Mark Conner Bible, Science, Theology

ORIGINS #2 – Creation

The Genesis Creation Story

Genesis 1 is a simple and majestic opening to the Bible. It introduces the two main subjects of Scripture, God the Creator and humans as his creatures, and sets the scene for their long relationship. Clearly the interests of the author are focused primarily on the patriarchs, given the amount of material allocated to their story (Genesis 12-50), but the background is that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is no mere localised or tribal deity, but is the sovereign Lord of the whole earth (Genesis 1-11).

There were a number of creation and flood myths in existence in ancient Mesopotamia that the author would have most likely have been aware of. One of the major goals of the Genesis creation story is to counter these mythical accounts of creation with an alternative worldview about God, the world and humankind. This story shows God as having no peer or competitor. It denies that the various forces of nature are gods or that man was created as an afterthought to serve the gods. Humans are presented as the climax of creation. God cares for and provides for them. He also empowers them to be His delegated representatives on the earth. This creation story is a triumphant affirmation of the power and wisdom of God and the wonder of His creation.

The first creation story (Genesis 1:1–2.4a) looks at the story from a heavenly and divine perspective, while the second creation account (Genesis 2:4b-25) looks at the story from an earthly and human perspective. The order of creation is also different. These are two versions of the same story. In the six days of creation there is a pattern, the first three days are occupied with forming while the second three days are about filling what has been formed.

Creation Theories

When it comes to the creation of the cosmos, Genesis tells us who created the world and why. The author does not tell us when (timing) or how (method). Over the years, a variety of views have developed among people of faith concerning God’s creation of the world, the three primary ones being (“Intelligent Design” is not really a separate view):

1. Young Earth Creationism (see www.answersingenesis.org and www.creation.com). This group believes that God created the world in six literal 24-hour days and that the earth is only 6,000-10,000 years old. God created the earth as already appearing ‘old’ and this was enhanced by the effects of a global flood.

2. Old Earth Creationism (see www.reasons.org). This group believes in an old earth (possibly 13.8 billions years old) and that the days of creation were extended periods of time or at least that there were periods of time between each day.

3. Theistic Evolution (see www.biologos.org). This group also believes in an old earth and that God initiated the ‘big bang’ and created the world through the process of evolution. They view Genesis 1-2 as inspired Scripture but as poetic literature rather than as a literal description of what took place in the beginning.

Many people in each group are convinced that their view is the correct one and that the others are wrong or even heretical. However, each view has its strengths and weaknesses. The author of Genesis was not seeking to answer many of the questions we have today in the modern world. They are more interested in us know the Creator of the world and His purposes for us. Science and faith don’t need to be opposed to each other. Science simply explains how things work while faith is the foundation of our relationship with God and provides us with a sense of meaning and purpose, something science cannot provide.

Reflections from Creation

1. God is sovereign over creation. Our God rules over the world and the entire universe that he created. He has no rivals and everything is under his control. He is working – in history and even in nature. Of course, we understand that sin has affected our world and everything is not as it was when God created it. It is broken and damaged yet God is working towards restoring everything to its original purpose. God will once again bring order out of chaos. Ultimately, good will triumph over evil.

2. Creation is dependent on God. There was a beginning to the universe. It is not infinite in time. God created everything and therefore everything owes its ongoing existence to Him. God also cares for His creation and the welfare of humans in particular. God actively sustains the universe (Acts 17:28. Colossians 1:15-17).

3. We were created for a purpose. Genesis clearly shows us that we are here (Genesis 1:26-28):

a. For Relationship – God created us to have a relationship with us and for us to be in relationship with each other. God is seen as close not distant, like pagan deities. God wants us to know Him. He makes covenant with his people and promises to bless them.

b. To Reflect God – humans were created in the image of God and given dignity beyond the animals and the rest of creation. All people, regardless of race, gender or social status are equal in value and are to be treated with respect and honour. We have the capacity to mirror our Creator.

c. To be Fruitful – God commands us to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). He wants a large family and wants us to fill the earth with loving community, something God later judged the people at Babel for not doing (Genesis 11:1-9).

d. To Steward the Earth – Since we are God’s representatives, ruling over His world, we must treat the world as his, not ours. We are stewards of his planet, a responsibility that requires us to neither worship the earth nor ruin and destroy it.  We are living in Someone else’s house and need to treat is as such. Creation care is important.

