Meditate on Things of God

Things that are true and real, honest or honorable, righteous and virtuous, pure and clean, acceptable and pleasing, well spoken of, good and morally excellent, commendable to God and others - these we must spend put time thinking on and about.  These should fill our thoughts and conversations.  These will then be the right examples for others as well.

Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Worry or Prayer?

Do we choose to worry, or to pray?  Know He will hear and give peace as the overriding answer, no matter if His answer is 'yes' or 'no' or 'wait'.  This quiets the heart and mind in Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Rejoice, He is Near!

Joy in Jesus.  Not a feel good fad or religious positive thinking phrase, but a reality to live in.  We must find the only real gladness and well-being in our Lord and God.  And so then should we be patient, gentle, and forbearing.  This is not automatic nor easy, but is the goal we are called to in Christ...

Philippians 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

Stand Fast, Work Together

From Philippians 4, we see the Body of Christ, the unseen church, should stand firm together in the truth - but also in love and single mindedness as well, working together to know the truth and put it into action.  So we need to help each other as we work out our salvation.  This means harmony, love, and sound teaching worked out with and among each other...

Philippians 4:1-3

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed- for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.   2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 

Here "eagerly wait" means to expect fully; assiduously and patiently wait for.  We look forward to being before Jesus Christ - changed to be like Him, apart finally from sin!  He has the power to do this, just as to put all under His control as God and man.  I am a citizen of that heavenly country, born from above into it forever...

Philippians 3:20-21

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 

God Gives Examples to Follow

Where is our mind set?  If on earthly things, then we have taken our eyes off of God and what He has for us and His glory.  We then become His enemies when we live to satisfy our desires instead of Christ's...  So let us find godly men as examples and learn to follow the Christlike things they do, leaving shameful and unrighteous acts behind.

Philippians 3:17-19

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things. 

Mature Mindset

If we are grown up in Christ, our outlook from this passage must be "We know we are not yet as we should be, and we also do not excuse away sin because we are not there yet."  As far as we are toward that goal, so must we live together in agreement of these things.  Maturity is not anything goes, neither is it condemning others not grown to the same point as we have - it is concern and acceptance as we challenge, encourage, and correct in love.

Philippians 3:15-16

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 

Shaken but Not Stirred from Trust

God shakes us up to leave Christ alone as the answer... We must not refuse Him, nor neglect what He offers when we do come to the Desire of All Nations.  By grace we must serve Him with reverence and godly fear.  Do we do this?

Haggai 2:6-7

“For thus says the Lord of hosts:‘ Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, ’ says the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 12:25-28

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “ Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “ Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 

Determination to Run the Race

This must be the direction of our lives if we truly know Jesus Christ - faces set like flint to run after the goal He sets before us.  We know we are not yet as we should be, and we also do not excuse away sin because we are not there yet.  We have to run life's race by God's rules, not our own.  So, we ask forgiveness in sincerity, get up, and go on, knowing we are not there but not giving up to get closer every day.  We do not dwell on the past (good or bad), but learn from and build on it.  Press on!

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Found in Christ’s Righteousness and Resurrection

Am I seen as in Christ, by His righteousness - by faith alone and not by trying to earn that standing?  This is the only way to know what Jesus did when He rose up from death after 3 days, after first suffering for my reconciliation to God.  So I must remember that I too die daily to self and take up that cross as He did - for as I deny myself, He can live in me.

Philippians 3:9-11

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Gain and Loss

Do I see all that could be advantageous to me as more than just an acceptable loss in comparison to Christ?  Yes!  Knowing Him is far better than anything I could accumulate or try to hold on to.  So all riches, notoriety, and anything else I could have run after are as Paul said here, worthless and what is thrown to the dogs, garbage.  It has no eternal use.  Instead, I have gained Christ Himself, God in me!

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. 

No Escape from Judgment Except in Christ

From Hebrews we see that God will shake off all that is displeasing.  This means things in heaven and earth; both angelic and mortal that refuse Him and His Son will be shaken from the new heaven and earth, leaving the holy and pleasing - the things good and unshakeable.  So we must both revere and fear the consuming fire of God who offers love and goodness (grace).  Then let us serve Him as we stand on the solid rock in the approaching storm...

