8/9/13

From Gary... Eyes front!!!

















Many thanks to brother Walter Vogt for this picture!!!

Rear view mirrors are marvelous things; without them there would be many, many more car accidents!!!  But using them too much is also a danger that should be avoided.  It is very good to think about the past- to learn from it, but then MOVE ON!!!  This same principle should be applied to our Christian life as well. The past is the past- whatever we used to be or do before we submitted to the Christ of God is over.  Time to press on.  I know this is true because the Bible tells me so in Paul's letter to the Philippians... 

Philippians, Chapter 3

 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.  2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.  3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;  4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:  5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. 

  7  However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.  8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ  9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;  10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;  11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.  12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 

  13  Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,  14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 


Each day is a new day, filled with possibilities for spiritual growth.  Our pre-Christian days may have seemed pleasant and enjoyable, but they are past.  Our focus should not be on old sinful habits, but on a new life that abhors sin.  Press on for this- try, really try to love and obey God more each day.  Now, I know that I will never be perfect, but I am trying to be the best I can be.  With God's help, today, starting right now, I intend to be the best I can be!!!  Join with me in this commitment.  Eyes forward- forget that rear view mirror- NOW!  

From Jim McGuiggan... I feel like Dancing


I feel like Dancing

I’ve tried to persuade Ethel down the years that I’m not worth much and God knows I’ve behaved badly enough to have made my point with a host of others. She’s not buying it—seems she’s heard that God thinks I’m worth dying for.
Still, what I’m about to say is risky and those who have known the worst side of me on occasions (should they by some remote chance ever read anything I write) will curl their lip at the next few remarks because they’ll make me sound like Mr. Wonderful—fat chance of that being true!
If I weren’t already in love with Ethel, listening to Rod Stewart’s version of the old classic Long Ago & Far Away would make we want to be in love. I who have never danced feel like dancing when I listen to it.
I’ve never forgotten the power of romance—I’m not built to be able to do that—but I haven’t always remembered how warming and enriching and sustaining a lovely romance can be.
Many Christians tend to think—so I judge—that everyone has an equal chance to live life in the celebration mode. I know better; and so should they! Loneliness, social isolation, the sense of being unwanted, the absence of tenderness, tender words, touches and kisses and glances—how could life not be tough in the absence of these? Those who have a profound need for such gifts but don't experience them wage an uphill battle and those who are in a happy and honourable and fulfilling romance should take that into account rather than assuming that their own religious devotion would be as real and deep if they were without a lovely companion. [It makes no sense for us to rejoice in a gift God has given us and at the same time begrudge it to the entire human family. Instead of berating people for enjoying romance maybe we should remind them that it’s God’s gift to them.]
I accept the fact that we as a society are excessively interested in sex and all the “liberties” that go with it but that truth shouldn’t lead us to idiotic conclusions that deny the richness of the gift God has offered to us as humans in offering us romance. And I’m aware that there are those who are in relationships that are crushing them—a tragic circumstance; but none of that is what I wish to deal with here. I just feel the need to express my pleasure at the sound of music and the warmth of romance.
To dismiss the sheer pleasure in a love relationship between two people is to do more than God would do. He uses the metaphors of marriage and romance, of human lovers and happy brides and bridegrooms to express his own joy and when he came to us in and as Jesus he was no stranger to the happy mystery of a wedding.
As it is, I have a difficult enough time trying to please God and be like him; but if I were without the joys of a loving relationship—I’m talking about me—I don’t think I could make it.
I think my Ethel used to dance when she was a girl and I wish she could get out of her wheelchair and show me how. Oh well. Think I’ll put Rod Stewart on and mime the words to her. Set her little heart all aflutter, don’t you know.

©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 Spectacle Of The Apostles (1 Corinthians 4:9-16)



                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                 The Spectacle Of The Apostles (4:9-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Christians, we owe a great debt to the apostles of our Lord...
   a. Men chosen (Lk 6:12-16) and sent out by Jesus into the world (Mk
      16:15-16)
   b. Who suffered greatly as they carried out the great commission

2. The apostle Paul says that God has made them a "spectacle" to the
   world (1Co 4:9)...
   a. The Greek word is theatron, from which we get our word "theater"
   b. "a theatre, a place in which games and dramatic spectacles are
      exhibited, and public assemblies held (for the Greeks used the
      theatre also as a forum)" - Thayer
   c. "metaphorically, a man who is exhibited to be gazed at and made
      sport of" - ibid.

