Author: Craig

The King that makes peace by dying.

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19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  Colossians 1:19-20

How do kings and the leaders of our world make peace? Any serious consideration of the question requires us to just as quickly contemplate, how do they make war, wield power, and create friendships? We can learn lots about a leader in how she approaches conflict.

The Gospel shows us our conflict. It takes our earthly situation, enmity with God, and shows us God’s character. Colossians 1:19-20 is full of the Gospel.

In Colossians we see not only that Jesus is King of Creation, He is also King over the New Creation. And just as He is the creator of the stuff of earth, He is also the creator of the new creation. The new creation begins with the reconciliation of people into the communion of God through Christ Jesus and it will find its completion in the creation of a new heaven and earth. The church is the fruit of Jesus’ peace-making work at the Cross.

Taking on flesh, Jesus comes to humanity full of God in order to reconcile all of creation to Himself. This peace-making could only be done through his death on the cross, to give us redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness always costs. Jesus is the King of all Creation, and He is our peace. He gave Himself fully for our forgiveness and inclusion in His Kingdom.

All praise to Jesus, our peace!

A view that will blow your mind.

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15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:15-18

Scholars are not sure exactly what kind of “heresy” was shaking up the church in Colossea. The teaching they encountered put in doubt the sufficiency of Christ Jesus for their salvation and lives. They were knocking Jesus off His throne. Rather than attack the teaching, Paul seeks to expand their vision of Jesus. It’s a view that will blow your mind.

Jesus, the beloved Son of God, is the King of Creation.

He is the image of the invisible God.

He is the firstborn of all creation, having preeminence over all things, and powers.

He is the creator of all things; of they have their origin through Him and for Him.

He is before all things.

He is the glue that holds all things together.

When I walk through the UBC campus, I delight in this knowledge: here is a place dedicated to the study of all that Jesus has made and what we have done with it, and what we could do with it. That may not be your default position. It may not have been the Colossians’ default position. But it is the reset they needed in order to fulfill their purpose as His people. For all of creation, and we are part of it, has its purpose inseparably rooted in the person of Jesus Christ.

You wouldn’t want to miss these post-resurrection dinners with Jesus.

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They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:39-43

I wish I could have sat in on the dinners Jesus had with the disciples after His resurrection from the dead. We get glimpses of these dinners in John 20 and 21, Luke 24, Acts 1:3-8, and the passage above. Peter says, our resurrected Lord Jesus spent time over meals with a chosen few that they would be His witnesses, prepared for His mission. Peter sounds so matter-of-fact. But I can imagine the joy and awe they shared in those forty days as the ate and drank with him. I suppose they hung on his every word.

Drawn to the table, they shared food and drink, and heard Jesus’ heart as He spoke over their meal. Jesus wants people to know the what God is up to through His life, His death, and His resurrection. He has been making it know through all the prophets and now through His disciples and His church.
All people will be judged by Jesus.
All who believe in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins through His name.

Jesus also spoke of another dinner. It’s post-resurrection and post-judgement. You won’t want to miss it!

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”  Matthew 26:26-29

When You Want to Give Up: Gospel Grit

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Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Do you ever wonder if doing good is worth it? Do you ever start comparing yourself to others? Are you tempted to take a shortcut to the success you desire? Are you wanting to give up? Has a disappointment cast a shadow of your ideals? Are you intimidated by the threats of those who want you to cut corners? Do you lose hope when those without scruples succeed? Do you wonder if following Jesus is worth it?

The Gospel provokes determination and persistence. Every morning for years as my father reached for his suit, he reached past these words printed on a small piece of paper and posted on the inside frame of his closet. He lived the grit of the Gospel.

LET US NOT BECOME WEARY
IN DOING GOOD,
FOR AT THE PROPER TIME
WE WILL REAP A HARVEST
IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP.
GALATIANS 6:9

These are words of faith, hope, and love. These are the words of the hardworking person whose future has been claimed by Jesus. These are the words of the grace-filled follower of Jesus who is determined to be the neighbour. These are the words of God.

You can claim them as your own.

Prayer Templates from the Bible

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Prayer Picture

9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  Colossians 1:9-12

Ever wonder what to pray when you intercede for a another follower of Jesus. Use the prayers of Paul as a template and write out a prayer. Pray it for a few days and then share it with them.
Dear _________,

From the day I heard about your life of faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ, I have been praying for you. It goes something like this:

Our Heavenly Father, please fill ____________ with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so ______________ can walk in a manner worthy of Jesus, fully pleasing him, and bearing fruit in every good work, and all the while increasing in the knowledge of you.  Strengthen _________ with all power according to your glorious might, so ___________ will have joyful endurance and patience. May your Spirit stir up gratitude in ___________ toward our Heavenly Father who has qualified ___________ to share in the glorious inheritance of the followers of Jesus.

I’m so thankful for what you have done in ___________ life!

AMEN.