Hebrews 12:25-29

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “ Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “ Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Spiritual Worship of His People

What do we need to do to serve God?  It is not physical action, but transformational obedience - worship in His in dwelling Spirit, joy in Christ alone, and trust in God instead of our own wisdom and strength.  It is not where we grew up (in or out of church), what race or country we hail from, or how religious we act.  It is what God has done for us which we could never do, then our trust and obedience as we point to Him in all things.

Philippians 3:3-6

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Trust and Obey

Trust and obey; there truly is no other way to be pleasing to God, and so be happy and at peace with Him.  Proverbs and Psalms below show that God ultimately guides our every move, but we must trust and act on what He tells us in order for our hearts and minds to be changed.

Proverbs 16:3, 9

3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Psalms 119:32

I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

Suffering to Glory

This is hope - not a wish or desire, but a certainty of what is to come.  What we suffer now pales in comparison to what God will work in us when we are bought back in our bodies as we are now in our souls.  So we can persevere in patient steadfastness through difficult and troubling times with something far better to look forward to!

Romans 8:18, 8:23-25

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. … 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 

What Do We Live For?

Do we please God?  That is, do we live His way, or for our own unholy self-seeking?  Seeking the things of God as found in the Bible brings inner peace and real life.  This is only possible for those who have His Spirit living in them - for those born a second time from above.  Only they are Christians who have Him in them, and so are able to choose to live rightly each day.  We who are so led by His Spirit are His children!

Romans 8:5-14

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

God’s Revelation in Christ

The Bible says things that you cannot understand without God showing you - this is why He lives inside regenerated believers (reborn) as Spirit, to open our minds to His.  Only He knows what He is thinking, just as each of us cannot understand each other's thoughts.  Verse 14 below even tells us that those outside of Christ are unable to know what God says.  It is all foolishness to those who are blind.  We have to have God living in us to know.  There are people in church who do not understand anything in the Bible, and they need to know and admit their sin, turn from it, and come to faith in Christ to be born anew to understand all God has for them...

1 Corinthians 2:9-14

But as it is written:  “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.  13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

Rejoice and Beware

Do we find real cause to rejoice in our Lord?  This is why believers must encourage and challenge each other to walk with Him, keeping our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith as we both trust and obey.  We need to beware of those opposed to Christ, and so to us, or religion and hate will overtake us.

Philippians 3:1-2

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.   2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 

For the Work of Christ

The examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus below show a true servant heart in different ways. Timothy was as a faithful and loyal son to Paul in for the Lord's work, and Epaphroditus gave so much of himself in serving that he almost died, not regarding health or wellbeing in his service. Both are examples for us in God's work - selfless and limitless...

Philippians 2:22, 29-30

But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. ... Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Like-Minded Care

Like mindedness. How essential to work together for the gospel. So why do many leaders and workers in churches not get along, or even go against each other? Here we see sincere care and service to others are key. When we look only for our own interests, needs, and wants, we stop helping others. This goes against our fallen nature of selfish pride. But we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ!

Philippians 2:19-21

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like- minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

Being Poured Out for Others

Paul gave everything he had to help others know Christ and grow in Him. Since he suffered persecution and other hardships, it was easy to be sad for him, but he saw it as joyful due to the serving others and building their faith. Then he encouraged them to be joyful along with him! This is part of the goal he ran towards and gave as an example to follow...

Philippians 2:17-18

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Grace, Glory, Suffering, and Settling

"I will perfect you." That is my assurance - whether in my dream last night, or in every waking moment now. We may walk through flood, famine, or persecution - but His certain promises hold as sure as the rock beneath the doubt under foot. So we settle in His hands with absolute trust as a child in all things...

1 Peter 5:10

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 

Blameless and Harmless in Word of God

If we do not complain and grumble, we can become blameless before God and men; if we stop disputing and doubting what is true, we will be seen as harmless. Then we will be without fault in our own actions and reactions, holding out the light in this dark world. This word of life offered to all is what we can hold fast to as we hold it out to offer hope in reconciliation with God.

Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

What God Shows, We Must Do

Reflecting on what God shows us in His word by His Spirit, I am again reminded of the depth and breadth of what He shows, yet how much more I will know when in His presence forever after this life. The bottom line: what He shows, I must do. What He chooses not to show, I will know at some time.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Dimly = αινιγμα ainigma; an obscure saying (“enigma”), i. e. (abstractly) obscureness:— darkly, enigma, riddle

Job 26:14

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?”

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

James 1:23-25

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Deuteronomy 29:29

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Obey Unseen (Godly Integrity)

Why do we obey what God says? It must be for Him, and not to show others. This should then motivate us further to work to achieve something in the deliverance from sin and its punishment we have been given. This should cause us to shake and fear what we have been delivered from and the wrath of God that once was upon us! The hope we have is that God Himself is causing us to even desire to obey (out of love) and to be able to do all we must.

Philippians 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

God among us, Jesus Christ. Not knowing who He really is keeps many away from reconciliation with God. In the end, each one of us will face Him and bow to His absolute authority (Lord and God), not to any other we imagine to be God in this life. The question becomes, if you see that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, what keeps you from admitting your offenses against Him, what keeps you from turning from them, and what keeps you from believing what He did on your place on the cross to make you right with him again?

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45:22-23

“ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Servant Mind of Christ in Us

The understanding, the pursuit of our thoughts, our intense earnest interests must be as Christ's shown and told to us - as a servant with real humility and obedience. We must die to ourselves as we allow sacrifice to put us on the cross, willing to give all for our Lord in all we do here. This counter-cultural, counter-world thinking is radically essential to being His disciple.

Philippians 2:5-8

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Lowliness in Thinking

Being of one mind must be based on humility that seeks to serve others. To see that our needs must be put on hold to meet others' needs - that is difficult for most of us. We like our interests, and our old nature wants its own. But we who are Christ's must look to His example, as He came not to BE served, but TO serve.

Philippians 2:3-4

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

On quoting Scripture to others:

Remember also that motivation is the key - God looks at the heart. He does want us to put His word in our heart, and that path is though our mind (memorizing) to have our spirit encorporate it into the heart. It is wrong to mechanically memorize and then quote scripture without the Spirit, but with His enabling it is sharp, powerful, and able to convict others and change lives. How we use this sword is crucial; putting all only in our won words is often just that - our words, not His.

This is the law written on our hearts, not rules we attempt to follow in our own effort. That is God's desire. We just need to be so full of His word in our heart, mind, and soul that we can love with all our strength of life in the process. But we are to hide his word in our heart so we can be ready to give a good defense of the hope in us as well. But if the word goes no further than intellect (think AUG degree instead) or emotion (charismatics), then our heart and spirit are not fruitful instruments of the Gospel.

Called Alongside to Share

Consolation is παρακλησισ / paraklesis; a calling alongside to help, as how the Spirit of God is named. This, along with the comfort and deep intimacy we receive from Him, should remind us of His love and mercy on us - and urge us on to seeking to be unified in the fundamental truths of the Bible, fueled by love and agreement on the essential truths, working together to so teach and live them together.

Philippians 2:1-2

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Worthy Conduct

What is suitable for us who have been called out into Christ is godly, righteous character. This is not automatic, but must be the direction our lives are going. Real believers know this, agree it is truth, and together pursue knowing and living the truths in the Bible. We also should not fear those who scoff at the truth of Christ, since they fight Him in us. This proves we are His also. So we who live right in Jesus suffer persecution from those at odds with Him - both inside and outside the church buildings we attend.

Philippians 1:27-30

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Good To Live and Die

How wonderful to finally be in God's presence, away from sin and the temptations and sorrows that separate me from Him! Yet there are those here who need to be reconciled to an angry God who loves them - and needs me as ambassador to tell them so. So I must remain here as long as He purposes and I am so able, that I may do these and disciple others to also do the same, warning and teaching them. Time is short, and the wide gate to destruction is full...

