God's Upside Down Community - The Implications
Rom 12:9-21
Three weeks ago, when we looked at Eph 2:11-22, we discovered that when we were saved, we were not simply saved judicially (and that's not a small thing), but we were saved relationally. We who were far off were brought near by the blood of Christ. But, not only did Jesus bring us near to God when he rescued and redeemed us, he brought us near to each other. He broke down the dividing wall of hostility between God and man but also between Jew and Gentile, between men and women, between young and old, between rich and poor. But Jesus didn't stop there. He also drew us together into a nation--a holy nation 1 Pt 2:9--and he made us into a family--the family of God. And, to top it all off, we've been gathered together to become a holy temple, the very dwelling place of God by his Spirit.
Because the scope of God's upside down community is so vast and so upside down from our natural perspectives, he doesn't propel us into this community unequipped. Instead he sends us all in with the fruit of the Spirit and each of us grace gifts as he has apportioned them. Two weeks ago we looked at love, one portion of the fruit of Spirit. We focused on love, not because it is better than peace, patience, kindness or the others, but as God has structured things, love is the engine that drives all the others. 1 Cor 13, which is conveniently placed between 1 Cor 12 and 14 showed us that love must drive all that we do within the body. But, it is more than that. It is not some kind of love that we conjure up on our own. No, it is the very love of Christ which compels us and controls us and constrains us. (2 Cor 5:14)
Of course that leaves us with an incredible "What now?" or "Where do we go from here?" Before we look at that, I want to show you that I am not the first person to look at what God is doing through the Spirit in the Church and say that it is upside down. Look at [Act 17:6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also"]. So as we consider the implications of being the church, of being the called out ones, and we feel like our whole world is turning upside down, be reassured people in the 1st century saw things the same way.
I also want to come clean on the fact that I will not be able to address every aspect of what the implications are to being the church of Christ. In fact, I will only scratch the surface. But my prayer and my hope is that knowing there is a foundation to this thing called the church, that is established by God through Jesus in the power of the Spirit, and that there is an engine that drives it which is the very love of Christ, will give us a biblical framework with which to process all of what God's word says about his church.
Look with me, if you will, at Rom 12:9-21. For those who may not be familiar with the book of Romans, Paul spends 11 chapters laying down strong doctrine and theology caped at the end of chapter 11 with an incredible doxology of praise. He begins chapter 12 by extending this theology and adoration with first a call to an all-in commitment, second a brief discussion of the grace gifts and third starting in verse 9 some of the implications for life together in the body of Christ.
Three weeks ago, when we looked at Eph 2:11-22, we discovered that when we were saved, we were not simply saved judicially (and that's not a small thing), but we were saved relationally. We who were far off were brought near by the blood of Christ. But, not only did Jesus bring us near to God when he rescued and redeemed us, he brought us near to each other. He broke down the dividing wall of hostility between God and man but also between Jew and Gentile, between men and women, between young and old, between rich and poor. But Jesus didn't stop there. He also drew us together into a nation--a holy nation 1 Pt 2:9--and he made us into a family--the family of God. And, to top it all off, we've been gathered together to become a holy temple, the very dwelling place of God by his Spirit.
Because the scope of God's upside down community is so vast and so upside down from our natural perspectives, he doesn't propel us into this community unequipped. Instead he sends us all in with the fruit of the Spirit and each of us grace gifts as he has apportioned them. Two weeks ago we looked at love, one portion of the fruit of Spirit. We focused on love, not because it is better than peace, patience, kindness or the others, but as God has structured things, love is the engine that drives all the others. 1 Cor 13, which is conveniently placed between 1 Cor 12 and 14 showed us that love must drive all that we do within the body. But, it is more than that. It is not some kind of love that we conjure up on our own. No, it is the very love of Christ which compels us and controls us and constrains us. (2 Cor 5:14)
Of course that leaves us with an incredible "What now?" or "Where do we go from here?" Before we look at that, I want to show you that I am not the first person to look at what God is doing through the Spirit in the Church and say that it is upside down. Look at [Act 17:6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also"]. So as we consider the implications of being the church, of being the called out ones, and we feel like our whole world is turning upside down, be reassured people in the 1st century saw things the same way.
I also want to come clean on the fact that I will not be able to address every aspect of what the implications are to being the church of Christ. In fact, I will only scratch the surface. But my prayer and my hope is that knowing there is a foundation to this thing called the church, that is established by God through Jesus in the power of the Spirit, and that there is an engine that drives it which is the very love of Christ, will give us a biblical framework with which to process all of what God's word says about his church.
