(Sunday, July 18, 2010) Christ + Nothing part 1/ Pastor Jeff Royce

Podcast: May 02, 2010 The Oasis AZ/Jeff Royce

Supernatural power is available to us through the Spirit.

As we further examine the prayers of Paul for believers, we come to Ephesians 3:14 - 19.  This prayer is based on the discouragement and disillusionment that the Ephesians were feeling because of Paul's imprisonment.  Whenever Paul believed that there was something lacking in his own life or in the lives of fellow believers he prayed about it.  What a model Paul is for us; especially in the area of prayer.  So notice in 3:16 how he prays for their inner strength.  We may believe we have an inner person but for most of us we spend way more time on developing and maintaining the outer person over the inner man.  I believe Paul's prayer not only alerts us to this fact but should redirect our focus to increasing our inner strength as much if not more than our outer man.  Also, note that this supernatural power is available to us through the Spirit.  As you and I learn to walk in the Spirit and be filled by the Spirit we will come to realize that strength that we have available to us at any moment.  This prayer for God to strengthen them internally is based on the realization of the Ephesians and you and I that we need to ask for His strengthening.  The words in verse 16 "He may grant you" implies that we acknowledge we need a strength outside ourselves to navigate life and that we know who is the source of that strength - God Himself.  Why would we attempt to strengthen ourselves in other ways when all we have to do is ask our Heavenly Father whom Jesus characterized in the Gospels as the One who desires to give His children good things?  If you are strong in the Lord today seek to maintain that position of spiritual strength and if you are deficient of strength in your inner person, the remedy is only a prayer away.  Let's live today in the strength of God.

Effective praying isn't about the length of our prayers but about our hearts...

Continuing from my earlier post on June 7th....Another thing I notice about Paul's prayer here is how brief it is. Effective praying isn't about the length of our prayers or the specific language we use. It's about the heart of the one praying and the concept of God one has when approaching God. Notice Paul's God is far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named. God reigns above all. That's the God Paul is praying to and He's the same One we can pray to as well. Hopefully the way Paul prayed and how he prayed and what he prayed for may change our view of prayer. Maybe we will pray for ourselves a little differently and even others a little differently. Someone once asked me what is the best way to learn to pray and my response was to read and study the prayers of the Bible and just start praying.

We should stay in constant contact with God throughout our day.

Let's continue in our closer look at the prayers of Paul as we look into Ephesians 1:15-23. Paul's prayer is motivated out of his knowledge that these believers are already consistently giving evidence that God is at work in their lives through their faith and love. Paul also uses two different words for prayer here in this passage. One signifies a set apart time and place which certainly builds consistency into our prayer life and the other word speaks of prayers offered as moved by the Hold Spirit. That's the model of a great balance in our praying. There needs to be some set times for prayer or else life would crowd it out but we also don't want to become to rigid in our practice of prayer where the only time we converse with God is at the set time. Remember Paul told the Thessalonians to constantly pray. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) We should stay in constant contact with God throughout our day.

Are you experiencing spiritual growth right now in your life?

As we examine the details of Paul's prayers, let's be reminded that Paul is primarily praying for the spiritual growth and maturity of Christians.  So in Ephesians 1:17, he is asking that the believers in Ephesus would have a desire to know God more accurately and thoroughly and that they would seek God.  Paul knew that God would respond to this and grant them spiritual wisdom and revelation.  This growth is so vital to our spiritual health so we don't remain stagnate in our relationship with God.  We are either making progress or regressing.  This is why there are so many exhortations in the New Testament about our spiritual growth.  The writer of Hebrews in 6:1 encourages the recipients of this letter to "move on to maturity."  Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:14 to "take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress." Also, Peter ends his second letter with these words, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

 

Are you experiencing spiritual growth right now in your life?  If not, why not?  Are you practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer and time in the Word?  Are you placing yourself in an environment that will encourage your spiritual growth?  Remember we are responsible for our own spiritual growth and part of that is finding a community of believers whom God is building up by spiritually gifted men and women.  (Ephesians 4:11-12)

 

The goal, Paul says in Ephesians 4:15, is that we will in all things grow up into Christ or become like Jesus in all areas of life.  Remember Jesus Christ is our standard.  He is our example and if we look to Him, He will grow us up to be like Him.  There is nothing more fulfilling in this life than becoming like Jesus Christ.  So let's allow God to begin a work deep within us today to make it so.

