10/6/13

From Gary... GPS

Can you imagine trying to navigate this little corner of Terra Firma? Looks impossible, but, hey, people will surprise you sometimes. However, in "normal" life things can go awry quickly. Marriages, Jobs, Children, Parents, and countless other things can "screw things up". In the midst of a world that lately has seemingly gone crazy, Jesus offers hope; hope in the form of himself. But, lets let him do the talking.

John, Chapter 14

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

The "way" in Greek means road or path. The truth is absolute, as is the Life. There is one and only one (notice the "the") means of escape from being lost in a world full of sin- Jesus. He alone will give you permanent answers and guidance to successfully navigate our sojourn here. Honestly, sometimes I get discouraged and want to give up, but even at those "worst of times", I know that there is really a way out and it is in the person and work of the anointed of God- Jesus!!! Somehow, when I look at this picture, I am reminded of the soap-opera whose introduction goes something like "like sand though the hourglass, so are the days of our lives". Although there was a lot of intrigue and excitement with this soap, it never really did give you the answers you need to navigate the pitfalls of life. Jesus does and will continue to do so. He didn't say: the way, the truth and the life for nothing- its true.

PS. In case you are wondering about the title- It does NOT mean "Global Position System". Rather, it means: God's Pointing Son. In the first two words that Jesus speaks, he is literally saying- I, myself am. It is as if he reached away from himself and deliberately pointed himself out to us!!! Nice way to get directions!!!

From Ben Fronczek... Acts 16 – When God Closes one door…

Acts 16 – When God Closes one door…

When God Closes One Door and Opens Another

Read Acts 16:1-18

(Click on link to read) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2016:1-18&version=NIV1984

Have you ever had something like this happen? You are going along with plans or doing this or that and all of a sudden, ‘BAM’ it’s like God closes a door and prevents you from heading in that direction or doing some activity anymore. ( eg. a career, Job, a relationship, a vacation, or even something as simple as a planned trip the grocery store. )

A. Have you ever wondered why God closes some doors and opens others? In God’s sovereign wisdom, grace, and love I have to believe He is leading us to what is best. You know what Paul said in Romans 8:28,

^“ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,whohave been called according to his purpose.”

No person, no organization, or group really knows what’s best for you, whether it be for the short term, or for eternity. Only God really knows what’s best for us, and He’s the only one really able to do something about it.

In this story that we just read here in Acts 16, when the Spirit prohibited Paul and Timothy from preaching in Asia, I don’t know what they thought about when these doors closed, but I can’t help but believe that they knew God had something else in mind. That He would eventually open up another door, and possibly a better door for them.

It’s not like Paul was unfamiliar with something like this happening. When we first started reading about Paul, do you remember what he was doing? He was persecuting Christians. In other places he talked about how he was advancing quite well as a young Jew. He had even acquired permission from the Jewish leaders to go off to other communities to arrest Christians. He thought he was doing something real good, a service to God. But then, do you remember what happened, ‘BAM!’ God closed that door and his whole life changed from that point on.

Now the whole point of this sermon is that I don’t what you to get overly discouraged when you get a door slammed in your life, when you get a rejected for that special job, or you don’t get that promotions you hoped for, or if certain relationship doesn’t work out, or if something blocks you from going on that planned vacation, or whatever.

The point I want you see here today is that God understands things, and can see things that we just can’t see, things that will hurt us or others, things that are not in our best interest. He even knows which things are better for us and will help us grow. He even knows what will bless us in the long run.

Like a loving parent who tells their child, ‘No’ when they want to do something that may cause that child harm. Or when the parent forces their kid to do something that the kid may not want to do at first, but then they excel and even like what he was forced to do, we have to believe that God knows us even better than a loving parent.

We need to learn and be convinced of the fact that God sees beyond these closed doors, and so we need to learn to trust Him when those doors close. Like Paul in this story, God may close one door or even two, but He may have one that He is about to open that may be a greater blessing for you or someone else.

I what you to notice a few things in this story:

#1. God may close a door even though we are doing a good job.

Do you remember what Paul and his companions were doing here? Paul left the well established church in Antioch to visit and encourage those churches he had helped establish on his first missionary journey. He deeply cared for those new Christians and he wanted to make sure they were fairing well, and there is nothing like a personal visit from their father in the faith. And of course he continued to spread the Good News about Jesus where ever he could.

(Re-read verse 5) “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”
What he and his companions were doing was good, but God not only closed one door but also another. They text say that they were kept from going into Asia, that door closes, and then into Bithynia, and ‘Bam!’ Those doors shut, but notice another opens. “⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

There are times in life when you are also doing a good job, or doing all the right things, doing your best, and then ‘BAM’ a door closes. It may surprise you or even disappoint you when it happens, but you need to trust God and believe He knows something that you do not know.

