Lincoln

Why a Christian’s words matter

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Words matter! It’s a fact, even if we try to shrug them off, words exchanged between people sink deep within, and they either build up or crush. The Bible has much to say about people’s speech, especially what comes out of the mouths of believers in Jesus Christ.

When Jesus’ brother James says, no human being can tame the tongue (James 3:8), I think he knew what he was talking about. It’s such an out of Christlike character thing, when Christians use their tongues to bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God (James 3:9). Obviously, this is not a product of the Holy Spirit, it’s not God’s will for us, and it’s not Christlike behaviour. Yet, most of us struggle with the tongue, at least some of the time.

I think Solomon’s comment is fitting, some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing (Proverbs 12:18). Just as we would prefer to receive wise words that instill healing within our hearts, so it is honouring to the Lord that we speak wise and healing words to others for their blessing. A little later Solomon expands his wise words by adding, gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Proverbs 16:24). He new that words can be either sweetly tasteful or bitter and hurtful. But words communicating grace, with a gracious tone can not only rest softly in our hearts but enable physical wellbeing.

It stands to reason then, that Paul carries Solomon’s wisdom through in his New Testament writings. Encouraging the believers in Colossae, Paul writes, let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:6). I suggest that if every Christian patterned their speech like this, unity would be much easier to attain, friendships would be sweeter and longer lasting, and families would stick together in love forever.

Here’s the attractive application which is often overlooked. Paul’s exhortation applies to everyone, no buts, and no exceptions. Christian speech is to have the “always” quality of grace. That is, grace is to be the normal, the default format for all believer’s interactions with others. I have yet to meet a person who does not appreciate being spoken to graciously. It’s that softness that carries kindness and lands comfortably in the ears of the recipient. Gracious words are easy to hear words. Grace even filters out possible harshness when having to talk about difficult subjects. Why, because behind grace is a nonjudgemental heart beating with love. It’s as simple as that.

Whether the church in Colossae had a problem with dishonourable speech, I don’t know. But Paul seems to address this speech and language issue directly, which is certainly applicable today in our society where blasphemy, swearing, lying, and harshness is commonplace. Whatever the case, Paul unashamedly connects a believer’s speech to their salvation. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, depravity, 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 (Colossians 3:8-10).

I encourage you to apply Solomon’s and Paul’s speech filters. Make gracious speech your default. Ensure Christ and the fruit of the Holy Spirit can be easily sensed in your verbal mannerisms. Others will be encouraged, you will be blessed, and Christ will be glorified.

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Epaphras – The prayer wrestler

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Its ironic, how many of the significant people in our lives, and in biblical history, are often overlooked and go unnoticed. Epaphras, whose name means “lovely,” was one such character, who played an important role in the lives of many early church believers. Although his name only appears 3 times in the New Testament, and all by the apostle Paul, Epaphras was a Christlike character who had an impact.

Paul indicates that Epaphras was from the city of Colossae. It was he who had introduced the gospel of grace and truth to that city, which lead to the salvation of some, and the initiation of the church (Colossians 1:7; 4:12). While first contact evangelism in any community takes faith and courage, Epaphras continued to prove these two qualities were the pattern of his life.

While we know very little of his life’s circumstances, Epaphras somehow ended up sharing prison time with the apostle Paul in Rome. When Paul wrote his passionate letter to Philemon, who was a leader in the Colossae church, he included a greeting from their brother Epaphras, who was presently a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus with him (Philemon 1:23).

Obviously, Paul and Epaphras had spent time talking, providing Paul with the information of the background and condition of the church in Colossae. Paul spoke highly of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit (Colossians 1:7-8). Faithfulness and service to others, and on behalf of others, is a refreshing expression of Christlike humility which is desperately needed in all places by all Christians.

Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 6:9-10 rang true in Epaphras. Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Paul notes that Epaphras worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13).

And it was Epaphras’ servant attitude that shone through his prayer life. Paul records that Epaphras is always struggling (wrestling) on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12-13). Prayer is not for the selfish or lazy people. Rather, effective prayer perseveres, investing time and energy, navigating the various issues needing to be discussed with the Lord. It’s communion with God, sharing the deepest thoughts and feelings with the intention of watching for God’s response. At times it’s a labour that can be painful, unpacking the unpleasant realities of living in a sinfully hostile environment. Other times prayer rides on the high waves of joy and praise for the stunning character and works of Yahweh. This was the prayer life of Epaphras.

