Storage Wars

2 Corinthians 8:10-24

Storage Wars is a reality TV series in which professional buyers with strong personalities bid on abandoned storage lockers and try to flip the contents for a profit. Sometimes they wind up with hidden treasures, and sometimes it’s junk. The popularity of this show is apparent because there are similar programs on several cable channels. But did you ever wonder why so many people need storage units?

In today’s passage Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to complete an offering that they had previously started. The purpose of it was to help the believers in Jerusalem. Here is how The Message puts it:

"Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even.”              
                                                                                                         2 Corinthians 8:11-12

The principle that Paul is proposing is that the Corinthians are in a position right now where they can help believers in Jerusalem. But there may come a time in the future when the roles will be reversed. To make his point, he even quotes a verse from Exodus when God provided manna and quail in the wilderness, just enough for each person.

Clearly we live in a materialistic and consumption driven society – one where storage units are needed because we don’t have enough space in our home for all of our junk. But God has called us to be a giving people. Just like Paul called upon the Corinthians, God calls us to give to those in need.

If you look at the Bible as a whole, giving is a character trait of who God is. Whether He is blessing Abraham with flocks or leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land or blessing David with victories or instructing His people to take care of widows and orphans; God is a giving God.

The most obvious gift of all is His Son. He gave him willingly, out of love and grace while we were yet sinners. We don’t deserve this gift. It’s like a parent who gives a gift to a child that doesn’t appreciate it or understand it. But He gave Jesus out of who He is. And we are called to be like Him!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%208%3A10-24&version=MSG;TLB

 

Pray, GIVE, Go

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

New International Version (NIV)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,...

During the time Paul lived, there were no books, no way to tell stories to the masses other than by word of mouth. The Holy Scrolls were written so we would know of God's love and would embrace His son, Jesus.  I am certain the men how compiled the truth and copied it on parchment knew their words would be read throughout the ages.  They recognized the importance of sharing their experiences with the world.

Because they did this we have an understanding of life in ancient days. We have examples to learn from and parables to practice.  One of the important stories Paul wanted his contemporaries as well as us to learn is giving.  Paul provided such an example in today's scripture.  He tells the people of Corinth about the sacrificial giving the Macedonian churches practiced.

The Macedonian people knew the meaning of giving.  They were poor yet they wanted to help. The amount we give is not important, it is the heart with which we give that adds value to the gift. Love is a strong motivator. Many who experience the pain of poverty also know the joys of giving.

Just thinking of my own life, I know it is those who have little to spare who share from that 'little.' Paul's words ring true today as we prepare to share with the world from our abundance. If you have ever been part of a team to travel to Honduras or Haiti or Alaska or China or Southeast Ohio you know the value of giving.

If you have worked the Community Garden, spent time with the children at the summer at the Free Lunch Program, sorted or folded clothes for the clothes closet, or volunteered at VBS, you know the meaning and the value of mission work.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

We Discipline Those We Love

About a month ago my father passed away. He and my mom were living in a different state, and my mom is unable to drive. My brother and I made the four hour drive, taking turns getting my mom to the hospital to visit. Of course, we were blessed by visiting dad frequently in his last days.

 

Dad’s mind was starting to go, yet he knew he was dying. He did not want to be in the hospital any longer. A couple of days before he passed, he removed his intra-venous tubes and told me to take him home. When I told him I could not do that, he raised his voice and told me again. It was a tone of voice I had not heard since I was a teenager

 

That tone was of a loving father who was correcting his son who had done something stupid.

 

Today’s reading, 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, is about discipline and restoration. Previously, Paul had reprimanded the congregation in Corinth. They were tolerating a fellow Christian who was living worse than a pagan (1 Corinthians 5). Paul told the congregation they had to deal with this problem and how to deal with it.  

 

Paul is now commending the congregation for effectively dealing with the problem. He is also teaching the congregation how to restore this fallen Christian who had learned his lesson.

 

Paul loved the Corinthians and he proved it by not only disciplining them, but teaching them how to discipline and restore fallen members.

 

God loves us and sent Jesus who restores us.

 

God disciplines us too. Sometimes bad things happen to us simply because we live in a sinful world. Other times God is trying to tell us something. When something goes wrong, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. Yet, that is what we should do.

