Tag: sinners

September 14th 2025: Mike Viccary

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1 Corinthians 1:9

Introduction.

            A church is made up of sinners saved by the grace of God, but each member is a ‘work in progress.’ Now Paul is very clear about the nature of the church in Corinth. Here are some of the things he affirms concerning the Corinthian believers from chapter 1:

[1] They are “the church of God” (v2).

[2] They are the “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and so are united with Him (v2,30).

[3] They are “called to be saints” (v2).

[4] They are among a very great number of others all of whom “call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (v2).

[5] They are the recipients of “the grace of God” given freely “by Christ Jesus” (v4).

[6] They have been “enriched in everything by Him” (v5).

[7] They have “the testimony of Christ” within and this confirmed even to the end when Christ returns (v6).

[8] They have received gifts of the Spirit (v7).

[9] They are ones who see “the message of the cross” as “the power of God” (v18).

[10] Though they be weak and foolish in the world’s sight yet they are chosen of God so that “no flesh should glory in His presence” (v29).

And yet there were some serious problems in the Corinthian church! Such is true to varying degrees of all churches, otherwise we would have none of Paul’s epistles or the opening chapters of the book of Revelation! What we read of in Hebrews is pertinent here:

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).

We have been saved and justified, but we are still being sanctified and made holy. Now I do not want to focus upon the issues noted here in verses 10 through to 17. What I want us to do is to focus our attention on verse 9:

God is faithful,

by whom you were called

into the fellowship of His Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul was adept at making sure and certain statements about God and His work which formed the basis and ground for his application to those to whom he was writing. These statements in 1Corinthians 1:9 are universal. They are truths which form the very essence of our faith. So today we are simply going to draw some thoughts from verse 9 as it stands. My aim is to encourage you to love Jesus Christ more!

[1] God is faithful.

            In Scripture there are a number of “God is” statements which tell us important things about the nature of God and about His attributes:

  1. God is God of gods and Lord of lords. (Deuteronomy 10:17).
  2. God is the King of all the earth. (Psalm 47:7).
  3. God is greater than all gods. (2Chronicles 2:5).
  4. God is not a man, that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19).
  5. God is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24).
  6. God is great. (Job 36:26).
  7. God is a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 6:15).
  8. God is merciful. (Psalm 116:5 – See Deuteronomy 4:11).
  9. God is gracious. (2Chronicles 30:9).
  10. God is a just judge. (Psalm 7:11).
  11. God is the God of salvation. (Psalm 68:20).
  12. God is a sun and shield. (Psalm 84:11).
  13. God is holy. (Psalm 99:9; 1Corinthians 3:17).
  14. God is righteous in all the works. (Daniel 9:14).
  15. God is true. (John 3:33).
  16. God is Spirit. (John 4:24).
  17. God is light. (1John 1:5).
  18. God is love. (1John 4:8,16).

We also have the statement from 1Corinthians 1:9 that “God is faithful,” and Paul repeats this truth a further two times  (1Corinthians 10:13; 2Corinthians 1:18). There are many other “God is …” statements which have to do with Him being our refuge, our strength, and so on. [God is your refuge. (Deuteronomy 33:27). God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. (2Samuel 22:33). God is a merciful God. (Deuteronomy 4:11)]. All of these statements tell us what God is like.

            The statement “God is faithful” is interesting because it brings certainty and true confidence to mind. The term “faithful” indicates an attitude of being true and reliable to someone or something. It speaks about being trustworthy and reliable. There are three key aspects to this term “faithful” which we should consider:

            [a] Constancy,

[b] Truth,

[c] Faith.

[a] Constancy

            Perhaps the first idea that comes to mind in this term “faithful” is the idea of loyalty or stick-ability. The faithful wife or husband does not cheat. The faithful employee does his/her job. We need to ask a couple of questions at this point. First, how is the faithfulness of God described for us in Scripture? In Jeremiah’s book Lamentations His faithfulness is described as being great (Lamentation 3:23). This truth is shown elsewhere in Scripture, for example in the Psalms where we read that the Lord’s faithfulness “reaches to the clouds” (Psalm 36:5). The Lord is described as “a faithful Creator” (1Peter 4:19), and therefore His faithfulness “endures to all generations” for He “established the earth, and it abides” (Psalm 119:90). The Lord is, of course, always faithful because it is impossible for Him to be anything else but true: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2Timothy 2:13). Man’s faithfulness (if he is ever faithful) is always limited. He may be a faithful employee but a hopeless family man! With the Lord we may even say that He exudes faithfulness or that His faithfulness is the very atmosphere and environment He dwells in because the Psalmist declared that there was none mighty like Him for His faithfulness “surrounds” Him (Psalm 89:8). And as if that were not enough we are also taught in the same Psalm that the Lord will “not allow” His “faithfulness to fail” (Psalm 89:33).

            Our second question about the faithfulness of God is to ask: in what way is God faithful? How do we see His faithfulness in action? Well I can see seven areas where the Lord God is and has always been faithful. First He is faithful to His word. The Lord told John twice in the vision he experienced that the words He was giving John were “true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5; 22:6). The Psalmist tells us that “all” of God’s “commandments are faithful,” that His “testimonies” are “very faithful,” whilst Isaiah informs us that His “counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Psalm 119:86,138; Isaiah 25:1). Second, we learn that the Lord is faithful to His covenants (agreements), for He is “the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Third, the Lord is faithful in His high priestly functions, for He is  “a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). Fourth, as a result of His sacrifice for sin He is faithful in forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Fifth, we find the Lord faithful in regard to help when we face temptations: “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1Corinthians 10:13). Sixth we find also that the Lord is faithful in our sanctification. We are not alone! The Spirit aids us. Paul prayed that the Lord would “sanctify” the Thessalonians “completely” and went on to state that “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1Thessalonians 5:23,24). Sometimes our sanctification involves afflictions, but these too are faithfully given to us by the Lord: “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:75). Seventh the Lord is faithful in protecting us from the evil one: “but the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one”  (2Thessalonians 3:3).

