Sunday, June 24, 2012

Touching Base! Part 169

Rigorous Faith in Turbulent Times, Part 8
Are you horizontally challenged? – Ephesians 4:1-6

(This article can also we found on our website
at http://www.bethelkingston.com under the tab called "Blog")

This Touching Base is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching is discussed outside of the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build healthy community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.

Your relational health is a reflection of your spiritual health.

Take a minute and think about the above statement. Agree or disagree? What the statement is saying is that a great barometer in how someone is doing in their walk with Christ can be at times seen in the health of their horizontal relationships. Paul would say this statement is true, not only true but crucially true, significantly important for the individual Christian and the corporate body.

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6.
How do we see this big idea surfacing in our text?

#1 Relationships are connected to the inner life. v1
How do we see this connection in this verse?

Worthy - "Worthy" (axios) is literally "bringing up the other beam of the scales" and hence indicates equivalence. Paul is insisting that there should be a balance between these two beams.What are these two beams?
The context would clearly indicate that the beams are referring to calling which he mentions and practice which is what Paul is talking about in v1-6.

Calling - Ones calling has just been described in the previous chapters. We have been redeemed from what we were, to being His child.

Practice - Paul has been talking about doctrine in chapters 1,2 and 3 now he is turning a corner and focusing in on practice. The Ephesians’ are to see to it that they practice what they preach, that their experience measures up to their standing in grace/calling. The beams are to be in balance- calling and practice.
Verse 2 goes on to define what practice looks like but let’s pause here before we move on.

Note that Paul could have said several things that tied in with our calling. He could have said that those who are called need to bring up the beam of bible study, prayer, fasting, serving the poor etc. But note specifically he focuses in on the beam of relationships.

When God deeply touches our lives (calling) he wants to deeply impact our relational style (practice), patterns, and habits.
Sometimes we need to make real radical breaks with relational patterns we have embraced that are anything but godly. We are just like our mom or dad or... but not just like Jesus.

I think when you see a church wrestling with relational health the first question is not- What do they need to learn about better communication skills? I think the first question is, what deeper work of God do they need to experience in their individual hearts? Remember your relational health is a reflection of your spiritual health.
This can be applied in all our relationships- marriage, friendships, siblings, etc
Note there is a very high standard Paul sets for relationships because of the very deep work of God that has been done and is going on in our hearts. This is why Christian communities should be the healthiest communities in the world. But are they?


#2 Relationships are channels for Christ’s character to be revealed through you. v2
Now Paul gets very specific with what the practice of relational health looks like. Note that v2 does not represent an exhaustive list but for the context, were attributes of relational health that needed to be mentioned.


Humility - an expression of Christ character, but this may have not been what we grew up with.
Humility means the lowliness of mind which springs from a true estimate of ourselves—a deep sense of our own moral smallness and demerit. We see this in 3:7 Paul- less than the least.
I love the statement- “true estimate of ourselves.”
When you read chapters 1, 2,3 and get a true understanding of who you are and all God has done, and that without Christ we would be dead in our transgressions and sins- how can that not make one humble? Sheer grace!
Understanding the grace we received pulls out of us arrogance, pride, smugness, resulting in a true estimate of ourselves.
How many of our relational challenges would be solved if everyone involved in the conversation had a true estimate of themselves?
How much more quickly would we move towards reconciliation, healing, and hope and peace?


Gentleness - an expression of Christ character, but this may have not been what we grew up with.
This refers to “domesticated strength” or reclaimed strength, like a trained animal. The KJV translates it “meekness.” Wild animals have been tamed to serve man. God does not want to break believers’ spirits but channel their energies for His purposes. This is one of Paul’s favorite metaphors for the Christian life (cf. I Cor. 4:21; II Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; 6:1; Col. 3:12; I Tim. 6:11; II Tim. 2:25; Titus 3:2).
Gentleness can shape how I say what I need to say.
Gentleness can shape when I say what I need to say.
Gentleness can shape why I say what I need to say.
Gentleness can challenge me to check my heart at the door so that I don’t come into the relational context barbed and prickly.
Anybody in your life challenging your gentleness?
Anyone in your life tempting you not to practice domesticated strength?

Patience - an expression of Christ character, but this may have not been what we grew up with.
Patience (makrothymia) or clemency is a characteristic of God himself. It can mean steadfastness in the endurance of suffering but more often in the NT it describes reluctance to avenge wrongs. Let God deal with it in his timing.
Maybe this is the greatest test of how deep and thorough the work of Christ has gone into my soul.
A willingness to let it go! Some of us have not let it go and the result, we are all wrecked up inside.
Our desire to get even is making us really ugly.