Philippians 1:21-26

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard- pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Colossians 1:28-29

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Take Time to Know God

Habakkuk 2:4

“ Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

John's [Sorrell's] Sermon 12 May:

I sat at the bedside of one dear, dear friend…

And he told me…”Tell everyone you know about Christ…

Tell them to live for Him…and Him alone…

As I prepare myself to face Him …

I wish I had spent more time learning about Him.”

He looked at me and said, “I’m dying…

And for the first time in my life…I realize…

All I have…all I ever will have…is Jesus Christ…

He’s everything…forever!”

He died early the next morning…

Went to be with His Lord and savior…

He dies with his priorities in life straight

Boldness in Earnest Hope

Earnest expectation means an intense, anxious and persistent expectation as in Romans 8:19, where creation waits for the children of God to be revealed. This is the hope we hold to in telling others the Great News - that no matter what we go through, everyone will see Christ above all others and everything imaginable... And this whether we live or die, suffer or have it easy. It is about Him to live for (and others as the 2nd greatest commandment says) not our comfort or security.

Philippians 1:19-20

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Joy in Jesus Preached

Some people will talk of Jesus Christ because they are jealous of what God does through others, whether famous evangelists or others who get attention, or they will talk of Him to cause problems as an argument. We must talk of Him instead in love for His glory and others' good - love God and others as we are commanded. But even if some do speak of Christ out of the wrong motives, we should rejoice that people hear of the great news!

Philippians 1:15-18

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Abounding Love in Knowing Christ

Prayer for others (and self!) should ask for knowing and understanding all God has for us for the purpose of ever increasing and deepening love - for God and others. To choose not the good, but the best God has for us. To sincerely follow Jesus and turn away from the things that offend Him - sin. That the life may be fruitful in righteousness that Jesus Christ alone can impart to us so we can be truly pleasing to God in Him! This takes a lifetime, so we must get up, stop looking back, and press to this goal...

Philippians 1:9-11

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Partakers of Grace Together

Those we serve, to bring to come to know Christ, these should be in our hearts. This is even greater when they are with you in prayer and encouragement when you go through difficult times for the Good News' sake. God knows and sees it all, so we should love and appreciate the encouraging and uplifting fellowship.

Philippians 1:7-8

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Thankful For Gospel Fellowship

Am I thankful for those God brought into my life whom I have been able to help in Christ? If so, then I must continue to pray for them, thanking God for their fellowship, their sharing in common the great news of reconciliation in Jesus Christ we share. It is so reassuring to know that He has them in His perfect and powerful hands to work in molding them after the image of Christ! This gives comfort, hope, and peaceful assurance.

Philippians 1:3-6

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Grace to the Saints

Once again, those who are reborn, reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, set apart for God now (saints) - these know peace inside and His unmerited, unearned favor called grace. Saints are not determined, elected, or sponsored by any man or church, but by God Himself due to calling them out of sin, death, and Hell. We are set aside for Him by Him.

Philippians 1:1-2

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace to the Brethren

Peace and rest are for those who trust and follow God in Jesus the Christ. This rest that goes beyond words or understanding is above all for those who love Him in word and deed. This must be sincere and pure (true), not a religious game or fear-driven compliance. It is truly so!

Ephesians 6:23-24

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Comfort and Care in Serving

Paul showed an example of how we are to truly care for those we lead to see and come to know Jesus. He sent word of how he was doing to encourage and put them at ease for what God was doing through him and for him. He wanted to comfort, encourage, and exhort them... So he sent word by a trusted and loved friend in Christ. We can also let others know how God is working in and through us by others at times, or by email or letters.

Ephesians 6:21-22

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Enduring Watchfulness

The battle we are in requires us to constantly pray for each other, that we may keep holding nothing back to tell the world they are at odds with God who fairly must deal with them with the place prepared for the devil and fallen angels. We have the words of life that He gave, and are heavenly ambassadors to the reconciled of heaven. The battle is against the lies that deny Jesus Christ as the only way, truth, and life. So we pray watchfully and with endurance. This is the war in spiritual realms...

