Keys to fulfilled Christianity - Peace of Christ's Lordship

Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Introduction:

What does it mean to be a fulfilled Christian? I'm certain that for some it may mean having things finally going your way or having a life that is successful, problem free and pain free. What does the scripture, and Paul here in particular, have to tell us about what it means to be a fulfilled Christian? Whenever you read the entire Colossian letter, the theme is centered upon the fact that "Jesus is enough". In developing that truth doctrinally in Colossians 1-2, Paul aims to unpack it practically in Colossians 3-4. 

Unless you and I are finding our fulfillment in Jesus Christ, we won't experience nor retain fulfillment. With that said, Colossians 3:15-17 gives us the specific keys to fulfilled Christianity. Another epistle written at the same time as Colossians, Ephesians, has similar statements in Ephesians 5:18-21 that we find here in Colossians 3:15-17. Therefore we will include Paul's remarks from that epistle in upcoming posts.  

Point of Application: So what are the keys to fulfilled Christianity? To answer that question we will spell it out in the point of application for today's post: The keys to fulfilled Christianity are Christ's Lordship, the Holy Spirit, the scriptures and thankfulness.  

Key #1 to fulfilled Christianity - The Peace of Christ's Lordship - Colossians 3:15

When the Holy Spirit says in Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts....", how do we fulfill that command? In briefly looking back through Colossians 3:1-14, the answer is plain: surrender to Christ's Lordship. As one scans over Colossians 3:1-14, the overwhelming emphasis has to do with "giving it all to Jesus" or "surrendering to Christ's Lordship".1 

Colossians 3:1 tells us as believers to "keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God". By looking unto the One who alone can lead and aid us in the Christian walk (Psalm 121:1-2), we are in affect handing over to Jesus Christ our priorities, behavior, speech and relationships. One of the repeated practical points made by Paul throughout Colossians 3:1-14 is to "put off" the old life (3:5,8) and "put on" the new self which is being renewed in the image of Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus Christ is Lord of our life, there is peace. In the context of 2 Thessalonians 3:16 for example, we could say Jesus Christ is the Lord of peace: "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!" When Jesus was ministering on this earth and walked on the water in Mark 4:39 where his disciples were in a boat, He rebuked the storm and the text states: "And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm." Christ's Lordship is such a dominate theme in describing our salvation that without His authority in our lives, we cannot enjoy the benefits of our salvation. The oft quoted verse of Romans 6:23 drives home this point:  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

All the time at our house we tell our children that if they will do as we say, they will have a much more enjoyable experience than if they try to do it their way. The Christian's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ operates on similar principles. To love Him is after all to do as He says. (John 14:21) Whenever we make Jesus Christ's Lordship our priority, there will be peace. Certainly we may well begin with the attitude of obedience or an "I have to" approach to our Christian life.  However as we become more closely acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, He has a way of turning my "have-to's" into "want-to's". What begins as a duty of obedience becomes a delight of surrender. 

As you and I wave the white flag of surrender to Jesus Christ's Lordship, we are really waving the flag of victory in the Christian life.

More tomorrow..... 

Endnotes:

1. For those readers desiring to see a detailed treatment of Christ's Lordship in Colossians 3, I will refer to last week's  post: http://pastormahlon.blogspot.com/2014/08/give-it-all-to-jesus-colossians-31-14.html 

Valley of Vision

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Today's post features a prayer from the book entitled "Valley of Vision". Back in the mid-seventies a man by the name of Arthur Bennett put together a collection of Puritan prayers prayed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that has become a devotional classic. Bennett's book was entitled "Valley of Vision" due to the title of the opening prayer. I felt today that this would be a great way to start off the week and offer it to you for your meditation and edification.

"Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. 

Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. 

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley."

The story of the Kingdom told by Jesus' parables in Matthew 13

Matthew 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Introduction:

In past posts we have looked at the kingdom parables of Matthew 13, noting their interpretation and relationship to one another in describing the Kingdom of God. For today I would like to list for the reader what we can learn from Jesus' Kingdom parables, including his final one in Matthew 13:47-52, which we have not yet studied. We will then close out today's post with some final thoughts for our application.

