those He came to save.
The Gospel and Doctrine
Recently I have been thinking about the Gospel. I came across those verses from Paul's first letter to Timothy - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV:
[12] "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
I think sometimes we forget the reality of the Gospel, and get all caught up in discussions of doctrine and belief. What we think about God is so important. We still need to understand doctrine, and the truths about the Lord, but our first call is to introduce people to the Lord. The Gospel is first and foremost about relationship with the Lord.
Continuing on with this thought, doctrine arises out of our understanding of who God is, from our interactions with Him, and those that are described in the Bible. Pastor Bill Johnson says it well, "Jesus is perfect theology". In other words as we come to know Him, our understanding of who He is, how He thinks, and how He acts is clarified. Our doctrine needs to flow out of and agree with the revelation of God, and this needs to come within relationship.
Josh McDowell said that rules without relationship leads to rebellion. He was talking about parenting, but that same thought applies here. If we confront people with doctrine, before they have a relationship with the Lord, they will misunderstand the motivation of the doctrine, and often times be driven away. It is important to have doctrine, and it establishes how to think correctly, but it must flow out of, and be communicated through the Gospel, the good news that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to pay for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and able to enter fully into relationship as adopted sons and daughters. Paul was very much on that page when he wrote the following verses, speaking of doctrine that conforms to the Gospel and is used properly:
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. [9] We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, [10] for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers---and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine [11] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The other morning when I woke up, I had this thought - we must preach the Gospel and teach doctrine, not the other way around. I think that summarizes the issue nicely. Lord, help us to hold onto the truth, proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and teach those that desire discipleship the doctrine of the Church. Help us to be balanced and appropriate, and above all, loving.
[12] "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
I think sometimes we forget the reality of the Gospel, and get all caught up in discussions of doctrine and belief. What we think about God is so important. We still need to understand doctrine, and the truths about the Lord, but our first call is to introduce people to the Lord. The Gospel is first and foremost about relationship with the Lord.
Continuing on with this thought, doctrine arises out of our understanding of who God is, from our interactions with Him, and those that are described in the Bible. Pastor Bill Johnson says it well, "Jesus is perfect theology". In other words as we come to know Him, our understanding of who He is, how He thinks, and how He acts is clarified. Our doctrine needs to flow out of and agree with the revelation of God, and this needs to come within relationship.
Josh McDowell said that rules without relationship leads to rebellion. He was talking about parenting, but that same thought applies here. If we confront people with doctrine, before they have a relationship with the Lord, they will misunderstand the motivation of the doctrine, and often times be driven away. It is important to have doctrine, and it establishes how to think correctly, but it must flow out of, and be communicated through the Gospel, the good news that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to pay for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and able to enter fully into relationship as adopted sons and daughters. Paul was very much on that page when he wrote the following verses, speaking of doctrine that conforms to the Gospel and is used properly:
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. [9] We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, [10] for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers---and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine [11] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The other morning when I woke up, I had this thought - we must preach the Gospel and teach doctrine, not the other way around. I think that summarizes the issue nicely. Lord, help us to hold onto the truth, proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and teach those that desire discipleship the doctrine of the Church. Help us to be balanced and appropriate, and above all, loving.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Gifts Reflect The Giver
This morning I am reading out of Matthew 7:7-11 NIV:
[7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Yesterday, at church and in my prayer time I was thinking about how the things that Jesus said, came directly from the Father (John 12:49), and how we can understand the Father's heart by listening to Jesus words. As I apply this reality to the promises Jesus spoke about, I encouraged, for these are not just the Words of Jesus, but they originate in the heart of the Father as well.
So looking at these verses, we see the promise of answered prayers, the promise of found answers and opened doors. This verse can sometimes be focused on by those who preach the prosperity Gospel, and I think other than the motive of the peoples hearts, they do correctly portray the Heart of the Father. He is so good, so faithful, so merciful, so compassionate, so loving, and so perfect compared to us. I know that I love to bless my children and my wife with good gifts. In comparison to God, I am pathetic and evil, yet the comparison Jesus speaks of here, indicates that the enjoyment I get out of giving good gifts to my children is similar to God's heart for me. God the Father loves to give good gifts to us. He is waiting for our heart cries, waiting to answer prayers, waiting to provide open doors, waiting to help us find answers.
In the last verse quoted above, the word that is translated ask, is the Greek word - Aiteo - whose definition is as follows: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. The word generally does not relate to our wants, but our needs. This does not negate the gift, but again speaks of the motivation of the one who receives. We are often times unaware of our real needs, and focused on the things we want. God is totally aware of all things. He gives us good things - here the Greek word translated good is Agathos and the definition is as follows: 1. of good constitution or nature 2. useful, salutary 3. good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy 4. excellent, distinguished 5. upright, honourable. In other words, good! Things that are useful, pleasant and agreeable to us, bring us joy and happiness, are excellent, and honourable, things that reflect the heart of the giver.
Sometimes we are so focused on our need we are willing to accept anything more than what we have presently. God, won't give us a stone if we really need bread, or a snake if we really need a fish, but sometimes we would settle for these things, just because they are different than our present situation. I believe the Lord desires us to learn to look deeper, to ask rightly, to see our lives as He sees them, and to pursue and ask for the things that are the best for us, and those things He wants to give us. He wants us to learn what He is like, to learn to ask and trust that when He answers it will be good, very good, for the Father is perfectly good, and His gifts will reflect His nature and character.
So let us be encouraged by this promise of the Father, through Jesus' words, to ask, to seek, to knock. "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Praying For Unity
This morning I felt like I should read John 17. This chapter is the record of Jesus last words at the Last Supper, where He is praying for His followers, disciples and apostles. I was especially taken by the prayer for unity, that we all might be one. He replete that same basic prayer three times in the last 7 verses.