Ephesians 6:18-20

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Prepared for Battle

To stand firm and fight the good fight, battle armor must be worn to protect and to fight. Truth must hold everything up and allow weapons to be rightly used, readily available. The heart must be protected from corruption with righteousness. Feet must have shoes that take you to the destination, always ready to witness to the great things Christ has done. Faith will keep the enemy's attacks from getting through, in the power of His might as the head knows security of salvation. God's word wielded by His Spirit within will win the battles.

Ephesians 6:14-17

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Strong in the Lord’s Power

We must be strong in the dominion of His power. To do this requires choices and trust to rely on Him and study to make true decisions to arm for battle with assurance of victory. The fight is against the devil and fallen angels, not Hollywood scary versions, but very real enemies of Christ and all who are His. The devil is cunning and uses deceptive ways to trick us into not believing all God says as in Eden. This is why we need all of the protective armor offered to us! So we can stand firmly and remain standing as we fight.

Ephesians 6:10-13

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Servants and Masters

Servants must both listen and take heed to do what they are commanded; so are we to listen to Christ and obey in trusting, sincere, willing action. What we do in this life for those over us (bosses, military superiors, etc) should reflect Jesus Christ in the ways He showed how by serving us. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and gave a his life for many. So we do good and know that pleases God, and there are either consequences or rewards. If we are over others, we must serve them as Christ also!

Ephesians 6:5-9

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men- pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.  9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Honor and Nurture

Children must obey their parents, just as God's children must do all He tells us. This is why family structure and authority is important to God - it reflects how we relate to Him. This brings life and not consequence. So parents, fathers in particular as the head, must raise children to know and fear The Lord, to include reproof and punishment with warning and exhortation.

Ephesians 6:1-4

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “ Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “ that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”  4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Mystery of Marriage

When a man marries, he must "leave behind" (one who on being called away cannot take another with him) his parents - implied for the wife with her parents also - and be fully committed and one with his wife as a new family union. So we are to be one with Christ, leaving the old love of the world behind as we become one with Him. This is the hidden truth of us as Christ's wife/bride. So we are to love and respect each other as we do Christ and He us...

Ephesians 5:31-33

“ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Nurturing Love

Nurturing, tender care is what we apply to our own lives; so we are to love both ourselves and our wives. The Lord so loves us with loving kindness to help us grow and thrive in Christ. As part of His body, I am loved and cared for - so must I strive to do for my wife as Christ does for His Church!

Ephesians 5:28-30

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Give of Ourselves as Christ

Christ yielded up, handed over Himself to humbly serve and sacrificially lay down His rights and position so we could be saved from our sin that separates us from Him. He did this so He could wash us clean from unrighteousness by what He said to make us presentable to Himself as a bride, the church. This means we are made pure and set apart to be pleasing to Him. So must we men also give of ourselves for our wives...

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Submission and Headship

Submission in marriage is for both, and signifies our submission to our head, who is Christ. Because of the temptation and Fall of mankind through the woman first, God set the order of authority this way. He is the Savior, not the man, however - so we all are subject to Him as the bride of Christ (the Church, all regenerated believers).

Ephesians 5:22-24

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Filled with His Spirit and Thanksgiving

Those without hope attempt to feel better by getting drunk; we who are in Christ have Him in us - but we need to choose, to yield, to allow Him to fill us more completely. He will fill us out as the fragrance of perfume fills a room when the flask is opened. How? Some ways include avoiding sin (example here of not getting drunk), encouraging and worshipping together, being thankful to God for all things, and submitting to each other. We can serve each other in humble submission, not with prideful self-serving. This goes against our (fallen) nature, so we yield again by choosing to do so. Get forgiven, washed clean, and repeat.

Ephesians 5:18-21

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Circumspect Life of Wisdom

We need to live exactly, accurately, diligently - "in information accurately; in effort thoroughly." So, as we read, hear, study, memorize, and meditate on God's word, we understand exactly what we should and should not do. We have the information to do the best and most we can (though we fail and have to get up, get forgiveness, and go on), so that we can buy back our time here and rescue it from loss. As it says here, it is mindless and senseless (unwise) to not do these things. So we need to bring together all He tells us in order to be wise. Early to bed, early to rise, kill (die to self), and eat (spend time reading the Bible, praying, meditating) makes the believer spiritually healthy, wealthy, and wise in His eyes.

