Do it - Now. God's Will for us.

"For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (HCSB).

John Wesley is credited with saying that "God does nothing redemptively in the world – except through prayer."* This speaks to the issue of God's Sovereignty and Man's Cooperation in His work. Growing up, I was often reminded that we are to pray as if everything depended upon God (and it does), and to work as if everything depended upon us. There is great truth in this concept of balance. Jesus in John 15 reminds us that we can do nothing outside of Him. And in the Great Commission, He reminds us that the work is what we are to do. The quicker that we conform to His will here on earth, the more quickly that Kingdom issues will be accomplished. One of my mentors would say that "We cannot do what God does, and He will not do what we are to do."

We must focus our prayers fervently, passionately on God's Will for today. What is His Will? That we accept Jesus, and then show Him to others. Today, seek out how that you can be a vital link in His Will on Earth. 

*http://www.cwr.org.uk/doc/pdfs/extra/EDWJextraMJ14.pdf 

Co-Laborers with God - Cultivated and Built

1 Corinthians 3:9 - For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

From our start in this passage yesterday, we saw Paul is using in the Greek structure of this sentence the words out of normal grammatical order. This is a figure of speech called a hyperbaton, and is used to call attention or emphasizing a point. We noted that we are fellow-workers together, working for God. We see this continued in the last two phrases - "God's field" and "God's building."

The term in the Greek georgion denotes a cultivated field - not just a field. This is ground that has been plowed and worked to be useful and capable of producing crops. Since we are "God's cultivated field," we see that it is God who has invested His energy and work in preparing us to do His service. He has cultivated us, prepared us, and is now watching for the production of fruit.  One is not more important than another, each has been trained for the task that is expected of them.

The term for building in the Greek oikodome denotes a building or edification. Paul will continue with this image for the remainder of the chapter. He speaks of the foundation - Jesus Christ - and the work that one must build upon the foundation. We are the walls and structure that is on the foundation of Jesus.

Today, muse over the teachings of Paul about how we are cultivated and structured by God. How has God prepared you to work in His service? How can you use the preparation that God has used on you to work together with other fellow believers to advance the kingdom? As we are going into this weekend, how can you be of service to your church, fellow believers, and the lost.

Co-Laborers with God - Synergy

1 Corinthians 3:9 -  For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Paul has been addressing the church at Corinth over the divisions that had arisen - particularly the division over who was most important. Now Paul wants them to understand that all believers need to work together to accomplish the will of God. He spoke about the fact that God is the important One in the mission of the church. He referenced that we would be rewarded for our work. He spoke that some planted, some watered, and some would reap the harvest.

Today, we muse over what he says - "For we are co-workers in God's service...." In the Greek structure of this sentence, we have the words used out of normal grammatical order. This is a figure of speech called a hyperbaton, and is used to call attention or emphasizing a point. This could be translated as "God's fellow-workers" calling attention to the point that we are the fellow-workers with one another and we belong to God and work for Him. We do the work together - and God then gives the increase. We are not equal with God in our work, we work for Him - we are equal with each other in accomplishing the mission.

The Greek word used for co-workers in this passage is the word sunergoi, and we get our word synergy from this base. Synergy is a combined action or operation that produces results. It actually is the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people work together. The Greek word means to work with - and we understand the full intention of Paul as the challenge to work together - so that the sum is greater than the individual parts.

It has been said that it is yet to be seen what the church could accomplish in this world, if no one cared who got the credit. This is partially correct. We need to synergistically work together and only care that God gets the credit. Today, muse over what you can do in co-operation with fellow believers to advance the kingdom of God and see that He gets all the credit.

 

Co-Laborers with God - Payday Someday

1 Corinthians 3:8 - The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 

Rewards. Many believe that speaking of being rewarded for serving God is not appropriate. We should be altruistic and serve just to serve. That's a nice thought, but it is not in human's nature to always do this. In fact, since God created us, He knows and understands this.

In the Scriptures, there are a number of references to our receiving rewards. Let me give a few examples (all are from the ESV):

Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Jesus speaking)

Genesis 15:1 - "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.'”

Psalm 19:9-11 - "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

Revelation 22:12 - “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done."

Paul speaking to these believers assures them that when we serve the Lord - there is a payday someday, and we will receive rewards. The Bible speaks of 5 crowns given out to believers. I am going to list them and their Scripture references, and I challenge you to look at each of these crowns.

1. The Incorruptible Crown: 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25. This is also called the imperishable crown. This crown is given to believers who faithfully run the race, who crucify every selfish desire in the flesh and point men to Jesus.

2. The Crown of Rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20. & Daniel 12:3 To those who faithfully are witnesses to the saving grace of God and leads souls to Jesus. This crown has also been named the soul winner's crown.

3. The Crown of Life: James 1:12. For those believers who endure trials, tribulations, and severe suffering, even unto death Revelation 2:8-11. This crown is also referred to as the martyr's crown.

