This morning at our local "Organic Greenhouse Gathering" (a time each month set aside for leadership development of those who are organic church planters) we spent some time reflecting on what Life Transformation looks like. We looked at the church in Thessolonica (modern day Thessoloniki).
In ancient days, Thessolinca was the capital and largest city of the the Roman province of Macedonia, the wealthiest city of the Roman empire due to the sea port, trade, and international influence. The most important Roman Highway from Rome to the Orient went through Thessolonica. Thessolinica was given freedom to select it's own rulers and was not bound my Roman law or religious constructs. As a result, many pagan religions and cultural influences permiated the city which raised many challenges for the Christians at that time.
In 1 Thesselonians 1:2-10 we read about how the church was flourishing and the Gospel was "ringing out" throughout the Macedonian province. What was happening was RADICAL LIFE TRANSFORMATION! The cause of this transformation was the power of the Holy Spirit. The effects were people who heard the news were transformed by the power of the Word. They turned from their idols, and were so impassioned about their new found faith that they had to tell the world! This message and the Christians lives were so radical and so powerful that 1 Thessalonians 1:8 says, >"And now the word of the Lord is RINGING OUT from you to people everywhere, even beyond Greece, for where we go we find people telling us about your faith in God."
The thing that strikes me is that the apostles were not there to spoon feed these new believers. The believers were under severe spiritual attack. Paul says in chapter 3, that he couldn't bare it any longer (not knowing how they were doing) for fear that the Devil had overcome them. So he sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen them. Upon Timothy's return, his news is so awesome!!! The believers were stronger than ever!!! Paul writes in vs. 9, "How we thank God for you! Because of you, we have great joy in the presence of God."
Do you think this kind of faith in action was done out of obligation or duty for being a follower of Jesus? I think not! This kind of faith in action was done out lives being radically transformed into the image of Christ. So much so, that the believers had to tell the world-- out of their passion for Christ and their sheer excitement and gratitude for what He had done for them.
Now step into the present-- the new millenium. What does Life Transformation look like today? Do we dare think it is any different? I think not! Dallas Willard in his book, "The Spirit of the Disciplines" says on pg. 20:
True character transformation begins, we are taught to believe, in the pure grace of God and is continually assisted by it. Very well. BUT actions is also indispensable in making the Christian a truly different kind of person-- one having a new life in which "Old things have passed away and behold, all things have become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Failure to act in certain definate ways will guarantee that this transformation does not come to pass.
Jesus Christ has so radically transformed my life that I MUST tell the world!... not out of obligation or duty. Rather out of my PASSION for Christ and out of my sheer excitement and gratitude for what HE did for me by dying on the cross, bearing my burden of shame from sin, and rising from the dead so that I may be set free from the chains that held me captive! I am FREE because of Christ!
Imagine what The Church could look like today if every believer were to turn from their idols and surrender their minds ("the renewing of the mind")and hearts to God, just like the Thessolonicans did. We COULD NOT be silent. Our actions WOULD reflect the life transformation that we see in Thessolonica.
So how about it? The world must hear! We cannot be silent. Our lives MUST reflect the transformation of the Holy Spirit! The message must RING OUT!
JESUS SAVES!!!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Dependence on the Great Burden-Bearer
A midst all the hub-bub of the last week of school for my kids (class picnics, K-5 graduation, class parties, etc...), packing up my classroom for the summer cleaning event by the school janitors, all the other graduation parties for friends/church members, all the many birthday parties for my own children plus other family members, God says to me, "Take heed! I am testing you." HRRRRRRRR! (Screeching hault.) "Huh? Right now? Can't it wait till I have a moment to breathe?" "No, right now. It's my perfect timing, and now is the time for another test." "Okay, God. What is it that you want me to learn?" So amdist all the "life" happening, his testing has begun. Let me explain...
I mentioned Trust and Faith in my last blog. And while I am still learning what it means to Trust that God has His perfect Will in line for me, that he will supply all my needs (physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually) and having Faith that He will do what He has promised... I am now learning what it means to be TOTALLY DEPENDENT on MY GREAT BURDEN BEARER! Each day, I read a little blip from "Come Away, My Beloved" by Frances J. Roberts. It's kind of like a devotional book, but more like a book of Inspirational thoughts. And though I don't depend on it for my spiritual nourishment, I am finding that God has ordained these writings for me to be reading them at this time. One of the "thoughts" if you will, is called "Dependence on God" and the very next one is called "The Burden-Bearer" I read them both last night.