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Exposing Darkness with Light Exposing Darkness with Light

Not only are we to live in the light ourselves, but we are to reveal the darkness by His light in us. The word expose means "showing someone that he has done something wrong and summoning him to repent bring to light; convince, convict." We reveal, in LOVE, sin's wrong against God. We call them to turn from it and turn to Christ Jesus - imploring all to be reconciled (made right again) with God. Only God can do this, but He uses us as instruments.

Ephesians 5:11-14

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Walk as Children of the Light

What pleases the God who rescued us from death and separation from Him? To walk not in the dark ignorance of wrong, but in the light of what is right BY HIS STANDARDS. He is good, and expects us to follow Him. If His Spirit lives in us, then we must choose His work in us of goodness, righteousness, and truth - not walk away from it into the dark fringes again. What is well pleasing and acceptable to Him? Let us run after that.

Ephesians 5:8-10

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (f or the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Inheritors of the Kingdom

Disobedience; often shown as the result of unbelief. Those who live in sin do not really believe, so do not do what God commands. Some examples here include those who often have sex outside of marriage (and see nothing wrong, so continue to not believe God and do what He says), those who want what others have all the time (and so do more wrong to acquire them), and other unclean (unrighteous) thoughts and actions. This is why those who have been saved from sin must go and sin no more - to stop angering God as those who do not believe and do not obey. We must not join in with them; we are free from those things!

Ephesians 5:5-7

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Fitting Behavior for Saints

Things that are not "fitting" are ones which are not suitable, right or proper. For reborn believers, Christians, these include anything that is unclean - including sexual sins or words that are unloving and harmful to others. Love fulfills the Law when it does no harm to others. Instead, we must love in word, deed, and thought. What is in our heart does come out in what we say and do, and God sees that and desires to change us by His Spirit as we make the right choices. He is called alongside to help us, and will.

Ephesians 5:3-4

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Imitators of God and His Love

How we live should be driven by a progression toward love, but we let our own desires get in the way too often. Instead of "being ourselves," we must imitate or follow the examples that Jesus gave us as these verses in Ephesians point out. Because He loved us enough to give up His rights as the Son of God, to suffer and die for us, so must we love and give ourselves for others' good. This goes against our flesh, but is our living sacrificial life we can offer every day (Rom.12:1-2) to please Him.  

[We are the evidence of God and His love, not just the church left here to reach out the word of the Gospel... - pastor @ WBF]

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma.

Kind and Forgiving as Forgiven

Here again I see the second greatest commandment, to love others as we love ourselves. It can be difficult at times to always be kind, caring, and forgiving as we must. I think of how God forgave me when I did not even come close to deserving it... In Christ He forgave me while I did not even love Him - He loved me first and proved it on the cross and up out of the grave! So I hang my head when I act with anger, bitterness, talking bad of others, and not forgiving and loving as Christ gave me example. But I am more than a conqueror in Him!

Ephesians 4:31-32

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Corrupt Communication vs. Edification

The word corrupt has meanings to include: decayed, rotting, rotten; literally, of decaying fish or fruit no longer useful for food; more generally useless, of no value, unfit. Is what we say something that gives life, preserves, nutritious for growth and well-being, valuable, and fitting? These are some ways to give grace in speech from these verses. If we do do even try to do this, we actually grieve God's Spirit...we make Him sad and hurt Him who lives in us forever.

Ephesians 4:29-30

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

No More Lying, Anger, or Stealing!

Lying. Anger towards others. Stealing. These are all sins that the Ten Commandments spelled out, and which Jesus exposed as motives in our thoughts even without the outward acts. Instead, He desires us to speak what is true, to deal with anger and seek forgiveness to be reconciled with each other as He did for us in Christ on the cross, and to work to even give to others instead of taking wrongly only for our own desires. This is doing no harm to each other, which is the second great command - to love each other.