Look with me, if you will, at Rom 12:9-21. For those who may not be familiar with the book of Romans, Paul spends 11 chapters laying down strong doctrine and theology caped at the end of chapter 11 with an incredible doxology of praise. He begins chapter 12 by extending this theology and adoration with first a call to an all-in commitment, second a brief discussion of the grace gifts and third starting in verse 9 some of the implications for life together in the body of Christ.
Read with me again verses 9-13 [Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in
zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.] Brothers and sisters, dare
I say it? This is upside down.
Reading this, I'm reminded again why we couldn't start here three weeks ago. Who among us can do any one of these things on our own? Who among us would even want to? But, because we have been brought near by the blood of Christ and we are empowered and compelled by the very love of Christ, we are now able to hear what Paul is saying and begin to consider how God may want to will and to work his good purposes in our lives so that we may live these verses out as God's upside down community.
In these first 5 verses Paul focuses on some very close in church family considerations. Love, focusing on good not evil, showing affection and honor. These things are the heart beat of the body of Christ. If we would flip ahead to 1 Corinthians, we would see Paul say he will never eat meat again if would cause a brother to sin. This is affection and honor and love. Elsewhere, Paul calls the Galatians back to the gospel in strong, stark terms and Paul along with Peter and Stephan each confront the Jewish leaders in the book of Acts. This is abhorring what is evil. In Philippians, Paul practically exudes brotherly affection as he encourages them in their faith.
Paul also challenges us in our service. In essence he exhorts us to get up, to get going, to do something. Think of his encouragement to the Corinthians to give or to Philemon to release Onesimus. Then there's the joy in hope as he encourages Timothy, Epaphroditus, Titus and others. Add to that the call to be patient in affliction found in 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter and Hebrews. On top of all this Paul challenges us to be constant in prayer here and in virtually every other letter he wrote. And finally he specifically mentions the Macedonian generosity in 2 Corinthians. In addition to this collection, we have Paul's and the church's own example throughout the book of Acts of giving beyond common sense.
So, La Crescent, how are we doing?
How's our love? Our affection? Our showing honor? Our zeal? Our generosity? Our constant prayer for others? I ask these things not to bash or belittle, but to follow Paul's lead of challenging us to see that on our own we can at best achieve a shadow and a sliver of what the Spirit wants to do through us. Can you see it? God is giving us his standard for life together, just as he does for all other aspects of the Christian life. And just because it is difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't strive toward it in the power of the Spirit. Also we should not think that Paul is trying to give us a prescriptive list of do's and don't's--in essence a new law. Rather, he is trying to give us a descriptive view of what our new world should look like.
But, in typical Pauline fashion, he doesn't stop with the close in considerations of what the upside down community of Christ should be striving toward. In verses 14-21, Paul extends our gaze to items that may be beyond our comfort zone. This may be where God's word presses on us. This may be where the sword of the Spirit cuts down to the joint and marrow. But we need to remember that as
Reading this, I'm reminded again why we couldn't start here three weeks ago. Who among us can do any one of these things on our own? Who among us would even want to? But, because we have been brought near by the blood of Christ and we are empowered and compelled by the very love of Christ, we are now able to hear what Paul is saying and begin to consider how God may want to will and to work his good purposes in our lives so that we may live these verses out as God's upside down community.
In these first 5 verses Paul focuses on some very close in church family considerations. Love, focusing on good not evil, showing affection and honor. These things are the heart beat of the body of Christ. If we would flip ahead to 1 Corinthians, we would see Paul say he will never eat meat again if would cause a brother to sin. This is affection and honor and love. Elsewhere, Paul calls the Galatians back to the gospel in strong, stark terms and Paul along with Peter and Stephan each confront the Jewish leaders in the book of Acts. This is abhorring what is evil. In Philippians, Paul practically exudes brotherly affection as he encourages them in their faith.
Paul also challenges us in our service. In essence he exhorts us to get up, to get going, to do something. Think of his encouragement to the Corinthians to give or to Philemon to release Onesimus. Then there's the joy in hope as he encourages Timothy, Epaphroditus, Titus and others. Add to that the call to be patient in affliction found in 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter and Hebrews. On top of all this Paul challenges us to be constant in prayer here and in virtually every other letter he wrote. And finally he specifically mentions the Macedonian generosity in 2 Corinthians. In addition to this collection, we have Paul's and the church's own example throughout the book of Acts of giving beyond common sense.
