I received a tremendous number of comments both on the blog page itself and my message files on myspace about my last post: “Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 3: How do you spend your money?” Of the many questions I received, most dealt with the topic of tithing. So, I thought we would just dive right into the subject!
Understanding the biblical perspective on tithing is extremely important not only for your own peace of mind as a believer but also for your unchurched friends who ask, “Why is the church always asking for money.” This question unfairly puts all churches in the same category but the heart of this question is important to answer – what does God want with my money?
The Easton’s Bible dictionary explains the tithe this way:
Tithe - Literally means “a tenth” - - a tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:6); and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, “Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
The first Mosaic Law (the law given to Moses and the Israelites in the Old Testament) on this subject is recorded in Leviticus 27:30-32:
30 All tithes from the land, whether the seed from the ground or the fruit from the tree, are the Lord’s; they are holy to the Lord. 31 If persons wish to redeem any of their tithes, they must add one-fifth to them. 32 All tithes of herd and flock, every tenth one that passes under the shepherd’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord.
The first Levitical Law (the Levites were a tribe of priests in the Old Testament) on the subject is recorded in Deuteronomy 14:22-29:
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. 28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Some scholars say that the texts show three tithes - 10% to the priests, 10% to the temple, 10% every third year to the poor - 23 1/3 % tithe! You might be thinking, “God demands that I give 23 1/3 % of my paycheck to him? I like the 10% tithe I learned in Sunday School a lot more all of the sudden!”
It’s clear that there was a mandate by God to give at least a tenth of our stuff to Him. Further, God specified where this money should go – the Temple, the priests, and the downtrodden in our communities. But, what does all of this have to do with us today? We’ll find out…in my next post!
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
For those of you reading Colossians with me –
Colossians 2:16-23
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 3 - How Do You Spend Your Money?
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 3 - How Do You Spend Your Money?
Just as a reminder, this three part blog found its genesis in a statement made by Lon Solomon, my senior pastor and boss, ““You will find out a lot about a person’s spiritual maturity based on how they handle the word “no,” how they respond to crisis and loss, and how they spend their money.” We’ve addressed the first two in my last two posts. I want to reflect on the third sign of spiritual maturity (or immaturity) – how a person spends his money. Can this really be a sign of spiritual maturity?
There’s no doubt that the act of giving is a sign of spiritual maturity whether we give of our time, our gifts and talents, our money, or our possessions. So, in this sense, the giving of money is just one of many signs of spiritual maturity under the proverbial umbrella of “giving.” In fact, Paul writes about what it means to be a giver in his second letter to the Corinthians:
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
This passage clearly explains the difference between the mature and immature believer. An immature believer holds tightly to his or her money and worldly stuff. A mature believer, however, not only holds loosely to his or her money and possessions but generously gives.
Here though is something that I think is often overlooked when discerning our own spiritual maturity. According to this passage Paul says that if we give under compulsion, we may be giving but we are still reflecting a spiritual immaturity! The mature believer gives with a “cheerful” heart. The question then is, “Do I give my money to God and his work with a cheerful and generous heart or do I give out of compulsion?”
How do you handle the word “no?” How do you handle crisis and loss? How do you spend and/or give your money?
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
Here’s today’s passage from Colossians for those of you who are reading along with me in preparation for my sermon series from the same book starting Sunday July 2, 2006:
Colossians 2:6-15
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Just as a reminder, this three part blog found its genesis in a statement made by Lon Solomon, my senior pastor and boss, ““You will find out a lot about a person’s spiritual maturity based on how they handle the word “no,” how they respond to crisis and loss, and how they spend their money.” We’ve addressed the first two in my last two posts. I want to reflect on the third sign of spiritual maturity (or immaturity) – how a person spends his money. Can this really be a sign of spiritual maturity?
There’s no doubt that the act of giving is a sign of spiritual maturity whether we give of our time, our gifts and talents, our money, or our possessions. So, in this sense, the giving of money is just one of many signs of spiritual maturity under the proverbial umbrella of “giving.” In fact, Paul writes about what it means to be a giver in his second letter to the Corinthians:
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
This passage clearly explains the difference between the mature and immature believer. An immature believer holds tightly to his or her money and worldly stuff. A mature believer, however, not only holds loosely to his or her money and possessions but generously gives.
