Saturday, July 14, 2018

144. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – How do we protect Jesus’ life within our churches against Satan’s attacks? – “With whom do we fight?”


In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? In our present Meditation we will see against whom the church is actually fighting. 

Now that we know how our churches can become strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we need to know against whom we are actually fighting. The apostle Paul compares our battle against satanic powers with a wrestling match during the ancient Greek games. He writes:

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12***)

The GOD'S WORD® Translation renders the original Greek text as follows: This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.”

If I personally want to follow Jesus faithfully, I find myself over and over again in a hand-to-hand combat against evil. Yet, the victory is mine through the empowerment of God’s Spirit who lives in me. (See the Meditations 101-130 on “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”).

Any local church that wants to live for Christ, will also be involved in an incessant combat against these dark forces. Therefore, it is of major importance that we listen to the apostle Paul. He puts our church’s state of affairs in the right perspective: the church must be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit if it wants to overcome Satan’s assaults. Mere human strength, powerful leadership, sound doctrine and an efficient organisation are not enough!


Who are the true enemies of the church?

The apostle Paul shows us who our church’s true enemies are: “principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12***)

In Meditation 123, we looked into the way Paul portrayed these manifold satanic beings. He sees behind humanity and its civilizations the demonic forces of Satan and his hosts. Paul explains to the Christians in Corinth (Greece) that “Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4*).

And to the church in Ephesus (Turkey) he writes: “You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” (Ephesians 2:2*)

The American theologian Albert Barnes (1.12.1798-24.12.1870) speaks in his Notes on the Bible of the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12).

He writes that those rulers: “... preside over the regions of ignorance and sin with which the earth abounds. (Ephesians 2:2)

‘Darkness’ is an emblem of ignorance, misery, and sin; and no description could be more accurate than that of representing these malignant spirits as ruling over a dark world. The earth - dark, and wretched and ignorant, and sinful - is just such a dominion as they would choose, or as they would cause; and the degradation and woe of the pagan world are just such as foul and malignant spirits would delight in.

It is a wide and a powerful empire. It has been consolidated by ages. It is sustained by all the authority of law; by all the omnipotence of the perverted religious principle; by all the reverence for antiquity; by all the power of selfish, corrupt, and base passions. No empire has been so extended, or has continued so long, as that empire of darkness; and nothing on earth is so difficult to destroy.
Yet the apostle (Paul) says that it was on that kingdom they (i.e. God’s children) were to make war. Against that, the kingdom of the Redeemer was to be set up; and that was to be overcome by the spiritual weapons which he specifies (in Ephesians 6:10-17).

When he (the apostle Paul) speaks of the Christian warfare here, he refers to the contest with the powers of this dark kingdom. He regards each and every Christian as a soldier to wage war on it in whatever way he could, and wherever he could attack it.

The contest therefore was not primarily with people or with the internal corrupt propensities (i.e. (natural tendencies or dispositions) of the soul; it was with this vast and dark kingdom that had been set up over mankind.

I do not regard this passage, therefore, as having a primary reference to the struggle which a Christian maintains with his own corrupt propensities. It is a warfare on a large scale with the entire kingdom of darkness over the world.

Yet in maintaining the warfare, the struggle will be with such portions of that kingdom as we come in contact with and will actually relate:

(1) to our own sinful propensities - which are a part of the kingdom of darkness;

(2) with the evil passions of others - their pride, ambition, and spirit of revenge - which are also a part of that kingdom;

(3) with the evil customs, laws, opinions, employments, pleasures of the world - which are also a part of that dark kingdom;

(4) with error, superstition, false doctrine - which are also a part of that kingdom; and,

(5) with the wickedness of the pagan world - the sins of benighted nations - also a part of that kingdom. Wherever we come in contact with evil - whether in our own hearts or elsewhere - there we are to make war.

