Philippians 4.11 - Learning Contentment

 

Philippians 4.11 - Learning Contentment

The Apostle John taught the imperative of faith. Long before, Father Abe walked that talk. Scripture unfolds One Story about One God who called a people to believe and obey through saving grace. The Old Covenant zooms out -showing the grand scale of God’s Kingdom. We don’t get many details about the ‘inner life’ of Abraham, the father of all who believe.  Rather, his story is painted with broad brush strokes as he walks with God for 100 years, holding on in faith to a few rare Words from God. We are left to only imagine his soul’s grappling. But, by contrast, the New Covenant zooms in to reveal the Kingdom’s inward transforming power. Perhaps these New Covenant words of a great son of Abraham, capture the yearning of our father in Genesis 13 – “ I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

 

Colossians 1.17 - The Uni in your Uni

Colossians 1.17 - The Uni in your Uni

The founders of the first Universities believed there was one clear Truth they could stand upon to study all of life. Not all of them were ‘born again evangelicals’ but they held the widely accepted view that the Bible was the Word of God and that Jesus was the Son of God. From that ‘Unity’ of truth in God they examined their ‘diverse’ world, i.e. “University.” Their Latin mottos (such as: “Truth,” “All things unite in Christ,” “In your light we see light,” and “The Lord is my Light”) show that for them Jesus was the ‘Uni’ in their Universities. Today, with those noble Latin mottos largely unintelligible, Christian Unions are driven off some of those very campuses! Yet, long after man’s halls of academia have fallen, God’s truth will stand; “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1.17).

Colossians 3.5 - Life between His Comings

Colossians 3.5 - Life between His Comings

“Our salvation is complete in Christ, but sin will not be destroyed until his return…salvation is already, but also not yet. Christ has all authority, but Satan still has some power…We have died to sin (Romans 6), yet we must “put to death…what is earthly in you” (Colossians 3.5)…We must rely on him for all our provisions. But this fact does not allow us to be passive. There is a battle to be fought (Ephesians 6), a race to be run (1 Corinthians 9)…God’s sovereign action does not discourage, but rather motivates us to fight the spiritual battle, confident that the ultimate victory is God’s…Some theologians present (this era) as a time of suffering, pain, and defeat. Others present it as a time of victory for the gospel. In fact, both positions are correct.”

John Frame, “Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief,” 2013, p. 90.

1 Thessalonians 5.18 - Thanksgiving: It is a Choice

1 Thessalonians 5.18- Thanksgiving? It is a Choice

A holiday to “give thanks” is held annually in several nations (Canada, Grenada, Liberia. Saint Lucia, and United States), and territories (Norfolk Island [AUS], Puerto Rico [U.S.]). Churches around the world have Harvest Festivals and Services of Thanksgiving. As believers we should, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5.18). Notice we’re not told to give thanks “for” all things, but “in” them. Some things are too horrible to be thankful for! But by faith we believe that even in those things God our Heavenly Father is working through them for His glory and our good. When we cannot clearly trace His hand in providence we can trust His heart. Thankfulness is linked to contentment. Thanksgiving is an intentional decision, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart” (Psalm 9.1).

2 Thessalonians 3.16 - A Hui Hou!

2 Thessalonians 3.16 - A Hui Hou!

It won’t be easy to leave BICF ZGC. But one day we all will! In 1982 Dayna and I left for Uganda. “Good-bye” to the church in Hawaii where I was then Assistant Pastor, serving with the pastor who had baptized me and just married us. Dayna was born into that church – both sets of grandparents were members. So many memories and not one digital photo! Going to the opposite side of planet earth – with no computer, no cell phone, no internet, no telephone, even snail mail took six months! But we were eager to go. Then amidst the hugs and tears of our aunties during our farewell service my sad tears flowed. One kind Hawaii lady said, “Don’t say good-bye, say ‘a hui hou! (Hawaiian for see you again!). That felt much better – and still does – the cords of love in God’s family cannot be broken!

1 Timothy 1.14 - Highly Unlikely

1 Timothy 1.14 - Highly Unlikely

Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ - that fits quite nicely in our minds. We have grown up spiritually standing upon this bedrock truth. But this title for that man would have mixed like oil and water to the first followers of the Way. Saul of Tarsus betrayed no warm affinity for Jesus or His rag-tag-alongs. You know Paul’s dramatic turnaround story – another great pillar of our faith. But don’t let its familiarity blunt the shock value. As we used to say in Uganda, “Saul of Tarsus was a ‘gone case’!” Even people of faith doubted whether God Himself could reach him. Saul cut through churches and terrorized Christ-followers like ISIS forces now rape Iraq.  But, as he gratefully confessed, “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1.14). God trumps Saul…and ISIS…Boko Haram…any ‘gone case.’

1 Timothy 1.20 - Church Membership

1 Timothy 1.20 - Church Membership

I sometimes hear, “There is no biblical command to be a church member!” This describes a status the Bible does not envision. There are no individual, lone ranger, Christians in the N.T. who are NOT part of a church. New Testament letters are written either to churches or people in churches. Those not “members” are outsiders (Matthew 18.17,18; 1 Corinthians 5.5; 1 Timothy 1.20; 1 John 2.19). A “Christian” not connected to a church is a New Testament oxymoron – unthinkable! Almost 2000 years later we have many layers of history, denominations, and traditions between us and the Bible – but the core truth of belonging to God and his Church still stands. True redemption leads to tight relationships with God and his people. Formal membership is one significant public expression of this important connection. The next two Sundays you have a chance to become a member of BICF ZGC.