Here though is something that I think is often overlooked when discerning our own spiritual maturity. According to this passage Paul says that if we give under compulsion, we may be giving but we are still reflecting a spiritual immaturity! The mature believer gives with a “cheerful” heart. The question then is, “Do I give my money to God and his work with a cheerful and generous heart or do I give out of compulsion?”
How do you handle the word “no?” How do you handle crisis and loss? How do you spend and/or give your money?
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
Here’s today’s passage from Colossians for those of you who are reading along with me in preparation for my sermon series from the same book starting Sunday July 2, 2006:
Colossians 2:6-15
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 2 - Responding to Crisis
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 2 - Responding to Crisis
I remember the Sago Coal Mine disaster that filled hours of news channel discussions the first week of January this year (2006). Twelve bodies would eventually be pulled from that coal mine in the Appalachian Mountains. Tragedies like this and greater had happened days before and each week after this one around the world but two things made this one different. First, it was in our back yard. Second, and more important, was the fact that a false report came out during the rescue effort that the men were alive and they would be rescued. The family and friends back at the local Baptist church that had been in a prayer vigil for several days were leaping for joy and hugging each other. They would shout into the news cameras, “God answered our prayers!”
These same Christian men and women spoke of their faith in God to reporters when they first heard of the mine collapse. They would continue to proclaim that God was listening to their prayers and would protect the men in the mine. They gave God all the credit when they heard the report that the men in the mine would be saved. Then…
Then word came form the rescue sight. The report was premature. They could not verify that any men had been rescued or that any of them were alive. Hour after excruciating hour passed with no word. Jubilation turned to uncertainty and confusion. Uncertainty turned to anger. Then the news reached the crowd at the Baptist church – all the men were dead. The report of their rescue had been a terrible error and their family members were dead.
In an instant, cries of faith and trust in God – in an instant – turned to curses toward their God. One young man screamed for all the world to see and hear, “Why would God do this? Why!!! Why would He take our family? I can’t believe in a God that would do that!” He wept bitterly as he turned away from the camera. One after another, these self-proclaimed faithful followers of God turned from him as Peter did when he denied even knowing Christ three times to save his own skin.
I was saddened, shocked, and left empty inside. I do not doubt the extent of their grief. I understand loss. I understand what it feels like to lose a loved one. I have felt the same grief and even questioned God’s reasoning. But, what in their understanding of God caused these people to turn on God in such a dramatic way?
How do you respond to crisis or loss?
One of the most powerful responses to tragedy that I find in the Bible is that of Job in the midst of great trial, unimaginable loss and suffering. Job found out, as the family of the miners did, that he had just lost ALL of his sons and daughters when the house they were in collapsed. None survived. Job feeling grief as much or greater than the families of the miners responded in a very different way…
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:20-22)
Job understood that we must praise God for both triumph and tragedy. We are so quick to take blessings from God many time without thanking Him and we are so quick to also curse God for the trials in our life. In everything, Job never charged God with wrongdoing!
How do you respond to crisis or loss?
The sign of a mature believer is the ability to praise God for blessing and for loss.
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
For those of you who are reading along with me in Colossians, here is the passage for this post:
Colossians 1:24-2:5
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
2 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
I remember the Sago Coal Mine disaster that filled hours of news channel discussions the first week of January this year (2006). Twelve bodies would eventually be pulled from that coal mine in the Appalachian Mountains. Tragedies like this and greater had happened days before and each week after this one around the world but two things made this one different. First, it was in our back yard. Second, and more important, was the fact that a false report came out during the rescue effort that the men were alive and they would be rescued. The family and friends back at the local Baptist church that had been in a prayer vigil for several days were leaping for joy and hugging each other. They would shout into the news cameras, “God answered our prayers!”
These same Christian men and women spoke of their faith in God to reporters when they first heard of the mine collapse. They would continue to proclaim that God was listening to their prayers and would protect the men in the mine. They gave God all the credit when they heard the report that the men in the mine would be saved. Then…
Then word came form the rescue sight. The report was premature. They could not verify that any men had been rescued or that any of them were alive. Hour after excruciating hour passed with no word. Jubilation turned to uncertainty and confusion. Uncertainty turned to anger. Then the news reached the crowd at the Baptist church – all the men were dead. The report of their rescue had been a terrible error and their family members were dead.
In an instant, cries of faith and trust in God – in an instant – turned to curses toward their God. One young man screamed for all the world to see and hear, “Why would God do this? Why!!! Why would He take our family? I can’t believe in a God that would do that!” He wept bitterly as he turned away from the camera. One after another, these self-proclaimed faithful followers of God turned from him as Peter did when he denied even knowing Christ three times to save his own skin.
