Philippians 3:12-21 “Not that
I have already obtained this or am already perfect,
but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ
Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way,
and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that
also to you. Only let us hold true to
what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me,
and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have
often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk
as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is
destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their
shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his
glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things
to himself.”
This last Sunday was
the “soft launch” for our newly merged congregation here in Anaheim , California ,
in our first Sunday Worship Service as one. I wasn’t even expected to attend,
due to flying home that morning from a ten day vacation back to the mid-West
for a wedding and family reunion, but the plane landed early, the luggage
appeared quickly and our friend picked us up at the airport and got me home in
time to run over to the church for the historic Service. I’ve heard it said
that the only thing that doesn’t change in life is the face that everything in
life is going to change, but there is a quote by an unknown author that goes: “I know
not what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow. I think that this is
what Jesus was communicating when He said in Matthew 6:31a 33-34 “Do not be anxious, but seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day
is its own trouble” and by the notes that I took, the point of Pastor Kyle’s
first Sermon message to us also.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the
people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Vision
dictates direction. Pastor’s two visions of our church are (1) Internal – “What
is God working in me?” and “Where am I go?“ (2) Externally – “How does God what
me to reach others with the love of Christ today?” These are the targets for
our journey to glory, as Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with
our Creator God – children of God, with citizenship in the kingdom of heaven,
with His purposes for our life. Author Max Lucado wrote in his book titled
Fearless, “Contrary to what we’d hope, good people
aren’t exempt from violence. Murderers don’t give the godly a pass. Rapists
don’t vet victims according to spiritual résumés. The bloodthirsty and wicked
don’t skip over the heaven-bound. We aren’t insulated. But neither are we
intimidated. Jesus has a word or two about this brutal world: “Do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28). Feed your fears,
and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.” You may have heard word fear can be broke
down into the acronym “False Evidence Appearing Real”, but as
Lucado points out, there are scary people and things in this fallen and sinful
world, but we are to face reality and embrace faith instead of fear, as we know
that is at work and God presses on. The Cross (the gospel of Jesus Christ) is a
story about defeating sin and death. The Bible gives us a direct from Jesus on
that Cross in Luke 22:44 when the Holy Scriptures tells us: “And being in agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly.”
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God,
believe also in Me.”
Pastor Kyle
sees two declarations by these words of the Lord. (1) One day I won’t be afraid
of my current situation anymore. But, why not make it today; believing and
trusting that God is in complete control? (2) I will let go of fear and worry
by unconditionally trusting God. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares; “For God has not
given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Fear is losing sight and not trusting God, and with not trusting God then we
have other problems in our life. The Bible states, and our lives confirm, that
in this life, we let go of fears and worries yesterday, but today there are new
fears and worries to let go of, with new ones on the horizon for tomorrow. In John 16:33 The Lord explains: “I have told you these things, so that
in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world.”
Psalm 94:21-22 “They gather together against the
life of the righteous,
and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.”
and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.”
Obeying God is trusting God to do what He says He will do.
The Sovereign Almighty Creator and Lord of all is the loving Rock of our
salvation and refuge in this chaotic world, so we can embrace faith; not fear. Just
as the old sayings goes: “It’s like water on a duck.” because “If we go down,
we go up!” When it comes to fear, worry and anxiety, God extends the invitation
to “Let it go” and embrace faith. Our unconditional trust is our gift back to
God. The cold never bothered me anyway.
In Christ, Brian
2 comments:
Hi Brian. Fear and worry is something I have battled with over the years. One thing I have found out, nothing good has ever came out of my worries, instead they cost me in some way. I have to give thanks to God because I have grown in this area. Great post and God bless.
Ken
Thanks for the great comment Ken, and I believe that we all struggle with fear this side of heaven. We see and understand fearlessness in Christ, but react to people and events in the fear of hurt in the flesh. Jesus said "Fear Not" because we do. Growing is an excellent term to use in focusing on faith, not fear. Great point thanks.
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