Category: Published

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 PHILLIPS As far as we are concerned we do not wish to stand in anyone’s way, nor do we wish to bring discredit on the ministry God has given us. Indeed we want to prove ourselves genuine ministers of God whatever we have to go through—patient endurance of troubles or even disasters, being flogged or imprisoned; being mobbed, having to work like slaves, having to go without food or sleep. All this we want to meet with sincerity, with insight and patience; by sheer kindness and the Holy Spirit; with genuine love, speaking the plain truth, and living by the power of God. Our sole defence, our only weapon, is a life of integrity, whether we meet honour or dishonour, praise or blame. Called “impostors” we must be true, called “nobodies” we must be in the public eye. Never far from death, yet here we are alive, always “going through it” yet never “going under”. We know sorrow, yet our joy is inextinguishable. We have “nothing to bless ourselves with” yet we bless many others with true riches. We are penniless, and yet in reality we have everything worth having.

When It’s All Been Said and Done
Robin Mark Songwriters: Jim Cowan. For non-commercial use only.

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You

When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone
Lord I’ll live my life for You

Observation

The Apostle Paul went through it without going under (2 Cor 11:22-30).  “ I have faced danger in city streets, danger in the desert, danger on the high seas, danger among false Christians. I have known exhaustion, pain, long vigils, hunger and thirst, going without meals, cold and lack of clothing.”   He encourages us to respond always “with sincerity, with insight and patience; by sheer kindness and the Holy Spirit; with genuine love, speaking the plain truth, and living by the power of God” – whatever the circumstances we face, trouble we meet or sacrifices required of us.  We could say that this is impossible, but Paul actually did it “living by the power of God.”

The power of God is the same power that flowed through Jesus to redeem, heal and even raise the dead – when Jesus was walking this earth in human flesh.  When we receive Jesus Christ as Messiah, Savior, the Love that Redeems, we begin to become like Him.  He was and is God in human flesh and, because He lives in us, we can choose to allow the power of God to change us into one who lives a life with and for Him.  How deep, wide and full we allow Him to live in and flow through us is up to us alone.  He died so we could be transformed from sinner into saint, finding His strength in our places of weakness and bringing out the gold from the miry clay of our lives.

Impact on Me

I have been considering how to be proven as “a genuine minister of God” when it’s all been said and done in my life.  While I don’t expect to share many of Paul’s experiences and sacrifices, there will be experiences and sacrifices I must have and make to live a life of integrity that honors and serves God and others.  I am sure my pride and selfishness will take a beating because they are major barriers to living with humility, integrity, generosity and kindness, to putting the needs of others before my own, to that patience endurance of which Paul speaks. 

When it’s all been said and done in my life, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Servant (or slave) is not a popular word today.  It is seen as a word that strips us of rights and the ability to control our own lives.  In Paul’s time, slaves were completely subject to and at the mercy of their masters.  There was no guarantee of a good master.  As I submit each aspect of my life to Jesus and lay aside my rights in that area, I do have a guarantee of a Master Who I can trust absolutely because did the same for me on the Cross.  Why do I ever hesitate?

Prayer

Almighty God and Father, Redeemer, Loving Savior, I worship You and give You praise.  Help me to find and empty those pockets of pride and selfishness in me that keep me from submitting to You in all areas of my life.  I pray that I will be one who listens carefully for You to speak and quickly chooses to obey regardless of the cost to me.  Help me to live my life by Your power in and through me.  Make it so in Jesus’ name. 

Mark 15:42-45 MSGLate in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse.

John 19: 38-42 MSG After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So, Joseph came and took the body.  ^39-42 Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus’ body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices.

Observation

It is believed that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both serving in the Sanhedrin, the religious Jewish Council.  The Sanhedrin had as members both Pharisees and Sadducees.  The Sadducees only believed in the Law/Torah (the first five books of Moses), tended to be wealthy, ran the Temple business, bowed to the Romans to maintain their positions, and, in general, were not well liked by the common folk.  The Pharisees believed in the Law and the Prophets, and, being the scribes and lawyers, set about strictly defining and preserving the traditions of the Law.  They were commonly well-liked and respected by the people.  These two sects did not get along, but, as Jesus’ influence and teaching was a threat to both, they joined together to kill Jesus.

Joseph and Nicodemus had much to lose if they openly became disciples of Jesus.  The Romans often left crucified bodies exposed to the elements and wild birds for many days, but Jewish tradition required that the body be removed on the day of death and buried outside the walls of the city.  A crucified person was never buried in a family tomb because that would desecrate it.  Sabbath began a sunset and being even in the vicinity of a dead body would make Joseph and Nicodemus contaminated (unclean) for 7 days, preventing them from participating in any ritual of Passover Week.  So, claiming and burying the body of Jesus was risking public exposure as a disciple of Jesus, exclusion from normal life and possible loss of influence and power.  Jesus was dead.  If they did not publicly acknowledge Him alive, why risk so much now?

