Yesterday, we saw part of a letter in the Bible that revealed the reality that when we are involved in rivalries over personalities, it reveals our spiritual immaturity. A second thing that the Apostle Paul reveals that can occur in the lives of Christians who act unchristian as a result of rivalries based on personalities is that rivalries based on personalities fail to recognize roles. We see this reality revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 3:5:
"What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one."
In verse 5, Paul explains that he and Apollos, who were the focus of the jealousy and rivalry, were simply the intermediaries that God used to proclaim the wisdom of the message of the gospel that led the church to place their trust and confidence in Jesus Christ as Lord and Leader. Apollos was the teaching pastor at the church in Corinth. Paul, on the other hand was what we would call a catalytic church planting pastor. Paul came to Corinth and planted the church, and then after spending some time starting and growing the church, he handed over the reigns of leadership to Apollos and went on to go plant other churches.
Instead of embracing the transition of leadership had taken place, the members of the church in Corinth failed to recognize the transition and instead spent their time having arguments and engaging in rivalries over who was the better pastor or who should really be the pastor. When Paul states that the Lord gave opportunity to each one, he is simply explaining that Paul and Apollos simply served the Lord according to the task and the role that was given them.
The problem that the church of Corinth experienced, and that many churches today still experience, is that they failed to recognize that Paul and Apollos had different roles in the ministry and growth of the church. And that failure to recognize differing roles resulted in rivalries over personalities.
Different pastors have differing roles and responsibilities within the church and these differing roles and responsibilities are meant to be complementary in nature so as to advance the kingdom mission that we have been given. Christians act unchristian when we fail to recognize the different roles that pastors and leaders have within the church and instead view pastors as leaders as competing with one another.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by failing to recognize roles within the church and instead involve yourself in rivalries over personalities?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
When Christians act Unchristian by rivalries over personalities...
Yesterday we talked about Christians who are still being breast fed instead of growing in our relationship with Jesus. So what would keep followers of Jesus on the bottle, when they could and should be eating steak? What would keep followers of Jesus from being weaned from the breast so that they could feed themselves and grow in their faith?
We see the reason that the members of the church of Corinth, and many followers of Jesus today, are still on the bottle in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4:
"for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?"
In these verses we see the Apostle Paul reveal for us a timeless truth that reveals the reason why many followers of Jesus still find themselves being breast fed instead of growing and maturing spiritually. And that timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when rivalry reveals our immaturity.
In verse 3, Paul states that there was jealousy and strife that ran rampant in the church at Corinth. Paul is explaining to the church in Corinth that the proof that they were unable to process and integrate the deeper truths of the faith into their lives was revealed in rivalries over personalities and successes that revealed their disappointing and immature behavior and character. The members of the church at Corinth consistently displayed negative feelings over the achievements and successes of others. In addition, the church members were engaged in rivalries over the leaders in the church. This jealousy and rivalry revealed the reality that they were not growing in their relationship with Christ.
Instead, in verse 4, Paul explains that the jealousy, strife and rivalries over personalities that marked their behavior were no different than those who were not followers of Jesus. They were Christians who were acting unchristian. And in the same way, when we are jealous over the spiritual growth or success and achievements of other individuals or ministries in the church; when we become engaged in rivalries over personalities or over other ministries within the church, we reveal the reality that we are Christians who are acting unchristian in spiritual maturity.
Ministries and ministry leaders are not in competition with one another in the local church; ministry and ministry leaders are to work in cooperation with one another in order to advance the common kingdom mission that we have as members of the body of Christ.
Tomorrow, we will look at a second reality that occurs when Christians act uchristian as a result of rivalries based on personalities.
So are you a christian who acts unchristian by being involved in rivalries based on personalities that reveal spiritual maturity?
We see the reason that the members of the church of Corinth, and many followers of Jesus today, are still on the bottle in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4:
"for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?"
In these verses we see the Apostle Paul reveal for us a timeless truth that reveals the reason why many followers of Jesus still find themselves being breast fed instead of growing and maturing spiritually. And that timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when rivalry reveals our immaturity.
In verse 3, Paul states that there was jealousy and strife that ran rampant in the church at Corinth. Paul is explaining to the church in Corinth that the proof that they were unable to process and integrate the deeper truths of the faith into their lives was revealed in rivalries over personalities and successes that revealed their disappointing and immature behavior and character. The members of the church at Corinth consistently displayed negative feelings over the achievements and successes of others. In addition, the church members were engaged in rivalries over the leaders in the church. This jealousy and rivalry revealed the reality that they were not growing in their relationship with Christ.
Instead, in verse 4, Paul explains that the jealousy, strife and rivalries over personalities that marked their behavior were no different than those who were not followers of Jesus. They were Christians who were acting unchristian. And in the same way, when we are jealous over the spiritual growth or success and achievements of other individuals or ministries in the church; when we become engaged in rivalries over personalities or over other ministries within the church, we reveal the reality that we are Christians who are acting unchristian in spiritual maturity.
Ministries and ministry leaders are not in competition with one another in the local church; ministry and ministry leaders are to work in cooperation with one another in order to advance the common kingdom mission that we have as members of the body of Christ.
Tomorrow, we will look at a second reality that occurs when Christians act uchristian as a result of rivalries based on personalities.
So are you a christian who acts unchristian by being involved in rivalries based on personalities that reveal spiritual maturity?
Monday, June 28, 2010
When Christians Act Unchristian by Still Being Breast Fed..
At the church where I serve, we have been looking at a letter in our Bibles that, if we did not know any better, could have been written today about many of the problems that plague the modern church. And in this letter, we have already seen many of the problems that can plague a church when Christians act unchristian. And as Paul continued in his letter to this church, we see him reveal another problem that can plague a church when Christians act unchristian:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Paul begins by explaining that he could not speak to the members of the church of Corinth as to spiritual men but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. And it is in this sentence that Paul reveals a timeless problem that has plagued the church. At the timeless problem that can still plague the church is followers of Jesus who are still being breast fed.
The point that the Apostle Paul is making is that he was unable to proclaim the deep truths of the wisdom of the message of the gospel to the church because the members of the church at Corinth were not reflecting a growing and maturing relationship with Jesus Christ in their day to day lives. Instead, the members of the church at Corinth were thinking and living life as though they were nonchristians. Paul uses the phrase infants in Christ to paint a word picture of an infant still breast feeding to describe the churches spiritual immaturity.
