"I was blind from birth, and people were eager to blame my parents and I for the sin which caused my blindness. One day, I was in Jerusalem when I met this man along the street. He spat on the ground, rubbed some mud into my eyes and told me to wash it in a pool. I thought he was mad, but maybe this man was a man of God who could heal me, who could show the works of God through me. I obeyed his orders and stumbled my way to the pool. At the instant I washed my eyes, I could see!
When I came back, my neighbours were shocked and brought me to the Pharisees. They asked who healed me, and I told them he was a prophet, a man of God. They did not believe me, and called for my parents to be sure I was really born blind. When my parents came, they were scared. Sure, they did affirmed that I am their son and I was born blind, but then they did not dare say who healed me. Instead, they directed the Pharisees' attention back at me and left in a haste!
So the Pharisees came to question me again. I thought they became interested in this prophet who healed me. Without knowing, I angered them and they threw me out of the synagogue! But there I met the one who healed me, and without hesitation I believed and worshipped this man - the Son of God!" - Adaptation of John 9.
Are we like the Pharisees, the parents or the blind man?
The Pharisees were stuggling to control the world. They loved rules and regulations, law and order. When the blind man regained sight, they could not make any sense of it. They believed it was sin which caused the blindness. They could not believe the miracle of God which defied logic. Similarly, have we based our lives on following rules, concentrating on doing "good" things hoping our good record will get us to heaven?
Or are we like the parents? They were concerned of their public image. They did not take any responsibility for their son because they were fearful of being thrown out of the synagogue. Are we afraid of being left out of the "cool" group? Have we succumbed to peer pressure and rejected God's way in the process?
Or are we like the blind man, filled with faith and unafraid of the gospel?
Now, what does really mean to be a Christian? In Colossians 2:6-7, it says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
The Colossi Christians were facing an issue. They were unsure on whether Christ was sufficient, and Paul tells them, remain in Him for he is everything. What does it mean be "in Him" then? Consider what it is like to be "out of Christ". Here are some examples from Colossians:
1. Enslaved to Rules/Religion
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." (v8)
We might find ourselves obsessed with not sinning or being religious, going to church every Sunday thinking that makes us holy and righteous. That's not what the gospel is! Salvation is not by what you do, but in Christ alone.
2. Emptiness
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." (v9-10)
There might be times when we feel empty, when we feel maybe Jesus is not the only one who fills our lives. Paul reminds us that Christ, above all, is the only one who gives us living water that quenches us forever. Jesus is everything.
3. Dead in our Sins
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ." (v13)
We might feel like our sins are too big. We continually feel guilty. Maybe we start to believe that good things must be done to offset the sins in our lives. However, Paul says that you have been spiritually circumcised (v11), buried with Christ from the dead (v12), made alive with Christ (v13) and have the record of charges cancelled (v14). Only through Jesus alone.
As cheesy as it sounds, Jesus turned the man's blindness which the Pharisees and his parents saw as a MESS into a MESSAGE of hope, goodness, redemption and victory. Likewise, Jesus can do the same to you!
"The Son of God died for men so that men could become sons of God" - C. S. Lewis
Have we made Jesus die for nothing?
Are we living lives that display the goodness, mercy, wisom and love of God?
As a follower of Christ, what is the message you are sending to your fellow friends, family, community etc?
Live a life rooted in wisdom of Christ, not determined by the standards and logic of the word. Live a life that is love-inspired, faith-filled and empowered by hope. Be warned, being in Christ means that things are going to start to look differently. Our perpectives will begin to change; our hearts and minds will become set on something new. But in Christ, we are made full.
In a time when a false system of doctrine was being propagated, when it was believed Jesus was not God, that he was not sufficient for salvation. In a time when it was understood that Christ was just a good spirit, not a saviour. In that time, Paul stamped Christ's authority to all who undervalued his superiority. Forward to modern day times, we are now challenged on all sides on our faith and belief in Jesus. Is he really God, or just an angel? A saviour, or just a noble man? A king, or just a wise prophet? No, Jesus Christ is God! He is above all!
In Colossians 1:15-19, Paul let us see Jesus in relation to five things: we see Jesus in relation to God, to the universe, to the unseen world, to His church and to everything else.
1. Relation to God
"The Son is the image of the invisible God" (v15)
Back in the days of Paul, there was a teaching in Colossi that Jesus was just one of the many good spirits from God. However Paul made it very clear - God is invisible but became visible in Christ.
