Re: Think 12-14-08 (part 2)

Today we will continue the conversation we began yesterday looking at the stories behind those Paul mentions at the end of his letter to the Colossians.  Yesterday we considered Tychicus and Onesimus and today we turn attention to Mark and Barnabas.

The Mark referred to in this letter is the same “John Mark” that defected from Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey.  He was source of a quite heated conflict between Paul and Barnabas that lead to their going seperate ways in Acts 15.  Yet, under the careful guidance of Barnabas, Mark redeemed his reputation so that he and the apostle are again on friendly terms.  Mark is with Paul in his imprisonment and mentioned again in Philemon as Paul’s fellow worker. In 2 Timothy 4:11 in a clear display of reconciliation he is commended as a faithful worker In addition to this, he is credited popularly with the writing of the Gospel of Mark as well.

John Mark stands as an incredible example of one who wouldn’t let failure be the end of his story.  Look at the Power of God in his life, in not only reconciling him with Paul, but also in restoring him to ministry.

To often the Christian Army is known for being one that shoots its wounded when instead it should be remembered as one who lifts up those who are downtrodden and restores them to meaningful life and ministry.  This is exactly what happend with John Mark.

Barnabas is the type of man everyone would want as a best friend.  He is the always faithful servant; rock solid and spiritually steady.  We first read of him in Acts 4 when he sells a field he owns and brings the money to the feet of the apostles.  His name means “Son of Encouragement” and this title is lived out in his building up and restoration of John Mark and reconciliation garnered between he and Paul.

Re: Think 12-14-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday. Yesterday we wrapped up our four month examination of the book of Colossians.  It has been both an encouraging and convicting journey looking at Paul’s words to a church not very old.  Paul wrote to remind them of who Jesus is and who they are as a result.  He concluded in Colossians 4:7-18 with final greetings that, though easy to gloss over, hold a cavalcade of truth for our edification.

As we walked through Paul’s final words we took an individual look, though brief, at each person Paul mentioned and drew, not only encouragement, but also conviction as we asked whether or not we would be as those named.  Since there are many to be named, over the course of this week we will look at a few at a time, so check back throughout the week for more information.

Today we will look quickly at the first two named, Tychicus and Onesimus.  We first encounter Tychicus in Acts 20 as one, along with several others, who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem.  Tychicus was the bearer of the letter to the Colossians and Ephesians, as well as the letter to the church in Laodicea.  Peter O’Brien tells us in his commentary that it is possible he was Paul’s special envoy, or right hand man, to the churches of Provincial Asia which had been established during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.  We also read of him again in 2 Timothy 4:12 towards the end of Paul’s ministry.  Paul calls Tychicus a loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave.  “Loved Brother” is Paul’s favorite way of referring to members of the communities to whom he was writing, and it is expressive of the very real relationship that exists between Christians and members of God’s family.  Paul also says Tychicus is his “fellow slave in the Lord”.  This could mean that he is sitting next to him in jail as he writes.

Onesimus is also called a faithful and loved  brother.  In addition Paul reminds them he is “one of them”.  If you remember, this is the same Onesimus who prompted the writing of the letter to Philemon.  He was once a worthless slave who had abandoned his master Philemon, yet heard the Gospel from Paul and believed while in Ephesus.  In fact, it is quite probable Onesimus is headed back to his master Philemon at Colossae with a letter commending his return.  Onesimus was one who, as a slave, had absolutely no rights and privileges under Roman Law, he would have been of no account to most, yet he is Paul’s spiritual son, entrusted to deliver a message of commendation and reconciliation.

What incredible power the Gospel exhibits, those who were once enemies could be reconciled.  Those who were but slaves, could be counted as free men in Christ.  Moreover, us who were once Spiritual slaves of sin and death could be set free in Christ.

Tomorrow we will continue our look at these Paul mentions, turning attention to Mark, and Barnabas.

Re: Think 11-30-08 (part 2)

This is a continuation of our conversation from yesterday concerning Colossians 4:5-6.  Yesterday we spoke of what the nature of a Transformed Walk looks like and today we turn attention toward Transformed Talk.

