Category: PASSION Reflections

The Family of Jesus

On By BrianIn Church Life

In Luke 8:19-21, Jesus’ mother and brothers are trying to reach him.  When someone tells him, Jesus responds that his mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.  Those who hear and do.  Those who follow.  They are the family of Jesus.  So Paul calls other Christians his brothers and sisters.  They are family.  The church is a family.  Not all who simply go to church, but those who truly believe and follow Jesus.  We are his family.  What should his family look like?  Two things.  There should be unity and community.  Let’s start with unity.

Unity amidst Differences

The 12 disciples Jesus chose in Luke 6:13-16 is interesting.  You have Matthew the tax collector.  He was working for the Roman government, a Roman collaborator.  Then you have Simon the Zealot.  He was working to overthrow the Romans, kick them out of Israel.  One struggles to see these two getting along.  But Jesus brings them together, and over time they become one in Christ.

The early church was made up of very different people.  Galatians 3:28 speaks of Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, male and female.  Very different people.  Yet they are one in Christ.

The church today is made up of very different people – differences in economic/social status, younger and older generations, hymns vs. choruses, different Bible translations, differences in minor doctrines, differences in personal convictions, home school vs. Christian school vs. public school, differences in personalities, and the list can go on.  But Jesus brings us together as a family.  In Christ we find unity in our differences.

And in our differences, we find strength.  Younger generations have energy; older generations have wisdom.  Different translations can help us understand the meaning of a verse better.  Differences in minor doctrines can help us think through them more carefully.  We need each other.

Yet what Jesus brings together, we too often tear apart.  Too often we approach church as consumers.  We want everything to be tailored for us.  We go to church like we go to McDonalds, each wanting our own thing.  But church is not a fast food restaurant, it is is a family.  And our times together are not like gathering at McDonalds, but gathering for a family dinner.  My wife doesn’t make separate meals for each of us.  She makes one meal.  Sometimes it is my favorite, sometimes it may be my kids’ favorite.  This is a picture of the church.  Sometimes we may sing my favorite song, sometimes we may sing songs that others like.  I won’t like everything our church does.  But that is okay – we are family.

Paul reminds us that we are one in Christ in Ephesians 4:4-6.  This is an objective reality.  We are one.  But in v3 he tells us to maintain that unity.  Live out the reality of our oneness.  How do we do that?  Verse 2 gives the answer – humility.  Humility that looks to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).  Humility that is gentle towards different people.  Humility that is patient with one another’s difference.  Humility that bears with one another’s differences in love.  In love.  Compassion for each other.  Loving as Jesus loved us.  Despite our differences.

How we need this humility and love in our churches!  Pride calls us to divide over the smallest stupidest things.  Pride calls us to hop from church to church trying to find a church that believes and acts exactly as I do in every way.  But humility and love calls us to live out unity amidst differences.  To agree to disagree on numerous things that in light of eternity really don’t matter.

We are one in Christ.  Jesus died for our sins.  We have been saved by grace.  Let us rally around these glorious truths.

(Further thoughts on unity in the next post)

Examples of Grace 11

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

The book of Ruth is short, but gives some great examples of grace.

Ruth is a foreigner, apart from the people of Israel, apart from God.  Yet God graciously makes her part of his people, even including her as an ancestor of Jesus. She finds refuge in God.  In the same way, Peter tells us once we were not among God’s people, but now we are God’s people (2:9-10).  In Christ we have a relationship with God.  Ruth didn’t deserve it; neither do we.  But God made us his people and drew us to himself – that’s grace.

There is also the picture of the kinsman redeemer.  Boaz is a kinsman redeemer for Ruth – marrying her and providing for her.  Jesus is our kinsman redeemer – we are the bride of Christ, and he provides for us not only our daily needs but salvation as well.  Again, we don’t deserve this – it’s all grace.

Revival Lessons

On By BrianIn Revival1 Comment

Just attended a seminar  by Jeff VanGoethem on the Welsh Revival and the Layman’s Prayer Revival.  Here are a few takehome thoughts:

  • We ought to be seeking a deepening relationship with God.  Too often we are seeking success as defined by the world.
  • We need the power of the Spirit.  Too often we minister according to the flesh.
  • We need to get serious about prayer and evangelism.
  • We need to challenge our young people to draw near to God – revivals often begin with them.
  • It is easy to listen to a seminar (or read a blog) about revival, but how will we respond?

Examples of Grace 10

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

The book of Judges gives us a repeated example of grace.  The people rebel against God, and so God sends judgment.  Finally, the people call out for help.  God could have let them continue to suffer the results of their sin.  He could have let the enemy continue to dominate them.  Instead, God shows his grace.  He raises up judges through whom he rescues his people.  God sends deliverance.  Likewise we too have rebelled against God and deserve only judgment.  But if we cry out to him, God will send us deliverance.  He has raised up Jesus to rescue us from our sin and the devil.  We don’t deserve it, but God sends his grace.

