Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Colossians 4:2-4
Paul amazes me. In this passage, he is asking for prayer for an open door. Then, he mentions that he’s actually imprisoned. My first thought is that the open door would be the prison door. But, Paul is more concerned with proclaiming the message clearly. Of course, his crime was proclaiming the message, so maybe he should have sought prayers for obscurity. I don’t know that I would have fared so well.
My picture appeared in the Greenville News a couple of weeks ago. Three other pedestrians and I were using a newly decommissioned crosswalk downtown. Technically, we were jaywalking. (I'm on the right).
There was no big sign reading: “Don’t cross here any more.” They just packed up the crosswalk signs, allowed the strips on the road to fade, and put up a couple of cones. There is a fine line between decommissioning and lack of maintenance. How were we to know? The photographer didn’t take my name, so I suppose that I am currently on the lam. Next time, I will cross at the corner now that I know it’s not a crosswalk. Whew! Glad to get that confession out there.
What I do freely in proclaiming the message of Christ, Paul did hard time for and with a good attitude. Paul’s secret was simply this: devote yourself to prayer. To devote, according to dictionary.com, is to apply oneself entirely to a particular activity. Paul instructed the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How do you do that?
There are several ways. Some people will set alarms on their computer or phone calendars throughout the day to remind them to stop and pray. Others will establish short prayer times throughout the day. Some, rather than stop to think about something, will stop to pray about something. Rather than thinking, “That person irritates me. I just can’t seem to get my work done when she’s around,” pray this “Lord, I am having a hard time with this person. Help me to deal with them and get my work done.” Ask and you will receive (John 16:24).
My prayer is that Jeanne Brooks, the author of the Greenville News article, doesn’t read these devotionals. She could turn me in. What is the fine for jaywalking in ignorance?
LEARN TO STUDY THE BIBLE with Allen White this Fall at BrookwoodU. For more information: http://brookwoodchurch.org/brookwooduclasses
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 3:22-4:1
Slavery was a large part of the economy in the Roman Empire. People became slaves for a variety of reasons: as an obligation of debt, as a punishment for a crime, or as a prisoner of war. Considering that Paul addresses major categories of the Colossian church in chapter three: wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves and masters, the assumption would be that a large part of this church was slaves. Paul has more to say to slaves than to anyone else here.
Slavery seems like such a distant thing to us. We are separated by generations and cultures from its affects, yet according to the Harvard Gazette Online, there are 12 million slaves in the world today, including in the United States. To make this a little more personal, the Bible tells us that if we are in debt, then we are slaves to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
Yet, slavery does not touch most of us in any personal way. Let’s turn this discussion from slaves and masters to employees and employers. This verse would sound like this:
“Employees obey your boss in everything. Do it, not just when they are supervising you to score some points, but sincerely and reverently for the Big Boss, God Himself. Whatever you do, entering data, sweeping floors, building cars, fixing computers, engineering tires, serving food, marketing products, selling shoes, writing devotionals, making music, editing video, caring for children, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.
Put your whole self into it. Sing every song like it’s your favorite. Manufacture or service a product like it’s your own. Prepare and serve food to your honored guests. Care for children who will be mechanics, politicians, nurses, attorneys, police officers, teachers, doctors, business people, sales reps, engineers and computer technicians. Most importantly, give it all you’ve got because the Lord is your number one customer, patient or client. People don’t always deserve our best. But, God always deserves our best effort.
If you do wrong, you will pay for the wrong. It doesn’t matter who you are, no one will get away with treating others poorly, stealing, taking shortcuts, or being lazy.
If you’re the boss, treat your employees fairly, because you still have to answer to the Big Boss, God Himself. Appreciate your employees for their successes. Encourage them to develop their gifts and skills. Don’t micromanage them to the point of discouragement. As the leader, raise the morale. You will have happy, effective employees who produce stellar work.
How’s your attitude at work these days? Whether you work in an office, a factory, your car, a school or at home, you are working for the Big Boss.
If you would like to help stop slavery and human trafficking: http://www.ijm.org/
LEARN TO STUDY THE BIBLE with Allen White this Fall at BrookwoodU. For more information: http://brookwoodchurch.org/brookwooduclasses
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Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:20-21
Raising children is hard work. It can be a lot of fun. It can be a lot of heartache. Newborns are great, until they learn to tell you “No.” Then, the hard work begins.
To treat our children fairly, we need to let them know up front what the consequence of their action will be. If the child knows that he will lose a privilege if he chooses to disobey, then it’s not mean old dad taking something away for no reason. The consequence is the product of the child’s choice.
We live in a world that would prefer to deny the consequences. People want to do whatever they want and then complain when they face a negative consequence. They needed a parent when their parent decided to be their child’s friend instead. Maybe the parent was treated harshly as a child, so he is lenient with his children. She doesn’t want to be like her mother, so she becomes her daughter’s best friend. The problem is that children need boundaries and consequences. Without them, children don’t feel safe or loved.
Years ago, I heard a speaker say, “Your children may hate you at times for disciplining them, but that will keep them from growing up to hate the world.” No discipline seems pleasant at the time (Hebrews 12:11), but parents owe it to their children.