Impact on Me

I ask myself, “What had changed for these two?”  Certainly, there were some powerful signs at Jesus’ death – earthquake and darkness (eclipse?), the veil of the Temple torn from top to bottom.  Were these the straws that broke the back of their reluctance and fear of intimidation?  The miracles of healing, provision, deliverance and raising the dead should have been sufficient proof of His claim to Messiah and, combined with the signs at His death, may be what gave them the courage to come out publicly as His disciples.  They certainly risked it all.  These two were there at the Cross to honor and care for His body when His public disciples were nowhere to be found. 

“He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God.”  Joseph and Nicodemus were both this kind of man.  Their minds and lives were open to seeking the Kingdom of God, even if it showed up in a way that challenged them to be open to realities they didn’t understand or expect.  I have to wonder what choices I would have made in their same positions.  I want to live expectantly, always on the lookout for the kingdom of God.  Is that who I am?  Am I courageous enough to do so?  I have a different bucket load of traditions and expectations placed on me by my Christian community.  Will I be as willing to throw my position, my power, my community to the wind to follow God’s truth if it does not coincide with my current acceptable standards and traditions?  Sad to say, I am not absolutely sure.  I want to be open to whatever the Holy Spirit is asking of me, but it is my choice at every moment and in every circumstance to do so.

Prayer

God my Father, King, Redeemer, Creator, Teacher, Advocate, I worship You.  I want to be like You and live a life that honors and obeys You in all things.  I have grown up in a society that champions individual rights and achievements.  You ask me to trust You enough to be open to throwing away all of those if it is necessary to serve You and draw others to the knowledge of Christ.  Teach me to walk in Your ways, submit to Your requests of me, and be faithful regardless of the cost to me.  I want to live expectantly, always watching for Your kingdom, always open to hear Your voice.  Make it so, Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:12-17 MSG   So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.  ^15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3:17 NIVAnd whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation

Paul wrote the Colossian letter in response to false teachers who were denying the divinity of Christ and substituting legalism (Jewish tradition) and “philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men” (vs 2:8) to adulterate the truth.  Whether these false teachers were preaching salvation through special works or special knowledge, Paul again reminded the church that in Jesus “dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power.” Vs 2:9).   So, Paul then encourages them to let (decide, determine) to embrace the peace of Jesus which will keep you and let (allow to dwell) the Word of Christ have its way in you.

These verses are about choices we are encouraged to make.  Be thankful, kind, humble, meek (quiet strength), compassionate, disciplined, forgiving, loving.  We can only choose to live like this if we choose to give Jesus and His Word the “run of the house”.  This requires submitting to His will and purposes in our lives – whether that brings us to easy places or difficult ones and most certainly will require some sacrifice.  Paul is writing this during his imprisonment as a witness to the fact that we can’t let circumstances determine whether we have peace nor how we respond to what happens to us.  We are to at all times and in all circumstances, “wear love,” choosing to let Jesus live full, wide and deep in us so that our lives will demonstrate true peace, joy and love to those around us.

Impact on Me

So, “let” is something I determine or allow.  It is my choice to have my way or let the Lord have His way in me.  The word “let” always jumps off the page for me since I realized that I make the choice to do or not do so, to say “yes” or “no” to Jesus.  I will be responsible for the choices I make.  It will not determine my salvation, but it will determine how much peace, contentment, soul-satisfaction, joy and love I experience in this life.  If I am unforgiving, I am on a path to bitterness and hatred – thieves of peace, contentment, joy and love.  If I am ungrateful, negative and complaining, I will never be satisfied with what I have and become greedy and envious of what others have – another no joy place. 

It is in the Jesus ordained choices I make that I find that peace.  It is in submitting to the will and purpose of God – wherever I am and in whatever condition – I will be able to be an instrument in His hand to accomplish His long-term goals – fulfilling my part in His plan from the foundations of the Earth.   The bottom line is to let (allow) God to be sovereign and for me to be content in whatever assignment I am given – easy or difficult, blessing or sacrifice, comfortable or uncomfortable. “Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”

Prayer

Lord God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Eternal Father, You deserve all the glory, honor and praise of all creation.  You gave so much to give me the opportunity to be restored in relationship to You so that I might be saved, redeemed, changed, used by You as a witness.  I want to always say “yes” to You – without conditions or reservations.  Holy Spirit, I give You free rein to work in me, to change me, to lead me in making the choices to let Christ live fully, deeply and completely in me and through me.  Make it so, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Colossians 1:15-20 MSG  We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, He organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.  ^18-20 He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—He is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of His death, His blood that poured down from the cross.

Observation

In the NKJV, the “supreme” here is translated as “preeminence”.  Christ Preeminent is the theme of the first 2 chapters of Colossians.  Paul was reminding this church that Jesus Christ was the Lord God, only Savior/Redeemer, God made Human while remaining fully God.  He was combatting teaching by gnostics (who denied the divinity of Christ and offered secret mysteries not yet revealed) and Jewish traditionalists (who taught that the works/rituals were an added requirement).  Paul was reconfirming that Jesus, and Jesus alone, was sufficient – “everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him”. 