And because of the reality of their spiritual immaturity, in verse 2 Paul states that he gave the members of the church at Corinth milk to drink not solid food. Paul then explains that the reason that he was only giving them milk to drink and not solid food, was because they were not yet able to receive it. Instead of communicating the deeper and transcendent truths about Christianity, he was only able to give the church the elementary truths and instructions when it came to following Jesus. He was unable to provide the deeper truths of the faith to the church because they had not demonstrated the ability to process and integrate the deeper truths of the faith into their lives. Just as an infant would become sick and vomit up any attempt to give them solid food that required their digestive systems to work harder than they were equipped to work, the church at Corinth was unable to digest the deeper truths that would result in spiritual growth and maturity.
But this morning, what would keep followers of Jesus on the bottle, when they could and should be eating steak? What would keep followers of Jesus from being weaned from the breast so that they could feed themselves and grow in their faith? Tomorrow, we will see Paul answer these questions and expose a problem that still plagues churches today.
So this morning, are you a Christian who acts unchristian because you are still being spiritually breast fed?
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Paul begins by explaining that he could not speak to the members of the church of Corinth as to spiritual men but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. And it is in this sentence that Paul reveals a timeless problem that has plagued the church. At the timeless problem that can still plague the church is followers of Jesus who are still being breast fed.
The point that the Apostle Paul is making is that he was unable to proclaim the deep truths of the wisdom of the message of the gospel to the church because the members of the church at Corinth were not reflecting a growing and maturing relationship with Jesus Christ in their day to day lives. Instead, the members of the church at Corinth were thinking and living life as though they were nonchristians. Paul uses the phrase infants in Christ to paint a word picture of an infant still breast feeding to describe the churches spiritual immaturity.
And because of the reality of their spiritual immaturity, in verse 2 Paul states that he gave the members of the church at Corinth milk to drink not solid food. Paul then explains that the reason that he was only giving them milk to drink and not solid food, was because they were not yet able to receive it. Instead of communicating the deeper and transcendent truths about Christianity, he was only able to give the church the elementary truths and instructions when it came to following Jesus. He was unable to provide the deeper truths of the faith to the church because they had not demonstrated the ability to process and integrate the deeper truths of the faith into their lives. Just as an infant would become sick and vomit up any attempt to give them solid food that required their digestive systems to work harder than they were equipped to work, the church at Corinth was unable to digest the deeper truths that would result in spiritual growth and maturity.
But this morning, what would keep followers of Jesus on the bottle, when they could and should be eating steak? What would keep followers of Jesus from being weaned from the breast so that they could feed themselves and grow in their faith? Tomorrow, we will see Paul answer these questions and expose a problem that still plagues churches today.
So this morning, are you a Christian who acts unchristian because you are still being spiritually breast fed?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Christians who are still sucking on a bottle...
Have you ever wondered why some followers of Jesus are still sucking on a bottle when the could and should be eating steak?
This week, we will be looking at a problem that has plagued churches throughout history and still plagues churches today. To get you thinking check out this video and see if you can relate to the message that it communicates...
http://www.highwayvideo.com/Grow-Up-P1772.aspx
This week, we will be looking at a problem that has plagued churches throughout history and still plagues churches today. To get you thinking check out this video and see if you can relate to the message that it communicates...
http://www.highwayvideo.com/Grow-Up-P1772.aspx
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Roadblocks...
On of the most frustrating things that we can experience while driving is a roadblock. This is especially the case if you live in an area of the country where there are few roads and few options when you come across a roadblock. When there are only a few options to get from point A to point B, and we come face to face with a roadblock, we can find ourselves stopped in our tracks. At a roadblock, our progress is stopped and, as a result, we end up angry and frustrated as we sit at a standstill.
We can find ourselves having a similar experience in our spiritual life. As followers of Jesus, we can find ourselves face to face with a roadblock that blocks us from experiencing intimacy with Christ and from growing and maturing spiritually. And as a result, we end up feeling angry and frustrated as the process of spiritual growth and maturity grinds to a halt.
As I am thinking about this whole idea of roadblocks, I am interested in some feedback from you. What are some roadblocks that you have run into? What are some of the roadblocks that you have run into that cause people to reject the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel? What are some of the roadblocks that cause us to stop growing and maturing in our relationship with Jesus?
I would love to hear from you so that we could examine these roadblocks and look at possible ways to overcome what can hinder our progress as we travel the road of life as followers of Jesus.
We can find ourselves having a similar experience in our spiritual life. As followers of Jesus, we can find ourselves face to face with a roadblock that blocks us from experiencing intimacy with Christ and from growing and maturing spiritually. And as a result, we end up feeling angry and frustrated as the process of spiritual growth and maturity grinds to a halt.
As I am thinking about this whole idea of roadblocks, I am interested in some feedback from you. What are some roadblocks that you have run into? What are some of the roadblocks that you have run into that cause people to reject the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel? What are some of the roadblocks that cause us to stop growing and maturing in our relationship with Jesus?
I would love to hear from you so that we could examine these roadblocks and look at possible ways to overcome what can hinder our progress as we travel the road of life as followers of Jesus.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Why the Wisdom of God is Often Misunderstood, Part 3...
This week, we have been looking at the reality that for over 2,000 years, the wisdom of God is often misunderstood. People have looked at the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and have responded by saying “this makes no sense to me”. Yesterday we saw that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood because of an absence of the Holy Spirit. The impact that the absence of the Holy Spirit has on understanding the wisdom of God then leads the Apostle Paul in this letter to reveal a third reason why the wisdom of God is misunderstood. We see this reason revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16:
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
In these verses, the Apostle Paul makes a sharp contrast between a person who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence and the person who has experienced the Holy Spirit’s enabling work in their lives. Paul explains that the natural man, who is a person who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit, does not approve or accept the wisdom of God as contained in the message of the gospel. Instead, they view the message of the gospel as foolishness and respond by rejecting the message.
In addition, Paul states that this natural man, having not been impacted by the Holy Spirit, does not possess the capability to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God or the message of the gospel, because only the Holy Spirit is able to examine and unpack the wisdom and message of God in a way that leads to understanding. Without the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in their lives, a person will view the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel as a fable or foolishness, because our selfish and sinful nature apart from Christ drives us to reject the truth about the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. Only the Holy Spirit can break through our flawed and broken nature apart from Christ so that we understand and embrace Jesus for who He is and what He has done for us.
Paul the contrasts the natural man who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s enabling work with he who is spiritual. This is a person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s enabling work in their lives. Paul explains that the person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit embraces the wisdom of God as contained in the message of the gospel. Paul’s point is that the person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit is enabled by the Holy Spirit to examine and unpack the wisdom and message of God in a way that leads to understanding and acceptance.
Paul then states that followers of Jesus who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit have received the mind of Christ, which means that they have the ability to understand Christ and the wisdom and message of God. As followers of Jesus, it is not incumbent on us to save anyone; as a matter of fact you cannot save anyone.