Discipline crosses a line when it’s abusive, inconsistent or heavy handed. If you would like to learn biblical parenting, BrookwoodU offers some great parenting classes as well as parents small groups.
LEARN TO STUDY THE BIBLE with Allen White this Fall at BrookwoodU. For more information: http://brookwoodchurch.org/brookwooduclasses
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Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:18-19
No marriage is easy. In fact, I don’t even think you can choose between easy and difficult. It’s all levels of difficulty. Like a ski resort, the difficulty ranges from the bunny slope (the honeymoon) to double diamond (contains cliffs, 50 degree or greater slopes, rocks and other hazards or in other words, marriage after the honeymoon). It’s not impossible. It’s just difficult. But remember, the more difficult the slope, the more exhilarating the experience.
The difficulty in marriage began with the curse after the Fall. “Then he said to the woman, ‘I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you’” (Genesis 3:16, NLT). The implication is that before the Fall, Eve did not desire to control Adam, but from that point on, she would. (This translation differs from other translations, but appears to more accurately capture the original intent. For more: Click here.
Now, what this verse doesn’t say is: “Husbands, do whatever you want and wives put up with it.” Paul charges husbands with loving their lives. To the Ephesians, he ups the ante by adding “as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Loving your wife is not like loving yourself. Loving your wife is an adventure. It’s a mystery. Sometimes it keeps you guessing. What gets in the way is a man’s desire to accomplish loving his wife. It can’t just be checked off of the list.
Wives, your husband needs respect, not because he deserves it, but because he needs it. Men really don’t want to have anything to do with people who disrespect them. Disrespect from his wife puts a man in a real dilemma.
Many husbands have said, “I would love my wife more if she would respect me.” Many wives have said, “I would respect my husband, if he would truly love me.” Many children have said, “If I can’t have what I want, then I won’t give you what you want.” It’s time to put away childish things.
Many people with far more wisdom and success have written many things about marriage. The bottom line is this: how does your relationship with your husband or wife measure up to this verse? Wives, how well are you submitting to your husband and following his lead? Husbands, how well are you loving your wife and not treating her harshly? The test: ask your spouse how you’re doing. The solution: pray and ask God to help you love your spouse the way he or she needs to be loved.
LEARN TO STUDY THE BIBLE with Allen White this Fall at BrookwoodU. For more information: http://brookwoodchurch.org/brookwooduclasses
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
In yesterday’s devotional, we disrobed. Today, we get a look at our new wardrobe: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. Why? Husbands are not the guy from The Notebook. Wives are not models. It’s much easier to fantasize than to live in reality. But, you can’t have a relationship with a picture or words on a page. Your twitter friends only need 140 characters or less. Your real world friends need more than that.
People offend us. They sin against us. They can be selfish and thoughtless. They can be downright mean. Bless our hearts, so can we.
Since the old self operated in the world of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Matthew 5:38-39), it’s a good thing we have put on the new self. Or else, there would be a lot of blind, toothless folks walking around.
The antidote for relational dysfunction is what Christ promises to us in the new self. We have put off the old self that wants to get even. We put off the old self that wants to hold a grudge. We put off the old self that wants them to hurt as much as they hurt us.
By putting on the new self, we choose to do some unnatural things. We try to understand others rather than just driving our point home. We offer others the same compassion that we offer ourselves. “They just hurt me. Well, I mess up. I hurt people.” We offer a gentle answer and turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1).
The big question is “How?” The answer is not with our own strength. We’re just not good enough or strong enough to accomplish all of that. But, remember, the power that raised Christ from the dead lives within all believers (Romans 8:9-11). As we learn to depend on Christ’s power, He will do this work in us. We must be willing to allow Him to work and hold back from our typical reactions. Just to pause and ask Christ to help can bring about needed change.
From the list in this verse: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love, which do you need the most right now? Don’t say all of the above. Choose one and ask God to begin to do that work in you. It won’t be immediate, but over time you and those around you will notice a difference. Don’t be surprised if you end up in a situation that provokes the exact opposite of the quality you desire. You’re going to school. Learn the lessons well. Try to skip the remedial course.
LEARN TO STUDY THE BIBLE with Allen White this Fall at BrookwoodU. For more information: http://brookwoodchurch.org/brookwooduclasses
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Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:5-11
“Greed is good” according to Gordon Gecko, the quintessential inside trader in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street. In the end, GG discovers that greed fueled by illegal activity leads to a good amount of prison time. In the process, greed, as intoxicating as it is, leaves the characters with a hangover of emptiness. Why?
When you take possessions, pleasure or prestige and make them the dominate theme in your life, you come up short. Material possessions, sex and significance are not wrong in and of themselves. In fact, they are very good things that God Himself created.
But, there’s a point when possessions, pleasure or prestige cross a line and become the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16, KJV). When we take a good thing and make it a “god thing,” it becomes a bad thing.
If we depend on material things to satisfy us, we find ourselves only wanting to acquire more. If we depend on porn, romance novels or Facebook chats for intimacy, we find ourselves right back in the cycle and coming up empty every time. If our significance depends on recognition from others, we will always find ourselves trying to seek validation from others still. Why?