Ephesians 4:25-28

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Off With the Old, Renewed by the New

So, since we who are Christ's do not run after the self-indulgence of sin we were once in, we must listen to be further taught by Him. We need to listen to what He tells us so we can follow. To be made new in our ways of thinking we need to first put off what we used to do, all that serves our own wrong desires (sinful lusts). Then we put on (daily) new desires that become good habits and character traits to replace the bad ones. These are given to us already, and our choices allow His grace to transform us as we choose well. He made is to be set apart (holy) and righteous. This must be the direction of our lives!

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

To "put off" and "put on" in the original Greek has the meaning of taking off clothing, putting it aside, and putting new clothes on. This is what we need to do with our attitudes, desires, and actions.

Futile Thinking of the Blind World

Futility is "nonsense, nothingness, emptiness, frustration, purposelessness." This is how those who are not Christ's live - and what we need to stop doing as His. They do not understand, but we have the mind of Christ because His Spirit lives in us. We were also once blind, but now we see, albeit sometimes through a glass (mirror) dimly. We feel now what is right, not as the world who are numb to righteousness. Therefore we must pursue purpose and righteous thoughts and actions to please God as we were created.

Ephesians 4:17-19

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Tossed with Doubt or Built Up with Love?

To become like Christ, we must study to be approved as we wrestle with what the Bible says, not what others want to tell us. We must absolutely test all we hear by personal examination of God's word, or we will be spiritually tossed about in the imperfect storm of deception and error. Such cults as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses thrive on those who fail to seek the truth for themselves. But we who know the truth are required to speak it to others IN LOVE. Then as Christ's body we can grow and function as He designed...

Ephesians 4:14-16

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Gifts for Unity of Faith to Know Him

The gifts He gives are to give us what we need ("a process of adjustment that results in a complete preparedness equipping, perfecting, making adequate"). Why? So that we can serve each other in Christ, with the goal of becoming one as we all understand the absolute truths of His word and knowing Him - mature by the measuring stick of Christ Himself!

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Gifts of Grace

Because God came down from heaven as a man, suffered, died, and rose from the grave to go back up to heaven, He has been everywhere for us - including suffering in our place for sin to death to pay our debt! He took the sin that imprisoned us and imprisoned it instead of us in Hell. So He now also gives us who are His gifts by His Spirit who now live in us as new creations... This is mercy, grace, and love.

Ephesians 4:7-10

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ 's gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”  9 (Now this, “He ascended” — what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Colossians 2:15

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Core Truths of our Calling

The truth of the Bible angers many because it closes the door to God outside of the one door, Jesus Christ. There is, as Acts 4:12 says, no other way. There is then in Christ one Spirit God puts inside every believer at their new birth - no false second baptism of Him. We are baptized by Him at the rebirth by the one God by what His Son Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and out of the grave. He is Lord and God. There is no other.

Ephesians 4:4-6

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Bearing With Each Other

Back to verse 2 of Ephesians 4. Matthew Henry said, "By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended." This is so difficult! So I aim to not allow accusations and hurt to make me respond in the flesh, but in love as I must. Battle weary...

Ephesians 4:2

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Walk Worthy

Bound as a prisoner of righteousness to Jesus. This is why we need to live in a way that is suitable and worthy of our rescue from sin, death, and Hell. How? Some ways include humility, kindness, taking a lot from others, and doing our best to be the one Body in Christ we have been called into. These go against our old nature, so take effort of choices to attain over a lifetime. Join me in pursuing these as we fail, fall, and get up over and over to press toward that prize!

Ephesians 4:1-3

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Glory to God for His Working!

God my Father is glorified in Jesus Christ working in me as part of His body, the Church! He works in ways far beyond my expectations and belief, so why do I not just believe what He says and rely on such infinite ability and power to do outside of the box I put Him in?

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Rooted and Grounded in Fullness

How much do you know His love? With Christ in us, we have the ability to know His love. The difficult part is to show that to others as He does to us! If we root ourselves in Him and His love, His fullness by His Spirit and our transformed mind and heart can begin to reveal the unmeasurable love He has for us. We cannot understand this love fully, but it changes us - some slowly as myself, others a bit quicker.

Ephesians 3:17-19

... that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.