As followers of Jesus, we are simply responsible for being faithful in the opportunities that we are given to invest in the lives of those around us who are skeptical and seeking and invite them to experience the forgiveness of sin and the relationship with God that they were created for by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader. And when we are faithful to do what we are supposed to do, we can step back and trust God to do what only He can do by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, which is to open hearts and minds to understand and accept the wisdom of God as seen in the message of the gospel.
So are you faithful in the opportunities that you are given to invest in the lives of the those who are far from God and invite them into the relationship with God that they were created for? Are you partnering with what God wants to do in the world?
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
In these verses, the Apostle Paul makes a sharp contrast between a person who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence and the person who has experienced the Holy Spirit’s enabling work in their lives. Paul explains that the natural man, who is a person who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit, does not approve or accept the wisdom of God as contained in the message of the gospel. Instead, they view the message of the gospel as foolishness and respond by rejecting the message.
In addition, Paul states that this natural man, having not been impacted by the Holy Spirit, does not possess the capability to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God or the message of the gospel, because only the Holy Spirit is able to examine and unpack the wisdom and message of God in a way that leads to understanding. Without the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in their lives, a person will view the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel as a fable or foolishness, because our selfish and sinful nature apart from Christ drives us to reject the truth about the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. Only the Holy Spirit can break through our flawed and broken nature apart from Christ so that we understand and embrace Jesus for who He is and what He has done for us.
Paul the contrasts the natural man who has not been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s enabling work with he who is spiritual. This is a person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit’s enabling work in their lives. Paul explains that the person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit embraces the wisdom of God as contained in the message of the gospel. Paul’s point is that the person who has been impacted by the Holy Spirit is enabled by the Holy Spirit to examine and unpack the wisdom and message of God in a way that leads to understanding and acceptance.
Paul then states that followers of Jesus who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit have received the mind of Christ, which means that they have the ability to understand Christ and the wisdom and message of God. As followers of Jesus, it is not incumbent on us to save anyone; as a matter of fact you cannot save anyone.
As followers of Jesus, we are simply responsible for being faithful in the opportunities that we are given to invest in the lives of those around us who are skeptical and seeking and invite them to experience the forgiveness of sin and the relationship with God that they were created for by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader. And when we are faithful to do what we are supposed to do, we can step back and trust God to do what only He can do by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, which is to open hearts and minds to understand and accept the wisdom of God as seen in the message of the gospel.
So are you faithful in the opportunities that you are given to invest in the lives of the those who are far from God and invite them into the relationship with God that they were created for? Are you partnering with what God wants to do in the world?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Why the Wisdom of God is often Misunderstood, Part 2...
For over 2,000 years, people have looked at the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and have responded by saying “this makes no sense to me”. A man named Paul reveal a simple, yet timeless truth when it comes to why some people respond the way that they do when they encounter the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. And that timeless truth is that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood. In a section of a letter that was written to a church, we see the second of three reasons why the wisdom of God is often misunderstood:
"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:10-13
Paul reveals a second reason why the wisdom of God is misunderstood in that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood because of the absence of the Holy Spirit. In these verses, we see three ways in which the Holy Spirit enables followers of Jesus to understand the wisdom of God. First, the wisdom of God is made known by the Holy Spirit. God graciously chooses to make known the wisdom of the timeless truth of the message of the gospel by the Holy Spirit.
Second, the Holy Spirit carefully and thoroughly knows the deep truths about God. Paul explains that the reason that the Holy Spirit is able to make known the wisdom of God is because the Holy Spirit makes a careful and thorough effort in order to know the deep and profound truths of God. The Apostle uses an analogy to help us understand this timeless truth. He explains that just as only the spirit of the man can understand the deep and profound truths that lie deep in the core of their being, only the Holy Spirit can grasp the significance of the deep and profound truths of God and the message of the gospel.
And because of this reality, we see that the Holy Spirit enables us to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God. Paul is explaining to the church at Corinth that as followers of Jesus we do not receive the spirit of the world, which is hostile to God and sets itself up in opposition to God and His kingdom. Instead we receive the Holy Spirit, which enables us to grasp the significance of what God has graciously given us through His Son Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit combines the transcendent thoughts of the wisdom of God with the transcendent message of the gospel in a way that brings understanding of the timeless truth of God that has now been made known through Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who connects the timeless truth about the wisdom of God with the timeless message of the gospel so that we are able to understand and embrace our need for forgiveness and for the relationship with God that we were created for. Therefore, an absence of the Holy Spirit makes that connection impossible and results in a misunderstanding of the wisdom of God.
So are you thankful for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives that enable us to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God as seen in the message of the gospel? Do you recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as followers of Jesus?
"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:10-13
Paul reveals a second reason why the wisdom of God is misunderstood in that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood because of the absence of the Holy Spirit. In these verses, we see three ways in which the Holy Spirit enables followers of Jesus to understand the wisdom of God. First, the wisdom of God is made known by the Holy Spirit. God graciously chooses to make known the wisdom of the timeless truth of the message of the gospel by the Holy Spirit.
Second, the Holy Spirit carefully and thoroughly knows the deep truths about God. Paul explains that the reason that the Holy Spirit is able to make known the wisdom of God is because the Holy Spirit makes a careful and thorough effort in order to know the deep and profound truths of God. The Apostle uses an analogy to help us understand this timeless truth. He explains that just as only the spirit of the man can understand the deep and profound truths that lie deep in the core of their being, only the Holy Spirit can grasp the significance of the deep and profound truths of God and the message of the gospel.
And because of this reality, we see that the Holy Spirit enables us to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God. Paul is explaining to the church at Corinth that as followers of Jesus we do not receive the spirit of the world, which is hostile to God and sets itself up in opposition to God and His kingdom. Instead we receive the Holy Spirit, which enables us to grasp the significance of what God has graciously given us through His Son Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit combines the transcendent thoughts of the wisdom of God with the transcendent message of the gospel in a way that brings understanding of the timeless truth of God that has now been made known through Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who connects the timeless truth about the wisdom of God with the timeless message of the gospel so that we are able to understand and embrace our need for forgiveness and for the relationship with God that we were created for. Therefore, an absence of the Holy Spirit makes that connection impossible and results in a misunderstanding of the wisdom of God.
So are you thankful for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives that enable us to grasp the significance of the wisdom of God as seen in the message of the gospel? Do you recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as followers of Jesus?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Why the Wisdom of God is Often Misunderstood, Part 1...
Have you ever had a conversation with someone where everything that they said seemed to go way over your head? Or, better yet, have you ever had a conversation where you were explaining something to someone and the person you were talking to was unable to understand what you were talking about? Have you ever had that experience when you are having a conversation about your faith? As you begin to share what you believe about Jesus and the Bible in a way that seems perfectly clear and makes perfect sense to you, the person who you are talking to looks at you and says something like “how can you believe that?” or “that doesn’t make any sense”?
