Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.  Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.  And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

There is a longing inside of us to belong.  I see it everyday in my life.  I desire to belong.  To be accepted.  To be needed.  To ‘fit in’ to a mold of some sort.  Maybe I’m by myself in this one, but for some reason I don’t think I’m alone.

I’ve come a long ways in my desire to want to ‘fit in’ with the world around me.  For me, my worst years of feeling like I didn’t belong were in my youth.  I wanted to ‘belong’ to every team.  I wanted to ‘belong’ to every conversation.  I wanted to ‘belong’.

Dear friends, I wanted to belong so bad and then I found out who I ‘belong to’.  I am a hand crafted, beautiful being that was created intricately by my creator, God.  A God that desired so much for me to know that I belong to Him that He sent Jesus to die a horrible death on a cross, only to rise again, with a promise for my eternal life.  I belong to no one else but Christ Jesus.  Paul has it right; we are called to be set apart for the Gospel, to cling to the only true promise of Jesus.

Do I still struggle with the desire to ‘belong’ to things in this world?  You bet.  But knowing that I belong to Jesus Christ means all the world to me.

He Spent His Last Breath Singing: Wife, Cousin Remember ELCA’s Ben Larson
10-019-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) — The past week for Renee Splichal Larson and Jonathan Larson has been filled with danger, uncertainty, heartache and deep pain as they mourn the apparent loss of Renee’s husband and Jonathan’s cousin, Ben Larson, 25, in the earthquake in Haiti. The two Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seminary students, in Port-au-Prince at the time of the disaster, returned to the United States Jan. 15. They spoke to the ELCA News Service Jan. 18.
Renee and Jonathan told of their escape from the collapsed St. Joseph Home for Boys and their unsuccessful attempts to rescue Ben. They also talked about the suffering of the people of Haiti, their strong feelings of gratitude for the ELCA and the positive influences it had on Ben throughout this life.
“All he wanted was to be a pastor in this church,” Renee said.
The three senior students at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa — one of eight ELCA seminaries — went to Haiti to teach Lutheran theology to members and pastors of the Lutheran church during the seminary’s January term.  Renee, who grew up in Garrison, N.D., was also doing interviews with local people for a master’s thesis about the emerging Lutheran church in Haiti.
That all changed on Jan. 12, when a severe earthquake struck Haiti.  At the time of the quake all three were together in the St. Joseph Home for Boys.
“We were all together on the same floor,” when the building began to shake, Renee said. “We all kind of panicked and started running.  Jonathan and I were together. (Ben) was hugging a pillar in the middle of the floor.  I turned and I saw him, and I saw concrete starting to fall on him.  I called for him and started running toward him.”
At that moment the two floors above collapsed on them.  Jonathan and Renee were trapped for a short time, but managed to squeeze out onto the roof of the building and called for Ben, she said.  The collapsed building continued to shift as the aftershocks continued, Renee said.
The two went back to the place where they had crawled out and called again for Ben.  Renee said she heard Ben’s voice.  He was singing, not unusual for Ben who loved music. “I told him I loved him, and that Jon and I were okay, and to keep singing,” Renee said. But the singing stopped after he sang the words “God’s peace to us we pray,” she said.
“If he was alive, he would have been calling for help desperately,” Renee said. “Ben spent his last breath singing.”
In the chaos of that night, Renee and Jonathan stayed nearby with local residents displaced by the quake.  One of the people they were with was Bill Nathan, director of the St. Joseph Home for Boys, who injured his spine after jumping from the roof of the building to the ground.  ABC News featured Nathan’s story on Nightline.
The next day Renee and Jonathan went back to the building, managed to get their passports, and did what they could to locate Ben, but could not find him. “Getting off of that roof was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” she said.
The two were advised to go to the U.S. Embassy, which they managed to accomplish with local residents’ help, and seek assistance to rescue Ben, but there was no team to rescue Ben.  They met up with a Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville (N.J.),  medical team at the embassy, who cared for Renee and Jonathan.  The students managed to get text messages to their families, asking for advice about what to do.  Their families advised them to return home to the United States.
“It was so sad to go.  It took all of our strength to get back to our families,” Renee said.
Meanwhile, the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, and a friend of the Larson family, had contacted the Lutheran World Federation and a member of Congress, trying to arrange for a team in Haiti to get to Ben. Those attempts continue.
The Red Cross has estimated that as many as 200,000 people may have died as a result of the earthquake. In addition, questions are being asked about the slowness of the response. “People are so desperate,” Renee said, adding that the devastation “breaks my heart.  To know that the people of Haiti still have nothing is very difficult.”
She added that she cannot think about Ben “apart from the thousands of Haitians who died in the earthquake, the poorest of the poor in this hemisphere.”