Examples of Grace 09

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

The book of Joshua continues to show forth the grace of God.

God showed his grace to Joshua by promising that he would be with Joshua wherever he went.  God would not leave him or forsake him.    This indeed is grace, and we know that it is true for us as well.  Jesus promised to be with us always to the end of the age.  So whatever we face, we need not fear or be dismayed.  We can be strong and courageous for God is with us!

God also showed his grace to Rahab.  As one of the Canaanites, she was to be wiped out, but God showed her grace, sparing her life.  She even is found in the genealogy of David and Jesus.  We too deserve only judgment, but God has poured out his grace upon us through Jesus, making us part of his family.

God showed his grace to Israel by bringing them into the Promised Land.  And he will one day show his grace to us by bringing us to a new Promised Land – the new heaven and earth where there will be no more suffering, pain, sin, or death.  In Jesus, truly we have been given grace upon grace.

Examples of Grace 08

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

Deuteronomy is Moses’ review of Israel’s history and God’s commands for the generation about to enter the Promised Land.  In this book, there are some wonderful examples of grace.

God is a great God who is near to Israel and hears them when they call upon him (4:7).  In the same way, God is near to us today.  By his Spirit, he is present with us always.  No matter what we face, God is with us.  And he hears us when we pray.  He is not to busy to listen to our cares.  And as a great God he has the power to answer our prayers.  Yet as sinners we do not deserve his presence or his listening ear.  That he gives us both is all grace.

God delivered the people from slavery in Egypt (5:6).  In the same way, God has delivered us from slavery to sin.  Once we were in bondage to sin, but now we are free to live for Christ.  Again we did not deserve this, but he has poured out his grace upon us.

God chose Israel to be his treasured possession – not because they were great, but simply because God chose to love them (7:6-8).  They were not lovable (indeed they were repeatedly rebellious), but God chose to love them.  In the same way, while we were still sinners, God loved us, and saved us, and chose us as his treasured people (Romans 5:8, I Peter 2:9-10).  Ponder what it means to be chosen as God’s treasured people!  Grace.

God promised the people that another prophet like Moses would come (18:15-19).  And so he has come – our Lord Jesus Christ who revealed to us the way of God.  Where would we be without Christ?  Lost forever.  But he did come – and that is grace.

Finally, God gave the people good things for them to enjoy (26:11).  And so he showers good things upon us to enjoy.  That is grace.

And how should we respond?  “…worship before the Lord your God.  And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you…” (26:10-11).  As we ponder God’s amazing grace, let us rejoice and worship the Lord today!

Gospel Shaped Death

On By BrianIn Book of Luke

Some say there are only two things certain in life – death and taxes.  I would suggest that there are a few more certain things, but death is certainly certain.  Even though we live in denial, death could come to our door at any time of any day.  We will die.  How should we approach death – apart from the gospel?  And how should the gospel shape our approach to death?

In Luke 23, Luke relates the story of the two criminals on crosses on either side of Jesus.  One criminal joins the mockers, but the second rebukes him – “Do you not fear God?”  Presumably these two criminals dying outside of Jerusalem are Jews with an understanding of who God is from the Old Testament.  They know God is holy and just – he will punish sin.  They know God created us to live in a perfect loving relationship with God, but that we sinned against God bringing death and separation and judgment.  Perhaps they have heard Jesus warn of hell – a place of separation and judgment after death.  Indeed, do you not fear God?  You are about to die and face his judgment.  You have every reason to fear!  Without some good news we are in a heap of trouble.

But the second criminal has noticed something.  This Jesus has done nothing wrong.  The rest of the New Testament confirms his observation – Jesus was without sin.  So if sin brings death, but he is without sin, why is he going to die?  Clearly this is further than the thief is thinking, but Peter gives the answer – Jesus is dying for our sins (I Peter 2:24).  He is taking our sins upon himself, and the death, judgment, and separation that goes with those sins.  Why?  So we can escape God’s judgment and be reconciled to God.  Again, this is more than the criminal understands, but he somehow realizes that salvation is available from this man dying on the middle cross.

And so the criminal does the only sensible thing. He asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.  He looks to Jesus.  He is trusting, believing in this man to save him.  And Jesus tells him that they will be together in paradise that very day.  By looking to Jesus, he has escaped eternal judgment and separation from God.  Instead he has received eternal paradise with Jesus.  No wonder that Paul later says that death is gain.  Why?  Because he will be with Jesus (Philippians 1:21-23).

