Four senses of knowing God

Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord."

Introduction:

I will never forget the first time I was introduced to the most wonderful human being this side of eternity - known then as Deb Gray. We had a mutual friend who had been attempting to formally introduce us to one another. At the Bible College we attended, I had heard about Deb and had seen her on the campus, but I did not know her. After our friend had shared with me some additional information, I had to write her name down as my friend was bringing me to meet Deb. Soon after sitting down beside her, she and I began to talk to one another. To make a long story short - Deb and I started dating a few days later. We were engaged in six months and got married over a year after the engagement and after my graduation. I had known about Deb and got to know her more and more as we spent time in our courtship. After we got married and she became Deborah Emily Smith, I made it a point to get to know my wife, and she shared this same goal with me. For 18 years our adventure in knowing one another has only blossomed our love for one another. If such a focal point describes what marriage should be all about, then what or Who is the One that we should know Who explains the whole point of life and salvation? God of course! 

J.I Packer in his classic book: "Knowing God" begins with this statement on page 29: "What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the Eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. 'This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent' (John 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God." 

Four senses of what it means to know God

To one extent, it is accurate to say that everyone knows something about God, however, the scripture makes it plain that only believers in Jesus Christ can truly know God. The following four senses of knowing God are spelled out by scripture to explain how people know God to one degree or another.

1. Knowing about God in a general way  Creation

Psalm 19:1 states - "The heavens are telling of the glory of God;And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Everyone born into this world has the knowledge about God hardwired into their consciences, their minds and their hearts. Even the most hardened Atheist may claim to believe there is no God, however they cannot explain why they have compassion for another human being or why they believe it is wrong to murder within their worldview. Romans 1:21 gives this indictment: "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." 

Everyone knows about God and everyone knows there is a God. This general knowledge is what we call "general revelation" and is accessible and innate in all people: believer and unbeliever alike. To know about God does not equate to a saving knowledge of God, but rather shows that all people are accountable to God. God Himself imprinted information about Himself in the laws governing the universe and in the very fabric of life itself. 

2. Knowing God in a specific way - The Bible

It's one thing to know about generally in general revelation, however how do we gain specific and accurate knowledge of God? God has chosen to not only reveal knowledge about Himself in creation, but specific details about Himself in One book: The Bible. Being that God has chosen to reveal Himself specifically in a Book, Christian thinkers refer to this form of revelation as "special revelation".  

Psalm 119:134-135 states: "Redeem me from the oppression of man,That I may keep Your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes." Jesus Himself, being Immanuel, God with us, God in human flesh, said these words in Luke 24:44 - "Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 

It is by the Bible we come to know the God of the book and in knowing the God of the book we most clearly understand the Bible. God in the Person of the Holy Spirit co-authored the Bible with 40 other human authors. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21) To know the Holy Spirit personally is tantamount to and equated with studying, memorizing and meditating upon the Bible, being that He through it illumines the Christian's understanding to the things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)  We come to know God in the Bible, however unless saving faith is united with the testimony of God's special revelation, we only possess head knowledge about God and are even more accountable to Him. 

3. Knowing God in a full way - Jesus Christ
To know God in a general way by the general revelation of creation and the conscience results in knowing about God but not necessarily knowing God. To know God specifically entails going to the one Book He has moved upon men in Divine inspiration to write that reveals specific things about Him. The Bible as God's written revelation about Himself is His "specific", His  "special revelation". 

Now what is it that the Bible is specifically revealing? The what is expressed in terms of the language of "promise" in the Old Testament and in the Person of Jesus Christ in the new Testament. Hebrews 1:1-3 explains: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, andupholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." When Jesus was on this earth He said to His disciples in John 14:6-8 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 

Jesus as God in human flesh is the full and complete revelation of the invisible Father. Together with the written word of God - the Bible, Jesus and the scriptures present a "stereo view of God" in both high definition sound and video. To separate Jesus Christ from the Bible and vice-versa is like listening to a video without sound or trying to make out what is being seen in a video with only the audio. Many people in Jesus' days on this earth saw His miracles and even on the surface expressed admiration about Him. 

However, like with God's special revelation the Bible, unless faith is tied to Jesus' full revelation, there is only head knowledge about Him but no saving knowledge. 