When I was going to college in Casper, Wy I remember attending a January Bible study at a sister church in our area.  I don’t really recall what the subject was, nor much else of what happened but what I do remember is something that Pastor Gary Hans said.  You have to realize Pastor Gary came to faith in Christ well into adulthood and later felt the call to serve God as Pastor of this small church.  Nonetheless his preaching cut straight to the heart when he said,

If your talking the talk and not walking the walk, you need to shut up!

There were shocked eyes (none more than his wife’s) and a few Amen’s sprinkled throughout the congregation.  Even though this is an incredibly true statement, I wonder how often we fail as believers to even talk the talk.  For all of our speak of relational methods of evangelism, the evangelism is left out, leaving us with anemic and purposeless relationship.  Paul in his letter to the Colossian church reminds them the key to “making the most of their time” is by speaking graciously and savouringly in order to answer each person.  Paul has effective evangelism in view here, desiring others to know the Christ whom he preaches through mouth watering speech.

I think it was O’Brien in his commentary on Colossians who asked,”When we speak about Christ are we speaking in a way that makes people’s mouths water?”.  That’s a powerful question.  Often as Christians we are known more for what we are against rather than speaking kind, gracious and life giving words.  Remember our mission is to be part of God’s mission in reconciling a lost and dying humanity back to Himself, and that requires having an answer for the hope that lay within us.

This week I challenge you to practice the 5-3-1 rule.  Meet 5 new people, have good conversations with 3 of them and tell 1 about the hope you have in Christ.  This may sound trite and simplistic, but if you fail to have a plan, you plan to fail.

What are some ways you endeavor to tell others about Christ?

Re: Think 11-30-08 (part 1)

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.  On Sunday last we continued our examination of who we are as transformed people in light of Christ’s accomplishment on our behalf.  Specifically in Colossians 4:5-6 we saw two more markers of a transformed life; 1) A Transformed Walk; 2) Transformed Talk.  Today we will examine the first, tomorrow the second

Walking is a manner of life our “spiritual stride” if you will.  This isn’t strictly appearance motivated but includes how we spend our money, treat our families and interact with others.  Paul calls us to walk in Wisdom, something entirely different that the standard that is set forth by others.  The Wisdom of God is concerned with everyday life.

To often in the ghetto of our squeaky clean Christian subculture we have placed emphasis in the wrong place.  We have memorized “love your neighbor”, but don’t even know our neighbor’s name.  We have also memorized, “look after orphans and widows and those in distress”, but haven’t touched the life of a child other than our own.  We read of Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, but cannot remember the last time we shared a meal with an unbeliever.

Truly walking in Wisdom focuses our attention outward, rather than inward and comes not so much in the classroom as it does in the crucible of everyday life.

God didn’t send His son to die on the Cross so you could sit on your couch and eat spiritual bon bons all day, but so that you may have life and have it abundantly, realizing your mission in this new life, is not to get fat spiritually fat and happy, but to join Him in His mission of reconciling a lost and dying humanity back to Himself.

For Paul, and us as well, this is what “making the most of our time” looks like.  It is seizing upon every moment that comes.  I know I am tremendously guilty for always looking forward to what’s next.  Like right now, I’m looking past getting this post done to a meeting I have in about 40 minutes.  Yet, when we continually look past where we are, we miss out on what is right in front of us and often this is where God desires to do His greatest work.  We need to remember moment has the opportunity to be soul saving.

When you think of “Walking worthy” what comes to mind?  Are you guilty like me of always looking ahead instead of asking what God is doing with you in the moment?  Any thoughts?

Re Think: 11-23-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

Yesterday we talked about prayer.  While there is surely much that can be said about prayer; infinitely more than can be written in a blog post, here in Colossians 4:2-4 Paul gives us a bit of insight into what the character and direction of transformed prayer are to be.

First we see that Prayer is to be Persistant.  Sam Storms reminds us, :”The easiest thing about prayer is quitting.”  Instead of being quitters we are to persist even in times when it seems there is no response.  When we persist in prayer we are like the petitioning widow in Luke 18 who cries out for justice unrelentingly and the judge acquiesces.  However, unlike the widow, we have a just judge who will grant justsice to His elect who cry out day and night.  Persisting in prayer purifies the content of our prayer, cultivates patience and is God’s way of developing dependence on Him

Prayer in many ways is the conversation through which our desires come to line up more and more with His, not the other way around.