Looking at Genesis 1:27, we too are images of God. However man's image is a flawed one. While we possess the ability to think, feel and decide, we fall short on morality and holiness. We also lack the essence: we do not freely roam the universe like spirits, neither are we omnipotent nor omnipresent. Jesus is the perfect image of God, the exact reproduction.
It is through Jesus that the image of God is restored in us: we reject our old self and become a new creation. Our morals become more Christ-like, and therefore the moral image of us becomes closer to that of God's. In receiving eternal life, the essential image of God is also being restored. While we become more God-like, we can never reach perfection. Only Jesus is the perfect image of God.
2. Relation to the Universe
"...the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together " (v15-17)
Was Jesus a creation or a creator? The word "firstborn" implies that he was created. However the Greek term for firstborn, Prototokos, is a reference of position, not time. Prototokos, or firstborn, in this case refers to the right of authority, supremacy and rank. In Genesis, Esau was born first, but Jacob was prototokos. Psalm 89:27 defines the firstborn as "the highest". Therefore, Jesus is the highest over all creation.
"For in him all things were created" - Jesus was not a creation, but the creator. Jesus has the primacy over the universe, because he created everything!
3. Relation to the Unseen World
"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities" (v16)
It might have been a case back in Colossi that people believed Jesus was not sufficient for salvation, but require a higher "angel" or a deeper knowledge beyond Jesus. Paul mentions that whatever the hierachy of angels is in the unseen world. Christ is superior to all of them, because all things, visible or invisible, and all authorities was created by Jesus. 1 Peter 3:22 states that angels and authorities are made subject to him.
4. Relation to His Church
"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy" (v18)
The first part uses an analogy of a human body: Christ is the head, the brain, and we are the limbs and organs that function according to what the brain tells us. We are joined inseperably to Christ, and to one another. We are characterised by unity.
Secondly, Paul states that Jesus is the beginning of church. Beginning, or "arche" in Greek is again not a reference of time, but in the sense of source and rank. Thus, Jesus is the power source of the church and the chief, the head of the church.
Thirdly, the word "firstborn", or prototokos, is used again, this time in regards to the dead. He is even above all who are raised from the dead. For he died on the cross and conquered death, and was risen from the dead to be exalted.
Lastly, Jesus "in everything he might have the supremacy" or pre-eminence. Jesus, by nature, is superior, and does not require any "backup" or assistance.
5. Relation to All Else
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him," (v19)
Simply put, nothing is left out from Jesus. Everything is through Christ.
As a conclusion, think about these questions: are we certain that Christ is above all? If so, are our lives reflecting as such, or are we still dependent on our own strength? Maybe we have been confused with other "gods", or teachings that differ from the Bible that question the authority and supremacy of Jesus. Let this be a reminder to all of us that Christ is indeed above all.
Katniss Everdeen - winner of the fictional 74th annual Hunger Games. Against the odds, how did she manage to do it? Firstly, she was intelligent; she knew how the game was played. It was after all a bizarre reality television show for the enjoyment of the rich. Gaining favour from the audience, she was able to survive through with aid such as medicine, donated from them. Secondly, while she was a skilled archer, it was patience that won her the games. Stuck up a tree with her enemies below, she waited. Help did finally arrive in the end, and she was finally able to use her skills and qualities to great effect. It was about enduring and waiting for the right opportunity rather than raw, brute strength.
Thankfully, we are not living in Panem, or surviving in such a sadistic world. Yet Paul prays for God to give the Colossians the knowledge of His will and the power to endure, such that they would live a fruitful life, and it is very much a relevant prayer for all Christians today.
EPIGNOSIS: Full Knowledge
Paul prays that the Colossians be filled with the knowledge of God's will through the Holy Spirit, in a time when they were easily confused with false teachings. God has already given us full knowledge through his Word: the Bible. There is no extra, hidden terms and conditions for salvation.
How does this knowledge lead us in "bearing fruit in every good work"? The Message Bible puts it in a rather straightforward manner: "As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work." By learning from the Master, we can work fruitfully.
The way God works is through love. Having full knowledge of God's will is to use the knowledge of God to love.
KRATOS: Power to Endure
"The strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."
The Message Bible again gives us a clear and simple understanding of Paul's second prayer point. In other words, God's power is the power of patience. Jesus overcame temptation after fasting for forty days. That is a display of power and strength: the ability to endure.
