“Life’s Weeds”

 Scripture     Matthew 13:24-30

Our parable for today could be seen as an extension of the one we considered last week (The Sower).  Interestingly, Jesus intended His parables to be seen as an integral part in the establishment of boundaries for our lives.  And He used them in a way that we all can understand, and yet, if there was any chance that we might be confused as to the significance of some of His parables, He also included clarifications that remove any doubts that we might have!

 But basically, there’s a good chance that we all know about weeds – most of us have gardens containing either flowers or vegetables, and in our efforts to keep those areas free of impediments to the beauty or harvest of our efforts, we engage in a constant battle with the enemy weeks!

 But here, again, Jesus wanted to ensure that we understood the spiritual side of the story, so He always gives us enough information to eliminate any question as to the message that He is presenting to us.  So the primary message that His story conveys, centers not on our battle with undesirable obstructions in our gardens, but with humanity’s constant struggle with sin. 

 Read Matthew 13:24-30

 In this story, Jesus is showing us the differences that exist between a life lived within the will of God, and the life that is being impeded and destroyed by sin.  In today’s world, we are surrounded by the beauty and glory of God every moment of every day.  And yet, the vast majority of humanity still chooses to embrace and glorify the “weeds” that are being sown to block our vision of the Lord’s glory.  This is why God’s seeds have been spread so liberally throughout the world, and why in last week’s parable, the “good soil” was so important to Christ’s lesson for our lives.  

 Even before God met Moses on Mount Sinai, and handed him the Law for all of humanity, Satan has been sowing his devious “weeds” among the people to confuse them, to lead them astray, and to convince them that his is a better way than God’s is!  His deceitful tactic is that he tries to make the sinful life just as appealing, if not more so, than the righteous life! And humanity falls for the lie as readily today as they did 3,500 years ago!  And these weeds, or “tares” as some translations indicate, have a similar appearance to the wheat, creating confusion, just as sin does in our lives.  But when we allow the word of God to guide us, the differences become perfectly clear, and we can then avoid the pitfalls that have been sowed before our life.

 So here are the spiritual identities that Jesus offers in vs. 37-39:

     - the “Sower” is Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” for eternity, and He only wants the very best for our lives.

     - the “field” is the world – the goodness of God is for all, not just A few!

     - the “good seed” are the faithful who grow in the word, and spread God’s word that others will know the truth and way of Jesus Christ.

     - the “weeds” are the disciples of evil

     - the “harvest” is, as Jesus says, the “end of the age”, or in other words the day of Judgment, and

     - the “harvesters” are the angels, who will be following Jesus’ commands during the Judgment (see Zechariah 3)

 So how are we to respond to this teaching?  What lessons has Jesus put here for our edification?  I believe that the first, and possibly the  most important lesson, is that since we are the Lord’s “wheat”, we need to be taller and stronger and more vital than Satan’s weeds, that we might be more visible, more viable than the rampant sin that is hobbling and destroying so many of the world’s people!  The second important lesson is that we can do very little regarding the sin that has infected the world around us.  However, we can always be the very best and faithful “wheat” that God will create us to be!  We can’t destroy sin, but we can resist it and deny its alure in our life, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit.  The destruction of sin will finally and completely be taken care of when Jesus returns to set all things right once again.

  And third, even though it isn’t actually a part of the parable, we need to be seen by the “weeds” of the world as leaders of God’s alternative, that Jesus can be their redemption and their sparing from the final destruction of the world’s sinfulness and their allegiance to it.

 This is what the Global Methodist Church’s marvelous theme is all about – Worship Passionately, Love Extravagantly, Witness Boldly!  

This is how the Lord’s “wheat” should be living, and growing, and welcoming, and reaching out to all of the people in this “weedy” world! 

 May it always be so for both you and me!

“Enriched Multiplication”

 Scripture:   Matthew 13:3-9

Jesus tended to offer His parables as everyday examples that the people were very familiar with.  But the message that His teaching contained was anything but worldly in any degree whatsoever!  It was solely spiritual in every possible way, and had little to do with our cultural life.  So today, we begin a new series based on 10 of Jesus’ parables that He offered for our benefit. 