 

We should look for “kairos” moments, where God is trying to get our attention. He loves us and wants us to follow his will.

 

Three things I know for certain. My dad loved me. God loves me. And only Jesus can take us home.

Good exhortations

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

[See today’s text, 2 Corinthians 6:3 - 7:1.  For NIV, click here; for The Message, click here.]

OK, here are some things we just wouldn’t do ...

We wouldn’t paint a mustache on the Mona Lisa.  We wouldn’t pry open a paint can with Napoleon’s sword.  We wouldn’t pass the original Declaration of Independence around in show-and-tell.  We wouldn’t carry our Mickey Mantle rookie card around in our wallets.  We wouldn’t doodle on ancient manuscripts or draw that little “Kilroy was here” guy in the Book of Kells!

Each of these things (except for Kilroy!) represents human excellence and we protect them not only for their intrinsic value, but also to honor and preserve their inspiration to society.  Introduce just one little flaw, and their worth and impact can only diminish.

Every single one of us is priceless in God's eyes – to the point that he took on human form for a time so to offer his life in payment for ours.  No other currency, regardless of amount, would do!  We are far more valuable than any artifact of human triumph.  Why, then, would we taint ourselves – devalue ourselves – and diminish our influence in a world that searches for spiritual hope, truth, freedom and authenticity?

That’s what Biblical exhortations are for: to keep us from “contaminating body and spirit,” so to “perfect holiness out of reverence for God.”  They are the museum ropes that keep us from ruining the celestial masterpiece of Christ painted in us, the encasements that preserve ancient words written on our hearts.  Exhortations preserve the priceless.

Sometimes we bristle at Biblical directives, perhaps because we don’t understand or appreciate their importance.  Or because they conflict with our wills.  Or because we perceive them as taking away our freedoms.  In 2 Corinthians 6, for instance, Paul says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For ... what fellowship can light have with darkness?”  And quoting Isaiah, he adds, “’Therefore come out from them and be separate’, says the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)”

He did not present this a means to become righteous, for Jesus himself is our righteousness.  Nor was he suggesting we smugly insulate ourselves at the members-only “Country Club at the Cross.”  No, Paul saw only this: We who are in Christ are one in him and one with each other in him.  And when we, his body, live in the purity of the Spirit, the world finds in us the treasures it seeks for itself: truth, hope, love, peace and joy.  Make no mistake: others see Christ in his people and through his people.  That’s what drew me to him; that’s what drew you to him.  And we are now among those through whom he reaches the world around us. 

So let us open ourselves – today and every today – to Paul’s exhortation to purity.  For Christ shines through his church a warm glow that draws all who see it and fills all who accept it.

Clean Slate

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

We, as Believers, can claim to be a new creation. I know many of us in the Christian 12-step recovery program refer to ourselves in this way when we introduce ourselves. If you give this a little thought, it is a powerful statement and one that will change lives.

All the things of our past become just that...the past. All the guilt we carried around with us for years and years can be dumped by the wayside. There is still the reality of consequences, but forgiveness of our sins and the burden of our guilt and shame was taken upon Jesus' shoulders.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

There is now no more condemnation. The ministry of reconciliation began when Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed. When we allow ourselves to take this in, it is HUGE. When an alcoholic or addict in Celebrate Recovery shares their testimony they can declare they are a new creation in Christ.

Consequences remain like poor health following years of bad choices, but the soul is wiped clean. Forgiveness because we have been reconciled with Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Drink Up

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

New International Version (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I was away from home for three days. During that time, three short days, no one was tending my garden.  The sun was shining every day and by the time I returned my flowers were wilted; one of them appeared so dried and shriveled I thought there was no hope to revive and restore it to the life and beauty of three days ago. It seemed the only recourse was to uproot it and toss it in the trash.

Aren't there days when we too, feel shriveled up?  Aren't there days when the intense heat of living has beaten down on us so long we say we can't take much more? Aren't there times we fear that without a break from life's oppression we will give in? 

Our scripture verses today point to our hope. These lines provide a hope and a new way to look at ourselves and our troubles. "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  

When I saw my wilted plants, I did not toss them out, I grabbed the hose and gave them a deep drink of water.  This morning I can see life begin to revive the wilted stems.  I know that if I continue to give them refreshment, they will be restored. They will even be stronger.

