The Art of Suffering

Suffering was an everyday occurrence for the New Testament believers. The Apostle Peter writes to these believers in the letter of I Peter. He writes to encourage and give hope to these people who suffered for the Lord. How do we suffer? Peter says that we have been called to suffer….called to die to our sin. Christ is our example he bore on sins in HIS body on a tree. We are to die to sin and live to righteousness. Many times we suffer for the Glory of God in fact Peter says that we should not be surprised when we go through fiery trials, WE ARE TO REJOICE when we are going through trials, because we are sharing in Christ’s Sufferings.

Elizabeth...

Beth...is a person who pushes me daily to become what Christ wants me to be. Her passion and zeal for life are contagious. She is an inspiration to me and all who are around her. She is a wife, lover, mom, best friend, minister, and lady. I esteem her today...

Jamberry

Here in the mountains of Haywood county mid summer brings warm days cool nights. This type weather is perfect for the wild blackberry and raspberry. Me and Emma are reaping the harvest close to our mountain home. Our dogs were also treating themselves to the bounty.

We took the berries we picked and "put them up" to be used later for jam...

Philippians 4.1….some final words on Christian Community

This post was published to D-te3m at 1:07:50 PM 9/3/2008
Philippians 4.1….some final words on Christian Community



Philippians 4.1
As Paul ends this letter to the Philippians he reminds the people of few things.

This picture from our retreat to High Pastures

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Paul reminds his reader of the family ties that hold the body of Christ together. He does this by expressing his feelings to his readers
Family ties (vs1a)
Love
Joy
Pride
Describe to the group what love in the family of God looks like? Why do you think these people brought Paul Joy? How can we find joy in our Christian relationships? What made Paul so proud of these people that he would call them his crown?
Family Orders (vs1b)
Stand
Strong
Stable
Paul orders the family of God to stand firm, what do you think he means by this statement? What is the difference between standing and standing firm? How does God provide our strength to stand. What are some challenges in today’s world that hinder us from standing in the Lord?

Servants

Servants of the Savior
Philippians 1.1-2
1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus
The Identity
We see that in this text, as well as all the other texts that Paul has written, that he identifies himself and Timothy. He does not use code, or secret language he openly tells all who he is. This is the same Paul that was with you when you first came to know the Lord. This is the same Paul whom you ate with, hung out with. This could have brought Paul great persecution, but Paul did not care. You see a true servant is not ashamed of their identity. Notice that Paul did not say, I Paul the Great preacher, or I Paul the mega super star pastor…..No he said I Paul the slave or servant. ( what things do we tend to identify with? Why are their so many Christians who are ashamed of who they are? How can we keep from letting pride swell up in our lives?)

(vs1b) To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
The Fellowship
In the next part of the text we see the fellowship. These are the people whom Paul Cared for. From Acts 16 We remember that these people were a cross section of the society they lived in. In other words there were many different people who involved in this church. We see a glimpse of how Paul viewed community. Notice how all is emphasized in these verses. ( What is community to you? What are some ways that we as a group can promote community? When has their been a time that you experienced community?)

(1:2 ) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Supply
The text shows how Paul’s true feelings for the church. He desired that God would supply them everything that they needed. Christ is our supply. Paul knew that Christ was everything that this church needed. Grace and peace should be the top of every Christian’s wish list. Many people whish for other things like money, prosperity, good insurance, nice houses, cars, etc. As servants grace and peace are all we need. These items must be put into context. ( name some things that we think we need? Where do these thoughts come from? Why are we so easily influenced by our culture? What steps can we take to make Christ our supply?)

Hey Guys,

well Its been a while since my last post it has been very crazy. So to shake things up a bit I thought I would let you see the snake I killed on Tuesday night. He was on his way to my garden. With kids and dogs around this guy had to be exterminated. I usually leave snakes alone and let them go. This case was different. This timber rattler did not make a sound when I approached him. He meant business and was in strike position. He was defiantly a threat. If he had not of been in sight I would have never seen him and probably found him in my garden....one of us had to go! 38" with 8 rattles and 1 button. My little girl and wife now know what a rattle snake looks like. This event reminded me of a what Dr. Thad Dowdle said...."when the fire gets hot, the snakes come out"

Well Armored

(pastor Alan at the easter egg hunt--a true soldier of the Cross)

Ephesians 6.11-18
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
I. Well Armored Soldier (vs11, vs13-18)
a. Belt of truth
i. Truth is more than just not telling lies. It is doctrine it is what we believe. The way you live life will be determined what you believe. Truth only comes from Christ. He is the maker and creator of truth. He is truth. This is the root of our strength. Being girded or surrounded by the truth of God will help us to refrain form liberalism and uncertainties. So the Question is this, is our life held together by God’s truth, or are we simply relying on our own version of truth? What are some ways we can wrap our lives in the truth of God?
b. Breastplate of Righteousness
i. We must literally put on the righteousness of Christ. This guard the vital organs and the vulnerable areas of our life. God’s righteousness allows us to boldly go into the heat of battle, because of HIS RIGHTTEOUNESS. We cannot depend upon our own. What are some areas in life when we need God’s righteousness?
c. Gospel of Peace-makes ready
i. Our lives must be prepared by the gospel of peace. This allows our lives to be at peace with God, ourselves, and man. Living with the Gospel of peace will prevent us from falling into the temptation of dishonesty and strife between each other. This peace of armor gives the individual a frame of mind that allows for patience, virtue, and longsuffering for Christ. Notice it prepares us. This means that provision has been made for the time of preparation. In other words time has been spent and made for your relationship with Christ. ( How can we prepare our life with the Gospel of Peace? Why do you think Paul calls it the Gospel of peace?)
d. Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit
i. These three are the final peaces of armor. They are also the most important. In fact Paul says they are the most important (verse 16). Faith is mentioned first. It is compared to a shield. A shield is movable in all directions, able to deflect and defend. Our faith is the same. We should be comfortable with our faith. It should be our own. In the days of the roman and greek soldier shields signified were you were raised, were you lived and whose you were. The soldiers actually painted and decorated their shield sot make it personal. The same goes for our faith. It should be personal our own. ( How can we make our faith our own?) Salvation comes next in the form of a helmet. This speaks of minds. Salvation will protect your mind. You see the way you think of problems will either strengthen you relationship with God or hinder it. When we put all problems, situations, and experiences under the umbrella of Biblical salvation we begin to have a hope. Knowing that God has plan should comfort and protect us during life’s problems. If God had a plan to save you he has a plan for all things. Without putting on the helmet of salvation the devil would have a foothold on our minds. He would create doubt, fear, despair, and suffering. But when we Put on salvation all these troubles are deflected by our salvation in Christ. (How does salvation in Christ ease our mind?) Finally the sword of the spirit. This is the Word of God. The sword is the most effective part of our armor. It is the most versatile of all the pieces of armor. It is able to defend and offend. It was used by Christ against the devil. We must be masters of the word of God. He should be hid in our hearts and close to our hands. We should be quick with it. We also should be familiar with it. As Christians we are very poor with the Word. Many Christians even use it the wrong way. The word will also affect us. It will cause us to grow, and change. (How can we become better with the word of God? What are some ways the word can help us in this life? Why are so many Christian’s poor with the word of God?)

Biblical examples, 3 Hebrew children, Elijah, Joshua, Gideon, Peter and John, Jesus