Every Sunday morning we begin our Bible class by reading in unison these words of Paul -
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV
Although our studies are currently centered in the book of James, quite often we never get past the words of Paul and spend the entire time talking about how this passage has spoken to various class member in the past week. Personally, I like doing that every week. This intentionally brief discussion usually lasts only about 8 to 10 minutes, but sometimes one of us will open up about a specific incident during the week that ignites a discussion that just has to happen. Maybe that is exactly what the Holy Spirit intended to happen when he inspired the weary Apostle to write these words.
Paul's words spotlight four players - (1) "the servant of the Lord" (2) "the devil" (3) "God" (4) "those who oppose him". Obviously Timothy had encountered some stiff opposition to his ministry, maybe even to the point, like Paul, of incarceration or worse. Paul's wise words should instruct all of us who see ourselves as God's servants to view opposition through God's eyes.
Over the years I have had to step back, take some time to reflect and approach a specific situation with Paul's instructions in my heart. Learning to see God as the major player in this scene has been eye opening for me. I am a debater by nature and have quickly risen to the occasion when opposition has shown itself in my ministry.
Quarreling never achieves the will of God. Gentle instruction is sometimes really hard to get to, but it is ultimately the only way to defeat the devil. He has no defense against kindness, gentleness and a refusal to resent another's opposition. Overcoming the instinct to react defensively and prove my own superior knowledge or position or whatever, has been a pretty long journey for me. Timothy seems to have been struggling with that too, just as Paul had in his early years of ministry.
Maybe this will help -
"God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands." MSG
People all around you need the good news of God but most of them either don't know it or have some specific reason why it's just not for them. Pick out just one of those people in your life and begin to pray for the guidance of God's Spirit to give you better words than ever before. Prepare your heart for battle because that is exactly what it is but use the weapons of kindness and gentleness without even a hint of resentment. Then allow God to do the rest. He's really good at it!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
"Silver Platters and Trash Cans"
As the prisoner Paul continues to encourage and instruct his son in the faith, he urges Timothy to keep teaching the brothers and sisters to hang on to their faith and live it out in a very obvious manner. At that time, doing so was not only risky but often a death sentence as in Paul's case and the tens of thousands of other Christians who were summarily executed for doing the very thing Paul is urging Timothy to do and teach. The vicious campaign by the Romans and the Jews to obliterate the words and life of Jesus from the earth was focused on the church all over the Empire. This caused many to turn away from following Jesus and the teaching of the Apostles. Hear Paul again -
"God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, 'The Lord knows who are his', and 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' In a large house there are articles of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:19-21 NIV
Which type of vessel/bowl am I? God knows! Am I honest enough with myself to actually know? I love the way this same thing is stated at Hebrews 2:1 -
"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
Drifting away is never an intentional result of faith. I've met a few people who went away from Jesus and his church by intention, they just became angry or disillusioned or whatever, and walked away. Maybe they never really were people of faith or maybe their lifestyle would not allow such a drastic shift as Jesus demands and they saw no reason to pretend. However, most of those I have met who went away from Jesus did so gradually. They drifted off a little at a time. Satan is really skilled at distracting us away from the life of faith. I cannot recall one person I ever talked with who is away from Jesus and his church who planned to be in that place from the beginning.
Maybe Peterson's interpretation will be helpful -
"In a well furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets - some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing." MSG
God's obvious intention for me is to use me to present his pure love, shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, to his human family wherever I go in life. He wants to make me into a silver platter on which to serve his feast.
I realize there are those who have interpreted Paul's statement to mean that you and I become either a silver platter (acceptable to God) or a trash can (rejected by God) by God's own purpose and design and we have no option either way. If someone chooses to believe that God creates both vessels and neither has a choice in the matter, that is their business and God will deal with it in his own way. But, to me that violates everything the gospel is designed to do. I believe we all are sinners in need of forgiveness and that is exactly what God offers to all of us through Jesus Christ. Paul is simply using common household items as an illustration of who God is and how he accomplishes his will in us.
So, am I functioning in God's kitchen as a beautiful serving platter or a trash can to hold the garbage?
Kinda makes you think don't it!
"God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, 'The Lord knows who are his', and 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' In a large house there are articles of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:19-21 NIV
Which type of vessel/bowl am I? God knows! Am I honest enough with myself to actually know? I love the way this same thing is stated at Hebrews 2:1 -
"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
Drifting away is never an intentional result of faith. I've met a few people who went away from Jesus and his church by intention, they just became angry or disillusioned or whatever, and walked away. Maybe they never really were people of faith or maybe their lifestyle would not allow such a drastic shift as Jesus demands and they saw no reason to pretend. However, most of those I have met who went away from Jesus did so gradually. They drifted off a little at a time. Satan is really skilled at distracting us away from the life of faith. I cannot recall one person I ever talked with who is away from Jesus and his church who planned to be in that place from the beginning.