However, two themes dominated Epaphras’ prayers for his Christian family; (1) that you may stand mature and, (2) fully assured in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12). Growing towards spiritual maturity, which is Christlike character, is one thing. But to stand long-term maintaining your Christlike character takes unnatural spiritual resolve, and Epaphras new this. Likewise, living a Spirit filled life where you are inwardly assured of God’s will in your life is an incredible manifestation of the Lord’s Jesus. Both these qualities require our best efforts synchronized with the working of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, these are worthy of our prayer attention for both self and others.

May we follow the example of Epaphras, for the glory of Christ and other’s blessing.

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Jesus can remove alienation from God

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Life is full of changes for most people – some pleasant, while others are not. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, it’s important to reflect on our lives before and after we received Him.

In Colossians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul provides an impressive summary of who Jesus Christ is in verses 15-20. Following that, in verses 21-23, Paul highlights the greatest change in our lives: our reconciliation with God through Jesus. Paul writes, Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel… (Colossians 1:21-23a).

Paul states the greatest change brought about through the gospel of Jesus, and he explains it from God’s perspective. God understood that we were not simply separated from Him, we were alienated from God, thinking of ourselves as autonomous from Him. For the most part, this played out in our minds through self-centered thinking that we thought entitled us to behave in ways that God says is evil. The chasm between us and God was enormous, even unbreachable, and we were happy with that, not caring that we were powerless to change it.

However, the God we were comfortable ignoring and denying, was not satisfied with the status quo. So, He acted, sending His Son Jesus to create a way for us to become united with Him. It was not Jesus’ good living, nor was it His miracles and charitable acts that achieved this. No, it was Jesus’ death on the cross. Paul helps us understand God’s perspective and purpose in sending His only Son to be crucified. He explains that it was to present YOU holy in His (God’s) sight, without blemish and free from accusation before God.

Jesus’ physical crucifixion was the necessary coming together of mankind’s ultimate rejection of God, and God’s ultimate judgement of mankind’s sin against Him. As Peter states, Jesus personally carried our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24a) as our substitute. In fact, God unleased the entirety of His wrath for all of our sins upon Jesus, concluding with Jesus’ death. But then Jesus was resurrected on the third day. He’s alive, He’s conquered death, and He’s victorious over the death penalty against our sin.

Now, you and I are called to trustingly believe that God and Jesus did all that for us! If we believe that we have been united with Jesus in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with Jesus in a resurrection like his (Romans 6:5). In response to our belief in Jesus’ taking God’s wrath for our sin, and Jesus resurrection, we are gifted by God with forgiveness, cleansing, and new spiritual life. Plus, we receive God’s promise of a new resurrected body when Jesus returns for His church, should our bodies die before that great event (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

This is Paul’s point in Colossians, God has reconciled you. Jesus has already done everything to make it possible for us to be reconciled, joined with God, both now and forever. Through trusting belief in Jesus as our substitute on the cross, we enter fulfilment of God’s purpose which is to present YOU holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. God transfers us from being alienated to being an adopted child, a true friend, gifted with His acceptance of us. This is the ultimate gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ!

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James the Wise

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

While the New Testament speaks of two men by the name of James, I want to briefly consider James the son of Mary and Joseph, and half-brother to Jesus (Matthew 13:55). Throughout James’ early life, he was not a believer in Jesus being the Christ, the Son of God (John 7:5). However, all that changed when resurrected Jesus appeared alive to James and the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:14). Confronted by his living brother, who days earlier was confirmed dead through brutal  crucifixion, James abandoned personal ideology and believed in living Jesus.

James lived his Christian life from Jerusalem, where he served as a leader in the church, an apostle, and probably chairman of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:13, 19; Galatians 1:19; 2:9). Of particular interest, is that James wrote the New Testament letter called “James,” where he humbly identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1). If anyone had claim to special treatment from God, you would think it would have been James, but No! Selfless humility was the identifying mark of his faith.

