Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day four) It is for love of Christ…He died for us…He brought forgiveness and life through His resurrection. Because of His work, we are new. Everything in our lives is new as a result of His work of reconciliation. By faith, we trust Him…receive forgiveness…and become ambassadors for Christ. Ambassadors are sent by one sovereign to represent him in another country. Christ has sent us to tell of his work of reconciliation here on earth. Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Out of reverence to Christ, we walk in a manner worthy of Him. As His ambassador, we must represent Him accurately to the world. Are you living a crucified life?
Impending
Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day three)
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.” The clock tower of a church in Dallas reads “Night Cometh”. Wow. What a killjoy for a church’s image. Well, it’s not culturally attractive, but it sure is scripturally sound. These are in fact the very words of Jesus in John 9:4. If we were to consider with greater seriousness the reality of the impending judgment of God on this world, we might worry less about image and soften our hearts more towards people we encounter on a daily basis. We could make a practice of speaking these words as part of our morning devotion each day: Night cometh. How would these words begin to shape the way we live with others?
Ambassadors
Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day two)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ 2 Corinth. 5:20 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you 1 Peter 3:15
One of the best jobs I had as an undergraduate was to be a Student Ambassador for my university. It was a way to welcome incoming and interested students and families to the school. We would take them on tours of the campus, set up meetings with professors, and answer questions about campus life and the university in general. As a result we were required to know quite a bit about the school. This knowledge was very helpful when you were asked about a subject usually unfamiliar to you. The reward came the next fall when you saw those individuals now on campus as students.
We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ. It is our job to be ready in season or out to give an account of our love for Jesus. By God’s spirit and our love of the Word we can be ready to help others have that same kind of love.
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!