#2. Another observation: They were open to a plan B. Even a plan C.

They didn’t give up and go home because things didn’t work out.

– They remained open to God’s Spiritual suggestion

Listen to what Alexander Graham Bell once said “When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

- Helen Keller also once said “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Are you guilty of that. If a door closes in your life; if you don’t get that one Job you expected and hoped for, do you focus so much on what you lost that you don’t see any other opportunities that may be opening up right in front of you? If you were hoping to buy a certain car and all of a sudden that door closes and someone else buys the car before you, do you mope around so much that you don’t see other cars that are just as good if not better right in front of you?

If a door closes it closed, move on to another. These men remained open to other opportunities, and when the Spirit spoke to Paul about Macedonia, they did not hesitate and focused on what could have been, rather they trusted in God’s providence and moved on through a open door that they would have never considered beforehand.

Sometimes God will close a door to protect us from a situation, or even bless us in ways that we may never have thought about. But there is also something else that we also need to consider as we look at this text, and I see this more than anything else in scripture…

#3. Sometimes God may close a door in our life for someone else’s sake; maybe even someone that we don’t even know yet.

As this story continues on, we read that Paul and his companions eventually wind up in Philippi and we see a number of people turning to the Lord because Paul and his companions went through this open door. In this chapter we read about an influential woman by the name of Lydia and her whole household who turned to the Lord and were baptized. Later in the same chapter we read about a jailer and his whole household accepting Jesus and then being baptized. What we have here is the birth of the Philippian church, and who knows how many more were converted to Christ because God closed a couple of doors in Paul’s path, but then opened another.

God will sometimes close a door in our life to redirect us for someone else’s benefit. You have to realize, IT”S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU. God loves others as well.

Do you remember the story about Joseph? I’m sure you do. The boy with the coat of many colors. Talk about having a few doors closed in his life: - Favorite son – ‘BAM’, Sold into slavery and dad thought he was dead. -Potiphar’s favorite servant – “BAM”, thrown into prison and falsely accused of groping Potiphar’s wife.

But in his case you know the rest of the story –God opened a huge door of opportunity – to become 2^nd in charge over Egypt. Do you remember why? Was it for his benefit only? Was it all about him? No! God chose to close certain doors in his life and then opened another, ultimately, to save his family and all of Egypt in a time of great famine. And this also opened up the door for the Israelites to settle into the richest part of Egypt for 400 years and grow from a handful into a mighty nation..

Sometimes God just may close a door in your life to bless another. He may just keep your where you are because he wants you there or He may open door of opportunity so you can help someone else that you don’t even know or may never get to know..

#4. Sometimes God may choose to close a door in our life to help us, even force us to grow.

How do you know what potential you have unless you learn, or unless you try something new.

Someone once said, “Closed doors are opportunities to move forward in our lives. They are the universe’s way of telling us to move on from a situation that doesn’t serve our highest good.” It’s not the universe’s way of telling us to move on to a higher good, it God way of telling us….

We are all created in God’s image, that’s what scripture tells us. That means you have unlimited potential. In most cases the one holding you back, more than anyone else, is the person you see when you look in the mirror.

Does a baby bird know that he or she can fly. Probably not until mama bird pushes them out of the nest. Likewise God will sometime kick you out of your nest in order to get you to experience something new and hopefully grow.

God may say, ‘no’ to certain prayers in order to direct you to roads that will lead you to what he wants and expects from you.

So in Conclusion:
I say, Ask the Lord to give you the courage, tenacity and toughness to overcome rejection when it comes your way. Ask Him to help you exhibit a resilient attitude in your pursuit of His best interest.

Ask the Lord to keep your mind open to whom you should be ministering to while putting away any of your personal preferences, expectations or prejudices.

Ask the Spirit to help you recognize His open doors.

And don’t let your self get too discouraged or depressed about a door that closed in your life.

Remember God is in control and He wants not only to bless you, but also others as well.

Trust Him and his judgments and plans!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew Reflections (1)

Matthew Reflections (1)

Matthew wrote his "gospel" to and for Jewish communities that were committed to Jesus Christ. If he wrote it in Greek then he probably wrote it to Jewish Christians that lived outside Palestine; but he wrote it to Jews.

You hardly get the book open before Matthew talks about the "fulfilment" of this or that OT prophecy. Take a little while and just read through the whole text and see how often this occurs. See, as a few examples 1:22, 2:5,18, 3:3.

This motif would certainly serve to make the point that what these Jewish believers committed themselves to was grounded in their sacred scriptures. They hadn’t gone off the rails and impatiently grabbed one of the many Messiahs that were on offer from time to time. This Jesus to whom they had given their lives was the One sent by God and the one in whom the kingdom of God had come.