Bearing with one another in love - an expression of Christ character,but this may have not been what we grew up with.
Patience finds its expression in loving forbearance (Col 3:18). To bear with another (literally, "hold him up") is to put up with his faults and idiosyncrasy, (a peculiarity of constitution or temperament: an individualizing characteristic or quality ) knowing that we have our own. Love is a recurring theme in Ephesians. The four graces Paul recommends here are all aspects of love and exemplified to perfection in Christ (Philippians 2:2, 5).

As you look at these four characteristics, are these flowing out of you into your relationships?
Which one is easily blocked?
What is the work that God needs to do in you so that these characteristics flow from you into all your relationships?

#3 Relationships (healthy) require a lot of work. v3
Would there be anyone who would disagree with #3? Can’t imagine there is. As a Christ follower this is often where rigorous faith is needed. Spirit filled faith! Note what Paul says.

“Make every effort” - It speaks of a determined effort. It has the idea of exertion in it.
“Keep” is tēreō (τηρεω), “to keep by guarding, to guard by exercising watchful care.”
Unity must be aggressively, continually, individually pursued! V2 partially tells us how.
The "bond of peace" (syndesmos) strengthens rather than hampers. In Colossians 2:19 Paul uses it with reference to the ligaments of the body and in Colossians 3:14 figuratively of the love that holds Christians together.

One of the greatest investments people can make in the body of Christ is to make every effort to ensure relational health. It is a shame on the church and can become a disgrace when the church does not exemplify excellence in this area. Of course there are times where we can make every effort and still be left with broken relationships. At those times we need to rest before God knowing we have done all we can do. That is all God expects.

Finally and quickly note v4,5,6. Not only does our calling demand that we work on relational health but there are two other issues Paul raises. We are one body and there is one Spirit. This is what we have been called to this is what we need to uphold.

Are you relationally challenged in the church, in life? For the sake of your calling, for the glory of God and for the unity of the church, make every effort to walk in health. Your relational health is a reflection of your spiritual health.

Mark

If interested in joining or starting a small group contact bethelcommunitygroups@gmail.com 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Touching Base! Part 168

Rigorous Faith in Turbulent Times, Part 7
Plugged In – Ephesians 3:14-21

(This article can also we found on our website
at http://www.bethelkingston.com under the tab called "Blog")

This Touching Base is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching is discussed outside of the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build healthy community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.

This week we learned that we need to be Plugged In to the Power Source! Here is a tool to help you in your effort to pray for your loved ones at Bethel, outside of Bethel and for yourself.

A. First, read the text: Eph 3:14-21

B. Who are you going to pray for? If you do not have a list, make one. Have you ever told someone you would pray for them, but then forgot to do this? I must force myself to write it down, or I fall into this same trap. Who in your family, friends and network needs prayer? Who is sick? Who needs strength these days? Who is facing a crisis?

C. Bow your knee. Before I preached this to you, I preached it to myself and got back to praying on my knees this week. Posture makes a difference on our attitude. Try praying on your knees (if you are able to, of course)! You will find the posture itself is very humbling.

D. Give thanks to God that you are part of His family and that your family was named by God (v.15)! Thank God for whatever you would like! He is listening!

E. This is not covered in the text, but I know that it is important to allow God to search your heart for any and all unconfessed sin (Ps. 139). Get your accounts with God cleared but before moving on.

F. Begin praying through your list. Pray for each one by name, that they would be strengthened in their inner being by the Holy Spirit (v. 16), that they would comprehend the 4-dimensional love of God (v.17 & 18) and finally, that they would be filled with the fullness of God (v.19)!

G. Now go back to the last step and pray for yourself.
H. Before leaving your knees spend 60 seconds in silence before God. God is in the silence!

I. Get up off your knees knowing that, through faith, things have happened and moved in God’s kingdom because you prayed (v.17)! If you having been having a hard day, busy day, start working now. Just put one foot in front of the other and trust that the Power Source has heard you.

J. Repeat A to I. When? As the Lord leads you. God is so merciful that you can go back to your knees in prayer whenever you want. Of course I would recommend at least once a day, and you know what time of the day in best for your daily rhythms.

Church, I charge you to do this (“charge”, a word that Paul used in instruction to young Timothy, simply means “do it – it is not an option”!) Can you image what would happen if the 600 people who call Bethel home followed these steps each day? You guessed it…

… we would see: People responding to the heart of God, and God transforming the heart of the city (Kingston), the nation (Constance Lake) and the world (Honduras).

Have a wonderful week, filled with the fullness of God, working with the strength God grants your inner being. You are loved!

