The New You – Robert Hatfield

September 3, 2015

Restore in the Right Spirit

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (Gal. 6:1).

That passage is more than a saying; it is a call for Christians to reach out in love to our brothers and sisters in the Lord who have fallen back into sin. We are commanded to reach out to them and to help them come back home.

But there is a unique temptation that will come our way when we’re involved in this sort of activity. Paul touches on it in this verse: “you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” There is a certain way that we are to reach out to the erring.

Sin has a way of creeping in – even in situations that have spiritual grounds. Sometimes reaching out to an erring Christian turns into becoming a busybody or can even lead to gossip about the one to whom we are reaching out. Sometimes a brother or sister may wrong me. Perhaps later they realize that wrong and apologize to me, but I may be reluctant to forgive them. Watch yourself, Christian! If you don’t, then Satan will take you down to those same depths!

The “spirit of gentleness” described in this verse literally refers to meekness. Being meek is the opposite of being self-assertive or of operating out of self-interests. I’m going to be humble in seeking the fallen because I know that it could happen to me!

Who are the “spiritual” to whom Paul gives this obligation to restore the fallen? They are the people who have a spiritual mind (Rom. 8:5-8). They are people who’s affections are on spiritual things (Col. 3:1-2). Spiritual people have crucified “the flesh” (Gal. 5:24), and are seeking to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). These are the ones whom Paul addresses with this important task. They will provide a positive example to follow and will handle the situation with love, gentleness, and Christ-likeness.

Let’s wrap it up: Christians take care of each other! We are called to the opposite mentality of Cain, who asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” We are our brother’s keeper! We have a responsibility to others and they have a responsibility to us. We are to keep each other in check, constantly encouraging each other to keep on keeping on. That’s part of the beauty of the family of God.

So let’s be spiritual people who are motivated by spiritual reasons to reach out to someone, in an effort of helping their spiritual health.

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015

Abortion in America

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:4-5).

I’m coming to you today in defense of those who cannot defend themselves. They have never taken a step or uttered a word. They are unborn babies who have been aborted.

Abortion is the strategic, intentional destruction of an unborn human being in the womb. It is dismemberment. It is poisoning. It is death.

Statistically speaking, 18-20 unborn children are aborted every 30 minutes or so. There have been more than 57 million abortions in the United States since the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down in 1973. The number of children aborted each year nearly equals the number of American deaths in the Revolutionaly War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars combined.

What is wrong with our society?!

Why is news of a pregnancy met with disappointment instead of joy? Why has our culture turned the conception of a child – something that used to be the product of love between a wedded man and woman – into something that is the unfortunate product of lust or fornication? Why are there unborn children who are unwanted and unloved?

My opinion is that the sexualization of our world has something to do with it. Have you noticed that everything in our culture is sexualized? You don’t have to watch very many commercials to figure that out. The result of all of this is that our sense have been blunted. There is no such thing as moral “oughtness,” as right and wrong, as righteous indignation. These things have been thrown aside.

Here’s what has come about as a result: just over one million abortions are performed annually in the United States. Thirty percent of those – that is, 327,166 abortions – are performed by Planned Parenthood (according to 2013-2014 stats).

I’m sure you have heard about the release of several undercover videos in which the Center for Medical Progress attacks Planned Parenthood. The first video, released July 14, 2015, showed Dr. Deborah Nucatola, the senior medical director of Planned Parenthood, casually discussing the sale of organs from aborted babies. While reaching for her salad with her fork, she says that there is a great demand for fetal livers and that “a lot of people want intact hearts these days.”

The saddest part of the video to me is the blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life. How could someone discuss something like that while eating? Clearly, there is on regard for the moral – yea, biblical – view of abortion and human life.

Let’s wrap it up: The Bible says that the Lord hates “hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:16-17). America needs to wake up and realize that the blood of over 57 million unborn children is on this nation’s hands. Christians cannot sit silent in the midst of this decades-long moral crisis. That’s why I’m coming to you today – and all this week on The New You – in defense of those unborn children who cannot defend themselves.

[divider]

This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

August 7, 2015August 6, 2015

Hang On to Hope

I’ve heard it said many times lately. I’ve even said it myself: “I feel like a stranger here.” Never have I felt less at home … at home. This is both good and bad, isn’t it? It’s bad for obvious reasons, but it’s good because the degradation of our culture makes us even more thankful for our hope.

