New life, new logic

Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day one)

With new life comes new logic.  Christianity is a new way to think!  The Apostles, who recorded the truths revealed in Christ, were bold to declare a revolutionary equation that came to the world after the cross and resurrection.   1)  He died for all.  2)  We should live for Him.  3)  Therefore, we should live for all, including and especially lost people. (2 Corinthians 5:15) It’s missionary logic!  Those who receive grace from God, are obligated to give it away. (Romans 1:14)  “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11) How can we do otherwise?   Did the first followers repeat this logic over and over?  Did they write this new equation in their journals in an disciplined effort to “be transformed by the renewing of the mind”.  Probably. Want to try it? Want to love Him with your mind?  Say the words to yourself!  Write them down!  Repeat them every day! New life. . .new logic.

Self-excluded

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day seven)

“I don’t even remember the season.  I just remember walking. . . and feeling for the first time that I belonged somewhere.”–Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.   Remember when you were a kid?  You wanted to be ON a team, IN a group?  You wanted to belong.  Some adults try to forget this longing.  God wants us to remember it.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul describes a miracle.  When we are reconciled to God, we are placed on a team.  God’s team.  We become members of a body.  The body of Christ.

Sometimes we fall short of this lofty truth because we self exclude.  “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong”, says v 15.  Sad.  You DO belong, you just don’t experience the encouragement of it.

What could you do this week to discover and embrace this idea?  Say it!  Say it loudly ! “If I am in Christ, I belong!”

A very Good People

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day six)

I was reminded last night of the many blessings in belonging to the FBC family. There is a sweet goodness among us, an eagerness to learn of our great inheritance in Christ. That was very evident last night as over 170 leaders from FBCSA gathered for equipping and training at our first annual Main Event. Jonathan, a dear friend leading one of the many breakout sessions, kept saying to me following the event, “These are good people; I can sense a readiness to join God in what He is doing.” And he is right!

This doesn’t magically happen of course. Our re:verse texts remind us that God is the grand architect of the church-His people. He is fitting us together, all the various parts, that we might encourage one another to “love and good deeds.” That is why we must not neglect gathering together, whether that be in worship, Bible study, or on mission. We are God’s children after all, to neglect those activities, is to deny the very core of our identity in Christ-who we are. So God’s design for us, is that the more we build community (worship, Bible study, and mission) with one another, the more we realize and live out our truest identity in God.

A church like that does not go unnoticed. No, in fact our “light on a hill” becomes brighter and brighter. Let’s shine on!

Distinguishing

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day five)

Acts 4 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul.

There are many distinguishing marks of a person who has been given new life and a new heart in Christ: hunger for the scriptures, different strategy for battling sin, love for Jesus, love for others, and a love for the church (people/family of God). This love for the church results in more than appreciation and affection for other believers. Yes, something deeper and more significant happens to believers that who are called and placed by God to worship, serve, and be a light together. One of the distinguishing marks of a church (people) filled with Holy Spirit is unity. Only the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit can unify a group or body of believers in mission, purpose, priority, and activity. The presence and power of God are clearly on display when His children and church are unified and are joyfully and intentionally deepening friendships/relationships with each other.

 

 

Perfect Health

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day four) The relationship within the church is much more than a group of people joined together to learn about God and do good things. When we trust Christ and are filled with the Spirit and baptized into the fellowship of the church, we enter a unique relationship. Faith in Christ removes barriers like rich or poor, slave or free, Jews or Greeks…we become one in Christ. Just as in a marriage, we become one. In the early church, they shared all their possessions so that no fellow believer suffered for lack of provision. Paul described the relationship as a body…with different parts, but all a part of the whole. Each part functioned for the good of the whole. For the body to function fully, every part must be working smoothly and thoroughly. Have you done a checkup lately to see how your part is functioning? The church needs your part to be in perfect health!

Saved

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day three)

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’” When the human body experiences an organ transplant, massive doses of anti-rejection drugs soon follow. A body cannot fight itself and live. The human race cannot fight one another and live. The church is the sole representative of the kingdom of God on earth. Its mission consists of living the way Jesus taught us to live with one another—which is the only way to stay alive. If the church will not live that way, if the church fights itself, death comes, no one gets saved, and the human race is doomed. Loving one another in the church of our Lord is not only obedience, it’s life support for the whole world.

Encourager-in-Chief

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day two)

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Heb. 10:24-25

Perhaps you know her, or perhaps you should get to know her. Her name is Ila. Long before I could put a face with a name she was special to me. For years after I would sing a solo in church I would receive a bulletin the next week with the song circled in blue pen and a note of encouragement next to it. A short sentence, a note to say how much she was blessed, and then her name. It was simple, and probably took less than a minute to do, but it made a huge impact on me. I remember the first time I actually met her. I couldn’t wait to hug her tell her what her words had meant to me. It was a double blessing really. Can you imagine how much greater our communications would be received if we all took the time to build each other up instead of tearing each other down. By the way, Ila, I think you’re great!

 

Corpus Christi

Re: Verse reading–Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day one)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.”—1 Corinthians 12:27.

Familiar words.  The Roman Catholic Mass reaches a traditional climax when the priest holds the bread before the communicant and declares “Corpus Christi”, or, “the body of Christ”.  The Scripture uses the same words in a different way–to describe what has happened to US in salvation.  We became His body!  Just as Christ was given a physical body in the incarnation, arms, lips, legs–all which served His purposes and connected Him to the physical world, so, now, Christ-followers serve that purpose in similar fashion.

Every year in our nation, millions are spent on cosmetic surgery, diet and exercise plans.  We are very “body” conscious.  O that we would be AS conscious of our privilege to be members of Christ’s body.  Responding to our Head, available for the doing of His will, Corpus Christi–for us both truth and prayer.

Thank God for Pastors

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17-18 (day seven)

I thank God, this morning, for my Pastors.  Shad Rue. Carlos McLeod.  Lonnie Hayter.  BO Baker.  Dan Yeary.  They have inspired, challenged and coached me.

I thank God for calling me to be a Pastor.  For the privilege to “speak His word”.  For the lessons I’ve learned from the people I’ve led.  The patience.  The wisdom. The encouragement.

I thank God for the church.  For the Savior who purchased this people with His blood.  For the Spirit who empowers and guides us.  For the Scripture which is the foundation that never shifts under our feet.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders.  Instead, teach them to YEARN FOR THE VAST AND ENDLESS SEA.”–Antoine de Saint Exupery.

For 45 years, God has been faithful to send people into my life who have taught me this yearning.  I thank God for them.

The Death of Hubris

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17-18 (day six)

This is all very humbling, and sobering To think that God has called me to join other faithful men to serve and lead the FBC family. You would think that these texts would have an opposite affect, arrogance, hubris, but this is far from the truth. These words that Paul writes, do a marvelous job of whittling me down to size. They do so by reminding me of the great significance of what I am called to do; that it is no small thing. It is a collosal thing to be listened to, obeyed, or imitated; it puts leadership in proper perspective. Perhaps, this is what Paul intended all along, to thrust men called to lead His church into total dependency. This calling to lead is not one to take for granted, or to take lightly.

Lord help me not to do either, but only ever follow your Son Jesus, as I show others how to do the same.