The Connection between Love and Life in the Spirit

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on April 1, 2009
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It ought to be obvious to us, but sometimes it’s like looking for something that’s right under your nose. You don’t know why, but you just can’t find it.

Ephesians 4 and 1 John 4, both make the very clear connection between what it means to walk in the Spirit and to walk in love. For example, Ephesians 4:3 tells us to make every effort to keept the unity of the Spirit…” The verses following make it clear that the true Christian life is a Spirit-led life, and that means, among other things, that we will live a life characterized by love for others.

Just note how many commands in Ephesians 4, relate to love. In fact, the very first verse “…I urge you to live a live worthy of the calling you have received” hints at the fact that if I am not showing love for others, then that right there, gives me a failing grade on the entire “worthy of the calling” idea.

But it is even more clear in other places. Verse 15 indicates that the more I mature, the more I will speak the truth in love…Verse 30 tells me not to grieve the Holy Spirit…and verse 32 reminds me that I am to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. These are truly expressions of love, don’t you agree?

I John 4 is even more explicit about this connection between the Spirit and love. Verse 12 says we know that he is in us because he has given us his spirit….and that leads us to verse 16 that tells us “…whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

I’ve been preaching a series on the Holy Spirit and how He transforms our lives. Perhaps the most important way to know whether or not we are really being led by the Spirit is simply: Am I walking in love toward others? Is the love of God for others what is dominating my mind, my relationships, my day?

It’s easy for us to just get so task oriented and so focused on what we have to accomplish, and what our problems and worries are and…blah blah blah…And you know what? When I get like that, I can’t even stand to be around myself!

But when I stop thinking about me, me, me, and I start looking to see who I can show love to…it’s amazing how the Spirit of God transforms my “sorrow into dancing.” And, let’s face it…watching a Baptist pastor dance is enough to make anyone smile.

Galatians 5-Life in the Spirit

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on March 30, 2009
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This chapter is a great reminder that being filled with the Spirit is not about emotional outbursts in the worship service, nor is it about mystical experiences that seem completely disconnected from every day life.

Don’t get me wrong…There’s nothing wrong with emotion in a worship service. Our founding fathers as Southern Baptists were foot-stomping, hand-clapping, enthusiastic singers. But emotion merely for the sake of emotion…or emotion as a “sign” of the Spirit is more than slightly off target.

Galatians 5 tells us that the ongoing result of walking in the Spirit is that our lives will be marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control…and “such things.”

O, Lord, that’s what I want you to fill my life with, and I’m so saddened when I look back at a day or a season and see that these things have been way to scarce in me. I think that this chapter ties in very well with Ephesians 5 where Paul says that being filled with the Spirit has a positive impact upon our relationships with each other. And, of course, it’s not hard to see that bearing the fruit of the Spirit would certainly enhance the quality and closeness of our personal relationships.

On the other hand, Verses 19-21 speak about the works of the sinful nature, and they read like a synopsis of what’s being shown on any television station and every movie theatre across the nation. It’s no surprise, since most of the entertainment media has rejected the Bible and Jesus as the Son of God. Because of that decision, it only stands to reason that their products will be filled with the deeds of the sinful nature.

That’s bad enough, but when those things start creeping into the church, it’s even worse. And, sadder still is when those things start showing up in my life! When those things are in our lives, it is a sure sign that we are NOT walking in the Spirit.

So how do I get the bad things out and the good things in?

Verse 16-”…Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Said another way: Obey the Spirit Promptly!

What do you do if you see these things in your life? Ask God to forgive you and to fill you anew with the Holy Spirit. And then as you obey the Spirit promptly and persistently, you will discover over time that He produces in you these beautiful traits that are listed in verses 22-23.

Judges 14

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Judges 14

The ESV study Bible (a very helpful tool) notes that there are 10 feats of Samson’s Strength. In the first 5…3 times the “Spirit of the Lord” is mentioned. In the last 5 there is no mention of the Spirit of the Lord.

C-Is there a COMMAND to obey?

Two things jump out at me. The first is that while verse 3 is not a command, but a question, it seems that listening to one’s parents should have held a much higher place in his life than it did. Instead, he totally dismisses the question that his parents raise.

A second is that his contact with the dead lion violated his vow as a Nazarite (Judges 13:5). It is too easy to forget the commands that are given to us as well as the commitments we make early in life. Many people sadly dismiss their wedding vows, supposing that because they, themselves, have forgotten them, that God has, also. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. This is sometimes justified by saying, “Well, I married the wrong person.” Without meaning to sound calloused, the reality is that he/she may have been the wrong person, BUT when you said, “I do,” he/she became the right person.

