Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A Life Well Lived
Last week it was my privilege to participate in the memorial service for Don Farmer. Don left a deep impression on all who knew him. He is a person who modeled Christ-like qualities and left a wonderful example to follow. During the course of the memorial service the following verse kept coming to my mind: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13. Don Farmer was a man of faith. He believed the bible to be God’s word and lived his life accordingly. He obeyed God’s call to ministry and served faithfully. His influence endures in the lives of all who follow Jesus Christ today because of his ministry. Don Farmer was a man of hope. He is in the presence of Jesus Christ today because he took the God of Hope at His word when He said “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. I remember Don Farmer as a positive person who lived in hope for time and eternity. Don Farmer was a man of godly love. Don’s family and friends repeatedly spoke of his love for people. One mutual friend said to me “Don taught me how to love people no matter what”. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. There is no doubt about it - Don Farmer is a disciple of Jesus Christ. Be encouraged! Our brother in Christ, Don Farmer, demonstrated the value of spending a life time living for Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Second Wind
When playing sports as a boy I remember the experience of a “second wind”. I would play for awhile and begin to experience exhaustion, but as I continued I experienced an unexpected surge of renewed energy. Life is hard at times, even for people who are obedient to Jesus Christ. Though God allows such times, He is present to help us. In the course of 48 hours the Apostle Paul experienced a succession of events that would discourage the strongest person. It was a very exhausting time in his life and he needed a “second wind”.
The record of this grueling scenario begins in Acts 21:17. Paul was in Jerusalem and after giving the church leaders a report on his missionary ministry he was asked to join four brothers who were going through purification rites to demonstrate to other Jerusalem believers Paul’s respect for the law. Paul agreed to do so and upon entering the temple was falsely accused of teaching against the law and bringing gentiles into the temple. “The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple” where they tried to kill him. The Roman authorities intervened saving Paul’s life. As they were taking him away, he asked to address the crowd. Receiving the commander’s permission he proceeded to tell them of his conversion. When he said the Lord told him to go to the gentiles the crowd raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live.” This ministry experience was not going well.
Next the commander ordered Paul be taken to the barracks, beaten, and questioned. As the soldiers were preparing to flog him, Paul told them he was a Roman citizen and narrowly avoided a severe beating. Then the next day he was taken before the Sanhedrin where he rebuked the high priest. The priest ordered that Paul be struck on the mouth and Paul in anger said, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” When he was told he was speaking to the high priest he said, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest for it is written, ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” Uncontrolled anger, back-pedalling, damage control – it was not going well.
Paul then seized upon the theological disagreements of the Pharisees and Sadducees by declaring himself a Pharisee. The two groups began to argue and physically pull Paul in different directions to the point the Roman commander was afraid he would be pulled to pieces. He rescued Paul from the violence, and imprisoned him in the barracks. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” Acts 23:11.
First of all, the Lord was with Paul in this dark moment. Second, He imparted courage. Third, He provided divine perspective when He said, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem”. From a human perspective Paul’s ministry effort in Jerusalem was a failure, but not in the view of the Lord. There were no souls added to the kingdom, no churches planted, and no additions to the existing church in Jerusalem. But, Paul did what God wanted him to do. Fourth, He gave Paul hope for the future.
The Lord provided Paul a “second wind” with this brief encouraging word. I imagine Paul slept well that night in the assurance of the Lord’s pleasure. I know there are seasons and places where we can do our very best in Christ and see minimal results. If that is where you are, be encouraged in the Lord.
“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Seeking to be faithful in seedtime and harvest,
Don Steiger
The record of this grueling scenario begins in Acts 21:17. Paul was in Jerusalem and after giving the church leaders a report on his missionary ministry he was asked to join four brothers who were going through purification rites to demonstrate to other Jerusalem believers Paul’s respect for the law. Paul agreed to do so and upon entering the temple was falsely accused of teaching against the law and bringing gentiles into the temple. “The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple” where they tried to kill him. The Roman authorities intervened saving Paul’s life. As they were taking him away, he asked to address the crowd. Receiving the commander’s permission he proceeded to tell them of his conversion. When he said the Lord told him to go to the gentiles the crowd raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live.” This ministry experience was not going well.