John 17:20-26 NIV
[20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
[25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Jesus prayed the same basic phrase in verse 21, 23 and with a slight change again in verse 26 - that we might be in God and God would be in us, with the same type of unity the Godhead experiences. This is an incredible prayer! This is something we could never accomplish through our own efforts to establish unity, but rather must come from God, be established by God, and protected by God.
In bible studies and commentaries, they talk about the significance of something being mentioned three times, and how that adds extreme significance. Here Jesus is praying three times, about unity for the Body of Christ, so its very important because it was mentioned these three times, and also because Jesus prayed it!
Matthew Henry has this to say about these prayers for unity, believing there are three dimensions to this prayer:
1. "That they might all be incorporated in one body. "Father, look upon them all as one, and ratify that great charter by which they are embodied as one church. Though they live in distant places, from one end of heaven to the other, and in several ages, from the beginning to the close of time, and so cannot have any personal acquaintance or correspondence with each other, yet let them be united in me their common head." As Christ died, so he prayed, to gather them all in one, John 11:52,Eph+1:10.
2. That they might all be animated by one Spirit. This is plainly implied in this--that they may be one in us. Union with the Father and Son is obtained and kept up only by the Holy Ghost. He that is joined to the Lord in one spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:17. Let them all be stamped with the same image and superscription, and influenced by the same power.
3. That they might all be knit together in the bond of love and charity, all of one heart. That they all may be one, (1.) In judgment and sentiment; not in every little thing--this is neither possible nor needful, but in the great things of God, and in them, by the virtue of this prayer, they are all agreed--that God's favour is better than life--that sin is the worst of evils, Christ the best of friends--that there is another life after this, and the like. (2.) In disposition and inclination. All that are sanctified have the same divine nature and image; they have all a new heart, and it is one heart. (3.) They are all one in their designs and aims. Every true Christian, as far as he is so, eyes the glory of God as his highest end, and the glory of heaven as his chief good. (4.) They are all one in their desires and prayers; though they differ in words and the manner of expressions, yet, having received the same spirit of adoption, and observing the same rule, they pray for the same things in effect. (5.) All one in love and affection. Every true Christian has that in him which inclines him to love all true Christians as such. That which Christ here prays for is that communion of saints which we profess to believe; the fellowship which all believers have with God, and their intimate union with all the saints in heaven and earth, 1 John 1:3."
I think the final focus is that this is possible, because it is in the Father's heart, He had Jesus pray it, which means it is His will. He plans on causing this unity in the Body of Christ. We should join ourselves to praying the prayer, and look in eager anticipation for the coming day, when this will be our reality! That God will be in us, and we in Him, that we will be joined into the Trinity! That will blow our minds!
Amen, Jesus, we join You in praying this prayer.
John 17:20-26 NIV
[20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
[25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Jesus prayed the same basic phrase in verse 21, 23 and with a slight change again in verse 26 - that we might be in God and God would be in us, with the same type of unity the Godhead experiences. This is an incredible prayer! This is something we could never accomplish through our own efforts to establish unity, but rather must come from God, be established by God, and protected by God.
In bible studies and commentaries, they talk about the significance of something being mentioned three times, and how that adds extreme significance. Here Jesus is praying three times, about unity for the Body of Christ, so its very important because it was mentioned these three times, and also because Jesus prayed it!
Matthew Henry has this to say about these prayers for unity, believing there are three dimensions to this prayer:
1. "That they might all be incorporated in one body. "Father, look upon them all as one, and ratify that great charter by which they are embodied as one church. Though they live in distant places, from one end of heaven to the other, and in several ages, from the beginning to the close of time, and so cannot have any personal acquaintance or correspondence with each other, yet let them be united in me their common head." As Christ died, so he prayed, to gather them all in one, John 11:52,Eph+1:10.
2. That they might all be animated by one Spirit. This is plainly implied in this--that they may be one in us. Union with the Father and Son is obtained and kept up only by the Holy Ghost. He that is joined to the Lord in one spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:17. Let them all be stamped with the same image and superscription, and influenced by the same power.
3. That they might all be knit together in the bond of love and charity, all of one heart. That they all may be one, (1.) In judgment and sentiment; not in every little thing--this is neither possible nor needful, but in the great things of God, and in them, by the virtue of this prayer, they are all agreed--that God's favour is better than life--that sin is the worst of evils, Christ the best of friends--that there is another life after this, and the like. (2.) In disposition and inclination. All that are sanctified have the same divine nature and image; they have all a new heart, and it is one heart. (3.) They are all one in their designs and aims. Every true Christian, as far as he is so, eyes the glory of God as his highest end, and the glory of heaven as his chief good. (4.) They are all one in their desires and prayers; though they differ in words and the manner of expressions, yet, having received the same spirit of adoption, and observing the same rule, they pray for the same things in effect. (5.) All one in love and affection. Every true Christian has that in him which inclines him to love all true Christians as such. That which Christ here prays for is that communion of saints which we profess to believe; the fellowship which all believers have with God, and their intimate union with all the saints in heaven and earth, 1 John 1:3."
I think the final focus is that this is possible, because it is in the Father's heart, He had Jesus pray it, which means it is His will. He plans on causing this unity in the Body of Christ. We should join ourselves to praying the prayer, and look in eager anticipation for the coming day, when this will be our reality! That God will be in us, and we in Him, that we will be joined into the Trinity! That will blow our minds!
Amen, Jesus, we join You in praying this prayer.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Reflections on John 3:34-36
Last night I read John 3, and was just thinking about the wonder of God's love in sending His Son. As Graham Cooke says, the Good News, is almost to good to be true, but it is!
I was struck by the three last verses of the their chapter of John: John 3:34-36 NIV
'For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. [35] The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
Breaking these three verses down - in verse 34, we see the focus is on the words that Jesus speaks, being the very words of the Father, and the Father pouring forth the Spirit without limit, or more accurately - no end to the measure He uses in pouring out the Spirit. This really looks forward to several topics that are covered in much greater detail within John's Gospel, the obedience of Jesus to His Father's will, saying and doing only what the Father is saying and doing (John 5:19, John 8:28) and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, given to guide, direct, be our advocate, and teacher (John 14-16).