The ELCA and Ben Larson
Ben Larson’s parents are the Rev. April Ulring Larson, senior pastor of First Lutheran Church, Duluth, and former bishop of the ELCA LaCrosse (Wis.) Area Synod, and the Rev. Judd W. Larson, retired and serving as an interim at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Duluth.  The youngest of three children, Ben grew up in the ELCA.
“Ben loved this church.  He knew it wasn’t perfect, but he loved it.  He lived out his ministry through the church,” Renee said.  A trip to Ethiopia was transformational, she said, adding that Ben appreciated the “global church and the ELCA’s companions.”  He attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, one of 27 ELCA colleges and universities, and was completing his master of divinity degree at Wartburg Seminary.  Ben played and sang in the bands at ELCA Global Mission events and the 2008 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Salt Lake City.  He was active in ELCA’s World Hunger program, and helped introduce members and leaders to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the ELCA’s newest worship book.
Describing his cousin Ben “as my best friend,” Jonathan Larson, Red Wing, Minn., said, “We were always together.  We grew to love God together.”
As for their future, Jonathan said he and Renee will return soon to Wartburg to complete their educations.  “We would not think of doing anything else.  The Wartburg community is so vital to who we are,” he said.
The Larson family will hold an “informal gathering and storytelling” Jan. 21 for Ben Larson at Luther College’s Centennial Union, and a memorial service for him will be held the next day at the college’s Center for Faith and Life.
They asked that memorial gifts for Ben Larson be given to Wartburg Seminary, the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti), St. Joseph Home for Boys and ELCA (International) Disaster Response.
Renee highlighted the ELCA’s response to disasters.  Funds are channeled through the ELCA churchwide organization and “reach people in Haiti, who are poor and need help. Mission is what we are about.  I ask that people think about mission and what draws us together, which is Christ.”  She added that the ELCA is a church “that we love and serve.”
The ELCA announced that it will provide at least $600,000 for Haiti, and is channeling funds through three partner organizations working on the ground: the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief and Church World Service.  More funds are expected to be provided as members contribute gifts to the ELCA for Haiti relief.
—
Information about Ben Larson is at http://www.flcduluth.org/ on the Web.

Financial contributions to support relief efforts in Haiti can be made at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or by calling 800-638-3522.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews

This disaster hit home, personally, for me.  When first hearing about Haiti, my heart broke for the many displaced, injured, and even killed in this horrible disaster.  Then it became personal.  I received a call from a friend on Wednesday night informing me that my friend Ben, his wife Renae, and cousin Jon, were all unaccounted for in Haiti.  Prayer.  I prayed for safety, for peace, for comfort, for direction, for God to intervene and bring them all safely home.  I couldn’t sleep that night; my mind was running through the fond memories I had of Ben while at Luther together, and how I regretted we hadn’t talked much since college.

Some memories of Ben of my own…

• I LOVED playing basketball with Ben and Kyle.  Ben was like a leaping Giselle out on the basketball court and had great game.  It was Spring Junior year at Luther at 11:30pm at night when we decided to head out to the outdoor courts in Decorah.  Setting the scene; 11:30pm, 33 degrees, and no real ‘lighting’.  Ben drove and we parked his big blue machine facing the basketball court with the headlights on and we played for what seemed like hours.  If I had a scanner, I’d scan in the picture.
• Working with Ben to facilitate worship at Luther was an absolute privilege.  He was always there for me to play guitar, help read, whatever needed to be done, he was there.  He was so passionate for his fellow students, desiring to share every gift he had with the people around him.
• Homerun Derby Senior year…need I say more but great afternoons together, attempting to hit homeruns over the girls softball field fence.
• Conversations with him that dug deep into my mind, heart, and soul.  Ben and I didn’t always agree during our discussions, but it was truly an ‘iron sharpens iron’ relationship.  He knew Jesus, I knew Jesus.  What else matters?  Nothing, as I know I will be reunited eternally with him through our heavenly Father.

