11/2/13

From Ben Fronczek... Going the Second Mile


Going the Second Mile

The Second Mile

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 5:38-45

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
     “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
“and whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.”

This seeming innocent sentence that was spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, contains enough power to change the course of this world.

- In it is we see one of Jesus foundational principles for Abundant Living.

- Jesus describes the Christian religion as one which goes the 2nd mile.

The background and setting of this verse is very important in understanding the significance of what he is saying. Whenever the Roman empire conquered a new town or province, a symbolic Roman yoke was placed in the market place or in a prominent part of the city..They often made the people of that city pass under it in order to acknowledge their obedience to Rome As a conquered people whenever a Roman soldier or Roman official wanted you to carry his pack for a mile, or run an errand for a mile, or even guide him for a mile, you had to, you had no choice! It was part of Roman law (but just one mile). This was a humiliating experience, especially for the Jews  who were a proud people.
It is said that Jews would have a mile markers placed all over so that they would not have to travel any further than they had to. Now with this in mind, consider who Jesus is speaking to as he said,   

“and whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.”

… They probably instantly thought of the Romans that occupied their land and how much  they hated them. And as He said, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two”, they probably couldn’t believe their ears.… They probably clinched their fists and shook their heads wondering why in the world should they do anything extra for those Romans. I believe that Jesus deliberately used that obnoxious Roman rule as an illustration demonstrating a great principle for Christian living. As a master teacher they probably would not forget this principle because Jesus used this Roman rule as an illustration.

And what principle is that? What is the second mile all about? I believe that Jesus is teaching that as Christian, we are to do a little more than what is required, or even expected of us.

 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught how one can have a blessed life, or a full and abundant life. And here in this text He lets us know that part of having a full and blessed abundant life is making a point to practice this principle of going the second mile.

There are 4 observations about the second mile that are worthy of our attention today:

1.    The Second mile always makes the one who travels it happier..

a) Illustration.    

The great surgeon who always tied 3 knots in the thread after closing a wound.  When asked by a younger Doctor why three when only one was required, the skilled surgeon told the younger that he call his knot his ‘sleeping knot’. When he wakes up in the middle of the night trying to remember if he had finished the procedure  by tying a knot in the thread he can turn over and go back to sleep knowing that he had tied 3 knots instead of just one.

b) Imagine a young Jewish man being approached by a Roman soldier. The soldier called him and tells him to come and carry his pack. The Jewish man looks at him. He wishes he could hit the soldier  with the hoe he is using.  He slams down the hoe with an attitude but submits because he know he has to.  He slowly drags himself over to the soldiers pack and picks it up and half carries it and half drags it for the mile. After going the mile he throws the soldiers pack down with an attitude and  he start back to his house in a angry mood for the rest of the day.

- Now if you can imagine a different scenario of a young man  who learned the principle of the 2nd mile from Jesus:

When approached by the soldier he willingly picks up his pack and carries it without complaining. While walking with the soldier he starts up a conversation and smiles and jokes as he walks. When he gets to the mile marker, he continues on. The soldier reminds him that he only has to carry his pack a mile but to the soldiers amazement the young man answers, “That’s OK, let’s walk on, I’ll take you to the edge of the city.” As he leaves the soldier he leaves walking with his head up, soldiers back and happy inside for having gone the second mile!

2.    The Second Mile Calls for the best in others
a)    You can’t possibly travel the 2nd mile like this without influencing others, or even affecting their lives. (Especially if you have a good attitude.)

b)    The only way that we are going to influence some people for Jesus is by going the 2nd mile.  (Husband-wives; Friend, neighbors, family)

Jesus said in Matt. 7:12

“So in everything, do to others what you have  them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

c) When you travel the 2nd mile for another, you call out the best in that person.  You might not see it happen right away or even ever.
But the only way that we will ever influence some people to travel the 2nd mile with them first.        (Click here to view video)

3.  The 2nd Mile Lightens Life’s Burdens
The Christian philosophy is a philosophy full of Paradoxes.

-       We get through giving

-       We live by dying

-       We become free by becoming a slave

-       We are strong when we are weak

-       Likewise, going the 2nd mile lightens our burden!

