There is a sense on every elementary school playground that each student must rush out and try to be first on the field to declare "first captain!" They would then be able to pick whom they wanted on their team; they were the leader.
The desire in many young kids (and adults) is to lead the way into something great - to head off first into the adventures of touch football, or even leading a hike. In many ways this urge toward initial leadership can be seen as a clear reflection of Christ in our young people. In Colossians 1:18, Paul continues to share that Christ is not only the creator, the sustainer, and head of the church, but that he is also the "firstborn from among the dead."He is the one who will lead the way into eternal life, in the way of resurrection from the dead!
With his resurrection having already occurred, Christ is leading the victory parade right now, he invites us to join. To join in his redemptive work in our hearts and those of others, in our world/culture and in creation. Our hope of eternal resurrection is secured in Him but in our lives now, what might it look like for us to live as though we truly knew that Christ is victorious over all the powers of death and destruction?
Are there areas of our lives that need Christ's redemptive healing?
Are there people or situations in our lives where we need to call "first captain" and lead the way into bringing Christ's love there?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
300 ??
Have you heard about the Spartans? The ancient warriors who wore long red capes, had 6 packs, bulging muscles and lived only to fight. They were hardened warriors, from childhood they were taught skills in weaponry and survival. Even a recent History Channel show called the Spartans- "pure bred fighting machines." But, although historically renown, the Spartans were only one of the many peoples of ancient Greece. Another famous city-state of ancient Greece was Athens.
Athens still stands today and one can go take in the sights of ancient temples and ruins. Held almost in sharp juxtaposition to Sparta, the culture of Athens was one of beautiful art and thoughtful philosophy. The men of Athens were known to be thinkers who held logic and reason in very high regard.
In Acts 17, Paul finds himself in Athens. As Paul does, he begins talking to people about Jesus and the Greeks begin to take interest. The funny thing is, the men of Athens were much like many of us are today - very interested in spirituality, religion and multiple worldview ideas. In a way, our culture is also primed to hear the ideas and teachings of Jesus. The debate in America is no longer Atheism verses Christianity, but now, people wondering if the teachings of Christ really ring true in our lives and culture. Paul was simply talking about Jesus in a "pre-Christian" world, and people were amazed, inquisitive and surprised. Today, if we can simply talk about Jesus in our "post-Christian" world - might we have similar results??
Athens still stands today and one can go take in the sights of ancient temples and ruins. Held almost in sharp juxtaposition to Sparta, the culture of Athens was one of beautiful art and thoughtful philosophy. The men of Athens were known to be thinkers who held logic and reason in very high regard.
In Acts 17, Paul finds himself in Athens. As Paul does, he begins talking to people about Jesus and the Greeks begin to take interest. The funny thing is, the men of Athens were much like many of us are today - very interested in spirituality, religion and multiple worldview ideas. In a way, our culture is also primed to hear the ideas and teachings of Jesus. The debate in America is no longer Atheism verses Christianity, but now, people wondering if the teachings of Christ really ring true in our lives and culture. Paul was simply talking about Jesus in a "pre-Christian" world, and people were amazed, inquisitive and surprised. Today, if we can simply talk about Jesus in our "post-Christian" world - might we have similar results??
Friday, June 5, 2009
"You're dead in your tracks, pilgrim..."
Well, I guess everyone's life is not like a scene out of an old western movie, but there is a some truth to when the villain says "Hey Blonde', you're a dead man."
If we take a quick look at Ephesians 2:1-2, Paul is saying, or observing, that we were dead in our sins when following the ways of this world. He doesn't say "just passing through our sins," or that we were in a "sinful stage." But that we were dead-
not moving,
unable to get out,
hopelessly struggling,
in our sin. In a way, lets not simply think of "sin" as specific actions here, but more of a state of being. Being in sin: disconnected from Christ or taking away from God's vision of Shalom for the world. Things were way out of balance and there was nothing we could do about it.
Enter Christ.
