4/16/13

From Gary Womack... DEFINING OUR IDENTITY (two parts)



DEFINING OUR IDENTITY

Part 1

1. How do we define our identity as God's people - the church?

2. How does the world view us?

These questions we will answer from the scriptures

We are not identified by where we meet

Acts 5:12-13 The church initially met in the open on Solomon's porch.
Notice - These 5,000 were "esteemed highly" by those
outside of the body of Christ.

Acts 5:42 They met in the temple & every house.

Acts 19:5-10 At Ephesus - they first met at the synagogue then in a school

At the time Paul wrote to the church at Corinth from Ephesus: (57AD?)

1 Cor. 16:19 "The churches of Asia greet you. Aquilla and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."

At the church at Colosse:

Phil. 2 "to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house."

Notice - They met in the house of Apphia (probably the wife) & Archippus who was a minister of the gospel:

Col. 4:17 "And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.' "

We can become preoccupied with concern about what the world thinks about us

What we need to be concerned about is: What does the world think about Christ.

Mt. 16:13-16 "Who do men say that I am - who do you say that I am?

1 Jn. 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called Children of God ! Therefore the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him."

If we want the world to know who we are, we need to let the world know who Jesus Christ is.
This should be our emphasis

Num. 14:1-19 When Israel refused to enter Canaan, God was ready to destroy them, but Joshua pleaded on their behalf.

Notice - he was concerned for what Egypt & the people of the land would think about God if He destroyed the Israelites.

We need to be concerned about what the world thinks about Jesus Christ based on our example as His people.

We can bring reproach upon Christ by improper conduct:

Examples: at Corinth:

1 Cor. 5:1-2 The sexual sin that even Gentiles (the world) did not condone 
1 Cor. 6:1-8 They went to the worldly courts to hear their own cases which they should have been wise enough to judge.

As His children our conduct is to be "honorable among the Gentiles" (world)

1 Pet. 2:11-ff Our conduct as individuals is to be honorable & patterned by Christ's example.

As His children - individually - we can bring Christ to open shame.

Heb. 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, (6) if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."


INVITATION

Our concern should be that for which Paul prayed on behalf of the church at Colosse:

Col. 1:9-14 "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

vs. 18 "He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."



DEFINING OUR IDENTITY
Part 2

Past questions we asked:
1. How do we define our identity as God's people - the church?
2. How does the world view us?

Past points we covered:
1. We are not identified by where we meet.
2. We can become preoccupied about what the world thinks about us.
3. What we need to be concerned about is what does the world think about Christ.
4. If we want the world to know who we are, we need to let the world know who Christ is.
5. The world needs to see Christ through our example as His people.

We are God's own special people - a spiritual house - a holy priesthood

1 Pet. 2:9-10 A peculiar (kjv) people - intended to offer up spiritual sacrifices

Peculiar - [peripoiesis] "An obtaining, an  acquisition, purchased possession."

Acts 20:28 to the Ephesian elders: "Therefore take heed to your selves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to
shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood."

1 Cor. 6:20 "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

God makes a distinction between His own possession & the world

Consider the example of His people (Israelites) in Egypt:

1. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of flies:

Ex. 8:20-23 There were no flies in Goshen - showing who God was with.

2. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the pestilence:

Ex. 9:1-6 None of Israel's livestock died.

3.God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of darkness

Ex. 10:21-23 While all Egypt was in darkness, Israel had light in their houses

4. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of death:

Ex. 11:4-7 By this final plague, Pharaoh would know God distinguishes between His people and the people of Egypt.


Because God made this distinction - did this mean Israel was better?

Consider what God warned them before entering Canaan:

Deut. 6:10-7:5 They would be distinct from the nations around them by their submission to God's law which demanded a separation from
the people of the land.

We are to be distinct from the world in action and in purity

Jas. 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted
from the world."

We are to be distinct from the world by a different mindset:

Rom. 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which
is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be  conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Deut 7:6-11 God had chosen Israel & separated them from the nations because He loved them & keeps His promises.

