Ephesians 4:11-12, 15, 25 11And He gave some as apostles, and some
as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors
and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of
service, to the building up of the body of Christ....15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him
who is the head, even Christ....25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you with his neighbor, for we
are members of one another.
Quick summary of the book of Ephesians - unveiling the Christian's true identity in Christlikeness: the aim of spiritual formation
In today's blog I want to do a thumbnail sketch of what I see the Apostle Paul outlining in terms of spiritual formation in the local church. The whole book of Ephesians is all about revealing the identity of Christian as an heir of Christ, chosen by God in love (chapter 1), called by grace through faith, with such faith then expressed by the human will (chapter 2) to know the love of Christ (chapter 3). With the Christian identity spelled out in Ephesians 1-3, the walking out of such identity is explained in Ephesians 4-6. Thus believers are to walk worthily (chapter 4), walk in love (chapter 5) and walk in victory (chapter 6). If any verse could sum up Ephesians, it would be Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
The four ministries vital for spiritual formation
Once I understand who I am and Whose I am in Christ in Ephesians 1-3, only then can I live out the expectations and commands of Ephesians 4-6. The spiritual formation outlined in Ephesians 4-6 follows the major commands comprising those chapters:
1. "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling" Ephesians 4:1
2. "Walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind" Ephesians 4:17
3. "Walk in love" as beloved children of God Ephesians 5:1-2
4. "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise" Ephesians 5:15
5. "Finally, be strong in the Lord" Ephesians 6:10
These five major commands comprise in my mind the essence of spiritual formation in Jesus Christ in the local church. Thankfully God has not left Christians by themselves to achieve this otherwise impossible mission. God has so ordained 4 major ministries to enable the local church to accomplish its goal as the number one community ordained by God to win souls to Jesus and to affect spiritual formation for its members. Please take note:
1. Pastors - Ephesians 4:11.
Note the underlined word "pastors" in the beginning passage of today's blog entry. The pastoral office is a distinct office from that of the "teacher". The pastor's main role is to equip the saints, shepherd the saints, feed the saints, love the saints and lead the saints by God's Word. A Pastor is vital to spiritual formation, since his ministry aims to exhort the heart, compell the will and nurture the soul of the saint of God.
2. Teachers - Ephesians 4:12
In the passage above I also underlined "teachers". Teachers are necessary to help train God's people in the realm of doctrine, application and God-focused thinking. Often we see the offices of Pastor and Teacher overlap, sometimes being done by the Pastor who has teachings gifts, and by the teacher who can effectively shepherd those taught. Men and women who teach God's word in the local church are invaluable in the Sunday School ministry, which is the chief strategic way to mobilize, train and disciple Christians to do Great Commission work. More could be said but we will move onto the next major ministry in Ephesians 4: The Church Body.
3. The Church Body - Ephesians 4:12
In other passages such as 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4 we see God the Holy Spirit and God the Son gifting every Christian to minister and serve one another and reach out to the world. Church body ministry is the direct result of consistent preaching and teaching of God's Word. I don't doubt for a moment that Paul had this in mind, which is why He places body ministry right after the offices of Pastor and Teacher. Christians cannot grow and spiritually transform without being regularly connected to the body of Christ - the local church. (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25)
4. The Counseling Ministry - Ephesians 4:15,25
What a fine definition of counseling in Ephesians 4:15 and 4:25 - "speaking the truth in love". In Ephesians 4:15 and 25 we find such a ministry being described. Counseling is like preaching except rather than speaking to many it is one on one. Counseling is also like teaching except rather than just aiming primarily at the mind and then the heart, it tries to connect on equal footings the mind and the heart. Counseling is a major ministry of body ministry, since the work of ministry entails fatigue, need of wisdom, need of encouragement and conflict resolution. Counseling ministry ideally would include the main efforts of the Pastor, as well as mature believers whom are walking with the Lord, regularly in the word and prayer. Any Christian who desires to counsel must be submitted to the first three vital ministries if their counseling ministry is to flourish.
As you can see, every Christian has a place of ministry: whether we are talking about Pastors, Teachers, Church members excercising their spiritual gifts or those who perform counseling. The aim is spiritual formation in Christlikeness.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Suggestions for getting back into your Bible
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate
on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is
written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will
have success."
