This week's text is 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10
In this passage, Paul continues to make his case to the Corinthian church. He wants to convince them that he really is an authentic Christian who did proclaim the true gospel to them. But, in the defense that he gives to them, we learn a lot about how to live out our calling.
We know from the Great Commission (Mt. 28:16-20) that we are called to make disciples. Yet, we also know that this calling is difficult. Paul tells the Corinthian church about the challenges that he faced, and he tells them how he dealt with these issues. Here is some of his advice to them...
1. Live with honesty and integrity
2. Be aware that many are blinded by the god of this world
3. Avoid selfishness -- Proclaim Christ's glory, not your own
4. Recognize that our treasure is in clay jars
5. Despite affliction -- God will carry us through
6. Give yourself up to death for Jesus' sake -- in other words, die to your personal ambitions, so that Christ may shine through more clearly
7. Focus on the needs of the people to whom you are preaching -- Paul says "everything is for your sake"
8. Remember to have an Eternal Perspective
So, my questions for you...
Look at the list, what is your favorite? What gives you the most trouble? What questions do you have about how to carry these tasks out?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Living as the Aroma of God
The third week our text was 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18, and the theme was Living as the Aroma of God. Here's part of the sermon...
Smells are incredibly important. It is your sense of smell, and not your taste buds, that give your food its flavor. And, smell is one of the strongest triggers of memory. You know the way that certain smells will remind you of childhood, or Grandmas, or camping, etc. And, of course, as I already said, smells often makes us hungry.
Today’s text begins by telling us how to be “the aroma of Christ to God for those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” It’s kind of an odd image isn’t it? Your job as a Christian is to be …a smell.
But, if we are to be the aroma of God for the world, how do we accomplish this?
Paul gives us three very strong images. The first is being part of a triumphal procession, the second is being a reference letter for God, and the third is being a shining light.
All of these images get at the idea, that as Christians we need to be faithful always. We cannot simply pretend to live as a Christian on Sunday, and forget the rest of the week. We must be authentic in our faith and beliefs all the time.
This means that we have a great responsibility. Whether you see yourself as part of the Triumphal Processional, being the aroma of the thanksgiving offering, or whether you see yourself as the letter of recommendation for God that the world reads, or whether you see yourself as a shining radiant light, your actions matter. You (all of us together) share the glory of God.
C.S. Lewis reflected on this situation in his essay, “The Weight of Glory.” He wrote, “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and corruption such as now you meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.”
When we recognize that we are responsible for showing God to the world, it puts a great weight on our shoulders. What kind of “aroma” do we give off as Christians, or as the church? If others are reading us as a recommendation letter of what God is like, what will they think? Do we hide God’s glory under a veil, or are we shining so that all can see?
Smells are incredibly important. It is your sense of smell, and not your taste buds, that give your food its flavor. And, smell is one of the strongest triggers of memory. You know the way that certain smells will remind you of childhood, or Grandmas, or camping, etc. And, of course, as I already said, smells often makes us hungry.
Today’s text begins by telling us how to be “the aroma of Christ to God for those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” It’s kind of an odd image isn’t it? Your job as a Christian is to be …a smell.
But, if we are to be the aroma of God for the world, how do we accomplish this?
Paul gives us three very strong images. The first is being part of a triumphal procession, the second is being a reference letter for God, and the third is being a shining light.
All of these images get at the idea, that as Christians we need to be faithful always. We cannot simply pretend to live as a Christian on Sunday, and forget the rest of the week. We must be authentic in our faith and beliefs all the time.
This means that we have a great responsibility. Whether you see yourself as part of the Triumphal Processional, being the aroma of the thanksgiving offering, or whether you see yourself as the letter of recommendation for God that the world reads, or whether you see yourself as a shining radiant light, your actions matter. You (all of us together) share the glory of God.
C.S. Lewis reflected on this situation in his essay, “The Weight of Glory.” He wrote, “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and corruption such as now you meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.”