Materialism, pornography, chick flicks, and accolades can’t fulfill our need for God and our need for others. These things leave us empty and ashamed. We’re no better than the junkie smoking crack or the wino asking for spare change. If that puts an ugly face on what you enjoy, then you’re seeing it correctly.
Paul says that these things are part of the old self. Our relationship with the old self is to kill it. We are to take it off like an old, ragged shirt headed for the trash. But, God doesn’t leave us naked. He gives us a new self to wear in its place.
That seems easy enough, so why doesn’t it work that easily? It seems easier to grab the apple from the tree than to depend on God to meet our needs.
Adam and Eve’s fall is really no different than ours. God would have given them the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He just didn’t want them to have to bear that burden yet. But plucking the apple from the tree was easy, it was accessible, it was within their control. It was as easy as picking the credit card from our wallet or surfing to a porn site.
If the centerpiece of our lives is to please ourselves or even to please others (we call this codependency), then our focus is on apple picking.
Apple picking reveals a lack of trust in God. God has promised to provide for all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). God has pledge not to withhold any good thing from His children (Psalm 84:11). If I trust God, then I can depend on Him to meet my needs and direct my steps.
Let me caution you. This devotional has mentioned every category of sin known to man. If you struggle with something that was mentioned today, don’t be surprised if you are more tempted than ever today. Stop right now and pray for God to take these desires from you and ask God to meet your need. Then, phone a friend and ask them to pray for you.
What God has in store for you is worth the wait.
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Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Have you ever had your heart set on something? In 1978 my heart was set on having my own portable 8-track player. So much so that as Christmas approached, I couldn’t resist the temptation of my presents any longer. I found the box that was about the size of a portable 8-track player, and I unwrapped it. Sure enough, it was a portable 8-track player.
I felt guilty like I had broken one of the Ten Commandments: Thou Shalt Not Openeth Thy Presents Prior to the Appearance of Saint Nick. I also felt exhilarated. I was no longer limited to the turntable in my bedroom. Now I could “Boogie Oogie Oogie” (by A Taste of Honey) wherever I could find an electrical outlet. Although, dancing was a sin...
We can set our hearts and our minds on silly things. Not long after 1978, I abandoned my beloved portable 8-track player for a cassette player. My 8-track player ended up in my dad’s workshop no longer playing Boston and Kansas, it became sanctified with the Blackwood Brothers.
The point Paul is making here is that we can actually set our hearts on something. We can set our minds. Just like we can set our alarm clock or set an appointment, we can change the focus of our hearts and minds from our sinful nature to things that are above.
Our default is our sinful nature. We have to intentionally set our minds on the things of God. Just like we have to reset our alarm clocks after a power outage, daily we have refocus our thoughts and desires to the things of God. If our minds are blinking 12:00, it’s not a good thing.
How do you intentionally change the channel in your mind from sinful things to godly things? It’s not a matter of your own effort, but it is a matter of your will. How often do you willfully focus on what God wants for your life, your family, your work and your play? God wants you to live a satisfying life for Him. The temptation is to take shortcuts to the temporary satisfaction that our sinful nature draws us to. Only God can bring complete fulfillment to our lives.
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Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:20-23
Nancy Reagan taught us to “just say no” to drugs. I never had to say “no.” I was never asked. I never missed out on the experience. I never lost my brain cells. It just never came up. Does that mean that I’m better than anyone else? No, other than walking on clouds and enjoying a diet of angel food cake, I’m exactly like you.
Every single one of us has a sinful nature. We didn’t cause it. We didn’t want it. We just came with it. Many people spend their lives indulging their sinful natures. When asked why, they respond, “Well, this is just how I’m made.” Others spend their lives denying their sinful nature. The work of holiness to them is simply to avoid sin. If they deny their sinful nature, then they can feel secure about their relationship with God. Both have the same problem. One just tends to enjoy their problem more.
Whether your issue is false fulfillment or false humility, it comes down to the same issue: sensual indulgence. Whether your life is out of control or you are in control, there is no controlling your sinful nature. In fact, the illusion that you are controlling your sinful nature brings about false humility and pride, which is one of the seven deadly sins last I checked (Proverbs 6:16-24).
The solution for sin is surrender. Not giving into sin, but fully surrendering ourselves to our Savior. Only He has conquered sin.
When do you find yourself becoming proud about your humility? What about your life makes you feel like you’re better than other people? Pride is a house of cards. It’s also a heavy burden. How can you surrender your pride to Christ?
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If you are near Simpsonville, SC, I am speaking at Brookwood Church on Sunday, July 25 during the three morning services: 9, 10:30 & 11:59 am. I'll be talking about friendship and Facebook in a message called "Friend or Faux." (Don't make any assumptions yet). I'd love to see you there.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Colossians 2:16-19
Hong Kong is an amazing city. I lived there in the summer of 1984 working with a mission team. I marveled at the architecture and the pace of such a modern, world-class city. I also marveled at little fires I would see burning in the gutters of major thoroughfares each evening. The Chinese would bring food, decorations and various other things as a peace offering to evil spirits. This would insure their peace and prosperity. If they practiced these rituals to appease the spirits, they could live their lives in peace.