 Today, we consider the Parable of The Sower.  Now it’s true that Jesus offered a brief interpretation of His story later in this chapter, but we will also be looking at the lesson in consideration of the effect that the Lord had intended for our lives.

 Read Matthew 13:3-9

 Jesus had been sitting peacefully on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but when the people saw Him there, they began to flock to where He was, some seeking healing, some a blessing, and some just to hear the Lord preach a message that they all wanted to hear and understand.  So He left the beach, and moved into a boat that was pulled up nearby, and began to teach.

 The people were quite familiar with agrarian concepts, so the story would strike very close to home.  They knew about broadcast seeding, where the seed was spread liberally across the field.  It wasn’t planted in narrow straight rows like we might do in our own home gardens – it was thrown to cover as much area as possible!  So the seed might land on the prepared soil, or on the path that ran alongside the field, or even on ground that was outside the bounds of the field.

 This may sound like a waste of good seed, but there were no mechanized tools for sowing, and time would be at a premium, so “fast and thorough” was the preferred method.  But what about the seed that fell on areas that were outside the intended field itself? 

 Seed that fell on the well-traveled path, would never germinate, as the ground was well packed down and the seed quickly became feed for the wildlife that saw this gift as an opportunity for a quick meal.

 So initially, just who are these representing?  The Sower is our Creator, the One who has brought us to this place and time.  The seeds are the people of this world, each of whom is being exposed to differing trials and opportunities. 

- Seed that landed on the hard packed path, tell us that the ears and hearts of many are closed to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the servants of Satan gobble them up quickly so that they can never discover the glory of God.

- Seed that falls on rocky soil, and only develop a weak and inadequate root structure and will fail to obtain the proper nourishment – this is like those who hear the word of God, but while they initially experience some joy in God’s word and way, they quickly succumb to the pressures of persecution and worldly trials, because their faith is shallow and they have no foundation or strength in faith.

- Seed that fell among the thorns, were choked to the point that they could never produce the good fruit that they were intended to provide, - these are those who have sold out to the spirit of worldly temptations, such as wealth, and power, and authority, and the drive to gain acceptance and admiration from the people of Earth.  They lacked the divine vison that is always necessary in faith.

 - But the seed that fell on good soil, and became highly productive, are like those who not only hear the word of God, but who also love and live that word, and grow in faith on a daily basis.  And the crop that is produced by these is the gain that honors and glorifies our Lord and Savior, and brings the Lord’s blessings to both the lost and hurting of the world, as well as to the faithful Church!

 So here is the bottom line - what does this Parable mean for our own lives?  I believe that, as our Conference President-ProTem Steve Taylor mentioned at our District meeting yesterday morning, it is a call to strengthen our church’s “Culture of Call”.

And what does that mean?  All Christians have been called into faithful service by the Holy Spirit, but the question is, how many actually respond enthusiastically to that call?  This doesn’t necessarily mean into pastoral ministry, but there are also many other ways to live out our commitment of love for Jesus Christ. 

- Have you felt a call to visit shut-ins? 

- Have you felt the call to missional service? 

- To youth ministries? 

- To elder ministries? 

- To social justice ministries? 

- To be a loving and inviting witness to your unsaved neighbors? 

There will always be opportunities right where you are as a member of the church!  And always to the Spirit’s leading toward serving in a way that the Lord has already prepared you for.  But we have to be aware of one potential problem, that initially the Lord’s “Call” may not be to what we prefer or enjoy doing – it is far more than that!  It is God’s desire and plan for our lives and the lives of others!  And for some, it can still mean pastoral ministry! 

 And in all that you respond to in faith, remember the three points of faithful outreach that our denomination is opening up for the Church – Worship Passionately, Love Extravagantly, Witness Boldly.  And when we stay connected in all three of these Christian attitudes, the church will grow in mighty ways, becoming who God has always intended us to be!

