Are We Focused On Christ In Our Church?

In these brief opening passages of first Corinthians, Paul brings us a problem that has remained with us throughout Christendom.  Conflict. Right from the beginning it appears that people had trouble concerning the things that were about God as opposed to the things that were about man. Wasn't that the struggle the Jews were having when Christ encountered them? He chastised the Pharisees because "they tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." Matt. 23:4 Jesus cautioned those in the hierarchy of Judaism about what God had ordained in contrast to the rules that men had made which burdened that faith and made it impossible.

Yet, early on we see that human nature leads us to quarrel over even what we seemingly have agreed about: That Jesus was the Son of God, who had laid down his life for us and was raised on the third day as proof that he indeed was the Son of Man as he had proclaimed.

Christendom flourished only to be divided, first within itself as the schism of the church was formed between western Catholicism and eastern orthodoxy and then with the Protestant Reformation. We maybe would like to think that it stopped with that major upheaval, but that has not been the case.

In fact, we are clearly seeing an upheaval in our Christendom now in these times. There are several things that we are witness to besides that reemergence of Israel and the middle east as a center to faiths that are coming into conflict. With in Christendom, ever since the 1960's when Time Magazine asked if "God Was Dead", we have been a witness to the emergence of the evangelical movement in protestant churches. Where has this come from? It has come from God. In one way it began with the Catholic church. The church that was built on Peter began a reform with Pope John the 23^rd who moved the church in ways that no one would have predicted. The ecumenical process Pope John began, opened many doors for Catholics and also for a reconciliation to the protestant church.

Within Protestantism we have seen the growth of what is often termed "mega churches" but these are not the same old churches that were around in the late 1960's. These churches, for the most part, have buried themselves in scripture and in proclaiming the truth of Christ. Unlike many mainline churches that are losing their congregations because they have lost their focus on Jesus and have become much more a part of the secular humanist world, the evangelical churches that are focusing on Christ have began a dialogue about having a personal relationship with Christ. Most remarkable, this is happening not only in evangelical protestant churches, but it is also occurring in the Catholic church where a similar awakening has taken place.

Where has praise singing come from?  Indeed, how has the entire Christian  music movement developed, except out of the spirit that God has sent into this movement. And we have seen it right in our own church. Much of the stilted worship that I was so used to,  where prayers were written out, often gleaned from a ministerial magazine or litanies were possibly plucked from "pastor helper" material, we now see the words coming from the heart of the ones who stand before us guiding us in worship. We hear the words of knowledge but more important faith! People are encouraged to bring their Bible to church and more importantly to read it, have a quiet time, study in small groups or large Bible studies or make comments on a blog such as this. Worship has emerged as not duty but as something that connects us with God directly and with the presence of Christ in our lives. Worship is now an active role for individuals instead of the passive role that I remember so well.

Why do I bring this up? Because it goes with what Paul is talking to the Corinthians here in this opening remarks. He remarks to the Corinthians upon discovering that there is conflict amongst them :One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

This is the point he makes for all Christendom. It appears that often when we are asked, "What is your religion?," people will answer with what church they attend (" I am Presbyterian, I am a Lutheran, I am a Catholic…etc.")  What happened to Christ? Christ is who you are following. That is your faith. In the end do we really think that it will matter to God whether we sat in the pew that said Catholic, or Lutheran or will it matter if we have asked His Son into our lives and surrendered ourselves to Him?

Laurie Erdman

 

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The Body of Believers

Romans 16:8-27

In my orientation to seminary we spoke of this passage, and I've been thinking about it on and off for about 3 weeks now. Karen also touched on this theme yesterday. Looking over chapter 16 (including the 7 verses we read yesterday, at least 32 individuals are mentioned, 30 by name, in addition to the references to Jesus Christ and unnumbered groups of people. Most of these people, we've never heard of before, but they were significant to Paul.