So, La Crescent, how are we doing?
How's our love? Our affection? Our showing honor? Our zeal? Our generosity? Our constant prayer for others? I ask these things not to bash or belittle, but to follow Paul's lead of challenging us to see that on our own we can at best achieve a shadow and a sliver of what the Spirit wants to do through us. Can you see it? God is giving us his standard for life together, just as he does for all other aspects of the Christian life. And just because it is difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't strive toward it in the power of the Spirit. Also we should not think that Paul is trying to give us a prescriptive list of do's and don't's--in essence a new law. Rather, he is trying to give us a descriptive view of what our new world should look like.
But, in typical Pauline fashion, he doesn't stop with the close in considerations of what the upside down community of Christ should be striving toward. In verses 14-21, Paul extends our gaze to items that may be beyond our comfort zone. This may be where God's word presses on us. This may be where the sword of the Spirit cuts down to the joint and marrow. But we need to remember that as
DA Carson and others have said "We don't read the Bible to judge it, as if we are some literary critic.
Rather we are read by God's word to see how we measure up to His holiness, graciousness and love
and to see how desperate our need is for a Savior."
Paul fills this section with 4 pairs of contrasts, each of which deserve at least a portion of their own sermon. Today, we will simply touch on them briefly. They are all counter-intuitive, counter-cultural and counter our normal self directed, self protecting attitude. They are, quite frankly upside down, and, quite frankly for me, very daunting.
First, Paul says to bless those who persecute and not to curse them. Is this possible, even (or especially) in the church? So, here again, the Spirit is driving us back to the foundation (we are the very dwelling place of God by the Spirit) and the core (we are empowered and compelled by the love of Christ). Think about it. Isn't this what the good Samaritan did? Blessing his enemy, caring for him and giving him what he did not deserve and could not earn. And, isn't this the picture of what Jesus did in relationship to us, but on a much larger scale. Loving and blessing and forgiving the ones who persecuted him.
Second, Paul lays out two expectations that we may relate to, but I think too easily and too quickly limit, maybe even in our own homes and families. Rejoice with those who rejoice (but not too much). Weep with those who weep (but not too far). It seems we Christians pat ourselves on the back and say "hey we do this better than the world". But the reality is that the world is not to whom we should compare ourselves. It is Christ. You see, if our satisfaction is really in Jesus and what he has accomplished for us on the Cross, we will gladly rejoice with others because their success, their joy cannot diminish ours. In fact it may increase our joy as we see the glory God in new dimensions. The same goes for weeping. 2 Cor 1 speaks of receiving comfort so we can be comforters to others. Our security in Christ, the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ, frees us to come along side our brothers and sisters who are hurting and hurt right along with them. Is this easy? No. Is this comfortable? Not at first. Is this upside down? Absolutely. But is it reflective of the love and compassion Jesus showed to each one of us who have put our faith in him? Without a doubt.
Now Paul moves to our heart attitudes toward others within this upside down community. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly when combined with never be wise in your own sight takes a knife to the the throat of our pride. This may be the one of the hardest things for us to do. We more easily pray for, associate with and care for those who are like us. But Jesus asked this question in the Sermon on the Mount "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?" So, the Spirit is calling us to something much more radical. We are called to step beyond those who look like us or think like us or, heaven forbid, beyond those who worship or pray or have a theology like us. Remember, we have all been brought near by the blood of Christ.
There is an interesting aspect to the word lowly. It is not limited to the material or financial aspects of life. It can refer to someone who is simply simple or who has been brought low emotionally or spiritually by circumstances outside of themselves. Given Paul's use of contrasts in these verses, lowly could also mean someone with a faith that may not appear as wise or as sophisticated as our own.
Paul fills this section with 4 pairs of contrasts, each of which deserve at least a portion of their own sermon. Today, we will simply touch on them briefly. They are all counter-intuitive, counter-cultural and counter our normal self directed, self protecting attitude. They are, quite frankly upside down, and, quite frankly for me, very daunting.
First, Paul says to bless those who persecute and not to curse them. Is this possible, even (or especially) in the church? So, here again, the Spirit is driving us back to the foundation (we are the very dwelling place of God by the Spirit) and the core (we are empowered and compelled by the love of Christ). Think about it. Isn't this what the good Samaritan did? Blessing his enemy, caring for him and giving him what he did not deserve and could not earn. And, isn't this the picture of what Jesus did in relationship to us, but on a much larger scale. Loving and blessing and forgiving the ones who persecuted him.
