But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:11-12

Earlier this week I came upon this passage in scripture that can be a difficult one to read, depending on your heart. Paul in this passage is talk about our freedom’s in Christ versus the possibilities of causing a brother or sister to stumble. While Paul refers specifically to food sacrificed to idols the truth pertains to many areas.

Alcohol
Movies
Music
Conversations

I am not here to give a legalistic list of do’s and don'ts because that’s not what this passage does. Paul make’s it clear that it’s a matter of the conscience and I will leave that topic for another time, but as I write this I am thinking on how this truth about stumbling blocks relates to children’s ministry in particular.

As I read Paul talk about those weak in the faith I cannot help but think of the children in our care. Are these precious children not weak in the faith? Sure we will find some children are more advanced in their understanding of scripture, but they have yet to face many of the trials and temptations that test our faith and mature us in Christ.

With that in mind, let’s think about our lives. Are we making sure all stumbling blocks are out of the way of these children? Not knowing when we may bump into one of our kids, how are we living outside the church? Does it match what we proclaim inside the church? How about those areas where there is liberty? Could a child misunderstand our acting with liberty as support for something more? These are hard questions, but as servants of Christ we need to make sure our lives are more concerned about others and their spiritual growth than on our liberties. This is true sacrifice that the Lord will bless.

So this week pick up 1 Corinthians 8 and read away. It’s an awesome (and challenging) passage. May the Lord bless you all.

Imagine the hardest situation you have ever found yourself in. Maybe it is a bad job or a hard marriage. Even now, you might find yourself in the midst of a hardship that you would rather not have to deal with. Whatever it may be we can have peace knowing God is with us and that He can use us in that situation.

“Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.” 1 Corinthians 7:20-21

I cannot imagine a worse situation than to find myself a slave. To have no free will to come and go as I please, but instead to be chained to a master who decides for me. Now, this passage is not condoning slavery, but is using this position in life to make a very strong point.Paul is telling those in Corinth that whatever they were doing when they were saved (ie: called) they should continue doing. The only difference is that it is done unto the Lord.

Instead of griping because of their situation, rather use it. Instead of wishing for something else, rather us it. Instead of coveting that position, that paycheck, that status...rather use it. That it that we should use is whatever the Lord has given us, for His glory.

Got a bum job? Use it.

Got a hard marriage? Use it.

Got a sickness? Use it.

Remember, there is something much bigger than ourselves at stake here. There are souls on the line. People who are watching us and how we act/react inside of tough situations. Pastor John Piper wrote an incredible article called, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” on the eve of going into prostate surgery (due to cancer). It is a powerful look at a specific way we can use it (ie: cancer) for the glory of God and the proclamation of the gospel. No matter our current situations God can use them for a purpose beyond our understanding...as long as we are willing to be used.

Please know this is not a call to suffer for the sake of suffering. If you are blessed with a great job, marriage, health, then praise God and use those things for His glory. If not, then use what you have for His glory and be encouraged. The God of all creation can use your life to change another’s...possibly for all eternity.

We are all people. In fact, we are all fallen people who rely on Christ alone for everything good within us. Even more, without the general grace of God given all people (even the unsaved) we would all end up killing each other.

Understanding the basics of our human sin nature really helps lay the foundation as to how we are to live in harmony with one another. This may seem odd, but we see it in our relationship with God (and we are to reflect this).

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:12-14

As we work with one another in serving the Lord we must always be aware that none of us is perfect. We are all in need of grace and mercy. As David writes in the Psalm above, God has mercy on us because He knows we are dust. Since this is the case we all should try to understand the weakness of others (and ourselves) and seek to encourage one another and pray for one another.

But wait...there's more

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

Incredible. God is not just calling us to tolerate one another because we understand each other's falleness, but He wants us to love each other!

Here is what we are commanded (not suggested) to put on:

1) Tender Mercies
2) Kindness
3) Humility
4) Meekness
5) Longsuffering (patience)
6) Bearing with one another (more patience)
7) Forgiveness
8) Love

I don't know about you but as I read that list I was convicted. How many times have I failed to show kindness or tender mercy towards someone who wronged me (or just annoyed me). I'm sure we all have been there. But, as you may have notices the list is very similar to the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and therefore these things will be seen in our relationships as we allow the Spirit of God to work in our lives. This is the key to seeing these things in our relationships.