What a contrast. Here among these modern buildings were little piles of burnt trash from last night’s sacrifices. High rises often had vacant fourteenth floors, much like our thirteenth floor superstitions. Fourteen was too close to the Chinese word for death. No one wanted an office on the fourteenth floor. Our office was on the fourteenth floor. God is greater than the number fourteen.
The design of most of the buildings in Hong Kong relies on Fung Shui. Doors and windows had to be placed in the correct order and at the correct angles to ward off evil spirits and to allow good energy to flow. Seriously, how could such a modern city be subject to so much hocus pocus?
But, before we judge the Hong Kong Chinese, let’s consider the hocus pocus in our own lives. If good things happen to us, then we must be living right. If bad things happen to us, it must be because we skipped church last Sunday, didn’t offer thanks for our food, spent our tithe on ourselves, or missed reading one of Allen’s devotionals. (If you’re curious, it was the last one.)
Let me debunk this bunk. You can do all of the right things and bad things will still happen. You can do all of the wrong things and actually have good things happen. Some things are subject to cause and effect. If we don’t get enough sleep, we’ll be tired and grouchy in the morning. If we eat too much and don’t exercise, we will get fat. But, we don’t create the cause of every effect in our lives.
All good things are not necessarily a blessing. All bad things are not necessarily a curse. Everything that happens is not necessarily our fault.
How do we get these funny, oddball, superstitious ideas in our heads? Well, according to this verse, we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. “He has lost connection with the Head.” It’s our connection to Christ, the Head of the Body (Ephesians 4:15-16), that gives us direction and assurance. Honoring superstitions or even rituals and holidays in the Bible don’t bring us “good luck” or blessings. Remaining connected to God Himself is all we need to assure that we are in the right place with God.
How’s your connection with God? What are you saying to Him these days? What is He saying to you?
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When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15
I saw Toy Story 3 again with my sons yesterday. I am a little embarrassed that I would get a little misty eyed at an animated feature. For kids, it’s all about the action. For parents, it’s a Cats in the Cradle sort of thing. Sniff.
The previews before the movie were interesting. It’s nothing new, but there seem to be more than the usual number of movies with ordinary people receiving extraordinary powers. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice starring Nicholas Cage tells of an ordinary college student who is selected to learn the skills of plasma balls and other tricks to ward off the evil forces of the world. The Last Airbender again shows how people can harness the power of the elements of the universe. Part of me understands the appeal. I certainly could have used a few plasma balls in junior high.
I teach my sons that Jesus has the greatest power in the universe. More than an avatar or airbender, more than a sorcerer, more than evil Dr. Porkchop.
Paul shows Jesus’ power in this passage. From our vantage point, we might assume that the powerful forces are the “powers and authorities,” they are certainly more powerful than we are. Jesus has defeated them. We have no reason to fear. But, this isn’t the greatest demonstration of Jesus’ power.
Paul talks about the power of the law. If we believe that by our own effort we can please God, then legalism is probably a more powerful force than the “powers and authorities.” But legalism is a heavy burden that most either give up on or just carefully disguise their vices. No one can live up to God’s standard. But, Jesus is greater than the power of legalism.
The greatest demonstration of Jesus’ power is this: “He forgave us all our sins” (Colossians 2:13). Unconditionally. With no strings attached. We are forgiven. Not only does He not hold our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19), He remembers them no more (Psalm 103:12).
But, here’s the interesting thing: what was nailed to the cross? Well, certainly Jesus was nailed to the cross and with Him our sins. But, Paul says that the written code, the regulations, the law, the rules were nailed to the cross. And, from my understanding, nothing ever came off of the cross alive.
The rules are dead. They no longer have power over us. That’s great news. We’re free.
But, to some a life without rules is a life without certainty. Have you ever worked for someone and you were never sure of what was expected of you? Things would be much easier if it was all written down, if it was all spelled out. Then, you would know what you were responsible for.
Rules are safe. Freedom is risky. The only way to be assured that we are in the right place with God is to remain in constant contact with Him. But, it’s only when we fully surrender ourselves to God that we find we are truly free.
What rules are you tempted to keep? Why? How might the freedom of God’s grace threaten you? How does it exhilarate you?
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In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12
Circumcision is a sensitive issue all of the way around. God gave the covenant of circumcision to Abraham in Genesis 17. It was highly personal. It was highly painful. Yet something so personal, painful and private became the assurance of belonging to God. …until Jesus changed the game.
The work that Jesus does involves altering our nature rather than just a part of our anatomy. It wasn’t enough to look like you belonged to God. Jesus made things even more personal. The new requirement was to act like you belonged to God.
At this point, you might be thinking, “Great. Now what is that going to cost me?” It really doesn’t cost us. Christ took care of the cost. It’s Jesus’ work, not ours, that guarantees our assurance.
The symbol for Christ’s work is baptism. Note that baptism is a symbol, not the work itself. Just like a wedding ring is a symbol of marriage, baptism is a symbol of salvation. If you lost your wedding ring, it doesn’t mean that you lost your marriage.