Imagine a home where everyone goes the 2nd mile
Imagine a church where everyone in the church family goes the 2nd mile.
Imagine a city, a country, a world where everyone goes the 2nd mile!
Life would become more pleasant for all. That’s the Christian way! We have to learn the lesson from Jesus that it’s not all about me and what I want!
Rather Jesus let’s us know that abundant life begins by serving and going the 2nd mile!   
And if these reasons are not reasons enough to go the 2nd Mile, then  consider that…

4.    God went the 2nd Mile

John 3:16

“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal  life.”

When you go the 2nd mile out of love, you become like our Father above. God went the 2nd mile for us and I believe He wants us to be  2nd mile Christians 

In John 15:13 before Jesus actually died for us, He said,

“Greater love has no one that this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
And then Jesus Himself he went the 2nd mile for us.


Conclusion
Do you want to experience abundant life, and bring out the best in others, maybe even change your own personal perspective on life, and even change  your world?

Then my challenge for you is to humble yourself and learn to go the second mile, go beyond what others demand and expect of you, and encourage others to do the same.  If you have trouble motivating yourself, do it for Jesus. Do it because Jesus said that it is the best thing for us to do. Do it to help others. Do it knowing that maybe it will change another’s heart.  Do it with a good attitude and with a smile your face.  And when others ask why why you are doing it, tell them that you do it because that is what you have been taught  your Lord.

Not only will you be blessed, but you will affect those around you.
I’ve heard members here say they want to see some great things happen here in this church:

- We want to evangelize and see the church grow.

- We want to reach out to our local community.

Let me tell you something, those things just don’t happen. But  going 2nd mile for Jesus and for the people in this community will not go unnoticed and will have an effect. We all may have to get out of our comfort zone, and do more than what we normally do, maybe even give more than we have ever gave before.
But in doing so I believe we will feel blessed and you may even see the fruit of your efforts of going the 2nd mile. But it takes a humble heart, one that first of all love Jesus, and then loves others as He would have us. So I challenge you to apply this principle of going the second mile in as many areas of you life as you can.

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

From Jim McGuiggan... IS GOD A ROMANTIC?

IS GOD A ROMANTIC?

I'm not particularly interested in being "in love" with God. I don’t know if that’s good or bad but I’ve never have had the "warm fuzzies" about him—well, so rarely as to be almost “never”. I have had those emotional feelings about Ethel, our children and a large number of other humans. I can't get emotional about God the way I can about fellow-humans. I don't think that troubles him. I don't think that that makes him "jealous". The only relationship he gets "jealous" over is one that draws us away from him.

But it's difficult not to model God's love for us on the way we feel about fellow-humans, especially those fellow-humans who mean more to us than our own selves. If we must make difficult choices between our families and strangers we know what we will do without having to think long and hard over it—we'll choose in favor of our beloved ones. That makes sense. If our beloved family was the entire human family things would be more complicated. How do you bless them all and act in favor of them all when their interests are in conflict, when some are powerful and corrupt? "Love" is more than "romance" and sometimes it has to do what at some levels it doesn't want to do.

Centrally, in the biblical witness, God’s “love” is the expression of his covenant commitment, his faithfulness, his keeping his word to pursue and bring to completion his eternal purpose. His eternal purpose is to bring a human family to immortal life, free from sin, sickness and death and a family in love with righteousness; a family that lives in his image in unbroken joy, peace and adventure.

In pursuing that eternal purpose, God is working with a sinful human family, a sinful human family that let loose a "virus" that has triggered chaos in the human world. God is working with a human family of his own creation, one that makes choices but one that has corrupted that choosing and in the process has corrupted itself. He works to bless a human family that tolerates that intolerable moral evil but in order to bring it to eternal life with him the moral corruption has to be dealt with because the fullness of life that he has in mind cannot be enjoyed in the pleasing presence of evil.

That God has not yet seen fit to bring all evil to an end is his choosing and I know nothing about the reasons for his choice. [2 Peter 3:9 has its own specific point and, in my view, it doesn't help us much with the larger and more general question though its truth no doubt is part of the answer to the larger question.] Martin Dalby famously said, "Bad religion answers the unanswerable. Good religion cherishes the mystery." Strident atheist, Richard Dawkins, recently grudgingly admitted what we all know, that he has to acknowledge mystery also.

