There are three things embodied in the title of the Lord -
1. His Ownership, hence "the earth is the Lord's" Psa 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
Because "the earth is the Lord's", all of us are stewards, or caretakers. We are committed to the proper management of this world and its resources, but we are not to become devoted to anything created or act as sole proprietors because they will all pass away (1 John 2:17).
2. His Authority, hence the Lord delivered to the servants the talents which they were responsible to use for Him - Matt 25:20-23 says, "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. v21 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. v22 He also that has received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. v23 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make the ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Jesus is coming back - we know this is true. Does this mean we must drop our jobs in order to serve God? No, it means we are diligently to use our time, talents, and treasures in order to serve God completely in whatever we do. For a few people, this means changing professions. For most of us, it means doing our daily work out of love for God.
3. His Power, hence when the Lord sent forth His servants "the Lord" was "working with them" Mark 16:19-20 says, "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. v20 And they went forth, and preached the word with signs following. Amen."
Marks Gospel emphasizes Christ's power as well as his servant hood. Jesus' life and teaching turn the world upside down. The world sees power as a way to gain control over others. But Jesus, with all authority and power in heaven and earth, chose to serve others. He held children in his arms, healed the sick, washed the disciples' feet, and died for the sins of the world. Following Jesus means receiving this same power to serve. As believers, we are called to be servants of Christ. As Christ served, we are to serve.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Christ's Faultlessness
Pilate and the believing thief both confessed there was "no fault" in Him, and that He had done "nothing amiss" (Luke 23:14,41). The word "amiss" is rendered "harm" (Acts 28:6), and "unreasonable" (2 Thess 3:2), in the two other places where "atopon" occurs. There was nothing unreasonable in Christ's teaching, there was no harm in His actions, and not anything amiss in His character.
He did no sin - 1 Peter 2:22 says, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"
There are many reasons for why we suffer. Some sufferings is the direct result of our own sin; some happens because of our foolishness; and some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Christ never sinned, yet he suffered so that we could be set free. When we follow Christ's example and live for others, we too may suffer. Our goal should be to face suffering as he did - with patience, calmness, and confidence that God is in control of the future.
In Him was no sin - 1 John 3:5 says, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."
Under the Old Testament sacrifice system, a lamb without blemish was offered as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Because he lived a perfect life and sacrificed himself for our sins, we can be completely forgiven (2:2). We can look back to his death for us and know we need never suffer eternal death (1 Peter 1:18-20).
He knew no sin - 2 Cor 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
When we trust in Christ, we make a trade - our sin for his goodness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ's atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin - something of immeasurable worth for something worthless. How grateful we should be for his goodness to us.
He was holy, harmless, and undefiled, and separate from every vile association - Heb 7:26 says, "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"
Many people take Christ's work on the cross for granted. They don't realized how costly it was for Jesus to secure our forgiveness - it cost him his life (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Because Christ died once and for all, he finished all sacrifices. He forgave sins - past, present and future. The Jews did not need to go back to the old system because Christ, the perfect sacrifice, completed the work of redemption. You need not look for another way to have your sins forgiven. Christ was the final sacrifice for you.
The greatest character that ever lived died the most shameful and undeserved death that was ever experienced.
He did no sin - 1 Peter 2:22 says, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"
There are many reasons for why we suffer. Some sufferings is the direct result of our own sin; some happens because of our foolishness; and some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Christ never sinned, yet he suffered so that we could be set free. When we follow Christ's example and live for others, we too may suffer. Our goal should be to face suffering as he did - with patience, calmness, and confidence that God is in control of the future.
In Him was no sin - 1 John 3:5 says, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."
Under the Old Testament sacrifice system, a lamb without blemish was offered as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Because he lived a perfect life and sacrificed himself for our sins, we can be completely forgiven (2:2). We can look back to his death for us and know we need never suffer eternal death (1 Peter 1:18-20).