Verse 35 speaks of the authority that is given to Jesus by the Father. In Matt 28:18, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..."
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he writes - ..."he (the Father) exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. [22] And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Eph 1:21-23). We have in Jesus one who is capable, powerful, loving and forgiving. God sent Jesus for our salvation, and really did place this whole plan of salvation into His hands. It took His constant choice to follow the Father perfectly, to become that sinless, perfect sacrifice, that He might meet the requirements of the law, and fulfill it perfectly, setting us free.
Finally in verse 36, the simplicity of the Gospel, and our choice. We choose to believe or not, and our choice brings with it consequences. If we choose to believe in Jesus, we inherit eternal life. If we choose to deny Him, rejecting the Gospel, we remain under the wrath, or previously existing judgement of God. The choice is ours, for our debts and sins have already been paid for, its just whether or not we apply the payment to our lives, which we do by believing in Jesus, as our savior and Lord. This is not based on our good works, our being nice, friendly, or good, but simply by the choice we make to believe, or have faith in Jesus. Once we step into that place of belief, we restore ourselves to relationship wth God, and He invites us into His Eternal life. What an awesome deal!
Lord, that the fullness of Your promises and the reality of the Gospel might firmly be established in all our lives. We thank You for Your amazing love, and the good news, that is indeed good, beyond our wildest imaginations.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Basics of the Kingdom - Part 3
I felt like I should continue my review of the Kingdom, and the look st the parables that Jesus told to explain what the Kingdom is like. He speaks about it so many times, it is clearly one of His most significant messages. In Matthew, the phrase is translated the Kingdom of Heaven, in the other Gospels, we find the same parables using the term the Kingdom of God. The two terms are equivalent, and I use the Kingdom of God - as it avoids confusion over the location of the Kingdom.
1. Matthew 13:24-26 NIV: "Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. [25] But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. [26] When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared."
This parable makes it very clear that the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is on the earth, and is made up of people. Jesus explanation of the parable in verse 37-43, He says that the grain is people, and the enemy is Satan. He also describes clearly that there will be a day of judgment for all people. Jesus often compared life following Him to grain, how our response to the Word, would determine our fruitfulness. He likened our following Him to grain that must die to its present form, to bear fruit. In the me way we are called to respond to the Gospel, and to change our lives, that we might bear fruit - namely the multiplication of the Kingdom into other's lives around us.
2. Matthew 13:44-46 NIV: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
In case anyone missed the value of the Kingdom of God to them personally, Jesus told these two parables. The Kingdom of God is not something we can take lightly, it is more valuable than anything we have ever encountered, and requires all that we have and are. The reward is beyond understanding. The Kingdom is something that we look for, and something we all long for, whether we know it or not. We have a deep longing for God, for His ways, for relationship with Him, and to see Him work in and through us. Being found in the Kingdom, has eternal consequences, and rewards even here on earth.
3. Matthew 13:47-50 NIV: “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. [48] When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. [49] This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous [50] and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Once again Jesus is speaking about a day of judgement that will affect all people. We will all be judged, between the righteous and the wicked. The good news for those of us that follow Jesus, and have faith, is that Jesus righteousness is applied to us, and we will be judged righteous because of Him (Romans 3 & 4).
4. Matthew 18:1-4 NIV: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. [3] And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
The Kingdom of God is unlike any other kingdom. All other kingdoms have greatness and position based on authority and power as their structure. In the Kingdom of God, it is based on humility and service, lowliness over pride. Children were the lowest level of the social strata during Jesus time, and He is making a significant statement here. He said they must change, and become like a child, clearly not indicating in thought or action, but rather in position. Jesus demonstrated this truth again at the Last Supper, where He washed the feet of His disciples, which was one of the responsibilities of the lowliest servants. If we want to be great in the Kingdom, than we must become servants to all. This never changes, we don't serve in this role for so many years and then get moved higher up so we don't have to serve any more. We don't put in our time as servants in the hopes of getting promoted, this IS the position of the greatest.
5. Matthew 18:21-27 NIV: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [23] “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. [25] Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go."
In these verses Jesus is describing the forgiveness as it relates to the Kingdom of God. He uses numbers that are beyond reason to describe the reality of the situation. When asked how often we should forgive, He says seventy-seven times, in other Gospels its conveyed as 70 x 7 times, regardless its more than most of us would ever have the heart or patience to go to. He is describing His heart towards us as well, for the rules in the Kingdom flow from the King. He then describes man's debt of sin, in using the 10,000 bags or talents of gold. A talent was equal to 20 years wags for a laborer, so He was saying the man owed him 200,000 years of labor to pay off the debt. In other words, something that was absolutely unpayable. Yet, when asked for mercy, the King extended mercy and completely forgave the debt, completely cancelling it. The story continued on with the servant then going out and collecting debt from another, but treating him harshly. The King heard about it and threw the original man into prison, to be tortured, for his refusal to forgive others, and extend mercy. Clearly forgiveness and mercy are key components of the Kingdom of God. As members of the Kingdom, we are called to represent the heart of the King in all our ways, and forgiveness and mercy are at the top of the list.
Lord, help us to understand how to walk in the fullness of our position in Your Kingdom!
Monday, September 16, 2013
The Church and Judgement
This morning I have been reading through Paul's first letter to the Church in Corinth. I am interested in his perspective on the churches role in judgement. In chapter four he is writing about not wanting to judge himself. Here are the verses:
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NIV:
[1] "This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. [2] Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. [3] I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. [4] My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. [5] Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."
I think the key statement is in verse 5, where he talks about the Lord judging and exposing the motive of our hearts. He says to judge nothing before the appointed time, that time being the day of judgement when the Lord comes. Then in the next chapter he talks about the church judging its members.