Second, Paul lays out two expectations that we may relate to, but I think too easily and too quickly limit, maybe even in our own homes and families. Rejoice with those who rejoice (but not too much). Weep with those who weep (but not too far). It seems we Christians pat ourselves on the back and say "hey we do this better than the world". But the reality is that the world is not to whom we should compare ourselves. It is Christ. You see, if our satisfaction is really in Jesus and what he has accomplished for us on the Cross, we will gladly rejoice with others because their success, their joy cannot diminish ours. In fact it may increase our joy as we see the glory God in new dimensions. The same goes for weeping. 2 Cor 1 speaks of receiving comfort so we can be comforters to others. Our security in Christ, the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ, frees us to come along side our brothers and sisters who are hurting and hurt right along with them. Is this easy? No. Is this comfortable? Not at first. Is this upside down? Absolutely. But is it reflective of the love and compassion Jesus showed to each one of us who have put our faith in him? Without a doubt.
Now Paul moves to our heart attitudes toward others within this upside down community. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly when combined with never be wise in your own sight takes a knife to the the throat of our pride. This may be the one of the hardest things for us to do. We more easily pray for, associate with and care for those who are like us. But Jesus asked this question in the Sermon on the Mount "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?" So, the Spirit is calling us to something much more radical. We are called to step beyond those who look like us or think like us or, heaven forbid, beyond those who worship or pray or have a theology like us. Remember, we have all been brought near by the blood of Christ.
There is an interesting aspect to the word lowly. It is not limited to the material or financial aspects of life. It can refer to someone who is simply simple or who has been brought low emotionally or spiritually by circumstances outside of themselves. Given Paul's use of contrasts in these verses, lowly could also mean someone with a faith that may not appear as wise or as sophisticated as our own.
I say this as a reminder to each of us that pride and haughtiness is not limited to the 1%, whoever
they are. We all have the root of pride in us. The virus, as it were, of pride and haughtiness and self
wisdom has infected each one of us. We need this call and the many others like it to remind us that
the only cure for pride is to first focus on Christ then to focus on others. Without Christ, all of this is
pointless, because we are still in our sins. But, without the focus on others, my religion becomes
simply one more way for me to get what I want both now and in the age to come.
As Paul comes to the fourth item in this particular train of thought regarding God's upside down community, he drops what I consider to be "the bomb". From verse 18 to verse 21, he has one extended thought: the church, which is the dwelling place of God by the Spirit, which is empowered and compelled by the love of Christ, must be marked by peace both internally and externally.
First, let's think internally. What drives conflict? Pride? A lack of love or affection or honor? Sloth or selfishness or impatience? Jealousy over another's joy? Indifference to another's suffering? Yes, and so much more. And yet these are the very things we are called to overcome in the power the of Spirit as part of God's upside down community.
But, since we are also a collection of sinful men and women on a journey between the cross and the crown, we will not live out these ideals perfectly nor will those around us. So what do we do? How do we respond? Paul's answer is both simple and profound. Live at peace with all and trust that God will execute his perfect justice.
The result of this should be a church that is without conflict. How? First by living out the love of Christ, the actual number of offenses should be on the decline. If we each strove to live out verses like [Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.] conflict would surely be reduced. But even when we are offended, if we each actually sought to live at peace with all, what else would the grace given result be except peace with all.
Now, before you think I have drank some Pollyanna kool-aid, let me assure you I have been on the the back side of some incredible church conflict. I have seen the fruit of pride and self wisdom in full flower. Yet, such experiences don't disprove Rom 12 or dissuade me from striving toward it. Instead, these conflicts cause me to be captivated even more by the gospel and power of the Spirit to continually break down the dividing wall of hostility and remake a new man out of the two.
It also seems that we need to think for just a few moments about how these verses apply externally. What do we do when, as Kyle is fond of saying, sinners sin? And, heaven forbid, they sin against us! Or, to put the question a little differently, where do we draw the line? Do I really need to live at peace with all? Isn't a little revenge justified, at least for the really big stuff?
Here's the problem. Our justice, our vengeance is seldom pure and is never perfectly applied. If we try to execute our own judgement on someone who is a believer, since their sins (including the one against us) have been paid in full by Christ on the cross, our seeking vengeance actually engages in double payment and says, in effect, Jesus' sacrifice was insufficient for this particular sin. If we try to execute judgement on someone who is not a believer, whatever judgement we perform or prescribe is nothing compared to the eternity they will spend in hell. So, our judgement is probably too little. It is never just right. Because of this, we should leave judgement and vengeance and wrath to God.