How does one begin reading the Bible when they have never really read it? Where do you begin and what suggested books or sections of the Bible would you read? I have been asked questions like these and have found some helpful ways to "jumpstart" getting back into consistent reading and study of God's Word. Below are some methods that either I have used or have heard from others in cultivating a consistent, daily time in the scriptures.
1. Read a Proverb a day. There are 31 chapters or Proverbs in the book of Proverbs. Are you looking for wisdom in life or a greater effectiveness in your walk with the Lord? Read Proverbs. By reading one chapter a day for five minutes, you should be able to cover Proverbs in one month. Once you have read through Proverbs in that first month of reading, read it again the second month - a chapter a day. Then do it again. I have done this and discovered something new and insightful from the Lord everytime I read.
2. Read 1 John in one week. 1 John is all about the Christian life and assurance of salvation. There are some seventy statements in this little book that give you assurance of knowing who you are and Whose you are as a Christian. There are five chapters, which means if you were to read a chapter a day, you could read 1 John six times in one month. Make it your goal to read 1 John once a week, and watch your Christian life begin to soar as you discover more of who you are and Whose you are in Christ
3. Read five Psalms a day for a month. As you read God's Word more, you'll find yourself wanting to read more of God's Word. There are 150 Psalms. Five a day for a month will get you through the book. The Psalms speak to the personal and experiential side of your walk with God, and His thoughts toward you.
4. Read a chapter in each of the four Gospels per day. The four Gospels introduce you to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Matthew has 28 chapters. Read a chapter a day and you'll get through Matthew in the first month, Mark almost twice in say the second month, Luke in the third month and easily John in the fourth month.
The above plans are suggested reading plans which come highly recommended. Whenever you and I make our intent to read and think on God's Word every day, growth and strength in faith will be on the way.
How does one begin reading the Bible when they have never really read it? Where do you begin and what suggested books or sections of the Bible would you read? I have been asked questions like these and have found some helpful ways to "jumpstart" getting back into consistent reading and study of God's Word. Below are some methods that either I have used or have heard from others in cultivating a consistent, daily time in the scriptures.
1. Read a Proverb a day. There are 31 chapters or Proverbs in the book of Proverbs. Are you looking for wisdom in life or a greater effectiveness in your walk with the Lord? Read Proverbs. By reading one chapter a day for five minutes, you should be able to cover Proverbs in one month. Once you have read through Proverbs in that first month of reading, read it again the second month - a chapter a day. Then do it again. I have done this and discovered something new and insightful from the Lord everytime I read.
2. Read 1 John in one week. 1 John is all about the Christian life and assurance of salvation. There are some seventy statements in this little book that give you assurance of knowing who you are and Whose you are as a Christian. There are five chapters, which means if you were to read a chapter a day, you could read 1 John six times in one month. Make it your goal to read 1 John once a week, and watch your Christian life begin to soar as you discover more of who you are and Whose you are in Christ
3. Read five Psalms a day for a month. As you read God's Word more, you'll find yourself wanting to read more of God's Word. There are 150 Psalms. Five a day for a month will get you through the book. The Psalms speak to the personal and experiential side of your walk with God, and His thoughts toward you.
4. Read a chapter in each of the four Gospels per day. The four Gospels introduce you to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Matthew has 28 chapters. Read a chapter a day and you'll get through Matthew in the first month, Mark almost twice in say the second month, Luke in the third month and easily John in the fourth month.
The above plans are suggested reading plans which come highly recommended. Whenever you and I make our intent to read and think on God's Word every day, growth and strength in faith will be on the way.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Christians are more than "just forgiven"
Galatians 4:7 "Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir
through God."
A true story about ex-cons
I'll never forget the time in the earlier part of my ministry when I had to do some hospital visitations. On the way into town there was a medium security prison that one would drive by before taking the "big right" in the center of town to access the medical center. When I would drive into this particular town, I would see men with a worn back-pack, unkempt hair, untucked shirt, tatoos and a thumb looking for a ride. No doubt I was witnessing those who had just been "released from the prison".
One day when I was waiting at the stop light adjacent to the prison, I spied a small door at the back of the facility. I noticed a man coming out of the facility with the tell tale back pack - containing all of his worldly belongings. It dawned on me that these men had "so-called" paid their debt to society. They were, in the eyes of the law, "just forgiven" or "released".
