Today also: bitter attacks
Americans United for Sep. of State & Church
Christian motto on door of legislator
St. Jude’s in Kapolei – a cross
Removal of refs to Xn. faith from textbooks:
Pilgrims…how explain them apart from faith?
Freedom of speech zealously protected – except for Xns.
Ex. Disapproval of homosexual lifestyle – as a moral
Question – forbidden on some U. campuses.
Culture wars – postmodernism vs. Christian faith.
No absolutes – taught constantly on TV.
Permit children of any age to watch hours & hours:
Odds are that they will abandon the Christian
faith early in adulthood: different mindset.
Postmodernists – totally incompatible with Xn faith.
The Christian faith is no easy commitment – it was extremely
controversial in Paul’s day – and it still is.
Oh, being religious was OK in Paul’s day, as in ours.
But being specifically, clearly, consistently Christian – that’s asking for
trouble.
Expect it.
Be prepared for it.
Don’t be caught by surprise.
Get to know your Bible – spend as much time to understand
the Bible as you do watching TV.
As an adult, read some good books – know what you believe
and why you believe.
What you learned in Sunday school won’t be enough.
II. The Passion of an Apostle
A look into the heart of Paul.
v. 2 – “dared” (Philippi background) –flogged, imprisoned
v. 3 – no impure motives or trickery.
Single-minded…
v. 4 – “entrusted with the Gospel” – mere steward; humble position.
No pride, arrogance here.
No fancy robes & huge pectoral crosses here – just a trustee.
v. 4 – trying to please God, not men.
v. 5 – no flattery. No questionable methods of winning people.
v. 5 – no greed covered over with piety.
Unlike some of our TV evangelists with
private planes
occupying entire floors of hotels
body guards
$100,000+ salaries (v. 9)
v. 6 - not looking for the praise of men.
God is not impressed by the signs of success that
impress humans.
No softening of the message of Law & Gospel so as
not to offend.
No putting on a show – pizzaz, people falling on the
floor
Hundreds of thousands of people in Africa - TV.
Have you ever asked what happened to these
people after the show is over?
Most disappear until the next show comes along.
Meantime, faithful national pastors who have
served there for years now go out to urge
their sheep back to the simple chapels &
the less dramatic work of feeding &
equipping them for daily Christian
life.
Sensationalism does nothing for the tough stuff of Christian life/ mission.
v. 7 – “gentle among you like a mother caring for her children”
not pushy, not authoritarian.
Loving, protecting, teaching like a patient mother
v. 8 – “delight to share with you the Gospel AND our lives as
well”
This is giving rather than getting.
This is a man giving himself away – draining himself
of his life, for others.
Americans United for Sep. of State & Church
Christian motto on door of legislator
St. Jude’s in Kapolei – a cross
Removal of refs to Xn. faith from textbooks:
Pilgrims…how explain them apart from faith?
Freedom of speech zealously protected – except for Xns.
Ex. Disapproval of homosexual lifestyle – as a moral
Question – forbidden on some U. campuses.
Culture wars – postmodernism vs. Christian faith.
No absolutes – taught constantly on TV.
Permit children of any age to watch hours & hours:
Odds are that they will abandon the Christian
faith early in adulthood: different mindset.
Postmodernists – totally incompatible with Xn faith.
The Christian faith is no easy commitment – it was extremely
controversial in Paul’s day – and it still is.
Oh, being religious was OK in Paul’s day, as in ours.
But being specifically, clearly, consistently Christian – that’s asking for
trouble.
Expect it.
Be prepared for it.
Don’t be caught by surprise.
Get to know your Bible – spend as much time to understand
the Bible as you do watching TV.
As an adult, read some good books – know what you believe
and why you believe.
What you learned in Sunday school won’t be enough.
II. The Passion of an Apostle
A look into the heart of Paul.
v. 2 – “dared” (Philippi background) –flogged, imprisoned
v. 3 – no impure motives or trickery.
Single-minded…
v. 4 – “entrusted with the Gospel” – mere steward; humble position.
No pride, arrogance here.