Isn't this how God helps us too?  God, our Living Water, breathes new life into our dried up hearts. We may appear to be finished until we take a deep drink from this well of Living Water.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

Titus 3: 1-8

Saved In Order To Do Good

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:4

We did nothing to deserve his love, but he loves us anyway. We haven’t shown him one thing worthy of his grace, yet he grants it to us daily.

The love of our Lord has been described in many ways, but when I came across the following comparison I felt I had to share it because it is such a lovely illustration of innocent, undeserved love, offered simply because of having love to give. That’s it!

HAVING LOVE TO GIVE

From “The Journey”

She sat alone in the orphanage-no parents, no siblings. She was without connection in the world, powerless and headed for a life on anonymity.

Then one day two visitors came to the orphanage. They were financially prepared and eager to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which a child could grow. “That’s the one,” the wife said, looking at the little girl. The father scooped up the child and said, “Little one, you are now our daughter. Soon you will come to live in the place we've been preparing for you.”

What did the orphan do to deserve the kindness of that couple? Nothing. Why did they choose her? We don’t know. But they did, and it had nothing to do with any action on her part. They simply had love to give, and set their affections on this child.

That is how God feels about us. We are like that orphan. God comes to us today offering his home, love, and guidance. We can be adopted into his family any time we choose. He longs to scoop us up and provide us with his protection and eternal promise. His arms are open wide. He has a place prepared for us too.
We are saved in order to do good.

Read/Listen to Titus 3: 1-8

It is Well with My Soul

2 Corinthians 4:1-15

 

In 1871 the Great Chicago Fire destroyed most of the real estate holdings of a wealthy attorney by the name of Horatio Spafford. This was shortly after the tragic death of his young son. Then in 1873, his wife and four daughters set sail for a European vacation to recover from this tragedy.

Before he could join them he received word that their ship had a collision and all of his daughters had drowned. En route to England to join his grieving wife he wrote It is Well with My Soul. Feel his words as he cried out in pain to his loving Father who had sacrificed His own son.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul. It is well with my soul.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For God… has made us understand that it is the brightness of His glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies… these bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within who keeps us safe”.

And because of this Paul also wrote, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going”.               

                                                                       2 Corinthians 4:6-10          The Living Bible

These words were not just words on a page for Horatio Spafford. They were words to live by in the most difficult times of his life. He believed in the God who inspired Paul to write these words. He believed in the God who loved him and his family. He believed in the God who was always with him. He believed not just with his head, but with his heart and soul.

I don’t know how I would respond to a tragedy like this. For me, the little details of daily living can trigger me in the wrong direction. But Paul’s verses and the words of this hymn inspire me to continue to follow my God because no matter what happens, it is well with my soul.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%204%3A1-15&version=NIV;TLB

http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.4.1-2Cor.4.15 

New Hearts and New Beginnings

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

New International Version (NIV)

Have you ever wanted to stop, just stop everything in your life that felt wrong, and start all over again?  I am reminded of a child's toy; one most of us played with at some point, the Etch A Sketch. 

This popular toy encouraged the artist in each of us to try our hand at drawing or writing.  This artful toy, created in 1960 is still popular today. Children and adults too, learned how to try their hand at creating.  If a mistake were made you simply erased it and started over.

When we make a mistake, even a really big one, it would be so nice to just erase all memory of the error and begin again.  Life at times is difficult and filled with trouble and tragedy. We often just want to erase the past 24 or 48 hours and start living life with a fresh new canvas.

Paul teaches the people that this fresh new beginning is a reality because of Jesus. His death gave us a way to tilt our lives forward, shake them a little bit, and then start over with a clean slate. The heart of Jesus, in the form of forgiveness, provides for this.  

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3)

This process is called conversion. It is the work of God's Spirit. We do not become believers by following some manual or using some technique. Our conversion is a result of God's implanting his Spirit in our heart, giving us new power to live for him; the opportunity to shake our lives up and begin again.

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Christians are the Aroma of Christ

I have not been blessed with movie star looks. I sometimes rub people the wrong way and can even bristle at the most trivial of things. I have numerous bad habits, and can be a thorn in some people’s side.

