2 Corinthians 11.4 - Get Him Right

If, as was said in this corner last Sunday, there is more than one Jesus out there (2 Corinthians 11.4), then it is imperative we get Him right – especially at Christmas. Many Ancient Church Fathers held shaky Christology. In fact, it took almost three hundred years for the first Christians to speak with one voice about Jesus of the Scriptures. Their consensus is expressed in the Nicene Creed (put into final form in 381).  The short answer is Jesus is one person with two natures, fully God and fully man – a real man who is really God!  But eternity will not be long enough to exhaust the wonder of who He is! Nowhere does Scripture imply that we’ll ever fully ‘figure Him out.’ But just as missing one letter of an email address bounces our note into cyberspace; we must give our full attention to what Scripture says about Jesus.

2 Corinthians 11.16-33 - Would you Hire this Pastor?

“One wonders how many modern congregations would hire someone like Paul, who touts his weakness…his penchant to find or stir up trouble, his run-ins with the law, his lack of…verbal eloquence, powerful delivery and meaningful gestures… We have bought into the world’s vision of what it means to be wise, powerful, and of great worth, and, like the Corinthians, made void the preaching of the cross…a message of power through weakness, through self-sacrificial behavior, through reliance on God’s power to work through us…. Until we learn ‘when I am weak then I am strong’…we will misread Paul’s theology of leadership, status, power, and wisdom. Until then, the church will continue to play the game of power politics with ministry, an all too human and too Corinthian game indeed.”

Ben Witherington III, ‘Conflict & Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians,’ (Eerdmans), 1995.

2 Corinthians 13.14 - 5G!

We’re often reminded that ZGC is “GATHERING": The highpoint of the week for many of us is meeting to worship our great God. Many of us have also found great encouragement in our small groups!  “GROWING”: All of us in different places on our spiritual journey. We are blessed to journey together. Christian maturity is to know Jesus more and more by His Word and Spirit.  “GOING”: We’re in transit through Beijing -  for weeks or years. We’re being equipped for a lifetime of service, here and beyond, until we comes. Reading Ephesians challenges us to bracket these 3 G’s with a couple more. This all begins with “GRACE.” From eternity past God decreed to redeem sons and daughters from death and destruction. Now in Christ we enjoy His gifts of heaven freely given. If that be so, we must conclude with “GLORY” – to Him alone be endless praise!

Galatians 2.10 - Justice? Mercy? Cool!...Got an App for that?

“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” (Galatians 2.10).  In the Lausanne meetings in Cape Town I heard Tim Keller say, “There is no way to have a thriving ministry with young adults without a strong justice and mercy ministry.” Timothy followed Paul. Got a timely word from a woman we worked with in Uganda in the 1980’s, a nurse who shows Christ’s comfort to thousands of AIDS sufferers, just this week, “Students are concerned about social justice, they want to address the suffering that takes place in the world; but often they are reluctant to sacrifice their personal comfort and careers in order to bring the gospel and relief to those who are suffering.” Thank God for those in ZGC who both show and speak the Good News of Jesus faithfully.

Galatians 2:12 - “I Used to Love You”

Love is a big risk. Whether it is affection for your cat or classmate, your study partner or potential spouse - using the “L” word is fraught with dangers. Once a “heart goes out” for someone feelings are easily bruised.  No doubt there was a warm bond of affection between the Apostle Peter and the largely Gentile congregation he visited in Antioch. Their “love feasts” (i.e. pot-luck dinners in the earliest church) flowed joyfully into the “Lord’s Supper.” Until one sad day:
“he drew back and separated himself” (Galatians 2:12). The noble Apostle became a ‘no-good’ heartbreaker. The pain in Antioch was that of any spurned lover. Love smash-ups are always heartrending. The toxic spill-over can even be devastating in churches. I think Peter heeded Paul’s challenge, and things got sorta patched up. But never quite like before – for any of them. Tread lovingly.

Galatians 2.20 - Who are you?

One of the most unsettling things about moving to a new place is trying to re-establish your identity. Back home you were someone’s child, sibling, friend, student, and colleague. Now all those someone’s are an ocean away from Beijing. Here people call us lots of things. People love labels! So we start back at the beginning becoming just that black guy, or white girl, or old man. One pastor once advised me, “Define yourself before everyone else does!” We should know who we are no matter where in the world we are found. In our text John the Baptizer identifies himself. We learn from him that our most basic identity in this world is who we are because of the Maker and Messiah of this world. Knowing clearly, and living consistently, with who you are is an important part of spiritual maturity. Who are you, in Christ?

Galatians 3.28 - Level Ground

Men and women have equal standing before God in Christ. “There is neither…male nor female…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3.28). Men and women are equally justified by faith (v. 24), equally free from legalism’s bondage (v. 25), equally God’s children (v. 26), equally clothed with Christ (v. 27), equally possessed by Christ (v. 29), and equally heirs of the promises to Abraham (v. 29). Wives are “joint-heirs of the gracious gift of life” (1 Peter 3.7). Jesus and His Apostles were great emancipators of women, treating them with dignity and respect (Luke 8.1-3, Ephesians 5.25-29, 1 Timothy 5.2,3, 1 Peter 3.7). Christianity brings liberation and opportunity for women all around the world, as the gospel transforms cultural prejudices against women. Never in human history had anyone even imagined a wife whose husband would “lay down” his life for her --- just like Jesus did for us!