No fancy robes & huge pectoral crosses here – just a trustee.
v. 4 – trying to please God, not men.
v. 5 – no flattery. No questionable methods of winning people.
v. 5 – no greed covered over with piety.
Unlike some of our TV evangelists with
private planes
occupying entire floors of hotels
body guards
$100,000+ salaries (v. 9)
v. 6 - not looking for the praise of men.
God is not impressed by the signs of success that
impress humans.
No softening of the message of Law & Gospel so as
not to offend.
No putting on a show – pizzaz, people falling on the
floor
Hundreds of thousands of people in Africa - TV.
Have you ever asked what happened to these
people after the show is over?
Most disappear until the next show comes along.
Meantime, faithful national pastors who have
served there for years now go out to urge
their sheep back to the simple chapels &
the less dramatic work of feeding &
equipping them for daily Christian
life.
Sensationalism does nothing for the tough stuff of Christian life/ mission.
v. 7 – “gentle among you like a mother caring for her children”
not pushy, not authoritarian.
Loving, protecting, teaching like a patient mother
v. 8 – “delight to share with you the Gospel AND our lives as
well”
This is giving rather than getting.
This is a man giving himself away – draining himself
of his life, for others.
v. 9 – “toil & hardship” – no comfortable job; no 40 hrs. a week.
v. 10 – “holy, righteous, blameless”
model of the power of Gospel to change lives.
Paul asked nothing of his people that he did not do.
vv.11-12 – “like a father” (v. 7)
provider, encourager: “Come on, by God’s grace you
can do it!”
This is true apostolic ministry style.
May this be an accurate description of our new pastor.
Use this passage to pray for him!
III. The Character of a Congregation
A church builds its character on the model of its leaders.
What would be the character of a church pastored by Paul?
v. 2 – prepared to suffer and pay the price for being faithful.
That might even mean growing more slowly – and losing
some people – because of Biblical teachings that
are not popular.
Or because of moral or social issues that it finds it must
speak out on.
Would you believe that there are evangelical churches in
Honolulu that refuse to take a public stand on the
abortion issue because it’s controversial and they
might lose some members over it?
Paul in Galatia – 1:6 –
little matter of circumcision – “come on Paul, give a little!
Are you willing to lose members over this little matter?”
5:2-4
No a truly biblical church will tell forth every truth of Scripture,
regardless of the cost.
The results are in God’s hands, not ours.
v. 4 – a deep & humble awareness of being trustees of the Gospel.
Hence: one passion: to get the Gospel out, whatever it takes.
vv. 5-6 – a congregation that doesn’t know how to be other than
genuine & honest.
Never resorts to gimmicks.
It has a straightforward message based on Scripture alone.
vv. 7-8 – a congregation that is gentle, not pushy –
loving, welcoming,
sensitive to people, even as we urgently seek to bring them
to faith in Jesus Christ.
v. 9 – A hard-working, persistent, servant-church.
It exists for its non-members and its community, and labors to
get in touch.
v. 10 – holy, righteous, blameless – working hard, by the Holy Spirit’s
power – to reflect the character of Jesus Christ in its
entire life.
That would be the character of a church pastored by the apostle Paul.
As GSLC moves on in God’s plan, may this also be a description of the
character of this fellowship.
Is that what you want for GSLC?
You know the saying: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Whether GSLC is to be all God intends it to be depends on
you & your personal walk with Jesus.
What you do or don’t do in intensifying your life-walk with
Jesus doesn’t only affect you – it affects us, too.
Is it a walk that includes a daily time with Him in His Word &
in prayer?
Is it a lifestyle that is prepared to pay the price in time and
money to get involved in hukilau evangelism?
Is it a walk that includes accountability to other brothers &
sisters?
No one can get very far as a spiritual loner.
In all of this, will you remember that the Bible says: You are not your
own; you have been bought with a price?
As Jesus conquered death and hell when He died and rose again,
So you, when you put your trust in Him, are an escapee from
eternal death and hell.
He has a plan for your life to be woven into His Master plan of
time and eternity.
He’s calling you this morning. Trust Him. He’s trustworthy.
