Thankfulness in Life

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

– Colossians 3:17

Exposition:

        It is far easier to control our actions than our attitude. Actually, actions are the precursors to our attitude (thinking, planning, or conceiving). One could avoid sinful actions but still sin in one’s heart. Likewise, we can do a lot of good work, but with a bad attitude. We can even say or do godly things with a sinful attitude of remonstrance, grumbling, or whispering. This verse exhorts us to do everything in speech and action with an attitude of thankfulness to God. Both action and attitude matter to God.

        When we are thankful, we do not grumble or whisper, we are joyful. God wants us to be joyous people. The root meaning of 'giving thanks' is gratefulness. Gratefulness is a response to the grace of God. Since we have received and built our life upon His grace, we are to be thankful people at all times, in all places, and in all works. Thankfulness is a recurring theme in this book of Colossians (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2). O How God wants us to be thankful people!

        All our thankfulness is always primarily to God the Father. It's not the kind of thankfulness one has for somebody who helped him gain thing wrongfully. It is the thankfulness that comes when doing the right things according to the power of Jesus in our life. Would you recognise that the Sovereign God is your Father–who has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus–when you say and do all things for the edification of one another in the body of Christ? When we recognise that, we will not only be faithful people but also be thankful and joyful people.

Personal Reflection:

• I am commanded not only to do everything for the glory of God (1Cor.10:31) but also to do everything, giving thanks to God.

Personal Commitment:

• To delight in any work of ministry knowing that every work of ministry is a grace of God because even being called into the body of Christ is grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for making me a Christian, and for giving us a church. Thank You for this family.

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 1:5-2:2

“The Life in the Light”

God cleanses us from sin to have fellowship with Him
1. Pursue Sanctification (Holiness), 2. Confess Sins, 3. Trust Jesus's Work

 

Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

"In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

– Colossians 2:3

Exposition:

        Nobody wants to be a fool. Everybody wants to know more, just that the process of learning is not easy, sometimes boring and frustrating. It's true if we want to learn more, we must make an effort as the saying goes: "No pain, no gain." In this verse, we see, Jesus is the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge. The more we know Jesus, the more wisdom and knowledge we accumulate.

        Treasures of gold, diamonds, and other precious stones do not show up everywhere, they are hidden deep under the surface of the earth. Similarly, treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The Holy Bible is given to us that we may know Jesus until we attain to His likeness. However, this doesn't mean all knowledge that we can ever have in the universe is in the Bible. Apostle Peter says everything pertaining to life and godliness is in Jesus, i.e., in the Bible.

        If and since all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus, He is sufficient. We do not need any source apart from Christ. We do not need to travel anywhere to get them but only to walk in Christ diligently and joyously. We do not need any other philosophies, ideas, traditions, anything, but the teaching of Christ. Jesus is sufficient for our salvation. His word is sufficient for us to live a God-pleasing life. Would we only make an effort to know Him more, and in knowing Him more we make Him as our pattern to follow!

Personal Reflection:

·       Do I take pleasure and make an effort to know more about Jesus as I do to know other things in life?

Personal Commitment:

·       To be rooted and built up in Him because all other ground is sinking sand.

Prayer:

God, our Father, You have given Jesus, the treasures of all wisdom and knowledge, only to be received by faith and to follow Him. Thank You. I receive Him by faith. Would you please cause my heart to delight in following Him, Amen!

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:3-11

“The Assurance in Obedience”

Three Enemies (Challenges) of Obedience: 1. Mere Profession over Serious Reflection, 2. Complacency over Consistency, 3. Unlovely Fellow Christians

 

Gospel Relationship in Ministry

"So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us."

– 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Exposition:

        Relationship is an important word in the ministry of the gospel, vertically (with God) and horizontally (with one another). I fear that many have been more careful to please man than to please God. We must remember that the relationship with God is the first commandment, and the relationship with one another is the second commandment. Actually, if one has a healthy relationship with God, it will reflect on one's relationship with one another. We must never put the cart before the horse. The ministry of Paul described in 1Thessalonians is a fitting model for us.

        Paul didn't manipulate people to like his ministry nor did he develop a skin-deep relationship for his gain. He laboured for the approval of God. He recognised the centrality of the gospel and prioritised to preach it, no matter how offensive it was. He would preach nothing else but the gospel. However, Paul did so as a mother to her child, gently and affectionately. He preached because he cared for them, unlike the prophet Jonah who wanted his hearers to perish. Not only did he preach the gospel, but he demonstrated for them how to live a gospel-filled life. He sacrificed his rights, preferences, and comforts for his listener’s growth.

