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Monthly Archives: October 2024
Hurricane Helene disaster turns into revival
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Philemon- The True Church
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Philemon 1:4-7
Again as we work through the Epistle of Philemon, we see the importance of the body of Christ, the community of believers. Don’t view Church as a building or something you do, understand the Church is You and your brothers and sisters in Christ. The Church is the family of God united by the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not an organization you just become a member or run like a business. This is the living and breathing body of Christ.
The first thing we notice , as the Apostle Paul says here “making mention of you always in my prayers” it’s important that we pray for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the model of the early Church, are we still doing this today? While many will take the time to gossip about fellow brothers and sisters, do you pray for them? Do you make mention of their name before The Lord?
Another thing we notice is the encouragement and refreshing we get when we gather together as the body of Christ. As the Apostle Paul says here “hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward The Lord Jesus and toward the saints” It’s inspiring when you see a Church that truly loves one another and truly loves The Lord Jesus Christ. Many Churches claim Love, but do they demonstrate the fruits of Love? Remember Jesus said “Love God and Love Neighbor” (Luke 10:27) Do you love the Lord and love your brothers and sisters as you love yourself?
The next thing the Apostle Paul points out “that the sharing of your faith may be effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in You in Christ Jesus” A true that truly loves God and each other, will be an effective Church to preach the gospel. A false Church will always preach a false gospel, as Jesus said “You will be known by your fruits” (Matthew 7:16) In order to be effective ambassadors of Christ, we need to live for Christ, we can’t be a hypocritical Church. The world is watching you, more than they are reading their Bibles. Be the Salt and Light you were called to be (Matthew 5)
When you see a real Church being led by the Holy Spirit it becomes contagious, its an encouragement to other believers. As the Apostle Paul says here “we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have refreshed by you” To be in the presence of true believers is a refreshment for our souls. May we continue to pray for one another, love one another as Christ has loved us, and be the Light and Salt in Christ, Amen
United Methodist Pastor LIES to his congregation #UMC
Philemon- Fellow Laborers
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Philemon 1:1-3
The Church , the Body of Christ, is made up of many people, many parts, (Romans 12, I Corinthians 12) all coming together to serve, worship, and build a community together. This epistle to Philemon is a great example of this, while Timothy was being trained to be a Pastor/Elder of the Church, Philemon provided his house as the building for this Church.
These simple things can be overlooked alot, when people provide for the Church, its a blessing for everyone in the Church. You don’t need to be the Pastor or Elder of the Church , to serve the Church. It can be as simple as cleaning or doing maintenance of the building, serve by leading Sunday School or participating in worship music. Everything we do is for the glory of God, there is no task that is too little when you are serving The Lord
Notice the Apostle Paul views Philemon as “our beloved friend and fellow laborer” even though Philemon wasn’t a preacher, Paul regarded him as an equal laborer in Christ. This is how we should view all our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Jesus said “Anyone who wants to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God, must be the servant of all” (Matthew 20:26)
The Apostle Paul mentions “to the church in your house” it’s clear Philemon is hosting the Church in his own house. It appears Philemon could have been a wealthy man and was using his money to provide for the Church. These blessings will not go unnoticed by God. While many of the people might not know, how the building is being provided, God knows!
But a second point I want to make about this, it was common practice in the early Church to worship in houses due to persecution and restrictions by their governments. You don’t need to worship in a fancy building to be called a “Church”, the Ekklessia is the body of Christ, the people not the building. Many Churches are spending too much time and money on their building and not the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) I know alot of Christians, who believe you have to only worship in a particular building or they won’t worship outside of their building, this becomes idolatry. Beware not to make your building an idol before God, we are the temples of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, (1 Corinthians 6) wherever you are there is the Church!
I will end with the words of the Apostle Paul “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ” Live in peace with the grace of our God with your fellow servants, the Church, the body of Christ, your co-laborers in Christ, Amen!
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2 Timothy 4- The Lord Is With You
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:17-18
As we talked about previously, the Christian walk is not going to be an easy task, as Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me (Christ) (Matthew 16:24) This is a walk of discipline and obedience, it’s also a walk of persecution and suffering. As Jesus also said “if the world hates you, know it hated me (Christ) first (John 15:18)
But despite all of this, remember and understand this, The Lord is with you through all of it! As the Apostle Paul stated here “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” , remember what the Apostle Paul also said “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) The Lord Jesus Christ is with you always, everywhere you go, and will strengthen you also during times of hardship and trials.
Through all this, the Apostle Paul understood what his mission was, “so that the message might be preached fully through me” Paul wasn’t looking for his “best life now” Paul was trying to finish his race, complete the higher calling that was placed upon him. This should be our mission also, to fulfill the calling God has placed upon us. To have an eternal perspective on life and not a temporary outlook. Seek the Kingdom of God first! (Matthew 6:33)
“That all the Gentiles might hear” The Apostle Paul preached the gospel to the entire world, this is what we should do also, to fulfill the Great Commision “Make disciples of ALL the nations (meaning everyone) (Matthew 28:19) Preach the gospel to ALL Creatures (everyone) (Mark 16:15) This is your higher calling as a servant of Christ, to preach the gospel and make disciples, and The Lord will be with you and strengthen you, through all things!
You were marked, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) As the Apostle Paul said “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom” Satan will try to destroy You and your ministry, but The Lord will deliver you, because it’s all for the Glory of God and not ourselves, fulfill your higher calling and understand The Lord is with You and will strengthen you through all things, Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 