Point of application: I gain the following main point from Jesus' statements in Matthew 13:51, namely: It is important for you and me to understand the story of the Kingdom so that we can communicate the Gospel. 

1. Responses to the Kingdom. Mt 13:1-9; 10-23

How do people respond to the Gospel and to the things of God? Four typical responses are illustrated in Jesus' parable of the soils: Unbelieving professors of faith who have had the word plucked away, who have sprouted up and died quickly or who have chosen the world over Christ. Only the true believer who possesses saving faith evidences good soil that sprouts forth fruit that abides. The key point of this parable is in 13:9 and 13:23 with the idea: "he who has ears, let him hear".

2. The King's Kingdom. Mt 13:24-30; 36-43

In Jesus' second parable of Matthew 13 we considered this second important aspect of the Kingdom - namely it is the King's Kingdom. How one is related to the King (wheat for the King's seed, tares for the enemy) will determine the destiny. All born into this world are born outside the King's redemptive Kingdom, and only by a miracle of saving grace, communicate in the scripture by means of planted wheat (sons of the kingdom), can tares be turned into wheat.

3. The immensity of the Kingdom. Mt 13:31-32

In dealing with the people who are related or not related to the Kingdom, as well as the King of Kings and his much lesser rival, Satan - Jesus tells other parables describing characteristics of the Kingdom itself. In the parable of the Mustard seed in Mt 13:31-32 we see Him dealing with the size of the kingdom.

4. The influence of the Kingdom. Mt 13:33-34

As immense as the kingdom is, the size of the kingdom in this age does not necessarily determine its influence. Right now in this present church age the kingdom exists in a relatively small form, with areas of our world manifesting it more than others. Whether manifesting itself as something small or in its final form, the Kingdom of God wields influence over the hearts of people because of God's Sovereign will working through the Gospel and evangelistic efforts of the church. The scriptures are the vehicle by which the Spirit draws and converts sinners to saving faith. (Psalm 19:7; Romans 10:17)

5. The joy of the kingdom. Mt 13:44

Jesus moves on by describing another aspect of Kingdom life - the joy of it. Like looking at a house from different sides, Jesus is walking us around the Kingdom, giving us various vantage points from which to look. Knowing that God is both at the center and circumference of the Kingdom ought to cause us joy. In other words, wherever Jesus is ruling and reigning, there is joy!

6. The value of the kingdom. Mt 13:45-46

Whether speaking about the Kingdom, the Gospel or the Christian life, all three are cut from the same cloth - namely God's Sovereign and redemptive will being worked out in the lives of those in and through Whom He is working. How much do you and I value the Kingdom, the Gospel and the Christian life? Is Jesus truly worth living for? These first six parables individually drive home a point.  Nonetheless they are logically and theologically connected to one another to deliver a collective story about what the Kingdom of God is all about, which leads to the seventh parable of Matthew 13:1-52....

7. Finality of the Kingdom. Mt 13:47-52

When we look at this final "Kingdom parable", what is its main point? Jesus tells us in vss 49: "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous." Simon J. Kistemaker in his book "The Parables", page 64, writes: "Followers of Jesus, go about your daily task: witness to your fellowmen, whoever they may be; bring them together at the church; constantly remind them of the need for faith and repentance; and direct their attention to the judgment day, at which time the final separation of the wicked and the righteous will take place."

Closing thoughts

The kingdom of Jesus Christ will become a visible, manifested reality when He comes back to earth. The details and ordering of events are not the focus of this final parable, and so we won't pursue such details here. However the importance of understanding Jesus' overall teaching in Matthew 13 is underscored by Jesus Himself when he asks in Matthew 13:51-52 "Have you understood all these things?" That is the question you and I must labor and prayerfully answer as we consider Jesus' words. If we can answer Jesus' question in the affirmative, then we will be as those bring forth treasure, having something to tell to those needing to hear.  He who has ears, let Him hear! 

