Everybody worships. If you've expressed thankfulness or joy or praise about something or someone, then you've engaged in worship. The sad reality of human life however is that much of the worship we engage in is ordinary and fleeting. What God brings to us, on the other hand, is a worship experience far greater, richer, and deeper than anything we could hope to find in our world. What God brings to us is himself. God and his glory is revealed to us when we believe in Jesus and he becomes king over our lives (cf Col 1:27). Since we were created to know God and worship him, it's no surprise then that when we experience God in Jesus we are instantly drawn towards grateful, joyful worship (cf 1 Peter 1:7-9; Jude 1:24-25).
If God's people, the church, are to worship in the fullest way, they must be a people who are full of Jesus. This means first of all that worship when the church gathers together must be Jesus- saturated. As Col 3:16 notes, this begins first with the word of Christ. The Bible, and in particular the main message of the Bible, namely what God has accomplished in and through Jesus, must be at the center of the church and especially at the center of our worship every time we meet. What we are talking about here is the gospel. Thus, this gospel of Jesus Christ must penetrate into every corner of the church community and into every part of its worship.
This saturation with the word of Christ should then affect the kind of teaching and admonishing that happens within the church. Every member has a responsibility to teach, challenge, and counsel other members. This should be done wisely, and wise teaching and admonishing can only happen if the first part of all this, namely having the word of Christ "dwelling richly" within the church, is happening.
Wise teaching and admonishing can occur in a lot of ways when the church gathers but the particular way that Paul promotes in Col 3:16 is through different types of music. The gospel of Jesus Christ frees God's people to sing every type of song possible that is able to wisely instruct and challenge. A truly Jesus-saturated community seeks to broaden, not lessen, the types of songs that are sung. Through such variety and diversity in our singing, God works to draw even more people into a deeper and more vibrant worship of himself.
Worship doesn't just happen however when the church is gathered together. In addition, worship happens when the church is "scattered." As much time as is spent in gathered meetings, much more time is spent with the church spread out all over in various neighborhoods and locations. Worship by the "scattered" church must also be Jesus saturated. As Col 3:17 emphasizes, everything we do - in speech or in action - is to be done in the name of Jesus, as a function of our grateful worship to God. Every part of our lives falls under his jurisdiction. We want his approval over all that we say and do. We submit to his influence over everything we say and do. We depend on his empowering Spirit for all that we say and do. Jesus is Lord over every situation and in every way, and because he is Lord, every part of life can and should be lived in grateful worship to God.
Reflect on the importance of having "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col 3:16). Why is this so crucial to true Christian living and worship? Why do you think so often worship of God is seen or practiced in very narrow ways? How can we develop more of an ethos that sees and actively develops every part of life as worship of God through Jesus Christ?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
"A High Definition Picture of God's Chosen People" Part II - Colossians 3:12-15
In Col 3:12-15 our picture of what the people of God should be like fills out some more. There are three main things to note. The first is in Col 3:12, where we note that the people of God are a people who have been specially chosen by God. In other words, there is no such thing as an "accidental" Christian. God specially choose every single believer for himself, to be set apart and loved by him (cf 1 Peter 2:9-10). It is also worth mentioning that the terms used in this verse - chosen, holy, beloved - were used to describe Israel. But now these terms are applied to the church. The church is the people of God.
Next, we note that God's people are specially "clothed." To belong to God means "putting on" certain virtues and practices, which are elaborated in Col 3:12-14. The virtues listed in v.12 are all used in the Bible to describe God and are perfectly displayed in Christ. Putting on these virtues means that we are relating to one another like God does, which is to say that we are acting towards each other like Jesus would. Indeed, Jesus is God's example to us on how to "wear" each of these virtues and he's also the means by which we "wear" each of these virtues.
One specific practice that should come out of "wearing" the virtues of v.12 is the practice of forgiveness (v.13). Forgiveness certainly ranks as one of the hardest things for us to do. It's important to note that forgiveness does not mean ignoring conflict. In order to forgive there much be a recognition that something has happened that has caused conflict and separation. Forgiveness does not negate the necessity for repentance on the part of the offender. The process of forgiveness is only fully realized when the offender repents from their sin against the offended party. Forgiveness does mean that there might not be consequences because of the committed offense. Sin does have costly and unavoidable effects at times (e.g. a formerly abusive father might have to serve time in jail and/or not be allowed any alone time ever again with his children).
Nevertheless, forgiveness does mean that we interact with one another with a continual spirit of openness and patience. We operate with a spirit that constantly looks to see things healed and to see reconciliation happen at whatever level is possible between people. In fact, the foundation upon which we forgive like this is found at the very heart of the ministry and message of Christ. The core truth of the gospel message is that God forgives us in Jesus Christ. And, as Pastor Mike Bullmore observes, gospel truth must directly lead to gospel conduct, or practice. In this case, the gospel truth is that you've been forgiven. The gospel practice then is that you forgive others.