‘Against spiritual wickedness’ (or wicked spirits). Literally, "The spiritual things of wickedness;" but the allusion is undoubtedly to evil spirits, and to their influences on earth. . . . It is against such spirits, and all their malignant influences, that Christians are called to contend. In whatever way their power is put forth - whether in the prevalence of vice and error; of superstition and magic arts; of infidelity, atheism, or antinomianism; of evil customs and laws; of pernicious fashions and opinions, or in the corruptions of our own hearts, we are to make war on all these forms of evil, and never to yield in the conflict.” (so far Barnes).

It is also noteworthy to read what Jesus says about Satan: He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44**)

The apostle Peter warns the church: “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8*)

Any local Christian community that wants to overcome Satan’s diabolical schemes need to learn how to stand strong in unity against the growing anti-Christian culture and secular morality in the Western world that tries to pervade our minds and our churches and is obviously a weapon of Satan’s warfare against God’s people. To stand firm against his strategies, a church needs the boldness and courage of God’s Spirit and the knowledge of God’s Word.

The apostle Paul says to his co-worker Timothy: God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7*) and “Follow the Lord's rules for doing His
work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.” (2 Timothy 2:5*)

Without the power of God’s loving Spirit and the knowledge of God’s wholesome rules (contained in the Bible), our churches are hopelessly lost and left at the mercy of Satan’s craftiness and deceitful scheming.

      
When a church lacks the knowledge of God’s rules, it might wrestle against the wrong enemy.

Sadly enough, it seems that our churches often lack the practical knowledge of God’s rules to conquer Satan’s assaults although He has revealed them clearly in His Word. Instead, churches might be occupied with bitter disputes and contests with other churches or Christian organisations. Even church members might clash and quarrel with each other, sometimes causing frosty relationships within the church or even church splits.

The apostle Paul begins his letter to the church of Corinth (Greece) by saying: “My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:11-13**)

Then the apostle Paul continues: “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord. When one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I prefer Apollos," aren't you acting like those who are not Christians? Who is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such quarrels? Why, we're only servants. Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-5*)

Paul is upset about the way the Corinthian church handles conflicts among its members: “When you have something against another Christian, why do you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter, instead of taking it to other Christians to decide who is right? Don't you know that someday we Christians are going to judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide these little things among yourselves? Don't you realize that we Christians will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disagreements here on earth. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why do you go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? But instead, one Christian sues another-- right in front of unbelievers! To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-7*)

The apostle also touches another grave problem in the same church: “In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!” (1 Corinthians 11:18-22*)

The apostle James asks a hot-tempered church:What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you?” (James 4:1*). Later in his letter, James writes: “If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.” (James 3:14-16*)

The apostle Peter warns the church: “Obey God because you are His children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then.” (1 Peter 1:14*)

The apostle John commands the church: “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17*)

The apostle Paul wants Jesus’ body (i.e. the Church) to be prepared for Satan’s possible assaults. That’s why he gives us the necessary instructions how to protect our churches against the devil’s evil scheming. The apostle urges: “Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13*)

In the next meditations we will see how my church can use every piece of God’s armour to protect Jesus’ life within it in the battles with Satan’s infernal army. 


Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version


About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditation 63-65.
About “The Church as a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus”, see Meditation 29.
About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry”, see Meditations 27-34.
About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.
About “God’s major project: transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ”, see Meditations 44-48.
About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 56-62.
About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.
About “Satan and our rebellious lives”, see Meditations 19-21.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-143.


Meditation 145 will be published by Saturday 2 February 2019.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

143. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – How do we protect Jesus’ life within our churches against Satan’s attacks? – “Be strong in the power of God’s might.”


In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?


In the Meditations 134 to 142 we looked into the question: how does a church that wants to grow strong in the Lord look like? However, for standing firm against Satan’s powerful assaults, it is not enough for a church to grow strong in the Lord. The apostle Paul adds another indispensable requirement in the same verse:


“Be (or: become, grow) strong ... in the power of His might.”
( Ephesians 6:10***)

What does it mean for a church to grow strong in the power of God’s might? And here is a preceding question: What does “the power of God’s might” indicate?

a.) God’s power in the New Testament

The Bible uses various words to describe God’s power, but the word Paul chooses here in the original Greek New Testament is kratos. When this noun points to God, it speaks of His absolute sovereignty, His almighty power and His everlasting dominion.

