The Everyday Prayer

Do you think it is amazing?  For all the problems of the Corinthian church, despite their embarassing public behavior, Paul never once questions that they are saved people.  He thanks God for them (1 Corinthians 1:4)  He calls them brothers (vs 10).  What he does do is confront their childish conflict as proof that they have much to learn.  They have life.  Now, they have to learn to live it.  Consider verse 9 as the first lesson.  They (we) have been called into fellowship with Christ.  The English is inadequate here.  Koinoinia is more than fellowship.  It is partnership.  It is shared life and common goals.  Not a partnership of equals, it is a Kingdom!  No longer my goals–His.  No longer my pride–His glory.  Conflict and bickering, whether in the church or the family is an indication that we have not surrendered to Him and therefore cannot surrender to each other.  Even for those who have life, there is still much to learn.

“To the church of God in Corinth. . .saints by calling” (1 Corinthians 1:2)  My wife Holly has certain names for me.  Some I like better than others, but all of them rise from her affection for me.  (OK, some of them rise from her affection)  Did you know that the Father has names for us?  The world calls us “christians” (little Christs–cf Acts 11:26)  Originally an insult (they have no thoughts or their own, they are just copies), it now seems like a compliment.  God’s names for us are “saints” and “called people”.  It is clearer in Greek than English, but “calling “in verse 2 is not a verb it is an adjective.  It is a seperate category.  We are holy people (saints) and we are called people.  More on this tomorrow, but would it change the way you lived if you could get in your mind (and keep it there) how God thinks of you?  You and I are His “called ones”

“To the church at Corinth. . .with all who in every place call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 1:2)  It is another nickname that the Father has for us.  (see yesterday’s blog for the on ramp to this discussion)  His name/description of us is “those who call on the name of the Lord.” It is what he observes in us.  People who live in Christ do not accept life and it’s sinful limitations, we are not content to let the world be lost, we CALL on HIS NAME!   We access His life for our lives.  The bible says that “those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved”  (Romans 10:13)  and will continue to be saved by the same means!  What a powerful promise!  Since God has called us into life, we have the privilege to call on Him for the power to live it.  As we rest before Him today, consider His prayer as an instruction on what you should ask.  Bless you, friend.  Don

It seems IMPOSSIBLE.  “I exhort you, brethren . . .that you all agree. . .and that there be no divisions among you.”  (1 Corinthians 1:10)  Was Paul not aware?    Christians, then and now, are SO divided–opinions, preferences, theology, denomination.  The secret is in the sentence that follows.  “that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  G Campbell Morgan believes that Paul was thinking of the mind of Christ and our complete surrender of every personal preference and thought to it.  When we do this, He becomes our unity.  We will still not be exactly alike (this by the very plan of God)  but we will share one unifying priority and passion–Jesus.  It is like the Tower of Babel in reverse (cf Genesis 11)  In Christ, the human race has its first opportunity to stand together in unity.  Not because I agree with you or you agree with me, but because we agree with Christ.  What an intriguing new possibility!

“I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus”  (1 Corinthians 1:4)  In the weeks ahead, we may look back and wonder how Paul could have been thankful for this group.  For 16 chapters in 1 Corinthians and 12 more in 2 Corinthians he struggles with these folks on many theological and moral issues.  They are arguing among themselves.  They condone immorality and misuse spiritual gifts.  This church is a mess!  But they are also people in whom Paul sees the grace of God at work and he is thankful.  It is a good reminder to  me.  No wrong or weakness should take away my gratitude for people in God’s family.  We are all flawed.  Rather than reject others for their imperfections, I am to be thankful and vested in their growth.  If God has given me grace, and He has, then I should return the favor by giving it to others.  More as the week continues.  My love to you, dear friends.  Don

Nehemiah was angry.  He was also wise enough to “consult with himself” (vs 5:7) before he said something he would regret.  Nevertheless, he was very angry that some of the leaders of Jerusalem were “not playing on the team”, not working toward agreed-on purposes.  He was seeking the welfare of the city, they were seeking personal gain.   They were “selling” their brothers (vs 8) at the very moment that he was “paying the price” (both personal and financial) for them to be free.  They were pulling.  He was pushing.  Do we ever find a similar situation in modern churches?  families?  nations?   As we come to worship this morning, please look around and consider, “Are all of these people here for the same purpose?”  “Are we working together?”  “Are we on the same team and, if not, what must be done to learn and experience the unity of the Spirit?”  I am looking forward to seeing you in a few hours.  We have much to talk about together.    My love to you dear friends, Don

I am glad to finally learn the lesson.  The KINGDOM comes with a certain amount of CONFLICT.  If everyone is happy, something is usually not right.  I learned it by watching the Lord deal with the Pharisees.  A serious collision!  I saw it again watching Paul confront Peter regarding his attitude and behavior toward Gentiles.  I saw it, this week, in Nehemiah.   When things were unfair and SELF-centered, when people claimed the Kingdom but acted the world, he confronted it.   One of the things that gives me hope for FBC these days is a growing willingness to confront issues that in the past have been too volatile.  No ugliness, just courage.  It makes me excited for the future!   It makes me know that we are part of the Kingdom of God.  I believe Jesus understands and approves.  I think Nehemiah does too.  I will see you tomorrow in worship.  My great love to you all,  Don

It will be a good sign when we can weep again.  It will be a sign of spiritual awakening, an indication that the Spirit of God is helping us “hear” and at sufficient depth of soul that we understand our desperate condition.  On that day, tears will indicate our hunger for light and life–not just for ourselves, but for others as well.  Nehemiah wept.  I hope you will read chapter 1 of his story.  When he heard the condition of Jerusalem he fasted and prayed and confessed his sins.  He was not emotionally numb.  Are we?  It reminds me of the Gospel of Mark.  (new Wednesday night study, first lecture was this past week)  When John the Baptist came, he brought a national spiritual awakening and, with it,  an intense awareness of sin.  “they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins”  (Mark 1:5)  They were upset and highly motivated.   It was a good sign, a sign of God’s grace.  I’m convinced it will be for us as well.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)  It is a miracle whenever it happens–unity among brothers.  Our sinful tendencies are in the opposite direction.  Churches split (and families).  Nations divide up into “special interest groups” and create a climate of harsh criticism and non-cooperation.  Dangerous!  “Brothers, we will either hang together or we will hang separately” Ben Franklin reportedly told the members of the Continental Congress.  Nehemiah is, therefore, that much more inspiring.  He has the courage to face issues honestly and require them to be addressed publically.  He is selfless and sacrificial and courageous.  As you read Nehemiah 2 and 5, as you prepare for Sunday worship and study, what steps could you take, to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”?  (Ephesians 4:3)  As the Lord guides you to act with courage and humility for the purpose of unity, will you?

I learn leadership by reading Nehemiah.  He reminds me of the priority of unity.  To acheive the purposes of God,  people must work together.  Paul understood the same principle.  “Only conduct yourselves in a mannner worthy of the gospel of Christ. . .standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”  (Philippians 1:27)  When the inner unity of a church or a family or a Bible class breaks down, it has to be confronted.  Observe Nehemiah in chapter 5 of this week’s Re Verse reading.  He knows that disagreements must be honestly faced before God’s people can “get back to work” (the wall, remember?)   Confrontation is not a job I like.  It requires courage and prayer.  It is, however, a job that “comes with the territory” of seeking the purposes of God.  Remember Christ cleansing the temple?  Confronting Peter?  May God give us courage to face issues honestly.  It is a necessary step toward peace.