We talked much about the characteristics in the first 4 beatitudes, but we didn't get enough time to talk about the promises. Just a quick post to focus on 2 of the promises we didn't' discuss much:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Again, here we see the phrase the kingdom of heaven. As we've talked about, the Kingdom of Heaven represents those who will inherit internal life by their faith in Jesus Christ. With that in mind, it's interesting to see that the first characteristic (poor in spirit) is the criteria for entry into the kingdom of heaven. We defined poor in spirit as being aware of our sinfulness and that we have no merit before God. Basically, we recognize that He would be just to condemn us, and our only hope is His mercy. Really, we talked about this going even farther than justification, and that for the Christian, poor in spirit simply means a humble dependence on God for everything. I think the promise, theirs is the kingdom of Heaven, makes sense considering the message of Jesus to "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". How can we have that "complete change of mind", which is repentance, without first realizing who we really are (bankrupt in spirit).
This goes completely against the thinking in Jesus' day of many of the pharisees and scribes. At least, I assume that is why John the Baptist warns them not to rely on their status as children of Abraham (see Matthew 3). The thinking was, we're God's chosen people, don't tell us to repent. I think it is also counter to the prevailing thinking of our American culture. Most Americans can't accept a religion first realize that you have no merit and cannot earn your way out of condemnation. We're a pull it off yourself culture (i.e. American Dream). But that's not the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6b).
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
In my opinion, righteousness is not what most people hunger for. It's certainly not what I hungered for before I experienced God's grace and put my faith in Jesus. Like many, I hungered for money, social status, possessions, great career, lots of fun, etc. The interesting thing about these things is that even though we pursue as if they will satisfy something within us, they always seem to fall very short in actually satisfying us. We get more money, we want more money and on and on it goes. Vanity, vanity all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1). Unfortunately, unless our eyes are opened to the beauty of Christ, we will keep seeking the wrong things forever, and even more unfortunately, we'll never be satisfied.
We looked at I John 2:15-17 in class. Verse 17 says the world is passing away along with it's desires. So, if we hunger for the things of the world, the obvious connection is that we'll never be satisfied (those things are passing away). But here we're promised that if we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we shall be satisfied. This agrees with the last part of I John 2:17, which says that whoever does the will of God abides (lives) forever. That's why the pursuit of God's grace to reshape our desires for Him and His ways are essential. All else is passing away. I think we must fight for this. I don't there's room for being complacent, knowing that deep down, we really desire the things of the world. I fear this for myself, and it causes me to pray and fight for God's help to love him above all else.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Counter-Cultural Christianity - Introduction
This week, we will begin our study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). We'll use this blog to post thoughts and questions each week so that we can discuss the meaning of the scripture we're studying as well as it's application to our lives. We think this will be a great way to connect during the week as we seek to grow closer to our Lord through the study of His Word. Sort of a modern way (albeit virtual) to live out Acts 2 where the early church met in the temple courts daily, devoted to the teaching of the apostles. So, we can meet here daily and discuss Matthew's teaching!
Back to our study. This week, we'll be looking at some introductory material to the Sermon on the Mount. We'll be covering some text from Matthew 3 & 4 and possibly some of the Beatitudes. Have you thought about why this study is entitled Counter-Cultural Christianity? We actually got the term from John Stott's commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. Here's a quote from Stott:
"The followers of Jesus are to be different, different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships--all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-Christian world."
If you get a chance, read through the Sermon on the Mount and see if you notice this aspect of Jesus' teaching. You'll notice that over and over he is drawing comparison between his disciples and the world (both the religious scribes and pharisees as well as pagan gentiles).
The standards Christ sets for His followers are radical, even compared to the strict manner in which the Jewish leaders of the day attempted to follow the Old Testament laws. It's obvious that anyone who followed Christ teaching would be different from the world around them. 2 questions: Why do you think Christ commands such radically different behaviour from his disciples? Is obedience to His teaching here even possible?
We'll discuss these points and others this Sunday. If you get a chance to drop a quick note here before then, that would be great.
Craig
Back to our study. This week, we'll be looking at some introductory material to the Sermon on the Mount. We'll be covering some text from Matthew 3 & 4 and possibly some of the Beatitudes. Have you thought about why this study is entitled Counter-Cultural Christianity? We actually got the term from John Stott's commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. Here's a quote from Stott:
"The followers of Jesus are to be different, different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships--all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-Christian world."
If you get a chance, read through the Sermon on the Mount and see if you notice this aspect of Jesus' teaching. You'll notice that over and over he is drawing comparison between his disciples and the world (both the religious scribes and pharisees as well as pagan gentiles).
The standards Christ sets for His followers are radical, even compared to the strict manner in which the Jewish leaders of the day attempted to follow the Old Testament laws. It's obvious that anyone who followed Christ teaching would be different from the world around them. 2 questions: Why do you think Christ commands such radically different behaviour from his disciples? Is obedience to His teaching here even possible?
We'll discuss these points and others this Sunday. If you get a chance to drop a quick note here before then, that would be great.
Craig
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Suffering: Are you ready?