Here are some examples:

-- The apostle Paul praises God with the words: “He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power (kratos). Amen.”
(1 Timothy 6:15-16***)

-- The apostle Peter acclaims: “To God be the glory and the dominion (kratos) forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:11***)

-- The apostle Jude glorifies God, saying: “To God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion (kratos) and power, both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25***)

-- The apostle John worships God, saying: “To Him be glory and dominion (kratos) forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6***)

In the Bible, we find the word kratos also in the Greek designation pantokrator which means the Almighty, the All-Powerful, the Omnipotent (One). The New Testament uses this epithet for our Triune God. Here are some examples:

-- When God the Father speaks to His people: “I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18*)

-- When God the Son reveals Himself to the apostle John: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
(Revelation 1:8***)

-- When our Triune God is worshipped in heaven: “Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty-- the One who always was, who is, and who is still to come.’" (Revelation 4:8*)

-- When those who had gotten the victory over the beast (see Re 13:17, 14:9,10) praise our Triune God, they sing “the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are Your actions, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations.’” (Revelation 15:3*)

In the Old Testament, we find the title pantokrator back in the often used Hebrew epithet ‘the LORD Almighty’ (Yahweh Tsebaoth).

When our Triune God speaks through the prophet Isaiah (8th-century BC), He declares: “This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty (Yahweh Tsebaoth): I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no God.” (Isaiah 44:6**)

Let us return to Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus (Turkey): “Be (or: become, grow) strong ... in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10***). We have understood that in the Old and New Testament, God’s almighty power designates His absolute sovereignty and everlasting dominion over His people and over the entire world.

b.) God’s might in Ephesians 6

For the word ‘might’ in Ephesians 6:10, the apostle Paul uses the Greek noun ischyos. This word speaks here of God’s ability to execute His power and strength to accomplish His will and purposes.

c.) Growing strong in the power of God’s might

So, what does it mean for a church to grow strong in the power (kratos) of God’s might (ischyos)? I think the apostle wants the church family to know that God’s almighty power is available to them  through the presence of God’s Spirit in their midst. He is able and willing to share God’s power with the church as far as they need it in a certain situation. In learning to make themselves dependent on God’s almighty power, they will learn to stand their ground against Satan’s powerful assaults.

Looking back over the Meditations 134 to 143, we come to the following conclusion: when Paul encourages the church to “be (become, grow) strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”, he means that the church should grow strong in a Christlike lifestyle and a defence strategy against Satan empowered by God’s Spirit.

Only to the extent my church grows in both aspects, it will be able “to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.” (Ephesians 6:11*) Besides, for remaining unwavering under God’s control in the face of Satan’s assaults, God gave the church a practical tool in the form of ‘His divine armour’. Paul writes to the Ephesian church: “Use every piece of God's armour to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13*)

We have seen in the Meditations 120 until 130 how God wants us to use His divine armour in our individual lives. In the coming meditations we will see how His armour equally works for the church as a corporate personality, the Body of Christ.


Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version


About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditation 63-65.
About “The Church as a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus”, see Meditation 29.
About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry”, see Meditations 27-34.
About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.
About “God’s major project: transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ”, see Meditations 44-48.
About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 56-62.
About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.
About “Satan and our rebellious lives”, see Meditations 19-21.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-143.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

142. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (i) – How does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In a series of interruptions, starting with Meditation 134, we asked the thought-provoking question: what does it mean for a church to be ‘in the Lord’? In the subsequent meditations (135 to 141), we searched for a biblical answer to the question: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

We saw that for a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’, it needs:

- to grow strong in learning to imitate God (Meditation 135).