It's interesting, because – even though Scripture doesn't teach it - I often think of Paul as a lone ranger, or at least as someone who's able to accomplish a lot on his own. He was strong in his convictions, demonstrated contentment in the midst of jail and persecution, seemed to do whatever he knew was right for the glory of God, regardless of the earthly consequences. Yet, part of his strength came from the precious people involved in his life and in his ministry.

If I were writing this letter right now, I would mention Tricia, who invited me to youth group, and Miley, who challenged me to live for God. I would include Jon, who encouraged me to live out my faith everyday in high school. I'd thank Bob and Greg and Danni for challenging me to be bold in my faith in college and for helping me not take myself too seriously. I'd thank Kris, for her partnership in life and in the work of the gospel, as well as for her unending encouragement. I would thank all the volunteers in middle school ministry, who in various ways pour themselves into students, so that each student might experience the love of God.

There are many more names I could mention. Several you might recognize and bunches who would be for you just names on a page, like many of the people in Romans 16.

Who are the people in your story, in your life? Who are the people that God has used to draw you to Him? Who are the people who bless you by their partnership in ministry? Who are the people you've been blessed to pour your life into and see the fruit of faith? Take a moment to think of them and to thank God for them. He, too, knows each of them by name.

The Bond of Fellowship

We are one of those families whose faces you seldom see at Bethesda in the summer. If we're not at the baseball field with our boys, we try to get to our cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Every summer around this time, we really sense the missing Christian fellowship in our lives and start to long for September!

The importance of the fellowship among the body of believers has been evident since the beginning of the church, and is seen in the closing of Paul's letter to the Romans. He told them of important work he needed to do before he could come to Rome - delivering an offering from the Macedonians and Achaians to Jerusalem - and asked for prayer as he completed this task. But then he proceeded to send his greetings to many friends in the Lord.

The gospel, of course, is relational. It calls us to repentance so that we can be friends with God. And when we are friends with God, we inherit a brand new family - brothers and sisters who love Him, as well. The Lord gave us this family so we can learn and pray together, growing in grace and the knowledge of truth. While we theoretically could learn and grow and pray in isolation, that is not God's desire for his friends.

So, the ache that my husband and I feel for Christian fellowship seems to be hard-wired into us as believers. Do you feel it, too? What will you do about it? Have you found a small group bible study or ABF? Do you have a prayer partner? Do you have an idea for a new group at Bethesda? I suggest you call someone and take that first step toward deepening your fellowship with other believers, either within or outside our church doors.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you have designed us to be in relationship with others, even if we sometimes simply find it easier to be alone. We give you permission to do whatever it takes to nudge us into Christian fellowship so that we can see more of You in the lives of those that know You, too. Amen.

v. 1-2 - We are not to live just to please ourselves…but to help others.  Ask yourself: “How am I doing on that issue?  v. 4 – Patiently waiting for all that God has promised us.  Hard, huh?  v. 5 – Live in harmony with others.  All of us could use some help there!  v. 9f – Notice the emphasis: Gentiles share God’s blessings given to the Jews.  The ground around the foot of the Cross is level.  v. 13 – Hope in the Bible means: being certain of what is promised.  v. 14 – We are to know the Lord’s word; and also teach it.  Suppose that means ALL of us?  Or just the clergy?  v. 16 – Paul saw his role as a special messenger of God to the Gentiles.  v. 18 – What do you boast about in your life? (Is this question unfair?)  v. 19 – The importance of fully presenting the Good News.  v. 20 – Note: Paul’s desire to preach where folks have never heard the Good News of Jesus.  Do we have a heart for missions too?

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

Gift of Gifts

Romans 12:1-21

 

A gift is something given to you, acquired without compensation.  In this passage, the gift (noun) is actually a gift (verb).  We have been presented with different gifts, according to God’s grace.

 

We are also admonished to use these gifts by the grace through which they were given.  Not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.  This includes what I call negative pride.

 

I’ve done it.  I say, “Oh, I’m no good!” or “I can’t do this or that.” In attempt to coerce those around me to say that they think I am not all that bad, etc.  It is pride because “I” is still the focus.

 

Lord, today I want to focus on you and the way you made me, and be content with that.

 

Steve Louden