Maybe Peterson's interpretation will be helpful -
"In a well furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets - some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing." MSG
God's obvious intention for me is to use me to present his pure love, shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, to his human family wherever I go in life. He wants to make me into a silver platter on which to serve his feast.
I realize there are those who have interpreted Paul's statement to mean that you and I become either a silver platter (acceptable to God) or a trash can (rejected by God) by God's own purpose and design and we have no option either way. If someone chooses to believe that God creates both vessels and neither has a choice in the matter, that is their business and God will deal with it in his own way. But, to me that violates everything the gospel is designed to do. I believe we all are sinners in need of forgiveness and that is exactly what God offers to all of us through Jesus Christ. Paul is simply using common household items as an illustration of who God is and how he accomplishes his will in us.
So, am I functioning in God's kitchen as a beautiful serving platter or a trash can to hold the garbage?
Kinda makes you think don't it!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
"Guarding The Treasure"
In his final effort to urge Timothy to overcome his fear/timidity as a disciple of Christ Jesus, Paul affirms his own determination to hold fast, even in the face of a violent death. His words here have been immortalized in song, prayers and teaching in every succeeding age, since Christians have struggled to maintain vibrant and dynamic faith when faced with Satan's threats. Hear Paul -
"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.....Guard the good deposit (treasure) that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:12-14 NIV
"You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV
That word "know" means see, understand and ultimately - TRUST. Can you see yourself in these stirring words? Go back and read them again! Standing guard over a treasure (the gospel of Jesus Christ) begins at the point of truly understanding the seriousness of Jesus' mission and his inclusion of me as one of his foot soldiers in the daily fight to accomplish that mission. "I know whom I have believed" is much more than going to a church building on Sunday, a few songs and planning the next "fellowship" with my friends. There is nothing wrong or bad in any of those things unless our "church" experience becomes about us and what we want, like or expect.
Think of it like this - is your Christian life like being on a cruise ship or a warship? I've been on both and both sail on the sea but what happens on board is very different. Everything about a cruise ship is designed to cater to the comfort, expectations, needs and entertainment of the passengers. A cruise is all about food and games with options to just relax and enjoy the ride. On a warship, every minute of every day and night is organized to either go into battle or prepare for it. Believe me, it's not a pleasure cruise with food and games and relaxing entertainment.
Paul reminds his son in the faith and me, we are at war every day and night. Our enemy is totally committed to destroying us because of our faith in Jesus and our love for others who don't know what we know. You and I are included in the succession of entrusting Jesus' treasure to others who will entrust it to others who will entrust it to others on and on and on. It isn't a pleasure cruise. It requires enduring hardship because we "know" something eternally and absolutely crucial that Jesus died to give to the entire human family. But, if they don't know about it, they can't be blessed by it.
Feeling a little guilty? I surely hope not. Guilt is a poor motivation to serve Jesus because it won't last past the exit door of your church building. And I didn't mean for the title of this post to give the sense of a sentry who, like the guards at Buckingham Palace, merely march back and forth to guard the gate. Our "Guarding The Treasure" of the gospel means living it, growing into it, talking about it, being excited about it, praying for it, hungering to always know more about it. In short, guarding Jesus' treasure means being passionate about the mission. Don't go to sleep! Don't become lazy! Don't allow Satan to distract you into thinking this is a pleasure cruise that is designed to cater to YOU.
Speak to us once more brother Paul -
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
Here is a trustworthy saying - (so pay very close attention!)
If we died with him
we will also live with him;
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
If we are faithless;
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown
himself," 2 Timothy 2:8-13 NIV
"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.....Guard the good deposit (treasure) that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:12-14 NIV
"You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV
That word "know" means see, understand and ultimately - TRUST. Can you see yourself in these stirring words? Go back and read them again! Standing guard over a treasure (the gospel of Jesus Christ) begins at the point of truly understanding the seriousness of Jesus' mission and his inclusion of me as one of his foot soldiers in the daily fight to accomplish that mission. "I know whom I have believed" is much more than going to a church building on Sunday, a few songs and planning the next "fellowship" with my friends. There is nothing wrong or bad in any of those things unless our "church" experience becomes about us and what we want, like or expect.
Think of it like this - is your Christian life like being on a cruise ship or a warship? I've been on both and both sail on the sea but what happens on board is very different. Everything about a cruise ship is designed to cater to the comfort, expectations, needs and entertainment of the passengers. A cruise is all about food and games with options to just relax and enjoy the ride. On a warship, every minute of every day and night is organized to either go into battle or prepare for it. Believe me, it's not a pleasure cruise with food and games and relaxing entertainment.
