We are looking at 1 Corinthians 4:6-21 this weekend - here are the verses I am highlighting:
10 We are fools for Christ...
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me...
20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power...
So my questions are -
Why are we required to become "foolish" for Jesus?
When was a time you told someone to imitate you?
And finally What does it mean that the kingdom of God is a matter of power?
Looking forward to all your thoughts and comments:)
Here you will find my thoughts and blogs and have some space so we can dialogue on upcoming sermons...aka writing theology collectively:)
Why are we required to become "foolish" for Jesus?
ReplyDeleteWhen was a time you told someone to imitate you?
And finally What does it mean that the kingdom of God is a matter of power?
Well, the cross is foolishness to those who do not believe. If the cross is foolishness and we are called to take up the cross daily and deny ourselves, then it's a great honor to become fools for Christ. Of the obvious definitions for fool, dictionary.com also defines it as this: "an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm." I'll be glad to be that for Christ!
I have had, in a limited way, a master/apprentice relationship with a young man named Andre at the local news station. In many ways, I have had to ask him to imitate me. I pray he'll imitate me on certain faith-based actions in his life as well, but he says he's learned so much invaluable information just following my footsteps in videography and editing. One learns best be copying, repeatedly. And there is no better flattery than imitation. To imitate Christ is to honor Him, acknowledging His way is by far the best and ideal.
The Kingdom is a matter of power over talk. Reminds me of the old adage, actions speak louder than words. But if that is true, why is the pen mightier than the sword? It's authority. Jesus was both a man of words and actions, and all of them were saturated in His authority--Divine authority from God. God is love. We can do all sorts of great and seemingly insignificant things and it would all be meaningless without love, right? So, the Kingdom of God is about power, the authority from God, who is love, therefore the Kingdom is about (excuse the Huey Lewis reference) the power of love.
Nice Cody - definitely hear you on the idea of apprenticeship...good stuff
DeleteWe are wise to follow Paul’s example of being “foolish” for Christ.
ReplyDelete[Act 17:23 NIV] - For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
Can you imagine? He walks into the middle of a group of intellectuals and begins proclaiming the message of the cross! It was foolishness to them in Athens. We must get beyond feeling foolish and trust the word which states:
Jhn 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
[Mat 5:11 NIV] - "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We will face ridicule and derision for proclaiming the gospel, however, what better way to make a fool of ourselves than doing so for Christ? In history, many believers have been treated horribly for their beliefs. They chose to endure these things, even unto death rather than deny what they knew to be true. While we don't have the threat of death in our culture, we most certainly have the ridicule. It seems that the only Christians making headlines are those that are doing wrong things so that the message of Christ becomes obscure and more difficult to share.
There is great news, however. The message should still be conveyed because the gospel has power! It doesn't have to be delivered by a great orator or a master speaker. In fact, anyone can share it. It is possible that while a person is sharing the gospel message, they may endure ridicule for their view. While that is tough, it may move some to receive the message because they will see what you endure without being shaken. Because the message is so powerful we should share it at every opportunity. We should pray that the Lord would bring people into our lives that need to hear the message of Christ and that we would have the opportunity to share with them. We may feel inadequate but in that inadequacy we can allow the Holy Spirit to move and we can be vessels of the message.
Our actions should also be examples of our belief in Christ. As we mature in Christ, our life example should be such that would want to imitate us. This doesn't mean we are perfect but, hopefully, transparent. When we make mistakes, we must admit to them and learn, then move forward. We should encourage behavior in others that enhances and helps them grow in their walk with the Lord. We do not need to judge them only to exhort them to rise above circumstances or situations. I haven't seen a believer that didn't know when they were behaving in a wrong manner. “[Phl 1:6 NIV] - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Since we know the Lord will complete his work in all of us, we simply need to encourage all to follow Christ's example. As well, we need be available to them for fellowship and love. What better way to express Christ's message than this?
While I have had made a lot of mistakes in my life, I have always tried to behave in a way that people would strive to imitate. The workplace in America is an interesting one because you can be accused of "harassment" for sharing your beliefs. I have had people approach me at work because they "knew" my beliefs. I even had one older man tell me how he would watch his language around me because he didn't want to offend me! I didn't know he even cared. Because of the respect I showed him while we performed our duties, he respected me. The best part is that after he shared with me, I was able to share God with him.
Thanks John, so true...I might use some of those verses tomorrow too:)
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit was in service today. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed today. Debbie Powers
ReplyDelete