- to grow strong in Christlike love for God and each other (Meditation 136).

- to meet some of God’s initial requirements for growth: (a) a clear corporate and biblical vision of our Triune God and of the church as the Body of Christ; (b) a clear corporate acknowledgment that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word, i.e. the Truth; (c) Church leaders who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word (Meditation 137).

- to grow strong in Christlike compassion (Meditation 138).

- to grow strong in Christlike humility (Meditation 139).

- to grow strong in Christlike service to God, the church and the world (Meditations 140-141).

Obviously, this is not a conclusive list of morals and virtues a church needs to grow strong ‘in the Lord’. We could continue our study in biblical themes like corporate Christlike holiness, purity, righteousness, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, goodness, generosity, patience, renunciation of a worldly lifestyle and preparedness to suffer with Christ if needed, etc.

Yet, I think that when the earlier mentioned requirements for growing strong ‘in the Lord’ are in place, God’s Spirit will develop other Christlike virtues in your church as well. Let me challenge you to dig deeper in the above-mentioned subjects with your church as a 'corporate personality' in view. (See Meditations 63-65)

I feel that after these series of interruptions, the time has come to return to our initial question: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? So please hold on!


Translation: ** New International Version


About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see Meditations 27-33 and 49-55.
About “The Church as a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus”, see Meditation 29.
About "God's major project: transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ", see Meditations 44-48.
About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 56-62.
About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 63-99.
About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditation 63-65.
About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-137. 

Thursday, December 28, 2017

141. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (h) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord', it needs to grow strong in Christlike service (2)

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?


In our last meditation, we looked at the characteristics of Jesus’ way of serving God and men. In this meditation we want to see how Jesus’ way of serving characterises a church that is controlled by God’s Spirit. Indeed, Jesus Messiah is the divine Servant par excellence. The apostles call our churches to follow His example.

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth (Greece): Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1**). To the church in Philippi (Turkey), the apostle writes: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5**). Finally, the apostle John writes “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.” (1 John 2:6*)

Any church is in all likelihood a mix of Christians from different age groups and different cultures, with different characters, different likes and dislikes, different educational backgrounds, different professions, different skills, different gifts, different experiences, different ‘levels’ of faith (from new converts up to mature believers), different degrees of commitment, etc.

Besides, all church members are in fact ‘sinners saved by grace’. I think that means practically that in a church, old sinful habits could easily flare up any time again: leadership conflicts, relational problems, church policy disputes, theological disagreements, etc. From a human point of view it seems unachievable to train a church in Christlike service to God and fellowmen.

Obviously, the answer lies in the presence of God’s Spirit in the church. As God put His Spirit upon Jesus during His life on earth (see Meditation 140), so His Spirit has indwelled the church since the Pentecost celebration after Jesus’ ascension.

It was during that Pentecost celebration that the apostle Peter mentioned the essential feature of God’s messianic, new covenant people (i.e. the church): “In those days I will pour out My Spirit upon all My servants, men and women alike...” (Acts 2:18*) Actually, God had made this promise already by mouth of His prophet Joel (see Joel 2:28) who might have lived in the 5th century BC.

The apostle Paul reminds the church in Corinth (Greece): “Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17*)

He writes to the church in Ephesus (Turkey): “We (i.e. Jewish followers of Jesus) who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through Him you Gentiles (i.e. Christians from the nations) are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21-22*)

God said already to Moses (13th century BC?) that the distinctive quality of His people would be to serve Him wholeheartedly: “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13**)

Jesus, the divine Servant par excellence, lived up fully to this requirement and God’s Spirit wants to transform God’s new covenant people into Jesus’ way of serving. Jesus showed us His divine view on true servanthood: It is enough for ... the servant (to be) like his master.” (Matthew 10:25**)     

The evening before He dies, Jesus shows His followers that a true Christlike servant not only serves God wholeheartedly but also His fellowmen: After washing their feet (i.e. of His disciples), he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, ‘Do you understand what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.  I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’” (John 13:12-17*)

Needless to say that is not only a divine command for individual followers of Jesus but also for the church as a corporate personality: a Christlike church is a church that is controlled by God’s Spirit and a church controlled by God’s Spirit is a serving church, serving God, its members and the world in a Christlike way.