4. The Sabbath is sacred time. The creation story finishes with the establishment of the Sabbath – holiness in time rather than a holy space. God models for humans the need to rest and enjoy the beauty of God’s world. Sabbath is about ceasing from work and giving worship and honour to God.

Sample Reflection Questions

  1. What impacts you most about the Genesis creation story?

  2. Consider the three creation theories. What is your personal opinion and why? Do you see this is a core issue of faith in Christ or a secondary issue?

  3. Why do you think there is such a battle between faith (or religion) and science today?

  4. What does the creation story tell us about God? What is he like?

  5. Reflect on the four-fold purpose for humans mentioned above. How can followers of Christ outwork their God-given purpose more effectively in the contemporary world?

  6. Read Galatians 3:26-29. How does the work of Christ seek to bring us back to God’s purposes in creation, a world free of racism, gender wars, and the divide between rich and poor?

  7. How important is the principle of the Sabbath today? What should this look like for the follower of Christ?

You can now listen to this entire message on Mark Conner’s podcast at the Podbean website (or app) or in iTunes or Spotify.

Mark Conner Theology

Creation Models

CreationThe book of Genesis opens simply … "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The author boldly presents God as Creator then as Redeemer of humanity. Life is not an accident. God has a purpose and he is working to fulfill it throughout history. Men and women are made in the image of God. As partners together, their God-given mandate is to fill the earth with loving community and to give responsible leadership to the planet.

All Christians believe in creation but there are a variety of opinions as to exactly how God created the earth and over what period of time. We have a lot of questions today that the Bible doesn't directly answer (for instance the theory of evolution wasn't even in existence when Genesis was written). After all, the Bible is primarily the story of God's work of redemption. It was not written to be a science textbook, although it does contribute significantly to the study of science.

In the book Three Views on Creation and Evolution, three views on creation are presented [General Editors J.P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds]:

1. Young Earth Creationism (presented by Paul Nelson and John Mark Reynolds). This view sees the earth being created in six twenty-four hour days about ten thousand years ago. For information on this view, check out www.answersingenesis.org and www.creation.com 

2. Old Earth or 'Progressive' Creationism (presented by Robert C. Newman). This view sees the earth being created over an extended period of time many billions years ago. [An intermediate position between views #1 and #2 is referred to as the "Gap Theory", which sees God's original creation in Genesis 1:1, followed by the destruction of the earth's habitat in Genesis 1:2, perhaps due to Satan's rebellion. The rest of the Genesis account then describes the restoration of the earth just a few thousand years ago in six literal days.] For more informaiton on this view, check out www.reasons.org. 

3. Theistic Evolution (presented by Howard K. Van Till). This view is the belief that God created the world through the process of evolution, and that Genesis 1-2 are to be taken figuratively, not literally. World renown scientist, Francis S. Collins is an example of a believer who holds this view. His recent book The Language of God endeavours to show the compatibility of modern science and faith (Collins prefers to refer to this view as BioLogos). For more information on this view, check out www.biologos.org

The most important thing is to embrace the truth of creation and of a God who is the designer of all that exists. As we discover his fingerprints in the universe, we can come to know Him better, find and fulfill our purpose in life, and live to please Him.

Additional recommended reading:

* Mapping the Origins Debate: Six Models of the Origins of Everything by Gerard Rau.

* The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel (author of the best-selling book The Case for Christ), which looks at scientific evidence that points towards God.

* Seven Days that Divide the World (2011) by John Lennox. 

