Thoughts From the Riverbend

We had some great discussion on Phil. 3:1-16. These were familiar words for me, but this time a light bulb went on. I've always identified with Paul's "resume" in this passage. See, I have a fairly impressive religious resume of my own. I have long ago grasped the fact that those religious things I accomplished, however impressive, did nothing to make me righteous, but that my righteousness comes through Jesus alone.


A while ago, my "religious world" as it was pretty much exploded. Changes in my life came about and the resulting changes in my faith have placed me among nonbelievers far more than I am among believers. I used to be able to go days without encountering someone who didn't believe as I did. Now, however, much of my world involves nonbelievers or baby believers and many of them are much more than acquaintances, but are people I love, family members, coworkers and friends.



Here's what I've found: My religious resume carries no weight with these people. There are places, churches mostly, where I can enter with some level of authority and automatic respect because of my resume. I've written a Christian book, won state Bible drills, been to seminary, been church pianist, done Bible teaching and women's retreats, just to scratch the surface. But among nonbelievers, or people who aren't familiar with the church lingo, these accomplishments mean nothing. I can't expect automatic believability simply because of the blood sweat and tears I've put in at the church building.


So how do I learn to communicate on a level playing field? How do I let Christ show through me in terms that can be understood by the people who are part of my life, whether they be fellow believers or whether they've never thought of believing Jesus at all? If I'm honest, I must admit that much of my efforts to communicate with nonbelievers have been orchestrated in a way I thought would be impressive to believers. In other words, I tried to minister not with thought for the people I was ministering to, but with thought for the people who might be impressed by my ministry, thus adding more to my religious resume.

For me, Paul's words in this passage boil down to: "Forget what people think of you... both the religious people and the naysayers. Forget what you think of yourself and all the "stuff" you've done for God. Forget your past. Forget it all, except for Christ, and genuinely strive to move forward with what He asks you to do."

Perhaps it isn't my job to build a religious resume, or to try too hard to be approachable to those who don't "get" my religious resume. Perhaps my job is to focus on Christ and nothing more.

Ya THINK???

Rebecca



BTW... Newborn baby and going back to work meant it took me a while to complete this post... So since another week has passed, I just want to thank the Riverbend branch (and some of the Metairie) for coming out to support the kiddos in their musical. They noticed. Afterwards, Mackenzie said "Mom! I just realized we had house church at the musical tonight!!" It meant a lot to us, but moreso to the kids. Thanks for including the lil' members in the body too!!

Impressions from Philippians 3:1-16

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.


Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.


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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.


Lesson Focus: It’s not about who you were or what you’ve done; it’s about who you are!

Salvation (vv.1-11) The Christian’s Past: Paul’s religious past could not and did not save him.

who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus – Genuine worship is in the Spirit, not ritual; the object of genuine worship is Jesus Christ, not religious leaders.

How do you respond to the question: What do you do?


I counted as loss for the sake of Christ – Here Paul assessed his worldly assets in order to discard them for the greater riches in Christ. Compare this to 1 Cor. 4:3-4, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.”

Sanctification (vv.12-16) The Christian’s Present:  the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after conversion.

I press on to make it my own - Of course, Paul is not suggesting that we run to get to heaven! The Olympic runners in ancient Greece had to be citizens of the nation they represented. They also had to be free men, not slaves. The unsaved sinner is a slave, but the Christian is a citizen of heaven and has been set free by Christ. (Warren Weirsbe)

forgetting what lies behind and straining forward - Too many Christians live divided lives. One part enjoys the things of the world and the other part tries to live for the Lord. They get ambitious for “things” and start minding earthly ambitions. Our calling is a “high calling” and a “heavenly calling”; and if we live for this world, we lose the prize that goes with our high calling. (Warren Weirsbe)

We must follow Paul’s example and return to the authentic righteousness.  Righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith requires a change of heart. Those things that we once perceived as gain; our jobs, home, cars, and degrees must now be embraced as loss. Those times spent listening to a co-worker lament about the lifeless house in which he and his family are hopelessly bound, is now welcomed as the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. When this transformation takes place there is rejoicing in the Lord at all times.

Impression: The mind of Christ has so consumed Paul’s being that anything accomplished outside his relationship with Christ was stripped of value entirely.

Impressions from Philippians 2:25-30

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Philippians 2:25-30 ESV)

Lesson Focus: It’s about doing all of our life together.

The Example of Epaphroditus*

A. He was a balanced Christian (v. 25).
He was a brother, which means he knew the fellowship of the Gospel; a companion in labor, which tied him to the furtherance of the Gospel; and a fellow soldier, which means he knew how to battle for the faith of the Gospel.

How easy it is for Christians to get out of balance!

"My life is miserable. White people had made it miserable. There was this emptiness. Not knowing, God had a plan for this stubborn, prejudice, hateful, unbelieving evil. Do you think that there is anything on this earth that can change that type of prejudice? Well I'm here to tell you, I ran into Jesus Christ. What God said is, 'Let me tell you something, boy.' And you know, God can call you boy, that's fine with me. He says, 'I died for whites too.' And if God died for everyone, who am I to have a prejudice thought toward any of God's creatures."

- Rev. Ken Hutcherson, Antioch Bible Church

   
B. He was a burdened Christian (vv.26-27).
He had the submissive mind and thought of others, not self. Though he was sick, and almost died, his burden was for Paul and the church back at Philippi.

C. He was a blessed Christian (vv. 28-30).
What a blessing Epaphroditus was to Paul! How he must have encouraged Paul in those difficult days as they prayed and labored together. He was also a blessing to his own church. He made it possible for the Philippians to share in Paul’s important ministry. Moreover, Epaphroditus is a blessing to us today! Here we are, centuries later, studying his character and benefiting from his life and ministry!