1 Corinthians 5:2-5, 9-13 NIV
[2] "And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? [3] For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. [4] So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, [5] hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
[9] I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--- [10] not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. [11] But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. [12] What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? [13] God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Here is an interesting case concerning the body, knowing about the sin of one of the members, and doing nothing about it. He calls the church to judge those inside the church, having nothing to do with those who say they are brothers, but remain in sinful lifestyles. As we were talking yesterday in church, it clearly has to do with the heart attitude, the pursuit of God, the working in our lives of God's mercy and grace, helping us to get free of sin in our lives. If there re those that are in the Church, who are not repentant, not pursuing God, than its clear they are not pursuing a relationship with the Lord, and becoming more like Him.
This is where we step onto a slippery slope of judgement, or trying to judge others motive's of their hearts, trying to give people grace to grow in holiness, without casting them out of the church for their sins. If a person comes out of the world, into the church, often times they have many sinful lifestyles. I have seen the Lord graciously lead these people to wholeness and purity, gently walking them away from their previous choices, and enabling them to step free. I have seen Him work this way in my life as well, not requiring purity and perfect obedience from day one, but rather guiding me through areas, one at a time, sometimes two, and helping me to recognize my sin, repent of it, and choosing to follow Him. I am also aware of others who the Lord, changes radically in a day - those who were addicted to drugs who are set free in a moment, never even going through withdrawl.
It seems to me that Lord leads each of us individually, and that we need to give the Lord room to do so. At the same time we need to encourage all to purity, and holiness in relationship with Jesus. We need to preach Godliness, identify sin as sin, recognize that we are all sinners, and encourage all to move forward in the Lord. When there are those who are clearly not pursuing the Lord, not living lives that embrace repentance, and doing so while maintaining that they are part of the Body of Christ, then we need address those situations, and encourage them to step into right relationship with Jesus. It is apparent that in these situations they are not really walking in relationship, or do not have a right attitude about their relationship wth God. We are supposed to be transformed through the renewing of our mind, becoming like Him, in all ways.
As the church, we must represent Christ, preaching the Gospel of salvation and forgiveness of sins. We must call people out of the world into the Kingdom of God, and help them to grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. We must accurately preach the Gospel, and correctly demonstrate and guard the fundamental truths of our faith and beliefs. We must remain balanced in our pursuit of God and our message, not giving way to 'religion' and a works mentality, at the same time not preaching some sort of free grace message that lacks any conversation of repentance and pursuit of relationship with the Lord. We must hold out the message of life to those that are deceived and on the path of destruction.
Amen Lord! help Your Church to grasp the truth, and accurately communicate this to the world.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NIV:
[1] "This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. [2] Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. [3] I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. [4] My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. [5] Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."
I think the key statement is in verse 5, where he talks about the Lord judging and exposing the motive of our hearts. He says to judge nothing before the appointed time, that time being the day of judgement when the Lord comes. Then in the next chapter he talks about the church judging its members.
1 Corinthians 5:2-5, 9-13 NIV
[2] "And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? [3] For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. [4] So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, [5] hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
[9] I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--- [10] not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. [11] But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. [12] What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? [13] God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Here is an interesting case concerning the body, knowing about the sin of one of the members, and doing nothing about it. He calls the church to judge those inside the church, having nothing to do with those who say they are brothers, but remain in sinful lifestyles. As we were talking yesterday in church, it clearly has to do with the heart attitude, the pursuit of God, the working in our lives of God's mercy and grace, helping us to get free of sin in our lives. If there re those that are in the Church, who are not repentant, not pursuing God, than its clear they are not pursuing a relationship with the Lord, and becoming more like Him.
This is where we step onto a slippery slope of judgement, or trying to judge others motive's of their hearts, trying to give people grace to grow in holiness, without casting them out of the church for their sins. If a person comes out of the world, into the church, often times they have many sinful lifestyles. I have seen the Lord graciously lead these people to wholeness and purity, gently walking them away from their previous choices, and enabling them to step free. I have seen Him work this way in my life as well, not requiring purity and perfect obedience from day one, but rather guiding me through areas, one at a time, sometimes two, and helping me to recognize my sin, repent of it, and choosing to follow Him. I am also aware of others who the Lord, changes radically in a day - those who were addicted to drugs who are set free in a moment, never even going through withdrawl.
It seems to me that Lord leads each of us individually, and that we need to give the Lord room to do so. At the same time we need to encourage all to purity, and holiness in relationship with Jesus. We need to preach Godliness, identify sin as sin, recognize that we are all sinners, and encourage all to move forward in the Lord. When there are those who are clearly not pursuing the Lord, not living lives that embrace repentance, and doing so while maintaining that they are part of the Body of Christ, then we need address those situations, and encourage them to step into right relationship with Jesus. It is apparent that in these situations they are not really walking in relationship, or do not have a right attitude about their relationship wth God. We are supposed to be transformed through the renewing of our mind, becoming like Him, in all ways.
As the church, we must represent Christ, preaching the Gospel of salvation and forgiveness of sins. We must call people out of the world into the Kingdom of God, and help them to grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. We must accurately preach the Gospel, and correctly demonstrate and guard the fundamental truths of our faith and beliefs. We must remain balanced in our pursuit of God and our message, not giving way to 'religion' and a works mentality, at the same time not preaching some sort of free grace message that lacks any conversation of repentance and pursuit of relationship with the Lord. We must hold out the message of life to those that are deceived and on the path of destruction.
Amen Lord! help Your Church to grasp the truth, and accurately communicate this to the world.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Basics of the Kingdom - Part 2
I was rereading my last entry, and in it I was looking at the basics of the Kingdom of God, and some of the foundational principles concerning the kingdom. Today I wanted to look at some of the things Jesus said about the Kingdom He established.
1. Matthew 4:17, 23 NIV: [17] "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
The Kingdom reality was the core of Jesus message. It is Good News, and its reality is demonstrable. Jesus didn't just preach about it coming soon, like John the Baptist did, but He demonstrated it.
