Have you ever had one of those moments when you realized that you had known someone for a long time and did not know that they went to church and professed to be a Christian? There were probably a lot of people that had that experience with me in High School and my early college years. It's always an awkward moment when you try to surmise why you didn't know. Is it because you weren't concerned enough to find out or they weren't faithful enough for it to show? Maybe it's a little of both.
I want to have the kind of faith that people recognize. Christians and non-Christians. I want people to know beyond the shadow of a doubt where I stand and whom I stand for. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be like those misguided folks that picket military funerals in the name of Jesus. I want to be known for a faith that matches the Bible. The Faith, to be exact.
Paul wrote to the church at Colosse that their faith was reaching far beyond their city gates. They were becoming famous, in a sense, while they were making Jesus famous. What was becoming well known? Their faith in Christ and the love they had for all the saints. Are you known for that kind of faith? A faith that overflows with love? Hear me. I didn't ask if you were known for your knowledge. Knowledge puffs up. You can know a lot of scripture but yet not live it or let it change your heart. They were known for their knowledge of scripture and how they lived it out! That kind of faith, Paul said, came from the hope of heaven. A real understanding of heaven changes people. It causes people to bear fruit in their Christian life. Are you bearing fruit? Are there new Christians following behind you? Are there stronger Christians learning from you? This isn't a call to church leaders only. This is a letter written to the CHURCH at Colosse. All are expected to make Jesus famous.
If you are at a time in your life when people are surprised that you go to church, start loving others. It will take a decision on your part to stop loving yourself so much. It will take a conscious effort to invest time in others. Don't make people shocked to read in your obituary that you attended church. Besides, I don't think Jesus reads obituaries.
Read Colossians 1:1-8
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
It was a cool October night in 2004. The Boston Red Sox of the infamous curse were falling yet again to their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. It was the ninth inning and they were down one run. With Mariano Rivera taking the hill that's as good as a Win. Normally. The Yankee fans could sense another trip to the World Series. It was the ninth inning of Game 4. Did I mention that the Yankees were up 3-0 in the series? Then it began to happen. Dave Roberts stole second. Bill Mueller singles to score Roberts. With the score tied up, the game headed to extra innings. David Ortiz finally ends it in the 12th Inning with a walk off Home Run. The Red Sox pushed back elimination by one game, or so the Yankee fans thought. The Red Sox went on to win game 5 in extra innings. They won Game 6 with the famous "Bloody Sock" of Curt Schilling. Finally, making history, they Boston Red Sox closed out the Yankees with a thumping in Game 7. It was Bean Town's turn to head to the World Series. They came from 3-0 in the series to win the next 4, count'em 4 games to finally defeat the dreaded Yankees for a chance to end the 86 year "Curse of the Bambino." Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they won the World Series.
The world was fixated on the two ballparks during October that year. People who weren't even fans of either team tuned in to watch History unfold. It was electric. For the sports fan, it has to listed among the top come from behind victories of all time. We like those kind of stories. We can relate to feeling defeated and counted out. We all hope for a chance to prove everyone wrong and come out victorious. Even though that's a great story and a phenomenal comeback, it has nothing on Friday to Sunday turn around that took place about 2,000 years ago. Jesus looked as if he had been defeated and Satan was sure he had won. On that Sunday, at the darkest hour, literally and figuratively, just before dawn, victory began to stir in the cold, lonely tomb. The world as we know it changed...forever.
The interesting thing is that it didn't end there. That was the beginning of the end for Death and Satan but just the beginning for God's people. The messengers of life and light. Jesus was soon going to give us the task of telling people about His new life and their shot at it too.
Then, a few years into the work of spreading the Gospel, a man was in prison. Not some common criminal. One of the leaders of this movement of Grace. He was in chains for telling people about the life in Jesus. To many, especially the enemies of the church, and even some of the followers of the way, it looked like Satan was winning. Christians were scattered and attacked for their faith. The leaders, like Paul, were arrested and beaten. Was all of this for nothing? Maybe, just maybe, as some were about to give in and walk away from it all, Paul added one little sentence in his letter to some believers. This is what he said, look closely, or you may miss it. "All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household." A short, almost uninteresting sentence. One that is easy to skip over. Yet it carries some valuable information. The Gospel had reached even into the house of Caesar! The very man who was commanding the persecution of Christians. The one who would not tolerate the praise of anyone above himself. The Good News had pierced the hearts of people who were right under the nose of the Emperor of Rome. Paul was saying, "If you think all is lost, just wait." You can almost see the gleam in his eye as he shared those words. You ain't seen nothing yet. Hang in there, the Gospel isn't done. It's going to go where Jesus has commanded. Everywhere!
So, if you feel defeated, just wait. Victory has been won. It may be the bottom of the 9th, but there's a comeback waiting. Jesus is victorious. So don't give up on your neighbors, your husband, your wife, or your kids. Jesus Wins! We Win!
Read Philipians 4:21-23
The world was fixated on the two ballparks during October that year. People who weren't even fans of either team tuned in to watch History unfold. It was electric. For the sports fan, it has to listed among the top come from behind victories of all time. We like those kind of stories. We can relate to feeling defeated and counted out. We all hope for a chance to prove everyone wrong and come out victorious. Even though that's a great story and a phenomenal comeback, it has nothing on Friday to Sunday turn around that took place about 2,000 years ago. Jesus looked as if he had been defeated and Satan was sure he had won. On that Sunday, at the darkest hour, literally and figuratively, just before dawn, victory began to stir in the cold, lonely tomb. The world as we know it changed...forever.
The interesting thing is that it didn't end there. That was the beginning of the end for Death and Satan but just the beginning for God's people. The messengers of life and light. Jesus was soon going to give us the task of telling people about His new life and their shot at it too.
Then, a few years into the work of spreading the Gospel, a man was in prison. Not some common criminal. One of the leaders of this movement of Grace. He was in chains for telling people about the life in Jesus. To many, especially the enemies of the church, and even some of the followers of the way, it looked like Satan was winning. Christians were scattered and attacked for their faith. The leaders, like Paul, were arrested and beaten. Was all of this for nothing? Maybe, just maybe, as some were about to give in and walk away from it all, Paul added one little sentence in his letter to some believers. This is what he said, look closely, or you may miss it. "All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household." A short, almost uninteresting sentence. One that is easy to skip over. Yet it carries some valuable information. The Gospel had reached even into the house of Caesar! The very man who was commanding the persecution of Christians. The one who would not tolerate the praise of anyone above himself. The Good News had pierced the hearts of people who were right under the nose of the Emperor of Rome. Paul was saying, "If you think all is lost, just wait." You can almost see the gleam in his eye as he shared those words. You ain't seen nothing yet. Hang in there, the Gospel isn't done. It's going to go where Jesus has commanded. Everywhere!
So, if you feel defeated, just wait. Victory has been won. It may be the bottom of the 9th, but there's a comeback waiting. Jesus is victorious. So don't give up on your neighbors, your husband, your wife, or your kids. Jesus Wins! We Win!
Read Philipians 4:21-23
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