P4 Weathering the storms of life - reaching the intended destination

Acts 27:42-43 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

For the past several days we have been making our way through Acts 27. We have been focusing our attention upon the subject of life's storms, and how as God's people we can weather them. The main point of application throughout this series has been: "God is in charge over storms and meets us in them". We have seen how God will shine rays of hope in storms.  We have also learned that even though there may not be a discernible purpose at times, yet God provides in the midst of storms. Just because we cannot see the purpose does not mean there isn't one. To be met by God in the storm is more important than knowing the purpose. Paul models to us a man of God who ended up being a leader among some of those who were assigned as his prison guards. Today we see the process Paul and the men go through as they finally reach their intended destination, as well as how Paul would end up reaching his - Rome. 

One thing we learn in storms - the list of priorities shortens

It is always amazing to me how many things we consider to be priority in our lives. When a storm comes, not only do those priorities change, the list greatly shortens. On the ship the sailors' fear escalated. The priority of attempting to retain any cargo was quickly replaced by just trying to remain alive! Notice how much these guys let go as the storm rages on:

-They begin to jettison the cargo 27:18

-Then they cast off the ship's tackle 27:19

-Cast away the anchors 27:29

-They cut away the ropes holding the life boat to the side of the ship 27:32

-They threw the remaining wheat or source of food into the sea 27:38

-They completely got rid of the anchors 27:40

-They ran the ship aground 27:41

In normal circumstances, every single action done by these men would had been considered insanity. However the times in which they found themselves were anything but  "normal".

Perhaps you have been in a major storm of life or may very well be in the middle of one, much like Paul and his fellow prisoners. Though we may not know exactly why God had Paul and these men go through this storm, one thing is for sure - their priorities were sharpened significantly. 

Whatever purpose God has for storms, we know He may be preparing us for whatever purpose there is following the storm

Acts 27:44 states: "and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land." Though the journey had been anything but safe, God's word was fulfilled and every single man made it. As always, we know that survival may never be guaranteed when going through a storm, yet we know that whatever purpose God has for us going through the storm, it prepares us for a purpose that He will have us doing after the storm. 

The sailors, soldiers and Paul reached their intended destination - land! Once landing in Malta, Paul would be used of God to heal a man and model a miracle before the natives. In Acts 28:11-31 we would see Paul reach his ultimate destination - Rome. God had tested Paul under extreme situations to birth forth in him a testimony.  Testimonies are God's ordained exclamation points in the life of faith! Whenever you see a exclamation point (!), your attention is seized. Why? Exclamation points draw attention! God is the focus of the person with a testimony that bears witness of His faithfulness through a stormy season. Remember, God is over the storms of life and meets His people in them! 

P3 Weathering Life's Storms - How God provides even when there are no answers - Acts 27

Acts 27:23-24 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you."

Yesterday we considered how in the midst of life's storms, God can shine a ray of hope to encourage the believer. In the verse above we see Paul and 275 other men crammed into a sailing vessel that, based upon archaeological evidence, would had been over 30 feet wide and over 140 feet long. A storm of major proportions had blown upon the ship containing Paul, his fellow prisoners and their Roman captors while they were sailing for Rome. 

Throughout the course of our three day study we have been unfolding the following main point of application: God is in charge over storms and meets us in them. Today we aim to go further into Acts 27 by noting some things that were not present in this storm and some provisions God did grant during the storms.

There are times when we don't know why the storm has come - yet...

What makes Acts 27 so interesting is that despite it being the most detailed chapter in all of the Bible regarding storms, yet we are not told why God ordained this storm. Certainly God had ordained for Paul to go to Rome - this much we know. Throughout Paul's missionary journeys, Paul made it clear that he knew he was going to end up somehow in Rome. For example we read in Acts 19:21 "Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Could God had led Paul without the storm? Certainly. At times throughout scripture we see storms - both physical and otherwise - pop up in people's lives that have a discernible purpose, and then others like this one where the purpose is not so clear. In scripture we see storms come that are for correction, others for purification and still others for the purpose of putting the person in a holding pattern. Oftentimes too storms are ordained to build into that person a greater level of faith and trust. However there are those storms that - on the surface - seem to lack a defining purpose. Though the purpose may not be so easily seen does not mean there is no purpose. Remember our main point of application: God is over every storm and meets His people in them. 