He who brings live from death - redeems our lives from the depths of disconnectedness (sin) and despair. Having someone help you like this is very humbling. Often times we might rather struggle needlessly on our own than have someone save us or help us. This often leads us, a people preaching Grace, to be a people who leave little time to simply "be" and receive grace because we are so busy trying to work our way our of "sin." Christ says something different. Christ comes to us in our inability and rescues us from a life that we, on our own, could not change.
What might it look like for you to rest in Grace? To simply sit at the feet of the Father and soak up his love?
We are helpless apart from his grace, in what ways have we seen or felt grace in action this past week?
How can we better tell our stories of receiving Christ's grace and life changing power?
If we take a quick look at Ephesians 2:1-2, Paul is saying, or observing, that we were dead in our sins when following the ways of this world. He doesn't say "just passing through our sins," or that we were in a "sinful stage." But that we were dead-
not moving,
unable to get out,
hopelessly struggling,
in our sin. In a way, lets not simply think of "sin" as specific actions here, but more of a state of being. Being in sin: disconnected from Christ or taking away from God's vision of Shalom for the world. Things were way out of balance and there was nothing we could do about it.
Enter Christ.
He who brings live from death - redeems our lives from the depths of disconnectedness (sin) and despair. Having someone help you like this is very humbling. Often times we might rather struggle needlessly on our own than have someone save us or help us. This often leads us, a people preaching Grace, to be a people who leave little time to simply "be" and receive grace because we are so busy trying to work our way our of "sin." Christ says something different. Christ comes to us in our inability and rescues us from a life that we, on our own, could not change.
What might it look like for you to rest in Grace? To simply sit at the feet of the Father and soak up his love?
We are helpless apart from his grace, in what ways have we seen or felt grace in action this past week?
How can we better tell our stories of receiving Christ's grace and life changing power?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Hairy arms get nothing...
Before reading this blog today, read the following sections from scripture: (link to online Bible)
Genesis 25:19-34 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2025&version=31
Genesis 27:1-40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2027;&version=31;
This is the story of Jacob and Esau - two brothers. There is so much that we can draw from this story, but one of the main concepts illustrated here is that of the "firstborn."
Since Esau was the eldest son, or firstborn, he was entitled to a special blessing and inheritance from his father. In the ancient Jewish culture this was far more of an honor than simple words and possessions. People were willing to kill, or cheat and deceive their brothers, to get such a blessing. In this particular case, the son who received the blessing would have the Messiah as a descendant. I'd be pretty pumped if my great(38x) grandchild was the savior of the world!
Needless to say it was a great honor to be the firstborn and to receive that blessing. In Colossians 1:18, while speaking of the church(Ἐκκλησία, ekklesia), Paul refers to Christ as the Firstborn: he who has ownership over the church, one who gives blessing to the church and recieves blessing from the same.
How can the church bless Christ?
How has the church been a blessing of Christ to you?
Meditation: The words "church(ekklesia)" and "eclectic(eklektikos/eklegein)" share similar greek roots - how has the varied makeup of the body of Christ impacted the way you view and experience God?
Genesis 25:19-34 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2025&version=31
Genesis 27:1-40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2027;&version=31;
This is the story of Jacob and Esau - two brothers. There is so much that we can draw from this story, but one of the main concepts illustrated here is that of the "firstborn."
Since Esau was the eldest son, or firstborn, he was entitled to a special blessing and inheritance from his father. In the ancient Jewish culture this was far more of an honor than simple words and possessions. People were willing to kill, or cheat and deceive their brothers, to get such a blessing. In this particular case, the son who received the blessing would have the Messiah as a descendant. I'd be pretty pumped if my great(38x) grandchild was the savior of the world!
Needless to say it was a great honor to be the firstborn and to receive that blessing. In Colossians 1:18, while speaking of the church(Ἐκκλησία, ekklesia), Paul refers to Christ as the Firstborn: he who has ownership over the church, one who gives blessing to the church and recieves blessing from the same.
How can the church bless Christ?
How has the church been a blessing of Christ to you?
Meditation: The words "church(ekklesia)" and "eclectic(eklektikos/eklegein)" share similar greek roots - how has the varied makeup of the body of Christ impacted the way you view and experience God?
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