This past Sunday, we discussed several saints who endured suffering with joy because of their faith in Christ. Just to recap:
* we talked about Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed when she was 17 and now must use a wheel chair and cannot do much for herself. She has dedicated her life though to serving others and sharing her story, and she now considers her paralysis a blessing because it has drawn her near to God.
* We talked about Steve Saint, whose father was killed in the Ecuador mission in 1956 along with Jim Eliot and others. Steve Saint views his father's death as planned by God. He feels that God's purpose in the death of his father was to glorify himself and to ignite foreign missions work.
* Finally, we heard about the Backstrom family who lost 3 sons in a car accident where a drunk driver had swerved into their lane and hit them head on. During a newspaper interview, the father stated in tears that their boys were with their Lord Jesus, and his prayer was that others would be drawn to Christ because of his boy's death and that God would be glorified.
* And, of course, we heard about the very brave soldiers from World War II that were willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom.
In some of these examples, suffering was brought by circumstances completely outside of the people's control. I know that really everything is outside of our control and in God's hands, but bear with me. In the case of Joni Eareckson Tada and the Backstrom family, accidents occurred during everyday life. However, in the case of Steve Saint's father (the missionary), and the soldiers, they chose to put themselves in situations where they might lose their life. And then, in the case of the missionaries and the soldiers, there was a definitive moment where they had the opportunity to lose their lives for others and rather than running from it, they were willing to lay it down.
I draw these distinctions for a purpose. I think we are called to be willing to sacrifice and lose it all, even our life, for Jesus. It is God's choice whether any risk we take in His cause, will result in suffering or death. He can deliver us from any circumstance and sometimes, as we see in the case of Steve Saint's dad, He did not deliver him from death because He had a purpose that would result in His glory and the salvation of His people.
That's where I'm at right now. God is challenging me to ask myself some difficult questions. I'm not persecuted nor is anyone around me, I have more than I need to live, I'm healthy, and on and on. So, if we are called to be willing to sacrifice everything, including our lives, for the cause of Christ (see Luke 9:23-26 and other verses), what does that mean for me? I think it means being willing to take risks in order to glorify God and save others. Could mean risking reputation, people's approval, comfort, leisure time, money, and many other things. This study has just really challenged to look at my life and start asking, what am I really doing for the cause of Christ? Where I am just coasting by? I'm very convicted to say the least. Thank God for His mercy and patience. It's exciting though (weird, huh) because this study has also been convincing to show that this kind of life will fulfill our deepest desires for joy!
Consider these questions: Do you agree that we are called in the bible to a life of sacrifice, which may result in suffering, for the cause of Christ?
Do you think the American Church as a whole is ready to lay down its life for in the cause of Christ? How about you? Why or why not?
* we talked about Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed when she was 17 and now must use a wheel chair and cannot do much for herself. She has dedicated her life though to serving others and sharing her story, and she now considers her paralysis a blessing because it has drawn her near to God.
* We talked about Steve Saint, whose father was killed in the Ecuador mission in 1956 along with Jim Eliot and others. Steve Saint views his father's death as planned by God. He feels that God's purpose in the death of his father was to glorify himself and to ignite foreign missions work.
* Finally, we heard about the Backstrom family who lost 3 sons in a car accident where a drunk driver had swerved into their lane and hit them head on. During a newspaper interview, the father stated in tears that their boys were with their Lord Jesus, and his prayer was that others would be drawn to Christ because of his boy's death and that God would be glorified.
* And, of course, we heard about the very brave soldiers from World War II that were willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom.
In some of these examples, suffering was brought by circumstances completely outside of the people's control. I know that really everything is outside of our control and in God's hands, but bear with me. In the case of Joni Eareckson Tada and the Backstrom family, accidents occurred during everyday life. However, in the case of Steve Saint's father (the missionary), and the soldiers, they chose to put themselves in situations where they might lose their life. And then, in the case of the missionaries and the soldiers, there was a definitive moment where they had the opportunity to lose their lives for others and rather than running from it, they were willing to lay it down.
I draw these distinctions for a purpose. I think we are called to be willing to sacrifice and lose it all, even our life, for Jesus. It is God's choice whether any risk we take in His cause, will result in suffering or death. He can deliver us from any circumstance and sometimes, as we see in the case of Steve Saint's dad, He did not deliver him from death because He had a purpose that would result in His glory and the salvation of His people.
That's where I'm at right now. God is challenging me to ask myself some difficult questions. I'm not persecuted nor is anyone around me, I have more than I need to live, I'm healthy, and on and on. So, if we are called to be willing to sacrifice everything, including our lives, for the cause of Christ (see Luke 9:23-26 and other verses), what does that mean for me? I think it means being willing to take risks in order to glorify God and save others. Could mean risking reputation, people's approval, comfort, leisure time, money, and many other things. This study has just really challenged to look at my life and start asking, what am I really doing for the cause of Christ? Where I am just coasting by? I'm very convicted to say the least. Thank God for His mercy and patience. It's exciting though (weird, huh) because this study has also been convincing to show that this kind of life will fulfill our deepest desires for joy!
Consider these questions: Do you agree that we are called in the bible to a life of sacrifice, which may result in suffering, for the cause of Christ?