How can what seems so easy to understand about Jesus and His teachings be missed by so many around us? This is nothing new. For over 2,000, people have looked at the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and have responded by saying “this makes no sense to me”. A man named Paul reveal a simple, yet timeless truth when it comes to why some people respond the way that they do when they encounter the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. And that timeless truth is that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood. In a section of a letter that was written to a church, we see the first of three reasons why the wisdom of God is often misunderstood:
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
In this section, the Apostle Paul explains that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood because it is a mystery. When Paul states that the wisdom of God is a mystery, he is explaining that the wisdom of the message of the gospel is a timeless truth about God that was once previously hidden, but has now been made known.
But how could hiding the message of the wisdom of God be to our glory, as Paul claims in this passage? The reason that making known the previously hidden wisdom of God is to our glory is that God, before time began, decided to keep this timeless truth about God hidden, so that by God’s gracious choice, at just the right time, through the message of the gospel, followers of Jesus would have the opportunity to participate in a relationship with God for all eternity in the majesty and splendor of His presence.
However, Paul goes on to explain that this mystery, this timeless truth about God that was once hidden, but has now been made known through the message of the gospel, was misunderstood by the authorities of the world. In other words, those who held positions of power in the world missed the message of the gospel. Paul’s point is that if those in power would have understood the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel, they would not have responded by killing Jesus. The fact that they killed Jesus revealed the reality that they missed the wisdom of God. The mystery of the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel was missed and is often still missed today.
We will look at another reason why Paul states that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood next time. In the mean time, how have you responded to they mystery of the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel?
How can what seems so easy to understand about Jesus and His teachings be missed by so many around us? This is nothing new. For over 2,000, people have looked at the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and have responded by saying “this makes no sense to me”. A man named Paul reveal a simple, yet timeless truth when it comes to why some people respond the way that they do when they encounter the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. And that timeless truth is that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood. In a section of a letter that was written to a church, we see the first of three reasons why the wisdom of God is often misunderstood:
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
In this section, the Apostle Paul explains that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood because it is a mystery. When Paul states that the wisdom of God is a mystery, he is explaining that the wisdom of the message of the gospel is a timeless truth about God that was once previously hidden, but has now been made known.
But how could hiding the message of the wisdom of God be to our glory, as Paul claims in this passage? The reason that making known the previously hidden wisdom of God is to our glory is that God, before time began, decided to keep this timeless truth about God hidden, so that by God’s gracious choice, at just the right time, through the message of the gospel, followers of Jesus would have the opportunity to participate in a relationship with God for all eternity in the majesty and splendor of His presence.
However, Paul goes on to explain that this mystery, this timeless truth about God that was once hidden, but has now been made known through the message of the gospel, was misunderstood by the authorities of the world. In other words, those who held positions of power in the world missed the message of the gospel. Paul’s point is that if those in power would have understood the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel, they would not have responded by killing Jesus. The fact that they killed Jesus revealed the reality that they missed the wisdom of God. The mystery of the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel was missed and is often still missed today.
We will look at another reason why Paul states that the wisdom of God is often misunderstood next time. In the mean time, how have you responded to they mystery of the wisdom of God as seen in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
When Christians Misunderstand the Message of the Gospel, Part 3...
Yesterday, I wrote about how a man named Paul revealed for us how the message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people through the wisdom and power of God. But while the message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people, as Christians we can act unchristian by minimizing the message of the gospel's ability to overcome the opposition of religious or irreligious people.
And to prove his point, Paul in his letter delivered an argument that also reveals a third result that occurs when Christians misunderstand the message of the gospel. And that third result is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in pride. We see this result revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31:
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
The point that Paul is making in these verses is that God does not invite us into a relationship with Him based on our status or prominence in the world. Instead, God had a specific purpose and reason in mind, which was that the message of the gospel would put to shame the wisdom and the power of the world. Paul’s point is that God chose what the world would consider to be foolish to put to shame the human wisdom and understanding that people take pride in; He chose those who would be considered weak to put to shame what the world considers strong and takes pride in; God chose what would be considered insignificant and of no value to cause the things that the world considered significant and valuable to lose their power and effectiveness.
And God made His choice so that there would be nothing that a religious or irreligious person could take pride in before God. You see, it is not what we do that earns us favor with God; it is what God graciously chooses to do in our lives that earn us favor with God. God makes His gracious choices with the overarching goal that no man could boast before God.
Paul makes this point abundantly clear in verses 30-31, when he states that by His doing and by His invitation that brings us into a relationship with Christ. And it is God’s doing and invitation that reveals God’s wisdom and power through transformed lives, so that people would take pride in God’s activity for all humanity through Christ. Paul then quotes Jeremiah 9:23 to explain that the message of the gospel is divinely designed to put the focus off of man and toward God’s wisdom and God’s power.
So, do you understand that the message of the gospel is divinely designed to point others away from us and towards God’s activity in and through us? Or are you a Christian who acts unchristian by presenting the message of the gospel in a way that focuses on self and your spiritual pride?
And to prove his point, Paul in his letter delivered an argument that also reveals a third result that occurs when Christians misunderstand the message of the gospel. And that third result is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in pride. We see this result revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31:
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
The point that Paul is making in these verses is that God does not invite us into a relationship with Him based on our status or prominence in the world. Instead, God had a specific purpose and reason in mind, which was that the message of the gospel would put to shame the wisdom and the power of the world. Paul’s point is that God chose what the world would consider to be foolish to put to shame the human wisdom and understanding that people take pride in; He chose those who would be considered weak to put to shame what the world considers strong and takes pride in; God chose what would be considered insignificant and of no value to cause the things that the world considered significant and valuable to lose their power and effectiveness.
And God made His choice so that there would be nothing that a religious or irreligious person could take pride in before God. You see, it is not what we do that earns us favor with God; it is what God graciously chooses to do in our lives that earn us favor with God. God makes His gracious choices with the overarching goal that no man could boast before God.
Paul makes this point abundantly clear in verses 30-31, when he states that by His doing and by His invitation that brings us into a relationship with Christ. And it is God’s doing and invitation that reveals God’s wisdom and power through transformed lives, so that people would take pride in God’s activity for all humanity through Christ. Paul then quotes Jeremiah 9:23 to explain that the message of the gospel is divinely designed to put the focus off of man and toward God’s wisdom and God’s power.
So, do you understand that the message of the gospel is divinely designed to point others away from us and towards God’s activity in and through us? Or are you a Christian who acts unchristian by presenting the message of the gospel in a way that focuses on self and your spiritual pride?
