21 Day Journey – Day 18, Phil. 3,4 and Col. 1,
Published on Jan 27, 2010 - In: Faith| Life at SSCC| Personal
Hey, Starting Feb. 7, I will be preaching from the Book of Colossians. So please share your insights as God speaks to you from Colossians. I would lvoe to hear from you.
Phil. 3:3,4
– It is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh… Paul means that we Christians have had our flesh stripped away – not physical flesh – but our fleshly desires. Christ changes us and gives us new desires for Him and not the world. We worship God by His Spirit and we do not glory or “take pride” in our flesh, human efforts, or human attainments. We glory in Christ Jesus who gave everything for us. Where do you place your confidence today? In self? In what you can do? Or in Christ?
Phil. 3:7-11 – Everything else is a loss compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Nothing compares to just knowing Christ. As humans, we like to puff ourselves up through human achievement and success. We like to count our successes as our gain. Paul says, “No. It is all a loss compared to knowing Jesus Christ.” It is not about what you can do, or even what you can do for Christ. There is nothing greater than knowing the One who gave his life for you. That is the greatest gain. Everything else pales in significance.
Phil. 3:12-14 – Paul did not feel as though he had arrived, but wanted to continually press on to take hold of Christ. To forget what is behind involves a couple of things: One we can’t rest on our laurels. Do not let past victory or success cause you to become satisfied with your life and faith in Christ. Press on! You haven’t arrived either. Neither let your failures hold you back. Repent and receive God’s forgiveness, and do not let guilt hold you back. Press on. Press on in Christ. He has called you upward.
Phil 4:4-7 – Great section of scripture. Rejoice in the Lord always. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. As you pray give thanks to God – remember, He is near. Present your requests to the Lord. And as you do this, God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds.
Phil. 4:8 – What are you thinking about these days. Paul warns about our thought life.
Phil. 4:10-13 – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Great verse that is often quoted. Look at the context. Paul is talking about learning to be content in all situations whether he has a little, or has a lot.
Phil 4:14-19 Philippians were great givers. They were sharing in the minisry of Paul through finances. We share in the kingdom when we give to the kingdom. Their gifts of faith were seen by God and credited to their “heavenly account.” (v. 17). God honors our giving. It stores up treasures in heaven for us. Paul believed that God would supply all of his needs and the needs of the Philippians as they were faithful to Him.
Colossians 1
Col. 1:4 How would you like to have a faith and a love that is “heard of” by others?
Col. 1:6 – May the Gospel bear fruit here in the Golden Isles – the fruit of changed lives and heart for the sake of Christ.
Col. 1:9- 13 – Great prayer to pray for yourself and others. 1. Ask God to fill you with knowledge of his will for you life as he gives you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 2. As you come to know his will, pray that you would live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him. This is not trying to earn your salvation, it is simply a desire to please the One who saved you. 3. How do we please Him? Pray that you would bear fruit for Him in everything you do. Ask to grow in intimacy and greater relationship with Him, and seek His power to fill and strengthen your life. God’s strength will give you endurance and patience. Again we do not earn our way with God, as Christ has qualified us for His kingdom and given us an inheritance (v. 12). For Jesus has rescued us from dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves in whom we have redemption for the forgiveness of sins.
Col. 1:15-20 Jesus is supreme and over all.
1. He is the image of invisible God. He reveals God to us. (v. 15)
2. First born over all creation. This means he is first, pre-eminent. He was not born. He is just over all. (v.15)
3. He is creator of all things, therefore over all things including every other throne or power in the universe. He reigns! (v. 16)
4. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Again this is His pre-eminence. He has first place, and he sustains the universe. He not only created all things, but they only continue by his grace and his power. (v. 17)
5. He is the head of the body, the church. Jesus rules his church. We subject ourselves to Him.
6. He is the beginning and first born from the dead, so that in everything he might have supremacy. Jesus rose from the dead so that we one day might rise as well. He has begun a new race, a new breed of people who can be redeemed from sin and from death and rise up with Him. His defeat of death through his resurrection grants Him supremacy over all. (v. 18)
7. All of God lives in Jesus. He is fully God even though he was fully man. (v. 19)
8. Jesus has reconciled all things to himself through his shed blood. Peace is available through the blood of Christ.
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21 Day Journey – Day13, Eph. 6, Phil. 1 & 2
Published on Jan 23, 2010 - In: Faith| Leadership| Life at SSCC| Personal
So how are you doing on your 21 Day journey? Are you drawing closer to the Lord? Are you hearing His voice? I have heard from so many that this has been a very special time for them. Keep seeking.