These are a few of the many memories I have of Ben.

Friday morning I received another call from my friend Kari, confirming what I had read online; Ben was announced dead in Haiti.  Praise God Renae and Jon made it out of the same building safely, but Ben was not as fortunate.  You may ask why Ben and the three of them were in Haiti.  Ben and Jon were there to help equip, teach, and learn from future leaders of the Lutheran Church in Haiti.  Ben was doing what he loved; following Christ’s mission to love people and to share the gospel to the world through authentic relationships.  Passion.  Authenticity.  Humility.  Love.  These are words that stick out to me as Ben’s mission in College and beyond.  It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for my wife and I as we remember Ben.  It still seems so surreal to be using the past tense while talking about him.

Ben’s life is a life that I desire to follow and live by.  As someone who is pursuing seminary, it means even more to me as I want strive to be the type of leader he was (he was a Seminary student at Wartburg College).  The church lost a great, wonderful future leader.  I pray that God can use me in some small way in the future to touch lives as I know Ben would have.

To Ben, I love you brother and thank God for your heart and your life.  I strive to carry on your mission of Love, Compassion, and Mercy to the world.  To Renae, I grieve with you and for you in your loss of Ben’s body.  May God’s spirit saturate your heart, mind, and soul and slowly pour healing into your life.  To April and Judd, you were wonderful parents to Ben, raising him to be a man of God; I desire to see my children grow up to be light’s like Ben.  To all people of Haiti, to those questioning the safety of loved ones, to those homeless and hungry across the world, Lord have mercy.

What others are saying about Ben…

From Brad and Rachel White’s blog: www.thewhitesintokyo.wordpress.com

This past week, I heard about the devastating loss of life in Haiti through news coverage online.  The destruction and deadly power of that earthquake was unsettling personally for many reasons, but somehow the estimated death toll didn’t “sink in” in any meaningful way.

Then, Rachael got a late-night message from our friend Chris.  He had gotten word that a college classmate of mine, Ben Larson, was in Haiti working with lay people there as a part of his lifelong commitment to serving God and God’s people, but also as a component of his final year of preparation at Wartburg Theological Seminary.  Our friend Chris had also heard that Ben was unaccounted for after the earthquake and that he would keep us updated.

After Rachael and I reflected on Ben’s possible predicament and talking about all the amazing things that come to mind when you picture Ben Larson, we tried to get to sleep since there was nothing we could do but wait and I had to get up to teach in a few hours.  Soon though, Rachael received a message from Chris that neither of us expected or could handle immediately.  Ben was reported to have “perished” in the earthquake.  His wife Renee and cousin Jonathan made it out safely, but Ben couldn’t have survived the collapse of the building he was in at the time of the quake.  Rachael woke me and shared the heartbreaking news.

After laying there in stunned silence for a few minutes, I had to get out of bed because I was immediately overcome with grief at the thought of this world losing such a special person as Ben Larson.  I had to talk to Chris directly.  Fortunately, the time difference allowed me to call him since it was well after midnight in Tokyo and the middle of the day in the States.  In our brief chat, we reflected together on this great, single loss of life and were both still stunned at the news.

Ben was the kind of man you couldn’t help but absolutely adore.  His gentle humility, Christlike joy, and sincere love for everyone he encountered was one-of-a-kind.  I can only dream of the impact he would have had serving a community of Christians as a pastor.  Though I can’t find any way to comprehend why Ben won’t have that opportunity, I also take heart in his mother’s words:

A statement from Reverend April Ulring Larson

As an infant Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson was wrapped in the arms of God in the waters of baptism, and from those waters, his life was an outpouring of love and joy, laughter and play, in response to God first loving Ben.

Ben’s love of God, walking in accompaniment, passionately loving others, listening and learning from those who are poor across the globe, drove his serving.

We give thanks to God for the incredible joy of knowing Ben.  His laughter, playfulness, passionate heart for those who are hurting was manifest in his daily life.  He delighted in the privilege of serving and knowing God, laying out his life in joy.

We are blessed by still being able to hear Ben‘s music.  His father Judd says, “If you want to know Ben, go to his music.”  In his tender music remains some of the treasure that is Ben:  what he believes, what he cares about, his deepest soul.