Lastly we are told that "above all these put on love" (Col 3:14). Love is like the final fitted jacket that pulls the whole outfit together. It is the one virtue that unites and bonds us together as a people of God and will ultimately produce our perfection. Love should be the first impression people get from a believer and the lasting impression people get from a believer (cf John 13:34-35).
The final thing to note about God's people is that God's people are specially united (Col 3:15). There is to be a general spirit of harmony and wholeness among believers. The church should be ruled and guided by Christ's peace. This is ultimately Paul's concern - to see one church, united together around what's most important, which is Christ.
The picture of God's people in Col 3:12-15 should first of all make us greatly thankful to God. Secondly, it should make see the importance of being intentionally involved in a local church community. The local church is the local embodiment of God's people. It is the main context in which we can develop and display all the virtues and practices of Christ. This means then that the church is the main way people will see that Jesus is truly for real. The church is the high definition picture to our world of what it's like to be with God.
Look back over the different virtues and practices mentioned in this passage. Pick one or several and consider how they might be further encouraged and developed within your own life and within the life of our church community.
Next, we note that God's people are specially "clothed." To belong to God means "putting on" certain virtues and practices, which are elaborated in Col 3:12-14. The virtues listed in v.12 are all used in the Bible to describe God and are perfectly displayed in Christ. Putting on these virtues means that we are relating to one another like God does, which is to say that we are acting towards each other like Jesus would. Indeed, Jesus is God's example to us on how to "wear" each of these virtues and he's also the means by which we "wear" each of these virtues.
One specific practice that should come out of "wearing" the virtues of v.12 is the practice of forgiveness (v.13). Forgiveness certainly ranks as one of the hardest things for us to do. It's important to note that forgiveness does not mean ignoring conflict. In order to forgive there much be a recognition that something has happened that has caused conflict and separation. Forgiveness does not negate the necessity for repentance on the part of the offender. The process of forgiveness is only fully realized when the offender repents from their sin against the offended party. Forgiveness does mean that there might not be consequences because of the committed offense. Sin does have costly and unavoidable effects at times (e.g. a formerly abusive father might have to serve time in jail and/or not be allowed any alone time ever again with his children).
Nevertheless, forgiveness does mean that we interact with one another with a continual spirit of openness and patience. We operate with a spirit that constantly looks to see things healed and to see reconciliation happen at whatever level is possible between people. In fact, the foundation upon which we forgive like this is found at the very heart of the ministry and message of Christ. The core truth of the gospel message is that God forgives us in Jesus Christ. And, as Pastor Mike Bullmore observes, gospel truth must directly lead to gospel conduct, or practice. In this case, the gospel truth is that you've been forgiven. The gospel practice then is that you forgive others.
Lastly we are told that "above all these put on love" (Col 3:14). Love is like the final fitted jacket that pulls the whole outfit together. It is the one virtue that unites and bonds us together as a people of God and will ultimately produce our perfection. Love should be the first impression people get from a believer and the lasting impression people get from a believer (cf John 13:34-35).
The final thing to note about God's people is that God's people are specially united (Col 3:15). There is to be a general spirit of harmony and wholeness among believers. The church should be ruled and guided by Christ's peace. This is ultimately Paul's concern - to see one church, united together around what's most important, which is Christ.
The picture of God's people in Col 3:12-15 should first of all make us greatly thankful to God. Secondly, it should make see the importance of being intentionally involved in a local church community. The local church is the local embodiment of God's people. It is the main context in which we can develop and display all the virtues and practices of Christ. This means then that the church is the main way people will see that Jesus is truly for real. The church is the high definition picture to our world of what it's like to be with God.
Look back over the different virtues and practices mentioned in this passage. Pick one or several and consider how they might be further encouraged and developed within your own life and within the life of our church community.
Friday, January 16, 2009
"A High Definition Picture of God's Chosen People" Part I - Colossians 3:8-11
Christianity is about the total and complete transformation of every part of your being. As Paul writes in Col 3:9-10, the old self is put off, just like you put off an old set of dirty filthy clothes, and the new self is put on. This new self is day by day being improved and upgraded until one day the believer will come to the full knowledge of God and fully reflect him, being made complete in Christ (Col 1:28; cf Eph 4:22-24, Rom 6:6, Gal 3:27).
Paul gives one list of practices associated with the old self that the believer can and should put off in Col 3:5, and a second list in Col 3:8-9. This second list largely deals with practices that relate to the kinds of attitudes and ultimately words that can do the most damage to relationships and community.