Matthew’s stresses that the Jewish Torah and the teaching of the prophets remained as potent and as binding as ever. This Messiah not only fulfils OT predictions and the drift of OT history and prophecy he was obedient to the ethical and religious call of the entire OT message. Jesus Christ was the OT come into its own as never before. If he is asked how eternal life is gained, he calls people to obey the Torah. If people think he has come to undermine or abolish the Torah and the prophets he sets them straight in no uncertain fashion! See, for example, 4:4,7,10, 5:17-18, the entire Sermon (chapters 5--7) and 23:3.

Matthew makes it clear, however, that the Torah is to be understood in light of the way Jesus embodied and taught it. The people knew the Torah via their leaders and what they got from them undermined the heart and nature of the Torah. Those who said yes to Jesus Christ said no to the scribal leaders when it came to understanding the heart of God and scripture. Note, for example, the series of "I say unto you" in the Sermon and 7:24-27.

Matthew stresses the kingdom authority and power of Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that those who refuse to build their lives on his teaching will not be able to survive the coming storms. He speaks and people everywhere are astonished at his wisdom and understanding. They can hardly believe his depth and insight and they certainly knew the difference between Jesus and the Torah-lawyers. See this, for example, in 7:28-29, 13:53-54, 22:33.

But it wasn’t just his teaching that awed the people and his own disciples—it was the power he exercised in healing all manner of diseases, in expelling demons and commanding nature to obey. See 9:8, 13:54, 14:33.

Nor was it how he developed texts and healed the country alone that stresses Christ’s authority; it was how he laid demands on his disciples or those that would be his disciples. See this in 5:10-12, 10:34-39. 16:24 and elsewhere. Then there are his flat claims to kingdom authority that startle the reader. See Matthew 11:27, 12:39,42, 13:41, 16:19, 25:31-32 and 28:18 are examples.

Matthew stresses that opposition to Jesus is satanic in nature and was to be explained that way, whether it was a Judas that betrayed him or the many who refused to receive the word that Jesus and his followers sowed. See 13:19, 25,39.

Matthew stresses that the ministry of John the Baptist "failed"and that the people (following the lead of their leaders) had not turned again to God as they had been called to by Malachi 4. The proof of this would be seen in how they would treat the Messiah. This in turn connects with Matthew’s repeated warnings of judgement on the nation. See Malachi 3:1, 4:4-6, Matthew 11:18,19, 16:21, 17:12,13, 21:32 with 12:39-45, 13:39-43 and chapters 24—25

Matthew stresses that those Jews who receive Jesus as the Messiah are the righteous remnant that lives among the weeds sowed by the Evil One. See 7:21-23, 21:43 with 8:12 and 13:38,40-43. Click here

Matthew stresses that the coming of the kingdom of God as seen in Jesus Christ is all about healing, release, re-creation and such like. See 4:23-24, 10:1,7-8, 12:15-21,24-28

Mathew stresses that the connection between sin, sickness and suffering is immediate and undoubted. See 9:1-7,10-15Not only does he heal people but often, in healing them, he expels demons and undermines satanic power so that healing is not simply a blessing to a sufferer, it is also an assault against satanic and demonic power. 4:24, 13:22-28.

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

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew Reflections (2)

Matthew Reflections (2)

The Jesus Matthew Presents

He’s greater than foreign kings, foreign Queens, Israel’s prophets, Israel’s kings, Israel’s wise men, Israel’s temple, Israel’s religious leaders, Israel’s Mediator. We learn this as Matthew develops his story. Kings come from the East to worship him, the Queen of the South who exalted Solomon becomes a witness to Christ’s wisdom and glory since Christ is greater than Solomon. Matthew’s Christ claims he is David’s Lord as well as his son. The prophet Elisha’s feeding of a hundred people (2 Kings 4:42-44) becomes thousands when Christ manifests his kingdom authority (Matthew 14:13-21). A greater than Jonah is present when Christ is present and he tells us that something greater than the temple is present when it is present in him.
He’s revealed to foreign soldiers, foreign visitors, foreign neighbours and the lower class stratum. There is a blindness in Israel that is a combination of the sin of the people and the purpose of God (13:11-15) but Christ is revealed to the humble and the outsiders. A Roman centurion recognises his authority and a Phoenician woman his outreach. Visitors from the distant East are guided to him and the rank and file of Israel are given the vision of God’s kingdom as shown in him. Elitism and arrogance close the eyes of the heart while child-likeness and vulnerability make it possible to see and appreciate the Christ (18:2-4; 19:14 and 21:16). It is to all-too-human disciples that the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed (13:16-17), it is the pure in heart that see God (5:8) and it’s out of the mouths of babies that God perfects praise (21:16).
He recapitulates Israel’s history with God.