In short, the command to obey: is obey the commands and keep your commitments.

A-is there an ATTITUDE to adopt?

Just the opposite…Samson’s cavalier attitude toward sin would be his demise.

S-is there a SIN to avoid?

Samson says, “She looks good to me” about his wife to be…evidently exalting his opinion over the Lord’s. In other words, she may not fit the Lord’s criteria, but she fits mine! That foreshadows the poor decision making that will eventually destroy him.

He attempts to marry someone he shouldn’t.
He “forgets” or ignores his vow as a Nazarite to not touch dead things.
He foolishly misjudges his wife’s loyalty, not realizing that she was more loyal to her family, life-long friends, and country than she was to him.

E-is there an EXAMPLE to follow?

Hmmmm…Samson does allow the Spirit of the Lord to use him. That’s a stretch, but it’s about as close to an example to follow in this chapter that we can see.

Colossians 1: The Prayer

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Colossians 1

The prayer that is recorded in this chapter has been one of my favorites for a long time. I strongly recommend that you memorize verses 9-14 of chapter 1, so that at any moment, no matter where you are…you will always have quick and easy recall in knowing what to pray for the people you love.

I’m not advocating merely reciting it as if it were a magical charm or incantation. But, as you say those words that Paul wrote (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), then it is not difficult to think of many ways that these petitions relate to people’s lives.

This connects with what Ephesians 5 speaks of about “redeeming the time” or as the NIV puts it “Making the most of every opportunity…” (Eph 5:16) It is also in keeping with the command in Eph 6:18 to “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”

John 17

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John 17

John 17

This prayer is often called the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.

There are many things that I could detail in this chapter. However, the thing that sticks out to me the most right now is that Jesus said in verse 19 that he was setting himself apart…that we might also be truly set apart for God.

Had Jesus not set himself apart for God…including, but not limited to, the cross, then it would have been impossible for us to be sanctified.

The question that always sticks with me…is: Is there not a sense in which that is so for all of us as leaders, parents, and examples? Is it not possible that unless we set ourselves apart for the Lord’s service and be what he intends us to be, that the devastating result will be that not only are we not set apart…but that many, many others who would have been, will in fact, suffer because of our disobedience?

“Lord, I am not always willing to get under the yoke and really submit to your Lordship as I know you desire. It is sobering to think that not only have I suffered because of that but that others around me have paid a price for that, as well. I hate that thought. Please, Lord, forgive and give me fresh determination to set myself apart for you in totality as your Son, Jesus, did.”

Matthew 6

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C-Is there a COMMAND to Obey?

This chapter is full of commands! Rather than try to record every one of them, I am going to summarize some of them.

Verses 1-4– To paraphrase Rick Warren, “Live your life before an audience of One” (Hint: Including your “Religious Life”) Do what you do for God to see, not for others. Period.

Verse 5-Don’t pray in public places for the recognition of man. It isn’t a prohibition against praying in public. I remember a man in a church where I served who refused to come to prayer meetings because he said, (wrongly) that Jesus said not to pray in public. That’s just ridiculous. There are times in the Bible when Jesus prayed publicly, when many people in the OT and NT prayed publicly, and the Holy Spirit inspired people even to write down the content of their prayer!!! What Jesus was saying was: Don’t pray to be recognized by men. Is that so hard to understand?

Verse 6-The command is when you pray, use normal language. I have known several people through the years who defended the use of the KJV ONLY by saying that the Thee’s and Thou’s communicated a reverence and formality that was lost when newer translations used contemporary pronouns such as You and Yours, etc. While I would be the first to say that we need reverence and respect in our communication to and about God, I would also suggest that God intends that to come from our heart and not merely our lips. Not to mention our intellect. And, in truth, the words “Thee” and “Thou” as they were used by the translators of the KJV were not meant to communicate formality but intimacy. To borrow from Spanish…they would have been “Tu” not “Usted.”

So…the command is use normal language…don’t babble…and don’t be fake.

Verses 16-18 apply the same command to fasting. Do what you do for God to see. Not for others. Don’t broadcast it. Don’t “drop it” into your casual conversations with friends. Don’t tell people how hard it is because you’ve been fasting. One person recently told my wife and I, “I had been fasting for 3 months.” When we said, “Really?” they admitted that they weren’t fasting from food, just giving up something that they really liked…(I think it was chocolate, if I remember correctly.) Please!