The symbol is that when a believer goes down into the water, they are buried in Christ. Their old self, their sinful nature is dead to them. Then, when they are raised up, it symbolizes how spiritually they are raised from the dead “through [their] faith in the power of God.” it’s pretty amazing to think that the power that raised Christ from the dead is coursing through the believer’s veins.
Our security with God is not held in a membership card, a baptismal certificate, regular church attendance or the forsaking of all fun. Our security is in Christ. Belonging to Christ is all we need to please God and to enjoy the life we were meant to live.
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For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10
We attended church with my parents a couple of weeks ago in Topeka, Kansas. Our family has been a part of this church since 1969. I stayed after to catch up with a few people that I’ve known forever and a few that I had just met. As I was walking out to the car, a man that I never met stopped me and asked, “Are you Rudy White’s son?” I told him that I was. He said, “I could tell by the way you walk. You walk just like your dad.”
I walk just like my dad? My dad is 70 years old. I walk like a 70-year-old man? I’ve got to get into shape.
I asked my dad about our obviously peculiar gait. He said that he had never noticed. I guess you really don’t notice how you walk. It’s a little difficult to walk and watch yourself walking at the same time. I suppose as long as my dad and I can avoid walking with canes, we’re doing okay.
Jesus didn’t just resemble His Father. All of the fullness of God was and is in Jesus. If you want to know what God is like, you don’t need to go any further than Jesus. Read the Gospels and see what God thinks about us, about the lost, about the poor, and about the self-righteous. In Jesus we see what God does about broken people and broken lives. We see how God empowers His followers to serve others. We see how much God loves us in Jesus’ death on the cross.
Once the relationship between people and God was marred by sin, we just didn’t get it from that point forward. God gave kings and judges who were met with mixed reviews. He sent other nations to conquer His people, but they didn’t always get the message. God sent prophets that His people persecuted. Then, God sent His Son.
What we didn’t understand from reading God’s instructions or listening to God’s Word, we could see in the person of Jesus. He was the Word made flesh (John 1:14). If we want to know what a human being, full of God, looks like. We can look at Jesus.
If we want to be a human being filled with God, then we need to depend on Jesus. Paul writes, “you have been given fullness in Christ” (Colossians 2:10). To be the child of God that you long to be, you only need to depend on Jesus. You can’t attain this for yourself. No amount of human effort will get you there. The goal is not to live like Jesus. The goal is to allow Jesus to live His life through us. There’s a difference.
How much are you trying to live like Jesus? How much is Jesus living through you? Ask Him to help you experience the fullness of God.
Eugene Peterson paraphrases this passage: Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything. Colossians 2:9-10 (Msg)
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Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NLT)
Our attention spans are growing shorter by the day. Right now, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is getting old. We have been bombarded with 24 hour news coverage. Our television screens are filled with commentators commenting, experts expounding, oil gushing and no clear answer in sight. While, yes, this is one of the worst ecological disasters in history, it has been over 80 days now, and to be honest, we’re ready to move on to something else. We care. We’re just tired of hearing about it.
Are we jaded? Are we uncaring? No, we’re just oversaturated. Considering that we can’t actually do anything about the spill, it’s just too much to keep thinking about every day. Today, we can change the channel about 500 times and watch something else.
We’ve come a long way. I remember in the summer of 1973 sitting at the babysitter’s house with nothing to watch on all three channels (yes three) except the Watergate Hearings. No Price is Right. No Matchgame ’73. No Sesame Street. Just all Watergate all of the time. The nation was captivated by the downfall of a president. There was nothing else worth watching.
But, today, while every other nation in the world closes shop for the World Cup, we pause to consider purchasing a vuvuzela, then surf to the next channel.
In a society with a short attention span, it’s easy to be distracted by the new and shiny things. How do we center our lives on the Old, Old Story? It’s not new or shiny.
Everything new is not bad. It’s just too much. Once upon a time, news traveled slowly by horseback or by telegraph wire which would appear in the next day’s paper. Today, if the news channels don’t update election results quickly enough, then we can surf over to the Secretary of State’s website. More often than not, we read the breaking news on Twitter before we ever see it on TV or even CNN’s website.
The nature of our news has changed as well. We’re not just told what happen, we’re also told what to think about it. We don’t really have to think for ourselves anymore. The news commentators tell us what it means and why it’s right or wrong. We used to call this “yellow journalism” when opinion would bleed over into the news report. Today, we just call it journalism.
Who are we allowing to think for us? We certainly can’t think about all of the things that are thrown at us constantly. What used to be given as “food for thought” has in a large part become our thoughts. But, how much of it would be categorized as “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense”?
No wonder it’s difficult to hear from God at times. We have so many inputs into our lives than we don’t need to hear from anyone else, including Him.
So, here’s a challenge: unplug. Probably not for the rest of your life, but for a week. If you’re headed out for vacation, leave your TV off and your laptop at home. Rather than listening to the “Great American Panel,” go for a walk and listen to our Deliverer.
It’s easy to get caught up in the thinking of this world. It’s also easy to become overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. Why not make your morning newspaper, news show, new site or twitter feed your prayer list? God can handle everything that’s thrown at us.