As Paul comes to the fourth item in this particular train of thought regarding God's upside down community, he drops what I consider to be "the bomb". From verse 18 to verse 21, he has one extended thought: the church, which is the dwelling place of God by the Spirit, which is empowered and compelled by the love of Christ, must be marked by peace both internally and externally.
First, let's think internally. What drives conflict? Pride? A lack of love or affection or honor? Sloth or selfishness or impatience? Jealousy over another's joy? Indifference to another's suffering? Yes, and so much more. And yet these are the very things we are called to overcome in the power the of Spirit as part of God's upside down community.
But, since we are also a collection of sinful men and women on a journey between the cross and the crown, we will not live out these ideals perfectly nor will those around us. So what do we do? How do we respond? Paul's answer is both simple and profound. Live at peace with all and trust that God will execute his perfect justice.
The result of this should be a church that is without conflict. How? First by living out the love of Christ, the actual number of offenses should be on the decline. If we each strove to live out verses like [Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.] conflict would surely be reduced. But even when we are offended, if we each actually sought to live at peace with all, what else would the grace given result be except peace with all.
Now, before you think I have drank some Pollyanna kool-aid, let me assure you I have been on the the back side of some incredible church conflict. I have seen the fruit of pride and self wisdom in full flower. Yet, such experiences don't disprove Rom 12 or dissuade me from striving toward it. Instead, these conflicts cause me to be captivated even more by the gospel and power of the Spirit to continually break down the dividing wall of hostility and remake a new man out of the two.
It also seems that we need to think for just a few moments about how these verses apply externally. What do we do when, as Kyle is fond of saying, sinners sin? And, heaven forbid, they sin against us! Or, to put the question a little differently, where do we draw the line? Do I really need to live at peace with all? Isn't a little revenge justified, at least for the really big stuff?
Here's the problem. Our justice, our vengeance is seldom pure and is never perfectly applied. If we try to execute our own judgement on someone who is a believer, since their sins (including the one against us) have been paid in full by Christ on the cross, our seeking vengeance actually engages in double payment and says, in effect, Jesus' sacrifice was insufficient for this particular sin. If we try to execute judgement on someone who is not a believer, whatever judgement we perform or prescribe is nothing compared to the eternity they will spend in hell. So, our judgement is probably too little. It is never just right. Because of this, we should leave judgement and vengeance and wrath to God.
Upon consideration of this passage as a whole, and others like it, it appears that God has a double
purpose for his upside down community. One purpose is within the community itself. Service, care,
encouragement, discipleship, accountability, compassion. We are in fact a family and we've been
equipped and empowered to live out that reality. The other purpose is that we are all proclaimers of
the gospel. We do this individually as we live out and share the gospel, but we do this corporately as
we together become more and more God's upside down community.
At this point, there is one item that's been sitting on the side burner that I think is important to mention before I conclude this trilogy of sermons. It is the idea of commitment or, as the new testament writers would say, devotion. Here are just two examples: [Act 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles ' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.] [2Co 8:3-5 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.]
You see, we are a transient people with transient hearts living in a transient culture. Don't like the pastor's tie? Let's go. The pastor didn't wear a tie? Later. Too many hymns? See you. Not enough hymns? We're leaving. No coffee in the main foyer? We'll find some place more hospitable. Coffee in the main foyer? We can't stay in a place that has sold out. And I could go on and on.
But the call of scripture is one of commitment and of permanence. The passages from Acts and 2 Corinthians both show this. Both Timothy and Titus were commanded to stay in one place to build up the leadership. Paul himself spent extended time in both Corinth and Ephesus. The recipients of the book of Hebrews were exhorted to not stop meeting together as some apparently had. Even the imagry used to describe the church: a building, a body, a marriage partner connotes permanence and commitment.
What is it that marks our commitment to one another? It is the reality that our relationships within the church are not contractual, but are covental. A contract is an agreement for services. I'll provide you cell phone service and you provide me money. I'll fix your car and you will sheetrock my kitchen. But a contract breaks down when it comes to relationships. I'll be your friend if you take me to Starbuck's once a week. I will love you if you clean the house, cook the food and never complain.
But a covenant is a promise to do our part, no matter what. Think of wedding vows. I'm committed to you, better or worse, richer or poor, in sickness or health. A covenant is all-in, not looking for or expecting payback. A covenant doesn't look at another's performance and say "you didn't meet your side of the deal, so I'm out of here".