Paul reminds his son in the faith and me, we are at war every day and night. Our enemy is totally committed to destroying us because of our faith in Jesus and our love for others who don't know what we know. You and I are included in the succession of entrusting Jesus' treasure to others who will entrust it to others who will entrust it to others on and on and on. It isn't a pleasure cruise. It requires enduring hardship because we "know" something eternally and absolutely crucial that Jesus died to give to the entire human family. But, if they don't know about it, they can't be blessed by it.
Feeling a little guilty? I surely hope not. Guilt is a poor motivation to serve Jesus because it won't last past the exit door of your church building. And I didn't mean for the title of this post to give the sense of a sentry who, like the guards at Buckingham Palace, merely march back and forth to guard the gate. Our "Guarding The Treasure" of the gospel means living it, growing into it, talking about it, being excited about it, praying for it, hungering to always know more about it. In short, guarding Jesus' treasure means being passionate about the mission. Don't go to sleep! Don't become lazy! Don't allow Satan to distract you into thinking this is a pleasure cruise that is designed to cater to YOU.
Speak to us once more brother Paul -
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
Here is a trustworthy saying - (so pay very close attention!)
If we died with him
we will also live with him;
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
If we are faithless;
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown
himself," 2 Timothy 2:8-13 NIV
Saturday, August 2, 2014
"The Truly Proud Life In Jesus"
Learning To Follow Jesus is an adventure into a life that always makes a difference somewhere, in someone virtually every day. I've noted that not a few churches and other spiritual organizations use as their motto "Making A Difference" or some similar variation on their websites and other promo materials. But how does that actually happen? How does your church 'make a difference' in the ministry field where it is located? Some powerful words to challenge all of us -
"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:8-10 NIV
About ten years earlier Paul had written the thesis statement of his life -
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew , then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16 NIV
If I affirm this same conviction for my life, "Not ashamed of the gospel", is there enough evidence to confirm that? Please take a moment or several minutes or an hour to seriously weigh your own faith in the balance. Does the evidence affirm your pride in the gospel?
Years ago I was confronted by a well meaning brother following a sermon I preached on this general theme who, with a red face and neck muscles bulging said, " I COME TO CHURCH DON'T I!" I put my arm around his shoulder and said, "Yes you do. For what purpose?" That seemed to confuse him. Years later, he shared the gospel every day of his life as the leader of a state supported group home for men working to re-start their lives after years of drug addiction. He decided that he could do more than sit in a church pew on Sunday morning. He took the necessary steps to become a qualified drug and alcohol counselor and was certified by the state to work in that program. He may not appreciate me doing this but you need to know - his name is James Anthamatten and he has given most his adult life to proving his pride in the gospel of Jesus Christ - and I am very proud to call him brother.
If you are someone whose pride in the gospel may not be evident (other than the fact that you 'go to church') maybe you should read Paul's encouragement to Timothy over and over until you can put your NAME there as though Paul addressed it to YOU. Through his Spirit our Father has gifted all of us to make a difference in our family, at our job, in our neighborhood and in Jesus' body the church. Use his gift to actually make a difference. Then your pride in the gospel is real.
"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:8-10 NIV
About ten years earlier Paul had written the thesis statement of his life -
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew , then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16 NIV
If I affirm this same conviction for my life, "Not ashamed of the gospel", is there enough evidence to confirm that? Please take a moment or several minutes or an hour to seriously weigh your own faith in the balance. Does the evidence affirm your pride in the gospel?
Years ago I was confronted by a well meaning brother following a sermon I preached on this general theme who, with a red face and neck muscles bulging said, " I COME TO CHURCH DON'T I!" I put my arm around his shoulder and said, "Yes you do. For what purpose?" That seemed to confuse him. Years later, he shared the gospel every day of his life as the leader of a state supported group home for men working to re-start their lives after years of drug addiction. He decided that he could do more than sit in a church pew on Sunday morning. He took the necessary steps to become a qualified drug and alcohol counselor and was certified by the state to work in that program. He may not appreciate me doing this but you need to know - his name is James Anthamatten and he has given most his adult life to proving his pride in the gospel of Jesus Christ - and I am very proud to call him brother.
If you are someone whose pride in the gospel may not be evident (other than the fact that you 'go to church') maybe you should read Paul's encouragement to Timothy over and over until you can put your NAME there as though Paul addressed it to YOU. Through his Spirit our Father has gifted all of us to make a difference in our family, at our job, in our neighborhood and in Jesus' body the church. Use his gift to actually make a difference. Then your pride in the gospel is real.
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