This is a pain-filled world with inexpressible evil in it. Imagine this true to life picture. A car is at the side of a road, it's getting dark, a woman and her daughter are in the vehicle, a man is screaming through the window at a terrified woman as he tries to drag to door open, he wants in, her eyes are rolling and he smashes the window, unblocks the door, trails her out on to the ground, stabs her in the throat, rips her clothes and stabs her in the side. He turns his attention to the little girl, punches her in the face, attacks her with a knife and hacks off one of her arms.

     Can a world get to be more evil than that? What moral insanity!

     But in this case the "attacker" is a paramedic, there's been a wreck, he smashed the window to save their lives. He worked on the woman's trachea and then because her lung had collapsed he pierced her side so she could breathe. The little girl was trapped and her mangled arm was pinning her into a vehicle that threated to burst into flame and the rest you know.  The paramedic has children of his own, he takes no pleasure in what is happening or what he does to these two people! Life is his aim—not the infliction of hurt!

What if it's the case that there's been a cosmic wreck and the Divine paramedic is handling this with a view to life and not purely inflicting pain? What if he isn't heartless, what if he isn't a foaming at the mouth lunatic? What if his alleged "powerlessness" isn't really a lack of "power" to prevent or immediately obliterate the consequences of a cosmic wreck? What if he isn't some poor weak fool who would like to do something but can't? What if allowing agony to exist is one aspect of how an all-powerful but all wise and all-loving God brings to completion his glorious purpose toward a human family that's in the clutches of an evil force too powerful for it? What if there are some truths that we don't know and in our pain don't care to know? What if those truths are truths even though in our personal agony we don't care but just want the pain removed—now?
What if he is powerful enough to obliterate pain and loss—yours—but won't do it [as he refused to rescue John the Baptist from imprisonment and death though he was rescuing others; as he refused to deliver Jesus from what he feared most in the garden and as he refuses to immediately deliver millions as pain-filled as you are]?

I'm aware that none of this removes the pain. I just hate it that not only must such anguish be endured--I hate it that suffers also endure the feeling that God doesn't give a damn about any of us.

In the name of and in the vision of the Lord Jesus I'm saying that we don't need to lose God as well as the things that mean so much to us in this phase of human living. I'm saying we don't have to do what atheists are forced to do—shrug and live, as atheist Bertrand Russell put it, in "unyielding despair".


 
 [I’ve taken much of this from my little book, Celebrating the Wrath of God, Waterbrook Press/Random House.]
 

©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.... Introduction To The Epistle (Colossians 1:1-2) 


                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                   Introduction To The Epistle (1:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. Some questions to consider...
   a. Do the heavenly bodies have any influence over our lives?
      1) The millions of people who consult their horoscopes each day
         would say "Yes!"
      2) In the U.S., there are about 1750 newspapers, and 1220 of them
         carry astrological data
   b. Is there any relationship between diet and spiritual living?
   c. Does God speak to us immediately, in our minds, or only through
      His Word, the Bible?
   d. Do the "eastern religions" have something to offer those who are
      Christians?

2. These questions sound very contemporary, don't they?
   a. Yet they are the very issues Paul dealt with in his epistle to the
      Colossians
   b. For this reason, we need this important letter today just as they
      needed it when Paul wrote it in 60 A. D.

[In Col 1:1-2, Paul addresses the brethren at Colosse.  To help us
appreciate more what we will study later, let's consider some background
information on this epistle...]

I. THE CITY OF COLOSSE

   A. LOCATION
      1. 100 miles E of Ephesus in Asia Minor (consult map)
      2. Very close to Hierapolis and Laodicea - cf. Col 4:13,16

   B. DISTINCTION
      1. Hierapolis was a place known for health, pleasure, relaxation
      2. Laodicea was known for commercial trade and politics
      3. Colosse, however, was simply a small town

   C. PEOPLE
      1. It was a pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews
      2. In 62 B.C., there were 11,000 Jewish "freedmen" in the tri-city
         area
      3. This helps us to understand the nature of some of the problems
         that arose within the church (problems of both pagan and Jewish
         origin)

II. THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE

   A. ESTABLISHMENT
      1. We are not sure when the church began, for the scriptures do
         not say
      2. It is likely that Paul himself did not start it
         a. He had not seen them in person - Col 2:1
         b. Rather, he had simply heard of their faith - Col 1:4
      3. It is possible that it was started by Epaphras
         a. From what Paul writes in Col 1:4-8
         b. Who evidently also had some contact with those in Hierapolis
            and Laodicea - Col 4:12-13

   B. MEMBERS
      1. Epaphras
         a. Possibly the founder of the church (see above)
         b. A native of Colosse - Col 4:12
         c. Described as a servant of Christ (Col 4:12), fervent in
            praying for others (Col 4:12), and having great zeal for
            his brethren (Col 4:13)
         d. A "fellow-prisoner" with Paul at this time - cf. Phm 23
      2. Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus
         a. By comparing Colossians and Philemon, we can conclude they
            were at Colosse
            1) Concerning Archippus - cf. Col 4:17 with Phm 1-2
            2) Concerning Onesimus - cf. Col 4:9 with Phm 10-17
            3) Epaphras - cf. Col 4:12 with Phm 23
         b. It is likely that the church met in their home - cf. Phm 2
         c. Many think they may have been members of the same family
            1) Philemon, the father
            2) Apphia, the mother
            3) Archippus, the son
         d. It is possible that Archippus served as the preacher at
            Colosse - cf. Col 4:17
      3. Onesimus
         a. He was Philemon's slave who had run away, found by Paul in
            Rome, and was converted
         b. He was being sent back to Philemon (cf. the epistle to
            Philemon), along with the letter to the Colossians - Col 4:
            7-9

III. THE CRISIS AT COLOSSE

   A. THE REPORT
      1. Epaphras had brought news to Paul concerning the church at
         Colosse - Col 1:3-8
      2. For the most part, it was very favorable - Col 1:3-4,8; 2:5
      3. But from the content of the letter, Paul must have also been
         informed of a two-fold "peril" affecting the church

   B. THE PERIL
      1. There was the danger of their relapsing into paganism with its
         immorality (implied by comments such as Col 3:5-11)
      2. There was the danger of accepting what some call the "Colossian
         Heresy"
         a. Which denied the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ...
            1) For salvation
            2) For overcoming the indulgences of the flesh
         b. This "Colossian Heresy" involved...
            1) False Philosophy, which denied the all-sufficiency and
               pre-eminence of Jesus Christ - Col 2:8
            2) Judaistic Ceremonialism, which attached special
               significance to the rite of circumcision, food
               regulations, and observance of special days - Col 2:16-17
            3) Angel Worship, which detracted from the uniqueness of
               Christ - Col 2:18
            4) Asceticism, which called for harsh treatment of the body
               to control its lusts - Col 2:20-23
         c. The "Colossian Heresy", then, was a syncretism, that is, a
            mixture of Jewish and pagan elements

IV. THE CORRESPONDENCE TO COLOSSE

   A. THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE
      1. To warn the brethren at Colosse
         a. Against relapse - Col 1:21-23
         b. Against the "solution" being urged upon them by those who
            denied that Jesus was all they needed - Col 2:8-10
      2. To direct their attention to Jesus Christ
         a. The "Beloved Son" - Col 1:13
         b. The "all-sufficient" and "pre-eminent" Savior - Col 1:14-18

   B. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  "Jesus Christ:  The pre-eminent and
      all-sufficient Savior" - Col 1:18

   C. AN OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE
      1. Doctrine:  Christ's Pre-eminence Declared (Chapter One)
         a. In the gospel message (1:1-12)
         b. In redemption (1:13-14)
         c. In creation (1:15-17)
         d. In the church (1:18-23)
         e. In Paul's own ministry (1:24-29)
      2. Danger:  Christ's Pre-eminence Defended (Chapter Two)
         a. Beware of empty philosophies (2:1-10)
         b. Beware of Judaistic ceremonialism (2:11-17)
         c. Beware of man-made disciplines (2:18-23)
      3. Duty:  Christ's Pre-eminence Demonstrated (Chapters Three and
         Four)
         a. In personal purity (3:1-11)
         b. In brotherly relations (3:12-17)
         c. In the home (3:18-21)
         d. In daily work (3:22-4:1)
         e. In sharing the gospel (4:2-6)
         f. In serving one another (4:7-18)

CONCLUSION

1. The value of this letter to the Colossians is that it increases our
   understanding and appreciation of Jesus Christ

2. From this epistle, we learn that He truly is "the WAY, the TRUTH, and
   the LIFE" - Jn 14:6

3. Once we understand that He is indeed the "pre-eminent" and "all-
   sufficient" Savior and live our lives accordingly...
   a. We will live victorious lives as Christians!
   b. We will assure that we do not relapse, nor be carried away by
      false religions and philosophies of men

Future lessons in this series on Colossians will expand upon this theme,
but for the time being, have you accepted and obeyed Jesus Christ as
YOUR all-sufficient savior?

