What is important in your life? Have you ever sat down and just thought about that? Sometimes what we think is important in our lives, turns out to be something that we would probably be better off without. As the nearness of Craig's trip to Haiti becomes more of a reality and set in, I started to think about the things that were important to me. I sometimes struggle with allowing my true feelings to come out because I have been hurt so much in my life by people who were supposed to "care" about me. I tend to maybe cover up my true feelings so that I don't look weak or like I can't handle something. Well, the Lord is really dealing with me in this area and showing me that it is okay to be myself, because if I am constantly trying to cover up the real me, then it is pretty much just like me being fake. I had to let the other stupid stuff go this week and really just zero in on spending time with Craig and really pouring into him what he needed at the time. Was I able to do that completely?? Nope, and so that makes me realize even more that the Lord is going to have to do the work in my, I just have to be completely willing to do whatever it is that He calls me to do. I was up all night worrying that I would miss a call or text from Craig before he didn't have any service, and thank the Lord I didn't. Craig made it safely to the DR, praise the Lord and will be headed out to Haiti in the very early morning. Please continue to pray for strength for him as he is on this difficult mission and that the Lord will use this time for good and to grow my relationship with Him and teach me things that I might not be able to see if I were wrapped up in other things.
Yesterday Joanna and I made our much anticipated return to First Woodstock. To avoid being dishonest I will admit it was very emotional and difficult for me. I deeply love and miss both Pastor Johnny and our First Woodstock family and yesterday reminded me of how special that place is for us. At the lowest point in our life God used this church to help restore my walk with Christ, my marriage, and my ministry. They radiate the love of Christ and in my opinion it is the most God glorifying, Jesus loving, obedient church around and lead by one of the top two most spiritual men I know (the other dude is my father-in-law. Les, proves that you don't have to be pastor of a mega-church to seek excellence and live in total obedience to Christ).
The Challenge
Anyway, yesterday was great and our homecoming was not just emotional and encouraging it was CHALLENGING! In the context of quoting a church planter's statement about church planting being all about location amongst a demographic composed of affluent urban people Pastor Johnny offered this word that I have been dealing with for some time.
Am I willing to go anywhere in the ministry, serve anywhere God wants, live obediently regardless of the location and trust in God's provision and grace?
My answer to that question broke my heart. The reality is I have made statements in recent days about not being open to a certain church plant because of its location. God forgive me for this and may You work a new my life and give me a spirit of obedience and trust in your full provision and sovereignty.
Where are you?
Now, to wrap this up I want to say two things. First, I'm not leaving Grace. God has placed Joanna and I there and we are extremely happy and grateful that God has placed us there. I love my job more than any job I have ever had. I love the people, I love the staff, I love the students! Contrary to many assumptions we ARE HERE TO STAY until God moves us. Secondly, I want to pass this challenge on. Where do you stand? Are you willing to go anywhere, do anything, give up anything in order to glorify God in your obedience?
so i have not blogged in like ions so i want to say i'm sorry. i have been really busy trying to get things geared up for the fall w/ refuge. the website has taken countless hours and Q30 Worship has been taking up the time that Refuge wasn't. Anyway, I do hope to start blogging more now that I have refuge up and running. My plan is to use this blog, overflow as my spot to post all studies and things. So my students can check in here for any updates. Well if you get board check the new site out....
studentsofrefuge.com
So, I would like to ask everyone to be praying for my husband as he prepares to be gone to camp with the kids from the church for 6 days. Yep, that's right 6 days!! He is so super excited, lol and is praying that God will help him through the week! I will be here working by myself for the first week and will need prayer for that as well. Thanks!
my buddy sent me this saying, "This could be you in 25 years if you keep it up!" Whatever could he mean? Doesn't this cat know I'm .0000000000025% indian?
Pray for me as I am making the final edits to Sunday mornings sermon. "The Woe before the Wow!" I feel like it is an inevitable failure because I will be tackling an impossible topic. The Holiness and Glory of God! Who can describe that?