Let’s spend a little time thinking about hope today.

1. Hope Defined

In Proverbs 10:28, the wise man speaks of hope and expectation, using the terms basically synonymously. In Proverbs 13:12, he uses the terms hope and desire synonymously. So hope is desire for something, and expectation that I will receive it. Those who are only vaguely familiar with the biblical teachings understand that we hope for eternal life (Titus 1:2).

Hope is so wonderful! It changes our focus from here to eternity. Paul, a man of hope, reminded us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20), and that we should “trust in the living God” (1 Tim. 4:10; 6:17).

2. Hope Secured

The hope that we have is secure! First, it is secure in Jesus (1 Cor. 15:19; Heb. 6:19-20). When we talk about hoping for heaven, we are talking about something that is not only a desire, but a secure expectation! But that expectation is conditional, isn’t it? On a personal level, our hope is secured in our faith (Heb. 11:1), because faith is the substance of that for which we hope. Further, our hope is secure in our faithfulness. We are to “fight the good fight of faith” and “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12, 19). This reminds me that hope is an expectation conditioned upon our faithfulness to God.

Then, there are things which that hope secures for us. For example, our hope secures our reason to rejoice (Rom. 12:12). Further, our hope secures our bold speech (2 Cor. 3:12). We speak boldly because we know that heaven awaits!

3. Hope realized

Today, our hope is not seen. Paul said that if hope were seen, then it would not be hope (Rom. 8:24-25)! “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Rom. 8:25). One day, faith will become sight, and hope will be realized (1 Thes. 4:13-18).

Let’s wrap it up: We are a people of hope! That’s why we can endure in spite of all of the things going on in our world. That’s why we can overcome temptation and sin. That’s why we can be victorious over Satan as we fight our personal battles to secure Christ’s victory. It’s all because of the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

But I am also reminded that there are those who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13). They are without Christ (Eph. 2:12), that is, they do not have a relationship with Christ. It is to those without hope that we lovingly, yet boldly and urgently, plead to come to the Savior and to rest in His promises.

[divider]

March 13, 2015July 2, 2015

A Common Strength: Stationed Supporters

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2-4).

When we come to Acts 6, the work of the church is going relatively well. There has been tremendous growth as the gospel was spread. However, something was lacking. There were some widows who were not receiving their daily needs (probably food). The apostles summoned the multitude of the disciples and they discussed the issue. The apostles said that it would not be best for them to neglect the preaching of the word to serve tables. However, the widows were important and something needed to be done for them. So the apostles asked the multitude to find seven men from among themselves. They were to be men of good reputation, men who were students of the Old Testament, and they were to be wise. These men would be appointed over the work of the widows.

And so, the work of deacons was born. A deacon is a stationed supporter. He is appointed over a specific work (or several works) of the local congregation. He does the work in his area of responsibility as a means of supporting the whole work of the congregation. Therefore, he is a stationed supporter.

Let’s notice three points about these stationed supporters: their prerequisites, their purpose, and their power.

The Prerequisites

The qualifications of deacons are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. They are to be married men, with children, who have a great reverence for God in their hearts and in their actions and words. They are to be blameless and faithful to the cause of Christ.

Their Purpose

What do deacons do? The word deacon literally means servant. It is used elsewhere in the New Testament to refer to any servant. Within the context of 1 Timothy 3, it is clearly referring to an individual who occupies a specific role in the church. So a deacon is a special servant. He is appointed by the overseers of the congregation to a specific work. It could be an area of benevolence like taking care of widows (as they did in Acts 6). It could also have to do with other areas of the work of the church, evangelism and edification.

Their Power

From where do deacons get their power? In Acts 6 those seven men received their instructions from the apostles. Today, deacons receive their instructions from the elders. The elders, of course, are operating under the guidelines of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, everything we do comes from Christ, the Head of the church, who, of course, operates in accordance with the will of the Father.

Let’s wrap it up: For the past three days, we have noticed that the work of the church is a collaborative effort. It takes the steadfast servants – all of us as Christians. We must be actively working to accomplish God’s will in our lives. It takes the sound shepherds – men who are good students of the word and who are committed to it. And, yes, it takes stationed supporters – deacons who realize that their work is the work of the Lord and, thus, who are proactive in accomplishing that great work.