Ephesians 6:1-3 – 2 commands for children and then 2 promises from God. Obey your parents, and honor them. God is a God who delegates authority and believes in it. Parents serve as the authority in a child’s life and God promises blessing (it will go well with you) and long life for those who honor and submit to their authority. Showing honor to our elders and authorities should always be done. God blesses that heart.
Eph. 6:4 – Fathers (parents) are to consistently discipline their children in love, not over-react in anger. Ouch. Help me God.
Eph. 6:5-9 – Slaves and masters could be put into context of employers and employees. Employees should work hard, honor, and obey their bosses (even if their boss happens to be a jerk). Our ultimate goal is to serve and work as if God were our boss, and He truly is watching us even when our boss is not. Work as unto the Lord. The Employer is also to serve those under him/her. Do not get power hungry, because God is the Master of all. Employers should honor God in the way they treat those under them.
Eph. 6:10-18 The armor of God. We are to be strong in the Lord’s power, not our own. Surrender so the Lord can fill you with his strength. Stand against the enemy and his schemes. Realize the enemy is seeking to trip you up. Do not fall for his tricks and traps. Stand your ground and fight. Put on the belt of truth by walking in truth. Ask God for discernment to know truth, and to realize lies and falsehood. You must commit to walking in truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Jesus is your righteousness as you stand before God. He makes you righteous, but you must also commit to doing what is right before the Lord. Walk in his righteousness. Let your feet be prepared with the Gospel. May God carry you to the people and places He wants you to share with. Be ready to give testimony of Christ in your life. Take up the shield of faith. What arrows will the enemy send you way today? By faith, claim victory over your struggles and temptations. Claim victory by faith over doubt, discouragement, lust, greed, etc. Raise up the shield of faith to extinguish the enemy’s arrows. Faith is the key. Faith in God and His promises. Believe! Place the helmet of salvation. Remember that you are saved. You have received grace. Thank Christ for it. Live in grace. Plead the blood of Christ over your mind. Take up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Read it, believe it, hide it in your heart. When Satan comes at you… quote God’s work back at him, just as Jesus did. The bible is your offensive weapon to destroy Satan’s kingdom. Scripture is God’s truth. It declares truth about God and your relationship to Him. Do not let Satan rob you. Stand firm with the word. And pray. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all of your prayers. Come to God in prayer.
Eph. 6:19 – This verse is a great little prayer request… that “whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.
Eph. 6:24 May God give us all an undying love for the Lord Jesus.
Philipians 1:5 – We are partners in the gospel. Let us work together for the good of God’s kingdom.
Phil. 1:6 – The Father who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. He is committed to your growth and development. Trust your life into His hands so you can continue to grow in Christ. Believe Him to keep working in you.
Phil. 1:7-9 – Paul had a great love and affection for God’s people. I am asking the Lord for these same affections for his people.
Phil. 1:9 May our love at SSCC abound more and more.
Phil 1:12-14 – Paul could see his imprisonment as an opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. He had a chance to share Christ with the whole prison guard, many who were influential men the army. Also, his chains emboldened others to step up. Paul saw prison as a win, not a loss. Wow! May I trust God enough in every circumstance to see it as a win for the kingdom as long as I am seeking and trusting Him..
Phil. 1:21 – For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. This should be true of every believer. Is it true of you.