He knew no sin - 2 Cor 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
When we trust in Christ, we make a trade - our sin for his goodness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ's atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin - something of immeasurable worth for something worthless. How grateful we should be for his goodness to us.
He was holy, harmless, and undefiled, and separate from every vile association - Heb 7:26 says, "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"
Many people take Christ's work on the cross for granted. They don't realized how costly it was for Jesus to secure our forgiveness - it cost him his life (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Because Christ died once and for all, he finished all sacrifices. He forgave sins - past, present and future. The Jews did not need to go back to the old system because Christ, the perfect sacrifice, completed the work of redemption. You need not look for another way to have your sins forgiven. Christ was the final sacrifice for you.
The greatest character that ever lived died the most shameful and undeserved death that was ever experienced.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Man Who Gave His Grave To Jesus
This wealthy and devout Israelite, a member of the Sanhedrin, lived in a city of Jews (Luke 23:51). It is to the provision he made for the body of Christ that Isaiah had reference when he said, "He made His grave with the rich" (Isa 53:9). Of this renowned Joseph we discover:
He was an honorable counselor (Mark 15:43). Because of his adherence to the Law and integrity of life he was a member of the governing body known as the Sanhedrin.
He looked for the kingdom of God. Immersed in Old Testament Scriptures, he anticipated the reign of the promised Messiah.
He was "a good man and just" (Luke 23:50-51). As the Bible never uses words unnecessarily, there must be a distinction between "good" and "just." As a "good man" we have his own internal disposition - what he was in himself. As a "just man" we have his external conduct - what he was towards others. His just dealings were the fruit of the root of his goodness. His was the belief that knew how to behave.
He was a secret disciple (John 19:38). Joseph of Arimathaea was similar to Nicodemus in his respect for our Lord as a man, admiration for Him as a teacher, belief in Him as the Christ, and yet, till now, his lack of confessing Him before men. Dreading the hostility of his colleagues on the Sanhedrin, he kept his faith secret.
He begged the body of Jesus (Matt 27:58). As soon as Jesus was dead, Joseph hastened to Pilate for permission to inter His body. In the past, Joseph had been afraid to speak against the religious leaders who opposed Jesus; now he was bold courageously asking to take Jesus' body from the cross and bury it. The disciples who publicly followed Jesus had fled, but this Jewish leader, who followed Jesus in secret, came forward and did what was right. It was common for friends of the crucified to purchase their bodies, which would otherwise have been cast out as refuse, and give them decent burial (Mark 15:45).
He gave his grave to Christ (Matt 27:59-60). With lingering reverence Joseph paid his last respects to the One he admired, and in the hour of sorrow helped the friends and not the foes of the religious Sufferer. Joseph had a garden close to Calvary, where he had hewn a smoothed and polished tomb in the side of the rock as his own last resting place, in which, aided by Nicodemus, he buried the linen covered and perfumed body of Christ.
He was an honorable counselor (Mark 15:43). Because of his adherence to the Law and integrity of life he was a member of the governing body known as the Sanhedrin.
He looked for the kingdom of God. Immersed in Old Testament Scriptures, he anticipated the reign of the promised Messiah.
He was "a good man and just" (Luke 23:50-51). As the Bible never uses words unnecessarily, there must be a distinction between "good" and "just." As a "good man" we have his own internal disposition - what he was in himself. As a "just man" we have his external conduct - what he was towards others. His just dealings were the fruit of the root of his goodness. His was the belief that knew how to behave.
He was a secret disciple (John 19:38). Joseph of Arimathaea was similar to Nicodemus in his respect for our Lord as a man, admiration for Him as a teacher, belief in Him as the Christ, and yet, till now, his lack of confessing Him before men. Dreading the hostility of his colleagues on the Sanhedrin, he kept his faith secret.