        In this verse, we see the priority of the gospel as well as the importance of gentle shepherding. Paul cared for them, neither to be liked by them in return, nor to be well spoken by them or others, he never lived to please man. He cared for them that they may live a life that glorifies God. He exhorted, comforted, and charged them as a father (not only as a gentle mother). Gospel ministry without an authentic relationship and a ministry without accurate teaching are fragile as houses upon the sand.

Personal Reflection:

• As much as I’ve made an effort for my hearers to understand the teachings of Scripture, have I made the same effort to show them in my life!? 

Personal Commitment:

• To implement not only servant leadership, but also parental shepherding in a pastoral ministry.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the exemplary ministry of Paul. Help me to love your people as family members, Amen!

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:12-14

“Believer’s Relation to the World”

I. Do not let your heart be troubled
Because 1. Your sins are forgiven, 2. You have a relationship with God, 3. You have overcome the wicked one.

 

Block Diagram and Outline of 1John 2:15-17

“Believer’s Relation to the World”

II. Do not love the world
Because 1. It doesn't love God, 2. It doesn't come from God, 3. It doesn't last forever.

 

Comfort in Ministry's Distress

“Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.”

– 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Exposition:

        We have often been in distress because we live in a fallen world, we all need strength in affliction. Sometimes we have suffered because of our actions, other times because of others, and yet there are times because of the schemes of the devil. The affliction of Paul mentioned in the book of Thessalonians is caused by Satan; he stirred up false accusation and persecution and hindered him from coming back to Thessalonica. Paul was forced out from Thessalonica by the commotion of jealous Jews. He was slandered and the church was persecuted. Paul was in deep distress for Thessalonian Christians. 

        Students may be stressful before the exam, but they rejoice at the news of their successful exam. Employees find the joy of earning a salary in serving others. What is the joy of a pastor? As we see in this verse, for Paul (as for Apostle John also) it is news that his spiritual children are walking in the faith. Thessalonians were not shaken even amidst persecution. They did not doubt Paul, their spiritual father, notwithstanding the false accusation against him. They were loyal to him, clinging to the Gospel, and steadfastly to the faith. This news came to Paul as a great comfort when he could no longer endure his distress for them.

        Pastors find great comfort in seeing the members of the Church grow in faith, for it assures them that their work is not in vain. God gives church pastors for the establishing of the saints in the faith, so that all may mature and not be swayed by any wind of doctrine. Would we often share with our spiritual leaders about our growth in the Lord?

Personal Reflection:

• Am I more preoccupied with my suffering than the spiritual growth of my church members?
• Am I loyal to my spiritual leaders and my church when any false accusation comes up against us?

Personal Commitment:

• To be diligent to know the state of _____ (fellow Christians, church members, household of faith) and to attend to their needs.

Prayer:

        Lord, help me be diligent in looking after your people in delight. Cause me to let their trouble be my trouble to let their spiritual growth be my joy and crown in your presence, like Your Apostle Paul, Amen!

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 2:18-27

Antichrists and Christians: The Abiding of a Christian

Three distinguish characteristics between Christians (3A: Affirm, Abide, Aided) and Antichrists (3D: Depart, Deny, Deceive)

In the Family of God

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Exposition:

        In the family of God, some are mature and wise, others are young and energetic, yet many are children and so childish, nay, babes in Christ. We are not all of equal stature and strength. Some may need to be carried in arms, others may need to be led by their hand, yet many may need spoon-feeding until they can develop the conviction of their own. Paul mentioned four groups of people in this verse:

        The brethren, who are more mature and have the most responsibility. They are not to lord over the less mature ones, rather they must be a model for the edification of the body of Christ. The unruly ones who need confrontation and correction not only for their own good, but also to not let a little leaven leavens the whole lump. The fainthearted ones who are bogged down by trials and suffering (like the loss of loved ones in Thessalonica) might be tempted to doubt the goodness of God; they need help, comfort and encouragement. The weak ones who are naïve and easily swayed by every wind of doctrines need much support and instruction.

        Regardless of the group you belong to, you sometimes find yourself in every group. We all have strong and weak points. Nobody is perfect, everyone needs to exercise patience with one another. Besides, even the most mature ones were once babies, and they need to recall the patience others had on them. Remember the patience of Jesus Christ towards His disciples and the people of His days. Our God remains patient with us even to this day.

Personal Reflection:

·       Who are the most mature people that I may hang out with for my spiritual growth? Who are the discouraged ones who may need my encouragement? Have I been kind to my weaker brothers and sisters in Christ?

Personal Commitment:

·       To cultivate the virtue of patience.

Prayer:

Help me, Lord, to develop more patience towards all, Amen!