Words, of course, are immensely powerful. They can instantly change the dynamic of relationships. They can bring great good or lasting harm. For the person who's been raised with Christ, any type of attitudes and words that are abusive, resentful, or harshly critical belong to the old self that must be put away. They are in effect old clothes that should be gathered together and burned to ashes.
We must regularly and consistently affirm the depth of and the reality of God's transformation of the believer. Indeed, the transformation that God brings within each believer's life intrinsically means transformed relationships, which means a transformed community. This community is one defined by and united in Christ (Col 3:11).
We often don't appreciate just how racially and culturally and socially divided the ancient world was. Prejudice was the norm. There was a natural distrust of people who didn't speak like you did or live as you did. You only formed significant relationships with people who were in a similar racial, cultural and social class as you.
So, Col 3:11 represents a seismic shift in typical human relationships. The new self you gain in Christ is such a complete and thorough transformation, it wipes out all previous allegiances. Our primary identity is first and foremost in Christ. This is not to suggest that all cultural and ethnic categories disappear. It is to say however that Christ is the "main course," and everything else about us are simply side dishes and flavors that should further amplify Christ in us. "Christ is all" - he is all that matters, and Christ "is in all" - he is found within every believer, without distinction, within the Christian community.
Seeing ourselves in this way will of course affect how we relate to one another. Such things as anger, malice, slander, and lying can never exist in a community of people where "Christ is all and in all." Instead, people in a community like this wear a "new self" that is characterized by humility, self-denial, service, and unity. In putting on Christ, all "we" versus "them" type thinking is shattered. As the Christian rapper Flame puts it in his song, Racial Diversity, we can't call this "black church" or "white church" for in the Scriptures all there really is is just "Christ church."
What comes to mind as you reflect on that phrase "Christ is all, and in all"? What are the implications of this truth for our relationships and for our church community? How does the practice of putting off the old self and putting on the new self, described in Col 3:9-10, help produce what's described in Col 3:11?
Paul gives one list of practices associated with the old self that the believer can and should put off in Col 3:5, and a second list in Col 3:8-9. This second list largely deals with practices that relate to the kinds of attitudes and ultimately words that can do the most damage to relationships and community.
Words, of course, are immensely powerful. They can instantly change the dynamic of relationships. They can bring great good or lasting harm. For the person who's been raised with Christ, any type of attitudes and words that are abusive, resentful, or harshly critical belong to the old self that must be put away. They are in effect old clothes that should be gathered together and burned to ashes.
We must regularly and consistently affirm the depth of and the reality of God's transformation of the believer. Indeed, the transformation that God brings within each believer's life intrinsically means transformed relationships, which means a transformed community. This community is one defined by and united in Christ (Col 3:11).
We often don't appreciate just how racially and culturally and socially divided the ancient world was. Prejudice was the norm. There was a natural distrust of people who didn't speak like you did or live as you did. You only formed significant relationships with people who were in a similar racial, cultural and social class as you.
So, Col 3:11 represents a seismic shift in typical human relationships. The new self you gain in Christ is such a complete and thorough transformation, it wipes out all previous allegiances. Our primary identity is first and foremost in Christ. This is not to suggest that all cultural and ethnic categories disappear. It is to say however that Christ is the "main course," and everything else about us are simply side dishes and flavors that should further amplify Christ in us. "Christ is all" - he is all that matters, and Christ "is in all" - he is found within every believer, without distinction, within the Christian community.
Seeing ourselves in this way will of course affect how we relate to one another. Such things as anger, malice, slander, and lying can never exist in a community of people where "Christ is all and in all." Instead, people in a community like this wear a "new self" that is characterized by humility, self-denial, service, and unity. In putting on Christ, all "we" versus "them" type thinking is shattered. As the Christian rapper Flame puts it in his song, Racial Diversity, we can't call this "black church" or "white church" for in the Scriptures all there really is is just "Christ church."
What comes to mind as you reflect on that phrase "Christ is all, and in all"? What are the implications of this truth for our relationships and for our church community? How does the practice of putting off the old self and putting on the new self, described in Col 3:9-10, help produce what's described in Col 3:11?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"The Practical Significance of Christ's Death and Resurrection for Your Everyday Life" Colossians 3:1-7
As we come to chapter 3 Paul begins to show how the believer's union with Christ has direct and specific practical implications for daily life. More specifically, in the death of Christ our sinful lives are put to death. In the resurrection of Christ we gain new, heavenly lives (Col 3:3). These are lives that are now oriented in a brand new direction. Our entire outlook - our dreams, desires, ambitions, goals, and decisions - all zoom in on Christ and heaven and the heavenly life we now have with Christ in God.