 

“Healing”

 Scripture:   Matthew 8:5-13

Today, as previously announced, we will be celebrating healing for either yourself, or for another.  But before we begin that portion of the service, first, two verses that focus on the power of Jesus by faith through prayer.  We need to remember Jesus’ words in John 14:13 –“ ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  And in Mark 11:24 – “ ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

 And with these verses as the Lord’s promise to each of us, we consider the fullness of power in faith through prayer.

 Read Matthew 8:5-13

 A centurion was a Roman military officer – a gentile who the Jews were supposed to avoid associating with, and even from entering their home.  And apparently, the officer understands this, so is surprised that Jesus would even suggest that He would come to the Roman’s home.  But as an alternative to the Lord’s actually entering the gentile house, he lets Jesus know that they can remain right where they are, if Jesus will simply speak a word of healing for the servant. 

 And to explain why he believes that a simple command will be sufficient, he describes the authority that both his military superiors have over him and that which he himself holds over others.  Obviously, he understands the power that authority contains.  And in that understanding, he also reveals what he believes about the authority that Jesus, too, has been granted regarding His ability to heal, as well as perform other miracles!

 This is a Roman gentile whom, we can assume, has heard of Jesus, but has never met Him before!  And yet, he has a faith that exceeds that of nearly every other person who had ever encountered Christ!  Jesus then replies that many who have always expected to be welcomed into the kingdom of God, will be sadly surprised when, on that glorious day of Christ’s return, they are refused heavenly glory, while others, who have true faith, regardless of who they may be, will be warmly welcomed. 

 Jesus then directs the centurion to return home, and that when he arrives there, he will discover that his servant has already been healed, even by the unspoken word of healing, that had come directly from the Lord’s heart, through the great faith that this Roman officer had just demonstrated! 

 The officer may not have actually spoken the name of Jesus, but his faith in who Jesus is was all that was needed. And in faith, he believed that the Lord could, and would, do what he had asked.  And the servant was healed!  Today, as you come forward, in faith, for prayer, believe!

Note: And following this message, a healing service was conducted for both churches.

"True Freedom - But For What?”

 Scripture     Romans 8:12-17, Romans 8:18-25, Luke 4:16-21

Rev. Peter Marshall, a Presbyterian pastor who served as Chaplain of the US Senate in the 1940’s, once said “Make us to see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right.”  In the context of Christian faith, this can be seen as a call to return to true and faithful dependence upon scriptural authority, and to leave worldly opinions and attributes to rot by the wayside! 

 Unfortunately, many people today believe that freedom is permission to believe whatever makes sense to the individual, as well as the right to expect others to agree with you!  But the only true standard of what is right and wrong has little to do with our own thoughts, and everything to do with what God has put in place for our benefit.

 Today’s message will consider this concept.

 Read Romans 8:12-17

 Paul’s overriding theme for these verses is in his warning to the church to never go back to the ways that they lived before coming to the truth of Jesus Christ.  He even tells us that we have an “obligation” to live as the Lord has called us, and not in the way that the culture demands.  And he then points out the pros and cons that are associated with this obligation!  The “con” is in the way that the world will bring us nothing but death, while the “pro” is in the life that comes when we walk in the way of Christ, when His assurance of eternity will become ours!  It doesn’t get much clearer than this.

 You may ask “why the difference?”  Isn’t living a good life enough?  And Paul would answer “Not on your life!”  If we want to live eternally with our Lord, then the only way is to invite the Lord Jesus into our life, and begin to live as one of His disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20)  And when we do, we will also receive the Holy Spirit to guide us, enable us, and empower us through the presence of God. (John 16:7-16)  He will bring the truth of God into our lives, in a way that we will never be able to avoid.  He will convict us of our sinful ways, and encourage us in the ways of righteousness.  And by the grace of Jesus Christ, He will also be our source of freedom from judgment of our sin, for He will always be, by faith in Him, our true and complete forgiveness!  

 And what can the world offer us?  Very little, other than condemnation for our sins, absolute darkness, fear, hatred, conflict, loneliness, death, and, worst of all, eternal separation from God!