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I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:1-7 (NLT)
Who is the wisest person you know? What makes them wise? Have they studied well? Have they been kicked around the block a few times? Have they produced a string of successes?
The wisest person you know only possesses a small segment of wisdom and knowledge compared to Christ. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge lie hidden in Christ. But, why are they hidden?
Wisdom and knowledge are only hidden from those who don’t belong to Christ. Once they belong to Christ, it’s no longer hidden. Unspiritual people can’t understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Bible also teaches us that fear or respect for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).
God’s Word doesn’t tell us everything that we want to know, but it does give us everything that we need to know. Life confronts us with some big questions. Why do bad things happen to good people? (Hint: Bad things happen to everybody). If God is all-powerful and is good, why does evil exist? Good question. (You’ll need to sign up for The Truth Project at BrookwoodU for that one.) Did Adam have a belly button? We have a lot of serious questions.
Roots that grow down into Christ become mighty oaks. Lives built on the foundation of Christ prove to be unshakeable. Decisions based on God’s Word in a relationship with Christ help us succeed in developing godly character and building God’s Kingdom. But, don’t get me wrong, every decision that we pray about won’t automatically become a success. God is more concerned about Christ being formed in us than whether we turn a profit (Romans 8:28).
Where do we find ourselves turning for answers? If we have a headache, we head to the medicine cabinet. If we have a computer problem, we call the Geek Squad or head to the Genius Bar. If we’re short on funds, we rely on our credit cards. If we need a job, we surf over to monster.com. There’s nothing wrong with any of these things in and of themselves. But, when do we turn to God?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
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Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:24-29
Is there a cause that you would die for? Paul went to great lengths to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel, and He suffered for it greatly. What would our commitment to Christ look like if we truly had to suffer for it? Now, I know that some believe that we are suffering under the Obama administration, but our current situation pales in comparison to the Roman government. The Romans weren’t Paul’s only concern. The Jewish leaders also caused a great deal of trouble for him.
We can sit back now and read Paul’s eloquent words and follow his journeys on the maps in the back of our Bibles, but the memory of the personal price he paid has been diluted over time. He recounts his beatings, arrests and other punishments in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), yet his constant ambition was to present the Gospel where no one had heard the message (Romans 15:20). Nothing deterred Paul. In fact, the persecution he faced helped him identify more closely with Christ.
How would we do under Paul’s circumstances? Would we face persecution for our faith? Honestly, most of us would debate whether to sweat for our faith let alone die for it. And, there’s a very good reason for our attitude: we’ve forgotten what it’s like to see someone cross from death over to life.
We go to church, yes. Some go to worship. Many go out of obligation. The rest are somewhere in between. But, have we forgotten that this mystery of the Gospel that the prophets longed to see is the greatest power in the universe? Have we become so accepting of others seeking their own path and going their own way that we’re comfortable with their personal preference to head straight to Hell?
I’m not an evangelist. I never liked knocking on doors or standing on street corners. I’d rather have a root canal. But, a couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of praying with someone to receive Christ. Even though we prayed over the phone, to witness someone going from confusion and distress to overwhelming joy was something to behold. That next Sunday everyone from Guest Services to the Safety Team was searching for me. The gal I prayed with just had to meet me. It didn’t take much coaxing for her to cross the line of faith. She just needed to be invited.
What did that cost me? Well, a week of telephone tag, but that’s all. What did it give me? It gave me a glimpse at what I experienced long ago. It showed me what serving Christ is all about.
Your phone may not be ringing off the hook with sinners seeking sainthood. But, you can experience the miracle of new life at a baptism service (you might have to sweat outdoors though).
Beyond that, my challenge to you is to invite God to use you. When you are available to God, He will use you. When you’re not open, He won’t. Once you’ve made yourself available, pay attention to who God brings into your path. Their salvation is not up to you. That’s Jesus’ job. You don’t need to be the closer: “What do I need to do to give you a Savior today?” You answer their questions. You help them. You offer to pray for their needs. You let Jesus live in you and through you. Then, see what happens.
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[Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:39
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." John 13:21-24
John was the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” but John never refers to himself by name in his Gospel. The similarity between John and Mary is that they both just wanted to be with Jesus. They were both reclining next to Jesus. They’re not in a hurry. They’re not worried about everything else that’s going on. The impression is that they are pretty easy to be with. Not questioning. Not demanding. Just there.
I call this personality the Peacekeeper. I didn’t say peacemaker, you have to take pretty serious action to make peace. The peacekeepers motto is “Don’t rock the boat.” They are concerned about how everybody is doing. They don’t want to upset other people unnecessarily, which usually means that they don’t want to upset anyone at all.
I have a friend in California who is a wonderful Peacekeeper. She is well beyond retirement age, but just can’t retire. When we were planning a trip for our senior adults up to the gold country, I mentioned a certain Italian restaurant that I wanted to try. She recommended another restaurant. She won.
As about 30 of us sat around a big table, I heard my friend remarked, “Isn’t this nice? Everyone found something that they liked.” That’s the heart of a Peacekeeper. They want to make sure that everyone is included and that no one is left out.