Ben died doing what he did best- loving God’s people

Most of the people who died in this deadly earthquake in Haiti are the poorest of the poor in this hemisphere.  Ben went to Haiti to teach theology and scripture in the new Lutheran Church of Haiti; but more deeply to learn from these people loved by God.  In his young death his life joins the bodies of the poor.  In the Haitian rubble Ben’s life joins these dear beloved people of God:  all those parents crying for their children; young widows calling out for their husbands; new orphans searching for their parents.

God have mercy on us.

I was fortunate enough to play with Ben through the FOCUS (student-led contemporary worship service) worship team at Luther College for a few years.  His co-leadership of our group was always a bit quirky, but also genuine and passionate.  Through many of my faith struggles in college, Ben provided quick prayers and a compassionate ear that never made me feel judged, even when I had to step away from the music team for a time of introspection.

At one point in my return to a vibrant faith life, I was walking home in the rain after a frustrating day and a peaceful worship service at FOCUS.  I began to weep, feeling completely overwhelmed by the love of God and a renewed desire to live more like the example set by Christ in his short life on Earth.  As I got home to my tiny single dorm room, I wrote the lyrics to a song that expressed my feelings at that point.  The only problem was that I didn’t know how to play guitar well enough to write music to go with those lyrics.

Most High (He Reigns)

In a moment of true worship
I feel the warm rain as it covers my body.
As it touches my head,
I think of you Lord.
I think of the blessing that you’ve rained down.

My Lord you reign in all things
Through winter and summer
And autumn and spring.
These are tears of joy that I cry.
I love you, I love you,
I love you Most High!

You are Most High!

As it touches my chest
I breathe you in Lord
And your Holy Spirit fills me.
As it touches my lips
I’m called to sing
To worship my God and my King.

My Lord you reign in all things
Through winter and summer
And autumn and spring.
These are tears of joy that I cry.
I love you, I love you,
I love you Most High!

You are Most High!

So, I called Ben, and fortunately, he was available and more than willing to trek across campus in the rain to come help me write the song.  We sat around for a few minutes, awkwardly trying different chord progressions that just didn’t fit.  Then, Ben had an idea for something simple and I began to sing along.  The product was something beautiful that will always be a great reminder to me of a pivotal moment in my faith life (and now a defining moment punctuated by the early loss of this friend).  He then suggested we might use the song for worship at FOCUS at some point, another amazing gesture that showed Ben’s loving spirit.  In his memory, my wife Rachael and I will lead our congregation in this song tomorrow at our church here in Tokyo, Japan.

I have been to funerals for past high school classmates that left this Earth far too early as well, but have never before been as emotionally affected as I am this week thinking about Ben’s passing.  Knowing that he was around was always a comfort, even if he was in the American Midwest somewhere, or working in Haiti.  I kept tabs on his ministry experiences and new musical endeavors online and watched as he grew closer to the point we were all waiting for- his ordination as a phenomenal new pastor with brilliant ideas for new musical liturgies and an unending passion to serve.

Ben will be sincerely missed by all who knew him, but especially by his wife Renee, and incredible family.  I will pray often for their pain and grief to be eased by the knowledge that he accomplished more for the Kingdom of God in his short time with us than many people accomplish in a lifetime.  His song, “Psalm 30: Mourning into Dancing” will be something I carry with me for the rest of my life.  The raw passion that comes through in his voice is a well we can all drink from.  Rest in peace, Ben, knowing that all those close to you or that like me, only knew you for a brief time, will daily aspire to your Christlike example.  Bless you brother.

(I don’t know how long these links will be available, but some of his music is located online.  Please take the time to listen to his music, especially “Psalm 30: Mourning into Dancing.”)

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.popupplayer&sindex=-1.7&shuffle=false&amix=false&pmix=false&plid=119535&artid=21890009&profid=471506874&friendid=471506874&sseed=0&ptype=3&stime=1.645&ap=1&rpeat=false

http://www.flcduluth.org/

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded acording to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Out at Riverside, we plant a ton of trees.  Last spring, our staff planted right around 200 different trees around camp.  Now me, I don’t know much about trees, or planting in general.  However, my co-worker Jason is what I would like to call an expert on the tree.  It’s fun to walk around camp with him because he sees trees sprouting up that no one planted in person.  Tiny little oaks pop up out of the ground in the strangest spots.  We try to clear the way for them to grow up and create a better environment to grow in.  We didn’t create the tree; it sprouted itself.  We simply saw the tree and saw great potential for growth.  However, what more can we do than water it and attempt to put it in soil where it can go strong?