2. Matthew 6:9-10 NIV: “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
The Kingdom on earth is an extension of the Kingdom in Heaven, and the same basic rules apply here as there in Heaven. Jesus is teaching us to pray for this unity of domains, that what happens in Heaven is what happens here in earth. For example, if there is no sickness in Heaven, then we can expect God to deal with sickness here, and as He extends His dominion here, people, when they come in contact with it, are healed - which is exactly what Jesus demonstrated.
3. Matthew 6:33 NIV: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Our participation in the Kingdom of God is more important than anything, and should be the primary goal of our lives. If we come into His Kingdom, then God, as our King will provide everything we need.
4. Matthew 7:21-23 NIV: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
There is an obedience required in the Kingdom of God, and it is related to the will of the Father. We are supposed to be in active relationship with the Lord, that we might understand His will, and do it. This is not some religious requirement, it is rather an obedience that comes out of a loving relationship. I has to do with knowing and being known - in other words - relationship.
5. Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV: [1] "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
We are called to both proclaim the Kingdom, but to demonstrate the Kingdom realities as well. These are the same works that Jesus did, so He is calling us to continue His ministry. The Kingdom of God is in expansion mode, and it expanded by our witness and representation.
6. Matthew 12:28 NIV: "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
When the Kingdom of God is proclaimed and demonstrated and established, it drives out the present kingdom of the enemy, or Satan. Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8), and He did this by establishing His new Kingdom.
7. Matthew 13:11-12 NIV: "He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. [12] Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
These verses followed the parable of the sower and the seed and Jesus is talking about listening and understanding. The Kingdom of God is established in our lives and entered into through our choices, and our decisions. If we reject the Kingdom, when it is demonstrated in our midst, it is not established in our life. The Kingdom of God will not be forced upon us, as in all things with God, we have a free-will to choose what to listen to, and want to follow. If we choose to follow Him, and enter the Kingdom, there will be blessing and provision and we will expand the Kingdom.
8. Matthew 13:31-33 NIV: "He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. [32] Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” [33] He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Kingdom of God, is expanding, is growing, and though unseen, or given significant notice by world, it is fulfilling its purpose. Both yeast and the mustard seed are very small, almost unnoticed, yet both can expand greatly. Its not through grand pomp and circumstance that the Kingdom is expanded, but rather through individual conversion and transformation, as shown by the yeast example. Although each person may seem to have little effect in the Kingdom, our actions and obedience can cause our effect to be great.
9. Matthew 16:19 NIV: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
There is some disagreement about this passage, as Jesus appeared to be addressing Peter specifically, but many commentators believe the original Greek indicates a broader audience than just Peter. Regardless, the earlier verses where Jesus sent out the apostles to preach the good news of the Kingdom, and demonstrate the Kingdom realities includes the command to cast out demons, etc. and the passing of authority, which is what this verse makes very clear. We are commissioned to do the same works as Jesus, and here says that we can extend Heaven's reality here on earth, and we have real authority!
10. Matthew 24:14 NIV:..."And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
The proclamation of the Kingdom is one of the cores expectations of the Lord, and the timeline of the last days is interwoven with the proclamation of the Kingdom. The Gospel, or good news of the Kingdom, is simply that there is new King, who is all powerful, all knowing, compassionate, merciful, faithful and good, and He wants to demonstrate His love and reality to us all, and we all have access through Jesus Christ.
Amen Lord, such fundamental and helpful truths. Help me to live as a representative of Your enduring love, and Kingdom.
1. Matthew 4:17, 23 NIV: [17] "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
The Kingdom reality was the core of Jesus message. It is Good News, and its reality is demonstrable. Jesus didn't just preach about it coming soon, like John the Baptist did, but He demonstrated it.
2. Matthew 6:9-10 NIV: “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
The Kingdom on earth is an extension of the Kingdom in Heaven, and the same basic rules apply here as there in Heaven. Jesus is teaching us to pray for this unity of domains, that what happens in Heaven is what happens here in earth. For example, if there is no sickness in Heaven, then we can expect God to deal with sickness here, and as He extends His dominion here, people, when they come in contact with it, are healed - which is exactly what Jesus demonstrated.
3. Matthew 6:33 NIV: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Our participation in the Kingdom of God is more important than anything, and should be the primary goal of our lives. If we come into His Kingdom, then God, as our King will provide everything we need.
4. Matthew 7:21-23 NIV: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
There is an obedience required in the Kingdom of God, and it is related to the will of the Father. We are supposed to be in active relationship with the Lord, that we might understand His will, and do it. This is not some religious requirement, it is rather an obedience that comes out of a loving relationship. I has to do with knowing and being known - in other words - relationship.
5. Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV: [1] "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
We are called to both proclaim the Kingdom, but to demonstrate the Kingdom realities as well. These are the same works that Jesus did, so He is calling us to continue His ministry. The Kingdom of God is in expansion mode, and it expanded by our witness and representation.
6. Matthew 12:28 NIV: "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
When the Kingdom of God is proclaimed and demonstrated and established, it drives out the present kingdom of the enemy, or Satan. Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8), and He did this by establishing His new Kingdom.
7. Matthew 13:11-12 NIV: "He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. [12] Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
These verses followed the parable of the sower and the seed and Jesus is talking about listening and understanding. The Kingdom of God is established in our lives and entered into through our choices, and our decisions. If we reject the Kingdom, when it is demonstrated in our midst, it is not established in our life. The Kingdom of God will not be forced upon us, as in all things with God, we have a free-will to choose what to listen to, and want to follow. If we choose to follow Him, and enter the Kingdom, there will be blessing and provision and we will expand the Kingdom.
8. Matthew 13:31-33 NIV: "He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. [32] Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” [33] He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Kingdom of God, is expanding, is growing, and though unseen, or given significant notice by world, it is fulfilling its purpose. Both yeast and the mustard seed are very small, almost unnoticed, yet both can expand greatly. Its not through grand pomp and circumstance that the Kingdom is expanded, but rather through individual conversion and transformation, as shown by the yeast example. Although each person may seem to have little effect in the Kingdom, our actions and obedience can cause our effect to be great.