* The Evolution Controversy: A Survey of Competing Theories by Thomas B. Fowler and Daniel Kuebler.

* "Intelligent Design” is not really a separate view – www.discovery.org/csc

I enjoy hearing different perspectives on any issue and then taking time to reflect on them. It always enlarges and enriches your own perspective.

P.S. Check out these upcoming special events related to ORIGINS.

 

Mark Conner Spirituality, Theology

Freedom in Christ

FreeJesus ministry had three major components
(Luke 4:14-5:26): Teaching, healing and setting people free from spiritual
bondage. Jesus confronted demonic powers and freed people from their influence
(Luke 4:31-37, 41). The early church carried on the ministry of Jesus as the
apostles focused on these same three areas of ministry (Acts 5:12-16). We
should do the same – go about doing good, teaching, healing, and helping people
find freedom from the work of the enemy. The result will be many people being
set free and added to the kingdom of God.

Christians cannot be “demon possessed”, as
God owns us. However, demons can influence Christians both in the form of
various attacks (oppression, affliction, torment, etc) and if we give them a
“foothold” through various access points (see Eph.4:26-27). Paul tells us not
to give place to the devil, which means it’s obviously possible. If we give
place to the devil, we can give demonic spirits the opportunity to have a
negative influence on aspects of our lives. At times people have to be loosed
or set free from this kind of demonic involvement.

Four Possible “Access Points” for Demonic
Influence:

1. Lack of Forgiveness – Hurts are unhealed wounds from the past that may come from things
such as abuse, rejection and unresolved conflicts. Unless we forgive those who
have hurt us, we can open ourselves up to spiritual “torment” (Mt.18:34-35.
Eph.4:27).

2. Involvement in the Occult – Involvement in things such as the occult and false religion can open us
up to the influence of the evil one and therefore need to be renounced (Deut.18:9-14.
Acts 19:18-20).

3. Negative Generational
Influences – The affect of sins from previous
generations can influence us if they are not renounced (Ex.20:5-6. Neh.1:6. John
9:2. 2 Cor.5:17). This does not take away personal responsibility and we can
begin a new godly generation through appropriating the work of Jesus on the
cross.

4. Unrepentant Sin – Unless we confess and turn from our sin (“repent”), it can give the
enemy an opportunity to take advantage of us (Eph.2:1-2. Prov.28:13. Luke 22:3.
Acts 5:1-6. 1 John 1:9-10).

Thankfully, full victory over every work of
the enemy is available to us in Christ (Jas.4:7. Rom.16:20. 1 Pet.5:8-9. 1 John
4:4). Jesus Christ came to set us free from every chain and bondage (Luke
4:16-21. John 3:32, 36. 2Cor.3:17. Acts 10:38).

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you think there is too much or too little emphasis on the demonic by churches today?

2. Do you know of anyone that has
been influenced by demons?

3. Paul warns us not to give the
devil a “foothold” (Eph.4:27). Consider the four possible “access points” to the
enemy shared in this message and consider any others .

4. In many ways, demons are
like flies in that they’re attracted to wounds and garbage. Instead of just
swatting at the flies and causing quite a commotion, it is wiser and more
effective to help bring healing to the wound and to remove any garbage that may
be attracting them. Dealing with symptoms without getting to the root cause
will not be helpful. Spend some time reflecting on this “word picture” and the
balanced approach it implies in this area of ministry.  Prayer ministry is not as an isolated or
stand-alone ministry that is the cure-all for everything, but part of a wider
approach to ministering wholeness to people’s lives.

5. Below are the prayers that
we said publicly as a congregation. Read them out loud them and maybe have some time
praying over them again and applying personally as appropriate. The objective is to deal with anything in our
lives that may be hindering our walk with God and thereby give no opportunity
for the devil to negatively influence us (John 10:10). Obviously, this must be
an ongoing action and not just a one-off event (read Eph.6:10-18. 2Cor.2:11).