I was saddened, shocked, and left empty inside. I do not doubt the extent of their grief. I understand loss. I understand what it feels like to lose a loved one. I have felt the same grief and even questioned God’s reasoning. But, what in their understanding of God caused these people to turn on God in such a dramatic way?
How do you respond to crisis or loss?
One of the most powerful responses to tragedy that I find in the Bible is that of Job in the midst of great trial, unimaginable loss and suffering. Job found out, as the family of the miners did, that he had just lost ALL of his sons and daughters when the house they were in collapsed. None survived. Job feeling grief as much or greater than the families of the miners responded in a very different way…
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:20-22)
Job understood that we must praise God for both triumph and tragedy. We are so quick to take blessings from God many time without thanking Him and we are so quick to also curse God for the trials in our life. In everything, Job never charged God with wrongdoing!
How do you respond to crisis or loss?
The sign of a mature believer is the ability to praise God for blessing and for loss.
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
For those of you who are reading along with me in Colossians, here is the passage for this post:
Colossians 1:24-2:5
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
2 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 1 - Handling the Word "NO"
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 1 - Handling the Word "NO"
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity
I was talking to Lon Solomon, the pastor of McLean Bible Church, at a meeting a few days ago and he shared (as he often does) some great pearls of wisdom with me. He said – and I am paraphrasing here – “You will find out a lot about a person’s spiritual maturity based on how they handle the word “no,” how they respond to crisis and loss, and how they spend their money.” He offered this little tidbit in the middle of an otherwise unrelated conversation. I know many of us have heard one, two, or even all three of these markers of spiritual maturity before but they’re always worth contemplating.
So ask yourself, “How do I handle the word “NO!”” The ability to handle a “no” when you really want something is of course a sign of maturity in general but when we ask this of believers it gives us an indication of the believer’s faith in God’s provision. Will God provide for me in His own time? Is God watching over me when my boss says “no” to my promotion? Does God truly care for me even when I ask him to heal me from an illness and the answer, at least for now, is “no?” As a Christ-follower and a pastor, I still find it hard to hear the word “no” especially when I believe my pursuit is righteous. But, I always remember two Scriptures from Jonah:
“The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah…” (Jonah 1:17)”
“…the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give him shade to ease his discomfort…” (Jonah 4:6)
God provision for Jonah came in the form of both trial and rest. In the same way God’s provision comes in both the “yes” and the “no.” How we handle the provision of a “no” says a great deal about our faith in God. (For that matter, how we handle the provision of a “yes” says volumes as well but we’ll save that for another time).
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
For those of you who are reading along with me in Colossians, here is the passage for this post:
The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity
I was talking to Lon Solomon, the pastor of McLean Bible Church, at a meeting a few days ago and he shared (as he often does) some great pearls of wisdom with me. He said – and I am paraphrasing here – “You will find out a lot about a person’s spiritual maturity based on how they handle the word “no,” how they respond to crisis and loss, and how they spend their money.” He offered this little tidbit in the middle of an otherwise unrelated conversation. I know many of us have heard one, two, or even all three of these markers of spiritual maturity before but they’re always worth contemplating.
So ask yourself, “How do I handle the word “NO!”” The ability to handle a “no” when you really want something is of course a sign of maturity in general but when we ask this of believers it gives us an indication of the believer’s faith in God’s provision. Will God provide for me in His own time? Is God watching over me when my boss says “no” to my promotion? Does God truly care for me even when I ask him to heal me from an illness and the answer, at least for now, is “no?” As a Christ-follower and a pastor, I still find it hard to hear the word “no” especially when I believe my pursuit is righteous. But, I always remember two Scriptures from Jonah:
“The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah…” (Jonah 1:17)”
“…the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give him shade to ease his discomfort…” (Jonah 4:6)
God provision for Jonah came in the form of both trial and rest. In the same way God’s provision comes in both the “yes” and the “no.” How we handle the provision of a “no” says a great deal about our faith in God. (For that matter, how we handle the provision of a “yes” says volumes as well but we’ll save that for another time).
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
For those of you who are reading along with me in Colossians, here is the passage for this post:
The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Where Do We Go From Here?
Where Do We Go From Here?