Phil 2:1-4 – If we have benefited from the love and comfort of Christ, we are called to pass it on. Do nothing out of selfish ambition and vain conceit… I had to stop at this verse, reflect, and repent for pride and selfish. I pray God will give me the same humility and attitude of Jesus to put others first. OTHERS FIRST – this is the way of Jesus
Phil 2:5-11 – Great, well know “hymn” in teh scripture here that shows how Christ descended from the glory of heaven to become a man and die a horrible death. He went as low as humanly possible, but through His obedience and humility, the Father then elevated Jesus to the highest place above all and gave Him the name above every other name. So now at His Name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. This is God’s model. Those who humble themselves before God will be lifted up for His sake (not ours). Those who elevate themselves will be brought low.
Phil 2:12-13 – Love this passage. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you. We do not work for our salvation. That is a gift. We work it out. We work out what God has worked in our hearts. It is not earned. It is a gift that we are to unwrap, discover, and truly flesh out in our lives. We do this not in our flesh, but in cooperation with God’s Spirit who is at work in us”to act according to his good purpose.”
Phil. 2:14-16 – No complaining or arguing. Live like a child of God in a crooked and depraved universe. We are called to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out words of life.
Phil 2:21 – Whose interests are you looking out for – yours or Christs?
21 Day Journey – Day 11, Ephesians 4 & 5
Published on Jan 20, 2010 - In: Faith
How are you doing in your 21 day journey. I have been reading and praying and seeking God, but I can’t get to the computer every day, but I will do my best to keep giving regular updates several times a week. I also love to hear your feed back. What is God saying to you?
Ephesians 4:1 Live a life worthy of the calling you have received! We have been called by the eternal God, Almighty God who loved us and saved us and we are called to now live our lives in light of His glory.
Ephesians 4:2-6 Paul again stresses unity in the body. It come through humility ( a right view of our self before God), and gentleness with one another. We are called to do everything we can to make peace and keep peace with each other. We are all given the same Spirit of Christ, and baptized with the same baptism through the Spirit and Christ. Let us be one.
Ephesians 4:7-13 Christ has given grace to each of us to serve His body. He gave gifts to men, different callings – apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists, etc. These gifts and callings are to help equip and build up the body of Christ so we can (1) reach unity in faith and knowledge of Christ, (2) become mature spiritually, (3) attain fulness in Christ.
Ephesians 4:17-32 – Paul calls us to walk out darkess, from a hardened heart that is insensitive to God and given over to lust and sensuality. We are called to put off the old self and to be made new in the way we think.
Eph, 4:26 Anger that is not dealt with can give Satan a foothold in our lives. This means we give him access when we hold onto anger and bitterness. If we do not forgive, Satan has a little piece of real estate in our hearts.
Eph. 4:29 Watch what you say. Your speech should not tear others down. Instead you should build them up.
Ephe 4:30-32 – Do not grieve the Holy Spirit who has sealed us. We grieve the Spirit through sin, through hardness to God and not caring about sin. Paul says to get rid of bitterness, anger, rage, brawling, slander, etc. Instead be kind and compassionate, forgiving others. Why? Christ forgave us. Follow Him in this.
EPHESIANS 5
Ephesians 5:8-10 This sums up much of the first part of the chapter. Walk in the light. Do not live in darkness. Do not delight in darkness and sinful behavior. You are to walk in the light of Christ.
Eph. 5:15-20 Your days are short, so use them wisely. Don;t be taken in by the evil ways of the world. Do not be a fool. Find out the will of God for your life. Do not get drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. This happens through surrender. Do not surrender to the power of alcohol by getting drunk. Instead surrender the presence and power of the Spirit. Let Jesus fill you with the Spirit as you surrender to Him. Ask Him to fill you with the Spirit. He promises to do so. The signs of a spirit filled life – singing, rejoicing in God, giving thanks to God. These are a few of the things that display the Spirit’s work.
Eph. 5:21 This is a big verse that basically starts off the next section about husband and wives, parents and children, masters and slaves. Christians are to submit to one another in love, put others first.
Ephe 5:22-24 God does call women here to honor their husbands as the head. This is God’s word to a wife, not a husband’s word. It is a great act of faith for a woman to follow and honor her husband as God desires.
Eph. 5:25-31 Husbands are called to die for their wives – to love her as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. We are to love our wives as a part of our own body – provide for, nurture, care for.