Prayers of Freedom

Salvation
– “Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me so much
that you sent Jesus to die for my sin. Please forgive me for everything I have
done wrong. Fill me with your Spirit, Make me your child. I will live for you.
I will serve you all the days of my life. And when my life is over, I know I
will spend eternity with you. Amen.”

Forgiveness
– “Father God, I
admit that other people have hurt me through their words and actions. Today I
choose to let go of all anger, bitterness and resentment. Thank you for
forgiving me. By an act of my will, I now choose to forgive those who have hurt
or offended me and I let go of any desire to hurt them back. Help me to show
them the love and mercy you have shown me. Amen.”

The
Occult – “Heavenly Father, I renounce all
involvement in the occult, in various cults or in false religion. I renounce
any group, practice or belief that does not glorify Jesus. I confess Jesus
Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I claim the release and freedom promised by
Jesus Christ. The past is dealt with. My future is assured. Today, I will enjoy
the abundant life that is available to me in Christ. Thank you for your
righteousness, your peace and your joy. Amen.”

Negative
Generational Influences – “Father God, I confess and renounce every sin that my parents or my
ancestors may have committed which has influenced my life, and I ask for
forgiveness and cleansing. In the name of Jesus I break every curse or sinful
tendency that may have been passed on to me from my family or previous
generations. I am now ‘in Christ’ and I have begun a new generation. I thank
you that Jesus took every curse for me on the cross of Calvary. He died and
then rose again so that I might be completely set free. Amen.”

Unrepentant
Sin – “Heavenly
Father, I repent of every sin, wrong action or attitude. Thank you that every
sin is completely forgiven and thoroughly cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I now
choose to forgive myself for the things you have forgiven me for. I turn from
my sin. Give me discernment to recognise temptation when it comes and the
strength to resist it. I now declare that Satan has no
foothold in my life. I am free in Christ! Help me to live in that freedom. Amen.” 

May we walk in the freedom Jesus won for us two thousand years ago! 

Mark Conner Theology

Your Friend, the Holy Spirit

The Gospel of John records many of Jesus’ last words spoken not long before his and crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. During this time, Jesus spoke frequently about the fact that he would be leaving his disciples but that another One just like him, the Holy Spirit, would come in his place (see John 14:15-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7). Instead of simply being with them, the Holy Spirit would live within them, filling them and empowering them to live as disciples of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force, power or influence. God has revealed himself as one God existing in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – equal as persons yet different in their role and ministry. We need to know each person of the Godhead in an intimate way so that the fullness of God can touch our lives.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit the parakletos, a Greek word that is very rich and complex. It essentially means “one who is called to stand alongside in order to help or assist”. In English, this name is translated into words such as Advocate, Comforter, Helper or Friend. We can’t live the Christian life by ourselves. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. We are “born again” through the Spirit (John 3:5-8). But this is just the beginning. There is now a new life to be lived “in the Spirit”. We are to be filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. We are to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit – His nature and character. We are to be empowered by the Spirit both to overcome the enemy and be witnesses to the life that is in Jesus Christ. So there is much to learn as we begin to grow from “babies” to become mature “sons and daughters of God”.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Later on, the apostle Paul further defined the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When writing to Timothy he said, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6-7. NIV).” Here we see that the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to do four things for us:

1. Break the power of FEAR in our life. Fear will limit us and hinder us from fulfilling our God-given destiny. That’s why whenever God shows up his first words are often “Fear not!” Fear, timidity, insecurity and inferiority have to be broken. God wants to put a confidence, an assurance and a faith inside of us. Believe that you are who God says you are and you can do what He says you can do.

2. Give us the POWER and ability to do the will of God. The Greek word for “power” is dunamis and it means supernatural ability or strength. It is a power that equips us to do the works of God – to make our service effective; a power that provides grace and strength in difficult times; a power that releases gifts to help us minister to others; and a power that imparts passion, fervency and enthusiasm into our spirits.