The prayers of Paul can motivate and inspire our prayer life

Beginning today, we will examine and reflect upon the prayers of Paul recorded in the New Testament.  We can learn much and be inspired by how Paul prayed and for what Paul prayed. Before we examine the details of these prayers, there are a couple of things that impact me right away. 

 

First, these prayers are contained in what are called Paul's prison letters written to communities of believers while Paul was incarcerated.  I don't know about you, but if I'm in prison, I'm thinking about ME and not someone else, much less praying for them!  It shows the selflessness of Paul even during a personally difficult time in his life.  His heart was on others, not on himself.  This really should be the foundation for much of our praying.  It should be spent interceding to God on behalf of others.  It remind me of the words of Paul in Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interest, but about the interests of others as well."  In these prayers, Paul was seeking to encourage others at a time when he could have used encouragement himself.  What an example to all of us! 

 

Secondly, what strikes me is the nature of these prayers.  Paul is primarily praying for the spiritual growth and maturity of these Christians.  As I learned growing up in a church environment, most Christians occupy their prayer life with the physical needs of one another.  Let me say right away, that it is good and right to pray for these things.  However, we should also seek as Paul did throughout the New Testament to pray for each other's spiritual needs.  Paul understood and sought to impart this understanding to us:  If we are spiritually strong, we are better equipped to deal with life when physical trials or emotional pressure comes. 

 

So, let's use these prayers of Paul to motivate and inspire our prayer life.  These prayers can be found in:  Ephesians 1:15-23;  Ephesians 3:14-21;  Philippians 1:3-11;  Colossians 1:9-14.  Just read over these prayers and let the Holy Spirit lead and teach.

Paul examines our agendas regarding the Lord's Table

Another aspect of the church is in the way we keep the observance of the Lord's table or communion.  Paul devotes the second half of 1 Corinthians 11 to the abuses of the Corinthian church concerning the Lord's table and provides correction so the church's observance of this ordinance is in line with the intention of how Christ originally charged this church to keep it.  In 11:17, Paul says they are coming together for the worse, not for the better.  When they assemble, it's all about self rather than the purpose of strengthening and serving one another.  How about church today?  What would characterize our assembly?  When the Corinthians came together to eat and to observe communion, Paul says there was no thought of one another.  And yet, they were ignoring the example of the very Christ that was the reason for this assembly.  His life and obedience to the extent of death on a cross was the greatest example of selflessness and humility and they understand what it all meant.  It became symbols without substance and Christ never intended this for His church.  What we do as a church, when we come together should always be to propel us forward in our walk with God and bring us closer to our Christ.  Jesus told us to do this all in remembrance of Him.  How can we truly be remembering Him and make it all about us?  That's why Paul spent the last part of chapter 11 warning the church to approach the Lord's table with the proper respect and reverence that is worthy of Christ.  Paul says at all times, but especially as the church remember Christ and what He willingly did for us, we should, "wait for one another."  (verse 33)  We should look out for one another because if it becomes about satisfying our appetites rather than serving one another in love, Paul says we should just stay home and do that.  What is the church?  It's a place where we come to strengthen and serve one another in the name of Jesus Christ.  So God help us to put away our selfish agendas and follow the example of our Lord.

God is as much concerned with why we do what we do as what we are doing

Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul give us a detailed description of the church.  When he comes to chapter 13, he reveals the most important aspect about the church and that is the quality of our love.  The prominence of love cannot be overstated.  Jesus told His disciples in John 13:35 that, "Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples - if you have love for one another."  Before the world will hear about our love them, they must see our love demonstrated toward our fellow believers within the church.

 

Paul begins chapter 13 with a reminder to check our motives for our ministry and service as a church.  God is as much concerned with why we do what we do as what we are doing.  We will lose all blessing and benefit of our actions if love is not the foundation.  Then beginning in verse 4, Paul shares with us the character of love.  He reminds us that our love is lived out everyday in the laboratory of life.  Every interaction is an opportunity to love and defining love in verses 4-7 is imperative because there are many warped ideas about what love is.  He reminds us that growing in our understanding of love and living out this quality of love is a sign of our spiritual growth and maturity.  Paul states in verse 11, "what I was a child, I reasoned like a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child.  But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways."  One of the marks of a child is his selfishness and unwillingness to share.  So when we live a selfless, sacrificial life and we are willing and even looking for opportunities to share with others, we are assuring ourselves of our progress as we become more like Jesus Christ and love others as Jesus loves us.  Nothing is more vital to the testimony of a church than knowing that this church truly loves.