 Read Romans 8:18-25

 Again, Paul makes the point of his letter very clear – that the glory that awaits the faithful will far outweigh any suffering that we may have to endure in the present.  And he even proclaims that the rest of creation is also waiting for the day when the entire family of God, meaning the entirety of the faithful, will be revealed!  Why would all of creation be waiting for this with great anticipation?  Because the created order has also been struggling right along with us!  After all, what else would decay be described as, other than a struggle!  Creation waits for the time of God’s renewal, as proclaimed in Revelation 21:1-3, when the new heaven and the new earth will appear, and the new Jerusalem will descend from heaven as our new home with the Lord!  No more death, no more decay, no more darkness, only new and eternal life!

 Suffering has, indeed, been severe, and on the day of the Lord’s glory – as grand as it will be – it will no longer exist solely in God, but then, on all of His creation!  In our funeral liturgy, we proclaim “Here and now, dear friends, we are God’s children.  What we shall be has not yet been revealed; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is.  Those who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure.”

 This is the hope of salvation, and the culmination of freedom from condemnation and death!  And what do the worldly of Earth’s ways wait for?  Hopelessness!  Desperation!  Futility!  Misery!  Finality!

 Read  Luke 4:16-21

 Unbelievers chastised Christ at every opportunity that came their way.  But they not only denied Jesus’ teaching, but they denied the prophets and all that God revealed to the people.  Israel had been chosen, from the beginning, to spread the good news of God’s promise throughout the world, and yet, they refused.  Genesis 12:1-3 – ³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  Apparently, God’s people, who had been chosen to serve Him, decided that they alone were worthy of those blessings, and that they would not offer the Lord’s blessings for anyone other than themselves!  And how did that work out? (Matthew 21:33-40)

 The people had failed, so Jesus would be the one who would be called to preach God’s good news to the poor and those from other nations, and Christ’s faithful followers would be called upon to continue the ministry that Jesus had begun.  So when we share the Good News with others, we are actually “proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and release for the oppressed”, all of whom are still, for now, caught up in the condemnation of their own sin!

 This is what the church should be focusing their ministry on – Freedom from the world’s conviction, and the gift of a blessed and renewed hope in the scriptures that have been fulfilled and justified though faith in Jesus Christ!  For we, too, have been called to be an undiminished light for others (Luke 11: 33).

 Are each of us prepared to carry the light of Christ wherever we go; eager to proclaim the Freedom that awaits all who put their trust in Jesus; ready to offer the “Key” that will overturn the verdict of “guilty” that has already convicted so many throughout the world?

 Do we see the Lord’s Freedom  as our gift, but expect others to discover God’s Freedom for themselves?  Remember the Lord’s word to Abraham in Genesis 12 above – will we joyfully bring the blessings of God to all the people of this Earth, or are we willing to let them remain convicted in their sin, and condemned for eternity?  And how do you think the Lord will respond to our arrogance?  Don’t wait to find out – share the hope and promise of Christ with someone else today!

“The Gift of Prayer”

 Scripture     Colossians 4:2-6;  Romans 8:26-30;  Romans8:31-39

In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he encourages them to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances …”!  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  How many of us actually live like this on a regular basis?  That passage continues to remind us that it is God’s will for us to celebrate all that the Lord brings to our lives, and to always stay in touch with Him through a prayerful life.

 And what does a life of “constant prayer” look like?  First of all, it doesn’t mean that we are always on our knees, verbally praying for God’s help, His word, His forgiveness, His will for our lives.  But it does mean that we are always centered on the word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  It means that we are focused and intent in following the will and way of God in Christ.  And ultimately, it means that we reject the ways of Earth, in favor of the way of salvation.

 Today, we consider our final lesson from Colossians – the benefits of a relationship that is focused and committed through prayer with our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Read Colossians 4:2-6

 Paul had become a man who immersed himself in prayer, and encouraged others to do the same.  He saw a life dedicated to prayer as one that showed a reliance on  God, through a perseverance that overcame human and physical limitations when consistent in prayer, a commitment to defeating spiritual complacency, and a conviction of the need to give God thanksgiving for the life that He had placed within our being.