Hebrews 3:14 says, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." and Deuteronomy 8:16 says, "He might test you, to do you good in the end." This week held trials and circumstances that were difficult. My ability to trust God has certainly grown, while I have sensed the ability to trust OTHERS has weekend. Galatians 6:1 says, "Carry each other's burdens. In this way you fulfill the law of Christ" Often I assume that it means that as fellow believers we are to bear the burdens of others...period. But there is a pre-requisite to this "bearing of burdens." What I often over look is that I must be competely dependent on Christ FIRST. I should not carelessly throw out my concerns, troubles, heart-ache, frustrations, etc... to those who have listening ears. WITHOUT FIRST relaying this information to Christ, and learning that HE is my ULTIMATE burden bearer, I risk the information falling on ears that are not trustworthy. So hence, my test.
The following thoughts are from my reading last night and have caused me much relief:
"My child, do not share your burdens with all who come to you professing concern, I, Myself, am the great burden-bearer. You need not look to another. I will lead you and guide you in wisdom from above. All things will be as I plan them, if you allow ME the freedom to shape circumstances and lead you to the right decisions.
I am merciful and kind. I love you beyond measure. I intend to do you good; and I will bring to you those who can TRULY help, if you leave all in My hands.
I want you to prosper and be in health. I want you to know Me more intimately. If difficulties come, it is by My order and for your benefit. Others would say you have trouble: I would say you have a test."
Part of my diminishing abilities to trust others is all part of God's plan. Though it hurts tremendously to have confidentiality broken, seemingly no person to talk to who understands my circumstances, etc... I do have MY GREAT BURDEN-BEARER and HE is SUFFICIENT! This is the test. Will I fully trust Him and have faith in Him alone? When the due time comes...HE will begin to place people in my life who I can truly trust to help. But first, I must be fully dependent on Him.
I mentioned Trust and Faith in my last blog. And while I am still learning what it means to Trust that God has His perfect Will in line for me, that he will supply all my needs (physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually) and having Faith that He will do what He has promised... I am now learning what it means to be TOTALLY DEPENDENT on MY GREAT BURDEN BEARER! Each day, I read a little blip from "Come Away, My Beloved" by Frances J. Roberts. It's kind of like a devotional book, but more like a book of Inspirational thoughts. And though I don't depend on it for my spiritual nourishment, I am finding that God has ordained these writings for me to be reading them at this time. One of the "thoughts" if you will, is called "Dependence on God" and the very next one is called "The Burden-Bearer" I read them both last night.
Hebrews 3:14 says, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." and Deuteronomy 8:16 says, "He might test you, to do you good in the end." This week held trials and circumstances that were difficult. My ability to trust God has certainly grown, while I have sensed the ability to trust OTHERS has weekend. Galatians 6:1 says, "Carry each other's burdens. In this way you fulfill the law of Christ" Often I assume that it means that as fellow believers we are to bear the burdens of others...period. But there is a pre-requisite to this "bearing of burdens." What I often over look is that I must be competely dependent on Christ FIRST. I should not carelessly throw out my concerns, troubles, heart-ache, frustrations, etc... to those who have listening ears. WITHOUT FIRST relaying this information to Christ, and learning that HE is my ULTIMATE burden bearer, I risk the information falling on ears that are not trustworthy. So hence, my test.
The following thoughts are from my reading last night and have caused me much relief:
"My child, do not share your burdens with all who come to you professing concern, I, Myself, am the great burden-bearer. You need not look to another. I will lead you and guide you in wisdom from above. All things will be as I plan them, if you allow ME the freedom to shape circumstances and lead you to the right decisions.
I am merciful and kind. I love you beyond measure. I intend to do you good; and I will bring to you those who can TRULY help, if you leave all in My hands.
I want you to prosper and be in health. I want you to know Me more intimately. If difficulties come, it is by My order and for your benefit. Others would say you have trouble: I would say you have a test."
Part of my diminishing abilities to trust others is all part of God's plan. Though it hurts tremendously to have confidentiality broken, seemingly no person to talk to who understands my circumstances, etc... I do have MY GREAT BURDEN-BEARER and HE is SUFFICIENT! This is the test. Will I fully trust Him and have faith in Him alone? When the due time comes...HE will begin to place people in my life who I can truly trust to help. But first, I must be fully dependent on Him.
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