4. The Crown of Righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8. To those who love the appearing of Christ, who anxiously wait and look forward to the day when He will return for His saints. This crown is given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God while living down here on earth.

5. And finally, The Crown of Glory: 1 Peter 5:1-4. This is the pastor’s crown and will be given to the ministers who faithfully feed the flock of God. . This probably could also include preachers, teachers, Sunday School teachers, missionaries and all those who teach the Word of God in their respective ministries. This crown may signify the importance and sacrifices of bringing up others into the ways of God.

So, today, spend some time meditating on the teaching of rewards.  Remember, a reward is not handed out for just sitting and soaking - they are given for those who go and grow. Check out the scriptures that go with each crown, and make a plan on how you can receive each one of these one day from the hands of the Savior.

Co-Laborers with God - The Important One

1 Corinthians 3: 5-7 - What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Paul is dealing with the issue of divisions within the Church at Corinth. These divisions revolved around the people of Corinth looking to the men who led them to the Lord instead of the Lord Himself. They placed their importance upon who led them to the Lord instead of looking to Jesus to lead them in their mission. Paul called them immature or babies. 

Paul wanted them to see that it is not the human person that is important. He wanted them to understand that the focus, the importance of their christian walk was Jesus Christ - and Him crucified, buried, and risen again.

We need to come to the point that we truly understand that our task is to live the life and share about Jesus - God's task is to do the saving. I can't save anyone. Only God can save a soul. I can plant a seed about Jesus, or I can water and weed, but I can't make it grow. Every good gardner and farmer knows that they cultivate the soil, fertilize, plant, water, weed - but they can't make the seed germinate or grow. 

The same is true in the spiritual realm. I can live before my neighbors a life that displays Christ. I can share with them what Jesus has done for me. I can talk, pray, and invite them to church. I can help remove hindrances - I can do everything that I can, and it is up to God to do the saving.

HE IS THE IMPORTANT ONE! So, why do we get so hung up on titles, denominations, etc? None can save, only Christ. God will take what we sow and germinate it and grow it into His plant. We should never worry about whether a person comes to our church or not - the important thing is that they understand and accept the Gospel message. God will do the growing if we are doing the sowing.

Today, muse over how you can share the good news with those you come in contact with. How can you plant or water today. And then - go do it.

Co-Laborers with God - Immaturity

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 (NIV) Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

Paul is writing to the church at Corinth to seek to correct some misunderstandings and problems that they had. In the church there had arisen divisions among the members, creating strife, and giving a bad name in the community around them. One of these divisions was the people had developed apparently a hierarchy of spiritual standing based upon who they placed themselves under. They looked at the teaching styles and presentations of at least these two men - and took sides as to who was more important. If a person was saved under Paul's ministry (at the start of the church) or under the ministry of Apollos (who followed Paul in leadership). He addressed this concern in 1 Corinthians 1: 10-17 (HCSB)

Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you. What I am saying is this: Each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

While the commission and purpose of the church was to bring people to Christ, these were busy taking sides as to who a person should believe and follow. Paul is going to stress to them the importance of placing Jesus first, and that they are to follow Him. He is going to talk to them in this section of the letter about what is most important - building the kingdom of Christ. In the next couple of days, we will see what he says about the importance of being Co-laborers with God.

Today, muse over the importance of following Christ instead of men. When we seek to do the work God calls us to, do we take sides - or do we go out and build according to the plans that Jesus gave us?

God Has a Plan for - You

Greetings:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Over the last seven days we have mused over the truth of God and His plan. We considered His plan for man, marriage, sin, family, church, rulers, the future, and today - you.

No one is outside of God's plan. Everyone is a component of that plan. How we chose to respond to that plan may appear to be arbitrary, however, God who knows all things from the beginning knows what we will do.

In this verse God let's us know that if we will commit and follow His plan for our lives, we will prosper, have hope, and a future. If we don't - well we will have the opposite. The problem is - we try to dictate what prosperity is, what the hope should be, and how our future will look. Friend - we don't honestly get that choice. God knows what our particular prosperity will be, He knows what hope we have, and He knows our future.

Today - trust Him. Trust His plan. As one writer has said - "When we can't see His Hand, trust His Heart."

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - The Future

Greetings:

Rev. 1: 19 (NIV) - "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later."

Verse 1 states - "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place." John was on the isle of Patmos - exiled for his beliefs and teachings. An elderly man subjected to banishment. Yes, he could hold to the hope of God's knowing the present circumstances - God now shows him that He knows the future.

Write what you have seen. Tell about the Savior - the God-man. Write what is now. Tell about the turmoil and trouble of this present day and time. Write what will take place later. John - let Me show you the future. What tribulation and distress will come - but hold on - John -- We win!! The future for those who embrace and accept Jesus will possibly be troublesome, but the ending is glorious. God has a plan for the future - it is written out in His Word - and not even the demons of Hell can change it.