1Pet. 2:1-10 We have come to Christ as a living stone In this we are distinguished from the world that rejects Him.

How do we define ourselves as God's people - the church?

Ezek. 37:15--ff Ezekiel's vision looked to both fleshly Israel & the churchThe world would know that God sanctifies (distinguishes) His people.

Compare this to Jeremiah's prophecy:

Jer. 31:31-34 A new covenant wherein is taught forgiveness of sins.

Tit. 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."


From Jim McGuiggan... My brother Alex


My brother Alex

As I write this my brother Alex is in intensive care. He’s been very ill for about a year now. Lost a lot of weight, complained of marked pain in his back, utter fatigue and in recent months he’s had more and more trouble breathing. He’s been a heavy smoker since boyhood and has been about 6 months into recovery—alcohol-free. It wasn’t hard to guess, without ever saying, that he had developed cancer but we only got the definitive word yesterday (24/12/08). I don’t know if we’re now looking at days or a week or so—probably days.
He’s eighteen months older than I am but in many ways especially in earlier years he seemed older than that—a sort of patriarch of the family. You know how it is in families; sometimes you have brothers who aren’t really brothers and sisters who aren’t really sisters and then there are those who hold “family” precious. Alex thought “family” precious. He was always very attentive to our mother and while he was never Jesus I can tell you that, all in all, he was and is a better man than I have ever been or will be in this life. There were things he forgave and needed to be forgiven of—nothing unique in that, is there?
Always intense (all the McGuiggans are I think) except on the day I baptized him into Jesus Christ about six years ago. We went to the water on his confession of trust in the Christ and committed himself to the care and service of our Lord. He listened with the air of a quiet child as I spoke to him about Jesus and he surrendered himself sweetly to all the little instructions his kid brother was giving to him as the baptism took place.
He was already ill then though the severity of it all developed into what this past year has revealed. He and his wife Ann have four fine sons and a sweet daughter. When they were children, though Alex didn’t attend church himself, he did everything to encourage and help Ann get the children out without fail to church and Sunday school. Three of those sons are presently spreading the gospel of Christ; two as local preachers and the other in the Christian publishing business and they’re raising their children in the nurture of the gospel of Jesus. The other two children are well aware of Jesus and maybe before too long will give their lives over to him to complete an entire “family salvation”. They already have such a disposition toward Christ.
I talked to Alex before he underwent surgery the other day and asked him if he was afraid of dying. He said he had concerns about his family, of course. I said that made perfect sense but “what of you, personally, are you worried?” He said he wasn’t because he had the right man in his corner. It’s astonishing (and yet…) how a few words can express a world-full of meaning and images and truth and can transform a tragic situation into something more than tragedy (not less than tragedy but more).
Ah, sin, disease and death—your day’s coming. To hell with you!
Hurry on, Jesus, life, righteousness, reunions and unbroken peace and adventure.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Family Of Jesus


                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                     The Family Of Jesus (3:20-21)

INTRODUCTION

1. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee certainly drew the attention of
   many...
   a. Multitudes followed Him everywhere - Mk 3:7-8
   b. Jesus' very life was endangered by the crowds - Mk 3:9-10
   c. The house where he stayed was besieged - Mk 3:19b-20

2. It also drew the attention of His physical family...
   a. Who were concerned about what they heard - Mk 3:21a
   b. Who sought to take Him into custody - Mk 3:21b
   c. For they even questioned His sanity - Mk 3:21c

[The reaction of His family is interesting, somewhat understandable.
Before we consider their reaction, and how they later responded to
Jesus, let's review what is revealed in the Scriptures about...]