4. Knowing God personally - by faith
We have seen that to know God can be defined one of three ways: knowing about Him in creation, knowing Him specifically in the Bible and knowing Him fully in Jesus Christ. These first three methods of God's Divine revelation are outside and irrespective of us. However the Bible makes it plain that unless there is saving faith present to personally connect to Jesus Christ in the Word, there can be  no personal knowledge of God. Faith is a gift given by God to fully persuade sinners to embrace Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word. When a sinner trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, salvation is the result. (Romans 10:8-10) 

To experience salvation by grace through faith is described as "knowing God". John 17:3 records Jesus saying: "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Furthermore, to know God personally is at the heart of ongoing growth in santifying faith following salvation. The language of "father-to-child" is used to explain this point in scripture. For example, Galatians 4:9  "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to beknown by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Romans 8:14-16 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God."

Closing Thoughts:
We saw in brief today the four senses of knowing God. We know about God generally in the general revelation of creation and the conscience. We then discover that God was revealed speicifically in the Bible. Thirdly, Jesus Christ fully reveals God in regards to His person and glory. Then the fourth sense of knowing God is the most Personal, Faith. Faith grabs hold of and receives the truth revealed in the other three senses. May you and I make it our goal as believers to know God, as a spouse who makes it their goal to know their spouse. 

Great song: How Deep the Father's Love

1 John 3:1-3 "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Today's post features a great link to a song that was mentioned to me by one of the readers of this blog. It so edified my spirit that I felt it deserved its own post. The musicians in the video are from the Liberty University Worship band and they sing the song: "How deep the Father's love". The above song is available on youtube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBe2iRIYjW0

Tied together in the Spirit

Philippians 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a mannerworthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Introduction to the idea of "tied together in the Spirit"

There is an interesting phenomenon that I have experienced over the course of my Christian life and ministry - a unique work wrought by the Spirit of God whereby He ties two or more people together in unity - a phenomena that I call "tied together in the Spirit". It amazes me how I will on rare occassions run across a man of God, regardless of station or social standing in life, I have never met, that within minutes we become "tied together" in a life long ministry friendship. 

The Lord over the years has given me such Godly men, such "ties", whereby that man and me are as David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:17 "Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life." As you scan the scriptures, you witness other such "tyings": Jesus and the Apostle John, Paul and Silas, Paul and Timothy, Peter and Mark. 

When the Spirit of God brings together God's people in this fashion, it is a ministry partnership that is never broken by time nor distance. Sometimes the "tying together" expresses itself as a brotherhood, a spiritual father and spiritual son in the faith (Like Paul and Timothy). You and I cannot manufacture nor predict when nor how the Spirit of God will do it. In my life, He has placed me in contact with men whose personality differed greatly from my own, and yet we meshed like gears in a clock. 

Personal examples of how the Spirit of God has "tied me" to other believers over the years

At times when I have needed spiritual parenting in my life, God has placed an older couple in my life. One such couple, whose names will remain anonymous, function in such a capacity. I can call upon them to pray for me, and they do. Its as if we have never apart when I call. At other times God has placed men of God who have been like a big brother to me. A dear pastor friend, whose word and bond and advice has helped me see my blind spots, is the closest thing I have to a big brother (apart from Jesus in the flesh, my "Elder Brother").

There is one man of God who functions for me like a mentor of sorts. His personality is different from mine, and yet we have a bond that can only be explained as a "tying together in the Spirit". 

There is another man of God, a younger man, whom I look at as a younger brother in the faith. He and I can talk about the things of God, give a big bear hug and intuitively know whenever God is prompting one another to pray for the other man. 

I could go on and on. This work of the Spirit of God is a work that only He can do. I cannot predict when or how He will do it. All I know is that this is His working, not my own, and I thank Him for it. 

When a church is "tied together in the Spirit"

Now imagine such a work operating at a church wide level. Whenever Paul writes what he does in Philippians 1:27 and 2:2 above, I believe he is speaking of an entire church-body being "tied-together" in the Spirit. I have only ever witnessed this reality on a handful of occassions. 

To see an entire church operating as "one-person" is something which no man, no organization, no society can replicate. When a church is tied together in the fashion described by Paul, the bond is virtually indestrucible. The ministry level of that church will exceed size and geographical limitations. If that church body is committed to loving one another as Jesus prescribed in John 13:34-35 and if they are all about the Gospel, not grieving the Spirit and intercession for one another, the said phenomena of "tied together in the Spirit" will occur. The boyhood church at which I was saved was one such church. What unity. What fervency for God and genuine concern for one another. I could tell of a handfull of other churches I have seen over the years, but I must hasten. 