You could tell by the way they carried themselves that the so-called free air that they looked to breath was not true freedom. Why? Those men had no home to go to. They did not have family and friends waiting for them. Many of these men, some of whom I knew personally, lived from hotel to hotel, scraping and scrawling their way. They still had a record, a past and a whole host of hidden offenses, hurts, pain and unreformed desires. Despite being no-longer behind bars - these men were ex-cons - in need of true forgiveness and the victory of knowing Christ by faith.
The Bumper Sticker theology of "just forgiven" is not an adequate picture of true Christian identity
The story above reminds me of so-many Christians that I know (and on occasion what I may think of myself of I'm not careful), that walk around like they are "ex-cons". I'm sure you have seen those bumper stickers that say "just forgiven". Everytime I see one of those signs, I want to take a big black marker and write before that phrase "more than".
Too often Christians today view themselves as having been forgiven of their sins and on their way to heaven, but in the the time being just scrawling by, scraping through from one day to the next, just forgiven. The problem with such theology is that it tells only half the story. The Bible describes this view of oneself in terms of a "slave mentality".
When used in the positive sense, the term "slave" speaks of Christians as slaves of righteousness, without any rights to their own, bought with a price by the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Yet when used in the negative sense, the term "slave" speaks of a believer who is not aware of (or momentarily forgotten) who they are and whose they are. In Galatians Paul is laying out the believer's true identity:
-You are no longer a slave but..
-a son, and if a son....
-then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:7)
Marvelously the Christian is not just merely "forgiven". In fact, in Christ, the believer does not have a "record", "a past". The rap sheet is clean since the past of the Christian was nailed to the cross and the Spirit of God united the Christian to Christ's righteousness - making him the "righteousness of God" in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We are more than forgiven.
Justified, adopted, united with Christ by faith - the truth behind "more than just forgiven"
Three biblical terms are used to demonstrate that you and I as Christians are more than "just forgiven". We are first of all "justified", declared by God the Father to be free the penalty of the law's condemnation, and thus legally "right with Him". To be justified means "just-as-if-I-never sinned. (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21) In justification I'm made legally right with God at the moment of saving faith, credited with Christ's righteousness. In adoption I'm declared relationally right with God at saving faith. Passages such as Ephesians 1:3; Romans 8:16-17 and Galatians 4:1-7 speak of the incredible truth of adoption.
Then thirdly, I am positionally connected to Christ by union with Christ - a work done by the Holy Spirit at saving faith. Union with Christ is what the Spirit of God does in taking all of Christ's righteousness and work and applying it to me. The second part of union deals with His erasing my past and forever welding my identity to Christ's humanity - as an heir of God and a co-heir of Christ. (compare Romans 6:1-11; 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
It is in sanctification that I am becoming in experience whom God has declared me to be in position - more than just forgiven
To be positionally "more than just forgiven" is one thing, but what about an accompanying experience? The Bible reveals that God has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us God's perfect and pleasing will as we simultaneously work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12-13) The Bible clearly tells you believer that because of the Spirit's ongoing work of sanctification, and your cooperation in that post-conversion work, you are "no longer under condemnation" (Romans 8:1) and "more than a conqueror" (Romans 8:37). Jesus came to give us "life, life more abundantly" (John 10:10) May you and I live today as Christians who are more than "just forgiven".
A true story about ex-cons
I'll never forget the time in the earlier part of my ministry when I had to do some hospital visitations. On the way into town there was a medium security prison that one would drive by before taking the "big right" in the center of town to access the medical center. When I would drive into this particular town, I would see men with a worn back-pack, unkempt hair, untucked shirt, tatoos and a thumb looking for a ride. No doubt I was witnessing those who had just been "released from the prison".
One day when I was waiting at the stop light adjacent to the prison, I spied a small door at the back of the facility. I noticed a man coming out of the facility with the tell tale back pack - containing all of his worldly belongings. It dawned on me that these men had "so-called" paid their debt to society. They were, in the eyes of the law, "just forgiven" or "released".
You could tell by the way they carried themselves that the so-called free air that they looked to breath was not true freedom. Why? Those men had no home to go to. They did not have family and friends waiting for them. Many of these men, some of whom I knew personally, lived from hotel to hotel, scraping and scrawling their way. They still had a record, a past and a whole host of hidden offenses, hurts, pain and unreformed desires. Despite being no-longer behind bars - these men were ex-cons - in need of true forgiveness and the victory of knowing Christ by faith.