Faithful servants of Christ:
 “Receive him in the Lord” is Paul’s admonition. See 1Th_5:12-13. “Hold such in reputation” (Php_2:29) in no way contradicts Php_2:7, “made Himself of no reputation.” The phrase in Php_2:7 literally means that Christ emptied Himself. Paul told the church to show proper honor to their leader because he “gambled his life” (Php_2:30, “not regarding his life”) for their service to Paul.

Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus had the submissive mind, the mind of Christ. And we receive this mind only as we allow the Spirit and the Word to work in our lives (Php_2:12-13).

Impression: The mind of Christ was taking over Paul’s whole being in ever increasing measure. Jesus clearly affected those around Paul. “Lord, let it be so for us as well.”

* directly from Warren Weirsbe’s Expository Outlines

Impressions from Philippians 2:19-24

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. (Philippians 2:19-24 ESV)

Lesson Focus: It’s all about being genuine.

“I have no one like him”
Paul was the servant the Lord used to mentor Timothy in Christ.

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. (1 Cor. 4:15-17)

“who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare”
Timothy shared the same heart for the ministry as Paul.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

One question tonight: What does it mean to be genuine?

“Returning to Christ changes absolutely everything. I was no longer able to work with the vampire metaphor. The vampire for me was a metaphor for the outcast, and the person in a godless world. Well, I wasn’t a person in a godless world, far from it. And it suddenly occurred to me, what if I just don’t write them anymore? What if I write books that can be dedicated directly to God. To Jesus Christ. What if that’s all I do? And at that moment, I made the decision, that’s what I’m going to do. I have changed and I have to do this. I have to write for Him.”
- Anne Rice, New Orleans resident and author of the "Vampire Chronicles"
(See Anne's video testimony at www.iamsecond.com)

Impression: Jesus was always genuine to the Father. If we are to be genuinely concerned for others we must let Jesus love through us.

Easter Sunday Sermon Notes

We opened our evening with a delicious potluck dinner. Just before dessert we observed the Lord's Supper.

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25)

We followed dessert with some worship in song. Thank you Donalynn. And returning to the passage in Mark we worshiped in The Word.

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” (Mark 14:26-34)

Then we arrive at a few hours when the humanness of Jesus reaches a point we have never seen before. He begins to process what becoming sin will entail.

And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35,36)

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

• If Jesus could have hidden from this obedience we see that was His desire. There was no where to hide.
• You all know someone else who would have hidden from a call to obedience . . . If I could have. 

Through you all and in my “one on one” time, Jesus revealed Himself to me, not unlike how He spoke to Peter.

 . . . "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."  

He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Clearly there is no place for me to hide! This summer will be focused on Origins!


You have no where to hide! That’s what Origins is all about, the simple truth that we follow our risen savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10,11)

There was no where for Jesus to hide, no where for me to hide, and thank God no where for you to hide either. We’re in it together . . . all together.

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15,16)

 David and Janet, thank you for closing the service in song and in prayer.
Greg and Barbara, Thank you for opening your home for such a great gathering.

A Story to Tell to the Nations!

When my friend Aleesa has some really good news or some really good dirt so to speak she will text me and say these simple words “Girl do I have a story to tell to the Nations.” In reading those words it sends my nosiness gene into overdrive and I know I have to call her quick to get the news. I was reminded of those words yesterday though in a totally different context. I was roaming around the French Market yesterday with a friend doing the tourist thing and just hanging out when we stopped at a booth that had the coolest coasters with classic New Orleans Stuff on them. I picked up one that said “I know what it means to miss New Orleans.” I called my friends attention to it and said I had to have it, when the vendor asked me “Do you really know what it means to miss New Orleans?” “Yes mam I do I replied I am not from but I have lived here for aboutt six years but in that year I knew what it meant to miss New Orleans.”
It was then that this woman a complete stranger began to recount to me and my friend her horrific story in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, of being trapped on a roof watching the water rise and hearing the groans of her family members as the sun was blistering their skin. “I knew we could not stay on the roof any longer so we got in the water, then I knew we could not stay in the water…” What she said next rocked my world “I was the only believer in my family, and all I could do was pray. The kept saying help will come but what they did not know was help was already there God was on the roof, and in the water and at the dome, because HE was with me, and now my family has a testimony of what God can do!”
Recounting that story gives me chills again as I sit here and write it. As I have thought of that story over and over for the last twenty-four hours it brought to my mind that we all have a testimony of what God can do. It also brings to mind a woman by the name of Mary Magdalene. Now this is a woman with a story to tell to the Nations. One of being possessed by demons and having Jesus himself cast them out, being there when he was crucified and then the story to end all stories. The gospels tells the story of resurrection morning, of Mary Magdalene going to prepare the body of Jesus and finding the tomb empty, of her running to get the others and staying behind after they left weeping when it happens… Jesus appears to her and says why do you look for the LIVING among the dead. Jesus picked Mary Magdalene a woman with a Story to tell the greatest story of them all… HE… IS…NOT…DEAD! HE IS RISEN!!
We all have a story, some are good, some are bad, but we all have a story. Over the last few months I have been learning that my story is not a weakness but a strength, and that was never more apparent than Saturday when a complete Stranger reminded me that God is always there on the roof, in water and through any storm life throws at me.
We all have a story to tell to the Nations, the story of serving a RISEN LORD!! We also have stories of how God has revealed Himself to us in the best and worst of life’s circumstances. The question is how will we use it to impact the kingdom?