The storm recorded here in Acts 27 is called a "Euraquilo". (Acts 27:14) This "North Easter" was a storm that was well-known by those ancients who traversed the vast stretches of the Mediterranean. When living in Florida, we learned first hand what it was like to have to deal with hurricanes and tropical storms. The weather patterns of our planet include such storms so as to provide a way for the earth to dissipate heat caused by warm maritime waters. This particular storm was one of those types of phenomena that are built into the created order of things. 

To us reading this text, it may seem like there is no purpose, being that none is stated. However by virtue of the fact that God sends an angel in 27:23 and provides a word for the sailors through Paul indicates that God not only is in charge of the storm, He meets His people in the storm. The most important thing to remember when weathering a storm of life is not about knowing the purpose in-as-much as knowing the God who works forth His purposes. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works out all things to the good to those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose. 

There are times we are not told how long the storm will last - however...

Though Paul had been given confirmation that every man and himself would survive the voyage, they were not told how long it would take. Again you can comb through the remainder of Acts 27 and yet not find one time where God told Paul how long the storm would last. Even after two long weeks of constant winds and long after the storm had ceased its winds, it would be months before Paul finally got to Rome. Though there appeared to be no end in sight, yet within the sight of Paul was the Lord Jesus Christ.

What God did provide in the course of this storm

Today's post thus far may appear more negative than positive. Whenever you read through Acts 27, you discover that this is real history, recording a real life incident. Whether physical storms or life's storms, such phenomena don't follow a perfectly predictable pattern. In-as-much that people can "read" where a storm could take a person, no one can control outcomes. Only God possess perfect, comprehensive knowledge and power. We are oftentimes in the midst of a storm forced to find our hope in God, rather than other people or the circumstances. What did God provide in the midst of Paul's storm? Notice...

1. God provided strength. Acts 27:23

God sent an angel to Paul to bring encouragement and comfort. In Isaiah 6 we see God sending an angel to a frightened Isaiah who felt like he was going to die in the presence of God the Holy One. Jesus Himself experience the ministry of angels both at the end of his temptation experience and in the garden of Gethsemane. Hebrews 1:14 reminds us that God sends angels to minister to His people. God's strength is never to short to reach His people where they are at.

2. God provided peace. Acts 27:24

The angel that came to Paul said to not be afraid. When the angel appeared to Joseph and Mary, the same type of message was conveyed. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding is the God-kind of peace, whether delivered directly by God the Holy Spirit or indirectly through emissaries like angels.

3. God provided His word. Acts 27:25-26

God had a word for Paul and for those sailing with him. In a storm, when provisions are low and hope seems lost, only the word of God can bring ultimate comfort.  

More tomorrow....

P2 Weathering Life's storms - The ray of light in the midst of the storm - Acts 27

Acts 27:20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

Yesterday we began considering the subject of weathering the storms of life. We discovered that throughout the scriptures there is much discussion about all kinds of storms.  We proposed the main point of application: God is in charge over storms and meets us in them. 

In Acts 27 we see the Apostle Paul getting on board with 275 other prisoners and Romans soldiers to set sail to Rome.  Paul was to appear before Caesar per his appeal to do so, as recorded in Acts 25:21 - "But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” That appeal would guarantee Paul an audience with the then most powerful man in the ancient world and an unprecedented opportunity to share the Gospel in the ancient world's most powerful city. 

When the wind begins to below before the storm

As the journey was set and begun in Acts 27, it was immediately clear that the journey was going to be anything but "smooth sailing". Both physical and of course spiritual winds began to blow. As you begin to walk your way through Acts 27:1-13, you get a "feel" for what was bound to be a storm of major proportions:

Acts 27:4 "From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary."

Acts 27:7 "When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone."

These waters were no different from the ones Paul had sailed in the course of his missionary journeys recorded in Acts 13-21. However the difference was that he was now traveling over waters with storms coming fast. Paul in his spirit sensed that before the trip was done, disaster would result. Perhaps you had experienced that in the course of your life, where it seemed like one thing after another was taking place. 