9. Matthew 16:19 NIV: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
There is some disagreement about this passage, as Jesus appeared to be addressing Peter specifically, but many commentators believe the original Greek indicates a broader audience than just Peter. Regardless, the earlier verses where Jesus sent out the apostles to preach the good news of the Kingdom, and demonstrate the Kingdom realities includes the command to cast out demons, etc. and the passing of authority, which is what this verse makes very clear. We are commissioned to do the same works as Jesus, and here says that we can extend Heaven's reality here on earth, and we have real authority!
10. Matthew 24:14 NIV:..."And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
The proclamation of the Kingdom is one of the cores expectations of the Lord, and the timeline of the last days is interwoven with the proclamation of the Kingdom. The Gospel, or good news of the Kingdom, is simply that there is new King, who is all powerful, all knowing, compassionate, merciful, faithful and good, and He wants to demonstrate His love and reality to us all, and we all have access through Jesus Christ.
Amen Lord, such fundamental and helpful truths. Help me to live as a representative of Your enduring love, and Kingdom.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Basics of the Kingdom
I was just thinking back over the last few days, and was thinking it might be good to look briefly at the Kingdom realities, as Jesus demonstrated them. He came to establish His Kingdom on earth and it is expanding to this day. We are called to become members of this Kingdom, and His representatives as we go out into the world. So some basic truths about the Kingdom of God are good to meditate on. They are relatively simple, yet rich in deep meaning and purpose:
1. If a Kingdom has been established then there is a King - Acts 17:7
2. King..dom means the Kings dominion, or the area over which He has authority, and power - Eph 1:20-23
3. In a Kingdom, the King lays down the laws of the Kingdom, the rules flow out of His character - Prov 29:2,4,14
4. Jesus is our King, He sits on the throne in Heaven, but His Kingdom exists on the earth as it does in Heaven - Matt 6:10
5. The Church, the Body of Christ is the physical representative of the King, here on the earth, and as such is able to walk in His authority and power, as we faithfully represent Him - 1 Cor 12:12-14,27
6. Jesus told His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom, then to demonstrate the Kingdom - Matt 10:7-8
7. Healing, miracles, signs and wonders, authority over demons, raising people from the dead, restoring people to wholeness, authority over nature, are all signs of the Kingdom of God present - Matt 10:7-8, Matt 11:4-6, Luke 10:18-20, Mark 16:15-18
We are all called to be active members of this Kingdom, and our lives demonstrating the reality of the Kingdom to those around us. Let us pursue God, represent His kingdom, and live our lives in such a way that we are giving all the glory to the King. If nothing is impossible for the King, than nothing is impossible for us, His body here on earth.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
He Welcomed Them All
This morning I am reading from Luke 9:10-11 NIV:
[10] "When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing."
I was reading through this chapter in Luke, looking for something else, when these verses caught my eye. The context is that Apostles, those sent by Jesus, came back from their ministry trips. Jesus wanted to take some time them privately to hear more about their experiences, (at least that is how it seems to me). Anyway, crowds find out where He is, and flock to him.
I love the Lord's response, it says He welcomed them.
He had a different agenda which they interrupted, but He welcomed them!
He needed time alone with His Apostles, yet He welcomed them!
He was probably tired and needed some down time, yet He welcomed them!
They demanded His attention, yet He welcomed them!
The were very inconvenient, yet He welcomed them!
Finally after speaking to them about the kingdom of God, he demonstrated this reality by healing the sick, all the sick. From the next few verses, we know that the crowd was huge, so this no small undertaking. Jesus didn't hold back, didn't give them less than His best, and He met their needs.
I am encouraged and called on by this all. I am encouraged, because I know that He has the same heart for me, if I come to Him, He will welcome me. Secondly, I am called on to be more kike Him. I don't like interruptions, inconvenience or having my agenda changed, especially if I am tired. I need to change my heart and learn to welcome all that come, needing Jesus. I know that the Holy Spirit will fill up in me anything I am lacking. Lord, please help me to be more like You
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Beliefs Affect Our Actions
I spent yesterday morning outlining some of the basic truths concerning the Good News, sin and punishment. Hopefully it was helpful to some, it was certainly helpful to me to think through and write down in a concise manner. I think for me that is all in place, and I need to continue to focus on the kingdom lifestyle that such thoughts and beliefs demand. Its not enough to belief these things in our hearts and minds, but they must show themselves in our lives.
James has it right in his letter, stating - [14] "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith (belief} but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [15] Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith (belief) by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17 NIV. I inserted belief in the text in parentheses because the original Greek word 'pistis', here translated faith can also be translated belief. The definition of the word is given as follows: n 1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things.
So, what we believe must influence our actions and be seen in our actions. A.W. Tozer says the most important thing is what we believe deep in our heart about God. Thus, its not just important to get these basic truths into our mind, but they must penetrate to our very souls, deep into our hearts and become the motivation for our actions. It is essential that I think about my beliefs, and choose to act upon them. In our world today, we spend to little time thinking about our actions, as we are to busy to even stop for a moment. We have a huge deficit of integrity of belief and action in the church - for we say we believe things, but our actions say otherwise, and as James says, that means those beliefs are actually dead.
So for me, this leads me to reflect on my life and what I show I believe by my actions, for those are the beliefs that are actually alive in my life. I must look at my life and take a real inventory of my actions, and choose to change my actions if they do not align wth my core beliefs. This is the heart of repentance, changing the way we think, and then changing our actions to line up with this new way of thinking. Its not enough to think about turning around (one defintion of repentance), we must actually do so.