3 John Commentary
Those who read John’s second and third epistle consecutively can see striking similarities between the two. There is no doubt John is infatuated with the truth. The truth is what drives him and the truth of Christ and the Gospel is his joy. Although there is debate over the authorship of this letter the structure and content of the letter suggests John is the author. Based off of his salutation John’s authority and identity was well established and personal identification was not necessary, but was implied. This is again affirmed by John’s apparent relationship with the recipient of the letter. The letter indicates this is a man John has led to Christ and is his child in the faith. One should not concern themselves much with the identity of Gaius. Although it is theoretically possible that this is one of the same three Gaius mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament it is unlikely and not that important.1 What is of more importance is John’s personal relationship with Gaius. There is a love for this man that is a beautiful display of the love Christ. John’s motivation for writing this letter is to encourage and support Gaius. Evidently, Gaius is a spiritual man of God that has a passion for the truth that equals that of John. Therefore, his stance on the truth has validated Gaius identity with Jesus and this gives John no greater joy, echaren lian. The depth of this statement is a bit shocking. On the surface many read over this, but to think about the reality that John has no greater joy than seeing those under his authority walk in truth and serve the Lord is amazing.
Once John has exhorted Gaius he moves to the apparent issue at hand, Diotrephes. The reading of this text implies there is an issue that Gaius is dealing with that involves the misconduct of Diotrephes. John has written to encourage Gaius that he will be there soon to address the issues being caused by Diotrephes. Unlike, Gaius who exhibits and radiates the sacrificial love of Jesus, Diotrephes is self-centered and self-righteous. The church of Gaius was under extreme stress and suffered because of the actions and sin of Diotrephes.2 Therefore, the elder John will make the effort to address this face to face.
The Apostle John concludes his letter with encouragement and by reaffirming his authority. Ultimately, he wants his brother and child in the faith, Gaius to rest in peace. He offers further encouragement by telling Gaius that the other elders and friends have agreed with John’s testimony concerning Gaius and the content of the letter by sending their greeting.
Practically, one is able to see that John has written with much urgency. Pastors should especially notice that John refuses to cover all the details in a letter. His pastoral approach to conflict and attacks on the truth is to address the issue via a letter with Gaius in order to bring encouragement. But deeper than that is the need for a face to face (stoma pros stoma) meeting in order to examine the issue in detail. He will do this soon (eutheos) possibly shortly after the letter is received because the situation is series and warrants his attention. Although, it is more comfortable to handle things impersonally, true leaders will make the effort to honor the truth with courage and discipline.
1 Daniel Akin, The New American Commentary: 1, 2, 3 John, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman,
2001), 239.
2 Ibid., 249
2 John Commentary
The second epistle of John is best summed up by two words, truth and love. Agape and aletheia have connected John with the reader and reinforces his eldership and allowing his authoritative truth to be well received.1 Although much debate is given over the intended recipient of the letter it seems reasonable to agree with Danny Akin’s suggestion that it is for a local body of believers.2 The truth of this letter is relevant to an individual and her children but it is likewise relevant for the Body of Christ in general. Therefore, one can approach this letter as vital truth for all Christians.
Once John has established his pure loving motive for writing this letter he quickly moves into a brief warning about the reality of false teachings. Failure to walk as Christ walked and to live in accordance with His teachings is a warning of one’s association with the evil one. Much like John’s first epistle he warns his readers about the danger of being led astray by false doctrine. The test that was given in 1 John 4 is given again in verse seven of 2 John. The false teachers failure to affirm the incarnation of Christ is a flashing symbol of their opposition to God. The incarnation of Christ is essential to the Christian faith and without this doctrine Christians are without hope. Therefore, those who discredit this truth are in effect discrediting the substitution atonement of Christ. With the incarnation of Jesus there is no gospel. The Apostle John is writing with a sense of urgency and importance. Blepete conveys the idea of warning and urgency. There is a sense of constant readiness and alertness to stand against these heretical teachings in order to guard oneself from the schemes of the devil and his antichrists.