Continue reading “Your Friend, the Holy Spirit” →

Mark Conner Theology

Healing Today

HealThis weekend at CityLife, we spoke on the subject of healing and then took time to pray for people. We were encouraged by the many testimonies of healing that took place in each of our church gatherings and we pray for God to continue to work in the lives of everyone needing healing.

When it comes to healing, we must begin with an accurate understanding of God’s character and
nature. The Bible teaches us that, when it comes to our need, God knows (Prov.15:11.
Ps.139:1-10), God cares (Ex.34:6-7. 1 Pet.5:7), God is able to
help (Jer.32:17, 27. Mt.19:26) and God is willing to help (Mt.8:2). In
response to this, there are three different camps in the Christian community:
(1) “God knows, cares and is able but is not willing.  This is not the time or the age;” (2) “God
knows, cares and is able and always willing to heal you. If you’re sick and
you’re not well, if you have a physical need and you’re not healed it’s because
you lack faith. It’s always God’s will to heal and so there is something wrong
with you if you aren’t;” (3) “God knows, cares and is able and is willing
unless he has a higher purpose.”

The first camp (called
“Cessationists”) are strongly Biblical, but keep God in a box, in that they
don’t believe that God still heals or does miracles today. The second camp
(extreme “faith” teaching) has the strength of faith but the weakness of always
putting God in a box to move a certain way without exception. The third camp
has the strength of “balance” but must avoid a fatalistic attitude of “whatever
will be, will be”. Our responsibility is to pray and ask God to heal and help
us (Jas.5:13-16), then to trust God with the outcome.

I love the authenticity of the biblical authors who not only tell us the inspiring stories of miracles and healing, but also of others who experienced extended times of sickness and who were not healed instantly or at all, despite being people of faith and obedience to God's commands (see Job 2:7-8. 2 Kings 13:14. Gal.4:13-14. Phil.2:25-27. 1 Tim.5:23. 2 Tim.4:20. Heb.11:32-40). I love the attitude of the three Hebrew children who when faced with the fiery furnace declared that God was able to deliver them, that he would deliver them, but even if not, they would not bow down to an idol (Dan.3:17-18). In the same way, I believe we should declare that God is able to heal, that he will heal, but even if not, we will still trust him. Without an "if not" in our theology, we seek to put God in a human-made box, eliminating the paradox and mystery that life is made up of, and we can easily  take inappropriate discouragement or guilt upon ourselves OR project it on others, as Job's friends did.

The Bible teaches
that God’s will for our life, generally speaking, is “health” (See Ex.15:26;
23:25. Ps.103:1-3; 107:17-20. Prov.4:20-22. Is.53:4-5. Mt.8:16-17. 1 Pet.2:24).
God’s provision is complete. He has done all that we need for life and
godliness. He has made provision for our wholeness – spirit, soul and body. God
desires health and wholeness for each one of us, as we walk in obedience to
Him, so we can fulfil our life purpose.

However, like
salvation, good health is not automatic. There are things we need to do to
position ourselves to have the greatest possibility of good health. We need to
have faith in God as our healer (Hos.4:6. Jn.8:32. Heb.11:6), obey his commands
(Dt.28:58-60), maintain a healthy diet (Ex.16. 1Tim.4:4-5. Lev.11. Dt.14),
exercise, rest and relax regularly (1Tim.4:8. Mt.11:28-30) and deal quickly
with negative emotions (Eph.4:27-31. 1Cor.11:28-31. Mt.5:23-24).

There is no set pattern
or formula in the Bible for healing. For instance, blind Bartemaus called out
to Jesus and Jesus simply spoke to him and he was healed (Mk.10:46-52). Another
blind man was not instantly healed. Jesus took mud and saliva, mixed it
together and put it on his eye. As he went his way and did what he was told
(“go and wash in the pool of Siloam”), he was healed. God’s healing power and
anointing fell on a natural substance and flowed through it (Jn.9:1-12).