While these roles within the church are different in some ways, they are alike in other ways. No, not everyone can serve as an elder or as a deacon, but we can all tap into our common strength – God. We are “laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9). May we never forget it.

March 12, 2015July 2, 2015

A Common Strength: Sound Shepherds

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

The Bible teaches that the church is involved in God’s work, the greatest work on earth. We are, therefore, “laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9, KJV). Yesterday, we observed that this work involves steadfast servants. That’s all of us. Everyone has something to do.

In addition to steadfast servants, the work of the Lord needs sound shepherds.

Shepherds, also called elders, bishops, overseers, and pastors in the New Testament, are vital to the work of the church. As we did yesterday, let’s notice their prerequisites, their purpose, and the source of their power.

The Prerequisites

The qualifications to be an elder are specifically given to us in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. While the purpose of this discussion is not to look at these passages in depth, it is worth noting that an elder is to be a married man (“husband of one wife”) who is an experienced Christian (“not a novice”). He is to be a righteous man who is able to lead his own family in spiritual ways because he will be leading the church. He is to love what is good, and he is to be prepared to answer any false teaching or criticisms that may come against the congregation.

The Purpose

Shepherds have an important purpose in the church. By the way, you never read in the New Testament of just one elder. There are always a plurality of elders in a local congregation.

The purpose of elders, or shepherds, is seen in a study of the words that are used in Scripture to identify them. I’ve already mentioned the terms overseer, bishop, shepherd, pastor, and elder. These terms are used to signify certain aspects of their work. The terms overseer and bishop come from the same Greek word. An overseer is one who is watching over the congregation to ensure its safety from outside threats as well as its overall health. Like overseer and bishop, the terms shepherd and pastor come from the same Greek word. Think about what a shepherd does in tending to a flock. He protects, he guides, he feeds those sheep. The pastors (who are not preachers, by the way – they are more than that) are doing those things for the congregation. They will give account for how well they have done these things. Finally, the word elder refers to one who is chronologically older. With age comes wisdom. The idea is that these men are spiritual mentors. We can look to them for spiritual advice and for a great example of a Christian.

Bishops have an important purpose in the work of the church.

Their Power

It’s clear that shepherds have a lot of power in the church. From where does that power come? The New Testament teaches that they are not to lord that power over the congregation. Instead, they serve with the congregation, leading them in the right direction. They serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). So elders must be careful that they are relying on the power of God rather than upon themselves as they shepherd the flock which Jesus purchased with His own blood. This is a heavy responsibility.

Let’s wrap it up: Shepherds, pastors, bishops, overseers, elders – All terms that are used interchangeably to refer to the work of experienced Christian men who lead the local congregation in the ways of Jesus. They have an important job, don’t they? Let’s be sure that we make their job as easy as possible. Let’s count them worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17). We need them.

March 11, 2015July 2, 2015

A Common Strength: Steadfast Servants

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Cor. 3:6-9).

There’s a very important phrase found in 1 Corinthians 3:9. Paul says, “For we are God’s fellow workers.” That’s the New King James translation. I like the way the King James Version translates it: “For we are labourers together with God.”

Stop for a minute and analyze that phrase: “labourers together with God.” As Christians, we are laborers. There is work to do! Further, we are laborers together. We’re not alone in our Christian journey. In fact, we can’t do it alone! It takes all of us working together as the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). Finally, he goes so far as to say that we are laborers together with God. Now that is amazing! God is our strength; it is from Him that our power comes to accomplish His will in our lives (Rom. 1:16).

Today, I want us to consider the work of the church in light of that power from God. The work in which we are involved is the most important work on earth! We’re talking about soul-saving, eternity-determining matters! God gives us the strength to accomplish this great work through His amazing word.

The work of the church needs steadfast servants, sound shepherds, and stationed supporters. Let’s examine each of these individually over the next three days.

Today, we turn our attention to the steadfast servants.

God wants everyone to be a steadfast servant. He has given us the guidance we need to know what we are to do and how we are to do it. Consider three areas: the prerequisites, the purpose, and the power.

The Prerequisites

For one to be a servant of God, he or she must be obedient to the gospel. That’s how we become part of God’s family, added to the church (Acts 2:47). The Christians at Rome had “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Rom. 6:17). They met the prerequisites.