The gospel utterly turns our approach to death around.  Instead of separation there is relationship.  Instead of judgment there is pardon.  Instead of hell there is paradise.  Instead of fear there is anticipation.

And yet that is only part of the gospel.  For Jesus will not only die and be buried, but he will be raised from the dead.  And because he is raised from the dead, those who look to Jesus will also be raised from the dead when Jesus comes back.  We will be victorious over death like Jesus (I Corinthians 15).  And we will dwell in a new heaven and earth forever with the Lord (Revelation 21).  We not only look forward to paradise with Jesus, but even more we hope in our own resurrection.  And this hope is not “I wish it were true” hope.  It is a certain hope based on the very promises of God.

Yes, there are more things certain than death and taxes.  Death is certain.  But for the one who looks to Jesus, paradise with him after death is certain.  And the resurrection when he returns is certain.  And so the gospel shapes our approach to death from fear to anticipation and hope.  May we live and die with this anticipation and hope alive in us as we look to Jesus.

Examples of Grace 07

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous1 Comment

As I continue to trace God’s grace through the Bible, let me share a couple of examples from the book of Numbers.

Israel rebels against God by refusing to enter the Promised Land.  God could have wiped them out then and there, indeed he threatens to do it.  But Moses intercedes, and God spares them. How many times do we rebel against God?  How often do we sin?  How often do we fail to do what God calls us to do?  Yet through Christ God forgives and spares us again and again.  That’s grace.

Not only does God spare them, but he chooses to bless them.  Balaam is hired by Israel’s enemy to curse Israel.  Instead God requires Balaam to bless his people.  God teaches Aaron and his sons a blessing to say for the people of Israel, and the people will be blessed.  In how many ways does God bless us as his people today?  As the songs tells us – count your many blessings!  Every blessing we receive – that’s grace!

Examples of Grace 06

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

One might not think of Leviticus as a book about grace, but it is.

The first third of the book deals with sacrifices – sacrifices to atone for sins and have fellowship with God.  God did not need to provide a way for them to deal with their sins and have a relationship with him, but he did.  That’s grace.  In the same way he has provided Jesus to atone for our sins once for all that we might have fellowship with God.  That’s grace.

God promises to be with the people.  Not only that but they will be his people.  What great privileges!  Through Christ we are made his people, and he dwells with us.  That’s grace.

Leviticus also deals with numerous laws to protect and help the poor and needy.  God cared about the weak, and still does today.  That’s grace.

Sins forgiven.  Fellowship with God.  His people.  His presence.  His care.  Grace….

(Taken from Leviticus)

Gospel Shaped Suffering 4

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

How should the gospel shape our suffering?  We have looked at six ways already.  Let’s look at two final ways today.

Bearing Witness to Christ (Evangelism)

We receive the gospel by faith, but how will people hear the gospel unless we bear witness to Christ?  Suffering offers us a powerful platform to share the work of Christ in our lives.  Several people in my church have shared how they have had opportunities to tell others about Christ in the midst of their suffering.  There are records from the early church of people who witnessed the suffering and death of Christian martyrs and were saved as a result.  Courage, trust, and hope in trials leaves a lasting impression, a strong witness for Christ.  In fact, sometimes are suffering is for the purpose of bearing witness.  Jesus told his disciples that they would be taken to court, flogged, and dragged before rulers for his sake, “to bear witness before them” (Matthew 10:17-18).  Using our suffering as an opportunity to bear witness to Christ is gospel shaped sufferings.

Counting All as Loss for the Treasure of Christ (Worship)

The gospel is spread through evangelism and received by faith, but what is the goal of the gospel?  The goal is worship.  As John Piper writes in his book on missions, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”  We were created to glorify God, but we all sin and fall short of his glory (Romans 3:23).  The gospel exists to save us from our sins and change us back into worshippers who glorify God, worshippers who love God and serve God, who treasure God above all else.

Worshippers like Paul.  In Philippians 3:7-11, Paul says he suffers the loss of all things for Christ.  What is suffering?  Often it is loss – loss of heath, loss of a loved one, loss of comfort, loss of a relationship, loss of a dream.  Paul says he suffer the loss of all things, counts it all as loss.  Why?  Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus.  He will share in the sufferings of Christ because what he wants most of all is Christ.  Gospel shaped suffering means we are willing to suffer loss because in Christ we have the greatest treasure of all.

What is gospel shaped suffering? It is:

  • Following the path of Christ
  • Becoming more like Christ
  • Resting in the love of Christ
  • Rejoicing in the hope of Christ
  • Trusting God like Christ
  • Comforting others in Christ
  • Bearing witness to Christ
  • Counting all as loss for the treasure of Christ

May God help us suffer in this way for his glory.