Do you think the American Church as a whole is ready to lay down its life for in the cause of Christ? How about you? Why or why not?
Suffering and the New Birth
For today's discussion, I wanted to focus on something I brought up yesterday. First, let me just say that I'm now convinced by scripture that we are called to a life of sacrifice and at times, suffering, as we carry out our part of the cause of Christ in this world. Here are a few scriptures (there are more):
Luke 9:23-25
23And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
1 Peter 2:21
21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Hebrews 13:12-14
12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
So, because I'm convinced I'm called to sacrifice and, at times, suffer for the cause of Christ, some questions come to mind. Mainly, how do I get past my fears and my struggles with desiring comfort (and whatever else holds me back) so that I can live a life FULLY devoted to the cause of Christ? We've been looking at Paul's life so I think it's useful to think about what motivated Paul? What enabled him to truly surrender it all for the cause of Christ? This is not the only answer, but I do think it's the main answer. That is, the new birth he experienced and we experienced when God saved us. We're new creations in Christ (2 cor 5:17)! We're in the lifelong process of being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). I believe that this new birth we experience in Christ gives us all the desire, courage, endurance, and whatever else we need to sacrifice and suffer for the cause of Christ. Like Paul said, we've been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Gal 2).
That's what gives Paul the heart to write what he did in Phil 3:7-11. That why all is loss to him compared to knowing Christ. That's why he wants to share in Christ's suffering and by any means possible, attain to the resurrection of Christ. He's been given new eyes to see the glory of Christ, and a hope in Christ that overwhelms him and makes all causes except Christ's rubbish to him.
This gives me hope! When I read or hear about saints sacrificing and suffering for the cause of Christ, my heart leaps. God is giving me more and more of a desire to devote every piece of my life to His cause, but here's the issue I'm dealing with. Even though that's my deepest desire, at times I feel that my progress toward that kind of life is all too slow. However, this give me hope! Since I've been born again, Christ lives in me. Therefore, my deepest desires are His desires. My deepest desire is to live in a way that brings him glory and make my life count in His mission to proclaim his name to all the nations. I can be confident that God will equip me with all I need by the power of His Spirit to sacrifice and endure in suffering for the cause of Christ. Even if on Monday morning, I feel weak and scared saying these things, I can be confident that He will complete my transformation into the likeness of His Son (Phil 1:6). Thank God it's not about me and my abilities!
And finally, knowing that the Spirit of Christ dwells in me, I know that this will be the most pleasing and joyful path for me. What brings Christ joy is what will bring us the most joy and it will be joy that is everlasting. That's what this study has been all about. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Here are some verses on that point:
* For the joy set before him, he endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2)
* Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice (Phil 4:1 -- written from prison by Paul)
* If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:11-13).
Luke 9:23-25
23And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
1 Peter 2:21
21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Hebrews 13:12-14
12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
So, because I'm convinced I'm called to sacrifice and, at times, suffer for the cause of Christ, some questions come to mind. Mainly, how do I get past my fears and my struggles with desiring comfort (and whatever else holds me back) so that I can live a life FULLY devoted to the cause of Christ? We've been looking at Paul's life so I think it's useful to think about what motivated Paul? What enabled him to truly surrender it all for the cause of Christ? This is not the only answer, but I do think it's the main answer. That is, the new birth he experienced and we experienced when God saved us. We're new creations in Christ (2 cor 5:17)! We're in the lifelong process of being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). I believe that this new birth we experience in Christ gives us all the desire, courage, endurance, and whatever else we need to sacrifice and suffer for the cause of Christ. Like Paul said, we've been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Gal 2).
That's what gives Paul the heart to write what he did in Phil 3:7-11. That why all is loss to him compared to knowing Christ. That's why he wants to share in Christ's suffering and by any means possible, attain to the resurrection of Christ. He's been given new eyes to see the glory of Christ, and a hope in Christ that overwhelms him and makes all causes except Christ's rubbish to him.
This gives me hope! When I read or hear about saints sacrificing and suffering for the cause of Christ, my heart leaps. God is giving me more and more of a desire to devote every piece of my life to His cause, but here's the issue I'm dealing with. Even though that's my deepest desire, at times I feel that my progress toward that kind of life is all too slow. However, this give me hope! Since I've been born again, Christ lives in me. Therefore, my deepest desires are His desires. My deepest desire is to live in a way that brings him glory and make my life count in His mission to proclaim his name to all the nations. I can be confident that God will equip me with all I need by the power of His Spirit to sacrifice and endure in suffering for the cause of Christ. Even if on Monday morning, I feel weak and scared saying these things, I can be confident that He will complete my transformation into the likeness of His Son (Phil 1:6). Thank God it's not about me and my abilities!
And finally, knowing that the Spirit of Christ dwells in me, I know that this will be the most pleasing and joyful path for me. What brings Christ joy is what will bring us the most joy and it will be joy that is everlasting. That's what this study has been all about. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Here are some verses on that point:
* For the joy set before him, he endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2)
* Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice (Phil 4:1 -- written from prison by Paul)
* If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:11-13).
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