Matthew makes the claim that in the person and experience of Jesus the destiny of Israel is fulfilled. Beyond quoting texts with a fulfilment designation, Matthew presents Christ as the one in whom the history of Israel is lived again—only this time, "Israel" gets it right. To be sure there are contrasts between "Israel" in (as) the person of Jesus and Israel the nation, but the way their lives run along the same lines is no accident. And as we’d now expect, Christ’s life is no slavish retelling of Israel’s history; but in critical people and in critical events they merge. This isn’t hard to see in Matthew’s narrative. This special child would be a saviour of his people (like Moses) and with his appearance deliverance would get underway (Matthew 1:22) despite the opposition of powerful enemies that seek his death. He flees but is later brought out of Egypt into his own land (Matthew 2:14-15). Like Israel Jesus was declared to be God’s Son and experienced his own rite of passage through water (Matthew 3:13-17, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, Exodus 4:22-23). God then brought him into the wilderness where he was tempted but unlike Israel he refused to tempt God (Matthew 4:7, Deuteronomy 8:1-5).

The stress in scripture is that the wilderness period was when Israel tested God but we’re also taught that the wilderness experience was God putting Israel to the test (Deuteronomy 8:2). Israel failed the test but the Messiah—who is Israel the servant (note the Isaiah "servant" texts related to Christ in Matthew)—enters the wilderness, is tested and stood where Israel had fallen.

And so it goes in Matthew’s narrative. The connection between Jesus and Israel, between Jesus as representing Israel and its saviour, its history and obligation and its future in the Messiah—all this is clear and is to be kept in mind. The Messiah’s suffering and death, his redeeming sinners by giving his life as a ransom—these things are stressed as the narrative draws to its grand finale (see Matthew 20:20 and Isaiah 53). His exaltation and glorification via the resurrection out from the dead is the story of "Israel" fully told.

The virgin born child of Matthew 1:18-25 turns out to be the virgin’s child in Isaiah 7—8. He is the one who rescues sinful Israel from the oppression of darkness by the exercise of his royal authority, which is an expression of the reign of God (Matthew 4:12-17 with Isaiah 8:19—9:7).

Matthew would have us to think that what we’re seeing in the Christ is what we should have seen in ancient Israel and didn’t. What we see in the Christ is what we should expect to see in the "Israel" of which Christ is the model and image. He fulfils promises made to them, his suffering is theirs (Matthew 8:16-17), his triumph and exaltation is theirs (Matthew 19:27-30).

He embodies and brings the gospel to the whole world.

In the genealogy with which he opens the book he connects the Christ with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the central and pre-Sinai figures in Israel’s history and with whom God made a covenant to bless all nations. The Christ makes a point of that Abrahamic connection when he meets up with the centurion in 8:5-13. "Many will come from the east and west and take their places at the feast with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." The visit of the Magi from beyond Israel speaks the same message. The Canaanite woman though provoked by Christ can’t be put off. From what she has heard of him—and so of the God he represents—she knows that at least the "overflow" of his goodness will reach her in her need though she is not "one of the children" (15:21-28).

I don’t doubt that 28:19 embraces Jews as well as other nations but I still can’t get away from the drift of scripture that the gospel is to the Jew first and then to the rest of the world. When the Christ commissions the Jewish apostolate to make disciples of "all nations" (panta ta ethne) I can’t help but think he is reminding them of the truth that salvation was to go out from Jerusalem to all the non-Jewish nations. We hear that in the prophets (compare Micah 4:1-5 with Isaiah 2:1-5 and Luke 24:47). I think in Matthew 28:19 the Jewish righteous remnant—the "servant" of Isaiah 49:6 (a passage Paul applies to "us" in Acts 13:47)—is being instructed to offer light to the Gentiles.

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

From Mark Copeland... Walking Together In Unity (Ephesians 4:1-16)

"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"

Walking Together In Unity (4:1-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. For three chapters, Paul has dealt with "doctrine" in which he has
described both:
a. Our spiritual "possessions" in Christ (1)
b. Our spiritual "position" in Christ (2,3)

2. In the remaining three chapters of this epistle, Paul will focus on
"duty", i.e., responsibilities that are ours because of the blessings
we enjoy as described in the previous chapters

3. Of the blessings described, one upon which Paul elaborated is the
"unity" that we have in Christ by virtue of His work on the cross...
a. He has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in "one body" -
Ep 2:14-16
b. Now, Gentiles can be fellow heirs, of the "same body" - Ep 3:6

4. It should not be surprising, then, that the first duty that Paul
exhorts us to fulfill is "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace" - Ep 4:3
a. Christ "attained" this unity by His work on the cross
b. Our task is to "maintain" it

[Beginning, then, with a charge to "walk worthy of the calling with
which you were called" (Ep 4:1), Paul describes how to have a "worthy
walk", and that is by displaying...]