The Purpose

We are not redeemed by Christ’s blood merely to occupy a pew several times a week. There is work to do! The work of the church has been categorized into three sections: evangelism, edification, and benevolence. Evangelism is the spreading of the gospel (Mat. 28:18-20). Edification is the building up, the encouragement, of the church, our brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph. 4:16). Benevolence is assistance that is provided to those in need (Gal. 6:10).

The Power

Finally, let’s notice once again that the power to accomplish these three important tasks is found in God – and only in Him! His gospel is the power to save (Rom. 1:16). His nature has shown us comfort so that we can comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4). His Word promises that our labors are not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

Let’s wrap it up: We have important work to do. Are you involved in the Lord’s work? Are you a steadfast servant, one who is unwavering in God’s work? Live up to the potential for which you were reborn into Christ by giving your life to Jesus and working for Him every day.

March 10, 2015July 2, 2015

A Great Tool for Spiritual Growth

Everyone suffers – the good and the bad, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. No one is exempt. Christians certainly aren’t excused from suffering. Jesus said that the prophets were persecuted and we will be, too (Mat. 5:10-12). Paul said that all Christians will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12). He knew, in a deeply personal way, the pain of suffering, yet he said that today’s sufferings can’t compare to eternity’s glory (Rom. 8:18).

Persecution is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Do you want to be closer to God and to God’s people? There’s hardly a better way to deepen your faith than to endure persecution. That’s why James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2), because “the man who endures temptation … will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).

Allow me to direct our attention to 1 Peter 4. Much of this entire book is devoted to the topic of suffering for our faith. Peter says that Christ suffered for us and that we were called to suffering ourselves (1 Pet. 2:21). He continues the conversation about Christ’s suffering in chapter three: “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). It is with that backdrop that chapter four begins.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

Will you respond to suffering in a way that will bring about spiritual growth for your soul? Peter tells us how to do it here in 1 Peter 4.

1. Be defended.

Peter says that we need to be armed to defend ourselves against one of Satan’s most powerful weapons, persecution. You know as well as I do that the devil will use suffering to shake our faith. Peter says that we must arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. When Jesus “suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). That’s what we must do.

2. Be determined.

Some people are going to think that we’re weird for choosing a path that could bring suffering our way (1 Pet. 4:3-4). Peter assures us, “do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). We do that, don’t we? We suffer and wonder, “Why is this happening to me?”. But why do we think that we’re the only Christians who will never suffer? Why do we think that we will be the only Christians in history who haven’t been persecuted?
Peter says that our suffering is not strange. Instead, we ought to be determined to rejoice in it (1 Pet. 4:13), to glorify God in it (1 Pet. 4:16), and to commit our souls to God in it (1 Pet. 4:19).

Let’s wrap it up: Do you really want to be a strong Christian? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Mat. 5:10). When the pain comes, let’s choose the path of growth. Christianity is called “the Way” in the book of Acts. We don’t claim that it’s the easy way. We don’t claim that it’s the way of least resistance. But it is the right way. It’s the way that Jesus says leads to eternal life and rest with Him and with God. That’s the way that I want to walk. What about you?

March 9, 2015July 2, 2015

Blessed are the Persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mat. 5:10-12).

This is the last of the beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. While the other beatitudes are one verse apiece, this final thought demands a little more elaboration – probably because it would be harder to bear.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted”?? The word “persecuted” means to put in rapid motion. The idea is that the disciples are caused to flee because of the intense threats and even murder of God’s people. Jesus goes on to say that God’s people would be insulted by their persecutors, and people would use their words with the intent of tearing them down by spreading lies about them.

So why do bad things happen to good people? You know, that’s really not the right question. The truth is, bad things happen to everyone. So the question is not “Will I suffer?”, the right question is “HOW will I suffer?”.

Peter makes this distinction very clear.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Pet. 4:15-16).

Sometimes we bring suffering on ourselves, don’t we? We sin and we reap the consequences. Other times we suffer simply because suffering is a part of life as we know it. We live in a world that is dominated by sin, and everyone feels its effects. Peter shows us that even Christians suffer. In so doing, he also illustrates to us that there is a right way to suffer and a wrong way to suffer. How will I react to suffering?

