Happy New Year!

Numbers 29:1‑6 – Happy NewYear!

The first day of the first month of 2015. The New Year is almost here. And just as it was for the Jewish people of old, this is a special day for all of us. I will admit that for most of us, nothing changes. The routine that follows this day is much the same as the routine that precedes it. But for most, it holds the promise of new beginnings. Starting over. A leaf turned over. A chance to do it right. In our minds, old accounts can be wiped away and we all start fresh. That’s why people look to this day with anticipation and excitement. That is why tremendous celebrations accompany the day.

For the Jewish people, it was called Rosh Hashanah, Head of the Year, The Feast of Trumpets. In Numbers 29:1-6 we come to the celebration of the Jewish New Year. Of course their New Year began on the first day of the seventh month, but it was the time when God commanded them to celebrate – a time of new beginnings for the people of Israel. It was a day of sounding the trumpet, the shofar. The shofar was used to awaken worshipers to their need for prayer and repentance. On Rosh Hashanah, the Jews were reminded of their need to wake up and be honest and objective about their lives: Who they are, where they had been, and which direction they were headed. The Teruah blast resembles an alarm clock, arousing the worshiper from their spiritual slumber. The shofar brings clarity, alertness, and focus. Rosh Hashanah was a day of memory, a day of appreciating who God is. It was a day of judgment. It was the first day of a ten day period of deep introspection and repentance leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It was the day of new beginnings.

For the Hebrew people in the Old Testament, it was a special day. As I mentioned before, their year began on the first day of the seventh month, just before the harvest season would start and the physical blessings of God would be manifested. This was a day of special celebration. You see, Rosh Hashanah was first and foremost a day of rejoicing – sort of like it is for us. Normally, we spend the day eating black-eyed peas and watching parades and football games. It is a day of rest for most in the United States, but only so they can recuperate from the parties of the night before. Unfortunately, January 1 is typically anything but a holy day in the United States of America. Instead of a day of rejoicing, it is usually a day of recovery. We, the people of God, could take a lesson from the Israelite people. With so many people searching for something new and different in 2015, what better place to start than by consecrating the year to the Lord. How about you? Will you rejoice in His presence this year?

God's Grace Changes Everything

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 – God’s Grace Changes Everything

The Thessalonian Christians were suffering. They were being persecuted for their faith by the people who lived around them. Why? Because they no longer believed like their neighbors which meant that they no longer lived like their neighbors which meant that their neighbors felt the conviction that comes when lost people find themselves in the presence of true believers. You have probably experienced that before. People that you sense are uncomfortable around you or even become hostile toward you for no apparent reason. Paul describes this as an aroma in 2 Corinthians 2:16. To other believers, our presence is like the aroma of life; but to lost people, we are the aroma of death. That explains why there is such hostility towards Christians. Sometimes lost people don’t even know why they are uncomfortable around us or sometimes even angry at us. Our spirits and their spirits clash.

So Paul reminded these brothers and sisters of what happened in Judea. The Jews ultimately crucified Jesus – just like they had done the prophets. Again, this is evidence of hostility that takes place when God-followers stand for truth. Lost people hold to their sinful beliefs and even carry them to the extremes. But Paul hits the nail on the head. These people do not please God, and they “fill up the measure of their sins.” That is the picture used by multiple prophets to describe God’s judgment. It is like those who are outside of that love relationship with God have a bowl that is constantly being filled with our sins. Eventually, that bowl fills up, and when it begins to overflow, God pours out His wrath. This is the reason that the Canaanites were judged so harshly in the Old Testament. It’s why Israel was defeated by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians. And it is why people spend an eternity in hell. The good news is that one drop of Jesus’ blood poured into that bowl makes it all evaporate into nothingness. God’s grace changes everything!

Receive God's Word

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 – Receive God’s Word

There are three elements involved in a successful witnessing opportunity: the witness, the Holy Spirit, and the recipient. Jesus taught a parable about the recipient. We call it the parable of the soils, and in the parable, the farmer goes out to sow his seed. Typically in Jesus’ day, a farmer would put the bag of seed on the back of a donkey, cut a hole in the bag, and let it pour out onto the ground. As a result, some of the seed would fall on the pathway made hard by those constantly travelling on it. Some would fall on rocky soil and never be able to develop sufficiently deep roots. Some would fall onto thorny ground, and as it grew, it would be choked out. But most, if the farmer was any good at what he was doing, would fall on soil that was properly prepared for the seed. Jesus’ point was that the hearts of the recipients must be prepared to receive the seed, or the seed will not flourish. The Thessalonians were ready. They received Paul’s teaching as the truth of God, and because of that, the Holy Spirit worked powerfully in their lives.

Too often, even Christians aren’t prepared to receive. Hearts become hardened – so much so that even the prompting of the Holy Spirit is ignored. When that happens, indifference to the truth results in sinful behavior. But when Christians receive the truth and welcome it as God’s word, it effectively works in them. For these Thessalonian Christians, that meant they followed the example of the strong churches in Judea. They suffered the same persecution, and they continued to serve the Lord. What a blessing! And the key to thriving in the midst of difficult circumstances? Receive God’s word! Let it work in you! Nothing is more important to your spiritual health and power. The best way to receive the word is to read the word. Read it every day praying that God would prepare your heart for the truth He wants to reveal to you. With that in mind, I challenge you to join me in reading through the Bible in 2015. For a chronological reading plan, go to 2015 Daily Bible Reading Plan on our website. I guarantee you that you will NOT regret it!

Truths of Christmas (Pt. 3)

Christmas has come and gone for 2014, but there is another lesson in genuine worship seen in this story -- that of giving our treasures to the king. You know, some people say that Christmas is only a cultural tradition not connected with any spiritual reality. And maybe to many people, it is only a custom or an ordinary holiday, but to the children of God, it marks the commemoration of the most historic, life-changing birth the world has known or ever will know.

The wise men brought rich gifts as evidence of their adoration of the child King. The gifts were not mere tokens of courtesy. They were valuable, expensive treasures. Gold was the essential currency of the day, and frankincense was a sweet smelling resin, very costly. Myrrh was a popular scented ointment, the same type of ointment another Mary used to anoint the Lord's feet and the same type of ointment Nicodemus used on Jesus' body after the crucifixion.

And my friends, these gifts were not offered from compulsion but from the extravagance of devotion. Not because they had to give, but because their hearts were filled with love for the newborn king. Those who love Jesus whole-heartedly demonstrate it by offering their lives and their treasures to Him. He is worthy of our most valuable gifts, but He desires one gift supremely: the gift of ourselves in true worship. Consequently, the amazing paradox is that while He is honored by our gifts, we are blessed beyond measure by the act of giving. While we are busy giving and receiving gifts this Christmas, we should concentrate on the greatest gift of all--the gift of God's Son, our Savior. After all, when all the gifts have been opened and the paper discarded, He continues as the ultimate Gift to all humanity. When the Christmas meals have been eaten and friends and family have gone their separate ways, the Bread of life continues to abide with us and offer us spiritual nourishment. When the lights on the Christmas tree have been removed and boxed up, He remains as the Light of the world who desires to illuminate your life today.

The truth about Christmas is that everyday can be a holiday when you worship the one born King of the Jews who gave His life on the cross for you and for me.

Truths of Christmas (Pt. 2)

Matthew 2:1-12
It is important to know that the reality of our worship at Christmas is directly related to the quality of our regular worship. If we do not experience a thrill in our daily times with the Lord, we likely will not be excited about Him on Sunday, nor will we be excited about Him on Christmas day. The psalmist reminds us to "seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually" (Ps. 105:4).

The second lesson in genuine worship is bowing before the king. These wise men were in marked contrast to the religious leaders of Jerusalem. The priests and scribes knew where the Messiah would be born, but none of them journeyed with the wise men from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Pride and apathy have a strong grip that can choke the spiritual life out of a religious people. The priests and scribes could talk about their love for God and His law, but they would not venture the few miles to Bethlehem by faith to verify it. The wise men, however, put their faith to work and discovered the Savior. Their first response, in verse 11, was to fall down and worship Him. They knelt humbly in Jesus' presence. They may even have lain prostrate before Him, stretching themselves out in an act of submission before the child King. The whole picture is painted with emotion. And while emotion does not make a worship service, worship without emotion is like a marriage without passion. It scares me that as Christians we can get caught up in the activities of the season and take the birth of Jesus for granted. We get excited about the gifts, family and friends, but not about the Savior of the world coming to Earth.

Something is missing if we, day by day, Christmas after Christmas, no longer can be moved to adore Him who came to pay a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we could not pay. If God arranged for a star in the heavens to point to His Son, if God sent His angels to announce the news and stirred men hundreds of miles away to come for a celebration, why shouldn't we burst with excitement?

We can erect nativity scenes, adorn the church with decorations, bring canned goods for the needy, purchase gifts from the angel tree, give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering; but if our hearts are cold and dry and void of sheer joy, we need to fall down beside the wise men and learn the thrill of bowing before the Savior.

Linked to their devotion expressed in falling down was adoration in worship. The word worshiped in verse 11 is a word used only to refer to worshiping one who is divine. It is used often in the book of Revelation to describe the adoration of the Lord. The comparison is striking. The wise men worshiped the Lord as a child; one day we will worship the Lord as He sits on the throne of glory.

Truths of Christmas

Matthew 2:1-12 – Truths of Christmas (Pt. 1)

The context of the Christmas story in the gospel of Matthew magnifies for us this truth, a truth that is often overlooked in our busy-ness -- the importance of worship. In only twelve verses, the word "worship" occurs three times. It refers both to the devotion of the wise men who wanted to bow down before the newborn King of the Jews and the scheme of Herod who wanted only to kill Jesus. And we can see by these references that worship can be sincere and genuine, or it can be trivial and false. But understand this. True worship does not originate with plans and programs or orders of service. It starts in a heart that has experienced the saving grace of God. When we are truly saved by believing in the babe born in Bethlehem and crucified on Calvary, resurrected and ascended into heaven, then we will truly desire to worship Him because worship essentially is our response to God's grace. Methods and mannerisms do not make us true worshipers. Observing outward rituals cannot accomplish God's purpose in our lives. But as we worship Him, we truly desire to give ourselves completely to Him. The wise men revealed the truth of worship, a truth that we can learn from.

The first lesson in genuine worship is "seeking the presence of the Holy one." And that, my friends, is not always easy. Look at the effort of the wise men. Their identity is uncertain. Tradition has left us with the ideas that they were kings and that their number was three. The expression "wise men" comes from the Greek word "magoi" and bears some relationship to our English word magician. The phrase "from the east" indicates their origin. They probably were from ancient Persia and were experts in astronomy and astrology. The star that suddenly appeared in the sky had seized their curiosity, but know this. They came not to worship a star but to worship the King of Kings. These men who were considered pagans by the Jewish people believed that this child to be born in Bethlehem would usher in a new age, an age of grace.

The wise men's journey wandered across mountains and deserts on camels and on foot maybe as much as a thousand miles so that they could worship the one born "king of the Jews." And we have difficulty driving 10 miles in our automobiles. Their determination to worship the Messiah makes our efforts at worship seem small by comparison. Sometimes we complain about how long the service lasted, but my friends, worship in not an activity that occurs for only one hour on Sunday. Worship is a daily desire for a relationship with God. It is yearning to love Him and seeking to pleas Him with our attitudes and actions, not just one day of the week but every day of the year.

Remember Who You Belong To!

1 Thessalonians 2:9  - Remember Who You Belong To!

Paul was bivocational! Don’t panic. That just means that he worked a secular job to support himself so that he didn’t have to ask for anything from the churches to which he ministered. That’s why he worked night and day. Make some tents, then make some disciples. A stitch here; a witness there. No doubt, many of the false teachers were jealous of Paul and made all kinds of accusations: “He’s just in it for the money!” “He’s taking advantage of the churches!” (As a side note, I have discovered that so many times when people start making accusations like this, it is because of what they themselves are doing.) So Paul feels (again and again) that he must defend himself to the church, reminding them that he had taken nothing from them. Instead, he gave them everything he had – which, by the way, is what great ministers do!

Paul reminds the church of what he did. Not only did he compare himself to a mother nursing her baby (see previous post), but also he said, “I’ve been like a father to you.” (Please understand that the next statement is in no way meant to stereotype the roles of men and women. I am not being chauvinistic in any way. It is about the culture of Paul’s day.) Where moms take care of the emotional needs, dads take care of the practical needs, at least in his culture. So he exhorted, comforted, and charged them. In other words, Paul taught them truth. More than that, he showed them truth. And the truth is this: Every born again believer, every faithful follower of Jesus must live their lives in a manner that is worthy of being blood-bought children adopted into the family of a king. No. Let me rephrase that – adopted into the family of THE KING!

When I was a youth, my pastor would always give us “the speech” before we went on an outing: “Remember Who you belong to!” I know that’s not perfect grammar, but it is good counsel. We belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so we need to start acting like it.

Real Ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 – Real Ministry
                            
Another reason that Paul’s ministry was so successful: while the false teachers came in and took advantage of the people, looking for selfish gain while not caring about anyone else, Paul came in as a nursing mother that cares for her own children. This is the first of several touching analogies Paul uses to demonstrate his love for the people who are his spiritual children.

My youngest daughter, Ashley, is nursing my youngest granddaughter, Lucy. When Ashley gets ready to nurse her precious baby, there is love in her eyes, and Lucy gets so excited that she is almost uncontrollable. Why? Because she knows that Mommy is going to take care of her needs. At the end of the process (most of the time), there is contentment on the faces of both mother and daughter. That’s what real ministry does – it provides contentment for both the giver and the recipient of ministry.

Paul’s analogy demonstrates to us what a true ministry relationship is all about – a mother gently taking care of her child’s needs because she loves. In v. 8, Paul talks about that. “So affectionately longing for you….” Every minister should have such a desire to be a part of his people’s lives, to teach them what it means to be a Christian, modeling ministry, and giving them an opportunity to be a minister to others. That’s what Paul did by imparting his life to the people.

Spoiler alert! For my church family, you may not want to read what comes next. In the thirty-six years that I have been preaching, I’ve been at the point that most ministers get to eventually – looking for greener pastures. And that has been on more than one occasion. But wait! I know that church members do it, too. Looking for a new, exciting church that will meet my needs. Not Paul. He invested his life completely for the time God placed him in Thessalonica, and God blessed his work. Only when he was forced to leave did he grudgingly do so. So here’s the message to both ministers and members: don’t look to leave unless God says that it is time. Look to stay and see what God will do!

Pure Hearts and Pure Motives

1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 – Pure Hearts and Pure Motives

Another reason that Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians was not in vain but filled with power: the message they were sharing was not based on error or uncleanness, and it was not a deception. In other words, the message was holy and true, and Paul’s motives were pure. There were then (and are now) many false teachers who were making the rounds of the churches and spreading a false gospel. The Judaizers were legalistic insisting that before you can be a Christian you must become a Jew and follow Jewish religious practices and rituals. The Gnostics were ultra-intellectual and said that the mind was the way to salvation. And no doubt there were many others seeking to deceive and destroy the church while getting rich doing it. Can you imagine inviting total strangers into their homes so that they can destroy their families and then paying them to do so? (Can you say television? But that will have to wait till another day!) That is exactly what was happening, and the only way to combat the evil was for Christians to know the truth – the Holy Word of God – offered from a pure heart. The amazing thing that happens when God’s Word is honored is that He blesses the church that does this, and it grows spiritually and lost people get saved.

Paul summed it up this way: We don’t seek to please men. No flattering words trying to get people to give him something. No effort to draw attention to himself. Because he knew that God is the one who tests our hearts, and He is the one that holds all of us accountable.

Don't Give Up!

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 – Don’t Give Up!

Paul’s ministry to this church was a great blessing filled with the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. This was one of those churches that every pastor dreams of – everything Paul did impacted lives and the people responded by serving God. I believe the key to that is what Paul says in v. 2. Even thought they had suffered persecution in Philippi (remember, Paul was arrested, beaten, and imprisoned before God miraculously delivered him), they refused to be intimidated. They went to Thessalonica and preached boldly. For three Sabbaths, he preached in the synagogues as was his custom (Acts. 17:2), and he didn’t water down the message. Because of that, some Jews and lots of Gentiles were saved and joined Paul in ministry until things got so bad that Paul had to leave. Even after he left, the ministry went on because of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

I think we can learn many lessons from Paul’s persistence, perseverance, patience, and passion. He refused to give up no matter the personal cost, but he waited on God to lead him. Then he gave it all he had. Why? Because he was passionate about the gospel. To Paul, nothing mattered as much as telling people about Jesus. His comfort didn’t matter. His survival didn’t matter. All that mattered was making disciples.

The question we must ask is this: are we willing to do the same. It is so much easier to just give up. We are facing a devastating trend in our churches today. Pastors are giving up. Only a handful of pastors who enter the ministry make it to retirement. Church members are giving up in record numbers. They are called the “done-ers.” They are done fighting the fight. Tired of the problems. To them, it isn’t worth it. “Why not place our focus elsewhere?” they ask. Because Jesus established His church for the purpose of spreading the gospel and making disciples. So the message is this. Don’t give up! And the key to not giving up is simple – wait on the Lord. Go where He guides and only where He guides. Do what He demands and only what He demands. Say what He says and only what He says. Only then are you and I going to experience the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit, and only that guarantees the victory.

Get Caught Up!

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Get Caught Up!

Oh, wow! Not only does Paul say that we are to turn to God from idols to serve Him, but also he says that we are to wait for His Son. That is why I love this letter – Paul is so excited that Jesus is coming again that it permeates every part. Jesus died on the cross, but He rose on the third day. In doing this, He conquered sin, the grave, and hell. Not one of these has power over Jesus – or us! We have been set free. Then, just before He ascended, Jesus gave us our marching orders: to go out and make disciples, bringing people into the Kingdom. Why? Because He is coming again to take His children home to heaven. Jesus told stories (parables) during His earthly ministry to illustrate this point. What He wants is to return and find us faithful – serving our Heavenly Father.

And here is the promise: He is returning to deliver us from the wrath that is to come. Some say that is a reference to hell – but He has already accomplished that. Some say it is to deliver us from tribulation, and in a sense, that is true. However, Paul and his followers were already experiencing some tribulation, and even today Christians around the world are experiencing it, too. In fact, while the persecution of Christians has gone through cycles of varying intensity, the 20^th and 21^st centuries have seen more Christians die for their faith than most of the other centuries since Christ combined. And I believe that while it is happening all over the world today, we are beginning to see its evidence in the United States of America. I believe that it will intensify. In fact, I believe that the wrath that is to come, the Day of Wrath that is foretold in both the Old and New Testaments, is still coming. I believe Christians around the world will experience the beginnings of that Day of Wrath, but Paul says that Jesus is going to return, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet blast, and His bride, the Church, will be caught up – raptured – to be with Him forever. And I believe that is how He will deliver us from the Wrath that is to come.

Many say that the Great Tribulation will take place before any of this, but Paul thought that the rapture could happen at any moment, and so do I! Are you ready? If not, get ready. Turn to God in repentance of your sin as you turn from your idols. Ask for His forgiveness. Place your trust in Him and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and then, you, too, will be delivered. For more information, e-mail me at ben@southsidebaptist.net or visit our website, www.southsidebaptist.net and click on the link on the left side of the page that says, “Change Your Life.”

About Face!

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - About Face!

This one phrase just keeps jumping out at me. Paul talks about turning to God from idols, and that is a great picture of salvation. All of us, whether we want to admit it or not, are idol-worshippers before we get saved. We may have never bowed down to a statue, but we did give our hearts, our time, our money, and our energy to those things that called our hearts away from God. Family, education, career, hobbies, sports, drugs, sex – anything that takes us in the wrong direction (away from God) becomes an idol.

Notice what Paul says: turn to God from idols. Lots of people start to get convicted of their sin and decide to change their lives, so they turn away from their idols. But they fail to turn to God. Others start to feel convicted and decide to change their lives, so they turn to God. They start going to church, but sadly, they try to hold onto their idols. Both choices are bad choices, and they leave you spiritually vulnerable because no matter how hard you try, you cannot change your life on your own and you cannot partially get right with God. Too often, those who try to do this find themselves worshipping the same idols again. Jesus talked about this in terms of evil spirits. You may cast them out, but if the space in your life which they occupied isn’t filled with God’s Spirit, other evils will take their place.

Here’s the key. Repentance means “about face!” It is a 180 degree turn in the opposite direction – away from sin and towards God who forgives us our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He fills us with His love and grace, and that prevents the evil one from taking control again. So what are you battling today? Addiction? Immorality? Bitterness? Hatred? Anger? Lust? Pornography? Whatever it is, you must make a conscious decision to turn away from it and turn to God in absolute surrender to His will. When you do, He will break the chains that bind you and set you free! I promise! But more importantly, He promises!

The Power of the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:4-8 – The Power of the Gospel

The gospel is more than words. Yes, it is the good news of God’s love and grace that offers salvation to ALL who believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day. Paul talks about our “election by God….” Scary words to lots of Baptists – especially to Baptists who do not understand the concept. The Bible does not contradict itself. God’s word tells us whosoever calls on the name of Jesus shall be saved and that God loves the WORLD that He sent His only Son. 

Do you remember God’s choice of Israel? He chose them not because they were good or mighty but because He loved them. Remember Abraham? It started with him. God chose Abraham and promised to bless him but only if Abraham would obey the covenant. And he did. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Ro. 4:3). That is the power of the gospel.