So, as us imperfect people set out to do the work of our perfect and holy God, let us do so with tender mercies. Let us carry each others burdens and encourage each other in the faith. Let us be patient with one another during times of confrontation and forgive each other when a wrong is done. Of course, we tie all these things together with the love that is given to us through Christ.

Finally, whenever you come into a situation where a brother or sister has offended you, caused you to become angry or even bitter remember this passage from Colossians. The God of the universe has forgiven your sins and saved you from the punishment of hell which you (and I) deserve. If He has done that, surely we can forgive others for much smaller things.

Let's make it a point to walk arm in arm together as we serve God and serve others. Then they will know us by our love, not just for them, but for each other.

Last week I wrote about the word perspective and referenced Colossians 3 and our need to "keep our eyes on things above and not on earthly thing."

While I had planned on talking about something else this week I was led once again to this word perspective and even more importantly, the object of that perspective, Jesus.

Back in middle school and then in high school I was deeply into Revelation and anything dealing with end times prophecy. Since leaving high school I have not obsessed over this book as much (which is probably good), but I do love reading & studying this part of scripture. Earlier this week was one such time. I opened up the book of Revelation and began reading John's description of our Lord in Revelation 1:13-18.

¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Awesome. I do not say that word like Bill & Ted, but rather this image of Christ makes me sit in awe. It is both beautiful and frightening all at once. After all, this is our God and King. This is the One who died a gruesome death at the hands of men and He now stands before John in all His glory. Awesome.

There are two main things I want to bring from this text today dealing with perspective (there are many more but just two today) .

1) Look at the majesty and power of Christ in this image. He is clothed in pure white and this white is not just white, but (to quote John MacArthur) "blazing, glowing, white light". His feet of bronze speak of judgment. His eyes pearce into the soul of man seeing everything. His voice (like crashing waved) is filled with authority and power. The two edged sword displays His power against the enemies of God. The stars in His hand show of His authority over the angels being sent to the 7 churches.

The most incredible thing about this image is that this is the same Christ who left that place of glory and come to earth to die for us. Yes, the One who holds angels in His hands, judges the world in righteousness, and destroys His enemies with His words...loves us and died for us.

This is humbling...this is true perspective.

2) Look at John's response to seeing Christ in all His glory, "And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. (17a)"

Can you imagine standing in the presence of the One who holds the world together by the power of his will? Who created all we see and know? Who holds our very life in His hands?

Me neither...but One day we will.

Like John we should all fall before His majesty as dead, dying to ourselves, our ways, our desires. And then our Lord, who is rich in mercy and loving kindness, will lift us up and care for us. "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. (17-18)"

As we pour out our lives in service to God let us keep our minds focused on the author and perfecter of our faith. We do not serve men for men's sake, but we serve men in order that we may serve God. The children in our care are from the Lord and when we become weary let us remember this image of Christ in all his glory. This is the One who creates universes with His words...surely He can strengthen the weary heart and the broken body.

May we remember Christ as He is...Lord, King, Savior, God.
And may that give us true persepctive.

Earlier this week I could have sworn I had woken up on the battle field. After crawling out of bed I found myself face to face with crying children and chaos everywhere. Amy and I looked at each other over our half-empty coffee mugs wondering "what in the world is going on."

After I got to work (having left my brave wife with the war still waging in our house) I sat down exhausted and had that unbelievable need to read God's word. I knew this was a morning where perspective was in order, and so I opened up to Colossians 3.

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."

I don't know about you but this is a hard thing to do. I get caught up in the here and now, the day in and day out, and many times I lose perspective on the reality of our world - that this is not all there is. Even now as I write this I have an office filled with my three kids and I'm wondering how in the world I am going to survive...

...but God is good, and my Savior has forgiven me and I will one day stand in His presence.

Here's another bit of perspective for us all:

"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:4-5

Get this, the God of the universe (before there was a universe) decided to create you and I so that He could show loving kindness upon us because it gave Him great pleasure. He did not need us, but desired to display His love by sovereignly orchestrating the fall of man, Christ's sacrifice, and our redemption. AMAZING!

One day, because of Christ, we will stand in the presence of the One who created all things and now sits on His throne in heaven. This is the perspective me need, because no matter how hard things may become in our life...our future is Christ and Christ alone.

VISUAL PERSPECTIVE: "[God]Measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?" Isaiah 40:12

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