 He also saw prayer as being reciprocal, in that if another person is praying for you, you should be willing to pray for whatever they ask.  And what should our attitude toward prayer be?  In Mark 11:24, Jesus tells us to pray with both boldness and confidence; He said  ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

 But Paul not only writes about our “conversations with the Lord, he also gives us some advice regarding our approach toward others!  We are to be “wise” in our relationships with those who are yet to come to the Lord, but what does that require?  How about Luke 6:27-28 – love those who despise you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you!  In other words, begin cultivating a relationship with them, and see just how far this attitude may take you both!  This goes against everything that the world would have us follow, doesn’t it!  And it’s a pretty good start in showing what faith is all about!

 And what about the issue of seasoning your relationships with “salt”?  What’s that about?  Mark 9:50 tells us that salt has purpose in our lives, but if saltiness is lost, we also lose the important gifts that salt brings to us.  And never forget to be grace-filled in all of your conversations – certainly those with God, but just as vital, in every word you speak to others.

 Read Romans 8:26-30

 And while the power of prayer maintains and even heightens our relationship with God, it helps us to prepare for the work of God’s Spirit within our lives!  During recent past years, the Church’s groans have combined with the groans that the Holy Spirit brings to life within us.  This enables the Spirit to work in the weaknesses that have brought about our struggles, our uncertainties, our doubts and hesitations regarding the direction we have been moving in, the opposition that comes against the ministries and other outreach that we strive to accomplish, and especially any fears that may limit the effectiveness of our ministries.  And Spirit inspired prayer comes out of the spiritual blessings that the Spirit’s work within us, both personally and collectively, accomplishes on behalf of Christ.

 In John 15:16, Jesus reminds us that He has chosen us, and appointed us to go as He has need for us to work in His name.  And when we faithfully answer His call on our lives, whatever we ask for in His name, will be granted in full.  And through the Holy Spirit, God will also be working, and enabling, and fulfilling all that we strive to do in love of the holy name of Jesus.

 Paul ensures us that The Lord has justified and forgiven us so that we are worthy to be called to His purpose and to walk in the steps that He set down before us.  As He is our living Lord and God, we, too, will know the life that comes by faith in Him.  And even though we may not understand His call before He proves it to us, God established our part in His salvation work long before time ever began.  And when we accept the part that we have been chosen to carry out, glory grows in the precious Name of Jesus.

 Read Romans 8:31-39

 Paul asks 4 questions with each having the same unspoken answer:

1. Q. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

     A.  Nobody!  Because God gave us the Gift of His own Son, and by faith, now gives us His perfect salvation.

 2.  Q. If God has saved us, who can bring any charges of condemnation against us?

     A. Nobody!  For it is God who has justified us for His salvation, not by our own works!

 3. Q. Who can ever condemn us, as they did Jesus?

    A. Nobody!  Christ died on our behalf, He rose to new life, and now intercedes for our benefit to ensure that we, too, will live eternally with Him!

 4. Q. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

    A. Nobody!  Not any of the possibilities mentioned, because the love of God is far greater than the world’s hatred.

 And then, in verse 37, the words that Paul writes on that parchment just shout out the acclamation that the power of God’s love has caused us to become far greater than any amount of words can ever describe!  And if that isn’t enough, he then offers a list of ten powers that exist throughout creation, with the caveat that not a single one of them could ever “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 Isn’t this sufficient reason to always stay connected to our Almighty God through constant prayer?

“The Power of God’s Truth”

 Scripture:   Colossians 3:1-17

As Paul continues in his letter to the Church, encouragement is now the primary direction that the letter is moving in.  He will still be calling out the false teaching once again, but the truth of God will also be lifted up as a replacement for the lies of earth.  This is an important distinction, for unless we know what we must be eliminating from our life, we just might try to continue to keep the old ways, in addition to the new teaching! 

