Tag: Paul

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Do you believe in the Church?

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”I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.“ 1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul, roughly fifteen years Timothy’s elder, writes this letter to Timothy about the Church. The “Church,” as mentioned in the New Testament is not capitalized, but I think there is slight distinction between the local “church,” and the general “Church” overall.

Paul comes out strong, in support and acknowledgment of the power of Christ’s Church. Paul calls the Church the living pillar and foundation of “alétheia” – truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to humans. A footnote says, “In ancient Greek culture, alḗtheia was synonymous for the word “reality” as the opposite of illusion, i.e. fact.” Of course it is understood that Paul is admonishing Timothy in his sacred, solemn duty as a Pastor. Timothy with the high calling which he was to perform. What Timothy was called to directly connected to the honor and welfare of the church of the living God. Question: Is the Church THE truth or is it the vehicle of the truth? Paul seems to be engaging Timothy’s deep conviction that, as Barnes writes, “the Church is entrusted with the business of maintaining the truth, of defending it from the assaults of error, and of transmitting it to future times.” This should put every true follower of Jesus on notice and with a stern warning, be careful how we handle the Church! Be careful of the accusations of the “bride of Christ.” Watch out and guard our hearts when we speak of “church hurt,” critiquing or criticizing God’s Church as though it were just another man-made institution. It is not. We post veiled threats, mean memes and present the Church as though God was somehow disappointed and disconnected from His Church. He is not. Of course, the Church is made up of the body of believers, the “assembly,” the community of faith, and no doubt we are flawed human beings. Yet, Christ said himself, that He will build His Church and the defensive gates of hell will not prevent, not prevail against the Church from moving into the darkness with the light of Christ, redeeming humans that He died for! We should not be in the business of judging the Church, we should be judging ourselves and let God deal with His Church! (1 Peter 4:7).

I love the Church! It became family, it became encouragement and accountability. It became exactly what Paul challenged Timothy to- a high calling, an honor and privilege to serve. When Jesus comes for His wrinkle-free, spotless bride, I will let Him do the work of making us holy and without fault. I just don’t trust the un-churched, de-churched, decontructed folks to pull it off.

Prayer

Dad,
I’ve got to be honest, You and Your Church have been good to me, good for me. Sure, there have been plenty of bad actors along the way, but I will let you deal with them directly. I have people hurts, but not church hurts. Jesus, make us ready for your return! Continue to make us and mold us into your image, back to imago dei. Thank you for the holy, high calling of serving the people of God. It has been an honor to do so. Amen.

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Paul’s beef with Barnabas.

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After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. ‭‭Acts ‭15‬:‭36‬-‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you shocked to find out that leaders in the Church, as well as just normal followers of Jesus also have serious disagreements between them? Yeah, no one is immune from being human! Not even among the most influential duo team in the New Testament Church.

What was Paul’s beef with Barnabas? It was all about John Mark. Who was John Mark and what did he do to get the Apostle Paul so riled up? We already know that Paul was mission driven. And, we know that Barnabas was a mercy-driven encourager. That’s exactly why the team worked so well. Luke tells us that Paul was still not happy with John Mark, over what he considered to be an act of desertion! However, each leader felt so strongly about this disagreement that Paul went one way and Barnabas went another. Who was right, – neither, both? One commentator summarized it well. “John Mark was a helper on Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). However, he did not stay through the whole trip. John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia and left the work (Acts 15:38). The Bible does not say why Mark deserted, but his departure came right after a mostly fruitless time in Cyprus (Acts 13:4–12). Only one conversion is recorded in Cyprus, but there had been strong demonic opposition. It’s likely that the young John Mark was discouraged at the hardness of the way and decided to return to the comforts of home.”

Now, before we jump on Paul’s side seeing John Mark as a weak, momma’s boy, as some have said; how about also looking at the facts: their were fruitless efforts and demonic opposition! Throw a young man into a mission’s trip like that and we might say, “maybe John Mark just wasn’t ready for such intensity!” Does a lack of preparation, and taking a step back disqualify one for all future mission’s trips? Our two children did a mission’s trip to Fiji and they came back with frightening, almost traumatizing stories of what they experienced. But they were warned ahead of time by seasoned missionaries. They did not happen to go back, but their hearts were forever marked by that experience.

Desertion or not, when Barnabas suggested that they give John Mark another chance, Paul was vehemently against it! And, in this case, Barnabas decided that mercy and second chances were more important than just writing John Mark off. Barnabas went to BACK to Cyprus and took John Mark with him! You don’t think this was a healthy, life-lesson in John Mark’s life to go back to a difficult place with new eyes and some experience behind him? And, look what eventually happened! Paul eventually comes around calling John Mark a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). And near the end of Paul’s life, Paul sends a request to Timothy from a Roman prison: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). Plus, it is no small detail that John Mark’s gospel (the book of Mark), is an amazing account of Jesus life as experienced through the life of Peter. So, although beefs between believers happen, there should be reconciliation and definitely second chances. I would hate to imagine if John Mark, hurt by Paul’s own passion for Christ’s mission would have called it quits – sighting “Church hurt,” as the reason he would not get back to work in the Kingdom of God!

Prayer

Dad,
We just desperately want to pedestalize our leaders, thinking they cannot, or should not make mistakes or bad decisions that hurt others. But they are just human just like the rest of us ordinary folks. I am so glad you had Luke record all this and thankful that it came full-circle to reconciliation between Paul, Barnabas and especially John Mark. Also, thank you for second or seventh chances at getting it right. Amen.

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Power prayers of Paul

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“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,” Ephesians‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wow, I read Paul’s prayer for the folks in Ephesus and I think, “my prayers are so fluffy and weak comparatively! Here’s Paul’s prayer: “asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Here I am asking God to give my friends peace and comfort and Paul is pushing for spiritual wisdom, GROWING in knowledge, flooded with light and confident in hope! Wait, there’s more… He also prays that they understand God’s power for US who believe (calling it resurrection power).

These are examples of continued TRANSFORMATION prayers. Paul writes of us, frail, broken humans being God’s rich and glorious inheritance. I think about that, we are God’s inheritance?

We are the outcome and expression of this epic battle of free will to choose Him, choose good over evil. Even after knowing and experiencing evil. Even after being lured by lies and falling for the bait every time. Even after carrying guilt, shame and natural consequences of our CHOICES! We can still chose God? He has provided the way back to himself.

How many times have you longed for the innocence and wonder you see in a child? When they were at a stage that they only knew of the safety and love of a good parent. Before they discovered bullies and lies. Before the fear of real monsters who prey on others. Before they even knew we, as parents, were not perfect! Oh, I know children aren’t completely innocent. But in terms of what they know of their world, remember how we feared the day they found out that not everyone and everything is good?

I have longed for that innocence and a future without politics, predators and pain. Paul prays that the church would know God, as He has always been and always will be – GOOD. But to also know God even in the midst of and surrounded by bad.

Prayer

Dad,
I want to know this wisdom, knowledge, hope and power now, when I need it the most. I pray for my family and friends to know these things now as well. Why wait, right? Why believe in in these eternal ideas and not live in such a way that reflects those truths now? I want them in my life and friend’s lives – now – because we so desperately need them now. Father, help us to remember to not just pray these words, but believe and live these words in our lives.