In Paul’s day, that power was evidenced in spectacular ways just as it is today. The power of the gospel is transformed lives. That’s what Paul is talking about. The Thessalonians saw what kind of men Paul and his brothers were, and they chose to follow Jesus. Then these new converts’ lives were changed, and the Macedonians and Achaians saw the transformation, and they, too, believed in Jesus.

Yes, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and salvation is about changed lives testifying to the grace of God. It is about joy in the midst of affliction because the Holy Spirit has come to live in these believers and give them the strength, courage, and wisdom to live for Jesus. What does that mean? These new disciples were so changed that they were willing to risk everything to make more disciples. They were so changed that everyone knew it. That is the power of the gospel!

A Great Church!

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 – A Great Church

It’s a great joy to hear in the words of the apostle the love he had for this church. His time at Thessalonica had been bountiful, and the reports he had received since he left revealed the impact of his ministry. The people were thriving spiritually, so much so that Paul let his gratitude flow freely. This was a church whose work continued to be strong as evidenced by what he was grateful for:

·         Work of faith – this is important. Following their conversion, they decided that they weren’t going to do what lots of Christians do after they have been saved for a while (sit, soak, and sour like an old soggy sponge). They worked to reach people for Jesus and to minister to the needy. They understood what we all must understand: we are not saved by works, but we do work for the Kingdom because we are saved.

·         Labor of love – this is agape love, sacrificial by nature and it truly is laborious. The word that Paul uses describes a hard kind of labor that wears you out. For Paul, love was not an emotion; it was doing what needed to be done even when you are too tired to do anything else.

·         Patience of hope – patience often makes us think of sitting back and waiting. Paul wasn’t that kind of man. This kind of patience is about manly/womanly endurance in the face of persecution. This is a picture of a soldier who endures his opponent’s attacks but holds back enough strength to counterattack and conquer. Do you know what Paul is talking about? Enduring in faith till Jesus returns (one of his and my favorite topics.)

So here is the message, my friends. We must wait patiently and work fervently to bear fruit for our Savior because He is coming again to claim His bride. And that is what it takes to be a great church because that is what we have been chosen to do!

I Am Not Alone!

Colossians 4:7-18 – I Am Not Alone

Have you noticed this? We go all the way through this letter, and we just now get a hint at Paul’s circumstances. In v. 10, Paul speaks of “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner.” In v. 18, he says, “Remember my chains.” Not only is Paul in prison, he is in chains within the prison. Life in prison has never been easy, but in Paul’s day, it just couldn’t get any worse. There were three possibilities: being chained to guards who weren’t very nice (even though we know that Paul considered this an open door for the gospel); chained in a deep, dark hole with rats and mud and a smell that would just about kill you; or house arrest – still under guard but under better conditions. Since Paul had access to his friends, this was the most likely scenario, but had it not been for his friends, life would have been impossible.

My point? Paul is not alone! I wonder if he ever had those moments when he felt like he was the only one going through these difficult times. I know that I do. As a pastor, there are times when it seems that no one else cares – that you are standing on a deserted island and nothing you do makes a difference. But as I read this passage, I heard God speaking through His word: "Paul is not alone, and neither are you!" For Paul, there was Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus/Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas. Each of them, no doubt, served alongside the apostle, helping him but also being helped. For me it is my sweet wife, Sonya, and my daughters, Jennifer and Ashley, and their husbands, Rob and Jon, and their daughters, Hayes and Lucy. These are my biggest supporters, critics (in a good way), and cheerleaders who keep me going and keep me grounded. There is also my dear friend, Mark, who has listened to almost all of my struggles in the ministry for over 25 years. There is Jimmy and Mary who have been a blessing by simply opening their homes and hearts to me time and time again. There are dear friends right here at Southside who actually want to spend time with us – just because. And countless others that encourage and help me along the way. My prayer is that in some fashion, I have helped them, too. Good people. Praying people. Loving people. WE all need them. Paul was not alone. I am not alone. And YOU are not alone!

Mission: Possible!

Colossians 4:6 – Mission: Possible

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to lead people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! Mission: Possible. Actually, if you are a Christian, you have already chosen to accept the mission. When you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you surrendered your heart and life to Him. You pledged your obedience, and He has commanded you to MAKE DISCIPLES! The good news is that Paul just doesn’t tell us that we are supposed to lead people to Jesus. He tells us how: walk in wisdom (live your life wisely) so that lost people will see Jesus in you; speak graciously – or maybe just speak grace into the lives of people. Tell people why you are living this way – because Jesus rescued you from sin and an eternity in hell, and His love has forever transformed your life. There is no better way to win people for the Kingdom than to show them what God has done for you. But as Paul says in Romans 10, someone then has to tell them how to be saved. Speak GRACE! Tell them about God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense: the hope of Glory given to us by Jesus’ death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Paul didn’t stop there. He throws in that very interesting phrase: our speech should also be seasoned with salt. If you are like me, you believe that a little salt makes everything taste better. But in Paul’s day, salt wasn’t just used to flavor food. It also preserved it. And yes, salt stings like crazy when it gets into an open wound. And I believe that Paul was referring to every one of these functions.

Our speech should be pleasing: comforting, not criticizing; holy, not hostile. Our speech should save lives: always pointing to Jesus. And our speech should sting a little as we hold people accountable for the way they live. As a preacher, I have discovered that if I am not making a few people mad along the way, I’m not doing my job. Truth is, as a Christian, if we aren’t upsetting a few folks, offending them in some way, then we are not letting our light shine. We aren’t being the salt that Jesus told us that we should be.

Walk Wisely!

Colossians 4:5 - Walk Wisely!

Paul is teaching. That’s what teachers do. He has told us how to live holy lives, how to live with our families, how to have good employer/employee relationships, and how to pray – at least what we need to pray for. Now he tells us how to relate to the lost people in our world. I think that very often Christians forget what it’s like to be lost, and that makes it very difficult to understand what lost people need. Sometimes, it makes us indifferent to their needs. But Paul says that the first thing we must do is to pray for open doors to share the gospel. I will admit that this is not usually the first thing I pray for every day, but at some point during the day I do ask God to give me an opportunity to witness for Him. The problem is that many times He provides the opportunity, and we ignore it – or reject it – because we are busy or afraid or just don’t care. And that, my friends, is sin. In all reality, we do not have a political problem in the United States of America. We have a sin problem, and the sin problem is the church’s problem. We will not resolve the issues that plague our country until we Christians get right with God. But I digress. First, we pray for opportunities, then we ask for God to give us the right words to say. I know that many Christians fear trying to witness because they are afraid they will say something that will drive people farther away from Christ, but the reality is that if we will simply share the good news of Christ’s love, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

Finally, Paul says that we are to live a life that will draw them to Christ. At least that is how I understand this verse. In Paul’s culture and language, often the phrase “to walk” means “to live our lives.” So in this verse, he tells us to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside the Kingdom. What does that mean? We are to act wisely. We are to do the right things because time is short. This apostle felt so strongly that Jesus could return at any moment that an urgency had developed within his heart. Every moment of every day had to be used for God’s glory – for bringing people to Christ. While Paul never told us to use any means necessary to get people saved, he did say that he becomes all things to all people in order to reach some. Here is the meaning: he changed his methods – never the message – so that he could relate to lost people. And in light of that urgency, we need to live holy, happy lives that will draw people to Christ. We need to speak with grace, and let our words be seasoned with salt. More on that tomorrow!

What If?