I, for one, am very glad I serve a God who knows the future, holds the future, and will see the future unfold for His Glory and Honor. Today, work towards placing your trust in the One who holds the future.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Rulers

Greetings:

Romans 13: 1 (NIV) - "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Please read verse 2-7 also).

God has a plan and He is working His plan. And this includes government. Some believe that as Christians we should steer clear of politics. (This is what has gotten us into the mess we are in). Others look for government to save the world. (We have one Savior - Jesus Christ). However, God does place rulers in positions of authority to reward and punish nations for their adherence or rejection of His Word. Now, I am not equating any individual or activity in this statement, just reminding what Scripture tells us. And, God strongly warns us to submit and respond to those in authority because He is the One who placed them there. They are there to accomplish His plan.

We must pray for those in leadership positions because they are there because of God's plan. He is using them to forward His agenda for the ages. Today, seek to pray and not criticize those God has placed in authority over you. Let Him work. He will.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Church

Greetings:

Matthew 28: 18-20 (NIV) - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

God has a plan - and He is working His plan. From man to marriage, sin and salvation, family to church - He has a plan. He has revealed His plan in His Word. The verses above speak of His plan for the church. Because He (Jesus) has all authority, He gives the instructions and marching orders for the church.

Basically - Go and disciple. We too often as a 21st century church want to sit, soak, and sour when our commander-in-chief has told us to Go, grow, and glow! We are not to wait for the heathen to darken our doorways, we are to seek them out. The - we are to strive to develop them into disciples - followers of Jesus Christ. One of my mentors used to say that a church should be filled with those who are outside the faith - so we can bring them to the faith.

Today, ponder and seek to reach someone who is outside and bring them in.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Family

Greetings:

Deut. 6: 6-9 (NIV) - "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

We mentioned earlier this week God's plan for marriage. Part of that plan is the procreation of the race. Marriage is God's plan for children to be brought into this world. It is God's plan for Family.

Fathers and Mothers have the awesome task of raising children to become godly people in this world. He gives a method in the verses above. It is parents primary responsibility in the education, correction, and nurturing of these children. We as teachers can come alongside parents, but it is never the school, government, community, village, or anyone else that God has primarily tasked with raising children. It is parents.

Today, seek to encourage a parent (or soon to be parent) with their task of child-rearing. Be an asset to them - come alongside and lift them up in their responsibility.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Sin

Greetings:

Gen. 3:15 (NIV) - "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

The Protoevangelium. $25 word that means the first proclamation of the gospel. In this 3rd chapter, Adam and Eve have sinned and separated themselves and mankind from God. But God declares in the midst of the penalty the plan that He has for their return. For our return. That plan is for Jesus to be the sacrifice that will bring us into right relationship with the Father. That plan that would not culminate for centuries at the Cross was there and in place.

God has a plan for the removal and forgiveness of your sins. He worked it through, and now it is there for you. Most reading this have already accepted the free gift of salvation offered by God in His wonderful plan of redemption. If you have - are you sharing it with others? It is part of His plan that we make others aware of this offer.

Today, ask Him to give you the opportunity to share this with at least one other person.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Marriage

Greetings:

Gen. 2:24 (NIV) - "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

My wife and I have just started a Sunday Morning Bible Study based on the movie Fireproof. It deals with strengthening your marriage. In preparing for this class, I have been reading authors dealing with the topic of marriage.

This is the foundational verse for God's Plan for marriage. As has been said, marriage is one man and one women for one lifetime. I like the short version of this verse one author spoke of -- leave, cleave and weave. We are to form a permanent bond based upon leaving our individual families, cleaving (or gluing) ourselves to each other, and then weaving our lives and personalities into one entity.

Today, Barna states that divorce is higher in the church than in the secular world. It ought not be so. Find ways to strengthen your marriage today - and help others to strengthen theirs also.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Has a Plan for - Man

Greetings:

As teachers, we should start every lesson having a plan and seeking to follow it. Why plan? If we don't know where we are going - anywhere will be OK. We have a model in our Heavenly Father. He has a plan and is actively working that plan. We will contemplate God's plan and use it for an encouragement for us to plan our work - and to work our plan.

Gen. 1:28 (NIV) - "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"

I am musing over the truths of God's Word in the factor that He has a plan laid out. Now I am not going to get into the freewill/determinism debate - just some thoughts about His plan.

In Genesis 1 we have the account of the Creation of all things. From nothing (ex nihilio) to what we have today - God thought, spoke and it is. In the verse quoted above, God told Adam and Eve His plan for man. Some call this the technological and cultural mandate that we have as human beings. We are to learn about our world that He has given us, and in turn control it for good and use it wisely. We have often failed in this mandate. But, that doesn't negate His plan.

Starting today, make sure that you have a plan, a viable plan, and seek to use it in your classrooms and with your life.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc