Something Greater

Wayne Grudem on Worship As part of my study of worship, I read a chapter of Systematic Theology , by Wayne Grudem . The following are quotations from the book (in bold) with references from the Bible (in italics). Worship is the activity of glorifying God in his presence with our voices and hearts. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 (ESV) Worship is therefore a direct expression of our ultimate purpose for living, to glorify God and fully enjoy him forever. God is worthy of worship and we are not. "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Revelations 4:11 (ESV) When we feel the absolute righteousness of this deeply within ourselves we then have the appropriate heart attitude for g...

Continuing in Prayer, Part 3: Speaking Clearly In asking for prayer, Paul describes his desire for clear communication, based upon wisdom and gracious speech . [Pray] that I may make it [the mystery of Christ] clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:4-6 (ESV) Clear: phaneroo ( rendered apparent ), from phaneros (shining, public, external), from phaino (lightened, shining, showing), from phao (to shine, especially by rays). We use words such as phosphor and photo, all relating to light and brightness. The goal of preaching (or Sunday School!) is to make hidden truth public and external, or easily seen. The preacher or teacher must experience God's supernatural enabling to understand the mystery, the hidden truth of God's Word. The preacher or teacher must then use human language...

Continuing in Prayer, Part 2: The Mystery of Christ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison — that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV) It seems odd at first glance to see Paul describing the gospel as a mystery. For modern readers, a mystery is what hides a crime. Why would Paul use this word? What do you think? Describe your experience before coming to Christ. In what way was the gospel a mystery to you? Mystery: mysterion ( a secret ), from muo (shut the mouth), through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites. We use the words, mum or mute, as well as mystery - all related to this same Greek word. Jesus referred to His parables as the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, truth that is not available unless explained by the Spirit of God . (Matthew 13) Understanding hidden truth from God is a spiritu...

Continuing in Prayer, Part 1: Watchful Thankfulness Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (ESV) What do you think? Does the Bible teach that Christians should pray a certain amount of time each day, or a specific time of the day? Does "continue steadfastly" mean lots of prayer, or does it mean heartfelt prayer? Paul urges the Christians in Colossae to pray, but not simply pray. He says they should continue steadfastly in prayer . What did he mean? Continue steadfastly: proskartereo ( to persevere, be constantly diligent, adhere closely to ), from "forward to" and "be strong". Being watchful: gregoreo ( to keep awake, to watch ), related to ageiro (to gather), as in collecting one's faculties. With thanksgiving: eucharistia ( gratitude, grateful language ), from "good" and "favor". Paul defines steadfast prayer as being watchful and thankful in prayer . He connects t...

Family and Work, Part 2: The Husband Colossians 3:19 Women are commanded to submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Men are commanded to love their wives , especially avoiding harsh attitudes and actions. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19 ESV) The Greek word translated here as love is best defined as a strong desire for the eternal good for another person . It is a moral love, a long-term view of love, rather than temporary affection or sensual desire. It is based upon the desire to provide the answer to the question: What would be ultimately best for the one I love? It is used for many relationships, not just that of husband and wife: Jesus commanded this type of love for neighbors, enemies, and God Himself: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19 ESV) Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44 ESV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your s...

Family and Work, Part 1: The Wife Colossians 3:18-25, 4:1 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18 ESV) What do you think? What do you know about the new internet-based social media sites like Facebook or Myspace or Twitter? What has been your experience, good or bad? Paul makes a transition from the general to the specific, from discussing the group of people called the Church, to four distinct relationships : Wife Husband Children Slaves Masters Every person in the world can identify with one or more of these social links. We will see that we are children long past adolescence, and we all are slaves in several imporant respects. We do not commonly use the terms "slaves" and "masters", except in reference to past usage. But these relationships are actually universal and foundational in modern, everyday life. This entire passage flows out of the umbrella statement found in verse 17: And what...

Forgiving One Another Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV) This passage builds upon Paul's call to Christians to "seek the things that are above", to keep thinking and living according to the glorious position given to them as ones who belong to Christ. His call also includes the reminder to "put to death what is earthly", to remember the darkness and despair from which Christ rescued us, and the terrible, consuming wrath of God to which we would be doomed if it were not for the sacrifice and renewing resurrection of Christ on our behalf. What do you think? Remember an instance in your life in which a Christian hurt you or caused you to lose something valuable. The offense was real, and the offender int...

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you..." Colossians 3:5 "Put to death what is earthly": Impossible? "Put to death" in the Greek is "nekroo", to deaden or subdue . It is derived from "nekros", dead, from a word meaning a corpse. In English we describe the decay of living flesh as "necrosis". The Hebrew equivalent is "balah", to fail, wear out or decay . "Earthly" means soil, implying the surface, or world, on which we live . Paul uses "put to death" to introduce a long list of specific sins that a Christian is to "put away", "put off", and "do not" : sexual immorality impurity passion evil desire covetousness (idolatry) anger wrath malice slander obscene talk lying Paul classifies these specific sins under the general category of "earthly", and he says that a Christian is to "put them to death": deaden them, subd...

Seek The Things That Are Above "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians, 1:28-29) It's difficult for me to identify with this passage...I don't remember a time when I felt I was proclaiming Christ. I struggle daily with many things, but not with warning and teaching everyone about Jesus. How should a Christian tell others about Jesus? Is everyone a proclaimer like Paul was? Do we, do I, need to change things in our lives to make witnessing of Jesus a higher priority? The word proclaim, translated from the Greek, means to make known by announcing in a public place . It comes from two words meaning "down" and "messenger". Messenger in the Greek is aggelos (ang'-el-os), which is often translated as angel. The focus of the word proclaim is importance. Public announce...

"In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:3-4) WHO CAN YOU BELIEVE? Politicians, preachers and peddlers are some of the most persuasive people we may meet. I can listen to an argument or sales pitch and be completely sold on it, and then listen to a different, contradictory presentation and be equally persuaded...who is right? Competitive debate or rhetoric is based upon the art of persuasion, the forceful, charismatic use of words and appearance to move people towards action or emotion. Truth and objectivity are optional for a peddler (or politician, preacher or lawyer). Facts are tools that can be modified, exaggerated, obscured or concealed. The goal is to capture the affections, emotions and minds of the audience. Have you ever met someone who consistently disagrees with you, always arguing against your opinions? That shows a hea...