If I were a plant,
I would be a cactus

I just mowed the lawn and finished putting down mulch. I need a shower. In spite of all this, I am the aroma of Christ. In fact, all Christians are the aroma of Christ!

 

Today’s reading, 2 Corinthians 2:5-17, is about the relationship between Jesus, his Church and its members.

 

Two things struck me in the reading. The first thought is contained in verse 10 and spoken by Paul. “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there is anything to be forgiven – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake.”  When a Christian forgives someone, it is the same as Christ forgiving them.

 

We are connected with Christ in our congregation through the power of the Word and Sacraments. We were delegated Christ’s assignment when he ascended to heaven.  And part of Jesus’ job on Earth was to announce the forgiveness of sins. So that is our assignment too.

 

When we forgive, Christ forgives!

 

The second thing was contained in verses 14 and 15, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ.”

 

Since we are connected with Christ, we also have the assignment of sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world. Carrying out this assignment is an aroma pleasing to God. And we know we will triumph.

 

We have the Holy Spirit which gives everything to carry out our task.

 

I am not worthy of this task. Ask my wife and she will list many more flaws than I mentioned above. If I were a plant, I would be a cactus.

 

But the Holy Spirit would still gives me a big flower, that would be the aroma of Christ pleasing to God!

Relationship: Handle With Care!

“Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn’t visit you in Corinth?  As God is my witness, the only reason I didn’t come was to spare you pain.  I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative. We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical.  We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours. That’s why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.” 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:1 (The Message)

[To see today’s text in 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 (The Message), click here.]

“Use things and love people ... not the other way around,” recalled Chuck Swindoll in a radio sermon many years ago.  It was a lesson his father had taught him as a boy.

We’re good at protecting the things we value.  We encase our collectibles ... frame our first-place ribbons ... preserve our memorabilia in the attic ... place breakables out of reach of grandchildren ... lock up our coin collections ... slip our photos behind cellophane ... wash and wax our trophy cars.  You can pretty much tell what we treasure by the lengths we go to protect them from harm.

But when it comes to the people in our lives, I’m afraid we’re not always so careful.  If we were, I think it would look something like this: We would listen hard to understand before jumping to imagined conclusions ... offer mercy and grace instead of condemnation ... celebrate their successes, instead of stewing in jealousy ... forgive, truly forgive, instead of resenting a list of wrongs ... stand up for people, rather than remaining silent before their accusers ... expect the best and not give up ... encourage, rather than stymie ... give of our time ... and speak truth, always and only in love.

Relationships require sensitivity. After all, there is, as Solomon said, “... a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: ... a time to weep and a time to laugh ... a time to mourn and a time to dance ... a time to embrace and a time to refrain ... a time to be silent and a time to speak ...”

And along with that, my wife might add, “... a time to talk things through, and a time to put them behind us and go forward in ‘right relating.’” 

Paul modeled right relating and a keen understanding of “a season for every activity under heaven.” When it was time to plant and grow Jesus' church in Corinth, he went there.  When it was time to address unhealthy developments in the church at Corinth, he wrote there.  And when it was time to let the church in Corinth heal on its own, Paul stayed away from there.

In all things – whether going, writing or not returning to the Corinthians – Paul acted in love ... caring love.  They were, after all, people and not things. 

And people deserve our very best.

Tales from the Family Tree

There was a popular book and mini-series many years ago titled, "Roots." This story was viewed by millions of households. The sweeping saga spanned generations and followed a family from its 'roots' in Africa to North America. The story followed the struggles, pain, injustices and also their triumphs and joys and victories.  Roots is a bold tale of love and hate, good and evil which held its audience mesmerized from start to finish.

Our roots are important, our history - family history - is handed down over and over again.  We all love to hear about great-grandfather's journey from his early days until this day when we are seated at his feet. Who doesn't want to learn about the early days or compare our parent's first date with ours? History matters, our roots are important.

Never forget where you came from, where you had your start.  That story is part of who you are, of whose you are. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

How many of us remember our roots, our lives before Jesus set his seal of ownership on us?  We should never forget where we came from, what our life was like before and after Jesus entered our lives.

Were we to remember this, our mission would naturally rise out of those memories. We would want to share our story and encourage others to embrace the new way of life. We would create our own mini-series and tell and re-tell the story of our roots.

