Rejoice in All Circumstances

January 20, 2019 Background Scripture: Philippians 1:12 – 21 Lesson Passage: Philippians 1:12 – 21 This letter bears many statements that suggest that the Apostle Paul found the key to sustained contentment. Anyone can be content in a given situation or as a result of a specific circumstance. Attempting to sustain contentment is a very different matter. Contentment is an emotional state and emotions can be very fleeting. For example, I don’t know of anyone who does not want to be happy. We invest a lot in making ourselves happy. Those investments range from time to resources—financial and otherwise. Yet, we learn the lessons that Solomon wrote about thousands of years ago concerning the seasons of human life: “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;”. Life changes constantly and those changes put a lot of pressure on the emotional wellbeing of people. This is further complicated by interpersonal relationships. Your time of dancing is quickly dampened when you learn that a close friend is experiencing their time to mourn. So, what was the key that Paul found to sustained contentment? Paul decided to allow his entire life purpose to be the fulfillment of Christ’s purpose for him. No matter what situation or circumstances Paul was confronted with, he connected it to the ministry he had been commissioned by Jesus Christ to carry out. Paul responded to those who preached Jesus as a selfish way to criticize Paul’s persecution by the state. Paul rejoiced that the outcome was the preaching of Jesus Christ—even though it was being done for selfish ambition. Rather than being depressed because he was surrounded by prison guards to keep him from escaping or being harmed, Paul took advantage of the time to tell the guards about Jesus. Paul made sure that others understood that he was not in his situation because of criminal activity on his part. Paul’s situation was being used by God to advance the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is threaded through with words of encouragement for them to rejoice always. From the beginning of the letter to the end, Paul spoke of rejoicing. Paul was in chains at the time he wrote this letter. Yes, this letter was written and sent from prison, and it is one of the most uplifting of all of his writings. Paul rejoiced because he was content. His contentment was the result of seeing the outworking of his ministry through his situation, because his whole life was now viewed in terms of his ministry. Paul’s ministry, simply put, was the preaching of Jesus Christ. Whether he preached the gospel, or others preached it, it did not matter to Paul. What mattered was that the gospel was being preached. If Paul preached the gospel freely without persecution, he was content. If Paul preached the gospel and as a result suffered persecution, he was content. If others preached the gospel in an attempt to add to Paul’s suffering, he was content. If others were emboldened by Paul’s rejoicing in prison and preached the gospel without fear, he was content. In all circumstances, if the gospel was being preached, Paul was content and for that he rejoiced. Robert C. Hudson December 27, 2018

Imitate Christ

January 27, 2019 Background Scripture: Philippians 2:1 – 11 Lesson Passage: Philippians 2:1 – 11 In last week’s lesson, Paul stated that he was able to find contentment in all circumstances. That is a statement that very few people I know can make. Even the most optimistic among us sometimes reach our “throw in the towel” moment. This lesson provides hope. In today’s lesson, Paul tells the Philippians how they can find contentment in all circumstances. Although Paul had found contentment, he did not use himself as the example for them in this particular situation. Rather, Paul admonished them to look to Jesus as their example. He said this would cause his joy to be made full. Paul did not ask them to give him joy but he asked them to fulfill his joy. This would require the cooperation of each member of the church at Philippi. Each person was being asked to act unselfishly, and with humility. Furthermore, each person was asked to look out for the needs of others rather than one’s own interest. That describes a very interesting environment. If each person looks at others as being better than himself, and each person dedicated himself to look out for the needs of others, then the Philippian church would be a model group that lived according to the law of love that Jesus decreed. This was a tall order, but Paul went on to tell them how to achieve it. Each of them would need to have the mind of Christ. Jesus set aside his glory and authority as God and took on human flesh and self-restraint. The gospel accounts record many occasions where Jesus could have used his divine power for his own benefit, but he did not do it. In taking on human flesh, he also humbled himself as an obedient servant of God by serving humanity. He made himself become as we are that we might become as he is. Jesus’ humility was intended to lead to our exaltation. But before we would be exalted, God first exalted Jesus. Jesus humbled himself and allowed himself to be mistreated by evil men. He submitted to them in being arrested and unfairly tried. He submitted to the worst form of capital punishment, public crucifixion on a cross along with convicted criminals. In the agony of pain and public shame, he endured it until he died. Because of this extreme humility and submission, God elevated his name above all others. His name is more than a personal title. His name demands obeisance (worship). It is at his name that every knee will bow, whether they be human or spiritual beings. Christ, who was rich in everything, became poor so that we might receive what we never could have without him: eternal life in his presence. Jesus did not surrender all so that he could be exalted. Jesus was exalted because he surrendered all. The one who would take on the mind of Christ must not be concerned with the outcome as much as he is concerned with the purpose. Submit for the sake of others not for the sake of being exalted. One variant of an 18th century quote says, “If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.” Christians are admonished to walk and talk like Jesus. Robert C. Hudson December 27, 2018

