Learning to be Content

Last week’s article was on jealousy, and we examined Paul’s actions. Even when he was being harmed by certain individuals, Paul rejoiced that Christ was being proclaimed (Philippians 1:15-18).  He did not let his pride get in the way and become jealous for his own cause, but instead rejoiced. The focus was on who’s reputation is at stake when it comes to jealousy. It is not our own, but Christ’s. 

If you think about it, our lack of contentment from time to time stems back to jealousy. We see something we want and we get jealous. The end result is that we are not content in the situation we are in – instead, we get jealous. With this in mind, we are again going to look at Paul’s example within the same book. 

“…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13).

 

Paul was able to live in any area of life, both “with humble means,” and “in prosperity”.  He “learned to be content” in these areas of life. How did he do this? Because he, “learned the secret,” in regards to these life styles. What was his secret to contentment? It is found in verse 13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 

If we have a problem with contentment, let us focus on the good things instead (Philippians 4:8), and “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (4:4, 10) leaning upon His strength (4:13). If we are not content, we are losing our foothold in the strength that God gives. Christ wants us to stand up in any situation we are in, whether we are rich or poor, married or single, popular or not. He wants us to stand up in the strength that He gives and live our lives for Him. If we can do this, we will learn to be content in all things and live a happy and fulfilled life for Christ!

Rising Above Jealousy

There are a lot of different ways one could look at jealousy. Today, we are going to discuss a simple idea, and that is rising above jealousy for Christ’s-sake. I’m pretty sure all of us already know that jealousy is wrong and harmful in so many ways, but let’s look at why we must chose to rise above jealousy.  In order to do this, we will look at Paul’s example in Philippians chapter one.

In this chapter, Paul is imprisoned and thankful for the situation he is in for the gospel’s sake (Philippians 1:12-13). Many, because of his example, are speaking, “…the word of God without fear.”(1:14, NASB), while others, “…are preaching Christ even from envy and strife...” (1:15). The men who do this, do so because of “…selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me [Paul] distress in my imprisonment.” (1:17, Emphasis mine). 

Many times when we get jealous over our brothers and sisters, it is over petty things, such as job status, popularity, or characteristics. Think now about what Paul was going through. He was not dealing with a simple feud as we do, he had these individuals preaching the gospel, not out of “pure motives” (1:17), but to slander Paul’s reputation in order to cause him “distress”. Don’t you think that if anyone had a right to be jealous it would be Paul? However, what was Paul’s reaction to this?

Paul said, “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.” (1:18). Even when Paul’s reputation was being slandered, he did not get jealous, but rejoiced in the fact that Christ was proclaimed by these selfish and jealous individuals. Why did he do this? Because he knew what was at stake – the reputation of Christ.

The next time you have the urge to get jealous over petty little things that revolve around pride or personal status, think carefully about the cost. We must remember that it is not our reputation that is at stake, it is Christ’s. That means when we feel that our pride has been struck, we must step down and resist the urge to be jealous, for Christ’s sake. That means when we feel we deserve the thanks, but another is getting it – forget about it, because Christ’s reputation is at stake.  Let us chose to rise above jealousy for the sake of Christ!

Thoughts on the 4th of July

Is the United States of America really “united”? It seems that in this country there is a lot of division. There are different political parties, and there are different beliefs between those parties. Even within each and every party there are differing beliefs. All these differences point to one word, and that word is division. Party is fighting party, and man letting down his fellow man. There are courts held with differing opinions. There are lawyers fighting lawyers. There are news stations competing with others over the recent political battles. This nation is full of division. 

Isn’t it funny that on Independence Day, or the 4^th of July, our country gets united with a patriotic mindset? We forget about our differing ideas. We forget about who said what and who believes what, and we come together to celebrate the liberty of this nation.

This is sad when a nation cannot get together in unity except for important days in our county’s history, but what about the church? Do we ever find disunity within the church? Unfortunately we do.  This sister is talking about that sister. This brother is arguing with that brother. This preacher is talking badly about that preacher. This elder is criticizing the other elder. These deacons are in an uproar. But, when Sunday comes around, we all come together to worship God as if nothing happened! 

What? Is this the way God intended the church to be? No, in fact, it is the exact opposite. God wanted his church to be unified as one solid unit (e.g. Ephesians 4:4-6).  He wanted the church to look out for each other’s needs as the priority, even above self’s (Philippians 2:3). He wanted us to “…love one another, for love is from God” (1 John 4:7, NASB). 

If we, as the church, are arguing, gossiping, and hurting one another outside of worship, but then coming together in “unity” during worship, what are we accomplishing? The answer is nothing, because, “the one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).  If we do not love each other, then we do not know God. If we do not know God, then we are not His children, and if we are not His children our worship service is in vain. 

Am I saying that all of the church is this way? Not at all. But, we must be careful how we treat one another, because the sad fact is, sometimes this is the case. We cannot live in disunity six out of the seven days of or our week and expect to be alright. Instead, let us lift up one another and seek each other’s needs above our own, so that we can live in oneness, and truly be a united church under our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Four Tips on Soul-Winning From Paul

I do not know about you, but I want to be a soul-winner. The question arises, how do I become a soul winner? A lot of individuals have the idea that soul-winning is just about bringing others into the church building doors. Although this is a good tactic to use in order to find prospects for Bible study, I believe Paul shows a four step process in how we can be effective soul winners. 