Verse 19-Don’t live to get rich.
Verse 28-Don’t waste your energy on worry
Verse 33-Put God first
Verse 34-(Summary verse—Don’t worry about anything)

A-Attitude to Adopt

Much of the Attitude to Adopt intersects with the Command to Obey…but one that sticks out to me is the Attitude of Forgiveness…

S-Is there a SIN to avoid

I think the sins to avoid…are also wrapped up in the Commands to obey

E-Example to Follow?

Following the example of what Jesus says is the heart of this chapter.

Habakkuk 3

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on March 2, 2009
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Habbakkuk 3

This is a book that really needs to be read all in one setting. It is important to note that Habakkuk has complained to the Lord that He wasn’t doing anything about the unrighteous people in Israel. When the Lord speaks to him and says, “Oh, they are going to be judged by the Assyrians,” then Habakkuk is even more confused. “They are worse than we are!”

Chapter 3 is the resolution to his conflict.

And Verses 17-19 are the Summit Verses.

They are powerful and inspiring verses for all of us to meditate on during times of crisis and uncertainty. I think for me, personally, these verses remind me of Paul in prison at Philippi. He says to us there “Rejoice in the Lord!” He’s in prison, but he’s rejoicing. Rejoicing in the Lord. That’s what Habakkuk is saying, too.

Our joy must be based on spiritual realities not temporal trivialities.

Daniel 9

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mike
on February 27, 2009
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Daniel 9

Daniel 9 breaks into two different sections. The first part, verses 1-19, is Daniel’s prayer for Israel. The second part, verses 20-27, is God’s answer as given by the archangel Gabriel, and it has to do with both Daniel’s day and the end times. I am preaching on the latter part of the chapter on Palm Sunday, so I am going to focus my remarks here to the first part of the chapter, Daniel’s Prayer.

Background:

A good study Bible will give you a good description of the background, so suffice it to say that Daniel lives in Babylon because he was taken, along with many other young men, to be part of the King’s “Mentoring Program.” Daniel is a righteous man and through the study of the OT Law and the writings of Jeremiah, he comes to realize that the exile was going to last 70 years.

That’s what prompts this incredible prayer we have recorded in verses 3-19. Lets do a CASE Study of just those verses because there is a lot to glean from Daniel’s response.

C-Is there a COMMAND to obey?

I don’t know that the command is explicit, but you certainly see this principle being obeyed: “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God for he will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

A-Is there an ATTITUDE to adopt?

Well, Daniel is certainly humble and repentant. The prayer, itself, is one that we could well pray for our own country.

S-Is there a SIN to avoid?

I think that the sin to avoid, as it is discussed in this prayer, comes down to verses 9-11.

They rebelled against God. They did not obey God. They did not keep His laws. They transgressed. They turned away.

Further…as verse 13 says…even though God had brought judgment upon them, Israel still did not respond right. “…yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.” (verse 13)

I think this is what we have done wrong, too. Like them, we are seeking a political solution to the economic and social problems of our nation. We have completely discounted the relevance of a spiritual solution.

E-Is there an EXAMPLE to follow?

So much about Daniel in this chapter merits study. Let me just hit a few.

1. He studied the Bible. Over and over we see that he has been reading Jeremiah and also the law of God, (Genesis-Deuteronomy). I just am reminded that if we want God’s insight on the problems in our land…the answers are in studying the entire Word of God.
2. He connected his study with prayer. Once he understood the why from the book of Deuteronomy (why they were in exile) and the when from Jeremiah (when will it be over?) He didn’t just shut his Bible and go play government. He responded with prayer. Well…actually with pleading, turning, prayer, petition, fasting, humility of sackcloth and ashes…We could say he mourned deeply and prayed.
3. He confessed his sin as well as making confession for those who were too blind or stubborn to confess for themselves. Why did he do that? Daniel was more concerned that God’s honor had been insulted than he was that “his people needed to be forgiven.” In other words, the thing about his prayer was not, “O God, please forgive them.” It was, “O God, I am so sorry that we all, myself included, have hurt you, dishonored you, and insulted you.” (That raises a pretty good question about confession, doesn’t it? When you confess your sin, are you more focused on getting forgiveness or apologizing (that’s a poor way of saying it) to God for robbing His glory?)
4. In verse 18 I love the fact that he says, “I’m not asking this because I am righteous, but because you are merciful.” That says it all doesn’t it?
5. Aside from any other technical analysis, I love the example he sets for all of us in that he prayed. He set his heart to seek the Lord.