[b] Truth.

            To be faithful also means to be true. It means to be accurate. It means to be precise. Three times the Lord Jesus is called “faithful” in Revelation, and twice this attribute is linked with truth. He is “the faithful witness,” “the Faithful and True Witness,” and He is “Faithful and True” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 19:11). No one has ever see God at any time but the Lord Jesus having come from heaven has declared the whole truth to us. The Lord was true to the Father and revealed exactly those things the Father wanted us to know, as well as those things we needed to know (John 5:19,30). The night before He died in His ‘High priestly’ prayer the Lord could say these words to God the Father:

  • I have finished the work which You have given Me to do (John 17:4).
  • I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. (John 17:6).
  • I have given to them the words which You have given Me. (John 17:8).

Truth is vital. We live at a time when truth is what a person decides to be true. But there are absolute truths and these stem from the fact that Jesus Himself is “the truth,” and He also stated that the word of the Lord was “truth” (John 14:6; 17:17) and it is by this truth that we are to be sanctified:“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17).

            God is true. Four times He is described as the “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16(x2)). God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). So the faithfulness of God is demonstrated in that He is always true and always speaks truth. Since Scripture, (what is written) is His word, it follows that the Bible is true.

[c] Faith.

            To be faithful means to be always true to someone or something. To be faithful means to be trustworthy, that is one that you can trust and rely on. To be faithless means that you have no trust nor faith in someone or something. Paul wrote: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2Timothy 2:13). Saying that God is faithful amounts to saying that He is trustworthy. You can trust Him! As God is faithful, and we have been given faith (the ability to trust in God and all He has done), let us continue in faith (Psalm 37)!

            Now this incredible faithfulness of the Lord leads us to ask this question: how should we then live? Well, to begin with, remember as a born again believer, born of the Spirit of God, that faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). These fruits are born out of our love for the Lord and they are to be evident in our lives. Are we faithful to the Lord? Surely seeing the Lord’s faithfulness to us will lead in turn to our faithfulness to Him. And so this means that we will continue in faith. We will exercise the faith that God gives to us. Consider this exhortation from Hebrews:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  (Hebrews 10:23).

To aid us in our faithfulness to the Lord we should feed on the faithfulness of God as the Psalmist tells us: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3). And then also we should give testimony to the faithfulness of God in our lives:

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1).

[2] by whom you were called.

            The calling of the Lord is a wonderful truth to behold. God calls people not to a system nor to a rule, but to Himself.

28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

As always we learn that what the Son does is none other than what the Father and the Spirit do too. Our Lord Jesus taught that those who come to Him were in fact called of, or taught by the Father. He said: “everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:47). The Lord Jesus also spoke about the Father’s electing love and declared that “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). And then at the very end of Scripture we find that the Spirit too calls people to join the Lord:

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).

And so we learn from all of these words that it is God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in unison who have called us. This calling gives us immense confidence because God is faithful. He who calls is He who can save. He who calls is He who can deliver! The world makes a grave mistake in thinking that the Christian faith is all about mankind seeking God. Ask anyone in the world and they will probably tell you that to be a Christian is to make a conscious choice or decision to throw in one’s lot with God. But this is very far from the truth. Paul quoted from Psalm 14 and 53 showing plainly that no one seeks God:

10 As it is written: “there is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. (Romans 3:10,11).

The entire Bible is testament to this truth. Ever since Adam sinned in the garden, man has continually run away from God desperate to seek answers for himself, but in His grace God has constantly pursued man. But not all who hear the calling of God – the preaching of His word the gospel – will take notice of it. To the one who hears the message of God’s calling and who embraces all that God has said there is greater blessing. But to the one who hears the calling of God in the gospel and turns aside and pays no heed to it, there is only one outcome: they will perish.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Corinthians 1:18).

But this idea of calling also has within it the notion of being named.

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1).

There is within this calling of the Lord the idea of redemption and even adoption. Bathe yourself in these words that the apostle John wrote:

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1John 3:1).

Think of the many times that the Lord came to various peoples such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses … who all received Him and were led by Him throughout their lives! Paul speaks about this type of calling being part of the great work of God in the salvation of many:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30).

If you have heard the call of God and have run to Him in repentance and faith, then know that the faithful God has already secured your glorification – your place in heaven is secured (see John 14;1f). But we need to be clear what is entailed in this calling. We are not called into a club or society where there may be some benefits and some responsibilities. Many who belong to such do not see themselves as wholly or exclusively linked to such. But for the Christian, to be called, is to be called out of this world and into the Lord. There is no neutral ground. We cannot consider ourselves called of God if we think of it like being a part of a club or society. It is either all or nothing. To be called is to be brought completely into the Lord. When God calls someone He does not just arrest their attention, but He brings in the whole plan of salvation. We are called “according to His purpose,” “in the grace of God,” and “by our gospel” (Romans 8:28; Galatians 1:6; 2Thessalonians 2:14). We are called “into the fellowship of His Son,” “into His own kingdom and glory,” “out of darkness into His marvellous light,” with an “upward call,” and a “heavenly calling” (1Corinthians 1:9; 1Thessalonians 2:12; 1Peter 2:9; Philippians 3:14; Hebrews 3:1). We are called “to be saints,” as “sons of the living God,” and as “children of God” (1Corinthians 1:2; Romans 9:26; 1John 3:1). We are called “in one body,” “in holiness,” “with a holy calling,” “to peace,” and we are to be “worthy of the calling” (Colossians 3:15; 1Thesalonians 4:7; 2Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Ephesians 4:1). We are called “in one hope,” to “eternal life,” to an “eternal inheritance,” to “His eternal glory,” and to “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Ephesians 4:4; 1Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 9:15; 1Peter 5:10; Revelation 19:9).