He begged the body of Jesus (Matt 27:58). As soon as Jesus was dead, Joseph hastened to Pilate for permission to inter His body. In the past, Joseph had been afraid to speak against the religious leaders who opposed Jesus; now he was bold courageously asking to take Jesus' body from the cross and bury it. The disciples who publicly followed Jesus had fled, but this Jewish leader, who followed Jesus in secret, came forward and did what was right. It was common for friends of the crucified to purchase their bodies, which would otherwise have been cast out as refuse, and give them decent burial (Mark 15:45).
He gave his grave to Christ (Matt 27:59-60). With lingering reverence Joseph paid his last respects to the One he admired, and in the hour of sorrow helped the friends and not the foes of the religious Sufferer. Joseph had a garden close to Calvary, where he had hewn a smoothed and polished tomb in the side of the rock as his own last resting place, in which, aided by Nicodemus, he buried the linen covered and perfumed body of Christ.
What have you given Jesus?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My Confession
1. Christ for Me. Salvation - Rom 5:8 says, " But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
While we were yet sinners - these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because he loved us so much. Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that he loved you even before you turned to him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, he can surely strengthen you now that you love him in return.
2. Christ in Me. Sanctification - Gal 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
How have I been crucified with Christ? Legally, God looks at me as if I had died with Christ. Because my sins died with him, I am no longer condemned (Col 2:13-15). Rationally, I have become one with Christ, and his experiences are mine. My Christian life began when, in unity with him, I died to my old life (see Rom 6:5-11). In my daily life, I must regularly crucify sinful desires that keep me from following Christ. This too is a kind of dying with him (Luke 9:23-25).
And yet the focus of Christianity is not dying, but living. Because I have been crucified with Christ, I have also been raised with him (Rom 6:5). Legally, I have been reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:19) and am free to grow into Christ's likeness (Rom 8:29). And in my daily life, I have Christ's resurrection power as I continue to fight sin (Eph 1:19-20). Christ lives in me - this is my reason for living and my hope for the future (Col 1:27).
3. Complete in Him. Supply - Col 2:10 says, "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"
When we know Jesus Christ, we don't need to seek God by means of other religions, cults, or unbiblical philosophies as the Colossians were doing. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life, because Christ is life. He is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything else than what he has provided to be saved. We are complete in him.
While we were yet sinners - these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because he loved us so much. Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that he loved you even before you turned to him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, he can surely strengthen you now that you love him in return.
2. Christ in Me. Sanctification - Gal 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
How have I been crucified with Christ? Legally, God looks at me as if I had died with Christ. Because my sins died with him, I am no longer condemned (Col 2:13-15). Rationally, I have become one with Christ, and his experiences are mine. My Christian life began when, in unity with him, I died to my old life (see Rom 6:5-11). In my daily life, I must regularly crucify sinful desires that keep me from following Christ. This too is a kind of dying with him (Luke 9:23-25).
And yet the focus of Christianity is not dying, but living. Because I have been crucified with Christ, I have also been raised with him (Rom 6:5). Legally, I have been reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:19) and am free to grow into Christ's likeness (Rom 8:29). And in my daily life, I have Christ's resurrection power as I continue to fight sin (Eph 1:19-20). Christ lives in me - this is my reason for living and my hope for the future (Col 1:27).
3. Complete in Him. Supply - Col 2:10 says, "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"
When we know Jesus Christ, we don't need to seek God by means of other religions, cults, or unbiblical philosophies as the Colossians were doing. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life, because Christ is life. He is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything else than what he has provided to be saved. We are complete in him.
Have you confessed and became complete with Jesus Christ?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Satan's Many Parts
The Bible shows that Satan can play many parts, and among the principal parts he plays are the following seven:
1. He is the Devil to deceive. Rev 20:10 says, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Satan's power is not eternal - he will meet his doom. He began his evil work in mankind at the beginning (Gen 3:1-6) and continues it today, but he will be destroyed when he is thrown into the lake of fire. Satan was released from the bottomless pit (20:7) but he will never be released from the lake of fire. He will never be a threat to anyone again.