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Do the next right thing...pray

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
The Message (MSG)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

This world we live in is fraught with misfortune and unhappiness. We go from one sticky situation to another, time after time. There could be a season of calm, but we know it will not last forever. That is just the way it goes; up and then down. We can experience good days, even a good year, but there will be difficult days ahead, that is fact.

So, where do you turn when you need comfort; when you need someone to help get you out of trouble? Do you have a best friend who knows just what to say and do to help?  Perhaps a parent is ready and willing to bail you out of the next fix you find yourself dealing with. Maybe, you know the best one to turn to is our God.  

Prayer might be the logical answer to every dilemma you face. I know that at one point in my life I came to that realization. There is no other answer but to stop and pray. The scripture selection today speaks to the God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. It doesn't refer to the God who makes everything okay again, or the God who pretends it didn't happen.  No, the God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.

Turning to God won't make it go away, but it will give peace and comfort.  Time spent in prayer is never wasted time, but the best use of it.  When we are comforted we feel secure and when we feel secure we can think things through.  Prayers will clear our minds and hearts and help us do the next right thing.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Mark 5: 17-20

 Go to People Like Yourself

I am not able to identify with brain surgeons or international diplomats. How about you? It would be most uncomfortable to be forced into a situation where it was essential to rub elbows with the very rich and famous, as I would have nothing in common with them. Having to mingle with a world class physicists or mathematician would be awkward at best.

Put me in a room with psychologists or teachers on the other hand, and I would be in heaven, so to speak. There would be endless topics of discussion and subjects for me to pick their brains about, and then sit back and ponder as I formulated my next inquiry.

We all have a sense of comfort when with those we have things in common with. Why then do some Christians feel the need to push their beliefs on those who do not have an ear for what they proclaim? Perhaps it is all in the approach, not empathizing with the other person considering their background or paradigm (set of ideas used for understanding something) can bring out negative feelings. No one wants to be preached to about a subject they feel uncomfortable with. It is unlikely we are going to change the lifestyle of another through proclamation. Most humans thrive on relationships. We do not hear what others have to say until we first know they care.

If any of us are going to make a difference in the life of another, we must meet them where they are as Jesus did. He humbled himself. He dwelled among sinners and lepers. He broke bread with the undesirable and spoke to those shunned by their communities. Jesus lived the life of a poor man, and dwelled amidst those like him.

Jesus modeled the perfect, sinless life. We cannot even think about comparing to him, but we can grow where we are planted, spreading the seeds of love and compassion, as we reach out to those near to us. We need not travel the world to make a difference. Often we can simply "Just Walk Across The Room."

Read/Listen to Mark 5: 17-20

Review the Book “Just Walk Across the Room” by: Bill Hybels

May the Force Be With You

Acts 28:16-31

In 1977 the movie Star Wars made this quote famous, even iconic. It brought characters like Han Solo, Leia Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Yoda into our daily lives. It was a classic battle between good and evil.

 Paul has been involved in a classic battle between good and evil. Having gone on three long term missionary trips to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, he has faced violent opposition that included riots, being run out of town, flogging, threats to his life and being ship-wrecked.

Hollywood likes a happy ending. They like it when the good guy rides off into the sunset with the girl. They like it when the good guys catch the bad guys and send them off to jail. They like it when good is victorious over evil like in Star Wars. But life doesn’t always happen that way.

When the book of Acts ends, there is no clear winner. On the one hand Paul is relatively free to share the Gospel and does so for two years. But on the other hand, he is under house arrest and cannot leave his residence.

 Hollywood would rather have Acts end like the movie Rocky when he comes out of nowhere to become the world champion boxer. Our natural instinct is to wish for Paul to be the underdog that has been continually beaten down by the system, but rises victoriously while leading thousands of people to Christ.

 However, our life is more like Paul’s in that sometimes there is no clear victory. We struggle to change and to become more like Jesus. We struggle to follow Jesus no matter what. We struggle to serve Jesus in all that we do. We struggle to give up control of our lives and surrender to Jesus.

May the force of the Holy Spirit be with you as you struggle to change, to follow, to serve and to surrender control of your life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Acts 28:16-31