[3] into the fellowship of His Son.

            Here in our text we see that we have been called into “fellowship” with the Lord Jesus. Note to begin with, that “fellowship” is one of the key marks of a Christian church, listed second to “the apostles’ doctrine,” and before “the breaking of bread,” and “prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is no  mere association or membership of a club as the world might think of the word.  So what then is meant by this term “fellowship”? Well first and foremost, it is “the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” This fellowship belongs to the Lord Jesus and consists in being in communion and knowing Him. Christ Jesus alone is Head of the church. In Philippians Paul uses this term “fellowship” three times, teaching us some important things for us to grasp when we consider our fellowship. First, there is true fellowship only in the gospel: “for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5). How marvellous is the gospel? It is unique. It is simple to express, and yet profound in its outworking.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

You cannot add to the gospel and you cannot take from it either. There is nothing needed above and beyond the gospel because in truth it is “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1) which Paul describes in these wonderful words:

… the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:2-4).

Second, there is true fellowship only for those born again of the Holy Spirit, for Paul speaks about our “fellowship of the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1). Such communion cannot be shared between people unless they are indwelt by the Spirit of God, for this fellowship is with God and so a person must be made holy to benefit from such a wonderful thing. Unbelievers may enjoy what they see and experience in our fellowship but they cannot actually fellowship with us, until they are born again. Third, there is true fellowship only for those who have forsaken this world which is at war with God, because our Christian fellowship is described as “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3;10). We read elsewhere that true fellowship cannot be with “the throne of iniquity” or with “unbelievers,” with “lawlessness,” or with “darkness” (Psalm 94;20; 1Corinthians 10:20; 2Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11). And we are taught clearly by the Lord and by Paul that if we want to love and know the Lord Jesus we will know “tribulation” and will suffer “persecution” (John 16:33; 2Timothy 3:12). This is because the world is at loggerheads with the Lord, and to know the Lord is to turn from and reject this world (1John 2;15-17).

            Perhaps the best description of true fellowship comes in the apostle John’s first letter and chapter one. John starts by pointing to the “Word of life” who was manifested and who appeared in the flesh so that he and others could ‘handle,’ and interact with in a physical sense. This wonderful person who is described as “that eternal life which was with the Father” which John and others saw and heard, they in turn ‘declared’ the truth to others (such as to whom John was writing). The grand purpose of this declaration was so that those who heard John may have “fellowship” with John and the other eye-witnesses, and then we learn that such “fellowship” is in fact truly “fellowship … with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” So the declaration of the truth as expressed in Christ Jesus – the gospel – is the basis upon which we have fellowship with the Lord. As we have noted already, this fellowship with the Lord Jesus can only be known by those who have been called by God into His kingdom, who have been saved by the gospel of grace and so have been adopted into His family by the work of the Spirit, and who have forsaken this world.

            At this point we should ask ourselves the question: what is such communion and fellowship like?Over 100 times in the Old Testament we read that “the word of the Lord came to…” God takes the initiative. His word has gone forth. First the Lord brought His message to many various prophets, then He came in person as the “Word of life” and now He comes to us by the Spirit through His revealed word. There is no more revelation in terms of Scripture, but the Lord, the True Word is continually manifesting Himself through His word the Bible. At the end of His High priestly prayer the Lord Jesus said:

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26).

Earlier on in His teaching the Lord said this:

21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. … 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  (John 14:21,23).

There is, then, this wonderful promise of the Lord Himself coming to us by His Spirit to commune and dwell with us! But this fellowship is always in connection to the gospel, (we dare not boast in anything else), by the Holy Spirit (no ingenuity or strength of man will avail), and in conformity with a rejection of this world (for it is all darkness).

[4] Jesus Christ our Lord.

            What is in a name? Sometimes Scripture uses one or two and sometimes three names/titles for the Our calling and our fellowship is always with and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. He is Jesus – the sinless man who alone can save people from their sins.
  2. He is Christ – the promised One from Genesis 3:15 and spoken of throughout all of Scripture.
  3. He is Lord – Jehovah or Yahweh – very God.

This understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential. Anything less than this means our fellowship is flawed. We have understood that the Lord takes the initiative in calling and that He wants communion with His people – He is Immanuel – God with us. We have noted that the only means by which true fellowship can be experienced is in the gospel, with the aid of the Spirit, and in forsaking this world. Now we recognise that the very centre and sum of our fellowship – the Lord Jesus Christ – must be known for whom He is. I love the hymn: ‘Be Thou My Vision.’ The second line of the first verse highlights this point:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

He, our wonderful Saviour, is to be nothing other than what He has revealed. There are many different representations of Jesus and the gospel. Make sure you come to know the Jesus of the Bible only. There is only one gospel and only one Christ Jesus (Galatians 1:6-8).

            This leads to the thought that doctrine and teaching are therefore very important. Sadly, doctrine and teaching are heavily frowned upon today. And yet the very first mark of a true believing church is “the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). I mention doctrine (teaching) at this point because Paul is conscious of declaring the truth and getting things concerning Christ Jesus fully right. To the Galatians he wrote these searching words:

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:6-12).

It is pretty evident in his letters that he is concerned to teach things which must be believed. But what do we mean by this term “doctrine,” and what constitutes that which we ought to teach? The Bible speaks  about different types of doctrine (teaching). There is the “worthless doctrine” which stems from idolatry or a false ground or basis and not stemming from God. (Jeremiah 10:8). Similarly there are doctrines taught by “the commandments of men” or those ideas generated within man and from man rather than from God. (Matthew 15;9; Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:22). Then there is the “doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). The former taught that the law could be kept but only through man-made instruction, the latter denied spirit, resurrection and the supernatural. There is a great variety of doctrines among men which leads to people being “tossed to and fro” and then “carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men” who act in “cunning craftiness,” and “deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4;14). There are doctrines of demons (1Timothy 4:1). There are strange or foreign doctrines (Hebrews 13:9; Revelation 2:14,15,24).

            But then, wonderfully, there is the doctrine which comes from God Himself. The Lord Jesus declared to us that His “doctrine” was not His own but was “His who sent” Him (John 7:16 – see also 1Timothy 6:1, Titus 2;10 and 2John 1:9,10). Those who heard the Lord Jesus speak and act declared openly that such was a “new doctrine” and one which was “with authority” (Mark 1:27). We are taught also that the doctrine God teaches through His word is “sound doctrine,” “good doctrine,” and “the doctrine which accords with godliness” (1Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 6:3; 2Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Now such doctrine is to be learned and heeded (1Timothy 4:13,16; 5:17; 2Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:7).

            But this leads to another question: how then can we discern the true and good doctrine from the false and empty? Is it down to intelligence or learning? Of course not! Does it depend upon your church fellowship or association? Not really? Will not the God who created all things and who sent His Son to die for sins lead us? I think David had it right when he said these words:

1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. … 14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. (Psalm 25:1-5,14).

Notice the dependence and submission of David. He lifted up his soul to the Lord. He asked the Lord for help because He alone was the one who saved him. He waited on God. He feared the Lord – that is he put the Lord first.

            We conclude this fourth point on going deeper in doctrine to note that this is a corporate act. We have a corporate faith. Peter speaks to his readers as those who have “like precious faith” (2Peter 1:1).Notice in our text that the name is given as “Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus Christ must be your Lord and He must be my Lord. But there is great joy and much blessing when believers fellowship together. He is “our Lord.” Our fellowship is dependent upon each one of us knowing the Lord. But our fellowship is equally dependent upon all of us expressing our love for the Lord.

August 4th 2024: 202nd Anniversary Service – Adrian Brake

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2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2

We have great news to proclaim to a very unhappy world. We are all by nature separated from God, our Creator. It is only when we have a relationship with Him that we can know love, joy, peace and purpose. It is possible for sinners to come into a soul-refreshing relationship with an eternal God, and enjoy all the blessings the world craves but cannot get for themselves.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

The message God declares is not a message that church crafted over the centuries. It is something that has come directly from God. It is a message God wants us to hear. How are people going to hear it? We have to put our faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for sinners. How can people hear about Jesus Christ? How is the world to know of the need, the way of reconciliation? God has given the news to His people and it is our responsibility to make it public (v19-20). This is true of all who follow the apostles. We have work to do, a task entrusted to us by God. Isn’t that amazing!

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 6:1). Only He can bring sinners to Himself, but He gives us a part in this work and the joy that comes from it. A joint enterprise with God! By His grace we are workers together with Him. We are ambassadors for Christ – only saying what God wants us to say, word for word. We simply say what God has said without fear or favour. Remarkable!

It is those who have been reconciled that God gives the message of reconciliation to. We have been where unrepentant sinners have been, and can say we wouldn’t want to be again out of fellowship with God, under His wrath. If anyone can understand the message of reconciliation it is us because we have tasted it firsthand. Also, we know the joy that could be theirs, if they would only come to Christ.

What qualification do we need to be an ambassador for Christ? Quite simply, ourselves. That we are reconciled. Once we are reconciled, we become reconcilers. How did Paul go about this work? What was his manner and motives?

Paul’s Manner.
Paul implored people. God chooses our voices, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul implores the people. He begs them and presses upon them with all the force within him. Why was Paul so passionate? He implores them to be reconciled with God.

Paul was well aware he was working against the clock (2 Corinthians 6:1). There is a time when people will be reconciled. There is an acceptable time, a day of salvation, “In a favourable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 
(2 Corinthians 6:2).

That is good news! The door is open. You can be forgiven. But there is an implication – when there is a day when the door will be closed. We work against the clock. Now we have the freedom to preach the gospel. God’s door is open. If we call on the name of the Lord we shall be saved. But, when Christ comes, there will be no more opportunities. There is a time coming when those who are estranged now will be cast from the presence of the Lord. Do we ever think of that? If they do not come to Christ, they will go to hell and experience the full weight of God’s wrath. We have the message that can deliver them. With that in mind, Paul pleads with the people to repent.

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, never did come, it seems, to real faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He had a friendship with George Whitfield, the great evangelist. He liked to go and hear Whitfield preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone once asked him, ‘Why do you keep going to hear him preach when you don’t believe what he says?’ His answer was, ‘I don’t believe what he says, but he does. I can see he that.’ When we speak of hell and heaven, a God we must come to for forgiveness, do we feel what we say? Are we imploring people to come to Lord Jesus?