I. THE "ATTITUDES" FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (1-3)

A. LOWLINESS...
1. This word means:
a. The having a humble opinion of one's self
b. A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness
c. Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind
2. This virtue is necessary in order in order to properly value
others around you - cf. Php 2:3-4
3. Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the
"head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ

B. GENTLENESS...
1. This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness
2. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control
a. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great
strength and boldness
b. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see
where He drove the money changers out of the temple
3. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for
being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining
unity

C. LONG-SUFFERING...
1. The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering,
slowness in avenging wrongs
2. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and
often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible
unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections

D. BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE...
1. Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear,
to endure
2. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is
another virtue: "love"
3. As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is
not provoked" - 1Co 13:4-5
4. Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these
virtues together - cf. Col 3:12-14

E. ENDEAVOR...
1. Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor
does maintaining unity
2. Thus the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means
"to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence"

[Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to
"keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 4:3).

But just as important as having the right "attitudes", is understanding
and holding to...]

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)

A. ONE BODY...
1. This refers to the body of Christ, the church - Ep 1:22-23
2. Of course, Paul speaks here of the church in the "universal"
sense
a. The "body" of saved believers throughout the world
b. Of which Christ is the "head", and "savior of the body" -
Ep 5:23
3. While there may be many "local" churches (congregations), there
is only ONE "universal" church, with ONE "head" - Jesus Christ!

B. ONE SPIRIT...
1. This would be the Holy Spirit
2. Who has already been described in this epistle...
a. As "the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ep 1:13
b. As "the guarantee of our inheritance" - Ep 1:14
c. By Whom both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father -
Ep 2:18
d. In Whom God habitats those who are being built a "holy
temple" - Ep 2:21-22
e. By Whom the "mystery of Christ" was revealed to the apostles
and prophets - Ep 3:5
f. Through Whom God strengthens with might the inner man -
Ep 3:16
g. As the One whose "unity" is to be maintained in the bond of
peace - Ep 4:3

C. ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING...
1. For Paul, this pertains primarily to "the resurrection of the
dead" - Ac 23:6; 24:15; Ro 8:23-24; cf. 1Co 15:19-23; Php 3:10-11,20-21
2. Which necessarily includes such concepts of "salvation" (1 Th 5:8) and "eternal life"

        (Tit 1:2; 3:7)

   D. ONE LORD...
      1. This refers to Jesus, of course - 1Co 8:5-6
      2. Whom God has made "both Lord and Christ" - Ac 2:36

   E. ONE FAITH...
      1. This the body of truth, "the faith", which Jude says was "once
         for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3
      2. It is that "pattern of sound words" of that Paul taught Timothy
         (2Ti 1:13), and which he was to commit to faithful men (2
         Tit 2:2)
      3. We find this "pattern of sound words" in the pages of the New 
         Testament, which contains that which all Christians must 
         believe

   F. ONE BAPTISM...
      1. This is the baptism...
         a. Commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16
         b. Preached and commanded by His apostles - Ac 2:38; 10:48
         c. By which those who submit to are added to the Lord's body, 
            the church - Ac 2:42,47
      2. I.e., the baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in 
         water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
         - Ac 2:38; 10:47-48

   G. ONE GOD AND FATHER...
      1. The Father, Who together with the Son and Holy Spirit, makes up
         the "Godhead"
      2. Note that Paul emphasizes both:
         a. His personality ("Father of all")
         b. His transcendence and omnipresence ("who is above all, and 
            through all, and in you all")

[These "seven ones" constitute "the unity of the Spirit" that as 
Christians we must be so diligent to keep "in the bond of peace".  Not 
one of these is "non-essential"!  E.g., just as crucial as maintaining 
who the "One Lord" is, so we must be steadfast in holding to the "One 
Baptism"!

To assist us in our efforts to "keep the unity of the Spirit", Christ 
has given to His church certain "gifts".  Let's now consider ...]