Christlike service means first of all serving God wholeheartedly

The apostle Paul write to the church in Rome about the way we should serve God personally. Paul writes: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2**)

However, I think that we could apply this to the church as a corporate personality as well. Should my church not also commit itself totally and sacrificially to God’s service? Should it not be driven by the vision to serve God with Christlike holiness? Should my church not strive to conceptualize an ‘alternative Christlike culture’ instead of conforming to the ways of the world? Should it not develop a Christlike policy in all its facets and learn to examine what God’s perfect will is for its organization, its live and work?    


Christlike service is on display in a caring church 

The apostle Paul requires that my churches should be an epitome of Christlike service to its members and to the outside world: Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.” (Romans 12:10-13*)

Furthermore, Paul challenges the church in Rome: “The Kingdom of God is ... a matter of ... living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Romans 14:17-19*)

Paul praises Christians in Achaia (Greece) who were outstanding in their commitment to serving their fellow Christians: “You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 16:15**) What an example these Christians are to our churches!

To the churches in Galatia (Turkey), the apostle writes: “You have been called to live in freedom -- not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13*)


Christlike service means sharing material possessions generously

I think that Jesus did not only speak to individual followers but also our churches when He said: “Don't worry about food-- what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe-- no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.” (Luke 12:29-33*)

In obedience to Jesus’ command, a Christlike church is ready to serve its fellow Christians elsewhere when they are in need. Luke reports an early example of this in the Book of Acts: “During this time, some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch (in Syria). One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings to predict by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.” (Acts 11:27-30*)

The apostle Paul testifies to the church in Corinth about the immense generosity of the churches in Macedonia: “Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem. Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5*).

Let's not forget that this Christlike selflessness was surely the result of God’s powerful work in those churches!

Some other texts on the generous giving of the early churches we find Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:7-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Galatians 2:10.

Our Lord Jesus, who is the Head of every church, warned us already for the trap of materialism: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24*)

I think it is good for our churches to keep in mind that God does not want us to give reluctantly or und compulsion for “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7**)

A church family that grows strong in Christlike service, will also be dedicated to praying and caring for persecuted fellow Christians. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews encourages us to do so: “Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.” (Hebrews 13:3*)
  

Christlike service means also proclaiming the Gospel to those who are not yet saved from God’s coming judgment

A Christlike church serves the world first of all by sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Messiah, the Servant of God: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.  But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3-5**).

However, Jesus warned the church that sharing its Lord’s message could also mean that it would share in its Lord’s sufferings: “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.’” (John 15:20**)

Like the first century church in Jerusalem, a Christlike church will ask their Lord to empower them to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly and with courage even in the face of enmity and persecution: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29**)

The apostle Paul shows the church in Corinth how he reaches out with the Gospel to anyone he meets: “This means I am not bound to obey people just because they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22*)

Is that not a true Christlike policy for my church as well?    


Training the church for Christlike service should be at the heart of its leadership

In his letter to the Ephesian churches, the apostle Paul shows that the risen Christ gave leaders to the church to train them first of all in serving God and fellow man: “It was He (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...” (Ephesians 4:11-12**)

Notice in the continuation of this text that a church which grows in Christlike service also grows in Christlike love: “... until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the Head of His body, the church. Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:13-16*)

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I think it is clear by now that a church which is growing in service to others in a Christlike way, is a church which is increasingly controlled by the power of God’s Spirit. The apostle Peter points to this when he says: “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11**)


Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version.


About "God's major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ", see Meditations 45-48.
About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditations 63-65.
About “The Church as a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus”, see Meditation 29.
About “The Holy Spirit and His ministry”, see Meditations 27-34.
About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.
About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-140.