Special Guest Blogger – Sonya Hayes

Not every unwanted gift of Christmas should be returned or rejected -- even when it makes you uncomfortable. Opening gifts in front of the giver is most likely one of the most uncomfortable things a person can do. So for me, I have opted for the easy way to shop for Christmas: if it is not on an Amazon wish list, odds are my children will not be getting it. It has occurred to me, though, that there is danger and disappointment in not receiving gifts with grace and anticipation even if they make me uncomfortable. In the first Christmas story, Mary could have rejected many aspects of her uncomfortable Christmas gifts.  She had more than enough reasons that would have made sense to turn them down, but she didn’t -- and she had to open them in front of God.

Look at the story. After 400 years of silence, Holy God sends His voice to the ear of human-kind once again. What if Mary had been too preoccupied to listen? What if she had ignored her Heavenly messenger outright? She would have missed out on God acknowledging the value and trust He placed in women. He could have started with Joseph, after all. What if Mary had rejected or ignored the angel? What if she had preferred the comfort of her mother-in-law’s home? What if she refused the supernatural and chose to remain "normal?" Mary would have missed the Glory of God like none other. Mary would have missed the joy of being a servant, and Mary would have missed her Song of worship.

Look at the other side of the family. What if Joseph had rejected Mary? What if He had opted not to handle the pressure of society? What if he said the path would be too difficult to travel and had stayed behind? Joseph would have missed a life filled with awe in raising God in the flesh; he would have missed being the first to kneel before his Savior.

What if the stable had not been good enough? Surely they were not the first to ask for lodging in an already crowded inn. What if Mary and Joseph had demanded more from God than the lowly, stinky stable? They would have closed the door to shepherds. They would have missed out on those divine provisions. They would have missed out on God making the mundane Holy.

What if the shepherds had enjoyed the song but refused to pursue the message? What if they had said we are too tired, we have worked all day, and it is not convenient? And besides, we have an important job. We are guarding the sheep used in the temple for the sacrifice. They would have missed out on seeing Glory in the flesh. They would have missed out on being the first New Testament missionaries, and they would have missed out on seeing God fulfill His promise.

What if later the Wise men had said the star fascinates me, but I will stay and observe from my vantage point?  They would have missed the divine moment of placing the first offering before the feet of their Savior.

What if you opt to ignore the voice of God this Christmas? What if you are saying, “No, the path is too complicated?” What if you say, “The people will talk?” What if you say, “I am tired, and I am comfortable?” Or maybe you have already done this. Have you told the Father that the gift He is offering does not fall within your expectations of a good gift?

Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men all had options -- like we have options. We can hold on to traditions, to what proper society dictates, to our comfort zone in life. We can find excuses not to be in God’s house, not to worship in the hard times, and so on. In doing these things, we are telling the giver of all good things that we deserve better -- that His idea of a good gift is flawed, and that we would like a gift card option to buy our own, thank you very much.

As you celebrate this season, open your heart to the idea that God has a plan for you in the coming days and in the year ahead -- plans to use you in a way that will change the course of our church, your home, our community. A “yes” by those in the Christmas Story altered all that they had known and the lives of millions that came after them.

a journey, not one I would have picked, but one that is having profound effects and impact on my heart. I pray I never see my God and King through my old eyes.Unwanted gifts and ugly sweaters were given long before the stable and after the cross. When God chose Gideon to lead his small band of men into battle, He was showing that a small army empowered by God was more effective than the largest army. When empowered and equipped by God, there was no need for weapons of traditional warfare. They fought with shofars and lamps! They fought with weapons the world would consider ineffective, yet they triumphed.

Gideon was brave when he had an army of 30,000 but God gifted him with one of 300, and this meager gift God gave is much like what would happen on the night of Christ’s birth: heaven would burst forth with a loud song from the Glory which would forever proclaim victory over the enemy.

When Daniel was gifted with the Lion’s den, God was there. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the midst of the fiery furnace, God was there. Yes, God could have gifted them with a life far away from the lions and from the fire, but it was in these gifts that God was there. He chose to show Himself in the midst of their trials. He chose to reveal His power through the journey much like He did for Mary and Joseph in their journey to Bethlehem.

He could have delivered Paul and Silas from the prison, but it was there that he gave the song of worship, much like the song he gave Mary. He could have rescued John from the isle of Patmos, but instead He gave him a glimpse of Glory. The same glimpse He gave each one that was touched by the first Christmas story.

He wants to join you in the unwanted gifts that touch your life today, too. Allow Him to be the beauty in Psalms 30:11 - God turns our mourning into dancing. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God will rejoice over us with singing. This year, when an unwanted gift is given, listen to the song of Heaven God wants to sing over you. 

It is a journey, not one I would have picked, but one that is having profound effects and impact on my heart. I pray I never see my God and King through my old eyes.They fought with weapons that the world would consider ineffective, yet triumphed mightily over their enemies. They shouted as loud as they could, sounded the shofar, and broke the vessels that held the fire so that their lamps burst through with brightnessThey fought with weapons that the world would consider ineffective, yet triumphed mightily over their enemies. They shouted as loud as they could, sounded the shofar, and broke the vessels that held the fire so that their lamps burst through with brightness army would normally use. They fought with shofars and lamps! They fought with weapons that the world would consider ineffective, yet triumphed mightily over their enemies. They shouted as loud as they could, sounded the shofar, and broke the vessels that held the fire so that their lamps burst through with brightness.

When Daniel was in the midst of the lion's den…God was with him. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the midst of the fiery furnace…God was with them. It would have been perfectly easy for God and would have immediately transported these men of His out of their difficulties, but no, He chose instead to be with them in the midst of their trials. God chose to reveal His power through the trials instead of exercising His power to remove them.

A favorite promises in the Bible — that God turns mourning into dancing! (Psalms 30:11) He takes away the anguish of being clothed in sadness and replaces it with gladness. However, notice what God doesn't do — He does not simply stop your mourning and make it disappear. No, He transforms it…into joy!

It is a journey, not one I would have picked, but one that is having profound effects and impact on my heart. I pray I never see my God and King through my old eyes.

 

 

Keep on Praying!

Colossians 4:2 – Keep on Praying!

Continue earnestly in prayer!  What a thought. Even this morning as I began this quiet time, I dashed off a few words of prayer: “God, speak to me today.” Then I read this verse, and the Holy Spirit convicted me – this was not earnest prayer. No thought. No passion. Just what I was supposed to do. So I stopped right then and confessed my sin of passionless prayer. I begged God to speak to my heart during my quiet time and to give me a day filled with a heart-felt desire to continue earnestly in prayer. No more going through the motions because there are so many needs to pray about and so many things for which to be grateful.

And that’s how Paul continues – being vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving. Have you ever thought about being vigilant in prayer? I cannot say that I have ever gone through my day “looking for” things to pray about. Things that need my prayer. Most of the time I just let things come to me – people mention a need and I pray. I talk to someone who asks and I pray. Think of how it would change our lives if we were to be constantly on the lookout for people who need our prayer. NO more just praying when the thought hits you but aggressively, vigilantly watching for things that need prayer and then praying. And doing it all with a grateful heart: grateful for the privilege and power of prayer; grateful for the opportunities to pray; grateful for a God who hears and responds to our prayers; and yes, grateful for the very answers He sends our way.