The Bumper Sticker theology of "just forgiven" is not an adequate picture of true Christian identity
The story above reminds me of so-many Christians that I know (and on occasion what I may think of myself of I'm not careful), that walk around like they are "ex-cons". I'm sure you have seen those bumper stickers that say "just forgiven". Everytime I see one of those signs, I want to take a big black marker and write before that phrase "more than".
Too often Christians today view themselves as having been forgiven of their sins and on their way to heaven, but in the the time being just scrawling by, scraping through from one day to the next, just forgiven. The problem with such theology is that it tells only half the story. The Bible describes this view of oneself in terms of a "slave mentality".
When used in the positive sense, the term "slave" speaks of Christians as slaves of righteousness, without any rights to their own, bought with a price by the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Yet when used in the negative sense, the term "slave" speaks of a believer who is not aware of (or momentarily forgotten) who they are and whose they are. In Galatians Paul is laying out the believer's true identity:
-You are no longer a slave but..
-a son, and if a son....
-then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:7)
Marvelously the Christian is not just merely "forgiven". In fact, in Christ, the believer does not have a "record", "a past". The rap sheet is clean since the past of the Christian was nailed to the cross and the Spirit of God united the Christian to Christ's righteousness - making him the "righteousness of God" in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We are more than forgiven.
Justified, adopted, united with Christ by faith - the truth behind "more than just forgiven"
Three biblical terms are used to demonstrate that you and I as Christians are more than "just forgiven". We are first of all "justified", declared by God the Father to be free the penalty of the law's condemnation, and thus legally "right with Him". To be justified means "just-as-if-I-never sinned. (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21) In justification I'm made legally right with God at the moment of saving faith, credited with Christ's righteousness. In adoption I'm declared relationally right with God at saving faith. Passages such as Ephesians 1:3; Romans 8:16-17 and Galatians 4:1-7 speak of the incredible truth of adoption.
Then thirdly, I am positionally connected to Christ by union with Christ - a work done by the Holy Spirit at saving faith. Union with Christ is what the Spirit of God does in taking all of Christ's righteousness and work and applying it to me. The second part of union deals with His erasing my past and forever welding my identity to Christ's humanity - as an heir of God and a co-heir of Christ. (compare Romans 6:1-11; 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
It is in sanctification that I am becoming in experience whom God has declared me to be in position - more than just forgiven
To be positionally "more than just forgiven" is one thing, but what about an accompanying experience? The Bible reveals that God has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us God's perfect and pleasing will as we simultaneously work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12-13) The Bible clearly tells you believer that because of the Spirit's ongoing work of sanctification, and your cooperation in that post-conversion work, you are "no longer under condemnation" (Romans 8:1) and "more than a conqueror" (Romans 8:37). Jesus came to give us "life, life more abundantly" (John 10:10) May you and I live today as Christians who are more than "just forgiven".
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Holy Spirit's ministries to the believer
Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who
raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through His Spirit who dwells in you."
Yesterday we looked in detail at the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. So fundamental is that ministry that without it, no one can be a Christian nor can many other wonderful truths of the Christian life have their beginning and continuance. In today's blog I want to take the remainder of Romans 8:9-17 and just list the chief ministries of the Holy Spirit enumerated by the Apostle Paul. Perhaps in the fullest way possible we get an overview of the Christian life from inception to completion through the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Christian.
1. The Spirit's indwelling - The Beginning the Christian faith-life.
Romans 8:9-11a "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you...."
2. The Spirit's resurrection of the physical body - Completes the Faith-life
Romans 8:11b "He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
As we have seen thus far, the "book-ends" of the Christian life are well represented in Romans 8:8-11: Conversion and Resurrection. Much of what follows from Romans 8:12-16 represents the the faith-life that exists in between those two points: from the moment of saving faith until Christ's return and our life in a glorified resurrection body. What ministries of the Holy Spirit are experienced by the believer in the here and now?
3. The Spirit's Sanctification of the soul - Progressing us onward and upward to live the Christian life and be like Jesus
Romans 8:12-13 "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Truly sanctification has its beginning at conversion, and progresses on in making us in experience who we are declared positionally to be by God the Father at conversion (called justification). Since sanctification's aim is at the soul, its process is completed the moment I die and go to be with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6)
4. The Spirit's leading of the Christian
Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." A Christian is a person who not only can hear God but follow God. The Holy Spirit affirms His will to the Christian through scripture (Romans 10:17; 1 John 2:27) and confirms the Christian's understanding through circumstances (Acts 16:6-7); people (Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6) and peace (Philippians 4:6-7) Though not mentoned in this text, a closely related work of the Spirit is His ministry of "filling", whereby the believer is under the influence of His work in their mind, emotions and will in obedience to God's Word. Passages such as Ephesians 5:18 command us to be "filled with the Spirit".