 Paul is going to be very specific in naming all that must be removed from our lives, as well as what we must now claim as God’s truth!  For if we try to include both in our lives, it would be the same as trying to straddle that proverbial “fence of faith”, and that will never work out for good in our lives! 

 God’s truth is the only way for the followers of Jesus Christ.

 Read Colossians 3:1-11 

The point of Paul’s words in verse 1 – if you are“…raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above” – this is what accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is all about.  In Galatians 2:20, we read “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”  The reference to crucifixion means that when we accept Christ, and invite Him into our hearts and lives, we must also die to the ways of earth.  In Christ, there is only one way – the way that is in Him! 

 And if, after we give our life to Christ, for whatever reason, we want to also remain in the ways of earth, even while becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, or even to accept some of the things that worldly culture advocates for, this means that we have denied all things that come from Jesus Christ. This is why Paul is calling us to “set our hearts on things above”, and to deny all things that the culture calls us to accept.

 In verse 5, the apostle lists many of the world’s choices, which he proclaims are nothing less than idolatry, or in other words, these are nothing less than the worship of false gods!  The way of the Lord will always be far and away superior to anything that the world could ever conjure up!

 He actually offers us three such groupings of sins – the first is primarily related to sexuality, the second lists possible reactions that we may have toward others who have said or done something against us, either a reaction to a comment that we may have made, or simply an offhand comment of their own that causes us some degree of irritation toward them, and the third is a very short list, including lying and establishing a judgmental scale as to who is seen as being better or worse in God’s sight.

 And Paul concludes this thought by pointing out that Jesus Christ holds no ranking or preferences over anyone who loves Him and follows Him, other than the absolute division that God has established between those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, versus those who have chosen to continue to live, believe and trust in the ways of worldly dominion!  The “new self” that clothes us in the Lord by faith, represents the change that we experience when we set the “old self” aside by claiming Jesus as our new and only way in this lifetime.

 Read Colossians 3:12-17

 Paul now adjusts his teaching to outline the attributes that a Christian should always exhibit.  If they sound familiar to you, consider his letter to the (Galatians in 5:22-25) - that passage that we know as “fruit of the Spirit”.  These are the images of the “new self” that others will always see and experience as we begin our walk in faith, following Jesus with every step we take. 

 These qualities are actually the direct opposite of  the negatives that Paul lists back in verse 8 – anger, rage, malice, slander, etc.  This comparison is a good example of what giving our life to Christ will accomplish in us.  For our Lord God Almighty is truly the direct and complete opposite of everything that the world offers and stands for. 

 In consideration of what Paul is telling us about our relationship with God, the Lord doesn’t play favorites as we read in verse 11, while relationships in the world have everything to do with favoritism.  The extent and power of the Lord’s love for each and every person is perfect and identical for everyone!  The salvation that He so generously provides to those who will come to Him in humility and submission to the ways of God is fully and complete for everyone.  And God’s forgiveness, in its perfection and completion, erases all sin, for all time, and in all instances.  Of course, the world will never do anything that removes sin – after all, they’re in the business of creating and promoting it! 

 Is this totally opposite to the way of God, or what?  And how is that possible?  It’s all because God loves us in ways that no one else ever can, or ever will! 

 So rejoice!  Give thanks to the One who has created perfect love for all who will love Him, too!  This is what the fullness of the exceptional and true Godly power is all about!

 

 

"Dead in Sin, Alive in Christ"

 Scripture:   Colossians 2:6-15;   Colossians 2:16-23

After Paul’s personal introduction that we considered last week, both of himself, as well as the reason for his writing this letter to the church at Colosse, he now begins to proclaim the details of faith that this church has begun to wander away from.  But just so there is no misunderstanding, he lets the people know that he is very familiar with the worldly teaching that has been introduced into their church, while being proclaimed deceptively as Christian doctrine! 