Eph 5:33 Husbands are called to love (honor, cherish, value) their wives. Wives are called to respect their husbands. A woman’s greatest need is to be securely loved and cherished. A man’s need is to be honored and respected. It is true to our nature. And God knows it. It is why it is in the book.
21 Day Journey – Day 9, Ephesians 2 and 3
Published on Jan 18, 2010 - In: Faith
I didn’t have time to put my post up for yesterday. So I am catching it all up for today. Thanks.
Ephesians 2:1-5 Paul describes the hopelessness of our condition before Christ. We were not just need of some help. We didn’t just need some improvement. We were dead in our sin, living according to the ways of the world, gratifying the desires of our flesh. As a result, we were objects of God’s wrath. God is loving, but He has a big problem with sin. His very nature of holiness and justice demands that He punish sin. Thank God He didn’t leave us there. Because of HIS great love, God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ. It was not God’s fault that we were dead in sin. But it was God’s pleasure to make us alive in Christ. This is God’s grace that saves us. Life is found in Jesus Christ. It will never be found apart from HIM.
Eph. 2:6,7 Not only did God make us alive with Christ, but He raised up with Christ in heavenly places. This speaks of our spiritual position as a Christian. As a Christian, you are right now seated with Christ in heavenly places. It is a place of privilege, and authority. You are now royalty seated with Christ. We are called to live like a Kings kid who has been given great love and grace. This grace of God to make us alive and raise up is God’s way of “showing off” his incomparable grace. Christians will forever be a testimony to God’s kindness and love. He saved us!
Eph. 2:8-10 – Paramount verses from Ephesians. You should memorize these verses. How are we saved? It is by God’s grace through faith. Our faith in Christ gives us access to God’s grace in our lives. This is not from ourselves. We didn’t earn it. We could not work for it. Nothing we did made us deserve it. It is completely a gift to us from our Father. No one gets to heaven and boasts that they were good enough to get in. Grace gets you in.
Eph. 2:10 We were not saved by our works, but we were saved for our works. We are God’s workmanship, literally works of art, craftsmanship. And God had works that He prepared for us to do in advance. This means God has a destiny planned for you. Our job is to discover God’s plan, to seek to walk in the works that He planned for us in advance. May we all discover God’s call.
Eph. 2:11-22 – I will not say much about this, but basically Paul is speaking of the oneness and unity that Christ’s brings to people. There was a division between Jews and Gentiles. Now in Christ, that division is removed. Christ now makes us one new man together, no longer divided along racial lines, ethnic lines, socio-economic lines. We are called to oneness in Christ. We are together a temple to the Lord. God’s temple is no longer a building as in the Old Testament, it is a group of believers who love and follow Christ and are filled by His Spirit.
Ephesians 3:1-6 Paul continues to speak of the Gentile’s inclusion into the Gospel. There was a season according to Paul when this was not revealed, and the Gentiles were on the outside looking in so to speak. Now the Spirit has revealed the mystery that the gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of the body together, sharing in the promises of Christ together. This may not sound like much to you, but it was BIG news in Paul’s today. He was letting them know that God no longer distinguishes between Jew and Gentile. The only division now is found in Christ. You are in Christ. Or you are not. The smart decision is be found in Christ.
Eph. 3:7-13 – The Gospel is a mystery that God has kept hidden but now is revealed. Paul is called to make the unserachable riches of Christ’s gospel known to the Gentiles. Through the church, God’s wisdom is now made known. We are his people, made one in Christ. I love v. 12. – In him and through faith in him (Jesus), we may approach God with freedom and confidence. YES1.
Eph. 3:14-20 Great prayer. Go pray this over you. Ask that God would strengthen you in the inner man so that Christ would dwell in your heart by faith. Pray that you would be rooted and grounded in God’s love, fully knowing his love in your life. Pray that you too would be able to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love Christ and you would be filled with the fullness of God. God wants you to experience that. It is not just meant to be words on a page. Ask the Holy Spirit to make this revelation of love and grace real in your heart. Keep asking Him for it until it becomes a greater reality in your life. God bless.
