The Invitation

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

How would you describe your ‘Christian life?’ Do you have one?

It ‘s natural for people to think along these lines…that a part of their life is their ‘Christian life.’ Makes sense in today’s compartmentalized world. You know…I’ve got my married life, and then I’ve got my work life. I’ve got my life with my friends, and then I’ve got my ‘Christian life.’

We come to church and learn to prioritize, and to re-arrange, and to “work on” making the part of our life that is our ‘Christian life’ more prominent. After all, if other people see that my ‘Christian life’ is important to me, then I have become a “light to the world.”

That it?

In a word, “No,” says the apostle Paul. If by being a “Christian” you simply mean that you have adopted a certain lifestyle of conformance with the ‘Christian’ part of your life than you have missed the whole point. Religion is a lifestyle of conformance, relationship with Jesus IS life.

The truth of Biblical Christianity is conformance, but it only comes by transformation – which only happens by receiving Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. A transformed life is not “in part, but the whole.”

And so Paul confidently guides us to the next step - which is to take one. (A step, that is.) You can’t watch the Christian life from the pew. The pew is a launch pad not a lounge. God’s desire is to work in you and through you to will and to do His good pleasure.

That can only take place when you leave the stands and come down on the field, and allow God to put you in the game – in the position He desires. The only thing hindering that process, (if it is hindered,) is you.

-  Pastor Bill

The End of the Road

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

When you get to the end of this life, what can you count on?

Some folks hang their hat on oblivion – I suppose counting on what it was like before you were born. That was peaceful wasn’t it? (Best as I can remember.) John Lennon wrote a song about it, “Imagine,” as in – “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, nothing to live or die for, no hell below us, above us only sky.”

Wow, what a hope-filled song, eh? Now I see why the world loves to sing that song when a loved-one dies – not! And listen, John Lennon’s scenario is the BEST one they can come up with apart from God. And here’s the bottom line to that thinking: Life is completely meaningless. You live for this life and then you die. Adolph Hitler lives for this life, and then he dies. No harm, no foul. No reward. No punishment. Everyone just dies and goes into oblivion. Do whatever you please. Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful recipe for world peace? It hasn’t worked so well, and the reason is because people are sinners, and left to their own devices they will sin more and not less. Some will sin A LOT more, like Hitler and Stalin, while they are living only “for today.” Can you imagine?

On the other hand there is a truth authored deep in the human soul which cannot be disconnected no matter how hard we try. That truth is life is eternal. We can try to ignore it, take intoxicants, or write and sing poetic song lyrics, but it isn’t going away. 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus walked across the human stage. He called Himself the ‘Son of God.’ He called Himself, ‘The Savior of the world.’ He said He had power over death and dying.

Had Jesus only said those things I may have remained a skeptic right along with John Lennon. But He proved them by first dying on the cross, and then being raised from the dead. It is historical truth which can only be denied by looking the other way. I was one of those who used to look the other way, but then I turned to carefully examine the facts. Here’s what I now know: When I am at the foot of Jesus confessing He is Lord, John Lennon will be there, and so will Adolph Hitler and Josef Stalin. Justice will be served, and Hitler and his ilk will receive all the punishment their crimes deserve. “Nothing to live or die for?” Truth doesn’t allow for that kind of imagining…

-  Pastor Bill

For Better or For Worse

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 

Taking the vow of marriage includes to oft-spoken but little followed promise to take our spouse “for better of for worse.” The implication is we will not forsake each other over the circumstances of life.

Many times we find the difficulties posed by life draw us closer to our spouse, and as we go through the seasons of struggle together, we find the bond of marriage grow stronger. This tells us of the wisdom of whoever it was who crafted the standard marriage vows we so often hear. There is something to sticking together through better AND worse.

Unfortunately, in the modern age the wisdom of the past has gone by the wayside, and we see dissolution often being a solution in the midst of a season of “worse.”

Isn’t it fascinating, in light of the fact a personal relationship with Christ is often referred to in the Bible as being depicted by Christian marriage, that Paul invokes this important witness of the ‘better’ actually coming from the ‘worse.’ How unlike current worldly opinion is that?

But Paul says, “My current circumstances,” (he is presently imprisoned at Rome – under house arrest,) “are actually working for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Obviously some would look on and say Paul’s imprisonment doesn’t seem very prosperous, and if you are a believer in a prosperity doctrine - Paul’s imprisonment is a major stumbling-block. After all, IF God is ‘for’ Paul, than why would He allow Paul to be placed in jail? Is Paul really God’s friend – as he claims to be? To which Paul says, “Hey, all of this has happened to expand the reach of the gospel, and God is in control of every bit of it – even my suffering – and I praise God for that!” The shortcomings of the understandings of the world often become the basis for seeing and understanding the strength and the wisdom of God.

-  Pastor Bill

Consistency

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

When we think of the word, ‘consistency,’ we may also think of the word, ‘constancy.’

The reason is because being consistent has the implication of being the same no matter the circumstances. Paul demonstrated that sort of consistency in his life. He was constant in his consistency. (I guess you could say there is a redundancy in that statement, since he was consistent – the implication is he was ALWAYS consistent.)