That’s an example I want to follow.

Psalm 104

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on February 26, 2009
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Psalm 104

Psalm 104

This is not a Psalm that fits well with the CASE study…I think it is one that breaks down a little better by following the 4 R’s.

Read (3x)

Reflect (What is the overall idea?)

The writer is overwhelmed with what God has created and in how it all works together so well. I, too, am amazed. There are two verses that really speak to me:

Verse 28 is a sort of summary verse “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you mad them all…”

Respond (What should I do about it?)

You can’t read this psalm without wanting to praise the Lord. I think that my response is best captured by Verse 33 “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

Record (Write it down)

Which is what I just did…I hope you will too.

Psalm 22

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mike
on February 25, 2009
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Psalm 22

This is a psalm that does not easily breakdown into a C.A.S.E. Study. It is a prayer that was quoted at least in part, perhaps in its entirety, by Jesus on the cross. It might help our understanding of prayer to do a Chapter Summary of it.

1. Caption–Give the chapter a short, descriptive title.
“Praying Yourself Out of the Pits”

2. Contents–Summarize, paraphrase, or outline the major points of the chapter.
This chapter alternates between despair and confidence. The NIV stanzas sort of alternate between these two themes until finally confidence in the Lord wins out and the psalm ends with verses 19-31 affirming his confidence in God.

3. Chief People–List the most important people in the chapter
The Psalmist, the People of God, and God.

4. Choice Verse–Choose a verse that summariazed the whole chapter or that speaks to you personally
Verse 24 is the turning point…the victory verse…the breakthrough:

“For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”
Up until that verse…the writer has alternated between despair and confidence…affirming at times what he Knows…doubting at other times what he sees. He is climbing a mountain of despair, discouragement, and depression…When he hits verse 24…he has come to the certainty that his initial feelings of despair that God had forsaken him…were not right…that, in fact, God
“For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”

5. Crucial words–Write down the key word or words
I think the crucial words are “You” and in contrast “Me” (or my, I)
I marked in my Bible the words “You” that refer to the Lord in yellow and the words “Me” “I” “My” in blue.
What I notice is that for the most part, the words marked in yellow reflect hope and faith…and up until verse 22, the words marked in blue reflect sadness, despair, hurt, anxiety…
After verse 21, the words “My” “Me” “I” have a completely different tone.

6. Challenges–List any difficulties you may have in understanding the chapter

7. Cross-References Look up other verses that help clarify what the chapter is about
It is easy to hear the echoes of this passage from the cross.

8. Christ Seen–In what ways does this chapter point to the person of Jesus Christ?
In addition to the words that Jesus directly quotes, such as verse 1, there are clear references to what Jesus fulfilled.
Verses 6-8 are very descriptive of what actually took place on the cross.
Verses 12-13 are also.
Verse 14- is reminiscent of what Jesus might have gone through in crucifixion.
Verse 15- reminds us of the words of Jesus “I thirst.”
Verse 16- My hands and feet are pierced. Dogs encircled him…a company of evildoers…
Verse 17 is referenced in the NT as fulfillment for him having none of his bones broken.
Verse 18-The soldiers did exactly what that verse said.

9. Central Lesson–Write down the major principles, insights, and lessons you learn from this chapter.
Besides pointing so clearly and powerfully to the crucifixion of Jesus, I think another lesson here is the importance of praying through the discouragement that sometimes overwhelms us.
He starts off in such despair…and he just keeps going away from his own experience to what He knows to be true about the nature of God. Finally, that wins out. It is a real lesson about how to pray when you feel like quitting.

10. Conclusion–Write a paragraph that applies this chapter to your life
I’ve never studied this chapter as a prayer before. I’ve always read it more from a perspective of Jesus on the cross. While it is certainly a powerful prophetic passage, it also teaches a lot about how to beat the blues. We are all tempted to focus on our experience, but that often leads to more and more despair and sometimes a mis-interpretation both of our situation and of God! The better thing to do is to discipline your mind (and tongue) to keep going back to the truth about God as it is revealed in His Word.
Lord may my prayers be more shaped by your Word than by my woes. May I remember when I feel so discouraged that I face nothing like what your only begotten Son, Jesus, did when he hung on the cross. Thank you, Jesus, that you went through that for me.