We can conclude
that, “The pathway of healing that God has for you may be different from the
one he has for someone else though you may have similar health problems.” Also,
“At times God’s healing is spontaneous and instantaneous. Other times healing
is a process and requires patience and perseverance as our healing is gradually
manifested.” It could be an instant answer to prayer, a radical change of diet,
a change of lifestyle or even a medical operation. If you are sick, pray for
God’s direction, believe God’s promises to you from His Word, have others pray
for you and talk to a reputable doctor.

Praying for Healing

All believers are
called to pray for the sick. Here are some principles (not formulas) for
praying for the sick.

1. Ask questions about the person’s need. Ask, “Where does it hurt?” or “What do
you want me to pray for?” This is not a medical interview in which we probe for
medical history or technical details. It simply helps us to know what the need
is and how we should pray. Even Jesus never made assumptions about what a
person wanted from him. To a blind man he said, “What do you want me to do for
you?” (Mk.10:46-52). Other questions might include “Are you in pain right
now?”, “How long have you had this?” or “Have you seen a doctor or specialist
and if so, what did they say?”

2. Try to discern any root cause of the
sickness. This next step
is to clarify the root of the person’s problem. It asks, “Why does this person
have this condition?” This determines the type of prayer needed to bring
healing. We must also look beyond the natural surface reasons and be open to
God giving us revelation through the word of wisdom, word of knowledge or the
discerning of spirits. Symptoms in one area of our lives may be caused by
problems in other areas. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and insights.
Of course, don’t go overboard and try to probe to deep unnecessarily.

3. Choose an appropriate prayer. This step answers the question, “What kind
of prayer is needed to help this person?” We must seek to know God’s specific
will in the situation. This is the source of our confidence (1 Jn. 5:14-15).
There are two basic types of prayer:

a. Prayer directed toward
God (intercession). Intercessory prayer involves you going between them and God
out of deep concern for the person. We stand before God and ask for the
person’s healing. Prayers should be simple and straightforward – “Lord, I ask
you to heal John of this condition.” In some cases, you may want to get the
person to pray for themselves. This is especially important in areas of
unforgiveness and bitterness.

b. Prayer directed to a
condition or sickness based on words from God (command). Jesus often used the
authoritative word when healing people (Mk.9:25). We have been given power to
break bondages and release God’s blessing (Matt. 16:19). We can declare or
announce the truth of God’s Word. For example, you might pray, “I break the
power of this condition in the name of Jesus.” Prayers like this are usually
very short yet effective.

4. Pray in faith. Pray in faith, believing that something
is going to happen when you pray for them – physically (immediately or
gradually), emotionally (strength, comfort, joy) and spiritually (close to God,
trust). Have an attitude of faith, hope and love. Lay hands on them (don’t push
or lay your hands heavily on anyone), pray and possibly anoint them with oil
(James 5:14 and Mk.6:13). Be sensitive to the person and the Holy Spirit. Be
aware of your hand motions, tone of voice and volume of speech. Don’t do
anything that would distract the person being prayed for or others nearby.

5. Check for any improvement or change. As you’re praying, watch to see what is
happening in the person. Ask further questions to see what God is doing and if
there has been any change. Ask them how they are feeling or if anything has
happened. Pray again if necessary. Some people get completely better, others
show considerable improvement, others some improvement and others none at all. Not
all healing is instantaneous (see Mark 8:22-26; 5:8). Even Jesus prayed twice
for a blind man to be healed. Jesus’ promise to believers is that the sick will
get well or “recover” (Mk.16:19). At times this may be gradually. When people
are not healed, reassure them that God loves them and encourage them to seek
more prayer. Divine healing is sometimes a process.

Through God’s love
and wisdom, we can be used to bring tremendous blessing to people’s lives.