Note:  The basic outline for this introduction was adapted heavily
from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe,
pages 102-105.

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... The Gates of Hell

 

This morning about 7:30, as I sat down at the computer, I looked out my window and saw that the sky was a weird color orange.  A menacing, brownish orange with tints of red to add an ominous portent to the scene.  It was a little unsettling, but then it disappeared as the sky turned black and the rain began.  Since it was obvious that my dogs would have to wait for awhile (before their morning walk), I began thinking about my topic for today- and then I saw the bottom of the three pictures shown above.  It is a picture of the ancient site of the gate of hell in heiropolos, Turkey.  For some information about this, see the article at Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gates_of_Hell.  Then I found the top two pictures, which are, of course, an artist's idea of what this might be. 

Luke, Chapter 16 (LITV)
 19 And there was a certain rich man; and he was accustomed to don a purple robe and fine linen, making merry in luxury day by day.  20 And there was a certain poor one named Lazarus who had been laid at his porch, being plagued by sores,  21 and longing to be filled from the crumbs that were falling from the table of the rich one. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores.  22 And it happened, the poor one died and was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich one also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hell, lifting up his eyes, he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosoms. (emp added GDR) 24 And calling he said, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.  25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you fully received your good things in your lifetime, and Lazarus likewise the bad things. But now he is comforted, and you are suffering.  26 And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.  27 And he said, Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house;  28 (for I have five brothers, so that he may witness to them, that they not also come to this place of torment).  29 Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.  30 But he said, No, father Abraham, but if one should go from the dead to them, they will repent.  31 And he said to him, If they will not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if one from the dead should rise. (emp added GDR)

Which of the three pictures most accurately represents reality?  Right now, only God (and of course, those consigned to Hell) know.  That there will be a judgment and a condemnation of some is a basic tenet of most of the major religions in the world.  How not to get to that place of torment is a matter of controversy in this world, but I choose to listen to Jesus (verses 29-31 above).  I pray that neither you or I will never enter the gates of hell and to avoid that awful fate, I encourage you to read your Bible and do what it tells you to do!!!  Scared yet?  We all should be, because HELL is a real place and once sentenced there, you are there FOREVER!!!  Where to from here?  Well, in this world, attitude is the beginning of EVERYTHING!!!  If you are interested in your eternal fate, start by reading the first Gospel Sermon and taking it from there!!!  And remember, be careful out there....

1 Peter, Chapter 5

 8 Be sensible, watch, because your adversary the Devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone he may devour;  9 whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing the same sufferings are being completed in your brotherhood in the world. (emp added GDR)

11/1/13

From Gary... Ecstatic!!!

Over the past few years, I can only guess at the number of pictures I have posted about rainbows.  Their beauty is something I admire greatly and I am always glad to see them- but NOT THIS GLAD!!!  NO, wrong word- ecstatic seems to be better! Unlike other posts, this picture reminded me of a feeling and after you read the verse below, I am quite sure you can guess what that might be...

Song of Solomon, Chapter 4
 10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine!

You guessed it, I am rejoicing over the return of my wife from her two month+ "vacation".  I can only tell you that when I saw her at the air port I was overjoyed at the sheer sight of her!!!  And that's all I can think about today, so just think of the picture and have THAT ATTITUDE BE YOUR ATTITUDE TODAY!!!   It's mine!!!!!!

10/31/13

From Mark Copeland... Paul's Thank-You Note (Philippians 4:10-23) 

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                     Paul's Thank-You Note (4:10-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our study of Philippians, we come to point where Paul mentions the
   occasion which prompted the writing of this epistle

2. In these verses we find an expression of Paul's gratitude, a
   "Thank-You Note", if you will - Php 4:10-23

3. In these concluding verses, there are a number of notable things I
   would like to emphasize

[The first being...]