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
When Christians Misunderstand the Message of the Gospel, Part 2...
This week, we have been looking at the timeless truth that Christians act unchristian when we misunderstand the message of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, the Apostle Paul reveals for us three results that occur when Christians act unchristian by misunderstanding the message of the gospel. Monday, we looked at the reality that when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, the result is a denial of its power.
A little further in the same letter, Paul reveals a second result that occurs when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, which is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in opposition. We see Paul reveal this result for us in 1 Corinthians 1:22-25:
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
In these verses, Paul describes two different types of people who misunderstand the message of the gospel and as a result oppose its message. The first type of person Paul refers to as Jews. Paul here is referring to religious people. The second type of person Paul refers to as Greeks. These are the irreligious people. And today, just as in Paul’s day, there are two types of people in the world that oppose the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. There are religious people who demand miraculous signs of power to confirm God’s existence and activity; and there are irreligious people that demand wisdom and understanding in order to confirm God’s existence and activity.
Yet religious people’s desire for power and irreligious people’s desire for wisdom and understanding actually become idols that are worshipped instead of God. Religious people would rather worship their rules, the power that comes from their religion and even the miraculous than God. Irreligious people, on the other hand, desire to worship what they know about the world and how it works rather than the Creator of the world.
You see, prior to becoming a follower of Jesus, people are either religious or irreligious; people either worship the rules and power that come from religion or they worship what they know and understand about the world. Paul’s point here is that for those who were religious or irreligious, but now have been invited by God to receive forgiveness of sin and enter into the relationship with God that they were created for, the message of the gospel is the revelation of the wisdom and the power of God.
Paul then uses a comparison the reveal the reality that what religious and irreligious people view as weakness and foolishness is actually stronger than the best that the world has to offer in terms of wisdom and power. The message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people through the wisdom and power of God.
So, do you believe that the message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people. Or are you a Christian who acts unchristian by minimizing the message of the gospel's ability to overcome the opposition of religious or irreligious people?
A little further in the same letter, Paul reveals a second result that occurs when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, which is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in opposition. We see Paul reveal this result for us in 1 Corinthians 1:22-25:
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
In these verses, Paul describes two different types of people who misunderstand the message of the gospel and as a result oppose its message. The first type of person Paul refers to as Jews. Paul here is referring to religious people. The second type of person Paul refers to as Greeks. These are the irreligious people. And today, just as in Paul’s day, there are two types of people in the world that oppose the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. There are religious people who demand miraculous signs of power to confirm God’s existence and activity; and there are irreligious people that demand wisdom and understanding in order to confirm God’s existence and activity.
Yet religious people’s desire for power and irreligious people’s desire for wisdom and understanding actually become idols that are worshipped instead of God. Religious people would rather worship their rules, the power that comes from their religion and even the miraculous than God. Irreligious people, on the other hand, desire to worship what they know about the world and how it works rather than the Creator of the world.
You see, prior to becoming a follower of Jesus, people are either religious or irreligious; people either worship the rules and power that come from religion or they worship what they know and understand about the world. Paul’s point here is that for those who were religious or irreligious, but now have been invited by God to receive forgiveness of sin and enter into the relationship with God that they were created for, the message of the gospel is the revelation of the wisdom and the power of God.
Paul then uses a comparison the reveal the reality that what religious and irreligious people view as weakness and foolishness is actually stronger than the best that the world has to offer in terms of wisdom and power. The message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people through the wisdom and power of God.
So, do you believe that the message of the gospel is able to overcome the opposition of religious and irreligious people. Or are you a Christian who acts unchristian by minimizing the message of the gospel's ability to overcome the opposition of religious or irreligious people?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
What makes the message of the gospel different from other messages?
Yesterday, I wrote about how Christians can misunderstand the message of the gospel in a way that denies its power to transform lives. But what makes the wisdom that is contained in the message of the gospel so different than other messages of wisdom? As Paul continued his comments to a church in Corinth, he gives us a timeless answer to this question"
For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21
Paul quotes Isaiah 29:14, which was written over 600 years earlier, to explain that for those whose hearts are far from God, God will destroy the earthly wisdom that they were relying on. What Paul is communicating is that through the message of the gospel, God has revealed the foolishness of the world’s capacity to understand truth.
You see, throughout history, humanity has been unable to wrap their minds around the transcendent wisdom that comes from God. Philosophy, science, psychology, and religion are all disciplines in which man attempts to explain the world we live in and how we are to relate to one another. And yet all of these disciplines have been unable to explain God and how humanity is to live in relationship with Him and one another.
And because of that reality, Paul is stating that since worldly wisdom was unable to come to understand and know God, God in His transcendent wisdom considered the message of the gospel to be the means that He would choose to save those whom He desired to rescue from their selfishness and sin. Only the power of the message of the gospel is able to bring the forgiveness and healing that transform lives.
But, as I stated yesterday, when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, as follower of Jesus we can end up communicating a gospel message that denies and misrepresents its power to do what only the gospel can do.
So, where do you go when you need wisdom and guidance? What message are you relying on to guide, direct and transform your life?
For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21
Paul quotes Isaiah 29:14, which was written over 600 years earlier, to explain that for those whose hearts are far from God, God will destroy the earthly wisdom that they were relying on. What Paul is communicating is that through the message of the gospel, God has revealed the foolishness of the world’s capacity to understand truth.
You see, throughout history, humanity has been unable to wrap their minds around the transcendent wisdom that comes from God. Philosophy, science, psychology, and religion are all disciplines in which man attempts to explain the world we live in and how we are to relate to one another. And yet all of these disciplines have been unable to explain God and how humanity is to live in relationship with Him and one another.
And because of that reality, Paul is stating that since worldly wisdom was unable to come to understand and know God, God in His transcendent wisdom considered the message of the gospel to be the means that He would choose to save those whom He desired to rescue from their selfishness and sin. Only the power of the message of the gospel is able to bring the forgiveness and healing that transform lives.
But, as I stated yesterday, when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, as follower of Jesus we can end up communicating a gospel message that denies and misrepresents its power to do what only the gospel can do.
So, where do you go when you need wisdom and guidance? What message are you relying on to guide, direct and transform your life?
Monday, June 14, 2010
When Christians Misunderstand the Message of the Gospel, Part 1...
In my experience engaging people who are skeptical of the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel, one of the major sources of their skepticism comes from the nature of the message of Christianity and its exclusivity. Maybe you are reading this and I have just described you. Maybe you find yourself saying "How can there be only one way to heaven? That does not make sense? Common sense tells you that God would not send four fifths of the world to hell. True scholars believe that there is more than one way to heaven".