It is worth noting that John adds another warning to one’s failure to affirm the incarnation. According to verse nine those who have taken the truth of Scripture and Christ and have made additions to the truth are of equal fault. The idea that one is able to have a progressive and new revelation about the identity of Christ or any other core doctrine of the Christian faith is rebuked by John and considered heretical. Those who practice such doctrine are lost without God. Practically, Christian’s of today need to have a firm grasp on the basic truths of the faith in order to stand against subtle advancements or developments of theology. To suggest that one is able to add to the cannon of Scripture or prophetically declare an additional truth about Jesus affirms their status as a false teacher.
John’s ability to speak the truth in love is a wonderful example to contemporary pastors and church members alike. John does not shy away from the difficult responsibility that he has as a leader to address the false claims that were taking place in his day. Likewise pastors today must stand ready to preach the truth, but in keeping with John’s example they should be prepared to do so with a tender and loving heart. Speaking the truth with unrighteous anger and self-righteous motives is disgraceful to the Name of Jesus.
1 Daniel Akin, The New American Commentary: 1, 2, 3 John, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman,
2001), 220.
2 Ibid., 219
1 John 3:10-24 Commentary
The Apostle John in keeping with his title as the Apostle or Disciple of Love has again emphasized that the underlying truth that distinguishes an authentic brother from an imposter is love. John has provided clear evidence that one has the ability to gain assurance of their salvation and the absence of love is an indication that they are not regenerate. The message of love John is teaching is rooted in the foundation of Christianity and is experienced by all who have experienced Christ. Therefore in verse 11 when he reminds them of this message he draws their attention back to the time when this love was first lavished upon them. The use of the word agapomen indicates the continuous action of love one should exhibit and practice in their life.1 The example John chooses to illustrate the difference between a loving follower of Christ and a charlatan who is aligned with the devil is interesting. John’s audience would certainly have been familiar with the story of Cain and the manner in which John now associates those who do not love with the evil example of Cain probably had a powerful affect on his audience. Therefore, this radical example brings to light the reality of the believer’s relationship with the evil sinners of the world and teaches them that just has Cain hated Abel so too will the world them. They will be hated because of the contrast between their righteousness in Christ. and the world’s unrighteousness.
To contrast the absence of love John illustrates the presence of love and the extreme opposite of murder exhibited by Cain. Undeniable evidence that one is a Christian and knows love is that they realize Christ’s supreme manifestation of love by His death on the cross and their willingness to follow His example. Danny Akin notes that nos humper hemon ten psuchen auto etheken involves a deliberate act that demonstrates love in a way that atones for sin in a self-sacrificial way.2 Again, believers are not able to atone for their sin or the sin of others, but they should be willing to give their life on behalf of others just as Christ did for them. This is an action that lives no doubt in that one has experienced something that has radically changed their life. By nature humans are indwelt with a will to live and preserve life, but the Christian is given a new nature and indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, those who are truly born again will recognize they are not their own and having received love they will give love out of an overflow of their relationship. Although, most people cannot imagine giving their life it seems appropriate to suggest that God will give the grace and strength to those who he requires this extreme demonstration of those at the appropriate time.
Practically, the Christian community of today struggles with resting in the assurance of salvation. It is possible the first century church struggled with the same issues and therefore John has told them they can have confidence before God. Parresian found in verse 21 is so powerful for the church today. Obeying Christ and resting in and living out His love gives boldness to come to Him and seek Him. This brings assurance and confidence in prayer and in one’s relationship with Him.
1 Daniel Akin, The New American Commentary: 1, 2, 3 John, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman,
2001), 154.
2 Ibid., 158
3 Ibid., 165