Now Peacekeepers might have trouble making decisions because if they decide against someone, then they might hurt their feelings. Peacekeepers also need deadlines. Their relaxed, laid back personalities are prone to take their time.
Now don’t get me wrong on any of these personalities. No one is purely made up of any one personality type. In fact all of us have some combination of all four that I’ve mentioned this week. Attila the Hun can be kind because there is a little Promoter and a little Peacekeeper even in him. He might have to go lay down afterward, but he can do it.
Peacekeepers are wonderful listeners. But, we must be careful not to overload them. While they are very peaceful and easy to talk to, it’s also easy to overwhelm them with our problems and rock their boats internally. It’s important for Peacekeepers, just like everybody else, to maintain their boundaries and not take on everybody’s problems.
Who’s the Peacekeeper in your life? Are you rocking their boat? Are you listening to them? The Peacekeeper in a family or organization has a better grasp of how everyone else is doing. They know the temperature of the environment. Check in with them.
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Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things.” Luke 10:40-41
Martha, Martha, Martha wanted to make sure that everything was done just right. She was so busy with the preparations, she couldn’t focus on spending time with Jesus. Now, my suspicion is that Martha wanted to be in the room with Jesus, but she couldn’t let herself sit down until all of the work was done. If Mary would just come in and help, the work would be done, then Martha could relax.
Luke was a physician. Even though Mark and Matthew had already written their Gospels, Luke set out to research everything for himself to “write an orderly account.” He also wrote The Acts of the Apostles as volume two.
I refer to this personality as the Planner. The Planner’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” If your garage is immaculate or you have labels on drawers and cabinets describing what’s in them, you are a Planner.
Planners thrive on details. Where the Producer can say, “It’s good enough” and the Promoter can say, “Whatever, let’s have fun,” the Planner makes sure everything is done with excellence.
To encourage a Planner, mention specific things about what they’ve accomplished. Rather than saying “good job.” Say something like “I really like the way that you took special care in making sure that the colors matched or everything was organized so well down to the alphabetized name tags.”
The downside of the Planner personality is that they can tend to be negative and critical. Since they are striving for excellence, things that are less than excellent stick out like a sore thumb to them. This doesn’t give them permission to exercise some spiritual gift of criticism (there’s no such thing). Planners need to be cautious in looking at the world as if it’s a glass half empty.
Planners like a great deal of detail. While Promoters want stories and Producers want the bottom line, Planners want all of the information. In fact, when I teach about personality types, I usually have a packet of information that I give out at the end of the class to all of the Planners because I know that I didn’t cover things thoroughly enough for them.
If you have a Planner in your life, be eager to build them up. Be very cautious about criticizing them. They are critical enough of themselves already.
Who’s the Planner in your life? Take notice of the special care that they have put into what they have accomplished. Appreciate them specifically.
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It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Romans 15:20
The Apostle Paul was a take no prisoners kind of guy. He zealously persecuted the church (Acts 22:3-5), and he zealously proclaimed the Gospel. Paul’s ambition was to break new ground. While he sent letters back to churches to address their problems, Paul didn’t visit many places more than once. There was too much to accomplish. In fact, if Paul had never been in prison, I somehow doubt that much of the New Testament would have even been written.
People like Paul are what I call Producers. When they say, “Lead, follow or get out of the way,” they really just want you to get out of the way. Paul had no patience for John Mark when JM waffled on his commitment (Acts 15:36-41). Producers want action. “Fish or cut bait.” (What does that even mean?) “Get to the bottom line.”
Producers are concerned about results. Now in the pursuit of results they also can steamroll over everyone else without even thinking about it. Producers will say that they would rather be respected than liked. But, it’s actually good to be respected AND liked.
I am mostly a Producer personality. So, here’s the funny thing: God took someone with the personality of Attila the Hun and gave him the spiritual gift of pastor. It’s unusual. It’s ironic. But, here’s the beauty of it—when God uses me to direct or encourage another person, I know for certain that it’s God working in me and through me. It doesn’t come naturally, that’s for sure.
While Producers can be driven and often impatient, our natural personality is not an excuse for bad behavior. As we allow God to work in us, then verses like Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” don’t seem so impossible.
If you have a Producer in your life, do your best to get to the point. They want the straight stuff. You don’t need to beat around the bush. If you do take a circular path, they will spend the whole conversation trying to figure out what you’re getting at or just stop listening altogether and start thinking about something else until your done.
When I was in seminary, I worked as a front desk clerk at Howard Johnson. I still crave those clam strips every once in a while. One Christmas we did a gift exchange with the staff. A bellman had my name. He gave me a mug that said, “If you’ll state your business and walk away quietly, then no one will get hurt.” That was a Producer’s mug if I ever saw one.
Please don’t misunderstand Producers. They want to help. They want to work for the good of other people. Sometimes other people just get in their way. Don’t allow them to get away with bad behavior, but also don’t frustrate them.
Who’s the Producer in your life? What do you understand about them now that you might not have understood about them before?
For more information on this personality type and how God can use you to serve others, I would encourage you to check out our P.L.A.C.E. class: http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/place or sign up at http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/brookwoodu.
