What Is Your Purpose? Part 2

Click here to read Part 1 of this series.

The Apostle Paul wasn’t always our beloved Apostle and servant of our Lord. At one time he was a fierce persecutor of the Church. But then something extraordinary happened. Here’s how Luke describes Paul’s conversion…

Acts 9:1-18 - Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

That very day, Paul’s purpose for existence was radically and utterly altered. His values, perspective, worldview, identity, meaning… all of it… was turned upside down (or better right-side up) on that trip down the Damascus Road.

Here’s how Paul would later interpret the results of his conversion…

Philippians 3:4b-9 - If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal,persecuting the church;as for legalistic righteousness,faultless.

⁷ But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousnessthat comes from God and is by faith.

 In light of those two texts… of that experience and that interpretation of it… Paul’s words to us in Romans 1:1, become all that much more powerful and helpful, don’t they?

In this one verse we learn about Paul’s Universal Purpose as well as his Unique Purpose. You see, we each have a Universal Purpose and a Unique Purpose.

1.)  We all have a Universal Purpose

This purpose is God’s intention for us that is shared by all Christians.

Here are some examples:

• God wants us to know Christ
• God wants us to grow in our faith
• God wants us to pray
• God wants us to read the Bible
• God wants us to make new disciples
• God wants us to love and serve other people
• God wants us to obey God

Basically… this Universal Purpose for God’s people… is to become more like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). This was the primary focus of Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, that our church studied together about eight years ago.

Paul would point back to that day when God changed his life on the Damascus Road and say that it all started with God. Paul was no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees, no longer seeking to imprison Christians. He was now a SERVANT or SLAVE of Jesus Christ.

His ultimate purpose was now defined by his relationship with Jesus Christ… and ours should be too.

But there’s also a Unique Purpose. And we’ll take a look at that tomorrow.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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A Changed Life

This past Monday and Wednesday the men in our church’s men’s ministry studied the words of the Apostle Paul to his young son in the faith, Titus. In chapter three of the letter that bears his name, Titus was instructed to encourage the folks entrusted to his care to not be like the world around them – foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, being hated and hating (Titus 3:3). He then reminded them of something very important with these words: At one time we too were… just like that (that’s the Dale Tedder Paraphrase).

Paul told Titus that, because of God’s love, the redeeming work of Christ, and the renewing and washing work of the Holy Spirit, the Christians in Crete were no longer like the world around them.

That fact, very naturally, brought up a very painful question in our discussion: What if we still are? What if we’re still like the world around us? One possible answer to that question was even more painful: No change in your life may mean that you aren’t in Christ… that you haven’t been redeemed, washed, and renewed.

Of course we’re all at different places in our relationship with Christ. Added to that fact is that we all walk at different paces with him. We won’t all look alike. Yet, if we can’t look back in our lives a year ago, two years ago, five years ago and see some sort of growth and some level of maturation in faith, love, godliness, etc., then we may well need to ask the question: Am I truly in Christ? Of course, only God knows the heart and this isn’t about others judging you. But it is about each person doing an honest assessment of himself  or herself.

There’s no getting around the fact that true faith in Christ will result in a changed life. We can’t possibly remain the same.

About a year after I graduated from college I went back to school to visit with a few friends who were still there. I also returned to share with them the news that God had called me into ordained ministry and that I would head off to seminary soon. I was very excited. I was also a bit nervous. The reason? Well, I had not always lived the most godly life while in college. I knew it and I knew that my friends and fraternity brothers knew it.

What happened? Well, my closest friends thought my news was great and wished me well. Others laughed me out of the room. I absolutely deserved it.

I give glory to God, and God alone, that 23 years later I can point to real change in my life. And, as the old saying goes, while I’m not where I pray I will one day be in my faith, I’m not where I once was. I don’t know if I was the chief of sinners way back then, but I certainly was competing for the title. That fact makes these words from Paul all the more precious to me…

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15b-16)

If God could work in Paul’s life and in my life, then he can work in any and every person’s life. I praise God for the truth and power  of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change lives.

So where are you now compared to where you once were? Do too many descriptions in the New Testament of the unbelieving world still describe you? Are you moving on to maturity with Christ, training yourself for godliness day by day. The progressive nature of growing in Christlikeness means that it will never end on this side of heaven. But faithfulness to Christ does require that we get  started. We start with rebirth. We continue after that to work out our salvation in and with the power and direction of the Holy Spirit and grace of God.

Has your life changed? Would folks who “knew you when” see that change?

Truth and Joy,
Dale

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Foolish Galatians!

Galatians 3:1-5

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? [4] Have you suffered so much for nothing–if it really was for nothing? [5] Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

 If we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, why do we always seem to revert back to trying to earn God’s acceptance?

This sort of question perplexed Paul. It perplexes me. The Church at Galatia – home of those “foolish Galatians” – was clearly taught that Christ had been crucified for sinners (v. 1). They had heard the gospel rightly exposited by the Apostle. And yet, they seemed to be setting aside the grace of God. For if righteousness could be gained through the law, then Christ died for nothing (Gal. 2:21)!