When we recognize that we are responsible for showing God to the world, it puts a great weight on our shoulders. What kind of “aroma” do we give off as Christians, or as the church? If others are reading us as a recommendation letter of what God is like, what will they think? Do we hide God’s glory under a veil, or are we shining so that all can see?
The Journey So Far...
In our journey through 2 Corinthians we have discovered several things about how to be signposts to God.
In the first week, we studied 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. The theme was Finding Signs for God in the midst of suffering. We discussed how often suffering builds our faith and helps us to rely upon God more fully. How have you seen God work through the midst of difficult situations?
In the second week, we studied 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11. The theme was "Finding Signs for Forgiveness." When we are a forgiving people, others notice and begin to see God’s work in and through us more clearly. Who do you need to forgive?
In the first week, we studied 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. The theme was Finding Signs for God in the midst of suffering. We discussed how often suffering builds our faith and helps us to rely upon God more fully. How have you seen God work through the midst of difficult situations?
In the second week, we studied 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11. The theme was "Finding Signs for Forgiveness." When we are a forgiving people, others notice and begin to see God’s work in and through us more clearly. Who do you need to forgive?
Our Summer Journey
Summer is here! One of the things I love best about summer is vacations and road trips. Exciting adventures were a part of my childhood, as my family traveled the country during our annual summer vacation. I often served as the navigator on these vacations and learned to read and rely on the road signs so that we would arrive at the right destination, and we would be able to have some fun on the way.
This summer, our church has begun it’s own “road trip.” We are journeying through the book of 2 Corinthians. And, as we journey, the road signs are a very important part of the journey.
Yet, in our journey, we are learning to be the road signs. We are learning to be road signs that help to point back to God. We are learning what it means to help others see and travel on the journey of faith.
As we read 2 Corinthians, we discover that Paul over and over uses his life and ministry to point back to God. Everything that he does is not for his own glory, but for the glory of God. He writes, “for we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who said, ‘Let your light shine out of darkness,’ who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
Please join us this summer as we journey together, learning what it means to be a signpost pointing to God.
This summer, our church has begun it’s own “road trip.” We are journeying through the book of 2 Corinthians. And, as we journey, the road signs are a very important part of the journey.
Yet, in our journey, we are learning to be the road signs. We are learning to be road signs that help to point back to God. We are learning what it means to help others see and travel on the journey of faith.
As we read 2 Corinthians, we discover that Paul over and over uses his life and ministry to point back to God. Everything that he does is not for his own glory, but for the glory of God. He writes, “for we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who said, ‘Let your light shine out of darkness,’ who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
Please join us this summer as we journey together, learning what it means to be a signpost pointing to God.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Trinity Sunday
This week, according to the official church calendar is Trinity Sunday.
The Trinity is an important part of the way we understand God. We know that God is both one and three. This concept has a lot of different nuances, and Trinitarian theology can get pretty confusing.
However, the thing that is always fascinating to me is the way that the Trinity means that God does not exist outside of a community of love. It is love that binds the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And through this strange dynamic of three and one, God demonstrates to us that we were created to live in community with one another.
Our thoughts and understandings about God are more clear when we are able to engage in Holy Discussions.
Thank you to all of you who have given yourselves to be part of the community of this church. You stay and fellowship after worship, you come to Bible Studies and prayer groups. One person cannot make up a church. The church needs everyone working together. Thank-you for all you do to build our community.
May you be blessed by the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Trinity is an important part of the way we understand God. We know that God is both one and three. This concept has a lot of different nuances, and Trinitarian theology can get pretty confusing.
However, the thing that is always fascinating to me is the way that the Trinity means that God does not exist outside of a community of love. It is love that binds the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And through this strange dynamic of three and one, God demonstrates to us that we were created to live in community with one another.
Our thoughts and understandings about God are more clear when we are able to engage in Holy Discussions.
Thank you to all of you who have given yourselves to be part of the community of this church. You stay and fellowship after worship, you come to Bible Studies and prayer groups. One person cannot make up a church. The church needs everyone working together. Thank-you for all you do to build our community.
May you be blessed by the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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