Submit to God

January 13, 2019 Background Scripture: James 4:1 – 10 Lesson Passage: James 4:1 – 10 Sometimes it seems as if the word submission is used in more negative ways than positive ones. There can be the aura of being taken advantage of or abused for the one in submission. Perhaps the only positive way to look at submission is when it is paired with overwhelming love for the one who submits. This is precisely the offer that God extends to everyone. God has done everything necessary to secure a blissful eternal life in His presence for every person. Many will never receive this wonderful gift of grace because it requires individuals to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ and to agree to the intent to do God’s will. It sounds too good to be true. Put another way, it sounds like an offer to receive something great for little or nothing. Is there such a thing as something being given truly free of charge to the recipient? Mind you, the gift is far from being free! It is the most priceless gift ever. But, it can be received free of charge to the recipient. That makes the offer sound even more incredible. That’s where submission comes in. The first man, Adam, was created in God’s image and after God’s likeness. Adam was created in a state of pure innocence. He naturally lived a life of submission that allowed him to always enjoy the blessings of God as well as God’s presence and fellowship. Adam was later given a companion who was suitable for him so that he would not have to enjoy those blessings alone. All was well until the couple was offered what they were told was an even better situation than the one they had. Simply put, the offer was for them to disobey God and their lives would be better. Adam and Eve had everything they needed but this offer promised them even more. The relationship they had with God was a relationship of submission. To violate that relationship and follow the instructions of the serpent was an act of submitting to the serpent. Their decision allowed sin to enter the world, and since that time, sin has constantly challenged humanity to disobey God and submit to anyone or anything but God. Tribulations in the form of heartaches, hardships, corruption, diseases, pain, a short lifespan and many other disorders have been experienced as a result of sin’s presence in the world. These tribulations beget dysfunctional relationships, fights, and wars. In our text today, James explains the connection between the ills of society and the problem of human submission. Sin is much more than an attitude. Sin is somehow intertwined within the human DNA. The problems we experience externally all originate internally. Sin manifests itself as some form of open rebellion against God. Even when we are saved and have the Spirit of Christ in us, sin in our flesh constantly wars against the Spirit of Christ in us. It is the indwelling Spirit who gives us an ever-present living hope. And he beckons us to submit to God, humble ourselves in God’s sight, and receive divine elevation. Robert C. Hudson December 19, 2018

Love God and Serve Others

December 30, 2018 Background Scripture: Matthew 25:31 – 46 Lesson Passage: Matthew 25:31 – 46 Today’s lesson describes what is sometimes referred to as the judgement of the nations. Premillennialists are those who believe that we currently live at a time prior to the Millennium when Jesus sets up an earthly kingdom and rules in the earth. For those who label themselves as premillennialists, it is believed that the judgement in our lesson text takes place after the Great Tribulation and at the onset of the establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus’ earthly kingdom is described in the book of Revelation as lasting for one thousand years. With the holy war ended and Jesus triumphant, the nations of the world would then be brought before the throne of Jesus to be judged. It should be kept in mind that the church is raptured out of the world before the tribulation period begins. Without the worldwide evangelistic work of the Church during the time of tribulation, the only ones offering salvation to the world will be a few faithful witnesses that God will send but the world will reject. Meanwhile, God has committed the final judgement of the world to Jesus—the only wise Potentate. The age of grace would have been long passed and men would only have their deeds to depend on to justify them in the divine judgement. Jesus, the righteous Judge, will separate the righteous within the nations from the evil. Jesus will then sentence the evil to eternal damnation and the righteous he will welcome into his kingdom. When questions are raised by either side, the response will be the same. Their judgement is meted out according to their treatment of the least among people: the hungry, the thirsty, the outcast, the naked, the sick, and the righteous who are imprisoned. Jesus identifies with the least among us. When the least are relieved of the burdens of life, Jesus takes it personal as his own relief. When the least, in their distress, are ignored and left uncared for, then Jesus is also ignored. Although we don’t believe this judgment pertains to the church, there is still much that we can learn from it. In spite of salvation by grace for the church, we still observe from this judgement that Jesus identifies with the least. Therefore, our worship of him should involve serving others. Likewise, our love of God can be demonstrated by how we treat the least among us since we know that Jesus readily identifies with them. As we serve people by ministering to their needs, Jesus says that our actions are directly affecting him. It should be comforting to us to know that every time we bring a measure of relief to the poor and afflicted, we are, in essence, meeting the needs of Jesus. Put another way, we cannot do anything for God, who is spirit, while at the same time ignoring the plight of the people around us. There are many who look down on and despise the poor in society. There are many who shun the sick and imprisoned. This would be consistent if they also denied the existence of God. But many dare to claim God as both their Lord and their Savior and yet fail to see Jesus’ identity as being intertwined with those whom they despise. If you love God, then serve people. Robert C. Hudson November 12, 2018