First, when Paul was searching for souls, “…he went to them…” (Acts 17:2 NASB).  Paul sought out these prospective souls. If you are like me, unfortunately, you want the souls to come to you. Although it is great to include in our prayers, “send me some soul today,” we cannot think that God will do all the work for us. He wants us to seek out the lost. 

Second, when Paul was searching for souls, he, “…reasoned with them from the Scriptures…” (Acts 17:2). We need to remember that the power is in the Word, not in anything we say or do. When we are reasoning with others from the scriptures, we are in actuality, “drawing arguments from the scriptures” (Thayer, 139). It is not our ideas, or plan that saves the soul, it is the “arguments” of the scriptures that leads the soul to Christ. 

Third, when Paul was searching for souls, he was, “…explaining…” to them about Jesus Christ (Acts 17:3). We need to remember that many of us have been in the church for a long time. Some of us have grown up within the church, and we cannot expect others to immediately realize and understand everything we have come to know. We need to take time and patience to explain away pre-conceived ideas, and answer questions individuals have about the Scriptures.

Fourth, when Paul was searching for souls, he was, “…giving evidence…” to them about Jesus Christ (Acts 17:3).  It is interesting that Christian evidences were even needed back then. People have always questioned the gospel of Christ. That’s why we need to always be prepared to defend it (e.g. 1 Peter 3:15). Whether they are people who are confused about scriptures, or are atheists- not having even a fraction of belief in the scriptures, we must be ready to give evidence to them.

Paul is a great example to us in so many ways. We learn through him that if we want to be soul-winners, it depends on our attitude. Do we really want to save souls? If so, we will get out of our comfort zone and find them. If so, we will rely upon the scriptures for our arguments to convert them. If so, we will be patient and explain away confusion they might have. If so, we will defend Jesus Christ and His gospel with sound and true Christian evidences. Souls cannot be won if we do not depend on God’s word, and souls will never be won by us, unless we get out of our comfort zone.

Go be a soul winner! 

Sources:

Thayer, Joseph H. 1997. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Singing With Your Heart

It is Sunday morning, the sun is shining, and everything feels right. You get ready for worship, you put on your tie, and head off in your car. Getting to the building is nice because it feels refreshing. You get to say good morning to all your loved ones, and then it’s off to worship. You open the song book to the page the song leader announces, but then terrible frightening thoughts come into your mind.   You think, “What will people think of me?”, “How will I sound?”, “I cannot sing to save my life!” So, you have a brilliant plan, “I’ll just move my mouth to the words, so that way people can’t hear my atrocious singing!” 

Have you ever done this? Probably all of us have done something like this during our lifetime.  We get so frightened about what others might be thinking of us that we forget what singing is all about.  Notice what the apostle Paul tells us about singing. 

Number one: singing is, “speaking to one another…” (Ephesians 5:19, NASB). So when we sing, we are not singing to ourselves, we are singing to one another for edification and encouragement. We are, in essence, singing to lift each other up with God’s words. 

Number two:  singing is, “…making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).  Singing is not about being the best sounding voice in the crowd, but it is about the heart. God wants our hearts when singing. Not only are we singing for one another’s edification, but we are singing to the Lord as well, with praise and thanksgiving.  

So, next time you go to worship, belt out that voice that God gave you. Whether you have an amazing voice or not the very best (in the world’s terms), God wants your all. We must remember that it is not about whether we sound good or not, God wants our hearts. So sing out loud to encourage your brothers and sisters. Praise God from your heart, by singing to Him with your voice!  

Bold as a Lion

Lions have always been my favorite creatures. It started back when I was a little boy and I wanted to be, no, I thought I was a lion after watching Disney’s movie, The Lion King. Even now I am impressed by their great strength, their thick, muscular body, their deep, fearsome roar and confident appearance.

We read in the Bible that “the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NASB).  This is a scary thought. This means two things. The devil is like a lion. Therefore he is powerful, cunning, and dangerous. Not only that, but he is “seeking someone to devour”. He is seeking to devour you and me! That means we are this lion’s pray. 

What a scary thought, but the Bible says that someone else is like a lion. In Proverbs it says that, “the righteous are as bold as a lion” (28:1). What an interesting concept. Unlike the wicked, who “flee when no one is pursuing”, the righteous are bold, or confident in this life. This boldness and confidence is likened to that of a powerful and dominant lion. 

So do we have to be afraid of this lion the devil? No, because if we are depending on God and His word, living for Him, and doing what He commands, we too, are like a lion. All you have to do to counter the devil is to be a lion yourself and “resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9).

What a great idea. If my little-boy self would have known this, he would have been overjoyed. The adult that I am now is still thrilled by the thought, because there is a lot to be afraid of in this life. The devil is a confident and fierce lion, but we can resist him. If we lean upon God and His word, and live a righteous life for Him, then we can and will be an even more confident and fierce lion!