I believe planting is a perfect image for God’s church, because, well, we do have things called ‘church plants’ and congregations grow in a variety of ways.  I grew up in a congregation that saw a great amount of growth in members and it was so exciting to be a part of a place that was growing.  However, I don’t believe that’s all God is talking about.  God desires growth far greater than what the numbers can say.  God desires an expansion of our hearts, not just of our buildings.  God desires to expand our hearts to be outside our bodies as we live out our call in life.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

One of the kid’s favorite camp songs is “Sanctuary”.

Lord prepare, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.  With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, sanctuary, for you.

Lord prepare, to be a sanctuary, bright and shining, like a store, with forgiveness, I’ll be a witness, a sanctuary, for you.

God’s plan for the church was to be people who were drawing close to the heart of God and, through this transformation, the Spirit of God would flow through our lives.  Our hearts would be worn on our sleeves as we live out Christ’s mission.  People would look at our bodies and see the church.  In turn, God says, “I have called you by name, and you are mine” in Isaiah, and, so too, he says that the church is His.  We don’t claim our churches as ours, do we?  Our congregations don’t grow because of great pastors, but, they grow because God’s spirit has engulfed the hearts of His leaders in the church.

The church is always in need of people who are willing to be filled with the Spirit and lead.  We are God’s temples, God’s workmanship, His great handiwork, and God’s church is his.  May God’s church be filled with people who are growing in passion with their Savior and may we take that passion to the world.  May you take joy in the fact that only God grows; we can water and plant, but it’s God that grows.  It’s not you.  It’s not me.  It’s not the best ‘program’ in the world or the loudest concert; it’s God.  Plant.  Water.  Watch God grow, and grow, and grow, and grow…

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were inflential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

Called.  Where in life were you when you were called?  Are you still being called?  Are you listening?  When God first called me into ministry, foolish would have been a nice way to put it.  I was a 7th grade boy who wanted to goof around.  Foolishness would have not only been my middle name, but my first, middle, last, and nickname.  However, some people in my life guided me to hear God’s call on my life; foolish or not, here I come.  Was I wise?  No way, I barely had the Lord’s Prayer memorized!  I wasn’t ‘wise’ in the eyes of the world, but man was I excited that God had called me.  I didn’t know what that meant, but I knew I was excited.

So, what’s changed?  I’ve grown up and growing up should mean I become more wise, right?  Ha.  After 4 years of college and a few different experiences in jobs and being married, I’d like to consider myself wise in the ways of the world.  Wow, funny, right?  I’m reminded daily, hourly, maybe even by the minute, how foolish I sound when I try to be wise.  I’ll give myself this; I do consider myself somewhat versed in knowing the Gospel and sharing that with people, but I still wouldn’t consider myself ‘wise’.  Do you ever find yourself in conversations that you have no idea what the person is talking about, but you continue on like you do?  Wow, if I had a penny for every time that happened to me.

Paul talks in this passage about the power of God and the wisdom of Christ Jesus.  How great is the wisdom and plan of God in our lives.  Wow.  He goes onto say in 1:30:

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Paul’s point is for us to boast in the Lord.  Our wisdom is not of ourselves, our wisdom comes from God.  How often do we give credit to God for allowing us to be wise in such a great thing?  How great it is to by wise in things of eternity.  I often try so hard to be up on sports statistics, scores, players to have some great conversations with the boys.  How can I be more wise about ‘eternal’ purposes?

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s widom, but on God’s power.

Don’t think your wise?  God’s got that covered for you; His spirit will give you the words.  Feeling weak?  That’s normal.  Afraid?  Me too.  Trembling?  So was Paul.  Your message?  A demonstration of the Spirit’s power; Christ in you.  So stop trying to impress people (trust me, I’m telling this to myself over and over again as I type!).  Paul’s message was simple.  Jesus Christ and him crucified.  What’s your message?

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.  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”.