If we don't have God's wisdom amongst us, tragic mistakes can be made

Besides God's power, the church should also resemble and reflect God's wisdom.  Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.  Paul first of all states in this passage that the church should be a place where we continually hear God's wisdom.  In verses 6, 7 and 13, Paul tells us to speak wisdom to one another.  If we don't have God's wisdom amongst us, tragic mistakes can be made.  Paul uses the example of Christ's death as he says that if the Roman and Jewish authorities would have been operating by God's wisdom, they would have never crucified the Son of God.  Paul then goes on to point out that God's wisdom is revealed to us through His Word, the Bible, and that we can only understand the Bible when we allow the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and our Guide. 

 

The church should not only be a place where God's wisdom is spoken but according to Paul in verses 14 & 15, the church should be a place where God's wisdom is examined and investigated in detail.  This is the meaning of the word "discern."  It was a word used to refer to someone who would pick apart the details of something much like a crime scene investigator does today in order to unlock the details of the crime scene.  Well instead of being crime scene investigators, God calls the church to be Bible scene investigators.  Too many churches minimize the Bible and then wonder why people continue to make bad choices and decisions in their life.  When we are deficient in God's wisdom, that's exactly the outcome.  Can the church be a place where there's too much Bible? 

 

May our churches truly be places where God's wisdom is lived out amongst God's people.

The church should be a reflection of God's power and not man's

We are examining the answer to the question: "What is the church?" from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Besides its identity and resources, we discover in chapter one that the church is to resemble and reflect Jesus Christ. So, in chapter 1, verse 24, we learn that Christ is both the power of God and the wisdom of God. Therefore, the church should be a place where the power of God and the wisdom of God is evident and this is what Paul expands on in chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians.


In fact, Paul uses his own ministry amongst the Corinthians as an example of God's power. Paul states in chapter 2 verse 1 that when he came he did not use elevated or high sounding words or human management skill and strategy. He goes on to remind them that he was with them in his own feebleness and frailty. Many believe Paul suffered some ongoing physical infirmity. He also says that there were nerves and a distrust in his own ability in verse 3 of chapter 2. He says he did not attempt to mesmerize them with wisdom belonging to men but with a ministry and message that would demonstrate the Spirit's power.

A sobering question for all of us in the church is what percentage of church ministry is based on human wisdom, skill and strategy and what is truly a demonstration of God's power. May each of us never grow to trust in ourselves or our ability but to learn to depend upon the Spirit. The church should be a reflection of God's power and not man's.

Christ will strengthen you to the end!

It's one thing to know who we are as a church and that our identity is wrapped up in our Head, Jesus Christ. But how will we be the church and accomplish the things to which Christ is calling us? Paul reassures the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:5 that we were made rich in every way in Him, and all your speech and in every kind of knowledge. The meaning of being enriched or made rich in Christ is that of being completely outfitted for the task. It would be like setting out for a hike and having been given the proper clothing, equipment and resources to make the hike and return safely. This is what Christ is to His church. Everything the church needs to complete the calling that Christ has given them can be found in Him. His church will never be found wanting. Paul went on to remind the Corinthians in verse 7 that they lack no spiritual gift. The word "lack" was used of not being able to reach the goal so Paul is saying to the church that whatever goals Christ is giving to His church, He will supply everything necessary to reach that goal. Paul even says in verse 8 that Christ will strengthen you to the end. What an encouragement! All a church must do is make sure that their goals are Christ's goals. If they are, Paul says you can count on Christ supporting, supplying and seeing whatever it is through to the end.