Fred


If interested in joining or starting a small group contact bethelcommunitygroups@gmail.com 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Touching Base! Part 167

Rigorous Faith in Turbulent Times, Part 6
The Bouquet – Ephesians 3:1-13

(This article can also we found on our website
at http://www.bethelkingston.com under the tab called "Blog")

This Touching Base is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching is discussed outside of the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build healthy community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.

Today marks the sixth message in our series in Ephesians. As we come into chapter 3, we will discover a bouquet of flowers. But before we do so, think about these questions:

Have you ever purchased a bouquet of flowers, if so for whom? Who most recently?
What is it about a bouquet of flowers that makes them such an appropriate gift?
Describe the beauty seen in a bouquet?

Text: Ephesians 3:1-13
In the first nine verses Paul is speaking of his call to preach the mystery. Note that v.6 defines this mystery. This is what Eric spoke on a few weeks ago as he unpacked 2:11-22.

Something we need to know about Gentiles is that they were always part of God’s divine plan and salvific work. The mystery is not that Gentiles would be saved, for the Old Testament gave evidence of that, but rather that believing Jews and Gentiles are joined together. That was a revolutionary concept for Jews and Gentiles alike!
Note how the mystery is defined in v,6 - heirs, the same body, sharers together in the promise.

It is as we approach v.10 that the bouquet appears. In the English language you may miss the bouquet but in the Greek the picture is present. The key phrase is “manifold wisdom of God.”

“Manifold” is an adjective only used here in the NT. It is a term that refers to the beauty of an embroidered pattern or the variety of colors in flowers. It is used in the Septuagint of Joseph’s coat (Gen. 37:3).

Starting in v.10:
  • note the vase – “ now, through the church”- “Church” referring to the gathered believers, both Jew and Gentile. They are the means for the manifold wisdom of God to be displayed.
  • note the extent of witness – “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”. This is far beyond Ephesus.
  • note the plan – v.11. God has had a plan from the very beginning and it always involved the church.
  • note the new reality – v.12 – Both Jews and Gentiles coming together, living in community, with confidence and freedom as they approach God.

There is nothing that could bring Paul greater joy – v.13.

The big idea from Sunday was that the church is a community in bloom. How we “do” life together, and how we allow God to shape and transform our lives is to be a testimony to the greatness and wisdom of God! The church is to be beautiful, striking and stunning because it reflects back to the world the manifold wisdom of God!
“This modern emphasis only on personal salvation makes us lose sight of the grandeur and glory of God’s church. I am not minimizing our personal experience with Christ, but I am affirming that it is not the primary goal that God has in mind. He is building His church. He is building up the Body of Christ. The glory and greatness of our personal salvation is but a reflection of what God is doing corporately in and through His church.”—from Prayer: Basic Training (Wiersbe)
If you are in a group, discuss how you have seen the church display the manifold wisdom of God. How has the church been a witness to the greatness of God? How has how we “do” life together demonstrated to the world that God is good? Where at Bethel do we see “Jews” and “Gentiles” coming together?

But here is the problem:

The very nature of the church means that without the power of the gospel constantly shaping our lives, we can become much less than what God intended. We all come to the church from different journeys, all broken. Paul said he was the worst of all. It is interesting how he expresses this, “ …I am less than the least of all God’s people.” (v.8). Without the power of the Gospel constantly challenging and transforming us we can become might I say… not a beautiful bouquet of flowers… but a bouquet of weeds. NOT BEAUTIFUL, STRIKING AND STUNNING BUT WEAK, MAN-CENTERED AND UNIMPRESSIVE.

This, for some inside and outside of the church, is their view of the church.

Questions of reflection:

What image (weeds or flowers) would come closer to describing how your friends see the church?
Based on your experience of being part of the church, do you see the church as a church in bloom or a bunch of blooming idiots? Yes I know this seems rather harsh but most of us know the pain that we can inflict on each other when God is not at the center. Sometimes our pain can be so strong that it changes our perception of the church.
Anyone recovering from a painful church experience?
Some of us are re-entering into healthy community after getting beat up.

For the church to be healthy, we need rigorous faith that refuses to normalize the unhealthy church and instead of accommodate it, reject it. What I mean by that is that we need Christ the gardener to pull the weeds in our personal lives and corporate life that can weaken the church. We need to understand that when we accommodate weeds in our lives the church can become very much about us. When we walk in humility, repentance and truth, God gets the glory and the church spreads the fragrance of Christ in the community that it is planted. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

As a group, take some time to reflect on your role in the life and health of Bethel. Are there any areas in your life that you need to deal with that could represent the weeds? Pray as a group for the health of Bethel. We want Bethel to put on display the manifold wisdom of God. We want this “house” to make His name famous!

Mark

If interested in joining or starting a small group contact bethelcommunitygroups@gmail.com