Paul’s Motives.
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11).

Paul says he is motivated, driven because we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Unbelievers will have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ and answer for their sins. What a devastating thing that will be. Paul says knowing what is coming to the ungodly, I must speak.

Also, Paul says, ‘We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.’ Paul says because of that, we make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him. Paul includes himself here. We will not appear before God for our sins to be judged if we are the disciples of Jesus Christ; our sins have already been judged in Jesus Christ at Calvary. Our sins deserve to be judged and they are judged. Our sins are punished. Our sins are answered for. The glory of the gospel is that Jesus Christ answered for them instead of us. God called His Son to account for our sins instead of us. We must not live in fear our sins will be judged at the end. They have been answered for through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But we will appear before Christ to answer for our service to Him. Your salvation is not in the balance. If we are trusting in Christ we will live with Him in glory. But we have to give an account of the use we have made of the gifts He gave us, of the opportunities that were given. We will have to give an account of what we have done with the life that He redeemed from the pit. It appears in scripture that there will be rewards. It seems the responsibilities we have in the new creation will be linked to our service here. Those who have served well for Christ on this earth will be given greater responsibility in the new heavens and the new earth. Those who have served Him poorly, I even shrink to say that, thinking of the opportunities I have let go of in my life to serve Christ, it seems will have lesser responsibility.

We will all be there, but we will have to answer for our service. Paul says knowing that he will have to give account, that his service will be assessed according to the gifts he has, according to the opportunities, according to what he could have done, he knows there will be some measure of accountability – so he makes it his aim to be well-pleasing to Him.

We will have to give an account to God of what we did with the opportunities that were presented to speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not want this to become a great weight upon us. Ultimately, our service for Christ should be motivated by joy in what He has done for us. But we should be mindful in our living for Christ, that there is coming a day when we will have to give an account of our good works post conversion, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in.

Paul is motivated by the love of Christ for the lost, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The love of Christ compels us. When I think of what Jesus Christ has done for me, how He suffered for me – perhaps that is what Paul is speaking of. Paul sees the love of Christ for His enemies. God, loving His enemies! Who does that? Who dies for sinners when they’re still rebelling against Him? Do I really love the lost? Am I really bothered about their eternal plight? Where is the love for sinners?

Isaiah writes,

“How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

 (Isaiah 52:7).

What an odd thing. Feet refer to a custom in old times when men were off to war. The people at home couldn’t keep up with what was going on until the end of the battle. When the battle was over, someone from each side was dispatched to send news home. People would see the messenger in the distance. They would look at his feet. If the nation had lost, they would prepare for judgement as they looked at the feet trudging towards them. Before they heard what the messenger was going to say, they could know by his feet.

If the side won, the messenger would be running, and people would be shouting for joy. When someone brings good news, feet are beautiful. Whose feet are beautiful in your sight? Whose feet are beautiful because they brought you glad tidings of good things? What are you going to do for that? The good news is life in Jesus Christ.

It is a privilege to be co-workers in Christ. That is our work. May God grant us love, passion and responsibility to do it. That is what Penuel, Roch has been doing for all these years. May the Lord give you what you need to keep going.

August 3rd 2024: 202nd Anniversary Service – Adrian Brake

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2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2

Reconciliation

The fact that Penuel, Roch is still alive and kicking in these dark days is because God still has work for you to do. What is that work, that contribution? God has a message He wants people of this area to hear. He has appointed you to deliver the message on His behalf. It is a message they must hear. The churches responsibility is to proclaim it. It is a message of reconciliation for a broken world, reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

What is the message of reconciliation God has to deliver, and how will it be delivered?
What does it mean to be reconciled? The bringing together of two parties that have previously estranged, where there is ill feeling between them, a huge gulf, where’s those two warring parties have been restored to a peaceful relationship.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 5 we see the most wonderful reconciliation between a holy, righteous God and wretched, guilty sinners. It is tragic when we read of the beginning of scriptures when God created us to have this life-giving, soul-refreshing relationship with Him. Yet, we are at war with Him, poles apart. Why? Adam, our representative, rose up against the God who created him. He wanted to live life according to his own terms. Adam had once enjoyed perfect fellowship with God, walking with Him in the cool of the evening and talking with Him. What a picture of God, Adam and Eve, walking and talking in the garden.

In next to no time they are completely shut out of the garden because of sin, because of rejection. That beautiful relationship is spoiled. That is our relationship too; we are determined to walk away from God, rising up against Him (Romans 8), going our own way. We, who were created for a relationship with God, are the children of God’s wrath. What an awful situation. We are all born into sin. Yet, against this dark background, we read in 2 Corinthians of those far from God, restored to Him and living in fellowship with Him.

  1. Reconciliation: something God has done for us.

Reconciliation on a human level is when 2 individuals fall out, two nations fallout. Someone outside the conflict seeks to bring them back together, or the person who has caused the estrangement sees what happened and recognises what they have done, then approaches the person, asking for forgiveness.

Here, in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, this is not what has happened. The one who has been sinned against, the one who is utterly blameless, He is the one who has made a glorious decision to settle the dispute. He has come down and reached out to His enemies who deserve nothing. He has come down to bring peace. This is an act of God. Astonishingly, in verse 20 He comes to people and pleads with people. Amazing Grace. He is utterly blameless when the other party doesn’t care, then goes further and pleads with them. He implores us to escape His wrath and enjoy His love. Incredible! He makes the way of reconciliation.