I. THE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY

   A. HIS PARENTS...
      1. Mary - His birth mother
         a. A virgin until Jesus was born - Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-38
         b. Visited her cousin Elizabeth - Lk 1:39-56
         c. Gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem - Lk 2:1:19
         d. Took Jesus to Jerusalem when He was 12 - Lk 2:48-51
         e. Present with Jesus at a marriage in Cana - Jn 2:1-10
         f. Sought Jesus when He was teaching - Mt 12:46; Mk 3:31; Lk 8:19
         g. Present at the cross, committed to John's care - Jn 19:27
         h. With the disciples in Jerusalem following the ascension - Ac 1:14
      2. Joseph - His adoptive father
         a. Descendant of David - Mt 1:1-16
         b. Took Mary as wife, did not know her until Jesus was born
            - Mt 1:18-25
         c. From Nazareth, enrolled at Bethlehem - Lk 2:1-5
         d. Presented Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, returned to
            Nazareth - Lk 2:22-30
         e. Fled to Egypt, later re-settled in Nazareth - Mt 2:13-15,
            19-23
         f. Took Jesus to Jerusalem when He was 12 - Lk 2:48-51
         g. Supposed father of Jesus, a carpenter - Mt 13:55; Lk 3:23;
            4:22; Jn 1:45; 6:42
      -- Jesus was blessed to be born of a virtuous woman, and raised by
         a just man

   B. HIS SIBLINGS...
      1. Brothers - James, Joses, Simon, Judas
         a. All four mentioned by name on one occasion - Mk 6:3; Mt 13:55
         b. They accompanied Jesus and His mother from Cana to Capernaum
            - Jn 2:11-12
         c. Later, with Mary they sought to see Jesus - 
            Mk 3:31; Mt 12:46; Lk 8:19-20
      2. Sisters - Mary, Salome
         a. There were at least two sisters - Mt 13:56; Mk 6:3
         b. No names are given in the Scriptures
         c. Later Christian literature gives the names Mary and Salome
            - Protevangelium of James 19:3-20:4; Gospel of Philip 59:
            6-11; Epiphanius, Pan. 78.8.1; 78.9.6
      -- Jesus was blessed to have a number of half-siblings

[Some believe these "brothers" and "sisters" were actually step-siblings
or cousins, that His mother Mary remained a virgin all her life.  In any
case, let's now direct our attention to...]

II. THE MISGIVINGS IN HIS FAMILY

   A. BEFORE HIS RESURRECTION...
      1. Some thought He was crazy - Mk 3:21
         a. They thought "He is out of His mind"
         b. They endeavored to take custody of Him
      2. His brothers did not believe in Him - Jn 7:3-5
         a. They taunted Him to prove Himself
         b. To show Himself openly to the world
      -- When their brother claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God,
         who can blame them?

   B. AFTER HIS RESURRECTION...
      1. Jesus appeared to James - 1Co 15:8
      2. His brothers became His disciples - Ac 1:14
      3. James
         a. Became identified as "the Lord's brother", a pillar in the
            church, likely author of the epistle of James - Ac 12:17;
            15:13; 21:18; Ga 1:19; 2:19; Jm 1:1
         b. Martyred by being thrown from the pinnacle of the temple
            - Josephus, Eusebius
      4. Joses - little known, evidently became a traveling missionary
         - 1Co 9:5
      5. Simon - little known, likewise a traveling missionary - 1Co 9:5
      6. Judas - believed to be the author of the epistle of Jude - Ju
         1:1
      -- Jesus' resurrection from the dead overcame any misgivings by
         His brothers

CONCLUSION

1. The initial unbelief of some members of His family is
   understandable...
   a. Mary never doubted, for she alone really knew the truth about
      Jesus' birth
   b. But the doubt of His brothers was a normal reaction to His
      outlandish claims

2. Their initial unbelief and eventual faith can be thought-provoking...
   a. They did not believe despite the miracles of His ministry (why
      not?)
   b. Yet they later chose to follow His apostles and suffer for His
      cause (how come?)

3. The transformation in the skeptical members of Jesus' family is
   easily understood...
   a. If in fact Jesus did rise from the dead and appear to them
      afterward!
   b. Thus "The Family Of Jesus" serves as a powerful testimony to the
      resurrection of Jesus!

One last thought:  if Jesus was not truly born of a virgin, what kind of
mother would let her son suffer like Jesus did on the cross and not say
a word?  A simple admission that Joseph (or someone else) was the father
of Jesus, and He could have come down from that cross.  Her silence
speaks volumes...!


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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