Not only is the character of our prayer to be persistent, it is also to be Thankful.  We pray thankfully because we have a God who not only hears our prayers but answers.  Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, He is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think.  If we believe this, are we begging God in prayer.  And if in fact we are begging, what are begging for, and when we do beg, do we expect Him to respond?

Paul shows us Prayer is not only to be persistent and thankful, it is also to be centered on God’s mission in the world.  Paul prays that a door would be opened and that he would be able to speak clearly.  Where Paul is concerend with effective evangelism and service in the midst of his chains, we are too often concerned with safety and security.  John Fischer says this:

We as Christians need to learn the danger of living in a dangerous world and trust not a safe subculture to protect us, but a praying Savior…We want to be in a safer world; God wants us to be safe in an unsafe world.  We want to protect ourselves from danger, God wants to protect us in the middle of danger

In the end, we need to be reminded that it isn’t so much how long we pray or even how often, but that we just pray.

Any thoughts?

Re: Think 11-02-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

Last Sunday we looked at Living the True Remedy, or in other words; how is it that we as followers of Christ can begin to live out in real terms our understanding of who Christ is.  In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul begins to explain what this relationship lived out really looks like.  These verses serve as a bridge between how we are to think about Jesus Theologically and then how we live in a relationship with Him in light of that.

Since we believe what we do about the person and work of Christ, our lives will look different because of that.  To begin explaining what he means Paul tells us we need to

  1. Seek what is above
  2. Remember who we are
  3. Hold on to hope

We seek what is above because that’s where Jesus is.  The appeal of heavenly things is the presence of Christ.  Without Christ all of the things of heaven, whether reunion with loved ones who have gone before, or the absence of pain and sorrow would be the torments of Hell, for what makes Heaven such a glorious place is the presence of Christ.  We also seek what is above, because we are not perfect people and this is not a perfect place.  All around us we see the results of a cracked existence, even when we look in the mirror.  In so many ways we are marred by the effects of sin.

It is the result of sin that causes mothers to slaughter their unborn children and call it a personal choice.  It is the result of sin that causes children in other parts of the world and even within the US to go to sleep hungry and others to be sold into sexual slavery.  It is the result of sin that causes madmen to high-jack airplanes and fly them into buildings killing thousands, and it is the result of sin that causes husbands to hit their wives and wives to speak evil of their husbands to others as well as children to act and speak in disrespectful ways.

Sin is a pandemic of epic proportion and the only true Remedy is Jesus

In addition to seeking what is above, we need to remember who we are.  Paul is constantly reminding the Colossian believers and us as well that our true identity is wrapped up in who Christ is.  We are now dead to an old way of life and we are now hidden with Christ.  This gives us great hope, for in Christ we are safe secure and unleashed to do His will.  We need to remember that in this relationship there is no “I”.  We own nothing and are merely outward beneficiaries of divine mercy given to us.

Finally, Paul reminds us we need to hold on to hope, for when Christ is revealed, we will be revealed with Him.  Right now we are only mere shells of what God has created us to be and as Paul says in Corinthians, at this time we carry around the glory of God in these un-ordained clay pots of our ordinary lives and one day we will be made whole again.

Re: Think 10-26-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

In honor of Reformation Sunday we began our time together by remembering why we are Protestant.  We remembered the day nearly 500 years ago when a Monk and a Mallet changed the world.  We remembered what had to transpire for the church to be turned upside down by the Catholic who could never get right with God.  Contrary to the raw bag of goods that Tetzel and the Pope had been selling Martin Luther came preaching Justification on the basis of Faith alone in Christ alone.

Luther was not the first to confront Bad Theology as we have witnessed Paul warring against the same in his letter to the church in Colosse.  On Sunday we focused in on Colossians 2:16-23 and  the Deception of Bad Theology; noting what Bad Theology is, Where it leads to and finally where the Remedy could be found.

The heresy Paul confronted in Colosse consisted mainly of an amalgum of Judaism, Gnosticism and other prevalent philosophies of the day.  The result of these combinations lead to one of two perverted camps.  One camp sold a Jesus+Rules Salvation leading to Legalism.  The second camp preached a gospel characterized by Jesus+Experience leading to syncretism.  Both of these are perverted for the True Gospel is Jesus+Nothing.  In order to spot Bad Theology we pointed to a few characteristics of Bad Theology.  Bad Theology is:

  1. Judgment Based instead of Grace Based
  2. Concerned with the Temporary instead of the Eternal
  3. Focused on Outward Action instead of Inward Change
  4. Man Centered instead of Christ Centered
  5. Extra Biblical
  6. Selective

We saw that Bad Theology leads to Legalism and Syncretism.  Legalism is when we add to the Gospel a list of Rules and Regulations over and against what the Bible has laid down.  Syncretism is when we throw Jesus into a pot with New Age Spirituality, defunct types of supernatural worship or any other experiential element and create a freak God we Worship instead of the One True God (Read Oprah here).  In addition Bad Theology leads to Pride and a misplacement of God as we think we “know better” and even go so far as to look for vacancies within the Trinity.

The Rememdy according to Paul is to remember where the true Substance lies, not in law keeping or experience seeking, but in Christ.  Many of us have become Sleepy Hollow Christians becoming disconnected from our head who is Jesus and much like the horseman in the mythical tale, replacing it with a pumpkin or much worse.

This Sunday we will dig deeper into where the true Remedy lay as Paul moves forward in Colossians 3:1-4.  A couple of questions to consider:

  1. Why is it so easy to attempt to add to the Gospel something that doesn’t belong?
  2. What are some safeguards against practicing Bad Theology?
  3. How can I reconnect with Christ who is my head?

Any thoughts?

Re: Think 10-19-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

Last Sunday at DCC we saw that sometimes hard words are needed to communicate glorious truth and Paul’s words to the Church in Colosee are no different.  Using the language of circumcision and baptism Paul reminds the believers in Colossians 2:11-15 that they have been buried with Christ in death and raised through faith in Him into a new way of life. Paul uses circumcision as a gruesomely vivid illustration of what happend not only to the literal body of Christ, as it was stripped away by His death on the cross, but also to our sin nature.  In this example Paul also shows how having the “tattoo” of circumcision is not what guarantees new life, because it is a circumcision “not made with hands”, but rather it is about the accomplishment of Christ on our behalf.

In a simular manner, Paul points to baptism as an incredibly beautiful picture of being buried with Christ and then raised to walk with Him.

Just as circumcision was to be an outward sign of an inward change, so it is with Baptism.  When we are baptized we proclaim to the world that we belong to Christ.  We proclaim we are dead to an old way of living, buried with Him in death and raised to walk in a new way of life.

Neither circumcision nor baptism are mighty to save in and of themselves, but rather only “faith in the working of God”.  We noted how faith is a conscious experience of the heart yeilding to the work of God, and since this is not something infants are able to experience, they are not fit subjects of baptism.  (Thanks to John Piper for this succint explanation) While some would say that Baptism in the New Testament is the equivalent of circumcision in the old, because both mark out the covenant people of God, we remembered that the New Testament equivalent of circumcsion is not Baptism, but rather again, “faith in the working of God”.

Moving from the hard words Paul, tells us of the glorious truth they communicate.  First we were once dead in sin, but now we are alive in Christ.

Life without God is a living death, a zombie like existence.  When you are dead in sin you are a living shell of the existence God has for you.  You are spiritually dead, in a perpetual coma with no hope of recovery.  Everything looks relatively normal on the outside, the skin is warm, peace looks apparent, but in reality there is no life happening on the inside.  So it is with those who are outside of a relationship with God in Christ.

We are also freed from a debt that we could never repay.  Not only did God cancel our debt in the death of Christ, He also destroyed the document on which our debt was recorded.  Christ accomplished this removal in the most unbelievable way, through humility and weakness.  Christ made a mockery of Satan on the Cross.  The very element that was thought to gain victory for evil was that which God used to secure victory on our behalf.

The cross was a shame, a reproach, a sign of disgrace, yet we glory in and only in the cross.  We call it wondrous, beautiful, mighty, awesome, glorious.  We sing and marvel at its greatness because of what it guarantees.

As we sing in the old hymn; “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow”

How is the triumph of Christ evident in your life?