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16)

   A. THE SOURCE OF THESE GIFTS... (7-10)
      1. They come from the bounty of Christ's grace (7)
      2. As prophesied, they were given after Christ ascended to heaven
         (8-10)

   B. THE NATURE OF THESE GIFTS... (11)
      1. Is Paul referring to "spiritual gifts" (cf. 1Co 12:1-11), or
         "functions"?
         a. If "spiritual gifts", then we should read verse 11 to say 
            "gave some to..."
         b. If "functions", then verse 11 should read "gave some to 
            be..."
         c. The use of "doreas" and "domata" instead of "charismata" in 
            verses 7-8 suggests Paul has in mind "functions", and not
            "spiritual gifts"
      2. Understanding it as "functions", we see that Christ gave some
         to be...
         a. APOSTLES
            1) Those who were to be eye-witnesses of the resurrection 
               - Ac 1:15-22
            2) Their role in the church was foundational, necessary to 
               the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20
            3) As such, their work or function was temporary
         b. PROPHETS
            1) These were inspired men and women used in the process of 
               revelation - Ep 3:5; cf. Ac 2:17; 11:28; 21:9
            2) As with the apostles, their role was foundational, 
               necessary to the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20
            3) Just as apostles were not replaced, so the prophets' role
               was temporary - cf. 1Co 13:8
         c. EVANGELISTS
            1) Literally, "bearers of good news"
            2) These are individuals like Philip (Ac 21:8), who 
               proclaimed the gospel of Christ both publicly and 
               privately - cf. Ac 8:5-13,26-40
            3) Timothy was charged to "do the work of an evangelist" 
               - 2Ti 4:5
            4) Unlike apostles and prophets, their work does not involve
               "laying the foundation", but rather building upon that 
               which is already laid, which they do every time they lead
               someone to Christ
            5) Therefore, their work or function continues to the 
               present
         c. PASTORS AND TEACHERS
            1) It may be that Paul intended these terms to describe one
               function (because "some" is not repeated)
               a) The role of "pastor" (shepherd) certainly requires
                  "feeding" or teaching
               b) While there is indication elsewhere that there was a
                  special function of "teachers" in the local church -
                  Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:28-29; 2Ti 1:11; Jm 3:1
            2) The term "pastor" is found only here in the Scriptures,
               but from Ac 20:17,28 and 1Pe 5:1-2 it becomes clear
               that "pastors, shepherds, elders, presbyters, bishops,
               overseers" are simply different terms describing the
               spiritual leaders of local congregations
            3) The nature of the work of "pastors and teachers" (i.e.,
               overseeing and feeding the flock of God) naturally
               follows the work of the evangelists
            4) And like the function of evangelist, continues to the
               present
         d. What about DEACONS?
            1) Clearly Paul does not intend this passage in Ephesians to
               be an exhaustive list of functions in the Lord's church,
               for he does not mention deacons - cf. Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:8
            2) But the list is adequate to illustrate the point:  Christ
               has given "gifts" to His church!

   C. THE PURPOSE OF THESE GIFTS... (12-16)
      1. To prepare members of the body for service ("equip the saints 
         for work of ministry")
      2. To build up the members of the body ("edify the body of 
         Christ"), so they...
         a. Can grow to maturity (13)
            1) Possessing the unity of the faith
            2) Having the knowledge of the Son of God
            3) Measuring up to the stature expected of those in Christ
         b. Will not be children (14)
            1) Tossed to and fro by every doctrine that comes along
            2) Easily deceived by cunning and false teachers
         c. But instead will be "growing upward" as the body of Christ 
            (15-16)
            1) Growing up in all things into the Head, Christ
            2) From which the whole body can grow, provided every part 
               does it share
            3) Made possible also as we "speak the truth in love" and 
               "edify itself in love"

CONCLUSION

1. If we can just...
   a. Display the "attitudes" necessary for unity
   b. Hold fast to the "basis" upon which our unity rests
   c. Utilize the "gifts" Christ has given to assure we all come to the 
      unity of the faith
   ...then Christ's work on the cross will not be in vain! - cf. Ep 2:16

2. Not only that, but then we will also truly conduct ourselves in a 
   manner "worthy of the calling with which you were called" - Ep 4:1
   a. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints and members
      of the household of God" - Ep 2:19
   b. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a habitation of
      God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22
   c. We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep 3:10

Are you doing all you can as a member of the body of Christ to "walk
together in unity", and by so doing walk in manner worthy of our
calling?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

10/5/13

From Gary.... My Must's...

Coffee, oh, how I love coffee!!! Truth is, I have always loved it- in my youth, to EXCESS. In my 20's it was very common for me to drink 15-20 cups a day (with a minimum of three teaspoons of sugar for each cup, I might add). Over the years, I have cut my consumption down to two cups a day, with a measured amount of creamer and "Nectaresse" (thank you Dr. Oz!). Today, as I write this, I am enjoying my third cup (and feeling a little guilty about it). But, today, I absolutely, positively, had to have that third cup!!! It wasn't that I wanted it- it was a MUST HAVE!!! And how many things can you put in THAT CATEGORY???!!! Humm, I wonder.... did Jesus have any things that were imperatives to him; things he must have, must do, must be??? Here is but one I thought of...