The church has been established and exists for Jesus Christ

In 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Paul reminds the church of her identity. There are many today debating what the church is or what the church should be. Yet the Bible is clear that first and foremost the church is God's possession above everything else. In verse 2, Paul addresses this letter to the church of God that is in Corinth. Paul charged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:20 to shepherd the church of God that He obtained with the blood of His own Son. He told the Corinthians in his first letter that we are not our own but have been bought with a price therefore we are to live our lives from henceforth to the glory of God. For many, the church is about self and promoting selfish agendas but in the Bible, the church has been established and exists for Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus said as He was instructing His followers in Matthew 16 that "I will build MY church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it." (emphasis mine) So the church's identity is wrapped up completely in Jesus Christ. Everything we do as a church should be for Him and everything we are must be to represent and resemble Jesus Christ. Once our identity has been established, then we will discover the resources we have in Christ.

Only God can see the end.

Finally, in verse 73 of Psalm 119, the psalmist reminds us that we will receive understanding when we read and meditate on God's Word daily. We will get a perspective on life from God that we simply can't get anywhere else. Only God can see the end. Only God can see the total and big picture. Life and all of our lives are like icebergs. We can only see a small percentage of what sits above the surface of the water. Only God can see below the surface. So when we are allowing God's Word to give us understanding, we can have an insight into life and a discernment to navigate life that is beyond all human comprehension. That's why in Psalm 119:98 -100, the psalmist says that knowing God's principles can make me wiser than our enemies, our teachers, and even those older who have more experience. Because if all they are relying on is the wisdom that belongs to men instead of the wisdom given us by God they limit their own understanding of where we came from; why we are here; where we are going. The only clear and accurate answer to those and other questions is found in the Bible. So I hope you are as motivated as I am to dive into God's Word daily. Some of the greatest benefits in life and for life are contained within its pages.

Are you in need of God-sized encouragement?

Reading and meditating in the Bible daily gives me yet another benefit. It gives me comfort in the midst of my trouble. (Psalm 119:50) We all face trouble and trials in life, so it is a great encouragement to know that the God of the universe is willing to comfort us in and through the pain and pressure that life brings. Paul says in 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 that our God is the God of all comfort. God can comfort us and encourage us on a level that no human being can and we receive His comfort many times through the pages of Scripture. The promises of God are what we cling to in our seasons of affliction. Verses like Psalm 55:22, "Throw your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended." The origin of this word, comfort, is born out of the word for compassion. That is why He is a God of comfort and His word contains comfort because He is a compassionate God who feels for us and what we are going through. If you are in need of comfort right now in your life or just need reminded of God's compassion toward you, you need look no further than the Bible. One of the many benefits we receive is a God-sized encouragement.

God's loyal love for us

The next benefit from reading and meditating on the Bible everyday is that we will come to realize God's loyal love for us. This principle is found in Psalm 119:41. This word means God's goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. If we want to know the unchanging character of our God the best place to look is in the Word of God. Your Bible may translate this word as "mercies." God's mercy helps us to see the love and care God gives us everyday. Many times we question why God is so good to us and blesses us so abundantly. But you see, His goodness, His kindness, His faithfulness is not based on our performance, but on His mercy. The more time you and I spend in God's Word, the more secure and stable our lives will become because we will begin to comprehend God's loyal love demonstrated each day toward us all. In a world of crisis and chaos and instability wouldn't it behoove us to gain this blessing that the Bible would bring to our lives?

Benefits from the Bible ~ Day 2

The next benefit the Bible gives us is guidance found in Psalm 119:24. Your translation may read "counselors." Who doesn't need guidance throughout life? Many times we try to figure out life all on our own. It gets overwhelming rather quickly. Then when we do seek counsel, we end up getting man's opinion rather than the insight that God can bring into our lives. Now its not that human counselors or a friend's advice is of no value. They can be a great help. But God is the "Wonderful Counselor" according to the prophet Isaiah and no one has a better view of life and how to live it than God. Interestingly, the word for guidance here is also translated champion in other places in the Old Testament. It's as if God is saying, "you have a champion in your corner at all times. It is My Word. It will guide you." No wonder the psalmist says later on in Psalm 119:105, "Your Word is a lamp to walk by and a light to illumine my path." Get into the Bible today my friends. You will find guidance for life within its pages.

Benefits from the Bible~ Day 1

In 2 Corinthians, Paul challenges the Corinthians in chapter 13, verse 9, to become fully qualified. He is not talking in the context of becoming qualified for salvation, for we are saved by God's grace. He is referring to service. If you and I want to serve God to our God-given potential, we must commit ourselves to disciplined training. This is what Paul means by the term "fully qualified." In other words, we must develop spiritual habits in our life that will accelerate our spiritual growth and increase our effectiveness as God's servants.