John MacArthur in his "The Book on Leadership", page 19, comments on this series of events in Acts 27: "Paul could see what was coming. He knew it was a risky and foolhardy plan. He had been in at least three shipwrecks before this (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25, which was written a few years prior to this episode), and he was obviously not eager to suffer through another one." 

We read Paul's words of warning to his shipmates in Acts 27:10 "and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” it was very clear that before things were going to get better, they were going to keep getting worse, as seen in Acts 27:13 where reference is made to a "moderate south wind."

The storm arrives

Then the "perfect storm" hit. The NASB calls this storm by name: "Euraquilo" which means a northeaster. The winds were of hurricane force and before long paul and the sailors would be in the middle of a two week long storm! Soon Paul and the 275 men on board were throwing off anything that could potentially weigh down their vessel: cargo, ships tackle and supplies (Acts 27:14-19). One thing I learned when living in Florida and having survived three hurricanes is that when a storm hits, what you deem precious and valuable turns into a very short list. Storms have a way of trimming our priorities down to the bare basics. The storm got so bad that in Acts 27:20 we read: "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned."

The ray of light in the midst of the storm

No man, no fleet of ships and no reprieve could be found in the midst of the howling winds and mountains of waves. The storm greatly simplified the matter: only God could provide rescue. Scripture time and time again reminds us of God's control over storms. Psalm 89:9 reveals - "You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them." We see Jesus do that very thing when He gets into the boat with his disciples during a storm and stills the storm. (Mark 6:49-50) Psalm 93:4 states - "More than the sounds of many waters,Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty." Without a doubt when Jesus told Lazarus to come forth from his tomb in John 11, or when he spoke the name of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb in John 20:16, His voice calmed the troubled waters. 

Though the storm was raging outside the vessel wherein Paul and the men were at, yet God ministered to Paul in a very special way during that storm. By the time we reach Acts 27:25 we see Paul saying: "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." How was Paul able to say such a thing in the midst of the storm? Find out tomorrow.... 

P1 Weathering Life's Storms - God is in charge over storms and meets us in them - Acts 27

Acts 27:20 "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned."

Introduction:

Throughout the Bible we see many references to storms - both physical and otherwise. Who can forget the biggest storm of all time? The world-wide flood of Noah's day in Genesis 6-9? Certainly Job experienced his time of storms in Job 1-2. In Job 37:12-13 we are given the following insight about God's use of storms: “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth. 13 “Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." So we see several key points about storms thus far: 1). God is in charge over every storm. 2). Sometimes He will reveal His purposes of storms. 3). God meets His people in storms. 

David saw the glory of God being revealed in a storm in Psalm 29. Who can forget the relunctant prophet Jonah being swallowed by a large fish in the middle of a storm in his book. A century after Jonah's day we see another prophet Nahum writing his prophecy. The prophet Nahum wrote these words in Nahum 1:3 "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet."

The Old Testament is not the only part of the Bible where storms are mentioned.  During Jesus' ministry here on this earth, He experienced physical and emotional storms with His disciples. Mark 6:49-50 records an episode involving a storm: "But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished."

In Acts 27 we witness what is perhaps the most detailed account of a storm found anywhere in the Bible. The Apostle Paul has been tried before rulers and authorities, with the decision made that he was to appear before Caesar in Rome. Paul's journey would take him from Caesarea to Rome over a period of several months. In the course of that journey God willed for their to be a storm in Paul's life. 

Point of application:

As we think about how storms are presented in the scriptures and in our lives, how can you and I weather such storms? We can note the following main point: "God is in charge over storms and meets us in them". 

The one thing we can certainly note in both the Bible and life is this: you are either coming out of a storm or getting ready to ride into one.  I know many readers out there, including myself, understand the notion of "life's storms". The aim of these next several posts is to walk our way through Acts 27 and other scriptures like the ones above to better grasp how God is indeed in charge over storms and how He aims to meet us in them.

More tomorrow....