Going in this new direction will require continuous and ongoing effort. We must "keep thinking" about things above as opposed to earthly things. You might say that before Christ the best we could do was compete to see who could sink the slowest in the ocean of a broken world enslaved to sin and Satan. But God sends us Christ, and in Christ we've gained the ability to swim! We can move towards the shores of heaven where God is. But we are still in the "water" of our world. And the current continues to fight against us, trying to drag us away back underneath the water.
So how do we swim, and keep swimming? It will involve casting off certain earthbound practices and instead putting on certain heaven-minded practices. Paul gives two lists of the kind of things that should be put off, the first of which is found in v.5. The main theme of this first list is sex. Sex of course is one of the most powerful ways we have of relating to one another. Sadly, sex in our day has become a commodity that we feel we should always have the best of and the most of in every possible way that we deem best. God however designed sex to be enjoyed in the context of a marriage relationship between a husband and wife. When we take sex out of this perfect context and make it not about about marital self-giving but about selfish taking, sex morphs into something very dangerous and destructive and dehumanizing. In fact, one of the most authentically human acts you can engage in is having sex with your spouse where you put their interests above your own. One of the most ugly and dehumanizing acts a human being can do is to engage in sexual activity with someone other than your spouse. The end of such ugliness in our world will be the judgment of God's wrath (Col 3:6).
The believer must thoroughly reject this approach to sex as belonging to a former way of life that is dead and needs to stay dead. They must actively "put to death" sins like sexual immorality and lust (Col 3:5). Such a strong phrase as "put to death" tells us about the approach we must take here - we must kill, obliterate, and destroy any such sin in our lives. We should be willing to take any measure possible to eliminate its influence over our lives, even if it's socially awkward or uncomfortable or inconvenient for us to do so. This can be hard task. In fact, it IS a hard task! But it is one that is fully possible because of the reality of v.1 - that the believer is one who has been "raised with Christ." This means that, depending fully on Christ and my union with him, I can shape and mold my life in a direction that will one day have me standing fully perfected in the presence of God, where I will be able to worship and enjoy him forever.
Meditate on the truths of Col 3:1 and 3, namely, that the Christian has been raised with Christ and that their life is now "hidden with Christ in God"? How do these truths help encourage us and empower us in the ongoing battle against sin?
Going in this new direction will require continuous and ongoing effort. We must "keep thinking" about things above as opposed to earthly things. You might say that before Christ the best we could do was compete to see who could sink the slowest in the ocean of a broken world enslaved to sin and Satan. But God sends us Christ, and in Christ we've gained the ability to swim! We can move towards the shores of heaven where God is. But we are still in the "water" of our world. And the current continues to fight against us, trying to drag us away back underneath the water.
So how do we swim, and keep swimming? It will involve casting off certain earthbound practices and instead putting on certain heaven-minded practices. Paul gives two lists of the kind of things that should be put off, the first of which is found in v.5. The main theme of this first list is sex. Sex of course is one of the most powerful ways we have of relating to one another. Sadly, sex in our day has become a commodity that we feel we should always have the best of and the most of in every possible way that we deem best. God however designed sex to be enjoyed in the context of a marriage relationship between a husband and wife. When we take sex out of this perfect context and make it not about about marital self-giving but about selfish taking, sex morphs into something very dangerous and destructive and dehumanizing. In fact, one of the most authentically human acts you can engage in is having sex with your spouse where you put their interests above your own. One of the most ugly and dehumanizing acts a human being can do is to engage in sexual activity with someone other than your spouse. The end of such ugliness in our world will be the judgment of God's wrath (Col 3:6).
The believer must thoroughly reject this approach to sex as belonging to a former way of life that is dead and needs to stay dead. They must actively "put to death" sins like sexual immorality and lust (Col 3:5). Such a strong phrase as "put to death" tells us about the approach we must take here - we must kill, obliterate, and destroy any such sin in our lives. We should be willing to take any measure possible to eliminate its influence over our lives, even if it's socially awkward or uncomfortable or inconvenient for us to do so. This can be hard task. In fact, it IS a hard task! But it is one that is fully possible because of the reality of v.1 - that the believer is one who has been "raised with Christ." This means that, depending fully on Christ and my union with him, I can shape and mold my life in a direction that will one day have me standing fully perfected in the presence of God, where I will be able to worship and enjoy him forever.
Meditate on the truths of Col 3:1 and 3, namely, that the Christian has been raised with Christ and that their life is now "hidden with Christ in God"? How do these truths help encourage us and empower us in the ongoing battle against sin?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)