Luke, Chapter 2

39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.  41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

  42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,  44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.  45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.  46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.  48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

  49  He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”   50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.  51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.  52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus needed to be in the temple, listening, learning and growing. With zeal like that, do you suppose he missed a single synagogue service??? And yet on Sunday morning, many people elect NOT to go to Bible class, and the same can be said for the evening assembly. We can all learn how important it is to BE THERE from Jesus himself. A long time ago, while I was in my last year of preaching school, our preacher (Max T. Neel) asked me what I was going to do that upcoming weekend. I told him that I had to preach at (I don't remember which congregation) a local church. His response was swift and to-the-point- "You don't have to, you have the honor of"!!!! Somehow, those words reverberate in my mind, each time I decide to leave for church services. As good as coffee is, it will never get me to heaven; but learning what God has to say.... well, you get the idea. And the good news is - there is no caffeine or sugar involved at all!!!! Well, that's not the whole "good news", but you get the idea!!!

From Ben Fronczek.... I’m Only Human

I’m Only Human

Acts 14:8-20

(based on a sermon by Steve Shepherd)

There was a preacher who was an avid golfer. Every chance he got, he could be found on the golf course swinging away. It was his obsession. One Sunday was a picture-perfect day for golf. The sun was out, no clouds in the sky, and the temperature was just right. The preacher was in a quandary as to what to do. The urge to play golf overcame him. He called his assistant minister and told him that he was sick and could not attend church. Then he packed up the car, and drove three hours to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course.

An angel up above was watching the preacher and was quite perturbed. He went to God and said, “Look at the preacher. He should be punished for what he’s doing.” God nodded in agreement.

The preacher teed up on the first hole. He swung, and the ball sailed effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup three hundred and fifty yards away. A perfect hole-in-one. The preacher was amazed and excited. The angel was a little shocked. He turned to God and said, “Begging Your pardon Lord, I thought you were going to punish him.” God smiled. “Think about it — who can he tell about that shot?”

Is it possible that a preacher would miss church for a game of golf? Or for something else: fishing, hunting, a ball game, etc.? Possibly. Depending on the preacher. And why would he do such a thing as that? BECAUSE PREACHERS ARE ONLY HUMAN, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!

Have you heard that phrase used before by anyone? “I did thus and so but it’s just because I’m only human.”Is that an excuse or an admission? I think many people use that expression as an excuse for any wrongdoing or error in their life. And it is true that preachers are just human like everybody else. But honestly, don’t we generally expect a little more from a preacher? That is, don’t we expect him to be more faithful, more committed, more serving, more dedicated than the average person? We probably do expect more from the preacher but that doesn’t mean it will happen. Some are even worst than others in the church.

Also, another problem that comes with being in front of people is the temptation of wanting and hungering after praise. Some televangelists seem like they “eat up” this praise and sometimes get to the point where some almost act like they can do nothing wrong.

In our text we have Paul and Barnabas doing something good by the power of God and the people wanting to give them the credit for it. Paul was quick to say, “Wait a minute here, just wait, we are only human like you.” He was honestly trying to get the people to realize that it was God who deserved the glory and not him.As we look at this text, I’d like to consider what good we “humans” can do in life and what the proper attitude we should have as we look here at Paul and Barnabas..

Read Acts 14:1-10 “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.”

I. WE MUST DO GOOD

ILL.- The story is told about a fellow who opened a delicatessen where there was 2 other delis in the same neighborhood. One promoted his line of baloney with this line of baloney: “Finest in the world!”The other delicatessen declared, “Best in the Universe.”The last put up a sign reading: “Nicest in the neighborhood!”

What about you? Are you the nicest person in the neighborhood? Are you kind and courteous toward others? Here in verses 9 and 10 we see Paul doing a really good deed. He saw this man who had never walked in his whole life, that he had faith enough to be healed, and so he blessed him by telling him to stand up on his feet. Vs. 10 says that at once he jumped up and began to walk. Can you just imagine the scene, and how that man felt. God used Paul to bring healing to the lame man. Paul was God’s instrument of kindness, of doing good. There have been times when I wish that I could bring physical healing into a person’s life like this but that has never happened. However, just because God doesn’t heal someone through my prayers like this doesn’t mean I can’t still do good to people in some form or another.

Gal. 6:9-10 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Here he said, ‘Don’t give up doing good.’ Others will be blessed by our good deeds and we will too! As a man soweth that shall he also reap. It is sometimes easy to give up on certain people but we must never give up doing good. Some people will respond in different ways than others. I’ve been disappointed by some but also surprised by some others.Paul also said, “As we have opportunity..” We all have opportunity every day to do something good for someone. We need to stay awake to these opportunities. Our goodness may lead to godliness. That is, doing good to others may lead some to Christ, which should be our ultimate goal in life!