To think we were living in sin, sinning ourselves to hell at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, God comes to you and to me in grace. He brings the gospel to you and reveals that before the creation of the world, God purpose to bring you to Himself. Then, astonishingly, He takes it to another level – humbling Himself and pleads for you to come to Him.

  • Reconciliation: something God has done for us in one person (v.18-19).

This is why we must preach the Lord Jesus Christ – because He is the only one who can make this reconciliation possible. Without Him, there could be no reconciliation. He is God’s gift to us so that reconciliation might take place. The son of God comes in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ to the believer. He is precious. Everything.

  • Reconciliation: a work God has done for us.

This is a work God has done for us both in His Son’s death and life. Jesus Christ had to live and die for us to be reconciled to God (v.21). There is something we have that we must get rid of, and something we don’t have that we must be given. Before we can be reconciled to God we need righteousness. God cannot fellowship with sin. He hates sin and delights in righteousness. Righteousness is when we adhere to God’s law in all its fullness. We need to be perfect, flawless law keepers. This is what God requires in a person who wants fellowship with Him. Perfection! How can we ever come to Him? We are lawbreakers.

How can we ever have a perfect record? That is where the Lord Jesus Christ comes in. He comes into the world as a real human being. He lives a perfect, utterly obedient life – the only human being to have this perfect righteousness. He lived this life for His people. Every time He obeyed God, He did it on your behalf. He loved the Father with all His heart, soul, mind and strength and did it on your behalf.

When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, all His perfection becomes ours. When God looks at you, He sees His Son and He sees perfection, and He is able to have fellowship with us, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). If you are in Christ, you have nothing to answer to before the throne of God. Everything He did is yours. We need righteousness. We have it in Jesus Christ.

We have sin. We need to get rid of it. How? We can’t just undo them. It is sin that spoiled everything. Until it is settled you can never move on. Sin separates us from God, “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19). God does not count the sins of His people against them. God does not hold them against us.

How can God let us escape, cancel the record against me? He does. It is the gospel. How? “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He sets us free and cleanses us of our sin because He has dealt with it through His Son. There, at the cross, Jesus Christ took responsibility for your sin. That life of stubbornness, rejection of God was placed on Jesus Christ and He was accountable for it instead of you. He died that death for you. God punished His own Son. How deep the Father’s love for us.

Will we ever understand how much the Father loved His Son? Yet, He did not spare His Son. Jesus Christ went to the cross willingly. He knew what was ahead, the horrors, the bitterness of the cup, yet He went willingly. We live. Far from God, in rebellion, God appoints His Son to spare us what we thoroughly deserve. He comes into this world, humbles Himself, lives a life of sorrow to establish a righteousness for us. He does all this so we can come to God, that we might live with Him forever in heaven. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through His Son, through the blood of His cross.

What is wrong with our world? People are estranged from God. True joy, life, energy, and purpose can only be found in a relationship with God. We have a message to declare to the world – God is a God of incredible love who, in love, sent His Son into the world and has made a way for us to be reconciled to God. We are the only ones, Christians, who have the answer to the world’s pain and misery. It is our privilege to bring the message.

December 12th 2021: Ian Middlemist

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To view a recording of this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/qGVI5Y_FSP4

Hebrews 2:5-18

At this time of year a lot of discussion is taken up with the ‘what’ of Christmas – what happened? There are a lot of descriptions of the manger, animals, wise men, location and historical events surrounding our Saviour’s birth. We, as Christians, must focus our thoughts on the ‘why’. Why was the Saviour born? It is not always easy to stop and consider why. Sometimes, in the middle of a crisis, e.g., a business crisis, we think, ‘Is it really worth it?’ In the busyness of things we need to stop and consider the purpose of Christmas, the purpose of the Incarnation. Jesus never stopped and panicked whether it was worth it or questioned the purpose of His ministry on earth. He was, and always will be, united with the Father. Jesus came to save sinners and to be made like us.

Jesus came to save sinners. In the Saviour’s first coming, Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, implemented this rescue plan. This rescue plan had been conceived in the mind of the Triune God before human beings ever stepped onto the face of this planet. Jesus didn’t come to promote holiday Christmas cheer after a tough year. He didn’t come to boost end of year sales. He didn’t come to serve as the central figure on a nativity scene. He came to save sinners. To save sinners He had to deal with the heart of the matter – sin. The dawn of man’s history, like this unwanted virus, affected single person. Sin has infected every single one of us. God was revealing His plan for salvation, bit by bit, through the Old Testament sacrificial systems – a sacrifice, a separation, a holy one, a Lamb.

One of the main themes of Hebrews is the Old Testament sacrificial laws and an emphasis on the labours of the priests. Hebrews 7 – the former priests were many in number because they were prevented by death from continuing in office. Already the writer is emphasising the priests were many because their offices were limited. Morning and evening priests placed these burnt various offerings for sin, burnt offerings in particular, on the altar. The fire there was never to go out, it was perpetual thing that needed to be preserved. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4).

The Old Testament sacrifices were just a shadow of what was yet to come. They would never wholly fulfil God’ plan. Something better was needed. When a truly perfect sacrifice was offered, on the tabernacle of heaven, sin was finally dealt with. Christ suffered and died the eternal death on the cross, once, for all, to put away sin, by the sacrifice of God. Our sins have been buried finally and completely in Jesus’ death. So fully has Christ purged the sins, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.“ (Hebrews 9:28). There are no further sacrifices, Christ has done it all.