As I reflect on my life as a follower of Christ, an adopted son of God, and a representative of Him in His Kingdom, I should see that my belief and actions are in line with His beliefs and actions, as demonstrated by Jesus. The bracelets that were in style in the church a few years back had WWJD on them - which was supposed to cause us to reflect on what Jesus would do, and then endeavor to do the same thing. This is exactly right. We are called to be His representatives, so we should be representing Him to those we meet. We have, through Jesus, been restored to right relationship with the Father, and have been clothed in His (Jesus) righteousness. We are God's adopted sons and daughters and Jesus showed us what the Son of God acted like and valued when He was on the earth.
James has it right in his letter, stating - [14] "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith (belief} but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [15] Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith (belief) by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17 NIV. I inserted belief in the text in parentheses because the original Greek word 'pistis', here translated faith can also be translated belief. The definition of the word is given as follows: n 1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things.
So, what we believe must influence our actions and be seen in our actions. A.W. Tozer says the most important thing is what we believe deep in our heart about God. Thus, its not just important to get these basic truths into our mind, but they must penetrate to our very souls, deep into our hearts and become the motivation for our actions. It is essential that I think about my beliefs, and choose to act upon them. In our world today, we spend to little time thinking about our actions, as we are to busy to even stop for a moment. We have a huge deficit of integrity of belief and action in the church - for we say we believe things, but our actions say otherwise, and as James says, that means those beliefs are actually dead.
So for me, this leads me to reflect on my life and what I show I believe by my actions, for those are the beliefs that are actually alive in my life. I must look at my life and take a real inventory of my actions, and choose to change my actions if they do not align wth my core beliefs. This is the heart of repentance, changing the way we think, and then changing our actions to line up with this new way of thinking. Its not enough to think about turning around (one defintion of repentance), we must actually do so.
As I reflect on my life as a follower of Christ, an adopted son of God, and a representative of Him in His Kingdom, I should see that my belief and actions are in line with His beliefs and actions, as demonstrated by Jesus. The bracelets that were in style in the church a few years back had WWJD on them - which was supposed to cause us to reflect on what Jesus would do, and then endeavor to do the same thing. This is exactly right. We are called to be His representatives, so we should be representing Him to those we meet. We have, through Jesus, been restored to right relationship with the Father, and have been clothed in His (Jesus) righteousness. We are God's adopted sons and daughters and Jesus showed us what the Son of God acted like and valued when He was on the earth.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Thoughts on the Good News, Sin and Punishment
It is essential to establish the core beliefs, and here is a list of things I think are foundational, as they refer to God's amazing Good News and Salvation, and our thinking about punishment, sin and death.
1. God cares about relationships, relationships where choice is available. It is what He desires most, and why He created us.
2. Because relationships require choice, free will and the ability to choose not to be in relationship must be available. So, even though God is all knowing, all powerful and able to do anything, He allows us to choose to go against His will - this is the root cause of evil and sin. Angels and humans have free choice.
3. Sin causes separation and death - that is the punishment that is related to sin, separation in our relationship with God and death. All men sin and have sinned. (Rom 5:12) (Rom 6:23)
4. The Bible represents an ongoing revelation about God, with the culmination of revelation in the person Jesus. He is perfect theology - He reveals the Father, and is a perfect representation of Him. (Heb 1:3) All other revelation about God in the old testament was shaded and shaped by human limitations of thought and understanding, it was all true, just limited.
5. Jesus came to reveal the Father and restore relationship with the Father, and pay the price and purchase forgiveness for our sins, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the heart of the Good News!
6. Jesus paid for all our sins, for every sin (Is 53:4,5) (Rom 5). This is either true or not.
7. If we receive Jesus as our Lord, and accept His salvation, His sacrifice is applied to our lives, and our sins are forgiven.
8. If Jesus paid for all our sins, then we don't need to. This isn't meant to be a free ticket to do whatever we want, but is meant to lead us to relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If God requires us to pay for our sins, after .Jesus paid, than He is saying that Jesus' sacrifice was not sufficient.
9. Punishment for sins, is the same as paying for sins, and since Jesus paid with His life, He took the punishment for our sins, separation from the Father and death, upon Himself. Thus, God does not need, nor will He punish us for our sins.
10. Punishment is not the same as consequences. We reap want we sow, and if we choose poorly, there will be consequences to our choices. If I choose to step into oncoming traffic there will be a consequence to that choice, but it is not punishment. (Gal 6:7-8)
11. Punishment is not the same as discipline. Discipline is about building character, and endurance and strength, and passing on core values. Sometimes discipline feels like punishment, but it is not. (Heb 12)
12. Punishment and judgement are not the same thing. Jesus made it clear there would be a judgement day, and that would be followed by just rewards. Those that chose God will be rewarded with eternal relationship with Him, those that did not choose God, will be rewarded with their choice eternally - separation from God, and all that He created (Matt 25) (Rev 20:11-15)
13. Jesus said He didn't come to judge, but to save the world, (Jn 3:16-17) and as such will reserve judgement until the final day of judgement.
14. God does not cause sickness, calamity or destruction, those are the result of a fallen world, and sin. We know this is the case because Jesus, the perfect representation of the Father, never caused sickness, calamity or destruction (other than purifying the temple).
15. God doesn't need calamity or destruction to draw all men to Himself. Most of the greatest revivals in history had nothing to do with calamity, or destruction, but were the result of fervent prayers and intercession, and God's sovereign choice. God's glory is enough to draw people to Him. He wants lovers, not those fearing punishment.
16. God can use everything to bring about His Glory, but sin, sickness, death and destruction are not His choice for us. God can redeem us from any bad circumstance or situation, but He did not cause them.
17. God is good, loving, merciful, full of compassion, faithful, forgiving, and desires relationship with each of us. He longs to call each of us His son or daughter.
I could keep going and will probably do so another day, as I want focus on the basics of kingdom life and God's amazing plan for our lives here on the earth.
1. God cares about relationships, relationships where choice is available. It is what He desires most, and why He created us.