Redundancy aside, the reason Paul was consistent constantly is because of Who he consisted of.

“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a NEW creation.”(2 Cor 5:17)

There comes a time when this new creation is even demonstrated to itself, as its own manifestation. Sometimes the question is put: “What are you made of?” (Of what do you consist?)

Or, of Whom do you consist? When you consist of Christ it becomes evident to all only by the seasons of life. It happens when His strength or joy or love becomes evident in your life. You are consistently demonstrating the things only Christ can do.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi from a Roman jail. His joy is made complete in the knowing they are continuing on in the faith he carried to them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His joy is made complete in the knowing God will be FAITHFUL to complete the good work He started in them – and in anyone else who receives Christ.

And this is what makes for consistency: it is that God is faithful. It is as simple and as wonderful as that. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. There is no depth, or width, or height – and certainly no Roman prison cell. For those who may be thinking Paul is in jail because of inconsistency, let them think again! Paul’s ministry at Philippi began in a Philippian jail, (see Acts 16,) and now he once more communicates his great love for them – from a Roman jail! How consistent with Christ’s sufferings.

-  Pastor Bill

Battle Fatigue?

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

We are reminded Paul writes the letter to the church at Ephesus from a Roman prison.

We are reminded Jesus was sent into the desert without food by the Holy Spirit for 40 days, and He was hungry and thirsty before Satan came along and tempted Him.

How could Paul write such a grace-filled and God-blessed epistle from such a location? How could Jesus fend off Satan in the midst of such a trial?

The answer is: the armor of God. (The power of the Holy Spirit.) Paul acknowledges and preaches it. Jesus uses it. It works.

James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Paul writes, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13)

Temptation is something we will always be faced with in this life. Deal with it. Whether it is the temptation to quit or feel sorry for yourself, rather than blessed as Paul must have faced, or whether it is the temptation to inappropriate power or recognition Jesus faced - or any number of others - you will be tempted. It seems the stronger your relationship with Christ, the stronger the temptations may be. (See Paul.) Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God. The whole armor. Lord knows you’ll need it.

-  Pastor Bill

Friends of the Bridegroom

Matt 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

There is a point to the prophetic content in the Bible. One of the points to prophecy is for us to understand Who the Author of God’s Word is: The Holy Spirit. The Word of God is Holy, inerrant, and true. Prophetic content proves that. All of the prophetic content has proven true in the past, and only what remains for the future has yet to be proven true – and is proving true as we watch world events unfold before our very eyes.

There are two major themes contained in Biblical prophecy. The first is the coming of the Messiah into the world. ALL prophecies contained in the Old Testament pertaining to the birth and lifetime of Christ have been fulfilled. Jesus came just as He said He would, to the town He said He would be born of, to the lowly estate of His earthly parents, and He died and rose again – just as the Word declared. It is staggering to count how many people missed His coming in LIGHT of the fact they had God’s Word to guide them to the time and place of His birth, and told them of the events of His life. Some were watching and waiting, but not many.

The second major theme contained in Biblical prophecy concerns Jesus’ return to take His church out of the world, (The Rapture,) for a seven year period, and then to return with His church to the earth to rule and reign for a thousand-year period of time, (The Second Coming.)

Of the return of Christ for His church – we not only have the Word of God, we also here have the words of Christ Himself. Jesus tells the heartbreaking parable of ten virgins coming out to meet the Bridegroom when He comes for His bride. In this story, Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the ten virgins are those in the church. Unfortunately, even though all ten virgins were present physically in the church, only five of them were present Spiritually. They were not ready for Christ’s return for His church, even though they had His Word, (which He here amplifies,) and even though they had the opportunity to be ready – by being born again and filled with the Spirit. Are you ready for the return of Christ?

-  Pastor Bill

Armed Conviction

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

One of the things Christians realize very early in their new walk with Christ is that life is not necessarily easier than it used to be. It is quantifiably better and greatly preferred, but it is not necessarily easier.

Those who preach a gospel of prosperity do a great disservice to those who are contemplating giving their lives to Christ. The modern church has often careened over to a doctrine of a “better life in Christ” without presenting any of the difficulties accompanying that choice. Jesus, on the other hand, said, “Consider the cost.”

The cost of a life in Christ is often great. Even as this particular scripture is written, Paul himself is being held in a Roman prison – and will eventually suffer be-headeding - simply because he chose to follow Christ in all that he did in his life. This made Paul a bold witness for Christ as he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, and this brought about persecution unto death. Have you considered that cost?

Today Christians largely worship Christ out of convenience, not conviction. It shows. In an era when there is little conviction the power of the church recedes, even as the ability to reach people through technology grows.

The problem is when a person gives their life to Christ, that person immediately gains a new and powerful enemy: Satan. This is what Paul is saying. “Be ready to take a stand for Christ.” Satan will do all he can to immediately turn the new believer away from the proclamation he has made. And it is impossible to defend yourself from a spiritual enemy using physical means. It will take every piece of the armor of God for the Christian to stand against the onslaught from the enemy of God. Get ready!

-  Pastor Bill