As we approach the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, what are your thoughts? Are you dreading His coming? We, in our sin, have fallen short of God’s requirements (Romans 3). But believers, because of Christ’s incarnation, are not dreading the Saviour’s return because Christ has done all to redeem us. There shouldn’t be any fear; we are looking forward to the Saviour’s return. Jesus Christ has saved us. He is my friend. Christ came to earth for sinners. He is the one who is able to save to the uttermost. Christ can save you. No matter how hell-worthy you are, Christ came to save you. Christ came to save sinners.

Christ came to be like His people. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14). It is the message of the Incarnation, so He could be the appropriate Saviour for you, the appropriate friend in heaven. The baby in the manger had the same human nature as you and I, yet without sin! Jesus was born perfect. He is the conceived message of hope for imperfect people.

Wrapped in swaddling cloths, God teaches us we cannot solve our problems ourselves. We cannot attain perfection and peace by our own strength. We need a brother. In Christ, God has done this. He’s done that which we are incapable of achieving. We are incapable of being righteous, as God requires. We are incapable of entering heaven on our own rights. In the words of the church father, Irenaeus, “When He became incarnate, and was made man, He commenced afresh the long line of human beings, and furnished us, in a brief, comprehensive manner, with salvation; so that what we had lost in Adam – namely, to be according to the image and likeness of God – that we might recover in Christ Jesus.”

Sin is not how we are meant to be. His death would accomplish true healing in every way for us. Because He is like us, Christ also sympathises with us in our weakness, with all the pain and miseries that comes from living in this world. Our bodies groan. When His bodily strength was spent, He slept. Christ slept. The body that God prepared for the Son meant He experienced all that it means to be human, with heart-broken grief, with tears, He wept. Our Saviour was tempted to sin, as we are, with the full force of hell. We draw great encouragement from Christ, His steadfastness in the face of temptation, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession,” (Hebrews 4:14).

As Christians, we look back over this year, we look back on the struggles. It can cause us to despair at times. But at such times we really can look to Christ. Our salvation doesn’t depend on our performance, but wholly and solely on the Lord Jesus Christ, on His obedience. He came to be made like us so that He could raise us up to be with Him in glory. We are born in Adam, but in God’s redemption we have been placed in Christ. As we glimpse at the manger, the birth of Christ, we can say, ‘This is my brother, this is He who is my flesh, my blood.’ As He grows and matures and continues to do the will of God, He grows in obedience.

When we see Christ seated at the right hand of the majesty on high, we can also say, ‘This is my brother, this is my flesh, this is my blood.’

Because of the incarnation, believers can say of Christ, what Adam said to Eve, “This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” Such is the unity we have, all because of Christmas, all because of Christ entering into this world, not as an angel, but as a human being just like us. He is not ashamed to call us brothers. Why would we be ashamed of Him?

It is wonderful that the Son of God became man. It is mysterious. It is mind-blowing! We must not forget the reason Christ came – He came to save sinners and He came to be made like us. The question for us is not, ‘Are you good enough for heaven?’ It is rather, ‘Are you sinful enough to go to heaven?’

(Illustration story of Samuel Colgate, founder of the Colgate business empire, who spoke out at an evangelistic meeting regarding the congregation’s response to receiving a sinner into membership).

Today, we praise God that Jesus Christ was born into this world to save all sinners, sinners of all types, like you and me, and to be lour faithful High Priest.

December 8th 2019: Ian Jones

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Ian Jones-Dec2019“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15

What is Christmas all about? If you could describe what Christmas is all about, what is the one word you would use? Some may say ‘happiness’, that it is all about being as happy as we could be, having all we want, the most wonderful meal and so on. Others might describe it as ‘kindness’, showing kindness to others, giving to others. Some may say it is all about hope – hoping that things will be different in the future, time spent with family and friends will help us to go forward. But this isn’t what Christmas is all about. The one word which describes what Christmas is all about is ‘sin.’ The true meaning of Christmas, the true reason why Jesus was born, was to save the people from their sins.  Go back to the reason why Jesus came into the world and was born in a manger and went to the cross. It is all about sin. This morning, we will look at the important message of why Jesus came into the world, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17).

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46).

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy whilst Timothy was at Ephesus. He was there as Paul’s representative. At that time, many false teachers were speaking against the gospel. Paul opens up this chapter by contrasting himself from false teachers. This is one of five verses labelled ‘faithful sayings.’ (Other examples can be found in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus). All start with ‘This is a faithful saying …” They were passed on from person to person in the Christian community during a time when false teaching was being proclaimed.

The importance of Christmas, why Jesus came into the world, is a reliable message. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance,” (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus came into the world is a reliable message. It was wholeheartedly accepted by everyone, not just Jesus’ followers, but by everyone as a true message. There is absolute confidence in what the verse says. It is to make sure the reader recognises this is something true. Why did Paul remind Timothy of something very basic? Surely Timothy, a leader himself, knew this and did not need reminding? The answer is people always dispute our salvation. The doubt will always arise in our minds. People will always dispute what the Bible says. The words come to us like a granite rock – solid. They are something that would stand the test of time. They are reliable and trustworthy. So important. This is not to be rejected or ignored by others. It is worthy of all acceptance. It is something we can stand upon without hesitation. It is what we need to hear today. We need to hear the truth, not fake news. In our busy lives we need to be reminded of these things (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

The importance of Christmas, why Jesus came into the world, is a powerful message. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). It is easy to think Jesus came to show peace on earth, kindness to others. It is easy to think Jesus coming into the world and going to the cross is a failure. Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). It is the gospel reduced to 8 words. Jesus Christ came into this world. Paul is impressing on us that Jesus was not just a man – He is both God and Man. His coming into the world was not just His beginning; He came from heaven’s glory into the world. The Lord entered the world as an angel of God, speaking to men of faith such as Abraham. But here He takes on flesh and comes as a real man. It was always planned and purpose by the Trinity, sent by the Father to do the Father’s will. His death on Calvary’s cross saved sinners. This was why He came. The purpose of the gospel message, to accomplish salvation by dying on the cross. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, God Himself, became flesh, came into the world to save us from our sin.