In a letter to a church that was composed of Christians who acted unchristian, Paul reveals a timeless truth about how our response to those who are skeptical about our faith can reveal a great deal about our faith:
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God". 1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB
The timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when we misunderstand the message of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, the Apostle Paul reveals for us three results that occur when Christians act unchristian by misunderstanding the message of the gospel.
The first result is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in a denial of its power. Paul explains that there are two responses to the message of the gospel. One group, who Paul states are perishing as a result of selfishness and sin, listen to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and respond by dismissing its power. The other group, who Paul states are being saved, listen to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and responds by embracing its power to save them from their selfishness and sin.
And today, just as it was 2000 years ago, there are only two responses to the message of the gospel. We can either dismiss the power of the message of the gospel to transform, which leaves us separated from God in selfish rebellion; or we can embrace the power of the message of the gospel to bring the forgiveness of our selfishness and sin and the relationship with God that we were created for.
Only the power of the message of the gospel is able to bring the forgiveness and healing that can transform lives. But when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, as followers of Jesus we can end up communicating a gospel message that denies and misrepresents its power to do what only the gospel can do.
So, are you a Christian who acts unchristian by misunderstanding the message of the gospel in a way that denies its power to transform lives?
In a letter to a church that was composed of Christians who acted unchristian, Paul reveals a timeless truth about how our response to those who are skeptical about our faith can reveal a great deal about our faith:
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God". 1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB
The timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when we misunderstand the message of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, the Apostle Paul reveals for us three results that occur when Christians act unchristian by misunderstanding the message of the gospel.
The first result is that misunderstanding the message of the gospel results in a denial of its power. Paul explains that there are two responses to the message of the gospel. One group, who Paul states are perishing as a result of selfishness and sin, listen to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and respond by dismissing its power. The other group, who Paul states are being saved, listen to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel and responds by embracing its power to save them from their selfishness and sin.
And today, just as it was 2000 years ago, there are only two responses to the message of the gospel. We can either dismiss the power of the message of the gospel to transform, which leaves us separated from God in selfish rebellion; or we can embrace the power of the message of the gospel to bring the forgiveness of our selfishness and sin and the relationship with God that we were created for.
Only the power of the message of the gospel is able to bring the forgiveness and healing that can transform lives. But when we misunderstand the message of the gospel, as followers of Jesus we can end up communicating a gospel message that denies and misrepresents its power to do what only the gospel can do.
So, are you a Christian who acts unchristian by misunderstanding the message of the gospel in a way that denies its power to transform lives?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
When Christians Follow the Wrong Leader, Part 3...
This week, we have been looking how a man named Paul wrote a church in a city named Corinth about a major problem that plagued the church and still plagues churches today. We saw Paul reveal for us that Christians act unchristian when we follow the wrong leader. Paul has shown us that when we follow the wrong leader, we fail to demonstrate unity in community and end up with division over personalities. And it is these types of divisions that arise over personalities that reflect a failure to represent the message of the gospel.
Paul then reveals for us a third negative consequence that occurs when there are divisions that occur because followers of Jesus are following the wrong leader. We see this consequence in 1 Corinthians 1:17:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Paul reveals for us the sobering reality that religion and religious people who are divisive cause the message of the gospel to be without power. The sobering reality is that when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader and cause division, the message and the witness of Christ can lose its power to transform lives.
That is why you will find those who reject the message of Jesus use as one of their primary arguments “why would I be a part of your church; you Christians fight and bicker just as much as where I work; so why would I want to be a part of that”.
So are you a christian who acts unchristian by emptying the message of the gospel of its power because you follow the wrong leader and end up causing division as a result?
Paul then reveals for us a third negative consequence that occurs when there are divisions that occur because followers of Jesus are following the wrong leader. We see this consequence in 1 Corinthians 1:17:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Paul reveals for us the sobering reality that religion and religious people who are divisive cause the message of the gospel to be without power. The sobering reality is that when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader and cause division, the message and the witness of Christ can lose its power to transform lives.
That is why you will find those who reject the message of Jesus use as one of their primary arguments “why would I be a part of your church; you Christians fight and bicker just as much as where I work; so why would I want to be a part of that”.
So are you a christian who acts unchristian by emptying the message of the gospel of its power because you follow the wrong leader and end up causing division as a result?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
When Christians Follow the Wrong Leader, Part 2...
Yesterday, I talked about how a man named Paul wrote a church in a city named Corinth and gave the timeless piece of bad news about a major problem that plagued the church and still plagues churches today. We saw Paul reveal for us that Christians act unchristian when we follow the wrong leader. We saw Paul reveal for us that when we follow the wrong leader, we fail to demonstrate unity in community.
The natural result that occurs when followers of Jesus and churches fight and divide over whether they want to elevate a leader who reflects their views and philosophy over the head of the church, Jesus Christ, we see a second incredibly negative consequence. That consequence is that when we follow the wrong leader, the result is division over personalities. And it is these types of divisions that arise over personalities that reveal the reality that these divisions reflect a failure to represent the message of the gospel. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in 1 Corinthians 1:13-16:
Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
In these verses, we see Paul reveal for us three ways that division within the church reflects a failure to represent the message of the gospel. First, divisions within the church do not reflect the person of Christ. Just as the physical body of Christ was not divided into parts, Christ’s body, the church, should not be divided.
Second, divisions within the church do not reflect the message of the gospel. Paul is explaining that neither Paul, Apollos, nor Cephas died for our selfishness and sin; it was Jesus who died for our sins. And because of this reality we should not elevate any person or personality over Jesus.
Third, divisions within the body of Christ do not reflect our identification. Paul talks about baptism to point out that as followers of Jesus, we are not baptized to identify ourselves with a man; as followers of Jesus we are baptized to identify with who we are supposed to follow as our Lord and Leader; Jesus.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that results in division over personalities? Are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that fails to reflect the message of the gospel?
Tomorrow we will look at a third negative consequence that occurs when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader.
The natural result that occurs when followers of Jesus and churches fight and divide over whether they want to elevate a leader who reflects their views and philosophy over the head of the church, Jesus Christ, we see a second incredibly negative consequence. That consequence is that when we follow the wrong leader, the result is division over personalities. And it is these types of divisions that arise over personalities that reveal the reality that these divisions reflect a failure to represent the message of the gospel. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in 1 Corinthians 1:13-16:
Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
In these verses, we see Paul reveal for us three ways that division within the church reflects a failure to represent the message of the gospel. First, divisions within the church do not reflect the person of Christ. Just as the physical body of Christ was not divided into parts, Christ’s body, the church, should not be divided.