One of the most important habits we should develop as a Christian is reading and meditating on God's Word daily. There are so many benefits to getting into the Bible everyday and Psalm 119 shares a few of these benefits with us. It is no coincidence that the largest chapter in all the Bible is devoted to the benefits the Bible brings to our lives. Verse 1 tells us that we will be blessed. Verse 24 speaks of His guidance. Verse 41 reminds of His loyal love and care. Verse 50 unveils His comfort for me in my trouble and verse 73 shares with me His understanding. For the next few days we will look at these benefits in depth and see how truly beneficial the Bible is to our lives everyday.

Proverbs 31: Is there someone in your life that you should honor?

Day Thirty One (See Scriptures Below)

Proverbs 31 primarily praises a wife of noble character. It’s about those people in your life that you should honor and give tangible evidence of your appreciation. Is there someone in your life that you should honor? Think of a way that you could communicate what they mean to you that would have lasting meaning for them. Make sure what you give to them resonates with them, not just you. If you get to know a person, you’ll know what’s important to him/her and how to best acknowledge the impact that has been made on your life. Don’t wait to let someone important to you know how much he/she means to you. Give it some thought. You will never regret it.

Proverbs 31

31:1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 What are you doing, my son? [1] What are you doing, son of my womb?

What are you doing, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress; [2]

7 let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute. [3]

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.



The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [4] An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night

and provides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself [5] with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet. [6]

22 She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverb 30: What are you telling others about yourself without speaking?

Day Thirty (See Scriptures Below)

Proverbs 30 is a reminder everyone can learn from the surroundings. Too often our lives are so busy that life’s lessons are missed that could have been an encouragement along the way. Take a few moments today to look around and contemplate what god may be saying to you through your observation. In fact, a good practice when reading the Bible follows the path of observation – meditation – application. What are the people around you saying to you by the way they are living their lives? Everyone communicates everyday without saying a word. What are you telling others about yourself without speaking?

Proverbs 30

30:1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. [1]

The man declares, I am weary, O God;

I am weary, O God, and worn out. [2]

2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.

I have not the understanding of a man.

3 I have not learned wisdom,

nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered the wind in his fists?

Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is his son's name?

Surely you know!



5 Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words,

lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.



7 Two things I ask of you;

deny them not to me before I die:

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the food that is needful for me,

9 lest I be full and deny you

and say, “Who is the Lord?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God.



10 Do not slander a servant to his master,

lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.



11 There are those [3] who curse their fathers

and do not bless their mothers.

12 There are those who are clean in their own eyes

but are not washed of their filth.

13 There are those—how lofty are their eyes,

how high their eyelids lift!

14 There are those whose teeth are swords,

whose fangs are knives,

to devour the poor from off the earth,

the needy from among mankind.



15 The leech has two daughters:

Give and Give. [4]

Three things are never satisfied;

four never say, “Enough”:

16 Sheol, the barren womb,

the land never satisfied with water,

and the fire that never says, “Enough.”



17 The eye that mocks a father

and scorns to obey a mother

will be picked out by the ravens of the valley

and eaten by the vultures.



18 Three things are too wonderful for me;

four I do not understand:

19 the way of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a serpent on a rock,

the way of a ship on the high seas,

and the way of a man with a virgin.



20 This is the way of an adulteress:

she eats and wipes her mouth

and says, “I have done no wrong.”



21 Under three things the earth trembles;

under four it cannot bear up:

22 a slave when he becomes king,

and a fool when he is filled with food;

23 an unloved woman when she gets a husband,

and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.



24 Four things on earth are small,

but they are exceedingly wise:

25 the ants are a people not strong,

yet they provide their food in the summer;

26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty,

yet they make their homes in the cliffs;

27 the locusts have no king,

yet all of them march in rank;

28 the lizard you can take in your hands,

yet it is in kings' palaces.



29 Three things are stately in their tread;

four are stately in their stride:

30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts

and does not turn back before any;

31 the strutting rooster, [5] the he-goat,

and a king whose army is with him. [6]



32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,

or if you have been devising evil,

put your hand on your mouth.

33 For pressing milk produces curds,

pressing the nose produces blood,

and pressing anger produces strife.