Such a reality in the Christian world is desired, and even commanded (as we see here in Philippians). But it comes at a very high cost, one of which many of us is unwilling to pay? The cost? Self. Lest we die to our agendas, ourselves - we will never witness what it means to be "tied together in the Spirit" across churches, denominations or as a people of God. When the wonderous life of the Risen Christ, His Word, His Spirit exceeds whatever life we perceive we need to make for ourselves, only then can the Spirit of God have free course to mend fences, heal hearts and purge us of fear.  May we strive and pray for God to "knit us together", "tie us together".

The Nine Faces of Revival

Psalm 85:6 "Will You not Yourself revive us again,That Your people may rejoice in You?"

What is revival? In the simplest terms: A revival is an extraordinary visitation by God's presence and power into the ordinary life of the church. Certainly Psalm 85 is considered to be a classic "revival" passage, being that it is the heart cry of the Psalmist that God would revive him and his people. The study of revival throughout the history of the church can prove to be a fascinating study, being that no two revivals are exactly alike. 

Elmer Towns and Douglas Porter wrote a book a number of years ago entitles: "The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever" (Vine Books, 2000). This blogger has found their book to be insightful in understanding the history of revival movements, and how in some cases there are common elements across any move of God. However each of the revivals they tell about are different. 

Today's post features what Towns and Porter refer to as the "Nine Faces of Revival". Porter and Towns write: "All people have the same basic facial features, yet these features are arranged differently. In a similar way, revivals display the same essential features as they reflect God's presence, yet they have different faces; that is, revival is expressed in different ways." (Towns and Porter, Page 17). Below is a listing of the different types of revival that they lay out in their book. I am sure you will find the following list both helpful and illuminating. To God be the glory!

1. The repentance revival emphasizes moral cleansing of individual lives and society as whole.

2. The evangelism revival focuses on winning lost souls to Christ

3. The worship revival centers on magnifying God

4. The deeper life revival emphasizes the experience of God's dwelling

5. The spiritual warfare revival devotes its energies to battling Satan and other demons

6. The Holy Spirit revival is characterized by extensive manifestations of the Spirit

7. The reconciliation revival leads to removal of barriers to racial and ethnic harmony

8. The liberation revival focuses on gaining freedom from corporate and personal bondage to sin

9. The prayer revival displays considerable efforts at intercession and other forms of prayer.

Towns and Porters listing acknowledges the possibility that God could, if He so chooses, blend two or more of the types together. However the reader may view this listing, it is based upon much research and I would recommend Towns and Porter's book as a resource for studying the history of revivals. May we all ever seek the face of God and pray that we would see a revival in our lifetime! 

Embracing the Great Physician, Jesus Christ

Luke 4:17-19 "And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

Introduction:
As Jesus was beginning His public ministry, the very first statement made about His public ministry in Luke comes on the heals of His temptation by Satan in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-14. Jesus' self-identifying statement connected Him to the prophecy of Isaiah 61. What Jesus would do in Luke 4:17-19 is summarized for his hearers in his own boy-hood hometown. Jesus' reading of the prophecy would serve to explain the exact nature of His pending earthly ministry. 

Jesus came as the great physician, demonstrating His power over emotional and physical ailments, and most importantly showing that He had the power to forgive sins. Author Ann Spangler in the book: "Praying the Names of Jesus", page 65, notes: "Jesus, the greatest of all physicians, performed more healings than any other kind of miracle. Nothing stumped him - not blindness, craziness, lameness, deafness, or even death. Every ailment yielded to his undeniable power, and every healing served as evidence that His kingdom was breaking into our fallen world."

Point of Application: As Luke 4:14-44 introduced us to the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, we will offer this main point of application: You and I must ever embrace and never reject Jesus Christ, the Great Physician. The following reasons gleaned from Luke's account will demonstrate why we must ever embrace and never reject the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. 

Medicine from the Great Physician. Luke 4:14-21

Any good doctor not only possess the wisdom to prescribe remedies, but also knows the best ones. What makes Jesus Christ so unique and worthy of the title "Great Physician" are the medicines He had to offer from His own, Spirit-endued reserve of power. Notice the list of medicines we find in Luke 4:18-19:

1. Spiritual Medicine. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor." 

2. Emotional medicine. We see this in verse 18 :"He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives....".

3. Physical healing medicine. Certainly in verse 18 we Jesus having the power to affect physical healing: "And recovery of sight to the blind...."

4. Supernatural medicine. Included in Jesus' ability to heal was the exorcisms He would perform, as explained in verse 18: "To set free those who are oppressed...." 

5. The medicine of the scriptures. Consider verse and then in verse 19: "To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 

All five types of these medicines would weave their way throughout the earthly ministry of our Lord. He as the Great Physician is unlimited in what He can do. The Lord God near the beginning of the Old Testament identified Himself as "The Lord who Heals" (Jehovah Rapha) in Exodus 15:26. Equally significant is the fact that the Old Testament revelation closed out by predicting the 2nd coming of the Messiah with "healing in His wings" in Malachi 3:2. Clearly Jesus' ability to heal body, soul and most importantly the human spirit demonstrated His identity as God in human flesh. Jesus opens up His public ministry in His first coming by referencing a prophecy pertaining to His ability to heal. By the power of the Holy Spirit today Jesus still offers various remedies, with the first (spiritual healing) and last type of medicine (scripture) being His chief remedies that govern the other three. So we see the medicines of the Great Physician, but notice also...

Massive rejection of the Great Physician. Luke 4:20-30

Jesus then rolls up the scroll of Isaiah and declares in effect that He was the fulfillment of it. The people in his hometown were astonished. Luke 4:22 records their marveling at the gracious words and then saying quite irreverently: "Is this not Joseph's Son"? Jesus then responds in Luke 4:23 And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” In commenting on this proverb alluded to by Jesus (or what also could be translated "parable"), the great commentator Albert Barnes notes: "The connexion of this proverb, here, is this: 'You profess to be the Messiah. You have wrought miracles at Caprenaum. You profess to be able to deliver us from our maladies, our sins, our afflictions, etc. Show that you have the power, that you are worthy of our confidence, by working miracles here, as you profess you have done at Capernaum.'

This was undoubtedly a massive rejection of the Great Physician. He attempted to minister in His own Home town, and yet they rejected Him. Before long, virtually every town Jesus would go would turn Him away. Frighteningly the church itself, even in our day, can run the risk of rejecting the Great Physician's desire to want to come in and draw closer to His own people. Revelation 3:19-20 "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." And so again we must ever embrace and never reject the Great Physician Jesus Christ. Now consider briefly the next reason for embracing Him...

Miracles done by the Great Physician. Luke 4:31-41

Jesus ended up going down to the town that would become His ministry headquarters (compare Matthew 9:1). In keeping with His inaugural sermon in Luke 4:18-19, Jesus cast out demons and performed healings. All the miracles pointed to His authority. (Luke 4:32) Prior to Jesus, no one had performed a verifiable exorcism. Truly what Jesus did demonstrated what we read in Matthew 11:2-5 "Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

So we see the medicine of the Great Physician, the massive rejection of Him and the miracles He did. Again, you and I must ever embrace and not ever reject the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Notice the final reason for this....

The message of the Great Physician. Luke 4:43-44

Luke 4:43-44 states - But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." What was the mission of Jesus Christ? We know that He came to provide salvation. (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10) We see too that Jesus came for a second and closely related purpose: to proclaim the Kingdom of God. There would have to be a cross before a crown. Jesus' role as Great Physician, healer of the mind and body, but moreso the soul, testified that the Kingdom was breaking into our world and history. Matthew 9:35 records -  "Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness." In Acts 10:38-40 Peter states - "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in theland of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on across. 40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible." Thus we see the mission of the Great Physician.

Closing thoughts:

Today we looked at meeting Jesus the Great Physician. We must ever embrace and not reject Him. Why? His ministry, the massive rejection He underwent, the miracles He did and the mission for which He came all point to the fact that He is worthy of embracing. His accomplished work on the cross and resurrection from the dead demonstrated that the Kingdom did indeed break into our world. His primary work of definite salvation and ministering through the scriptures, as well as the secondary benefits of possible emotional, physical and supernatural healings issue forth from the exalted King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

What is necessary for remaining on fire for God

Colossians 4:16-18  "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you."

Note to the reader: For a more indepth version of this post, check out the other blogsite at: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/getting-revived-and-remaining-on-fire-for-god-some-exegetical-and-devotional-thoughts/

Introduction:

In yesterday's post we considered how a church or individual positions themselves to prepare for revival. We discovered from Colossians 4:2-15 that at least three necessary ingredients are required: prayer, evangelism and testimony. No doubt about is, the church at Colossae had begun with a mighty move of God - a Heaven sent revival. (Colossians 1:5-6) Furthermore, Paul prayed that the church would remain on fire for God in Colossians 1:11-12  "strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."  We offered the following definition of revival: "A revival is an extraordinary visitation by God's presence and power into the ordinary life of the church". Today we want to understand how such a momentum is maintained once it has begun. When revival comes, what must we do in its wake? How can we keep on fire for God. Certainly continuing to practice what we looked at should be priority. 

What is necessary in remaining on fire for God? Colossians 4:16-18

1. Focus on the scriptures. 

We read these thoughts in Colossians 4:16 "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea." Romans 10:17 reminds us that: "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." 1 Timothy 4:13 has Paul writing to Timothy: "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching." Why is such a devotion to scripture so necessary? Notice what Paul explains to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." These similar instructions are found in Colossians 4:16, and speak of the supernatural life changing and sustaining power of the Word of God preached, read and taught. In the history of revivals, no revival has been started or maintained apart from a concerted effort to "get back to the Bible". However there is one other necessary component for staying on fire for God...

2. Follow through. 

Notice what Paul writes in Colossians 4:17-18 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you." The word translated in Colossians 4:17 "Take heed" can refer to being aware and taking careful effort to be watchful and alert. Should we not being ever in a state of "expectation" when it comes to what God can do whenever we get in order with Him in prayer, evangelism, testimony and the Word. This is all part of our "follow through" in seasons where maybe the excitement of revival has waned and the revival services have ended.

Following through in this context speaks of finishing those commitments that we made. Archippus, undoubtedly the pastor of the church at Colossae, is commended by Paul to "stay in the saddle" so-to-speak. Jude writes in Jude 20-21 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holyfaith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

Closing thoughts

Today's post was all about working our way through Colossians 4:2-18 in consideration of how one prepares for revival and then maintains fervor for God. We saw that in preparing for revival, there must needs be prayer, emphasis on evangelism and testimonies with the outside world. Then in consderation of how we maintain our fervor and fire for God in the wake of a move of God, emphasis upon scripture and follow-through must ever accompany our church-lives and Christian lives. As Paul closes out in Colossians 4:18, may the same final word be what motivates and empowers us to apply what we saw today: "Grace be with you."

What is necessary in getting ready for revival

Colossians 4:2-4 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak."

Note to the reader: For a more indepth version of this post, check out the other blogsite at: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/getting-revived-and-remaining-on-fire-for-god-some-exegetical-and-devotional-thoughts/

Introduction:

Today's post will feature Paul's closing thoughts in Colossians 4:2-18. The whole theme of the book of Colossians is: "Jesus is Enough". This theme is gleaned from what appears to be the key verse to the epistle in Colossians 1:28 - "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with allwisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." How is it that revival is prepared for, reinforced and maintained in the local church? As Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Colossae, such questions are answered in the final set of exhortations and encouragements that we find in Colossians 4:2-18. 

What is necessary in getting ready for revival. Colossians 4:2-18

1). Persistent Prayer. Colossians 4:2 

Persistent prayer represents the first ingredient necessary to preparing for a move of God - prayer. We see the opening phrase in the NASB regarding the command to pray: "Devote yourselves to prayer....". Do you and I rush through our prayer time? Or do we wait on God to speak to us in accordance to what we may have read in His word or heard in times past in sermons or Sunday School classes. The idea of "devoting oneself to prayer" speaks of waiting and not yielding to fatigue or pressing, non-essential priorities. The kind of prayer being commanded here in Colossians 4:2 indicates a choice to attend and wait in prayer. This posture is so necessary when preparing for revival. (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The persistence in prayer commanded here in Colossians 4:2 is coupled with the command to be vigilant, to be watchful. In the NASB we read: "keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving". The verb translated "keeping alert" comes from a root verb that has to do with being awoken, raised (from the dead) or what we could say in modern day terms, revived. Prayer is as much about keeping one's eyes open to the things around you as it is about keeping your eyes directed heavenward at the throne of grace. What is God doing around us and in us? Persistent prayer is necessary when preparing for revival, but notice also...

2. Evangelism. Colossians 4:3-4 

Paul then writes next in Colossians 4:3-4 "praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." Paul of course wrote these words while under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman Soldier. His incarceration gave him ample opportunity to share the Gospel with people who visited and with the soldiers who were assigned to guard him. 

We know that Paul's request for prayer was being answered based upon the background text to Colossians found at the end of Acts 28. Notice what Luke writes in Acts 28:30-31 "And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."  When we make prayer and the great commission our increasing priorities, we are positioning ourselves to be ready for a might move of God. Notice the third necessary ingredient needed to prepare for revival....

3. Testimony. Colossians 4:5-15

What is a testimony? A testimony is a consistent lifestyle devoted to living out the living message of Jesus Christ before a watching world. Colossians 4:5-6 states: "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." The phrase translated in Colossians 4:6 "salt" is found in Mark 9:50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” As you begin to study the purpose of salt in the Bible, at least three uses are mentioned in conjunction with the life of faith.

First, think about what happens when you eat seasoned or salted food. Salt and seasonings makes one thirsty - thus as Christians, our concern for a strong testimony before God ought to be that others around us get "thirsty" for God.

Secondly, salt and seasoning in the scripture is sometimes used to describe the purity of a sacrifice. Leviticus 2:13 speaks of acceptable sacrifices before God in the Jewish sacrificial system:  "Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt." In the New Testament we as Christians are described as presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, Holy and acceptable unto God, which is our spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1-2) Testimonies before a watching world ought to communicate a thirst for God and a consistent pattern of "walk" matching with "talk".

But notice a third reality associated with salt in the scriptures - preservation. Matthew 5:13 speaks of the preserving quality the presence of believers have in slowing the tide of evil -  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." 

A solid testimony aims for cultivating thirst for God, purity before God and preserving the integrity of God in an otherwise godless world. Now to ensure these three necessary ingredients are not just abstract, colorless ideas floating in mid-air, Paul puts forth before his readers a listing of faithful believers with whom he either ministered the Gospel or of whom he knew about in the course of his travels. 

a. There was Tychicus, described in Colossians 4:7-8 as a faithful and beloved brother.         

b. In Colossians 4:9 we read of a man by the name of Onesimus. One can read Onesimus' story in the short little letter of Philemon, written at roughly the same time as Colossians. Onesimus whad been a run away slave who ended up in prison with Paul. Having been converted under Paul's own testimony and witness, Onesimus quickly became a major part of Paul's ministry and according to church history, not only obtained his freedom, but actually became a pastor.                                                                                             c. Colossians 4:10 mentions a man by the of Aristarchus, who is a fellow prisoner of Paul. It was common in some first century Roman imprisonments to allow the prisoners relatives and friends to visit them. This man may very well had spent some extended time with Paul in his rented quarters where he stayed during his house arrest.                               

d. We then come to a more well known figure by the name of Mark in Colossians 4:10. John Mark's past was a checkered one that started out strong, but then shortly after the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, Mark deserted the Apostle. Thankfully years later both were reconciled and Mark would be used of God to write the second Gospel we find in our New Testaments.                                                                               e. The next man mentioned by Paul is "Jesus, who is called Justus". Clearly we can see a mark of humility in this man, being that he wanted to be called "the just one" (i.e Justus) rather than named after our Savior and Lord. Furthermore, Paul speaks of this man as being an encouragement to him in Colossians 4:11.                                                   

f. The sixth man who evidences prayer, evangelism and a powerful testimony is Epaphrus. We of course meet this man early on in Colossians 1:7 "just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf."             
g. The seventh man mentioned by Paul that demonstrates a person who is prayerful, all about evangelism and a solid testimony is Luke, the great physician. This is the only passage we find in the entire New Testament where two Gospel writers are mentioned in the same context (Mark in Colossians 4:10 and Luke in Colossians 4:14).               

h. The eighth man, who is only mentioned by name, is Demas, found in Colossians 4:14.

Thus these eight men stand as pillars of example regarding those who are prayerful, all about the work of sharing the Gospel and serious about maintaining a Godly testimony - necessary ingredients in preparing for revival. Its one thing to be ready for revival, however how can one maintain the fervor and fire for God?

See tomorrow....