 Paul had previously described himself as someone who had been zealous for the law (Acts 22:4-5)!  And in that zealous nature, he had become the primary persecutor of followers of Jesus Christ.  But now, his passion has turned away from the law and into being an intense believer and disciple of Jesus and His word.  And whenever he encountered false teaching, he would do everything within his ability to expose it for all that it truly was – nothing less than lies and inuendoes! 

 And in this letter that he sent to the Colossians, that same zealous passion and love of all that Jesus had done for him and all people throughout the world, continues to be obviously a loving hope that he just can’t contain!

 Read Colossians 2:6-15

 Paul reminds the church that Jesus had always been the basis for their faith, and that they should never forget that, while growing ever stronger and more complete in their life with Christ Jesus.  He wants the people to understand that true faith is, above all else, established in our belief that Jesus always has been the incarnation of God Himself.  But even as faith grows and blossoms within us, the good news of Jesus Christ must be the central point of any and all of our learning and development as Christian disciples.

 His next words of caution are obviously and pointedly directed toward those who have been introducing worldly and pagan ideas into the church’s teaching of faith.  He describes this approach in perverting the faith as taking the people “captive”, and that the only hope of freedom from that imprisonment, is a return to true faith in Jesus.  And he calls the church to also return to being “thankful” for all that the truth of Jesus can and has done for them, and to stand firmly against all that can never measure up to the love and way of Christ.

 He tells the Colossians, as well as all who consider themselves to be Christians, to never be deceived by the empty and devious teachings that are based in worldly propaganda and false promises, and designed solely to lead the faithful away from the truth of God.  Remember, it is all about the Lord, and rejection of our own desires and opinions which have no place in the Church’s teaching, or in our life of faith.

 Paul writes about two different types of circumcision and wants the Church to teach that the two forms have nothing to do with each other!  But what is he actually telling us when he writes about “the circumcision done by Christ”?  In Romans 2:28-29 Paul writes that for circumcision to have any meaning for us, it must be a spiritual cutting away within our “heart”, so that sin and worldly desires are removed, making us clean and pure as only God can do.  This ideal renders the law impotent and worthless, and that physical works which are accomplished through the ability and efforts of men, will never be anything that God will ever honor.

 The writer continues with the thought that within our sin, we are as good as dead and will continue to be dead until we become complete in Christ Jesus.  By Christ’s loving act at Calvary, and God’s gift of life for His Son, as well as that for all who trust and believe in the holy name of Jesus, we too, will be raised to life eternal by the divine grace that comes to us by faith in our one and only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 Read Colossians 2: 16-23

 One of the tactics that the world continues to engage in is just as Paul writes – they love to judge followers of Jesus Christ, based solely on worldly standards and desires, and declare us all to be guilty of failure to live the “best life” possible!  One day, there will be a judgment against the deceits and sins of the world, but until that day, we lean on Jesus’ words that we read in John 3:16-17, that by God’s word, there will be no true and final judgment until the day when Jesus returns, and until then, we need to focus our lives on the redemption and salvation that comes by faith in Christ.

 So Paul tells us that we have no reason to believe or fear any judgment that is leveled at us, regardless of what it may be in regards to.  Once again, verses 16 & 17 of our reading –“ ¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”  We are told that these are nothing less than “false humility” and disqualification for receiving “the Prize of Christ”.

 We also read that these thoughts come from a “unspiritual mind” which has lost connection with the only one who is the Head of the Church – Jesus Christ Himself.  If we have truly died WITH Christ, and await for the day when we will also be raised into new life with Him, then we have also died to the lies and ways of the world.  We no longer submit, or belong, or accept the rules and desires of earth, and never have to fear their judgement and condemnation any longer!

 When we compare the ways and wisdom of God, to the concepts and ways that the world lives and judges by, it becomes perfectly clear that following the way of Jesus is the only choice that will ever make any eternal sense whatsoever! 

 And we must never acquiesce to “their” demands.  But on the other hand, should we simply “wash our hands” of the entire matter, and agree to simply let them go on their own way?  Remember that the Church of Christ is their only hope of ever hearing the truth of God, and if we refuse to step out in faith to share the good news of Jesus with them, what if they never hear the good news from anyone else!  