Sample Reflection Questions:

1. Consider the different Christian “camps” that exist in this area of healing. Do you know
someone in each camp? Describe them and how they approach the area of sickness.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each position? Which perspective seems
to be the most biblical? How we should relate to others who see differently
than us?

2. Read
through the Scriptures above on healing. Have any of these been
a source of strength or encouragement to you during times of sickness?

3. Reflect on the concept of seeking God to discover your “pathway to healing”.

4. What has been your experience of being prayed for healing by
someone else (positive or negative)?What about you praying for someone else who was sick (positive or negative)?

5. What
are some of the fears we may have in praying for sick people? How can we
overcome these? How should we respond when healing is prayed for and nothing
happens?

6. Pray for anyone you know who is sick, that they would experience God's healing.

Mark Conner Spirituality, Theology

The Joy of Not Knowing It All

1cor13I was reading the apostle's Paul's first letter to the Corinthians last week and came to chapter 13, the great love chapter, a chapter I have read hundreds of times. The following statement jumped off the page at me:

1Cor.13:12. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. NLT

Here is the leading theologian of the Christian faith, who met the risen Christ personally, who visited the third heaven to receive direct revelation from God, and who knows more than most of us will learn about the ways and purposes of God in a lifetime … and he has the courage to say that he does not see things perfectly  (or as the NKJV says, "we see in a mirror, dimly") and that all that he knows is "partial and incomplete".

Paul knows he doesn't know it all … and he doesn't need to either. I am sure he would have liked to have known but he was content to leave the full knowing to God. Here is a faith that is willing to live with mystery … and one that includes paradox, ambiguity and even contradictions. Paul doesn't have to figure everything out or control everything in order to believe … and to fully trust in God.

Here is a man with unbelievable humility! What a contrast to the pride and arrogance that is too common in Christianity today, with so many individuals and groups thinking they have a corner on the truth and that those who don't see things their way are heretics.

This is not a commendation of ignorance nor a denial of the importance of truth. It's a reminder that truth is found in a Person (Jesus) and none of us know it all, which means we need to walk in humility and be willing to learn from each other. It requires that we trust God in areas where we don't understand. That's what faith is all about. There are certain things that reason cannot explain or comprehend. 

Oh, and did I mention that Paul earlier (vs.2) elevates LOVE above everything else – including having the gift of prophecy, understanding all of God's secret plans and possessing all knowledge (something that he goes on to say none of us do)?  

Ah, the joy of not knowing it all … and not having to. I can rest and put my trust … in Christ alone. Paul – may your tribe increase! 

Mark Conner Personal Development, Theology

Your Work, God’s Work (Pt.2)

WorkIn a previous post, we talked about God as a worker and the sacredness of
work, as well as God’s purpose for our work or business. Today we want to share
a few reflections on the integration of our work and our faith as followers of
Christ.

How You Work Matters

It's one thing to have a job and know God’s purpose for our
work. It’s another thing to consider how we
go about our work. God desires that we work with diligence, honesty and an
excellent attitude. This attracts God’s favour and makes the Gospel attractive
to a watching world. We are to serve people with love, as to the Lord.

1. Be diligent. Whatever
your job is, develop your skill and be excellent at what you do. Then go about
your work with all your heart, doing your very best, as to the Lord (Col.3:23).
Diligence outworks itself in practical ways such as: showing up in time,
respecting your boss or supervisor, exceeding expectations, doing your best,
taking responsibility for mistakes, sharing the credit, being a good team
player, resolving conflicts quickly, improving yourself, and volunteering for
extra assignments. Diligence attracts the blessing of God and the favour of people
(Prov.12:24; 13:4). You gain credibility by adding value to your workplace,
resulting in growing personal influence.

2. Be a person of
integrity. Integrity means there is integration between who we say we are
and who we really are. Honesty pleases God and can be a powerful witness to
others (Prov.20:23). Be wise in your relationships. Work hard, and not just
when the boss is looking (Eph.6:5-9. Col.3:22-25). Employers, do what is just
and fair when dealing with your employees (Col.4:1).