Second, divisions within the church do not reflect the message of the gospel. Paul is explaining that neither Paul, Apollos, nor Cephas died for our selfishness and sin; it was Jesus who died for our sins. And because of this reality we should not elevate any person or personality over Jesus.
Third, divisions within the body of Christ do not reflect our identification. Paul talks about baptism to point out that as followers of Jesus, we are not baptized to identify ourselves with a man; as followers of Jesus we are baptized to identify with who we are supposed to follow as our Lord and Leader; Jesus.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that results in division over personalities? Are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that fails to reflect the message of the gospel?
Tomorrow we will look at a third negative consequence that occurs when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
When Christians Follow the Wrong Leader, Part 1
Yesterday, I talked about how a man named Paul wrote a church in a city named Corinth and gave the timeless piece of good news that God has made us rich in every way through Jesus Christ. And it would have been great if Paul would have stopped there and only given us the good news. Unfortunately, Paul also delivered the bad news of a major problem that plagued the church and still plagues churches today. We see this problem 1 Corinthians 1:10-12:
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
In these verses, we see revealed for us the timeless truth that Christians act unchristian when we follow the wrong leader. And these verses, Paul reveals for us the first of three incredibly negative consequences that occur when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader. The first negative consequence that the Apostle Paul reveals for us is that when we follow the wrong leader, we fail to demonstrate unity in community.
Instead of division, Paul called the Corinthian church to demonstrate three things. First, Paul called the Corinthian church to demonstrate unity in what they say. Second, Paul called the Corinthian church to not divide over conflicting agendas. Third, Paul calls the Corinthian church to demonstrate unity in their attitude and their purpose. Paul’s timeless point to the Corinthian church and to followers of Jesus today, is that followers of Jesus are to come to agreement and remove the divisions that come from the conflicting aims of objectives of church members. Instead of division, the church was designed to be a community with unity in their attitude and in their purpose.
But what was causing the division? Paul explains that he had received a report from a church member name Chloe that there were rivalries over personalities, which was dividing the church over which leader they were going to align themselves with and follow; Paul, Apollos, Cephas, which is another name for Peter, or Christ.
The amazing thing about these quarrels over personalities is that they are the same quarrels that are fought in churches today. You see, Paul was the emerging church pastor. Paul was leading the early church as it emerged out of Judaism with different worship styles and services that engaged an irreligious and pagan culture.
Apollos was the mega church pastor. Apollos was a dynamic speaker who attracted large crowds and was used by God to bring many people into a relationship with Christ and into the church at Corinth.
Cephas, or Peter, was the fundamentalist church pastor. The people that followed and aligned themselves with Peter wanted a hymns only church with a strict dress code that followed that traditions and customs of Old Testament Judaism.
And then there were those who stated that they were aligning with Christ. This is not as spiritual as it sounds. These were the charismatic church people; these were the people who stated that they just wanted to be “led by the spirit”. These were the people who wanted to be in authority but did not want to be under authority. These were the people who wanted to have the license to do whatever they wanted.
What is interesting is that Paul, Apollos, and Peter never had a debate or disagreement at the church in Corinth; they were partners in ministry there. This was not a leader problem; this was a follower problem. And it is the same problem we have today, isn’t it. It is the same problem when followers of Jesus and churches fight and divide over whether they want to elevate a leader who reflects the views and philosophy of the emerging church, the mega church, the fundamental church, or the charismatic church over the head of the church, Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow, we will look at the second incredibly negative consequence that occurs when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that fails to demonstrate unity in community?
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
In these verses, we see revealed for us the timeless truth that Christians act unchristian when we follow the wrong leader. And these verses, Paul reveals for us the first of three incredibly negative consequences that occur when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader. The first negative consequence that the Apostle Paul reveals for us is that when we follow the wrong leader, we fail to demonstrate unity in community.
Instead of division, Paul called the Corinthian church to demonstrate three things. First, Paul called the Corinthian church to demonstrate unity in what they say. Second, Paul called the Corinthian church to not divide over conflicting agendas. Third, Paul calls the Corinthian church to demonstrate unity in their attitude and their purpose. Paul’s timeless point to the Corinthian church and to followers of Jesus today, is that followers of Jesus are to come to agreement and remove the divisions that come from the conflicting aims of objectives of church members. Instead of division, the church was designed to be a community with unity in their attitude and in their purpose.
But what was causing the division? Paul explains that he had received a report from a church member name Chloe that there were rivalries over personalities, which was dividing the church over which leader they were going to align themselves with and follow; Paul, Apollos, Cephas, which is another name for Peter, or Christ.
The amazing thing about these quarrels over personalities is that they are the same quarrels that are fought in churches today. You see, Paul was the emerging church pastor. Paul was leading the early church as it emerged out of Judaism with different worship styles and services that engaged an irreligious and pagan culture.
Apollos was the mega church pastor. Apollos was a dynamic speaker who attracted large crowds and was used by God to bring many people into a relationship with Christ and into the church at Corinth.
Cephas, or Peter, was the fundamentalist church pastor. The people that followed and aligned themselves with Peter wanted a hymns only church with a strict dress code that followed that traditions and customs of Old Testament Judaism.
And then there were those who stated that they were aligning with Christ. This is not as spiritual as it sounds. These were the charismatic church people; these were the people who stated that they just wanted to be “led by the spirit”. These were the people who wanted to be in authority but did not want to be under authority. These were the people who wanted to have the license to do whatever they wanted.
What is interesting is that Paul, Apollos, and Peter never had a debate or disagreement at the church in Corinth; they were partners in ministry there. This was not a leader problem; this was a follower problem. And it is the same problem we have today, isn’t it. It is the same problem when followers of Jesus and churches fight and divide over whether they want to elevate a leader who reflects the views and philosophy of the emerging church, the mega church, the fundamental church, or the charismatic church over the head of the church, Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow, we will look at the second incredibly negative consequence that occurs when Christians act unchristian by following the wrong leader.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by following the wrong leader in a way that fails to demonstrate unity in community?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Are you rich?
Today, do you consider yourself rich? As a man named Paul penned his opening remarks a church in the town of Corinth, he provided some good news to those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ:
"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
In these verses, we see the timeless good news that we have as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ. And that good news is that God has made us rich in every way through Christ Jesus. First, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of the message of the gospel, which he refers to as the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus. Then Paul explains that followers of Jesus have the riches of the knowledge of God. Paul continues by revealing that followers of Jesus have the riches of the proof of God’s activity in our lives. The proof and the truth of the message of the gospel is revealed in God's transforming activity in our lives as followers of Jesus.