Well, let’s be honest here; there is division amongst the Church right now, especially in the Lutheran circle.  Since the ELCA Church Wide Assembly in August, I’ve seen and heard many people’s point of view on this division.  I’m trying to think of this situation in Paul’s mind.  Paul, writing to Corinth, a corrupt city with many different types of worship, Paul and God’s desire was to see the church united; to see people united.  Not united over something God didn’t intend, but united for the sake of God’s will for the church.  United in seeing God’s word be fulfilled.  United in seeing Christ made known.  United in following God’s will for our lives.

Sadly enough, I feel like people are divided.  There are hurt feelings on both sides of the homosexuality and gay marriage issue within the church.  The truth of the matter is, I stand on God’s word, the truth.  God’s will for marriage is between a man and a woman; that’s very, very clear in the Bible.  I, myself, am a great sinner and don’t intend on claiming to be perfect, but I confess and repent of my sin.  I am united with my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who have been united with a heavenly inheritance because of God’s enormous grace and love through Jesus on the cross.  God desires for the church to be united, but we often get in the way with social statements and political games.  God’s intention for His church is set forth in the Bible; why do we try to divide God’s will for the church through our own eyes?

I follow Christ.  I should say, I do my best to follow Christ.  When I follow Christ, I know I am united with others around the world and I’m united with my Savior.  Will you follow Christ the way Christ calls us to or will you follow Christ the way the world says is okay?

Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Were you baptized into the name of Paul?  I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.  For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Is Christ divided?  Interesting question.  I hope we never divide Christ.  I hope we wouldn’t divide out certain parts of His life and pick and choose which traits of Jesus we hold on to.  Paul is making it very clear in this passage that he comes in the name of Jesus.  He doesn’t come to baptize in His name; Paul’s ministry is not about himself and his glory.  Paul’s ministry is centered on Jesus.  Paul is sold out, 100 percent for Jesus.  God has given Paul the power to preach; to say words that will spread like wildfire in the hearts of men.  This passage does not mean that baptism is not important.  On the contrary, people who hear the teachings of Jesus and who are filled with the spirit are baptized.

Sometimes I like to think I’m pretty eloquent with words; a smooth talker.  My mom used to call me a smooth talker and I’d say my wife probably would call me a smooth talker.  When talking about the gospel, something switches on inside of me.  When I talk about the cross and the love of God, my voice sometimes shakes and my eyes start to water.  These aren’t my words being spoken; I know the Spirit is in control.  I’m not trying to ‘sell people the cross’, the purchase was already made.  When we try to sell the cross with our own will, the cross is powerless.  “Let my words be your words, Lord God.  Let my words be yours.”

Is the church divided today?  Sadly, I would say yes in some instances.  Was God’s church divided in Corinth?  Yes.  Lessons to take away.  Unity in truth and love.  Follow Christ.  Preach the Gospel.  Let the power of the Cross be unleashed.  May God’s church be united.  Amen.

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The streets were busy, bustling with people selling and transporting goods that had just arrived from the sea.  The smell of water from the coast fills the air.  12 temples surrounded by hundreds of buildings and people.

Prostitutes line parts of the streets and worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is practiced by religious prostitution.  Many of the temples were dedicated to worshiping different gods, such as Asclepus, the god of healing.

A few years ago, I took a group of students to Philadelphia.  What an eye opening experience for me.  Driving through the city, I felt like Chevy Chase, checking to make sure the doors were locked every 10 seconds.  On the corners of streets, I saw prostitutes, both males and females looking for clients.  I saw drug deals happening in front of my eyes, and, in front of churches.  Churches with bars on their windows.  Graffiti scattered on the brick.  I saw people worshiping different Gods and objects in life in the close proximity of church buildings.

When Paul arrived in Corinth, he saw many of the same things.  Corinth, a thriving town, booming with people, were so far off in worshiping other God’s and objects.  Does Corinth sound like many of our cities today?  Even small towns?  How true is it that we worship other Gods (idols) outside of our churches.  We hold up money, the new car, the american dream, family, friends, the list goes on.  Their might not be the actual ‘temple’ of worship of these gods, but they exist.

Paul’s heart for this city was one of our God’s.  Paul was called to Corinth and notice the words he uses in this opening greeting.  ‘To those sanctified (holy) in Christ Jesus and called to be holy’.