This is the beauty and the power of God's upside down community. We have a covenant keeping God. We have a Savior who is all-in, who has and continues to bless us and serve us in spite of our inability to ever give anything in return. We have a Spirit who enables us to see what a true covenant is and empowers us now to live in covenant with one another compelled by the love of Christ. All of this for the glory of God and the demonstration of his upside down wisdom to a lost and dying world.
At this point, there is one item that's been sitting on the side burner that I think is important to mention before I conclude this trilogy of sermons. It is the idea of commitment or, as the new testament writers would say, devotion. Here are just two examples: [Act 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles ' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.] [2Co 8:3-5 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.]
You see, we are a transient people with transient hearts living in a transient culture. Don't like the pastor's tie? Let's go. The pastor didn't wear a tie? Later. Too many hymns? See you. Not enough hymns? We're leaving. No coffee in the main foyer? We'll find some place more hospitable. Coffee in the main foyer? We can't stay in a place that has sold out. And I could go on and on.
But the call of scripture is one of commitment and of permanence. The passages from Acts and 2 Corinthians both show this. Both Timothy and Titus were commanded to stay in one place to build up the leadership. Paul himself spent extended time in both Corinth and Ephesus. The recipients of the book of Hebrews were exhorted to not stop meeting together as some apparently had. Even the imagry used to describe the church: a building, a body, a marriage partner connotes permanence and commitment.
What is it that marks our commitment to one another? It is the reality that our relationships within the church are not contractual, but are covental. A contract is an agreement for services. I'll provide you cell phone service and you provide me money. I'll fix your car and you will sheetrock my kitchen. But a contract breaks down when it comes to relationships. I'll be your friend if you take me to Starbuck's once a week. I will love you if you clean the house, cook the food and never complain.
But a covenant is a promise to do our part, no matter what. Think of wedding vows. I'm committed to you, better or worse, richer or poor, in sickness or health. A covenant is all-in, not looking for or expecting payback. A covenant doesn't look at another's performance and say "you didn't meet your side of the deal, so I'm out of here".
This is the beauty and the power of God's upside down community. We have a covenant keeping God. We have a Savior who is all-in, who has and continues to bless us and serve us in spite of our inability to ever give anything in return. We have a Spirit who enables us to see what a true covenant is and empowers us now to live in covenant with one another compelled by the love of Christ. All of this for the glory of God and the demonstration of his upside down wisdom to a lost and dying world.
Where does this leave us? Desperate? Confused? Disoriented? Disappointed? Perhaps a measure of
each of these? How many of us upon realizing the incredible identity of the church and seeing its
high calling said "Yes! I knew God was up to something."? You see our reaction to what God lays in
front of us can serve as a diagnostic to where our hearts are actually at.
But here's the really good news. For those of us who have new life in Christ, there is no condemnation. Jesus went to the cross with a full awareness that we would stumble in this (and so many other) areas of our Christian life. The blood of Christ cleanes us of how much unrighteousness? Yes, all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).
Along side this good news there is more good news. The Spirit is not done with us yet. I mean that in two ways. First he is not done shaping you or me into the image of Christ. [Phi 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.] [Eph 4:13-14 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.]
But, not only is the Spirit not done with shaping us into the image of Christ, he is not done using us to bear the image of Christ to each other and to the world. Here is just one example [Phi 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world]
So brothers and sisters, allow me to exhort us the the way Paul exhorted the churches to whom he wrote [I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called]
If I may, I'd like to end with one more teaser. (No, not for a 4th sermon) I won't comment. I will simply let the Spirit take God's word and do with it what he wills [Eph 3:8-10 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.]
To God Alone be the Glory
But here's the really good news. For those of us who have new life in Christ, there is no condemnation. Jesus went to the cross with a full awareness that we would stumble in this (and so many other) areas of our Christian life. The blood of Christ cleanes us of how much unrighteousness? Yes, all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).
Along side this good news there is more good news. The Spirit is not done with us yet. I mean that in two ways. First he is not done shaping you or me into the image of Christ. [Phi 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.] [Eph 4:13-14 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.]
But, not only is the Spirit not done with shaping us into the image of Christ, he is not done using us to bear the image of Christ to each other and to the world. Here is just one example [Phi 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world]
So brothers and sisters, allow me to exhort us the the way Paul exhorted the churches to whom he wrote [I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called]
If I may, I'd like to end with one more teaser. (No, not for a 4th sermon) I won't comment. I will simply let the Spirit take God's word and do with it what he wills [Eph 3:8-10 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.]
To God Alone be the Glory
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