2. Because relationships require choice, free will and the ability to choose not to be in relationship must be available. So, even though God is all knowing, all powerful and able to do anything, He allows us to choose to go against His will - this is the root cause of evil and sin. Angels and humans have free choice.
3. Sin causes separation and death - that is the punishment that is related to sin, separation in our relationship with God and death. All men sin and have sinned. (Rom 5:12) (Rom 6:23)
4. The Bible represents an ongoing revelation about God, with the culmination of revelation in the person Jesus. He is perfect theology - He reveals the Father, and is a perfect representation of Him. (Heb 1:3) All other revelation about God in the old testament was shaded and shaped by human limitations of thought and understanding, it was all true, just limited.
5. Jesus came to reveal the Father and restore relationship with the Father, and pay the price and purchase forgiveness for our sins, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the heart of the Good News!
6. Jesus paid for all our sins, for every sin (Is 53:4,5) (Rom 5). This is either true or not.
7. If we receive Jesus as our Lord, and accept His salvation, His sacrifice is applied to our lives, and our sins are forgiven.
8. If Jesus paid for all our sins, then we don't need to. This isn't meant to be a free ticket to do whatever we want, but is meant to lead us to relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If God requires us to pay for our sins, after .Jesus paid, than He is saying that Jesus' sacrifice was not sufficient.
9. Punishment for sins, is the same as paying for sins, and since Jesus paid with His life, He took the punishment for our sins, separation from the Father and death, upon Himself. Thus, God does not need, nor will He punish us for our sins.
10. Punishment is not the same as consequences. We reap want we sow, and if we choose poorly, there will be consequences to our choices. If I choose to step into oncoming traffic there will be a consequence to that choice, but it is not punishment. (Gal 6:7-8)
11. Punishment is not the same as discipline. Discipline is about building character, and endurance and strength, and passing on core values. Sometimes discipline feels like punishment, but it is not. (Heb 12)
12. Punishment and judgement are not the same thing. Jesus made it clear there would be a judgement day, and that would be followed by just rewards. Those that chose God will be rewarded with eternal relationship with Him, those that did not choose God, will be rewarded with their choice eternally - separation from God, and all that He created (Matt 25) (Rev 20:11-15)
13. Jesus said He didn't come to judge, but to save the world, (Jn 3:16-17) and as such will reserve judgement until the final day of judgement.
14. God does not cause sickness, calamity or destruction, those are the result of a fallen world, and sin. We know this is the case because Jesus, the perfect representation of the Father, never caused sickness, calamity or destruction (other than purifying the temple).
15. God doesn't need calamity or destruction to draw all men to Himself. Most of the greatest revivals in history had nothing to do with calamity, or destruction, but were the result of fervent prayers and intercession, and God's sovereign choice. God's glory is enough to draw people to Him. He wants lovers, not those fearing punishment.
16. God can use everything to bring about His Glory, but sin, sickness, death and destruction are not His choice for us. God can redeem us from any bad circumstance or situation, but He did not cause them.
17. God is good, loving, merciful, full of compassion, faithful, forgiving, and desires relationship with each of us. He longs to call each of us His son or daughter.
I could keep going and will probably do so another day, as I want focus on the basics of kingdom life and God's amazing plan for our lives here on the earth.
Monday, September 9, 2013
One Body
This morning I am reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV"
'Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
I love this verse because its simplicity in explaining a very complex thing, our unity as a body of believers. At this point in history the church had not yet spilt into different denominations, but it would not have changed Paul's understanding. He wrote in the first three chapters of this same letter arguing against any alignment of men, 'some who followed Apollos', some himself, etc. We are, every Christian denomination, and every Christian, part of one body. This is the reality, not something to be achieved, but rather how God sees us. There are not multiple bodies of Christ aligned by denomination. There is no one group who perfectly encompasses all truth, and doesn't need the rest. We are all, by God's design and working, part of the same body.
We have all received the same Holy Spirit, Paul writes that "we were all given the one Spirit to drink.". This is such an interesting phrase. We understand being baptized in the Holy Spirit, from the Gospels, which is the picture of being immersed in a liquid. In John's Gospel, Jesus speaks of God making His home in us - John 14:23. Now Paul is saying we drink this same liquid, the Spirit, and receive into ourselves, like we do water. The Greek word means 1. to give to drink, to furnish drink 2. to water, irrigate (plants, fields etc.) 3. metaph. to imbue, saturate one's mind. I think all three definitions work in this case.
First we are refreshed by the Holy Spirit, and His presence brings us life. Secondly, the Spirit is sent to lead and guide us grow us into mature Christians. This seems very similar to watering crops. Thirdly, it can be understood to be discussing ones renewed mind, and way of thinking, which is also described by Jesus as one of the roles of the Holy Spirit - John 14:26. It is this new way of thinking that should include the reality of our membership into one single body. We have congregations and denominations to give some order and function, but truly have membership in only one body. Let us pray for an understanding of this truth to saturate all our lives, and understanding. We need to start understanding our calling and our abilities in light of this reality. Amen.
Let us stop attacking ourselves, stop any thinking we are better on our own, and stop the judgements. We are all, in His eyes, one body, and we need to learn to think and act that way!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Hymn of Praise
Psalm 150:1-6 NIV
[1] "Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
[2] Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
[3] Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
[4] praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,
[5] praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
[6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
I am reminded of all the blessings in my life, the incredible things the God has done, and His endless mercy and compassion. I think of the wonders of Your creation, the minute details at the micro-cellular level, to the intricacies of the universe. I am amazed at the order and infinite interconnectedness that exists in our world. I am conscious of the awesome gift Your forgiveness is to each of us. Beyond forgiveness, You care for us intimately, knowing our innermost thoughts and meet us at the place of our deepest needs. You answer prayers even when they are still on our lips. Your timing and provision is perfect. You see and know all things, and still desire relationship with each of us. You are an amazing God.
Lord, I am so grateful for all that You have provided, all that You have showered down upon me. There is truly no one, or no other god like You! Thank You for Your love and mercy.
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