Next the commander ordered Paul be taken to the barracks, beaten, and questioned. As the soldiers were preparing to flog him, Paul told them he was a Roman citizen and narrowly avoided a severe beating. Then the next day he was taken before the Sanhedrin where he rebuked the high priest. The priest ordered that Paul be struck on the mouth and Paul in anger said, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” When he was told he was speaking to the high priest he said, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest for it is written, ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” Uncontrolled anger, back-pedalling, damage control – it was not going well.
Paul then seized upon the theological disagreements of the Pharisees and Sadducees by declaring himself a Pharisee. The two groups began to argue and physically pull Paul in different directions to the point the Roman commander was afraid he would be pulled to pieces. He rescued Paul from the violence, and imprisoned him in the barracks. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” Acts 23:11.
First of all, the Lord was with Paul in this dark moment. Second, He imparted courage. Third, He provided divine perspective when He said, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem”. From a human perspective Paul’s ministry effort in Jerusalem was a failure, but not in the view of the Lord. There were no souls added to the kingdom, no churches planted, and no additions to the existing church in Jerusalem. But, Paul did what God wanted him to do. Fourth, He gave Paul hope for the future.
The Lord provided Paul a “second wind” with this brief encouraging word. I imagine Paul slept well that night in the assurance of the Lord’s pleasure. I know there are seasons and places where we can do our very best in Christ and see minimal results. If that is where you are, be encouraged in the Lord.
“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Seeking to be faithful in seedtime and harvest,
Don Steiger
Monday, August 4, 2008
I Want to Know Christ
What do you want more than anything else in life? The Apostle Paul having lived a full life with extraordinary personal talent and opportunities said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11.
Paul wanted to know Jesus Christ more than he wanted anything else. Jesus put it into perspective when He prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3.
To know Christ we must first experience the power of His resurrection. We do so through faith, relationship, and experience:
Through faith, because He “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God” Romans 4:25, 5:1a.
Through relationship because “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11. The Spirit of God within brings transformation of character and lifestyle.
Through experience as He provides signs and wonders. Supernatural experiences are not the basis of faith, but they are an encouragement to faith. For example, every time He heals someone it is a sign of the coming resurrection from the dead, as well as an immediate benefit.
To know Christ also involves the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Suffering is part of the human condition, but there is a suffering unique to Christians. The sufferings of Christ which we share are the product of Satan’s resistance, persecution by men, and our obedient sacrifice:
Jesus experienced Satan’s resistance and so will we. “Resist him (Satan), standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:9).
Jesus experienced persecution by men and the scripture says “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ…If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Regarding obedient sacrifice Paul said, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Col 1:24). We can add nothing to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, but He left work for us to do in the building up of His church. That work is sometimes sacrificial and brings a degree of suffering into our lives.
Becoming like Christ in His death means sharing His suffering and His triumph. On the cross He disarmed satanic powers and authorities, He loved the world unconditionally, and He fulfilled God’s purpose by providing salvation for all who believe on Him. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ is the way of the overcomer. He could have delivered us from all suffering, but we would have missed out on enriched personal growth, victory in Jesus, and a deepened relationship with Him.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Paul wanted to know Jesus Christ more than he wanted anything else. Jesus put it into perspective when He prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3.
To know Christ we must first experience the power of His resurrection. We do so through faith, relationship, and experience:
Through faith, because He “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God” Romans 4:25, 5:1a.
Through relationship because “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11. The Spirit of God within brings transformation of character and lifestyle.
Through experience as He provides signs and wonders. Supernatural experiences are not the basis of faith, but they are an encouragement to faith. For example, every time He heals someone it is a sign of the coming resurrection from the dead, as well as an immediate benefit.
To know Christ also involves the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Suffering is part of the human condition, but there is a suffering unique to Christians. The sufferings of Christ which we share are the product of Satan’s resistance, persecution by men, and our obedient sacrifice:
Jesus experienced Satan’s resistance and so will we. “Resist him (Satan), standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:9).
Jesus experienced persecution by men and the scripture says “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ…If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Regarding obedient sacrifice Paul said, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Col 1:24). We can add nothing to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, but He left work for us to do in the building up of His church. That work is sometimes sacrificial and brings a degree of suffering into our lives.
Becoming like Christ in His death means sharing His suffering and His triumph. On the cross He disarmed satanic powers and authorities, He loved the world unconditionally, and He fulfilled God’s purpose by providing salvation for all who believe on Him. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ is the way of the overcomer. He could have delivered us from all suffering, but we would have missed out on enriched personal growth, victory in Jesus, and a deepened relationship with Him.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
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