Re: Think 10-12-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

Examining verses 4-10 of the 2nd Chapter of Colossians we discussed the Ironic Simplicity of the Christ Centered life.  Continuing his assault on the heresies that plagued the church in Colossae, Paul wrote to the Colossians encouraging them to 1) Know what they believed; 2) Walk in Him; and 3) Live thankful.

In a time in which many were abandoning the faith for a perverted gospel marked by ascetic practice, angel worship and culturally syncronistic secret knowledge Paul challenged the Colossians to Beware of false doctrine.  On Sunday we asked where the basis of our faith really did lay.  Is our belief based on merely a persuasive argument or on a crucified Christ?  Did we merely believe because we were talked in, or reliant upon some spiritual guarantee or because we really believed ourselves to be sinners in need of a Savior?  My hope is because of the latter not the former.

Walking “in Christ” presupposes we have “received Him as Lord”, placed the entirety of our lives under His authority and surrendered to His command to follow in obedience.  We realized this begins with repentance and continues with the work of God in Sanctification.  Darrin Patrick defines Sanctification in this way:

Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives

Sanctification is where our relationship with God moves from the theoretical to the practical.  Our relationship with God will actually change the way that we live.  If we claim to know Christ in a personal way, yet our lives do not bear a marked difference, than we are either lying or have failed to understand what being a disciple is truly all about.

Thankfulness is how we know we are living the Gospel.  True disciples will live thankful lives and this will overflow into the relationships we share with others.

Some questions this week.  Where do you see the intersection of your responsibility and God’s activity in Sanctification?  How can your life practically show thankfulness?  Any thoughts?

Re: Think 10-05-08

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

It has been quite awhile since our last opportunity to think on the events of the past Sunday.  Days drag on, things get crazy and this pastor has been delinquent…My apologies.

Yesterday we launched into a significant turning point in our study of the book of Colossians.  After Paul had spent the majority of the 1st Chapter examining who Christ is and explaining to the Colossian believers, and the rest of us as well, the magnificence and importance of who Jesus is, he now begins to show what importance that takes in living the Christian life in Colossians 1:24-2:3

Beginning with the example of his own ministry, Paul speaks of how his understanding of Christ influences how he approaches suffering.  While rejoicing in his suffering, Paul shows us the character of what it means to joyously suffer for Christ.

We noted that: 1) Joyous Suffering is Meaningful; 2) Joyous Suffering has Christ as its Goal; 3) Joyous Suffering is not based on our own strength.

Suffering is not overwhelmingly popular in our world today, especially in the church.  This is a sad reality for the majority of the New Testament is dedicated to showing us how we will suffer because of the message of the Gospel.

In many ways suffering was God’s child training for believers in the 1st Century church.

As you came to embrace the message of Jesus as Messiah, you would suffer in sharing that message with those around you.  We have entirely screwed up what it means to be a disciple in the Western Church today.  Discipleship in the 1st Century looked like this.  You embrace Jesus as the Messiah, you share that message with those around you, you get beat up, spit on, dragged into court, testify greatly and get thrown into jail.  After getting beat some more you would gather with other believers for prayer and encouragement and go out to do it all over again.  Finally, when you would be run out of that town, you would arrive at another to do it all over again.

This Suffering is Meaningful because it has Christ as its goal.  The suffering is worth it, because Christ in us is the hope of glory. It is not retiring well, avoiding pain, or living peacefully that is our hope of Glory, but rather Christ in us.  We saw that this is the primary motivation for everything we do in the Christian life.

Christ in us the hope of Glory is the theme of our life, it is why we labor and strive, it is why we plant churches, it is why we sacrificially give, why we go to the hard places, because He is the hope of Glory.  There is no other way to spend our lives that would be of any account that could match up to the immeasurable greatness of proclaiming HIm as the Hope of Glory to a lost and dying world

Finally, we saw that Joyous Suffering is not based on our own strength, but rather on His and His alone.  Often times we grow weary, for the battle we are attempting to fight is done more out of our own strength rather than falling on Him.

In what ways have we misunderstood suffering in the Christian life today?  How does having Christ as the hope of Glory transform how we are to live here and now?  Any thoughts?

*Thanks to Matt Stone for the pic

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