Paul's Ministry - what it means for us

Reflecting on Paul’s Ministry

Colossians 1:24-29 – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 

Some questions to help you process the application of this passage:

Reminder: Paul’s Calling is from God

Do you understand that you’re saved because God pursued you? You didn’t find Him. He found you.

You weren’t looking for Him. You might have grown up in the church, but if you’re saved, it’s because He came after you, not because you went looking for Him.

1. Suffering - verse 24

Joy – Is your life characterized by joy? Not that all the circumstances are lollipops and kittens and rainbows. But are you genuinely joyful because you know that God sovereign and everything that’s happening in your life is for your good and His glory?

Suffering - Are you suffering in some way? You should be. There should be some sort of negativity coming at you because of Christ. If you’re truly living the way you are supposed to then, someone will be rubbed the wrong way.

2. Stewardship  - verse 25

Are you properly focused?

Do you have the clear focus of purpose that Christ and Paul had? Are you working toward it?

Do you know what you should be focused on, or are these things just something that you consider on Sunday morning and have moved on by the time lunch is over=? 

Christianity is 24/7/365 - not just Sunday morning, 

Just because you’re not doing anything on the “really bad stuff” list during the week doesn’t mean your’e living for Him. You must be actively striving for His righteousness consistently (all the time). Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the righteousness of Christ.

3. Mystery  - verses 26-27

Is the gospel a mystery to you? It has been revealed to His saints

Do you understand the Gospel? Are you growing in your understanding of it?

Are you growing in your ability to explain it?

Are you tired of hearing about it? Maybe you need to understand it better. Call me. I’d love to sit down with you and spend some time explaining it more fully

4. Proclamation - verse 28

Do you understand that proclaiming the Gospel isn’t optional?

Do you realize that if you’re not sharing it you’re being disobedient to the one who was born to die so that you might have life? Are you sharing it?

The passage says the goal of proclaiming Christ is to present everyone mature in Christ.

Are you growing in Sanctification? (1 Peter 1:13-16)

A netter way to ask: HOW are you growing in Sanctification

There is no neutral in your spiritual life. There’s forward and reverse. That’s it.

What are you doing toward your spiritual growth?

   Who are you surrounding yourself with? People, books, magazines, TV shows ...

   Your iPod is your friend - what does it say to you?

   Who are you listening to? (again, not just people)

Jesus said you’re either for me or against me. There is no in between

And yes - that includes the people you spend time with.

You might be stuck at work, but you’re not at work 24/7/365

Who are you choosing to spend your choose-able time with?

Fellowship from House to House is an example of a fantastic way to do this. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to spend time with other believers? Are you being intentional about it?

5. Power - verse 29 

Are you making maximum effort? (2 Peter 1:5-11, make every effort...)

Are you relying on Him and His Spirit to energize you, or are you just wandering through your day spiritually? There is certainly value to spontaneity, but it’s not meant to be the norm. The norm is being disciplined. 

Striving hard, day after day, realizing that it’s all from Him. Every single breath.

What are you doing to grow in

• the knowledge of his will

• spiritual wisdom and understanding

• walking a worthy walk

• bearing spiritual fruit

• doing good works

• increasing in the knowledge of God

• spiritual strength

• knowing the Gospel?

My prayer is that as you make every effort toward knowing Christ, you would learn to rely on Him more fully. That He would become preeminent in your life.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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Who's Hungry?

Church is not an event you attend. 

It's a body that you are a part of

It's a community where everyone plays a vital role.

We are “Fellowship Baptist Church” I’ve talked about the word “Fellowship” a little, but with this Sunday’s “Fellowship from House to House” coming up, I wanted to write about a few things related to it.

The basic idea behind fellowship is “connectedness” and “commonality.” We need to be connected to each other. We have a common savior. We are all part of the body and He is the head. Obviously we must come together and know each other more. As we approach the third Sunday of the month, I’d like to share some thoughts about the whole idea of community and having meals together.

People don’t entertain in their homes nearly as much as they did in the past. Coffee shops and restaurants have become a sort of “commercialized hospitality.” One social commentator has called Starbucks a “third place - a neutral gathering spot that’s neither home or work.” The Food Network and many cookbooks have convinced us that any time we have someone over, it has to be a “fancy dinner party.” In some ways, our culture has turned hospitality into a performance. While a fancy party has it’s place, a simple gathering is even better. The simple creation of fellowship and community around a meal is something we must maintain in the life of our church family.  

Here’s what happens when we gather in someone’s home for a meal: We slow down a little bit. We become people-oriented instead of task-oriented. Our overcrowded, information-seeking, entertainment-soaked culture with its technology & information addiction is set aside as we simply meet face-to-face over a meal and enjoy each other’s company. It truly is a joy when you set aside all the must-haves and must-dos that so often demand our time and attention and focus on simply being with brothers and sisters in Christ. (in case it’s not obvious, you should turn your phone off. ;--)

If you read through the Gospel of Luke, many of the stories take place in the context of a meal. One writer says “In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal.” I wholeheartedly agree with what Tim Chester writes in his book A Meal with Jesus. He says, “meals should be an integral and significant part of our shared life... Meals aren’t just food. They’re social occasions. They represent friendship, community, and welcome.” Sitting around the table makes community real in a way that you won’t experience if you only see them across the sanctuary on Sunday morning.

There’s certainly much more to talk about here, but instead of going on and on about it, let’s all just commit to doing it. Begin thinking now about who you might invite into your home this Sunday. You could invite them for lunch, dinner, or even dessert and coffee. The point is to enjoy fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ in someone’s home. Now obviously, we can’t all have someone over. At least half of us have to be the guest, but please don’t wait around to be the invitee (but of course be gracious and accept if someone invites you). The point is to be proactive about fellowship and community. That’s the starting point. 