[In what way has the Lord presented His apostles a "spectacle", an
exhibition to the world?  Especially so in regards to our faith!  To see
why, consider the basis of our faith..]

I. OUR FAITH DEPENDENT ON THEIR TESTIMONY

   A. THE BASIS FOR OUR FAITH...
      1. We know virtually nothing of Jesus without the apostles
      2. Outside the NT there is scant evidence of who He was
      3. Without the apostles we would know only:
         a. That He lived, died, and had many disciples, as attested to
            by historians
         b. Tales told many years after the events occurred, by fanciful
            storytellers

   B. THROUGH THE APOSTLES WE LEARN ABOUT JESUS...
      1. They reveal what we know of His life, teachings, death and
         resurrection
         a. Either through their own writings (e.g., Matthew, John)
         b. Or through the writings of close associates (e.g., Mark,
            Luke)
      2. Our faith is truly dependent on the apostles
         a. As Jesus indicated in His prayer - cf. Jn 17:20
         b. We come to believe in Jesus through the words of the
            apostles

[Like Muslims, our faith is dependent upon the testimony of
first-generation followers.  In the case of the apostles, however, we
see...]

II. THEIR TESTIMONY STRENGTHENED BY THEIR SACRIFICE

   A. THE NATURE OF THEIR TESTIMONY...
      1. The apostles were eyewitnesses to the events - cf. 2Pe 1:
         16-18; Ac 10:39-42
      2. They present empirical testimony (derived from observation
         rather than theory)
         a. They saw Jesus, they touched Him, ate with Him - Ac 10:41;
            1Jn 1:1-3
         b. For forty days they were given infallible proofs of His
            resurrection - Ac 1:1-3
      3. Their testimony strengthened by additional eyewitnesses - 1Co 15:3-8

   B. MADE CREDITABLE BY THEIR SACRIFICE...
      1. They were telling the truth, or a boldface lie (nature of their
         testimony leaves no alternative)
      2. Some will tell a lie, if they can gain fame, fortune, or power
         (e.g., first-generation Muslims)
      3. During their life, the apostles of Christ gained neither fame,
         fortune, or power
      4. They suffered greatly, even appointed for such - 1Co 4:9-10;
         Php 1:29-30

[Why would God allow, even ordain, the apostles of Christ to suffer so
much?  Because of how their sacrifice serves as a spectacle to us and to
the world...]

III. THEIR SACRIFICE A SPECTACLE FOR OUR FAITH

   A. CONSIDER THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE...
      1. By the apostles in general - 1Co 4:11-13
         a. They hungered and thirsted, poorly clothed, beaten and
            homeless
         b. They supported themselves, blessed when reviled, endured
            when persecuted
         c. When defamed, they entreated, though made the filth and
            offscouring of the world
      2. By Paul in particular - 2Co 11:23-28
         a. Imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked
         b. Imperiled by dangerous journeys, false brethren, lack of
            food, sleep, and clothing
         c. Filled with anxiety for his brethren

   B. THE IMPACT IT SHOULD HAVE ON US...
      1. Believe in their testimony, if you have not done so already!
         a. Their testimony in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
         b. Offered by qualified and trustworthy eyewitnesses
         c. Their gospel of salvation from the condemnation to come - 
            Ac 10:42; 17:30-31
      2. Be inspired to imitate their example
         a. If we let little things hinder our service, we should be
            ashamed!
         b. Yet the sufferings of the apostles are presented as a
            spectacle, not to shame, but to admonish and inspire - 1Co 4:14-16

CONCLUSION

1. As we gaze upon "The Spectacle Of The Apostles", what do we see...?
   a. Men suffering greatly, but not defeated - cf. 2Co 4:8-9
   b. Men demonstrating the power of Christ living in them - cf. 2Co 4:
      10-11

2. Having seen "The Spectacle Of The Apostles", what will we do...?
   a. Believe in the Lord Jesus with a much stronger faith!
   b. Serve the Lord with a willingness to press on, no matter the cost!

That would certainly accomplish God's design in allowing them to suffer.
Why not heed the apostle's urging (1Co 4:16) to imitate him and his
brethren...!



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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