So, Paul asks them point blank: How did you receive the Spirit: By observing the law or by believing the gospel (v. 2)? I’ll let Paul speak for himself in verse 3…

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

 The answer to his questions was YES. They were indeed guilty as charged. But all too often…so are we.

How often do we try to earn God’s favor and become enslaved to performance-based living, thus rendering Christ’s sacrifice for sin as worthless? While we know – or ought to know – that we are justified (or saved) by faith, we somehow think that everything else is up to us.

The biblical truth is, however, that although we must certainly pursue godliness for all we are worth, it is only by the power of the Spirit that we will achieve our goal of Christlikeness. And we access that power only by faith. Trying to live by your own power is like trying to cut down a mighty redwood tree with a chain saw that you never turn on. You will fail miserably and look stupid doing so.

Instead, we are not only called to begin with the Spirit in our justification, but also to finish with him…and to walk every step with him between those two points as well. Only as the Spirit pulls us along the track of life will our efforts amount to anything for the Kingdom.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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Transforming the World: Reclaiming Our Methodist Legacy, Part 2

by Dale Tedder
click here to read Part 1

Story #1

Our first story beings with Paul and his companions, who had just come from Philippi. In fact, they had just gotten out of prison there and had been escorted out of the city by the officials. Their next stop was going to be Thessalonica, which was about 100 miles away. On their way there, they passed through a couple of cities, Amphipolis and Apollonia, staying at each only to spend the night before heading out the next morning.

When they arrived in Thessalonica, Paul began his usual routine of going to the local synagogue of the city. Why did he go there first? Take a look at verses 2 and 3…

As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.

 Paul was a Jew. His heart was for his fellow Jews. He loved them. So even though he was called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, he just couldn’t help himself. He would always go to his own people first. What did he do with them? He reasoned with them. He taught and preached from the Old Testament. He used it to explain and prove that Jesus was just who he said he was… and that the prophecies in the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ.

Furthermore, he showed them that Christ had to suffer and die on the Cross for the sins of the world – but that he had to also rise from the dead for our salvation. Paul proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth was no less than the Christ – the Messiah of God.

Beloved, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ… the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Gospel first calls us to turn away from our own sin – our fallen, broken, and selfish thinking, desires, words, actions, and attitudes.

It also calls us to trust in Christ alone to forgive us, to save us, to heal us, to mend us, lead us, and to make us holy. That’s the Gospel… and that’s what Paul preached and taught in Thessalonica… and people responded. Take a look at verse 4…

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.

 People responded. Lives were changed. Supernaturally speaking, disciples of Jesus Christ had been made.

But, as often is the case, some folks weren’t happy about this. In fact, where the Gospel is preached and where God is doing a great work of deliverance, there will often be opposition.

Take a look at verse 5…

But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

 You see, the Jews weren’t at all happy about this work of Paul and company… nor the message they proclaimed. So they got the meanest, toughest, nastiest folks they could find to stir up trouble for Paul and Silas and their newest converts. Thessalonica was something of a harbor town. There were plenty of drifters roaming around the market place with a lot of time on their hands. It wouldn’t have been a great effort to round up and “encourage” some of these folks to cause a little trouble for Paul and company.

And that’s exactly what they did.

But there was a problem. Paul and Silas evidently got word of this and got out of there. And so the mob did the next best thing. They grabbed Jason and a few others. Jason was one of the converts who was hosting Paul and Silas. It seems that Jason and some of his new brothers in Christ were guilty by association.

At any rate, I’ve now arrived at the whole reason I chose this text. Let me read verse 6 for you…

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,

 Those who have “caused trouble all over the world”… have now come here.

That translation from the NIV is my least favorite. Here are a few other translations of that verse that help to capture what was being said…

These men who have upset the world have come here also; (NASB)

 These people are out to destroy the world, and now they’ve shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear! (The Message)

 Here’s my favorite…

These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, (ESV and KJV)

 What were they referring to? How could this little insignificant group of people do anything to the mighty Roman Empire? They weren’t even armed. Or were they?

They were indeed. They were armed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which Paul tells us, is the power of God for the salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike. And everywhere that disciples of Jesus Christ went throughout the Roman Empire, both Jews and Gentiles were being transformed into new creatures in Christ. Their lives were changing. Their values were becoming different. Their new beliefs were colliding with their old beliefs.

They were upsetting the established comfort zone. The kingdom of this world was being turned upside down with the message and order of a new kingdom.

Look at the second part of verse 7…

“They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

 Do you see what their accusers were doing? The same charge that was brought against our Lord Jesus – namely treason against Caesar and the Empire – was now being leveled against Paul and Silas. They were accusing them of declaring that there was a new king, one called Jesus. They knew that was the way to get Rome’s attention.

Well, after the city officials decided that there was no reason to hold Jason and his companions, they basically made Jason promise that Paul wouldn’t preach anymore… or at least until they were out of office. Paul probably wasn’t happy about having to leave, but he seems to have honored Jason’s promise and left for a season. Of course we know from the two New Testament books, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, that Paul had an extended relationship with them. This doesn’t appear to be his only time there. That’s the first story I wanted to share with you.

We’ll take a look at Story #2 tomorrow.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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