If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ as your God & Savior,
He calls you this morning, too.
He invites you to the cross to see what your living away from
God cost Him.
On the cross He stepped in between you and the horrific
consequences of your sins.
His resurrection is His promise to you and all who trust Him that
death is not your destiny; eternal life is.
By receiving Him this morning you become part of His ohana –
the fellowship of newborn people on mission for Him.
v. 10 – “holy, righteous, blameless”
model of the power of Gospel to change lives.
Paul asked nothing of his people that he did not do.
vv.11-12 – “like a father” (v. 7)
provider, encourager: “Come on, by God’s grace you
can do it!”
This is true apostolic ministry style.
May this be an accurate description of our new pastor.
Use this passage to pray for him!
III. The Character of a Congregation
A church builds its character on the model of its leaders.
What would be the character of a church pastored by Paul?
v. 2 – prepared to suffer and pay the price for being faithful.
That might even mean growing more slowly – and losing
some people – because of Biblical teachings that
are not popular.
Or because of moral or social issues that it finds it must
speak out on.
Would you believe that there are evangelical churches in
Honolulu that refuse to take a public stand on the
abortion issue because it’s controversial and they
might lose some members over it?
Paul in Galatia – 1:6 –
little matter of circumcision – “come on Paul, give a little!
Are you willing to lose members over this little matter?”
5:2-4
No a truly biblical church will tell forth every truth of Scripture,
regardless of the cost.
The results are in God’s hands, not ours.
v. 4 – a deep & humble awareness of being trustees of the Gospel.
Hence: one passion: to get the Gospel out, whatever it takes.
vv. 5-6 – a congregation that doesn’t know how to be other than
genuine & honest.
Never resorts to gimmicks.
It has a straightforward message based on Scripture alone.
vv. 7-8 – a congregation that is gentle, not pushy –
loving, welcoming,
sensitive to people, even as we urgently seek to bring them
to faith in Jesus Christ.
v. 9 – A hard-working, persistent, servant-church.
It exists for its non-members and its community, and labors to
get in touch.
v. 10 – holy, righteous, blameless – working hard, by the Holy Spirit’s
power – to reflect the character of Jesus Christ in its
entire life.
That would be the character of a church pastored by the apostle Paul.
As GSLC moves on in God’s plan, may this also be a description of the
character of this fellowship.
Is that what you want for GSLC?
You know the saying: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Whether GSLC is to be all God intends it to be depends on
you & your personal walk with Jesus.
What you do or don’t do in intensifying your life-walk with
Jesus doesn’t only affect you – it affects us, too.
Is it a walk that includes a daily time with Him in His Word &
in prayer?
Is it a lifestyle that is prepared to pay the price in time and
money to get involved in hukilau evangelism?
Is it a walk that includes accountability to other brothers &
sisters?
No one can get very far as a spiritual loner.
In all of this, will you remember that the Bible says: You are not your
own; you have been bought with a price?
As Jesus conquered death and hell when He died and rose again,
So you, when you put your trust in Him, are an escapee from
eternal death and hell.
He has a plan for your life to be woven into His Master plan of
time and eternity.
He’s calling you this morning. Trust Him. He’s trustworthy.
If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ as your God & Savior,
He calls you this morning, too.
He invites you to the cross to see what your living away from
God cost Him.
On the cross He stepped in between you and the horrific
consequences of your sins.
His resurrection is His promise to you and all who trust Him that
death is not your destiny; eternal life is.
By receiving Him this morning you become part of His ohana –
the fellowship of newborn people on mission for Him.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Columns Section: 世紀網站專欄區 世纪网站专栏区: 007-013 柏大恩 專欄 柏大恩 专栏 Pastor Don Baron Column 作者：柏大恩 柏大恩 Pastor Don Baron |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| “Entrusted with a Treasure” I Thess. 2:1-12 |
Please take a stroll with me thru these straightforward words of Paul
From 3 points of view.
I. The Controversial Nature of the Gospel
2:1-2
Acts 17:1-9
From 3 points of view.
I. The Controversial Nature of the Gospel
2:1-2
Acts 17:1-9