While the letter from James deals with many practical subjects and truths, the overarching theme is that Christians give evidence of authenticity through the outworking of faith. Transformed from being a skeptic, James became one of the church’s strongmen, continuously promoting and exemplifying  legitimacy of belief in Jesus as Lord, through right and wise Christian living. Simply believing a truth was of no value if it did not impact behaviour and attitudes. James 1:22 reads, be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Today, as it was 2000 years ago, Genuine faith in God is seen and experienced by others through the Christian’s living. Which is why James pointedly asks in chapter 3:13, Who is wise and understanding among you? While the world would attempt to answer the question by justifying thinking that puts a person at the centre of their own universe, and as god of their own lives, James says No! Instead of popular worldly persuasion away from God, James calls his readers back to God. Unafraid of skeptical challengers, James declares; the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

This refreshing explanation of God-centred understanding, stood in distinct contrast to the world’s idea of wisdom which he detailed in verses 14-16. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts… This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James knew the harsh realities of life, yet he was not seduced by its wrong thinking of God and unrighteous behaviour.

While some prefer to give up, giving into worldly ideology, James reminds us that God gives more grace. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:6-8). With self, Satan, and worldly ideals pushed aside, there is room for God to be God. The God James speaks of, is the heavenly Father of Jesus Christ. He is a good God! A God of higher purposes and reasoning. A God who offers forgiveness, cleansing, eternal life, belonging, and direction. However, these qualities are only experienced by those who humble themselves under His care through Jesus Christ. May this wise humility be true in each of our lives today, for His glory and our blessing.

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Barnabas the Encourager

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

In Acts 4:36 we are introduced to another biblical Joseph. However, the apostles called this man Barnabas, which means son of encouragement, or son of exhortation. We don’t know how this Jewish Levite came to faith in Jesus, but we do see repeatedly that he lived up to his name as an encourager.

The first generous act we read of Barnabas is in Acts 4:37, where he sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. This selfless act of surrendering money that was rightfully his, to the Lord’s work was and remains, a sizable act of generosity.

Next, we read of Barnabas in Acts 9:27, where he searched out and advocated for the new Christian named Saul. Barnabas took him (Saul) and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. He was the sort of friend we all need, and we should all aspire to be like.

Barnabas cared nothing of Saul’s past life or bad reputation. Rather, he was so convinced of the transforming work of Jesus Christ within Saul, that he assisted him. Undeterred by inconvenience, personal cost, and possible criticism, Barnabas took Saul and introduced him to the apostles. He knew the apostles were able to discern the best path forward for Saul, just as they had done for him.

With a record of being a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24), a few years later the apostles sent Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch to evaluate the Lord’s work amongst the growing Greek church. Upon arrival, he saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose (Acts 11:23). Content with this, Acts 11:25-26 tells us that Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Barnabas, who was observant and forward-thinking, played a critical role in relocating Saul, soon to be called Paul. Moving to Antioch, Paul, assisted by Barnabas, served within the young church as a teacher of Christ for the next year. In many practical ways, Barnabas discipled Paul, while theologically, Paul discipled Barnabas. What a great team they made!

In fact, Barnabas, along with John Mark, travelled with Paul on their first missionary journey. In spite of a disagreement which later caused John Mark to drop out of the mission, Barnabas remained faithful (Acts 13:13). Serving with Paul, they saw many come to faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile (Acts 13:42-52).

We read of only two disagreeable times in the life of Barnabas. The first happened sometime later, Barnabas was caught in Peter’s short lived hypocrisy of segregating from Gentiles at dinner time (Galatians 2:13-14). And it was Paul who corrected Peter, and by extension Barnabas, on this matter of racial segregation. The second was a disagreement over including John Mark in their second missionary journey, which caused Barnabas and Paul to go their separate ways, with Barnabas continuing to disciple John Mark (Acts 15:36-41).

But, in the grace of God, it appears that Paul was later reconciled to John Mark, and we hope to Barnabas also (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). May we also be known for our encouragement of others, and for faithfulness in giving of self for the betterment of others in Christ.

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