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From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:21-23
Peter was an impulsive person. He was the one who jumped out of the boat to walk to water (Matthew 14:28-31). Peter’s the one who raised his sword to cut off Malcus’ ear at Gethsemane (John 18:10). Peter was the one who wanted to build a shrine at the site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4). Jesus said that Peter was a rock (Matthew 16:18). Really, Peter was more of a flake. Then just a few verses later, Peter the rock was a stumbling block.
In this passage, Peter boldly proclaimed that he would never allow the religious leaders to take Jesus and kill Him. Peter wouldn’t stand for it. Everything in Peter wanted to take a bold stand for Christ, but he ended up denying Jesus three times in the courtyard (Matthew 26:69-75).
Something happened to Peter on the Day of Pentecost. In Acts 2, we see that when the people from various nations wanted an explanation for the miracle that they had just witnessed, Peter jumped up and began to preach. He didn’t worry about creating an outline or handing out sermon notes. Peter just opened his mouth and went for it. Three thousand people were saved that day. It was the right bold move on the right day.
I call this personality “The Promoter.” He is the life of the party. She has an idea a minute. He’s never met a stranger. She has great ambition, but has trouble following through.
The Promoter gets accused of being flakey, because when they are expected to act on the first idea, they are already thinking about the next idea. Promoters bring great energy into a situation. They excel at brainstorms. But, they have trouble following through.
If you have a Promoter in your life, don’t bore them. Tell them stories. Don’t just bark out orders. If you want something done, they will need a deadline. If they still have trouble producing, they might need some help.
While we need to have understanding of each other, a personality type is not an excuse for bad behavior. “Well, Promoters are more social, so they socialize a lot and don’t get their work done.” We all need accountability. We are all responsible to fulfill the things that we’ve committed to. Maybe we need to take a Promoter’s commitments with a grain of salt.
Every person, regardless of their personality, has plenty of room to grow. As we surrender our whole selves to God, He will strengthen our strengths and challenge us in our growth areas.
Are you a Promoter? Who are the Promoters that you know? What new insight do you have into these folks now?
If you would like to take a short personality test to see the balance of your core personalities, go to: http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/discussionguide and download the guide for "Opposites Attack."
If you would like to discover more about core personalities, I would encourage you to look at a new BrookwoodU class called P.L.A.C.E.This class will help you discover your personality, skills, spiritual gifts and fit for ministry. To sign up: http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/brookwoodu
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A few of you were asking about the "one anothers" I mentioned this morning in the message. Sorry I didn't give you time to write them down. Here they are:
Love one another (John 13:34)
Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
And if all else fails: Luke 6:27-28
If you missed the message, you can view it at http://www.brookwoodchurch.org. It should be posted sometime Sunday afternoon.
Writer's Note: This week we are taking a break from our series from Colossians to talk about my message at Brookwood Church on Sunday, July 4 called "Opposites Attack." If you would like to view the message, go here: http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/. It should be posted by 3 pm on July 4.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11
God enjoys variety. I stopped at the ATM this morning. As I was making my transaction, I noticed a brightly colored bug on the ATM machine. It had bands of orange and yellow on its back. But, they weren’t stripes. It was almost like microscopic mosaic tiles laid out in an intricate pattern.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a big fan of entomology. My role is usually to kill the bug or get rid of it (read: kill it outside). I don’t spend a lot of time studying them. Why did God spend so much time creating a beautiful design on a bug that I would ultimately squish?
So , think about all of the people that bug you (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Some people are just strange. They act strange. They look strange. They’re just strange. Normal people are the people who look like me. We act normal. We look normal. But, we are strange to the people who are strange to us.
Differences cause us to grow. I hate to admit that because there are some days that I really don’t want to grow. But, this is true whether I like it or not. If you don’t like it, then this is YOUR opportunity to grow.
Growth doesn’t sprout from misery or hopelessness or depression. Growth can happen anywhere but it requires grace, hope and affection.
Peter writes, “Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” When you first start a romantic relationship with someone, you look at all of the similarities. “We like the same movies. We use the same toothpaste. We enjoy the same Bible translation…” Once we’re married, suddenly all of the differences are front and center. “He won’t put the seat down. She puts the toilet paper under not over. He squeezes the toothpaste. She wants to talk. He wants to veg.”
Eugene Peterson puts it this way in the Message, “Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything” (1 Peter 4:8). Now, you might be saying, “I don’t have that much love.” Here’s the great thing. God does.
It takes more than what we have to love other people. Our love is fickle. Our love is conditional, even though we want to pledge “endless love.” God loves us deeply, so we can love deeply from His well.
The biggest piece in our relationships is grace. Peter uses an unusual phrase here: “administering God’s grace in its various forms.” The idea of administering is really the idea of stewardship. God expects us to be good stewards of His grace. How do we do that? Peter goes on to explain how we should use our spiritual gifts. It’s not a coincidence that spiritual gifts, charismata, literally means “grace gifts.” We use our spiritual gifts to extend God’s grace to others.
Who is really bugging you these days? Who needs love? Who needs grace? How can you love deeply from God’s well? How can you extend God’s grace?
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