In Eph. 2:10 Paul also wrote

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So based on this verse I guess God always had in mind for us to do good works.

In Acts 10:38 Peter characterized Jesus as a man who went about doing good because God was with Him. And the same should be true of us! If God is with us and working in us through His Spirit we should be doing good things to others and for them!

ILL.- When Charles Schwab was 70 years old, he made the following statement. He said, “I’d like to say here in a court of law, and speaking as an old man, that 9/10ths of my troubles are traceable to my being kind to others. Look you young people, if you want to steer away from trouble, be hard-boiled. Be quick with a good loud ’no’ to anyone and everyone. If you follow this rule, you will seldom be bothered as you tread life’s pathway. Except you’ll have no friends, you’ll be lonely, and you won’t have any fun!”

And I’d like to add, you won’t honor Christ either. We all need to be open to opportunities to doing good for others, even if it’s just something simple like opening a door for someone or saying a kind word or offering a friendly smile. And don’t forget that laughter is not only good medicine, it’s also a great witness for Christ!

II. Regarding the attitude we should have: WE MUST BE HUMBLE

Read Acts 14:11-16 “When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way.”

“We’re only human…like you!”

ILL.- George Gordon Liddy, a Watergate conspirator, once said: “I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me.”

Perhaps you’ve met someone like this in your life, a person who was completely sold on themselves. They had all the answers and thought they knew everything. No matter how good we are or no matter how good we think we are, we should never get a “big head” over anything we do in life. We are only able to live and serve and do by the grace of God.

In I Tim. 1:15-17, Paul wrote, ”Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

No matter how much good Paul did in life he still felt as though he was a sinner, the worst of sinners. Most people, however, don’t like to admit they’ve ever done anything wrong in their life. We prefer to think of ourselves as being pretty good people.

However, Solomon wrote “pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall”. (Proverbs 16:18)

In I Peter 5:5-6 Peter wrote “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”

I’d rather be humble and receive God’s grace than have him upset with me for having a proud or haughty attitude. In our text, after the healing of the lame man, Paul was humble and quick to give God the credit, “We too are only men, human like you.” And then he pointed to the God of heaven as being the author of that good healing. There it is! That’s the right spirit! The right attitude! The right way to think! Be humble! Give God His rightful glory. And then…..

III. WE SHOULD EXPECT SOME OPPOSITION

Here’s the part I don’t like. If you do good in this world and live for Christ, some will oppose you.

Read 14:18-20 “Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

Wow!; they STONED HIM, THINKING HE WAS DEAD.
Brothers and Sisters, I’m not afraid to die but I’m not in a hurry to go to my grave either. That’s one reason I don’t intend to preach the gospel in a country like Turkey. And it may have been that bad for the apostle Paul as he went place to place.

2 Timothy 3:10-15 says “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Opposition will come to you no matter what you do or how kind you are. If you live for Christ opposition will come. If you are kind and present a witness for Christ out in the world some people will frown at you, some will merely pass you by but others may accuse you of being stupid or even worse. Some accused

Jesus of being in league with the devil.

But How do we silence our opponents?

One day a man met preacher Charles Spurgeon on the street, took off his hat and bowed, and said, “The Rev. Mr. Spurgeon–a great humbug!” Spurgeon took off his hat and replied, “Thank you for the compliment. I am glad to hear that I am a great anything!”

How do we silence our opponents? It’s best to respond in as positive a manner as possible. Instead of fighting fire with fire, just laugh and be positive. It will confuse them for sure.

ILL.- While contending with all kinds of problems in the building of the Panama Canal, Colonel George Washington Goethals had to endure criticism of countless busybodies back home who freely predicted that he would never complete his great task. But the determined builder pressed steadily forward in his work and said nothing. Someone asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer your critics”. “In time,” Goethals replied. “How?” The great engineer smiled. “With the canal,” he replied.

How do we silence our opponents and critics? Just keep on doing our work and doing what’s right. People will see the truth and come to believe in time. (That’s what Paul did)

CONCLUSION: I’m only human. I’m just a man. Yes, we are just human but we are God’s people and that makes a difference in our lives. Because we belong to the Lord, we should be different people, better people, kinder people, thoughtful of others. We should be going around doing good.

In Eph. 3:7-8 Paul wrote “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Did you hear it? Although I am less than the least, God still gave me His grace to preach. The same is true of you. No matter who you are or what you think of yourself, God gives you His grace to do good, to serve, to give, to love, etc. and in order that ultimately He might be glorified. We may be only human but we serve a divine and all-powerful God!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566