Christ, the First Born of the Dead

Jesus Is Lord
Imitating Jesus
The Supremacy of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1-7

The Message (MSG)

1 ^1-2 A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God’s Word— the witness of Jesus Christ!

³ How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!
Time is just about up.

His Eyes Pouring Fire-Blaze

^4-7 I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province: All the best to you from The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive, and from the Seven Spirits assembled before his throne, and from Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings.

Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
    who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
    forever—and yes, he’s on his way!
Riding the clouds, he’ll be seen by every eye,
    those who mocked and killed him will see him,
People from all nations and all times
    will tear their clothes in lament.
    Oh, Yes.

For Reflection

"Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings."

Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Jesus Christ, Loyal witness to the living God, the God we can see.
Jesus Christ, First of those born into a new life transformed by God who resided in him.
Jesus Christ, Compassionate, obedient to God, leader of God's counter culture, the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ, The sign that God loves his creation so much that He suffered his son, so that all might be reconciled to the Truth.

Pray

that through the children of God all will see the the folly of self-centeredness and embrace God-centeredness.  Pray that all who are touched by the rush of the transforming waters of the Holy Spirit will be transformed into children of God.  Pray for the triumph of love, compassion, and obedience to the God whose sacrifice reconciles all.

Christ, the Head of the Church

Jesus Is Lord
Imitating Jesus
The Supremacy of Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:17-23

The Message

^15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
^20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

For Reflection

The world is peripheral to the church and Christ rules the church.  This church is not a place.  It is not a religion.  This church is a collection of those who are committed to living a God-centered life.  It is not religion that transforms the world. Transforming the world is accomplished by extraordinary people, beloving God, who chose to become citizens in the Kingdom of God -- here and now.

Pray

pray that all children of God live extraordinary lives as citizens in the Kingdom of God.  Pray that they in confidence, trust, and obedience face the challenges of transforming the world, bravely, one person at a time   Pray that where there is hate you sow love, where there is hopelessness sow hope, where there is injustice sow truth, where there is poverty share wealth, where there is desperation, invite the Spirit.

Stand Firm

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

Philippians 3:1-19

The Message (MSG)

To Know Him Personally

3 And that’s about it, friends. Be glad in God!

I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry—so here goes.
^2-6 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.
^7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
^10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Focused on the Goal

^12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

^15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
^17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

For Reflection

Not even Paul thought that he had perfected his love of God as witnessed by Jesus Christ.  He understood that living out the example of a God-centered life was a work in progress.  Each of us came to God with scars.  Each of us will accumulate more scares.  However, if we have confidence and trust in the Living God, and refresh ourselves in the fellowship of believers we can continue to mature in grace.

 

Pray

that you, like Paul, will give up the interior self-centered stuff and come to know God personally through Christ.  Pray that you will have the courage to partner in His suffering.  Pray that you trust in the Living God will never wane.

Be Holy

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

1 Peter 1:13-21

The Message

A Future in God

^13-16 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

¹⁷ You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.
^18-21 Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

For Reflection

What does God offer you?  The gift of holiness.

Accepting God into your life transforms you.  Obedience to the Way yields a life worth living.

 

Pray

that you "travel with a deep consciousness of God."

Be Compassionate

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

Matthew 25:31-40

The Message

The Sheep and the Goats

^31-33 “When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

^34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’

^37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

For Reflection

None  of us will ever know just how we have influenced others.  A kindness to one is multiplied as a kindness passed on to another.  Sadly, a dis-service to one may be passed as a dis-service to another.

To those who live God-centered lives, compassion becomes so much a part of their being that they to not recognize that their compassionate lives are extraordinary.  Like the sheep they ask, "When did I do these things?"  They live their lives unaware that their expressions of hospitality are anything but a normal, natural way of being.

Pray

that you will live a life of mercy, a compassionate servant to all.

Be Trustworthy

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

Matthew 25:14-21

The Message

The Story About Investment

^14-18 “It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.

^19-21 “After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’

^24-25 “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’
^26-27 “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
^28-30 “‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’

For Reflection

Whom do you trust?  Why?

The man trusted these three servants to be stewards of the money and responsibilities he gave them .  However, understanding their abilities, he trusted each servant according to his expectations for them.

The man was testing his servants.  He wanted to know how much risk each servant was willing to take.  The servants trusted the man. But, the one who the man trusted least was more fearful than the others.  He also trusted the man least.  He was not confident enough in the man's trust to risk the consequences if he failed.

Trust is a two way street.  What did the man do that undermined the confidence of the third servant?   Why did the servant think investing the man's money carried far more risk than keeping it safe?

What can you do to improve the trust that others place in you?

Pray

that you will encourage trust.  Pray that all those who seek to help guide others into a right relationship with God warrant the trust of others. 

Be Prepared

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

Matthew 25:1-13

The Message

The Story of the Virgins

25 ^1-5 “God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
^7-8 “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
⁹ “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
¹⁰ “They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
¹¹ “Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
¹² “He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
¹³ “So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.

For Reflection

How prepared are you to meet the challenges of your Christian faith?  Is it enough to belong to a church?  Is it enough to participate in weekly worship?  It is enough to attend church classes and events.  It is enough to take part in the governance of the church?  Is it enough to be baptized or to participate in holy communion?  Is it enough to contribute to the church budget?  What is it that makes you think you are prepared to meet the challenges of living in this world as a child of God?

Pray

Pray, pray, and then pray again.   Confess your weakness to God.  Ask God to guide you and to give you courage to face this world.  Praise God often.  Thank God for even the smallest of blessings.  Give God the credit for the good in your life.  Accept God's comfort when the world crashes into you.  Pray that you will lose yourself in service to Him.  Pray that you will see beyond the challenge to the opportunity the challenge represents.