5. The Spirit's ministry of Adoption
Romans 8:15-16 "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." It is the Spirit's ministry of adoption that welds together our position in Christ to our experience of Christ. This truly lies at the center of know "who I am and whose I am".
6. The Spirit's ministry of uniting us with Christ
Romans 8:17 "and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 states this ministry in similar thoughts: "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."
Romans 8:9-17 represents the best summary of the major ministries of the Holy Spirit you will find in consecutive verses anywhere in God's word. My prayer is that your appetite has been whetted to consider these truths more fully.
Yesterday we looked in detail at the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. So fundamental is that ministry that without it, no one can be a Christian nor can many other wonderful truths of the Christian life have their beginning and continuance. In today's blog I want to take the remainder of Romans 8:9-17 and just list the chief ministries of the Holy Spirit enumerated by the Apostle Paul. Perhaps in the fullest way possible we get an overview of the Christian life from inception to completion through the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Christian.
1. The Spirit's indwelling - The Beginning the Christian faith-life.
Romans 8:9-11a "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you...."
2. The Spirit's resurrection of the physical body - Completes the Faith-life
Romans 8:11b "He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
As we have seen thus far, the "book-ends" of the Christian life are well represented in Romans 8:8-11: Conversion and Resurrection. Much of what follows from Romans 8:12-16 represents the the faith-life that exists in between those two points: from the moment of saving faith until Christ's return and our life in a glorified resurrection body. What ministries of the Holy Spirit are experienced by the believer in the here and now?
3. The Spirit's Sanctification of the soul - Progressing us onward and upward to live the Christian life and be like Jesus
Romans 8:12-13 "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Truly sanctification has its beginning at conversion, and progresses on in making us in experience who we are declared positionally to be by God the Father at conversion (called justification). Since sanctification's aim is at the soul, its process is completed the moment I die and go to be with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6)
4. The Spirit's leading of the Christian
Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." A Christian is a person who not only can hear God but follow God. The Holy Spirit affirms His will to the Christian through scripture (Romans 10:17; 1 John 2:27) and confirms the Christian's understanding through circumstances (Acts 16:6-7); people (Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6) and peace (Philippians 4:6-7) Though not mentoned in this text, a closely related work of the Spirit is His ministry of "filling", whereby the believer is under the influence of His work in their mind, emotions and will in obedience to God's Word. Passages such as Ephesians 5:18 command us to be "filled with the Spirit".
5. The Spirit's ministry of Adoption
Romans 8:15-16 "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." It is the Spirit's ministry of adoption that welds together our position in Christ to our experience of Christ. This truly lies at the center of know "who I am and whose I am".
6. The Spirit's ministry of uniting us with Christ
Romans 8:17 "and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 states this ministry in similar thoughts: "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."
Romans 8:9-17 represents the best summary of the major ministries of the Holy Spirit you will find in consecutive verses anywhere in God's word. My prayer is that your appetite has been whetted to consider these truths more fully.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
The Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry
Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God
dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not
belong to Him.
God in us - The Spirit's indwelling ministry
Romans 8:9-16 gives us a full treatment and wonderful summary of the key ways in which the Holy Spirit works in the life of the Christian. Most fundamental to salvation and the beginning of the Christian life is the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Simply put - the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is when God the Holy Spirit comes to live inside a human being at the moment of saving faith.
Distinguishing the Holy Spirit's ministry in the Old and New Testament believer
All believer's of all ages were marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives - however there was a major distinction that defined Old from New Testament saint. In the Old Testament or Old Covenant period (Genesis-Acts 1) the Holy Spirit worked from "outward to inward", dwelling "with" or "upon" the believer. In the New Testament or New Covenant era (Acts 2 onward), the Holy Spirit would enhance His work and presence by coming to dwell "in" the believer. Jesus in John 14:17 most clearly bears this distinction out: "that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."
Scriptures that bear out the truth of the Spirit's indwelling ministry in the believer
Before we list a few thoughts regarding the significance of the Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry, it is vital to list some of the key verses which speak about it:
1. Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."
2. Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God"
3. 1 Corithians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."
4. Ephesians 4:30 "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
5. 2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."
6. 1 John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. "
7. 1 John 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit."
The significance of the Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry
As you can see, quite a few passages underscore the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. The quantity of the passages above points to the necessity for you and I as Christians to consider more closely and carefully our Christian walk. As we close out today's blog, I want to list some observations on the significance of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit:
1. The Fundamental mark of Christian identity. Romans 8:9, 16; 1 John 4:13
2. The Foundation for the Christian life. Ezekiel 36:27; 1 John 4:13
3. The Faith-life's source for guidance/understanding. 1 John 2:27
4. The Full-rights God has in owning us. 1 Corinthians 6:19
5. The Faith-life's responsibility to live the Holy life. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30
6. The Full-time home of God in us. John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16
God in us - The Spirit's indwelling ministry
Romans 8:9-16 gives us a full treatment and wonderful summary of the key ways in which the Holy Spirit works in the life of the Christian. Most fundamental to salvation and the beginning of the Christian life is the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Simply put - the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is when God the Holy Spirit comes to live inside a human being at the moment of saving faith.
Distinguishing the Holy Spirit's ministry in the Old and New Testament believer
All believer's of all ages were marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives - however there was a major distinction that defined Old from New Testament saint. In the Old Testament or Old Covenant period (Genesis-Acts 1) the Holy Spirit worked from "outward to inward", dwelling "with" or "upon" the believer. In the New Testament or New Covenant era (Acts 2 onward), the Holy Spirit would enhance His work and presence by coming to dwell "in" the believer. Jesus in John 14:17 most clearly bears this distinction out: "that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."
Scriptures that bear out the truth of the Spirit's indwelling ministry in the believer
Before we list a few thoughts regarding the significance of the Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry, it is vital to list some of the key verses which speak about it:
1. Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."
2. Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God"
3. 1 Corithians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."
4. Ephesians 4:30 "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
5. 2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."
6. 1 John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. "
7. 1 John 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit."
The significance of the Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry
As you can see, quite a few passages underscore the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. The quantity of the passages above points to the necessity for you and I as Christians to consider more closely and carefully our Christian walk. As we close out today's blog, I want to list some observations on the significance of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit:
1. The Fundamental mark of Christian identity. Romans 8:9, 16; 1 John 4:13
2. The Foundation for the Christian life. Ezekiel 36:27; 1 John 4:13
3. The Faith-life's source for guidance/understanding. 1 John 2:27
4. The Full-rights God has in owning us. 1 Corinthians 6:19
5. The Faith-life's responsibility to live the Holy life. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30
6. The Full-time home of God in us. John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Church Steeple - A Poem
Today's post is some reflections on the place of the church and the Gospel which she preaches in the 21st century.
The Church Steeple
The spire of hope, aiming to the sky
Overlooks the city, full of passers-by
Its white gleaming paint and golden cross
Pointing to hope for a humanity that is lost
The world is convinced that its message is no longer needed
They say the God of its claims went ignored and unheeded
Glamour and fame, bright lights and smart phones
Humanity defined as evolved flesh and bones
The steeple has seen many clouds go by
Suns have risen up and sunken in the sky
The Gospel preached under its point below
Has seen such claims come and go
An atheist said Christianity would be laid to rest
Yet his home became a Bible printing press
The church's identity rises no higher than the cross
The Savior will prevail despite culture's tempest toss
I fear not of skeptics ramblings, ebb and flow of culture's tide
The Steeple of the Gospel will stand and the Word will abide
Friday, November 23, 2012
The consequences of taking up offense
Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and
brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with
us?” And they took offense at Him.
They thought they were dealing with a "safe" Jesus
Jesus was rounding out the first year of his public ministry. His ministry circuit in Galilee would take him to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. In Mark 6:1-2 we pick up the narrative: "1Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, 'Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?"' These people had known Jesus from his childhood days growing up. They were familiar with him - or at least they thought they were.
Jesus crossed their line - they took up the offense
The people of Nazareth had drawn lines around Jesus, pigeonholed him and concluded he was just "one of the boys" so to speak. Upon his return, Jesus very quickly shattered their pre-conceived notions. The Bible tells us that they uttered what they thought they knew about Jesus. Their description of Jesus was a view of Jesus that was safe, non-threatening and non-intrusive. However it was very clear - they had drawn a line that Jesus had crossed. The people of Nazareth took up the offense and chose to remain bitter, rather than get right and get better.
