Day 52
1 Timothy 5:1-15 NIV
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
Today, Paul gets detailed about relationships within the church focusing a great deal on widows. In the first part of these verses he is clearly calling for respect between brothers and sisters within the church. He tells us to treat older men as fathers, younger me as our brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters. There are so many things that can be learned from developing relationships and seeking counsel from our elders. Many of these older saints have walked where we are now and therefore are able to empathize with our situation. Treating one another with great respect is a part of the love we have been commanded to demonstrate toward one another. The remainder of today's reading focuses on relationships with widows and caring for their needs. Paul gives strict stipulations on when and how to assist widows. This entire passage deals with family like relationships within our church walls. We have an obligation to treat one another with love and respect. Paul is exhorting us to love one another and be as a family unit. A church united in care for one another with older people acting as fathers, mothers, grandmothers, and grandfathers to the younger men, women and children. Where younger members know to respect and honor the older saints, to treat them with admiration because of the endurance they show us as they continue in their faith, and for all to uphold our peers in prayer weeping when others weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
Showing posts with label unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unity. Show all posts
Daily Reading January 29 2010 from Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
Day 19
Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.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.
Paul begins by talking about unity and love for others. He mentions the need to be unified, of one mind and in one accord. We know from the book of Acts (chapter 2) that unity brings the blessing and favor of God. When the disciples got together in one mind and in one accord they turned their world upside down.
These next few verse speak about consideration for others. We as Christians are called and taught to consider the needs of others. To look at the harvest fields and focus on the lost. To reach out to all who have need and show the love of Christ. Paul sites the example of Christ and how He humbled Himself and endured the Cross so we could be reconciled to God. Since Christ humbled Himself the Father has exalted Him now His name is above all names. The disciples had conversations about who was the greatest until Jesus answered their questions.
Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.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.
Paul begins by talking about unity and love for others. He mentions the need to be unified, of one mind and in one accord. We know from the book of Acts (chapter 2) that unity brings the blessing and favor of God. When the disciples got together in one mind and in one accord they turned their world upside down.
Psalms 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition!These next few verse speak about consideration for others. We as Christians are called and taught to consider the needs of others. To look at the harvest fields and focus on the lost. To reach out to all who have need and show the love of Christ. Paul sites the example of Christ and how He humbled Himself and endured the Cross so we could be reconciled to God. Since Christ humbled Himself the Father has exalted Him now His name is above all names. The disciples had conversations about who was the greatest until Jesus answered their questions.
Luke 22:24-27 NIV
24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Jesus was again teaching us something that is contrary to our nature, to love others first, to become a servant so we can lead, to humble ourselves and then God will lift us up. This isn't an easy lesson but it is emphasized throughout God's Word. Our challenge daily should be to seek out those who have needs and bless them. Perhaps we should start each day with a prayer that God would help us to find those in need so we can reach out with the love of Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
Friday, January 29, 2010
Fellowship Matters
Acts 2:42-47
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Fellowship is a word derived from the original word which means communion or forming a community. A community is a group of people who share common interests. But a fellowship or Christian community isn't meant to be an ordinary gathering of people. We are meant to gather together with one mind and one accord. The passage of scripture above says a lot about what's wrong with the church today. The people of the first real church of the New Testament met together daily. They like each other! They even hung out on days other than the sabbath. The scripture says they shared everything they had, not in some communistic society but they freely shared due to genuine concern for one another. They worshipped together at the temple everyday! Can you imagine if we tried to have church everyday. How many services would you make? I'm not blaming you there are churches I've been involved in that I didn't want to attend every service. Some I have pastored were hard to go to. So what made this church different? Were they just super-spritiual? No. Clearly they weren't because we know that they had their issues just like we do. The one thing I can see is they had a common purpose. They knew why they had a church, they understood their purpose, and they had a clear plan to accomplish their goals.
This church wasn't built to serve those who would attend although it did just that when necessary. It wasn't built as an outreach location, though as we see in this scripture it also served that purpose. In fact, this church wasn't about a building at all. We can see from the passage they had just as much success and fellowship in their homes were they also frequently met. This church wasn't a dead dry formal or religious location is was vibrant. They stayed true to their purpose and they saw the power of God demonstrated regularly. The scripture finally says that the Lord added to the church daily those that were saved. Notice here that the Lord added to the church. They didn't all converge in a room to determine whom they wanted to add they let God lead and determine who these new members would be.
It doesn't sound like this church was filled with committees or those who controlled its doing but rather genuine believers with little concern for their status in the fellowship. You see fellowship isn't about me it's about us. Fellowship means I care about others welfare right along with my own. It's a place where you can come to find refuge. A place were you don't have to worry about your past rather you can find out about the brightness of your future. I know, this sounds like a Utopian society but is it?
Does this passage of scripture describe your church? I have to admit my church is far from this model. What is our purpose? What are our goals? One thing is certain we need to get back to the simplicity with which these people lived. I would guess that if our churches meet with the criteria above they would be equally vibrant, they would be growing. One mind, one accord, constantly in prayer and fellowship. Prayer for one another. God help us to return to the values of the church you established. Help us to remember why we are here. Help us to find our purpose and work hand in hand toward it's completion.
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Fellowship is a word derived from the original word which means communion or forming a community. A community is a group of people who share common interests. But a fellowship or Christian community isn't meant to be an ordinary gathering of people. We are meant to gather together with one mind and one accord. The passage of scripture above says a lot about what's wrong with the church today. The people of the first real church of the New Testament met together daily. They like each other! They even hung out on days other than the sabbath. The scripture says they shared everything they had, not in some communistic society but they freely shared due to genuine concern for one another. They worshipped together at the temple everyday! Can you imagine if we tried to have church everyday. How many services would you make? I'm not blaming you there are churches I've been involved in that I didn't want to attend every service. Some I have pastored were hard to go to. So what made this church different? Were they just super-spritiual? No. Clearly they weren't because we know that they had their issues just like we do. The one thing I can see is they had a common purpose. They knew why they had a church, they understood their purpose, and they had a clear plan to accomplish their goals.
This church wasn't built to serve those who would attend although it did just that when necessary. It wasn't built as an outreach location, though as we see in this scripture it also served that purpose. In fact, this church wasn't about a building at all. We can see from the passage they had just as much success and fellowship in their homes were they also frequently met. This church wasn't a dead dry formal or religious location is was vibrant. They stayed true to their purpose and they saw the power of God demonstrated regularly. The scripture finally says that the Lord added to the church daily those that were saved. Notice here that the Lord added to the church. They didn't all converge in a room to determine whom they wanted to add they let God lead and determine who these new members would be.
It doesn't sound like this church was filled with committees or those who controlled its doing but rather genuine believers with little concern for their status in the fellowship. You see fellowship isn't about me it's about us. Fellowship means I care about others welfare right along with my own. It's a place where you can come to find refuge. A place were you don't have to worry about your past rather you can find out about the brightness of your future. I know, this sounds like a Utopian society but is it?
Does this passage of scripture describe your church? I have to admit my church is far from this model. What is our purpose? What are our goals? One thing is certain we need to get back to the simplicity with which these people lived. I would guess that if our churches meet with the criteria above they would be equally vibrant, they would be growing. One mind, one accord, constantly in prayer and fellowship. Prayer for one another. God help us to return to the values of the church you established. Help us to remember why we are here. Help us to find our purpose and work hand in hand toward it's completion.
Monday, November 17, 2008
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