I. THE PHILIPPIANS' GENEROSITY

   A. AS DESCRIBED BY PAUL...
      1. Notice especially verses 10,14-18
      2. Clearly they demonstrated an "on-going" support and concern for
         the apostle
         a. When Paul first departed from Macedonia, they shared with him
         b. Even before leaving Macedonia, while still in Thessalonica,
            they sent aid on several occasions
         c. Now at last, while in Rome, they sent a gift by the hands of
            Epaphroditus

   B. WHAT A WONDERFUL PICTURE OF FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN A CHURCH AND A
      PREACHER!
      1. The kind that ought to exist today!
      2. Where churches and preachers continue to maintain their
         fellowship in the gospel of Christ as the need calls for it,
         long after the preacher has gone on to other works
      3. How sad, that in many cases preachers leave a congregation in
         such a way that there is no desire on the part of the
         congregation to maintain such fellowship!

[Another notable thing in this passage is...]

II. PAUL'S CONTENTMENT
       
   A. AS EXPRESSED BY PAUL...
      1. His expression of thanks was not to hint that he was in great
         need - Php 4:11a
      2. For he was quite content with the "state" or condition he found
         himself in - Php 4:11b
      3. This "contentment" was something he had learned - Php 4:11b-12

   B. WHAT WAS THE "KEY" TO PAUL'S CONTENTMENT?
      1. As expressed in Php 4:13, it involved strength given by the
         Lord
         a. Who enabled him to be content whether full or hungry
         b. Who enabled him to be content whether abounding or in need
      2. Part of this strength from the Lord may have been the proper
         perspective which Paul likely received from the Lord
         a. The proper perspective about life and death - cf. Php 1:21-24
         b. The proper perspective about the true necessities in life 
            - cf. 1Ti 6:6-8

[Having mentioned the strength given by the Lord, let's look a little 
closer at...]

III. CHRIST'S POWER

   A. THERE IS INDEED WONDERFUL POWER AVAILABLE FOR THE CHRISTIAN!
      1. As Paul indicates, this power enables one to do all things
         necessary in serving the Lord- Php 4:13
      2. We learn more about this wonderful power in Paul's epistle to
         the Ephesians...
         a. It is power about which Paul wanted them to know - Ep 1:
            18-19
         b. It is power that is in accordance with the power used to
            raise Jesus from the dead, and to seat Him at the right hand
            of God! - Ep 1:19-21
         c. Paul attributes such power to the Holy Spirit, dwelling in
            the Christian - cf. Ro 8:11-14
         d. He prayed that God would strengthen the Ephesians with such
            power, which is described as being able to accomplish great
            things - Ep 3:16,20-21
      3. In other words, with the Spirit as the instrumental agent, God
         and Christ enables the Christian to do all that he or she is
         required to do!

   B. THE RAMIFICATION OF THIS POWER...
      1. We are not alone in our efforts to "work out our own salvation"
         - cf. Php 2:12-13
      2. There is no excuse for not doing what God desires!
      3. When we fall, it is usually a problem of the will, not the
         ability! (unlike those outside of Christ, where it is a problem
         of ability - cf. Ro 7:18,22-25)
      4. For Christians who sin knowingly, it is not that they CAN'T do
         the will of God, but they WON'T!
         a. Of course, because we have imperfect knowledge, we may
            sometimes sin ignorantly, and therefore are always in need of
            the cleansing blood of Jesus
         b. But when we know the will of God, there are no excuses for
            not doing it!

[What a wonderful blessing for those who are in Christ, to have that
power!  But there is even a hint of more blessings in our text, as we
notice what is said about...]

IV. GOD'S RICHES

   A. AS DEFINED BY PAUL...
      1. These are "riches in glory" which God supplies by Jesus Christ 
         - Php 4:19
         a. I.e., one must be "in Christ" to enjoy these "riches"
         b. Indeed, "in Christ" is the realm in which God provides every
            spiritual blessing - cf. Ep 1:3-13 (note the use of the
            phrase "in Christ", or "in Him")
      2. But God provides not only spiritual needs, but "all your needs"
         a. Which includes the necessities of life, like food and
            clothing
         b. As Jesus Himself taught in Mt 6:30-33

   B. WITH "RICHES" LIKE THESE...
      1. How can we not be content?
      2. We have an abundance of "spiritual" blessings, and an assurance
         of "physical" needs, how could we ever be less than satisfied?