Thanksgiving
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.“

Paul’s heart of Thanksgiving is one that we should have as well.  How often do I simply thank God for the people in my life?  How often do I give God thanks for the people who I have conflicts with?  In Christ Jesus, we are enriched (made rich).  In Christ Jesus we are rich, so very rich.  What a message to a people seeking riches that in Christ we are rich because of our heavenly reward.  Lastly, Paul says ‘because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you’, why?  Paul’s preaching about Christ was accepted by the Corinthians.  Paul saw lives changed because of God’s work through him.  What a gift God gives us to use us in small ways to make Him known and let Him change lives through us!

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.“

Chris, you’re not good enough to do that.  You’re picked last, your grades aren’t good enough, the list goes on.  Often, my worth is found in this world by looking at my bank account, my pay check, my house, my clothes, my car, the number of people who call me.  Wow, I wish I weren’t so tied up into those things.  I wish I was more about Christ confirming himself in me.  I wish I could take God’s word and really hold onto how great I am because He created me.  God created me with spiritual gifts; gifts that should be used to show off my creator.  Yes, I said show off.  God wants to use me to reveal Himself.

‘He will keep you strong to the end.’  When thinking about this, I like what the Psalms say along with this: “He who hath brought us into near and dear relation to Christ, into sweet and intimate communion with Christ, is faithful; he may be trusted with our dearest concerns. Those that come at his call shall never be disappointed in their hopes in him. If we approve ourselves faithful to God, we shall never find him unfaithful to us. He will not suffer his faithfulness to fail.” God’s love doesn’t ‘run out’.  When our bodies are weak, He is strong; where our minds our weak, He is strong.  When God begins something good in us, he doesn’t let us go; God keeps us strong to the end.
‘God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.’  I recently bought a new MacBook Pro computer.  I’ve heard great things about Mac’s and mostly heard how reliable they are.  When I bought it, of course they always try to sell a ‘care plan’ or ‘insurance’ plan on your computer in case it fails.  I didn’t buy it; I never buy those plans.  I have insurance on my house in case of a disaster.  I have insurance on my car (which is required by the government).  I have life insurance in case I should die.  Should I go on?  Things in this world don’t last forever; no matter how good or well built they are, they need repair and repair costs money.  What in this world is faithful and true and has already been paid for?  God’s love and faithfulness in our lives, in my life.  I can hold onto that forever.  My computer will slow down and die.  My car will, one day, never start again.  My house might burn down.  I want to stand on the rock of God’s faithfulness.  God was faithful to Corinth and the people who had found their value and worship wrapped up in other Gods.  May I remember God’s faithful promise to fellowship with my Jesus who died for me thousands of years ago, knowing I’d need His grace and forgiveness.

]]> http://adahlblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/day-1-1-corinthians-11-9/feed/ 0 Chris Corinth http://adahlblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/28-days-in-1-corinthians/ http://adahlblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/28-days-in-1-corinthians/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:06:59 +0000 Chris http://adahlblog.wordpress.com/?p=82 Continue reading →]]> For the past week I haven’t been sleeping well…at all.  I’m not exactly sure why this is, but I know I’ve never had such a time where I haven’t been able to get any sleep at night.  However, the crazy part is that I’m not super tired throughout the day.  My time laying awake at night has really set up time for me to spend with God in the quiet hours of the night.  I can’t turn on the light in the room or else I’d wake up my beautiful wife, so it’s called me to time in prayer.  Could it be that God is waking me up for this time?  It’s not like I’m stressed out or worried or anxious about anything in life right now.  The truth of the matter is, I kind of like being woken up at night for this time.

So, if God is waking me up at night, why?  I’ve been feeling a call in these nights to be more and more intentional about being in His word.  I do my daily devotionals, but it’s been a while since I’ve really spent a great amount of time in scripture.  So, that’s what I’m going to do.  I’m cutting out time in front of the television and here it comes, 28 straight days on really reading and digging into 1 Corinthians.  I’m excited to see how God will use these 28 days to speak to me through whispers and shouting through time in His word and prayer on His word.

I invite you to join in this journey with me of 28 days with 1 Corinthians.  In this book, Paul speaks a great deal on the Christian church.  I’m very passionate about God’s church in our world today and am excited to take these next 28 days to really encounter God’s vision for the church today.