Amazingly, such power "spills over into joy". What is this joy that Paul is referring to? It is the promised reward to "share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light". Simply put, heaven!
LIVE A LIFE OF FRUITFULNESS
While there are many practical ways to put these two aspects into our Christian walk, it is important to note that this was a prayer. Not just any ordinary prayer, but a constant prayer from Paul to the Colossians. It is God who grants us the understanding of His Will and the power to endure through the Holy Spirit, not by our own might nor by our own power.
Before we become quick in application, let us pray for ourselves as well as others for God to empower us with the knowledge of God's will to act accordingly, and the patience and endurance to live fruitfully and joyfully.
Facing a life sentence and 24 strokes of the cane for smuggling drugs into Singapore, he could not have believed his ears when the judge gave him his sentence of just 6 months! Young Glenn Lim was a rebel, conflicting often with his parents and school authorities. An aspiring rock star, he was expelled from school, joined a gang and became involved with drugs. He was then caught at the Singapore immigration with around 600g of cannabis.
Now, a youth counsellor and recipient of the Singapore Youth Award and ASEAN Youth Award, Pastor Glenn Lim cannot be more thankful for his "wake up call": a second chance mercifully and graciously granted to him despite all he had done.
What will be our judgement when we stand before the throne of God? Will we rejoice in heaven with God's gift of salvation or will we face God's wrath in the lake of fire? Gabriel speaks on the topic of judgement and wrath of God - a topic that speaks of doom and condemnation yet covered with the God's grace and mercy. This sermon may very well be our "wake up call" as we re-examine ourselves in the light of God's judgement and mercy.
God the Judge is a central theme in the Bible: beginning with the fall of man in Genesis, to the future when we all stand before God in the final judgement.
Four characteristics of God as Judge
To understand God as the Judge, Gabriel listed four charateristics:
Firstly, God has the authority to be the lawgiver and judge as creator of the universe and everything inside it, and Him being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Secondly, God's judgement is good and right. He loves justice and fairness. Unlike human judges whose motivation might involve money or politics, God simply wants to see right triumph over wrong.
Thirdly, God's judgement is wise. God does not look purely at physical evidence like a detective in CSI; he searches the hearts and judges the secrets of men. As such, we cannot hide anything from God.
Lastly, God is powerful and able to execute the sentence.
In short, God gives the law, passes the sentence and executes the punishment.
But why must God judge?
Imagine a world without law and order. Criminals get away scot free, unpunished. There is no justice! However, God is a moral God; He wants to see fairness: the good gets rewarded, the evil gets punished. Therefore, God must judge. In fact, we can all take comfort knowing that God judges!
So what's our judgement?
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
We humans are imperfect. We fail and fall into temptations. No matter how much "good" we do, we can never match up to the holiness and perfection of God. Sin is anything that stands between our relationship with God. If all of us have sinned, are we still able to reach God, or have we been condemned to death?
The Wrath Of God
The wrath of God is indeed terrifying: the flood which wiped out the entire human population except Noah's family, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, not to mention hell. However, this wrath is not what we humans perceive it to be; God's anger is not based on human emotions. Instead, it is morally perfect! God's wrath is a holy reaction to evil.
Sin is evil. If we are all sinners and therefore evil, will we all face the wrath of God? No! Because along with God's wrath comes God's grace!
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Salvation!
God pursues a love relationship with us even though we are of fallen nature. He died, literally, to get us back! Jesus is the gift of salvation. Because of his death on the cross, we can now experience forgiveness for all our wrongdoings. God did not abandon us; we abandoned God! Now God is extending His hand of grace towards us.
Have you accepted Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour? If not, you should call on the coming judge, God, to be our saviour!
Or have we already accepted Jesus, but have taken this gift of grace too lightly? The problem with Christians today is that we think by our own merits, we are good enough. We go to church every Sunday, we say grace before every meal... We are not bad people! However, the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." It is not about what we do, but it is about what has been done. Jesus has already died for our sins!
Therefore, ask for the gift of conviction and brokenness, that you may be faithful, available and teachable in God's sight, and that we can all present ourselves holy and blameless before God.
"One Thing Remains" is a song by Jesus Culture in the album Come Away, released in 2010. The song reminds us of God's love being majestic, unchanging, overflowing and everlasting.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Lyrics:
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and in life
I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid
There's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love