2. He is the adversary (Satan) to accuse. Luke 22:31 says, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
Satan wanted to crush Peter like a grain of wheat. He hoped to find only chaff and blow it away. But Jesus assured Peter that his faith, although it would falter, would not be destroyed. It would be renewed and he would become a powerful leader.
3. He is an angel of light to misrepresent. 2 Cor 11:14 says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Satan "transformed" means Satan masquerading. In one popular version of the story of Eve's temptation, Satan masqueraded as an angel. Paul may have been thinking of this story, or he could have been referring to Satan's typical devices. In either case, nothing could be more deceitful than Satan, the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12; Col 1:13), disguishing himself as an angel of light. By the same token, when the false teachers claimed to represent Christ, they were lying shamelessly.
Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing attractive, good and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and practice immorality and deceit. Don't be fooled by external appearances. Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn't a tru follower of Christ; so it helps to ask these questions: 1) Do their teachings confirm scripture (Acts 17:11)? 2) Do the teachers affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins (1 John 4:1-3)? 3) Is their life-style consistent with biblical morality (Matt 12:33-37)?
4. He is an enemy to oppose. Matt 13:28,39 says, "He said unto them, An enemy hath doth this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."
5. He is the hinderer to deter. 1 Thess 2:18 says, "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."
Paul was not using the word "Satan" here symbolically - he knew that Satan is real. Satan is called "the god of this world" (2 Cor 4"4) and "the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2). We don't know what exactly hindered Paul from returning to Thessalonica - opposition, illness, travel, complications, or a direct attack by Satan - but Satan worked in some way to keep him away. Many of the difficulities that prevent us from accomplishing God's work can be attributed to Satan (Eph 6:12)
6. He is the god of this age to blind. 2 Cor 4:4 says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
The Good News is open and revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe. Satan is "the god of this world." His work is to deceive and he has blinded those who don't beleive in Christ (see 11:14-15 (#3 above). The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ's Gospel. Those who refuse Christ, perferring their own pursuits, have made Satan their God unknowingly.
7. He is the tempter to allure. Luke 4:2 says, "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 1 Thess 3:5 says, "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you and our labour be in vain."
The Devil, who tempted Adam & Eve in the Garden, also tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan is a real being, a created but rebellious fallen angel, not a symbol or an idea. He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God. Jesus was a prime target for his temptations. Satan succeeded with Adam and Eve and he hoped to succeed with Jesus too.
Satan ("tempter") is the most powerful of the evil spirits. His power can affect both the spiritual world (Eph 2:1-3; 6:10-12) and the physical world (2 Cor 12:7-10). Satan even tempted Jesus. But Jesus defeated Satan when he died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again to bring new life. At the proper time God will overthrow Satan forever. (Rev 20:7-10)
1. He is the Devil to deceive. Rev 20:10 says, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Satan's power is not eternal - he will meet his doom. He began his evil work in mankind at the beginning (Gen 3:1-6) and continues it today, but he will be destroyed when he is thrown into the lake of fire. Satan was released from the bottomless pit (20:7) but he will never be released from the lake of fire. He will never be a threat to anyone again.
2. He is the adversary (Satan) to accuse. Luke 22:31 says, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
Satan wanted to crush Peter like a grain of wheat. He hoped to find only chaff and blow it away. But Jesus assured Peter that his faith, although it would falter, would not be destroyed. It would be renewed and he would become a powerful leader.
3. He is an angel of light to misrepresent. 2 Cor 11:14 says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Satan "transformed" means Satan masquerading. In one popular version of the story of Eve's temptation, Satan masqueraded as an angel. Paul may have been thinking of this story, or he could have been referring to Satan's typical devices. In either case, nothing could be more deceitful than Satan, the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12; Col 1:13), disguishing himself as an angel of light. By the same token, when the false teachers claimed to represent Christ, they were lying shamelessly.
Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing attractive, good and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and practice immorality and deceit. Don't be fooled by external appearances. Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn't a tru follower of Christ; so it helps to ask these questions: 1) Do their teachings confirm scripture (Acts 17:11)? 2) Do the teachers affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins (1 John 4:1-3)? 3) Is their life-style consistent with biblical morality (Matt 12:33-37)?
4. He is an enemy to oppose. Matt 13:28,39 says, "He said unto them, An enemy hath doth this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."
5. He is the hinderer to deter. 1 Thess 2:18 says, "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."
Paul was not using the word "Satan" here symbolically - he knew that Satan is real. Satan is called "the god of this world" (2 Cor 4"4) and "the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2). We don't know what exactly hindered Paul from returning to Thessalonica - opposition, illness, travel, complications, or a direct attack by Satan - but Satan worked in some way to keep him away. Many of the difficulities that prevent us from accomplishing God's work can be attributed to Satan (Eph 6:12)
6. He is the god of this age to blind. 2 Cor 4:4 says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
The Good News is open and revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe. Satan is "the god of this world." His work is to deceive and he has blinded those who don't beleive in Christ (see 11:14-15 (#3 above). The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ's Gospel. Those who refuse Christ, perferring their own pursuits, have made Satan their God unknowingly.
7. He is the tempter to allure. Luke 4:2 says, "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 1 Thess 3:5 says, "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you and our labour be in vain."
The Devil, who tempted Adam & Eve in the Garden, also tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan is a real being, a created but rebellious fallen angel, not a symbol or an idea. He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God. Jesus was a prime target for his temptations. Satan succeeded with Adam and Eve and he hoped to succeed with Jesus too.
Satan ("tempter") is the most powerful of the evil spirits. His power can affect both the spiritual world (Eph 2:1-3; 6:10-12) and the physical world (2 Cor 12:7-10). Satan even tempted Jesus. But Jesus defeated Satan when he died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again to bring new life. At the proper time God will overthrow Satan forever. (Rev 20:7-10)
Are you a follower of Satan or Christ?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
I Am Persuaded
Love's Work - Acts 26:26 says, "For the knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner."
Paul was appealing to the facts - people were still alive who had heard Jesus and seen his miracles; the empty tomb could still be seen; and the Christian message was turning the world upside down (17:6). The history of Jesus' life and the early church are facts that are still open for us to examine. We still will have eye witness accounts of Jesus' life in the Bible as well as historical and archaeological records of the early church to study. Examine the events and facts as verified by many witnesses. Reconfirm your faith with the truth of these accounts.
Love's Tenacity - Rom 8:38 says, " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,"
"Principalities" and "powers" are unseen forces of evil in the universe. These are Satan and his fallen angels (see Eph 6:12). In Christ we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us from any such forces.
Love's Preservation - 2 Tim 1:12 says, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
Paul was in prison, but that did not stop his ministry. He carried it own through others like Timothy. Paul had lost all his material possessions, but he would never lose his faith. He trusted God to use him regardless of his circumstances. If your situation looks bleak, give your concerns to Christ. He will guard your faith and safely guard all you have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
The phrase "keep that which I have committed unto him" has three main interpretations: (1) Paul knew God would guard the souls of those converted through his preaching. (2) he trusted God to guard his own soul until the second coming; or (3) he was confident that, though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the Gospel ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul may have expressed his confidence to encourage Timothy, who was discouraged by the problems in Ephesus and fearful of persecution. Even in prison, Paul knew God was still in control.
Paul was appealing to the facts - people were still alive who had heard Jesus and seen his miracles; the empty tomb could still be seen; and the Christian message was turning the world upside down (17:6). The history of Jesus' life and the early church are facts that are still open for us to examine. We still will have eye witness accounts of Jesus' life in the Bible as well as historical and archaeological records of the early church to study. Examine the events and facts as verified by many witnesses. Reconfirm your faith with the truth of these accounts.