As saw yesterday, offenses come in this world. Whenever you and I get angry at someone, it can be over something petty or over something that is downright wrong they have done to us. The point being is that a line has been cross - preceived or unperceived. What happens when we bear the grudge? Note some key characteristics of these people in Nazareth as a case study of the consequences of taking up offense:
1. Refusal to honor Christ's authority. Mark 6:4
Jesus stated that a prophet is without honor in his hometown. This fits in line with the modern day saying of "familiarity breeds contempt". Whenever we take up offense, we will find ourselves progressively refusing to give honor to Jesus Christ. The Bible is the authority of Christ written, since it is classified as the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) People who take up offense will over time grow cynical to either God's word or spiritual authorities who minister in the name of Jesus. Clearly these people would not honor Jesus.
2. Restriction of God's power. Mark 6:5
The scripture says "he was not able to do many miracles". Because the people took up the offense against Jesus, the consuequence was the limiting of the demonstration of God's power in their lives. Whenever we are either defeated in our Christian walk or see defeat in another person's life, it is guaranteed that somewhere in the past that individual took up offense. Its as if they shut off God's power in that area. Jesus did heal a few people, but not many. Unless the offended person forgives and puts off the malice and anger that they have been carrying around, the power of God will not be fully experienced in their lives.
3. Rejection. Mark 6:5
I would add this third consequence of taking up offense - rejection. Rejection describes the spiritual dimension of operating in resentment. When I say rejection, I mean that a person who is bearing offense will not receive a legitimate offer of help. I believe Jesus was restricted physically as well as supernaturally by these people. Because they could not get past their perception of Jesus as "mary's son", they simply refused His attempts to minister. No doubt the restriction of God's power led to so-few healings, but I would also suggest that practically speaking, these people left Jesus. I have had times in my life where I bore up offense, and whenever someone tried to help me, I got angry and thought they were patronizing me. I know what it is like, and can tell you plainly that only through the cross and forgiveness can the bondage of rejection produced by offense be broken.
4. Repeats and grows worse if not let go. Matthew 13:53-57
In Matthew 13:53-57 we see Jesus return back to Nazareth after a period of time to attempt a second round of ministry. Amazingly these people were still hanging onto their offense. In fact the identicle words are repeated by them, indicating that they had not changed. Matthew 13:56-57 states "And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."
Whenever you and I take up offense, if left unchecked, our hurt and pain will start sounding like a broken record. We will become "frozen" in the time and memory of those events. An offense taken up years ago will still be fresh in the mind of the hurt person. Presented with the same opportunity will issue forth the same response, the same hurt. Furthermore, the hurt and pain can be repeated in others around us, which is why Hebrews 12:15 warns us to "not let a root of bitterness to rise up in us, lest we defile many".
5. Root of offense is unbelief. Mark 6:6; Matthew 13:57
So when did unbelief factor into the offense? By the response. You and I dear friend cannot, in a lot of ways, control others, nor our circumstances nor the level of hurt that may come at us. However there is one thing we can control - our response. If as a Christian I take my anger and resentment and "cast all my anxiety upon the Lord", the Bible promises "He will take care of you". (1 Peter 5:7). Faith says: Lord, I don't know how to forgive, however you through me is more than able to love and forgive. Thus I will be in you everything you want. Offense will prefer to "hang on" to the resentment, not ever speaking to God about it. For those who have been truly hurt by careless or vindictive people, unchecked anger will lead you to conclude that God can do nothing about it. This is why James 1:20 states: "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God". (ESV)
Forgiveness is the quickest route to be healed of the consequences of offense
James 4:6-7 tells us: "6But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." I love this passage, since it states: "He gives greater grace" and "gives grace to the humble". If we will but humble outselves to the Lord and say: "God, I don't know how, but you through me can teach me how", the promise is that His greater grace is there. All we need to do is believe God, not doubt, and trust that what may not make sense emotionally is the only thing that makes sense in light of eternity. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13)
They thought they were dealing with a "safe" Jesus
Jesus was rounding out the first year of his public ministry. His ministry circuit in Galilee would take him to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. In Mark 6:1-2 we pick up the narrative: "1Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, 'Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?"' These people had known Jesus from his childhood days growing up. They were familiar with him - or at least they thought they were.