[May God forgive us when we take these "riches" lightly and begin to 
feel discontented with what we have!

Finally, we note...]

V. THE SAINT'S GREETINGS

   A. AS READ HERE IN PHILIPPIANS...
      1. Paul first sends his greetings - Php 4:21a
      2. The brethren with him (Luke?  Timothy?) send their greetings 
         - Php 4:21b
      3. Then "all the saints...especially those who are of Caesar's
         household" send their greetings - Php 4:22

   B. THE SIMPLE ACT OF GREETING CAN SERVE AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION...
      1. Clearly, Paul thought so - cf. Ro 16:3-16,21-23
      2. Some possible benefits of greeting one another:
         a. Greeting one another expresses our love and appreciation for
            one another
         b. Greeting one another frequently (in letter or in person)
            nourishes the relationship we have as brethren in Christ
      3. Note that Paul desired to greet "every" saint in Christ Jesus;
         no room for favoritism here! - Php 4:21
      4. How we greet (or fail to greet) other Christians in our
         assemblies reveals a lot about ourselves
         a. Either that we are caring and loving without partiality
         b. Or cold and insensitive, except to those in our "clique"!

CONCLUSION

1. Such are some the things we can glean from a simple "thank-you
   note"...
   a. The Philippians' generosity
   b. Paul's contentment
   c. Christ's power
   d. God's riches
   e. The saints' greetings

2. What this reveals is the high quality of life experienced by those in
   Christ!
   a. Who despite the sort of circumstances faced by Paul...
   b. Could still feel and write such a letter as the epistle to the
      Philippians!

3. As we close this study on this wonderful epistle, I leave with you two
   words:  "glory" and "grace"
   a. "Now to our God and Father be GLORY forever and ever.  Amen." 
      - Php 4:20
   b. "The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen." 
      - Php 4:23

Have you received the wonderful GRACE of our Lord in your life, by 
obeying His gospel?  Are you living so as to offer GLORY to God, both 
in word and deed?

May such portions of God's Word like the Epistle to the Philippians 
inspire you to do both!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011


From Jim McGuiggan... Are Gentile Christians NT Israel?

Are Gentile Christians NT Israel?

I'm of the opinion that the terms "Israel," "Israelite" and "Jew" are reserved for the physical descendants of Abraham through Jacob. I believe the scriptures speak of unbelieving Jews as children of Abraham (John 8:37). I believe the scriptures deny that unbelieving Jews are children of Abraham (John 8:39,44). Before Jesus of Nazareth came along a prophet called Ezekiel called apostate Jews the children of Amorites and Hittites and sister to Sodom (16:45,48).

I believe the scriptures call unbelieving Jews "Israel" (Romans 11:25 and see Romans 9:25-29). I believe the scriptures deny that unbelieving Israel is Israel (Romans 9:6 and Hosea 1:9).

The above is doubted by no one. Nor is this. The Scripture speak of believing Gentiles who have been baptized into Christ and calls them "Abraham's children" (Galatians 3:26-28). Abraham and only Abraham is called the father of all that believe (Romans 4:11-12, Galatians 3:7).

But Paul is very particular about this. He insists that Abraham was justified with God prior to his circumcision so that he might be the father of all that believe (Romans 4:11). He tells us that only Abraham received circumcision as a token of the relationship that he had with God prior to his circumcision (4:10-11). Abraham's circumcision came after his relationship with God was established and Paul takes pains to make that clear. This was not true of Isaac or Jacob (Israel). Gentile Christians as well as Jewish can say that Abraham is our father but only Israel can say Israel (Jacob) is our father.

Galatians 6:16 is awkwardly constructed. Scholars still, I think, favour the notion that there are two groups. Those who "walk by this rule" (Gentile believers) and "the Israel of God". The Israel of God would be the Jewish believers who trust to the Messiah. In any case, the least we can say is that the text doesn't establish the case for saying that Gentile believers are called "Israel".
I think this is worthy of reflection because it affects how we hear Paul's theology, especially as he works it out in Romans and Galatians.

©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.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)