Love's Tenacity - Rom 8:38 says, " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,"
"Principalities" and "powers" are unseen forces of evil in the universe. These are Satan and his fallen angels (see Eph 6:12). In Christ we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us from any such forces.
Love's Preservation - 2 Tim 1:12 says, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
Paul was in prison, but that did not stop his ministry. He carried it own through others like Timothy. Paul had lost all his material possessions, but he would never lose his faith. He trusted God to use him regardless of his circumstances. If your situation looks bleak, give your concerns to Christ. He will guard your faith and safely guard all you have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
The phrase "keep that which I have committed unto him" has three main interpretations: (1) Paul knew God would guard the souls of those converted through his preaching. (2) he trusted God to guard his own soul until the second coming; or (3) he was confident that, though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the Gospel ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul may have expressed his confidence to encourage Timothy, who was discouraged by the problems in Ephesus and fearful of persecution. Even in prison, Paul knew God was still in control.
Does God have control of your life?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Gospel's Threefold Message
The Gospel is a threefold message.
1. It is "the Gospel of the grace of God" proclaiming His favour to the undeserving. Acts 20:24 says, "But none of these things move me, niether count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
We often feel that life is a failure unless were getting a lot out of it, recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul thought life was worth nothing unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Which is more important to you - what you get out of life or what you put in it?
Singlemindedness is a quality needed by anyone who wishes to do God's work. Paul was a singleminded person, and the most important goal of his life was to tell others about Christ (Philippians 3:7-13). It is no wonder that Paul was the greatest missionary who ever lived. God is looking for men and women who focus on that one great task God has given them to do.
2. It is the Gospel of power, telling out the good news that God never ask us to do a thing without giving us the power to do it. Rom 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Paul was not ashamed, because his message was the Gospel of Christ, the Good News. It was a message of salvation, it had life changing power, and it was for everyone. When you are tempted to be ashamed, remember what the Good News is all about. If you focus on God and on what God is doing in the world rather than on your inadequacy, your embarrassment will soon disappear.
Why did the message go to the Jews first? They had been God's special people for more than 2,000 years ever since God chose Abraham and promised great blessings to his descendants (Gen 12:1-3). God did not choose them because they deserved to be chosen(Duet 7:7,8; 9:4-6), but because he wanted to show his love and mercy to them, teach them, and prepare them to welcome his Messiah into the world. He chose them , not to play favorites, but so that they would tell the world about his plan of salvation.
For centuries the Jews had been learning about God by obeying his laws, keeping his feasts, and living according to his moral principles. Often they forgot God's promises and requirements; often they had to be disciplined; but still they had a precious heritage of belief in the one true God. Of all the people on earth, the Jews should have been the most ready to welcome the Messiah and to understand his mission and message - and some of them were (see Luke 2:25; 36-38). Of course, the disciplines and the great apostle Paul were faithful Jews who recognized in Jesus God's most precious gift to the human race.
Jews and Christians alike stood against the idolatrous Roman religions, and Roman officials often confused the two groups. This was espesially easy to do since the Christian church in Roman was originally composed of Jewish converts who attended the feast of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1). By the time Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, however, many Gentiles had joined the church. The Jews and the Gentiles needed to know the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.
3. It is a Gospel of glory, declaring a better state of things in the future. 2 Cor 4:4 says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinds the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
The focus of Paul's preaching was Christ, not himself. When you witness, tell people about what Christ has done, and not about your abilities and accomplishments. People must be introduced to Christ, not to you. And if you hear someone preaching himself or his own ideas rather than Christ, beware - he is a false teacher.
Paul willingly served the Corinthian church even though the people disappointed him. Serving people requires a sacrifice of time and personal desires. Being Christs follower means serving others, even when they do not measure up to our expectations.
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