Fourth, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of having everything we need spiritually. Paul explains that the members of the church in Corinth were not lacking in any gift. Paul’s point is that as followers of Jesus, we have everything that we need spiritually in order to faithfully live life here on earth. Paul concludes by stating that followers of Jesus have the riches of the promise regarding Christ’s return. He explains that Christ will not only strengthen His followers to remain firm in our commitment to Him while we wait for His return; Paul also explains that God is faithful. What Paul was communicating here in this simple phrase is that God is worthy of our confident trust in our relationship with Christ. God is a promise maker and God is a promise keeper.
So are you rich?
"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
In these verses, we see the timeless good news that we have as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ. And that good news is that God has made us rich in every way through Christ Jesus. First, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of the message of the gospel, which he refers to as the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus. Then Paul explains that followers of Jesus have the riches of the knowledge of God. Paul continues by revealing that followers of Jesus have the riches of the proof of God’s activity in our lives. The proof and the truth of the message of the gospel is revealed in God's transforming activity in our lives as followers of Jesus.
Fourth, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of having everything we need spiritually. Paul explains that the members of the church in Corinth were not lacking in any gift. Paul’s point is that as followers of Jesus, we have everything that we need spiritually in order to faithfully live life here on earth. Paul concludes by stating that followers of Jesus have the riches of the promise regarding Christ’s return. He explains that Christ will not only strengthen His followers to remain firm in our commitment to Him while we wait for His return; Paul also explains that God is faithful. What Paul was communicating here in this simple phrase is that God is worthy of our confident trust in our relationship with Christ. God is a promise maker and God is a promise keeper.
So are you rich?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Opportunity and Opposition...
In a letter in the Bible, a man named Paul is updating members of the church he was writing to about his future plans. And in his update, we see Paul reveal a timeless truth about God and His kingdom:
"But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
In this statement, Paul reveals for us the reality that when Jesus provides an opportunity for us to advance His teachings and His message, there will be opposition. And, in most cases, this truth is proportional: the greater the opportunity that Jesus gives us to advance His message and His kingdom, the greater the opposition we will face.
And while the opposition may come in many different forms, our opportunity will always be the same: to invest and invite in people so that we can reflect and reveal Jesus Christ.
So the question we all must ask ourselves is this: Are we willing to lean into the opposition that we may face in order to seize the opportunities that Jesus gives us to advance His teachings and His message?
"But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
In this statement, Paul reveals for us the reality that when Jesus provides an opportunity for us to advance His teachings and His message, there will be opposition. And, in most cases, this truth is proportional: the greater the opportunity that Jesus gives us to advance His message and His kingdom, the greater the opposition we will face.
And while the opposition may come in many different forms, our opportunity will always be the same: to invest and invite in people so that we can reflect and reveal Jesus Christ.
So the question we all must ask ourselves is this: Are we willing to lean into the opposition that we may face in order to seize the opportunities that Jesus gives us to advance His teachings and His message?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Putting Off What Needs to be Put On...
When we become followers of Jesus, God begins the process of changing and transforming our lives. And God invites us to participate in the process of transformation by doing two things.
First, we are to participate in the process of transforming our character by putting to death the desires of our old selfish nature that exists apart from our relationship with Jesus. A writer named Paul talks about our need to put to death the desires of our old nature in Colossians 3:5-11:
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Second, we are to participate in the process of transforming our character by putting to practice the desires of our new nature that we receive when we become followers of Jesus. We see Paul talk about this in Colossians 3:12-17:
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
The problem is that sometimes we can put off what we need to put on and we can put on what we need to put off. So, if you are a follower of Jesus, are you partnering in what God desires to do in your life? Are you putting off the old and putting into practice the new?
First, we are to participate in the process of transforming our character by putting to death the desires of our old selfish nature that exists apart from our relationship with Jesus. A writer named Paul talks about our need to put to death the desires of our old nature in Colossians 3:5-11:
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Second, we are to participate in the process of transforming our character by putting to practice the desires of our new nature that we receive when we become followers of Jesus. We see Paul talk about this in Colossians 3:12-17:
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
The problem is that sometimes we can put off what we need to put on and we can put on what we need to put off. So, if you are a follower of Jesus, are you partnering in what God desires to do in your life? Are you putting off the old and putting into practice the new?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Charting a Course through Difficult Circumstances...
Have you ever found yourself in a place in your life where you feel like you are waiting for God to enter into your difficult circumstances and bring healing and help, but it seems like Jesus is delaying? Or have you ever found yourself asking the question “How could a good and loving God allow bad things to happen in the lives of those He loves?” How can Jesus seem to be so absent in the lives of His followers when they encounter difficult circumstances? Isn’t that the tension that we can find ourselves wrestling with?
The story of Lazarus is in the Bible because it reveals a timeless truth when it comes to charting a course to spiritual maturity. And that timeless truth is that charting a course to spiritual maturity requires trusting God to leverage difficult circumstances to make us more like Him. Sometimes God miraculously brings help, healing, and deliverance from our difficult circumstances to bring Him glory. Other times God enables us to walk through the midst of our difficult circumstances to bring Him glory. In every case, God will leverage the difficult circumstances in our lives to cultivate and develop a growing and maturing relationship with Him as we learn to lean into and trust Him.
But each of us here has a choice on how we respond to this timeless truth. We can choose to resist and push back against this truth and live a life that is filled with frustration and doubt; or we can choose to embrace this truth. And God want us to embrace this truth because when we embrace this truth, we can also embrace and engage the reality that God has placed us in the perfect position to reflect His character and reveal His glory to those around us as we walk through difficult circumstances.
So how will you respond to the difficult circumstances that God places in your life? Will you question God? Will you doubt God? Or will you lean into and trust God to leverage the difficult circumstances in your life to make you more like Him and to bring Him glory?
The story of Lazarus is in the Bible because it reveals a timeless truth when it comes to charting a course to spiritual maturity. And that timeless truth is that charting a course to spiritual maturity requires trusting God to leverage difficult circumstances to make us more like Him. Sometimes God miraculously brings help, healing, and deliverance from our difficult circumstances to bring Him glory. Other times God enables us to walk through the midst of our difficult circumstances to bring Him glory. In every case, God will leverage the difficult circumstances in our lives to cultivate and develop a growing and maturing relationship with Him as we learn to lean into and trust Him.
But each of us here has a choice on how we respond to this timeless truth. We can choose to resist and push back against this truth and live a life that is filled with frustration and doubt; or we can choose to embrace this truth. And God want us to embrace this truth because when we embrace this truth, we can also embrace and engage the reality that God has placed us in the perfect position to reflect His character and reveal His glory to those around us as we walk through difficult circumstances.
So how will you respond to the difficult circumstances that God places in your life? Will you question God? Will you doubt God? Or will you lean into and trust God to leverage the difficult circumstances in your life to make you more like Him and to bring Him glory?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)