 

Just yesterday I ran into a man that had come to our church on numerous occasions needing some financial assistance. He and his family had lost their home and were living in a motel room. He had no job and could find no help from the community agencies. As we ministered to him on each of these occasions, I encouraged him to pray and trust God. He came up to me and told me that he had remembered those words and kept on praying. Now he has a good job and is living in a house and his needs are being met. Praise the Lord! And thank you, God, for earnest prayer!

Remember Who You Work For!

Colossians 3:22-4:1 – Remember Who You Work For!

Bondservants? Masters? These words are not in our vocabulary – at least not in the sense of our current culture. So how do we apply this today? Most of us, at least for part of our lives find ourselves as employees. Some of us find ourselves as bosses. This is not quite the same thing, I know, and it is never good when the boss starts thinking of himself as the master. However, the principles are similar. Bondservant equals employee. Master equals boss. Got it?

So then, employees should do their best at their job. No pretending to be working when you are really surfing the Internet. No looking busy just when the boss is coming by. Paul says that as an employee, we should just give 100% effort to do the job we have been hired to do. But listen carefully to Paul’s words as you read them out loud. You are not to do this to gain acclaim but because it is the right thing to do. You are not to give great effort hoping to be noticed so that you can get a promotion or a pay raise. You made a commitment when you took the job, so Christian, honor that commitment. Do your job, and if you get noticed, that’s great. “Oh, my job is hard,” you say. “You just don’t know my boss!” Maybe not, but remember that Paul is talking to slaves who oftentimes had cruel masters. Besides, I may not know your boss, but I know our God, so instead of doing good for your boss, do it for the Big Boss! And do it with enthusiasm. “Sounds easy,” you say, “but it’s not.” Then remember this. Your paycheck may be dependent on your work ethic, but eternal rewards come from God. Imagine how He will honor a life of obedience and service, two of the character traits He values, and imagine hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” For me, that’s enough.

Oh, and boss, do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Treat your employee with love and compassion because while you may be their boss, He is your Boss. And with what measure you pour it out on others, He will pour it out on you!

Families Are Important!

Colossians 3:18-21 – Families are Important!

Families are important! Families are important to our society. As the family goes, so goes the nation. Families are important to God. It is through the family that we get our first taste of what church and heaven are supposed to be – but only if our families are ordered and guided by God’s word. Paul gives us those orders: wives submit, husbands love, children obey, fathers don’t provoke. That is great guidance.

As we look at these one at a time, remember this: it is all about love. It is about love for God. Because of our love for Him, we do everything that He commands us to do through His word, and without that love, we will not be obedient. Because of our love for Him, we can love our spouses and our children and our parents in the way that He tells us to love them, and without that love, we will always fall short.

So, wives, submit to your OWN husbands because it is fitting. It has always been God’s plan that the husband be the leader in his home. Adam was given that responsibility in the Garden, and he blew it. He stood by and watched Eve partake of the fruit without saying a word to her, knowing God had forbidden that very act. Then he ate. Then he blamed God. That isn’t what leaders do. Leaders lead, and when husbands love their wives as Christ loves the church (see Ephesians 5), then Christian wives willingly submit. But remember, this submission is based on love, not fear.

Husbands, as stated above, love your wives as Christ loves the church. Yes, Jesus is the undisputed head of the church. He is in control. He is the boss. But to love as He loves, we must be willing to die for our wives. If we love like that and our wives know that we are willing to give up everything for her, she will NOT have a problem with gracious submission.

Children, the very offspring of the kind of love referenced above, are to obey! It is the command of God. Now understand we are talking about Christian families, so parents will not be ordering their children to do anything they should not be doing. They will be following godly guidance that leads them to a closer walk with our Lord. God is pleased when our families follow His plan, and our families will follow His plan if husbands love their wives and wives submit to their husbands and children obey their parents. But remember this – my daughters’ favorite verse in the whole Bible: Fathers, do not exasperate your children!

I know about exasperation and discouragement caused by a father. It isn’t pretty. 34 years after leaving home, I am still “affected” by my father’s words to me, but I have learned that my Heavenly Father overcomes every negative word that our earthly fathers have ever uttered. I am loved. I am precious. I am HIS!

Is the Word at Home in Your Life?

Colossians 3:16-17 – Is the Word at Home in Your Life?

I’m back. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend – I know I did. We had all the family at our house for four days – what a blessing! The house is very quiet now, and I miss them. Thank you, God, for giving us this week. Now, on to our walk through Colossians.

Paul says that we are to put on love and peace; we become thankful, and then we let the Word of Christ dwell in us. Folks, this is the living Word as well as His spoken/written word. To dwell in us is exactly what it sounds like. We must allow Him/it to take up residence in us. The concept is that it must be “at home” with us. That reminds me of this past week. Our kids – who have never lived in Decatur, by the way – came home. This has never been their home in any technical sense, but when they come here, they are “at home.” They know that if it is in the house, it is for them to use as they wish. They kick their shoes off when they come in – and just like when the girls lived at home, they are left in the middle of the floor. Toys are strewn throughout the living room, and that’s okay. Because they are “at home” with us. The Word/word must become such a part of our lives that it is as natural as coming home. But this Word/word is to dwell in us RICHLY! This can only happen if we make an effort to fill our lives with the gospel – to fill our minds with the truth – and to fill our lives with the natural outflow of ministry. What does that entail? Teaching, encouraging one another (even correcting one another) through worship by the singing of songs to the Lord with grace in our hearts. By the way, that is what true worship IS, and when we do true worship, we are led to serve others and to minister to the Lord.

But, you say, I cannot teach or sing. Those aren’t my spiritual gifts, and they are not part of my natural abilities. So what! We are told we are to do it, so trusting in God’s grace and knowing that you are letting His Word dwell in you richly, do the best you can and do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then step back and watch what God can do with your best.

Peace, Love, and Thankfulness

Colossians 3:15 - Peace, Love, and Thankfulness

We were called to love and to peace and to thankfulness in this one body of Christ. It is about harmony in the group. Three amazing emotions that are the gifts of God:

·         Peace – a sense of well-being no matter the difficulties we face. The reason for that is the knowledge that we are in Christ – hidden and raised up. How could this one truth not give us the greatest peace at all times?

·         Love – the knowledge that God has given everything for me and to me as His son.

·         Thankfulness – I fear that too often we consider this an attitude when it ought to be a lifestyle. We talk about it a great deal, but our lives reveal the truth.

Sometimes, peace, love, and thankfulness are hard to come by even though God gives them freely. Our hearts are often troubled. Feeling loved sometimes disappears. We know that we are loved. God loves us. Family and friends love us. But still, it seems so far away. So what do we do? We ask God to change our hearts, to fill us with His love, and then we demonstrate that love to others. We ask Him to fill us with His peace, and then we live it out in the midst of life’s difficult circumstances. And then we ask God to make us truly thankful. Lord, give me an attitude of gratitude that becomes a lifestyle of love for you and others.

Notice how Paul puts it: let the peace of God…. We have to allow God’s peace to rule in our hearts. It is a choice to have peace in our hearts – financial peace, peace about our families, peace in the church. Sweet peace. His peace. Let it rule in my heart today. One commentary puts it this way: “There is no room for ill will or bitterness if thankfulness prevails” (New American Commentary, vol. 32, p. 302).

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Only God's Love Can Do That

Colossians 3:11-14 – Only God’s Love Can Do That

One body – the body of Christ. Remember that because Paul says that in Christ, all dividing walls are broken down because Jesus is all in all. Do you know how I understand that picture? It’s like a solution that is poured into us and around us that dissolves us until we are one. That may not be the best illustration, but it makes sense to me.