Suffering as a Christian is glorifying to God. Peter says, “let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Pet. 4:16). Further, we read that love suffers long (1 Cor. 13:4), and that long suffering, or endurance in the face of trials, is a part of bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Oh, and don’t forget that Jesus said that those who suffer for the sake of righteousness are “blessed” and should “rejoice” (Mat. 5:10-12).

Let’s wrap it up: We are not the first people of God who have been persecuted throughout history. Jesus said, “for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mat. 5:12). Paul reminds us that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). So it comes down to this: I can hurt and reject God or I can hurt and glorify God. Which do you choose?

March 6, 2015July 2, 2015

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Webster defines peace as “a state of tranquility or quiet.” The definition goes on to define peace as the absence of war or fighting. It could even include the agreement to end war.

The Bible has a lot to say about peace. It naturally contains a lot about peace because it’s Source – God in heaven – is the God of peace. Romans 15:33 and Romans 16:20 both emphasize that God is the God of peace.

We often talk about love and how God is love (1 John 4:8). When we say that God is love we mean that love comes from God; we can’t know love apart from God. I submit to you that it is the same way with peace. God is the God of peace, and you and I will not know true peace until we have a relationship with God. The same could be said of Jesus, couldn’t it? Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

The Sermon on the Mount shows us that the theme of peace is an important part of our Lord’s teaching. He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mat. 5:9). Who is Jesus calling blessed here? Is it world leaders who do whatever it takes to avoid wars between countries? Is it social activists who rally in peaceful protest in defense of a cause? Is it two individuals who put differences aside and choose to get along rather than to fight? Being a peacemaker includes all of these things, but it goes deeper than that. You can’t know peace if you don’t have a relationship with God and with Jesus Christ.

That’s why, when Jesus was born, the angels praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14). That’s why Paul says that “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). That’s why the Hebrews writer puts peace and holiness together in Hebrews 12:14 and says that without both of these “no one will see the Lord.”

There are some things that, if we truly want them to be a part of our character, we can only receive from drawing closer to God. I think sometimes we forget that when it comes to characteristics like love, unity, and peace. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” He’s pointing us to the God of peace and to Himself, the Prince of Peace. Once we have that peace, then the passage in Romans 12:18 begins to be possible: “live peaceably with all men.”

Let’s wrap it up: There is an inseparable link between God and peace. That’s why Paul says, “live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11). James says that the wisdom that is from above is peaceable, and that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18). Be a true peacemaker by first securing peace with God, and then you will be ready to strive for peace with your fellowman.

March 5, 2015July 2, 2015

Church Division: The Fix at Corinth

Yesterday, we noted some of the problems that caused the division in the church at Corinth. Ultimately, we learned that their problem was one of focus. Their focus was on the messenger more than the message, on immaturity more than increase, and on self more than service. We noted that their focus needed to be on Christ instead of on themselves.

Today, let’s look at the specifics of Paul’s solutions to these three issues.

1. They needed to put their faith in the power of God, not the wisdom of men.

The “preacher-itis” in Corinth would be fixed by a clear focus on the power of God’s word and the foolishness of man’s wisdom. This theme is clearly discussed in chapters one and two of 1 Corinthians. Later, Paul says, “Let no one boast in men” (1 Cor. 3:21). The message Paul preached was “not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12).

2. They needed to act their age.

This was the cure to their spiritual immaturity. They would accomplish maturation by doing three things. First, they needed to eat right. Paul says that they needed to get away from the milk and move toward a more adult diet (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Second, they needed to “man up.” Paul asked them, “Are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Cor. 3:3). It was time to act like men of God. Finally, they needed to put off the works of the flesh and put on the fruit of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:3, he says that they were involved in “envy, strife, and divisions,” all things that are found in Galatians 5:19-21 when Paul lists the works of the flesh. They needed to act their age.

3. They needed to learn their place as servants.

All Christians are servants. Too many of us are looking for what the church can do for us instead of what we can do for Christ. Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians that they were nothing without God. He said,

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Cor. 4:7).

The realization that we are nothing without God is a great cure to self-centeredness and arrogance.

Let’s wrap it up: We will thrive as the church today when we are together, united in our common bond of Jesus Christ. We will do that by putting our faith in God and His Word (not in human wisdom), by spiritually growing as God expects, and by learning our roles as servants together and servants of God.

Let’s thrive as God’s people!