 Share with those who would judge you guilty, for ours may be the only offering of hope that will ever lead them to eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ!

"Christ at Work in His Church"

 Scripture:   Colossians 1:15-29

Today, we begin a new series of messages from the book of Colossians.  It is believed that this church had begun to receive false teaching from an unnamed source.  Some folks were beginning to interject aspects of paganism, as well as teachings from secular Greek philosophy, and mixing it in with Christian doctrine. 

 Paul had not established this church, but he was not about to let false teaching destroy the faith that had begun to grow here.  He wanted the people to understand that trust in Jesus Christ was all that they needed, and that the world had nothing of value that could add one bit of truth to Christian teachings.

 In today’s passages, Paul writes to convince the people that the authoritative teaching of Christ is all that they will ever need to lead them through this life and into the next.

 Read Colossians 1:15-23

 In these verses, Paul tells the Church that the incarnation of Jesus Christ is what brings the divine will and presence of the invisible God into the perceptible life of humanity.  He reveals the eternal character of Jesus, and His involvement in all that God had ever created throughout all time.  The apostle wanted the people to know that it had been God’s plan forever that Jesus would come to us in human form for one true purpose – to represent and engage with the created order of all people, to become Head of the One True Church for all who would claim the holy name of Christian.

 And as head of the Church, Christ became the introduction of God’s truth to humanity.  But through His teaching, especially in His 7 “I Am” statements (Bread of life;  Light of the World;  Gate for the Sheep;  Good Shepherd;  Resurrection and Life; the Way, Truth and Life;  the Vine), He showed us just why He came to live among us, and who He is for people throughout the world.

 Jesus is the “fullness of God”, not for His own glory, but for what He will do on behalf of those who believe in Him.  He is the reconciliation that unites us for all time with the Father; He is the redemption that defeats and destroys our sin; He is the salvation that overpowers our condemnation to death, and instead, raises us up to eternal life; He is the truth that we learn from His teaching throughout scripture; and He is the God who deserves our trust, our faith, our allegiance, and our worship.

 Jesus has accomplished all of this by surrendering His glory and to leave His heavenly home to come to live and serve among, as well as in the form of His own creation!    He accepted the most horrific physical death that humanity has ever devised, and has made it for our benefit, in completion of the penalty that every person, every sinner, so truly deserves for their disobedience toward our Lord God!  And through it all, the overwhelming love of God has continued to be the power behind the strength that has led our Lord to do everything necessary to reunite us with the One and Almighty God of the universe.

 And through His gift, the coming Judgment will find all believers as being worthy of eternal life with the Lord.  That is what the supremacy of God in Christ has done, and continues to do, for all who will live by faith in Him.

 Read Colossians 1:24-29

 Paul’s reference to the suffering that he has had to endure is explained in some detail in 2 Corinthians6:3-10, but here he proclaims that every moment of suffering that has come his way has been a reason for rejoicing for the sake of Christ’s Church.  And he sees every one of his ordeals as simply an extension of all that Jesus suffered on His part.  In other words, the suffering that the Church has always experienced, and will continue to be subjected to, until the day of Christ’s return, should be seen as a joyful offering to our Lord God Almighty.

 Paul also implies that his ministry to the Gentile nations was never his decision, but rather, is God’s gift to the world through the servant ministry that this apostle has been called to.  He writes that the mystery of God’s passionate love for all people has been hidden for ages until the Lord called him into ministry to these very people.  And he is probably right, as Jewish believers had always taken the tact that if Gentiles had any desire to accept faith in Jesus Christ, they would have to become Jewish first!

 In the final two verses that we read today, it almost sounds as though he addresses these words specifically to those who are attempting to destroy the true word of God by watering it down with worldly ideals and philosophies. Paul wants all people to know the full, true and unadulterated will, word and way of Jesus Christ, and nothing else will ever suffice for the people of God!  Christ will provide all that Paul, and we, would ever need to be the Lord’s true and faithful Church.  Amen!