Jesus crossed their line - they took up the offense
The people of Nazareth had drawn lines around Jesus, pigeonholed him and concluded he was just "one of the boys" so to speak. Upon his return, Jesus very quickly shattered their pre-conceived notions. The Bible tells us that they uttered what they thought they knew about Jesus. Their description of Jesus was a view of Jesus that was safe, non-threatening and non-intrusive. However it was very clear - they had drawn a line that Jesus had crossed. The people of Nazareth took up the offense and chose to remain bitter, rather than get right and get better.
As saw yesterday, offenses come in this world. Whenever you and I get angry at someone, it can be over something petty or over something that is downright wrong they have done to us. The point being is that a line has been cross - preceived or unperceived. What happens when we bear the grudge? Note some key characteristics of these people in Nazareth as a case study of the consequences of taking up offense:
1. Refusal to honor Christ's authority. Mark 6:4
Jesus stated that a prophet is without honor in his hometown. This fits in line with the modern day saying of "familiarity breeds contempt". Whenever we take up offense, we will find ourselves progressively refusing to give honor to Jesus Christ. The Bible is the authority of Christ written, since it is classified as the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) People who take up offense will over time grow cynical to either God's word or spiritual authorities who minister in the name of Jesus. Clearly these people would not honor Jesus.
2. Restriction of God's power. Mark 6:5
The scripture says "he was not able to do many miracles". Because the people took up the offense against Jesus, the consuequence was the limiting of the demonstration of God's power in their lives. Whenever we are either defeated in our Christian walk or see defeat in another person's life, it is guaranteed that somewhere in the past that individual took up offense. Its as if they shut off God's power in that area. Jesus did heal a few people, but not many. Unless the offended person forgives and puts off the malice and anger that they have been carrying around, the power of God will not be fully experienced in their lives.
3. Rejection. Mark 6:5
I would add this third consequence of taking up offense - rejection. Rejection describes the spiritual dimension of operating in resentment. When I say rejection, I mean that a person who is bearing offense will not receive a legitimate offer of help. I believe Jesus was restricted physically as well as supernaturally by these people. Because they could not get past their perception of Jesus as "mary's son", they simply refused His attempts to minister. No doubt the restriction of God's power led to so-few healings, but I would also suggest that practically speaking, these people left Jesus. I have had times in my life where I bore up offense, and whenever someone tried to help me, I got angry and thought they were patronizing me. I know what it is like, and can tell you plainly that only through the cross and forgiveness can the bondage of rejection produced by offense be broken.
4. Repeats and grows worse if not let go. Matthew 13:53-57
In Matthew 13:53-57 we see Jesus return back to Nazareth after a period of time to attempt a second round of ministry. Amazingly these people were still hanging onto their offense. In fact the identicle words are repeated by them, indicating that they had not changed. Matthew 13:56-57 states "And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."
Whenever you and I take up offense, if left unchecked, our hurt and pain will start sounding like a broken record. We will become "frozen" in the time and memory of those events. An offense taken up years ago will still be fresh in the mind of the hurt person. Presented with the same opportunity will issue forth the same response, the same hurt. Furthermore, the hurt and pain can be repeated in others around us, which is why Hebrews 12:15 warns us to "not let a root of bitterness to rise up in us, lest we defile many".
5. Root of offense is unbelief. Mark 6:6; Matthew 13:57
So when did unbelief factor into the offense? By the response. You and I dear friend cannot, in a lot of ways, control others, nor our circumstances nor the level of hurt that may come at us. However there is one thing we can control - our response. If as a Christian I take my anger and resentment and "cast all my anxiety upon the Lord", the Bible promises "He will take care of you". (1 Peter 5:7). Faith says: Lord, I don't know how to forgive, however you through me is more than able to love and forgive. Thus I will be in you everything you want. Offense will prefer to "hang on" to the resentment, not ever speaking to God about it. For those who have been truly hurt by careless or vindictive people, unchecked anger will lead you to conclude that God can do nothing about it. This is why James 1:20 states: "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God". (ESV)
Forgiveness is the quickest route to be healed of the consequences of offense
James 4:6-7 tells us: "6But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." I love this passage, since it states: "He gives greater grace" and "gives grace to the humble". If we will but humble outselves to the Lord and say: "God, I don't know how, but you through me can teach me how", the promise is that His greater grace is there. All we need to do is believe God, not doubt, and trust that what may not make sense emotionally is the only thing that makes sense in light of eternity. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13)
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