Many of you who subscribe to my blog are loyal Frontliners (those who attend Frontline each week) who have been listening to the DaVinci Code series. Many of you also subscribe from all around the country and aren’t directly involved with Frontline which is why I rarely devote large portions of my blogs to Frontline specific information. But, I’m beside myself with excitement at what has happened in the past few weeks at FL and hope that all of you can be blessed by what I’m about to share: hundreds of new people visited Frontline for the first time during this series and many of those visitors were friends of yours who haven’t darkened the door of a church for years. I received many emails from Frontliners – likely many of you are among them - who shared that their friend, co-worker, or family member started a relationship with Jesus at some point during the DaVinci Code series! We are truly fulfilling our God-given mission to impact our generation in secular Washington with the message of Jesus Christ. This is also further proof that “in all things God works for the good of those who love, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
So, what’s next? If you were at FL this past Sunday night you know that Lon Solomon, our senior pastor at McLean Bible Church (Frontline’s parent church), will be teaching a series over the next three weeks called “Jesus’ Most Outrageous Sayings!” This is going to be an incredible series to attend and a great opportunity to invite unchurched friends. For those of you who don’t live in the Washington D.C. area we post all of our messages on our web site! You can listen to them on your computer or you can subscribe to our pod cast and the messages will download automatically to your mp3 player each week.
After Lon finishes his series, I’ll be doing a five week series on what is quite possibly the most powerful letter in the New Testament – Colossians. Some of you might be thinking (as my good friend and fellow pastor, Will Pavone is thinking right now) “Are you kidding? Romans is without a doubt the most profound letter in the N.T.!” I lean that direction as well. Colossians, though, has so much of the essence of Christian theology packed into such a tight little package that I’m forced to admit Colossians gives Romans a run for the money.
So, for those of you who either attend Frontline or will now begin to listen to the messages online, I’m going to place sections of Colossians in each blog I post for the next four or five weeks. By July each of us will have read Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae (or Colosse). Most of the time these passages will be added to the end of an otherwise unrelated blog, so that you can chose to read the letter along with me or just read the blog for that day and skip the Colossian passage. Either way, I’m truly honored that each one of you chose to read (and respond) to my blogs. I hope each blog serves as a catalyst to somehow foster a deepening relationship between you and God.
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
Passage from Colossians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Many of you who subscribe to my blog are loyal Frontliners (those who attend Frontline each week) who have been listening to the DaVinci Code series. Many of you also subscribe from all around the country and aren’t directly involved with Frontline which is why I rarely devote large portions of my blogs to Frontline specific information. But, I’m beside myself with excitement at what has happened in the past few weeks at FL and hope that all of you can be blessed by what I’m about to share: hundreds of new people visited Frontline for the first time during this series and many of those visitors were friends of yours who haven’t darkened the door of a church for years. I received many emails from Frontliners – likely many of you are among them - who shared that their friend, co-worker, or family member started a relationship with Jesus at some point during the DaVinci Code series! We are truly fulfilling our God-given mission to impact our generation in secular Washington with the message of Jesus Christ. This is also further proof that “in all things God works for the good of those who love, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
So, what’s next? If you were at FL this past Sunday night you know that Lon Solomon, our senior pastor at McLean Bible Church (Frontline’s parent church), will be teaching a series over the next three weeks called “Jesus’ Most Outrageous Sayings!” This is going to be an incredible series to attend and a great opportunity to invite unchurched friends. For those of you who don’t live in the Washington D.C. area we post all of our messages on our web site! You can listen to them on your computer or you can subscribe to our pod cast and the messages will download automatically to your mp3 player each week.
After Lon finishes his series, I’ll be doing a five week series on what is quite possibly the most powerful letter in the New Testament – Colossians. Some of you might be thinking (as my good friend and fellow pastor, Will Pavone is thinking right now) “Are you kidding? Romans is without a doubt the most profound letter in the N.T.!” I lean that direction as well. Colossians, though, has so much of the essence of Christian theology packed into such a tight little package that I’m forced to admit Colossians gives Romans a run for the money.
So, for those of you who either attend Frontline or will now begin to listen to the messages online, I’m going to place sections of Colossians in each blog I post for the next four or five weeks. By July each of us will have read Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae (or Colosse). Most of the time these passages will be added to the end of an otherwise unrelated blog, so that you can chose to read the letter along with me or just read the blog for that day and skip the Colossian passage. Either way, I’m truly honored that each one of you chose to read (and respond) to my blogs. I hope each blog serves as a catalyst to somehow foster a deepening relationship between you and God.
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
Passage from Colossians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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