The next question that comes up, after you’ve got your plans made, is “so what am I going to talk about with these people?” You may know them well, or you might have just met them. While there are many things you could talk about, at some point, it would be beneficial (for everyone involved) if the conversation were to include some spiritual dimension. The Puritans had a practice called “Conference” where they would gather regularly to discuss biblical truths. The “vibe,” or environment they sought to create was one that was based on their fellowship with Christ and with one another and they knew that the true Christian life required community. 

Joanne Jung, in her book titled “Godly Conversation” writes, “The human soul was created for, thrives on, and is nurtured by face-to-face interaction and communication. It is in a Christian’s DNA to interface with others for spiritual sustenance, for his identity in Christ, and for the development of his own faith. Christian fellowship is a means of spiritual growth. Spiritual autonomy is not an option.” She goes on to say that gathering and discussing biblical truths is an integral part of developing community, and growing closer to God and one another.

Here’s are some possible things to talk about:

   • The last sermon you heard – what deeply touched you?

   • Something in the last book you read.

   • A passage of Scripture that has particular meaning to you.

   • Something you have recently seen God do around you.

   • Things you need prayer for.

   • The Gospel – what is it? How are you growing in your understanding of it?

Now don’t feel like you have to have a lengthy, deep, theological discussion, but for true Christian fellowship to occur, there should be some spiritual dimension to the conversation at some point along the way. (Oh - this doesn’t mean that you have to leave the board games behind either. They’re fun and beneficial as well.)

While we are not seeking to be the Puritans, there were three things about them that stand out: Their relentless pursuit of God, their unparalleled love for His Word, and a passionate commitment to community. I believe that “house 2 house” can be a definite catalyst for these things in the life of Fellowship Baptist Church. 

Who are you going to get together with this Sunday for house 2 house?

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob Signs

P.S. - I've got a couple of books to recommend on this topic. They're both referenced in this blog.

   • A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community & Mission around the Table by Tim Chester
   • Godly Conversation: rediscovering the Puritan practice of conference by Joanne J. Jung

Prepare Your Heart for Worship

I still vividly remember something I saw a small church on a mission trip several years ago. As we were getting ready and setting up, the words “Prepare Your Heart for Worship” had been put up on the screen.

It really made me think about how little we do to prepare our hearts for worship on an average Sunday. Between all the stuff we have to do to get ready and get to church, then getting to church and saying “hi” to everyone and getting to Sunday School (all good things to be sure), sometimes our Sunday mornings might feel a little hectic leading in to worship.

On that note, I want to pose a question: how will you prepare your heart for worship this coming Sunday? Will you just go through your week, have a typical Saturday, then roll out of bed Sunday morning and head to church, ‘business as usual?’ Or – will you commit yourself right now to being truly prepared for the corporate worship service this Sunday?

How can you prepare? Here’s what I would suggest:
Start with God’s Word. Saturate yourself in Scripture for the rest of the week. If you can, find out what passage your pastor will be preaching (at Fellowship, we’ll be in Colossians 1:15-20) and read not only that passage, but the surrounding passages as well. Read through as much of it as you can several times between now and Sunday.

Pray. A lot. Pray for your pastor as he prepares to teach God’s Word. It’s a great privilege and responsibility to proclaim God’s Word each Sunday. While I’m really enjoying it, it’s also a little daunting when I think of the great responsibility it is to not only feed the flock, but also to rightly handle the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15). It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Pray also for yourself and your family. Pray that God would prepare your hearts to hear His Word taught. Pray that you would have a larger vision of Christ and His supremacy as a result of gathering with your brothers and sisters in Christ to adore Christ and hear the Gospel proclaimed.

Worship. Don’t wait for Sunday morning to be in worship. Find a Christ-exalting worship album and listen to it between now and then. (see my suggestion below)

Be mentally and physically prepared. Don’t stay up late on Saturday night. As you think toward all that you’ll have to get done on Saturday, plan your day so that you can get to bed early enough to be well rested. The corporate gathering of the body on Sunday morning is a big deal. We should look forward to it and be as prepared for it as possible.

Bring your Bible & Take Notes. This would seem obvious, but having your own Bible with you is so helpful. You need to see the passage that’s being taught in your own Bible and take notes so that when you look at the passage again, you’ll remember what you’ve learned. You want to be changed by the power of God’s Word and looking again at the passage and your notes will help you as you seek after the righteousness of Christ and aim to walk worthy of the gospel.

As I think toward this Sunday, here are a few things that I would encourage you to do to prepare your own heart for worship this coming Sunday. These have been helpful to me and I’m praying that they are helpful to you as well.

1. Pray through Colossians 1:9-14 for yourself and the members of our congregation.

2. Look at these passages: John 6:68-69 and John 12:21. In the John 12 passage, the section is titled “Some Greeks Seek Jesus.” Our thoughts when preparing for worship should always be “I want to see Jesus!” We also must have the mindset of Peter in John 6 knowing that there is literally nowhere else to turn than to Christ. We must intentionally focus on the sufficiency of Christ and the Word for all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

3. Download and listen to “Show us Christ” from the Album “The Gathering: Live from WorshipGod11” by Sovereign Grace Music. It’s on iTunes and totally worth the .99 cents you’ll have to pay for it. (The entire album is definitely worth getting as well and would be an excellent personal worship resource)

May you grow in grace and knowledge of Him as you seek Christ and His righteousness this week!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob
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