In Christ, we are the elect of God – chosen by Him, saved by Him, secured by Him. This makes us holy and beloved. Set apart and favored. Sanctified and blessed. The fact that He chose us proves that we are loved, and the fact that He loves us caused Him to set us apart. Now because of our love for Him, we MUST change. Yes, He changes us, but we, too, must make changes. Changes that are not possible without His working in us.

·         We must become compassionate toward others.

·         Kindness should be more than just a word in our vocabulary.

·         Humility, that desire to see ourselves as we really are knowing that we must esteem others more highly.

·         Meekness – surrendered strength harnessed by the Master.

·         Patient endurance – waiting until God says it’s over, whatever IT is. Enduring even the flaws of others and being willing to forgive without hesitation.

These are the new attributes that must become part of our spiritual DNA.

But the one thing that is above all others, the ultimate goal of being in Christ, is to love as God loves for that is the bond of perfection. Love is what binds us together and brings us to maturity. In fact, it is love that will enable us to put on all these things – only God’s love can do that.

The Body of Christ in Unity

Colossians 3:5-11 – The Body of Christ in Unity

Dying with Christ sets us free from sin. We are hidden in Him, so the world cannot harm us. We are raised with Christ, so our minds should be set on things above. Based on all of that which has already been accomplished, it is still our responsibility and our necessity to put to death those parts of our human nature we call sinful. Paul gives us a list, but it is by no means comprehensive. But why these?

•   Fornication – because it is the area in which all of us are most vulnerable. Sexual sins/temptation is Satan’s primary weapon against us. The reason: sex is God’s gift to man. Satan’s goal is to take something sacred and turn it to evil.
• Uncleanness is all things that defile the body.
• Passion and evil desire involves those sins of the heart and mind – lust unbridled desires.
• Covetousness is that never-ending desire for more just because others have it. Paul calls it idolatry because it takes priority over everything in life – especially our relationship with God.

It is because of these things that God pours out His wrath on the sons of disobedience – the lost who continue to live in sin and reject God’s grace. As Christians, we need to remember that we were once like that – lost – and were called sons of disobedience, too.

And then there is the other list: the kinds of things that characterize the old way of life. We are to put them off, to remove them from ourselves like old clothes that no longer fit. Perhaps Paul is speaking of a more daily activity in which we must purposely, intentionally control these behaviors:

• Anger, in all its forms, that evidences itself through our language and ultimately leads to deception. 
•  Denials. Lies. We put these things off because we have put on the new man and we are hidden in Christ.

And since we are hidden in Christ, we are also renewed in knowledge. We know better because the Image of God, that in which we were created, has been restored in us! The result of doing this: one body. The body of Christ in unity!

Hidden

Colossians 3:1-4 - Hidden

Dying with Christ sets us free from the bonds of sin and removes us from the Judaistic practices of the Old Testament. Paul mentions the prohibitions concerning unclean things at the end of chapter 2. False teachers tried to convince the Colossians that in order to be Christian they had to practice the rituals of Judaism. While we no longer have to follow these traditions of me, we are still obligated to be obedient to God.  Then, in chapter 3, he talks about being raised with Christ and that gives us a new perspective – a vantage point high above the tumult of this life. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said it this way: we are seated in the heavenlies with Christ. Now he tells us that we are to seek heavenly things. Too many times we find ourselves, even though we are seated in the heavenlies, focused on earthly things. It is only natural to be concerned about our families, our jobs, and our lives. Paul says to let those concerns go. He did not mean that we never think about them ever again. We do. But if we seek the right things – the Kingdom of God – God will take care of the rest.

In dying with Christ, our lives are hidden in Him. Nothing can harm us unless it goes through Him – through Jesus and through God. What a promise! But it doesn’t end there. Christ is coming again and when He does, our next step is GLORY! Hallelujah! Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Colossians 2:20-23 – Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Instead of “if,” read “since.” Since you died with Christ. Remember that Paul is writing to believers, and in the Bible, context means everything (along with the rules of grammar – but I really don’t want to get into that). Having said that, there is the possibility that Paul is showing them a particularly frustrating dilemma – not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom,” according to Jesus. What is required is true salvation based on God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. None of the other things that the Judaizers (a group of professing Christians that insisted that Gentiles had to become Jewish and follow their rituals before you could be a Christian) taught is adequate. So unless they have truly repented of their sins and accepted the forgiveness that God offers, there is no salvation. For those who have, however, we died with Christ. These worldly, fleshly, legalistic principles have no power over us.

So the question is, “Are they saved?” Paul is asking these Colossians if they know beyond a shadow of doubt that they have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus. If they have, why are they bothering to follow the legalistic teachings of men when they have been set free? Eating certain foods or touching “unclean” things cannot affect your salvation. Maybe in human religions this makes you seem more pious in your own eyes. Maybe a little wiser to those who believe like you do. But these practices do not change your spiritual condition. It’s a bit like a man being in prison for years, and he cannot wait to get out. The day finally comes and he is released. No parole. No probation. He is completely exonerated, but ever night he returns to his jail cell. It makes no sense.

Paul says that there is “no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” What he means is that denying yourself these things does not change the desires of your heart. Only God can do that. In spiritual matters, quite often a play on an old saying is true: abstinence makes the heart grow fonder – of fleshly desires! Only a right relationship with the Father can set you free from the bondage of human desire.

Beware of False Teachers

Colossians 2:18-19 – Beware of False Teachers

Too many false teachers are trying to convince the Christian of their credentials and then lead them down the wrong path doctrinally – that has been a problem from the beginning. Even Jesus had to warn His future followers that false prophets are ravenous wolves disguised as sheep just waiting to devour them. The apostles dealt with them in the book of Acts. And now Paul is warning the Christians at Colossae. Guess what! They are still around today trying to tell us that salvation requires more than God’s grace that allows us to place our faith in Jesus. Whether it is some particular spiritual gift, a second blessing, or just an added ritual of some kind, if they tell you these things are necessary for salvation then they are false prophets.

Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets!” John said, “Test the spirits.” And Paul tells us that we must be keen observers and know the truth. We must discern the spirit that is within or else they may take us places we do not want to go. Keep this in mind: humble spirits are good, but false humility is a disguise; worshiping angels is not holy because we are only to worship the Creator, not the created; and every true prophet/teacher must be grounded in the Word and know what He is teaching. Sadly, too often, these men and women come into the church teaching things they didn’t see or hear from God. Why? Because their vanity has gotten the better of them. Because they are not holding fast to the Head of the Church – Jesus, and the enemy has led them astray. It is too easy to stray into false doctrine unless we stay firmly established in Christ. He is the One who gives us roots that nourish our spiritual lives. He is the brain that gives us direction and causes the body to function. He is the one that causes us to grow spiritually. So if the teacher is not firmly connected to the Head, how can he truly teach – or how can he teach the truth? He cannot, and it is our responsibility to turn away and not let him cheat us from the reward of knowing Truth.

 

 

Victory

Colossians 2:11-17 - Victory

A touchy subject: spiritual circumcision. No need for hands or medical instruments because Christ took care of it. He peeled back the fleshy – and sometimes crusty – layers of our hearts. We need to remember that the very reason that circumcision was commanded was to mark God’s people as His own. But we often forget -- or fail to realize -- that it did not serve as a sign to the rest of the world but as a reminder to His people. They belonged to God. Now the only mark necessary is Jesus’ blood – the blood poured out on Calvary’s cross that washed our sins away and forever sealed us as His own, and the only symbol required is baptism. But we have to be careful in our understanding of why baptism is necessary. It isn’t because baptism saves us that it is important but because it walks us through the process: crucified and buried with Jesus and raised to walk in a newness of life. What a powerful testimony to our souls and to those who witness this beautiful image! Every time we see a new believer immersed in the waters of baptism it should remind us of our own salvation experience, taking us back to the very cross of Jesus – reminding us that we were made alive by Him who can raise the dead. And we were dead! Dead in our trespasses in sins! Spiritually dead until He raised us through His forgiveness.

Here’s the key: once He had fulfilled the Law through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He crucified it. The very document that reveals our sin to us was nailed to a cross, and our sins were completely erased. Then, as if that were not enough, He took the principalities and powers of this world, the very powers that seek to condemn us, and He made them look like idiots. They thought they had won. They thought they had defeated the Father’s plan, and in the midst of their victory dance, Jesus arose! His victory – our victory – was complete.

 

His Grace Is All We Need!

Colossians 2:8-10 – His Grace is all we need

We are so easily deceived by persuasive words if we are not grounded in the truth. Simply put, listening to men’s persuasive (false) arguments will cheat you out of the blessed life Christ offers. Paul calls them vain philosophies and empty deceits. The Greeks were keen on philosophy, and many of the early church members had been saved out of the systems of belief that held a worldview totally contrary to Christianity. However, it is often difficult to completely let go of deeply held beliefs, so some of these found their way into the church. Perhaps they were dealing with teachers who didn’t truly believe in the deity of Christ and the sufficiency of His shed blood. Whatever the issue, the heresy was that salvation came from faith in Jesus plus something else. Traditions? Rituals?

Stuck on the traditions of men, certain groups demanded that Gentiles be circumcised in order to be saved. Others insisted that following Jewish dietary restrictions were required. Still others felt that following other traditions was an imperative, and some of these were extremely rigorous.  But the traditions of men stifle, imprison, and even kill us spiritually. Today we do the same things. We hold onto our traditions and demand others follow them as well. “If you don’t speak in tongues, you aren’t truly saved,” some say. “If you don’t believe exactly like I believe, you can’t be saved,” others say. “If you don’t worship the way that we worship, you can’t be saved.” Sadly, in our insistence, we are telling people that salvation isn’t by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saying that His shed blood is not sufficient. But if we listen to the One Who was with God in the beginning, the One Who is God in the flesh, the triune God evidenced as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we will find life, freedom, and power – we will be COMPLETE! For He is power, and His grace is all we need!

Skyscraper or Shack?

Colossians 2:4-7 – Skyscraper or Shack?

A bank president once told me that when he trains his tellers to recognize counterfeit money, he never shows them a counterfeit bill. He makes them hold, count, touch, and smell the real thing. He said that the reason for this is once you know what the real thing feels like, you just know when a fake bill crosses your fingers. 

It is so easy to be deceived by persuasive words – unless we know the truth so deeply that we cannot be tricked. Paul said it this way: we will be deceived easily unless we are grounded in the faith and hope of Jesus. This is the mystery that has been revealed in Christ Jesus, and knowledge of the mystery, the fact that God the Father loves us so much that He made a way for us to know Him intimately, protects us from being led astray. You see, when we truly know Him and His truth, no amount of persuasive words can deceive us.

Paul knows! He knows that our only hope to survive the onslaught coming our way is to be rooted in Jesus. We received Him in faith, so we must live this life in faith. We surrendered to Him in obedience, we must then live in surrender and obedience. We received Him as a love-gift, so we must live as if every moment is that same gift of love. And as we do so, we are rooted/grounded/given a solid foundation upon which His Spirit builds us up! Skyscraper or shack? It’s our choice based on the faith by which we live. For that, we can be thankful.

A Burden to Encourage

Colossians 2:1-3 - A Burden to Encourage 

Paul is a man of many emotions. We have seen him grateful, hopeful, confident, and rejoicing. And as we begin chapter 2, Paul tells us that he agonizes over Christians that he has never met as well as those to whom he has had the opportunity to minister. What is his burden? That they will be encouraged in their hearts. Isn’t that amazing? This is a man who has been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and left for dead, and he is broken-hearted because he knows they need encouragement. No doubt the struggles of the Christian life had brought many down – depression was a constant threat. Oftentimes, depression causes us to focus only on ourselves, and usually that focus is extremely negative. Thoughts that would never normally cross our minds capture us: thoughts of worthlessness and uselessness.

Even Christians need encouragement, and I’m here to tell you that encouragement comes through prayer. Yes, we need to pray, and we need others praying for us. But encouragement also comes from the fellowship of love that is centered in the family of God. Sadly, when we become discouraged, our first move is to pull away from the family, but we are truly knit together in love, fashioned into one body, and pulling away would require something as drastic as an amputation. And still, some do it, but as you read this, I want you to hear the truth and the passion in this next statement. The joy that comes from knowing that we are in this struggle together is indescribable. It isn’t a misery loves company kind of sentiment. It is the fellowship of soldiers fighting side-by-side. It is the loyalty of comrades lifting their brothers on their shoulders and carrying them into the future. Then add to that the supernatural enlightenment that comes as the Holy Spirit shows us the riches of His assurance and the understanding of the knowledge of the mystery that salvation is ours by God’s grace! As Dr. Chuck Kelly, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, always says, “There is a Hebrew word that describes this feeling: WOW!”

When we are in Christ and He is in us, we have access to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Him. In Him, we know everything we need to know about living the Christian life, a life of joy and victory, even when we are in the depths of depression. Thank you, Jesus, for these wonderful gifts!

That's Not Normal

Colossians 1:24-29 - That’s Not Normal!

Rejoicing in suffering is not normal. There is a psychological term for people like that – nut job. Okay, I admit that is not the technical term, but you get the idea. But for Paul, suffering for the Kingdom means becoming more like Jesus: suffering as He suffered for the church brings joy. What we have to understand is that there is a purpose and a power involved in this. The purpose is to preach the gospel to those who haven’t heard. The power is to reveal the mystery long-hidden but now made clear. What is that mystery? It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. In all my years as a Christian, I have never had anyone to adequately – at least in my opinion – explain this, but here is my attempt. Our hope of glory is the hope that cannot be obtained except through the shed blood of Jesus. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross so that all who would accept the free gift of salvation would spend eternity with Him. In Him. In Christ Jesus. That is our hope of glory: Hope for today because if we are in Him we are safe and sound, assured of God’s love and provision. And His provision includes everything from our basic needs to our spiritual maturity. But it is also hope for tomorrow – actually for all eternity – because He tells us that in Christ, we have the promise of heaven.

So Paul is willing to suffer for the Kingdom because God called him to minister; he became God’s gift to the Gentiles. His preaching would communicate the message that would transform lives, and every life transformed would be presented to God as perfect in Christ Jesus. This is Paul’s calling. Is it mine? Is it yours? In a sense, it is the calling for all of us to whom the mystery is revealed. God, help me today to faithfully labor for the Kingdom and to rejoice in my suffering. Make that my new normal!