Here is the mystery.  All of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) was in Christ Jesus.  “So spacious is He, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding.” So, from my study Bible, I wanted to share some of the points about Jesus’ supremacy, the fullness of God in Jesus, that Paul made just in Colossians:

• In Universal Government
  The visible image of God (1:15)
  The agent of creation (1:16)
  The Sustainer (1:17)
  The Head of the church (1:18)
  
• In Reconciliation
  Pleases the Father (1:19-20)
  Reconciles us through His death (1:21-22)
  Lives in us as our hope of glory (1:27)
  
• In Wisdom and Knowledge|
  The source of all the treasures (2:2-3)
  Worldly philosophy does not conform to Him (2:8)
  
• In Personal Observance
  We are alive in Him (2:11-13)
  No need for legalism and ritualism (2:16-23)

Impact on Me

The world on its own is broken and dislocated, full of pain, suffering, famine and war – all caused by human pride, selfishness, lust for power, and all the other roots of evil.  But, here I am reminded that, in Christ, “all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of His death, His blood that poured down from the cross.”  One Man, one Cross, one tomb, one resurrection – Jesus Christ, my hope of glory, supreme over all.

So, Colossians reminds me that, because I am human, adulteration of my Christian world view is possible.  If I don’t stay in the Word, pay attention to what it teaches me and keep in fellowship with other Christians, I am in danger of drifting from the one and only truth to construct some other version of truth to fit in with my culture and avoid conflict and confrontation, allowing myself to start hitting the sour notes of compromise, selfishness, pride in my life.   No!  I have one King, one Savior, one Lord, and it is Jesus.  I want to be singing the song of the redeemed, one who allows others to be drawn also into His “vibrant harmonies”.

Prayer

Lord God, You are supreme in holiness, glory, majesty and power.  It is Your heart’s desire to see all creation fit together again as it was in the Garden of Eden.  May the desire of Your heart be the desire of mine.  Help me to stay on Your truth track, whatever the path may bring.  I want to live a life that sings Your praises in a way that others are drawn to join in the song, those vibrant harmonies in Christ.  Lord, forgive me for any sour notes in my life and help me to be Your encouragement those who have lost the melody.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

James 2: 18b-22 PHILLIPS To the man who thinks that faith by itself is enough I feel inclined to say, “So you believe that there is one God? That’s fine. So do all the devils in hell and shudder in terror!” For, my dear short-sighted man, can’t you see far enough to realise that faith without the right actions is dead and useless? Think of Abraham, our ancestor. Wasn’t it his action which really justified him in God’s sight when his faith led him to offer his son Isaac on the altar? Can’t you see that his faith and his actions were, so to speak, partners—that his faith was implemented by his deed? 

Matthew 25:31-43 MSG “When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

^34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’

^37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

^41-43 “Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’

Observation

This “faith without works” passage has been a source of controversy when it is not set up next to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 (and others).  Our relationship with Jesus is supposed to be based on love, gratitude, trust and absolute faith in Who He is and what He will be to and for us.  The problems arise when we begin to spiritualize this relationship.  In the Message, faith and works are seen as parts of one body.  If we cut off the body (works) from the head (faith), we end up with a corpse.  That’s a picture that I can’t get out of my head!

If Jesus is our model for how humans should walk this life in relationship with God, then we can take our lead from how He lived His.  He spoke the truth, shared the Gospel, taught the Scriptures AND healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, and met the other needs that arose.  In Matthew 25, Jesus is making it clear that we gain the blessing of God and entry into the Kingdom by being engaged in the comfort and care of others. “Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”  These are the works that demonstrate the authenticity of our faith.

Impact on Me

This week in Home Group we discussed “Church in the Wild”, our current sermon series.  Many in our group shared how they share the Gospel and it became evident that how we share depends upon our personalities, our training, our resources, the method that brought us to the knowledge of Christ, the circumstances of our lives, our location, and so much more.  I came away encouraged because so many embraced that God made them who they are specifically to be His instrument where they are, using their experiences, culture, humanity, in reaching people who would not otherwise be reached.

So, as I examine myself and how I respond to the love and grace given to me by this relationship with God, I am sure that I miss opportunities to respond in kind.  How can I do more?  This sermon series is leading to a call to activate faith, volunteer in whatever ministry fires the heart/soul and watch for and take advantage of those opportunities God sets up for us in our neighborhoods, workplaces and everywhere else we go.  If we just sit and take in all the teaching without putting it in action, we will be those goats (NOT the greatest of all time, but rather a disappointment to God!).  I think about my neighbors who are two men married to each other. They are so kind, generous and thoughtful but living a lifestyle that is considered sin. They were in Morocco during the earthquake and rented camels to take water to the devastated areas.  Will they be among the sheep or the goats?  Where will I be?  Only Jesus knows.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Savior, Redeemer, Ultimate Judge of all men, I worship and adore You.  Lead me in trusting You to speak when I am led into uncomfortable or difficult situations.  I know that You died so that none should have to perish.  I know that You ate and associated with sinners so that Your presence and Your works would draw them to salvation.  Give me that same heart to reach out to those You bring my way, especially those who seem out of reach, those whom society considers valueless, those who are considered too young or too old to hear, receive, and embrace You.  Stir up the fire in me that You set as my calling, my best way to return to You the love, grace and sacrifice that You gave to me.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.