The importance of Christmas, why Jesus came into the world, is a personal message. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15. Paul says, “Of whom I am the chief.” Many commentators query this. What right has Paul to say this? Can we see Paul as the greatest sinner that has ever lived? He said in the previous chapter what he was like. Was he really the worst of all sinners? This is the way Paul often saw himself – as the least of all the apostles. But why should he see himself in this way? As he grew in knowledge of the Lord and saw his sinful nature, this is how he saw himself. What does it say to us? It invites us to be like Paul and see ourselves as sinners who need saving from our sin. We being the Christian life recognising our sin and need for repentance. As we read God’s Word and what Christ has done and how He suffered for us, the more we learn of our own hearts, we see ourselves as sinners. Paul says, ‘I am the chief of sinners.’ He uses the present tense. It is a reminder, when we come to this verse, we can add our name to it. It reminds us of the only reason why Jesus came into the world. He came into the world to save sinners.

How can I now I am saved, that I will go to glory? If I put myself in that verse, I know I am a sinner, that Jesus came to save me, then that gives you and me the assurance that we are saved, that we are part of Jesus’ elect.

Friends, have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Many won’t have anything to do with Jesus and cannot have that assurance. The wonderful thing of this message is Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He came to die for all. If we can recognise ourselves as sinners, the gospel message is for you. He accepts us if we come to Him.

“But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16). This describes God’s mercy. It saved Paul from his awful background. God was longsuffering towards him. God is longsuffering towards us. He wants us to come to Him today, to receive salvation. He is Lord and Saviour of all.

February 25th 2018: Paul Daniel

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Paul Daniel-feb 18Philippians 3: 1-15

It is crucial to repeat messages. Even Paul said, right at the beginning of this chapter, “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me.” Have you ever been conned? We live in a society where we shop online. People put reviews online, sometimes complaining because they don’t want anyone else to get conned. When you look at this chapter, it’s all about Paul writing to the Philippians to safeguard them from being conned. It’s a joy to him to remind them.

C.S. Lewis said Jesus is either a liar, a  lunatic or Lord. If He really is who He says He is, you can’t afford to ignore Him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). When you consider what Jesus says, is He trying to con people into following Him? Paul is trying to safeguard the people into following Jesus, not being conned by others. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. He died on a cross, not because He was guilty, but so others could be forgiven of their sin. He rose three days later and later appeared to others before ascending into heaven. Today, there is a God-Man in heaven who intercedes on our behalf. Paul wants to make sure people don’t get confused. The moment you think you can’t get conned is the moment the devil begins his work. It is necessary to repeat the gospel message.

Paul warns us to watch out for legalism. Listen to Paul. He was circumcised on the eighth day as God’s law required. He was chosen by God, part of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews, full of tradition, wanting to do everything in every area of his life. He was a Pharisee, one of those who would take God’s word so seriously, they started making their own laws. He was righteous under the law. Paul wanted the people to listen to him. All his qualities and heritage (verse 7), he counted as loss, as rubbish. Here is the one person you think ought to listen to, yet he says all his achievements are worthless because he knows that those things can’t make you righteous before God. He knows if you try and work so hard to keep the law, you are under a curse. No-one is justified by works. Achieving all these things, as impressive as they are, doesn’t deal with sin – separation from God. The wonder of the gospel – none of us deserves anything but God’s judgement and curse – but Christ comes to redeem us, to buy us back by becoming a curse for us. When He hangs on the cross He deals with all that stands against us.

How do you measure yourself? We measure ourselves often by what people say. The real measure is what people can’t see or can’t hear – when no-one’s eyes are on us, what we think inside our minds. It’s all the hidden sins. God sees and hears everything. Do we measure ourselves by what we portray ourselves to be? God sees us as sinners who have broken His law and are under a curse. Yet He still loves us, sent His Son for us, and is still willing to keep us. All that we are and all that we’re not, and all that we’d like to hide, God still loves us. Let’s not con ourselves and be conned.

What does Paul want to do when he sees all his achievements as rubbish? He wants to count everything else as loss, he wants to know Christ, to know his Saviour. Nothing else compares, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7). It’s a really hard thing to say that you count everything as loss. Knowing Jesus is worth more than my health, my house, bank balance, friends, my reputation, anything else. In the context of eternity, all that we strive for lasts a short time. Knowing Christ, being with Him for ever and ever, is our desire. Stop investing in yourself, don’t rest in earthly achievements. Pursue Christ and His kingdom. Seek Him. Be satisfied in Jesus and in Jesus alone. Don’t think you can find life and eternity and resurrection apart from in Jesus, in Christ. Don’t be conned, don’t miss out. Paul doesn’t want anyone to miss out (verses 11-15). He’s pressing on to what lies ahead. We want to see Jesus. We need to hear the gospel and share the gospel. We want people to come to Jesus and put their faith in Him.