21 Day Journey – Day 7, Ephesians 1
Published on Jan 16, 2010 - In: Faith
Welcome to Ephesians. Unlike Galatians, Paul does not seem to be fighting off a particular errant doctrine. The letter still offers a lot of doctrine and teaching however. Paul still greatly emphasizes the grace that believes have received. We are saved through God’s lavish grace, not by human works. Paul also promotes the unit of the body. We are made one in Christ and He brings us to unity. The first half of the book is doctrinal, the second half is practical.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul again reminds us that He is an apostle (sent one) by the will of God – not human will, or his own will. God called him and willed for him to be a vessel for divine purposes. May we all discover God’s will for our lives.
Eph. 1:3-14 is a powerful, beautiful statement of our blessed position and inheritance in and through Christ. In these few verses, Paul describes God’s incredible grace He has bestowed upon us. And it all is seen as a part of God’s extra-ordinary plan and pleasure. These verses are such a reminder of grace, of what God has done on our behalf – not what we have done or can do for ourselves. We simply by faith receive the grace of God…
v. 3 The Father of our Lord Jesus should be blessed for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The phrase in Christ is important. This means that every blessing God has stored up for us is made available to us through Jesus. Much of our Christian walk should be about seeking God to discover the richness of His blessings available in Christ. The more we understand true grace, the more we will be transformed. Many of these blessings are alluded to through the rest of this passage.
v. 4 Who chose who? Did you choose God? He chose you first – long ago before creation – to be His, and to become holy and blameless. God has called us to be set apart for Him. Will you be His? Will you be set apart for Him.
v. 5 God lovingly predestined us to be His adopted children through Jesus. God long ago planned an adoption. We call this the doctrine of election. God was pleased to adopt you as his child. Just as God willed Paul as an apostle, He willed you to be his child in Christ.
v. 6 This is all to the praise of His glorious grace. He gets glory by saving us from sin and receiving us as his children. It displays His power and grace. His grace has been given freely “in the One he loves” – Jesus. All grace is available in and through Jesus Christ.
v. 7 Redemption means to “buy back” or “purchase in order to free.” Slaves were redeemed by a price. Jesus paid the price to free us from our slavery to sin and the power of this world. The price was his blood. All OT covenants and sacrifices involved blood. Bible makes clear that without blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Now through the blood of Christ, forgiveness is ours. WE ARE FREE!
v. 8 God’s grace through Christ is a gift lavished on us by God with wisdom and understanding. God’s grace was very intentional and purposeful. God’s grace to humanity is the greatest concept in all of history. God’s grace in Christ is the greatest gift in history. We must learn to fully open our hearts to the grace of God. GRACE changes us. Lord lavish your grace upon us. Let us open our hearts to grace…
v. 9 Many in Paul’s time spoke of mystery religions that were only for a few elite people who could know the secrets. Paul uses this mystery langauge to say that God has exposed the mystery of grace and salvation. He is not hiding anything. His grace is open to all. The plan is for all to know and see, that by grace they might understand and respond. The biggest mystery is why do we not have more appreciation for grace? What is our problem? Thank you Jesus. Thank you Father for grace.
v. 10 God’s grace brings pleasure to God – and his plan of salvation through grace will bring all things in heaven and earth into submission to Christ. Christ will be head over all.
v. 11,12 – We who are called and chosen according to God’s plan are “for the praise of His glory.” This means that people should see God’s grace in our lives and give Him praise. Glory comes a word meaning opinion or judgment. People should see our lives and their opinion of God should change.
v. 13, 14 As beleivers and children of God, we are marked by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a sign that God has more in store for us. He is God’s deposit in our lives guaranteeing more to come. The best is yet to come. Really!
Eph. 1:15-23 Great prayer from Paul for Ephesians. He keeps asking God to give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation so they might know God better. I pray this all the time. Lord give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation that I might know you better. Grant this to our church, and to all of us. Open the eyes of our heart that we might know the hope to which you have called, your glorious inhertance in the saints, and the incomparable power we have in Christ.