3. Be loving. God
calls us to serve others in love (Gal.5:13). Love, or how we serve and treat people, is to be our priority as followers of Christ (John 13:34-35. 1
Cor.13), and this includes our workplace. Daniel Goleman’s landmark studies
about people who are successful in the workplace reveal that “emotional
intelligence” (our ability to control our own moods and to get along with a
wide range of people) is twice as important as IQ (intelligence) and technical
skill.

4. Be a witness for Jesus
Christ. Our work provides us with an opportunity to mix with those who are not yet believers. Live
in a way that is attractive to them, then look for opportunities to share a
meal, to share your story, to share your faith, and to share about the good news
of Jesus Christ (Col.4:5-6. 1Pet.3:15). 

There's More to Life than Work

As important as our work is, there is more to life than
work. First of all, you are not your job.
It is interesting to note that when we meet other people, one of our first
questions (especially for men) often is, “What do you do for a living?” It is easy to become what we do. In contrast, God
desires our identity to be in who we are not what we do. What we do is to be
an expression of who we are. God does
not want our work to become an “idol” that becomes the primary source of our identity,
security and significance, leading to greed and workaholism. It is helpful to reflect
on why we do what we do and to inject
some fresh meaning and purpose into our work, beyond just making a living, climbing
the corporate ladder, and/or being “successful.” God is far more interested in who we are becoming than what we are doing for Him.

Secondly, you need to
rest. The Sabbath principle is as important today as it was when it was first given and it was made for our
benefit (Mark 2:23-28). On the seventh day, God “rested” from his work of
creation and declared the day “blessed” and “holy” (Gen.2:1-3). This principle was then reinforced
as the fourth commandment (Ex.20:8-11) which forbids
being “lazy” (you must work if you are able) or becoming a “workaholic”
(someone who never stops or slows down). Both work and rest are ordained and
blessed by God. 

Sabbath was a day of rest for the Israelites and violating
it was a serious offence (Ex.31:14. Num.15:32-36). It was a joyous holy day, a day of spiritual
refreshment, community worship, prayer, contemplation and community worship. Today
we no longer need to keep the literal Sabbath Day as Israel did (Rom.
14:5; Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16). However, we can glean some very important
lessons from the principle of the Sabbath Day for our lives. We can and
should reclaim Jesus’ liberating view of the Sabbath as a “gift from God” for
our benefit and a time for “doing good”. This includes making church gatherings
a priority in our schedule (Acts 2:42-47. Heb.10:24-25), spending time reading
and meditating on God’s Word (Jos.1:8. Ps.1:1-2. 2Tim.3:16-17), creating
special times for family and friends, ensuring we get adequate time for rest
and relaxation, and taking time for reflection and contemplation (Lk.5:15-16.
Mk.1:32-39; 6:45-46). Rested workers are the most productive. Managing our energy as well as our time is a key to
effectiveness. This requires creating an appropriate rhythm between work and rest, and between activity and recovery.

[Quick Check: "Are you a Workaholic?"]

Finally, you need to
balance work with the others aspects of your life. Work takes a significant
portion of our time and can fill as much of our life as we allow it too. Family,
friends and our church are also vital aspects of our life. In his letter to the
Ephesians, the apostle Paul spoke about the importance of managing time
(Eph.5:15-16), then went on to speak about the priority of family life, calling
husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph.5:21 – 6:4). Andy
Stanley, in his book When Work and Family
Collide, notes that there is more work to do than we have time, so someone
will be “cheated”. Don't allow work to cause you to cheat God and your family. Create
boundaries. Draw lines. Determine when enough is enough. There is great power
in being content with the current level
of provision God has given us and then living within our means, rather than
continually striving for more (Phil.4:10-13. 1Tim.6:6-10).

Reflection Questions

1. If you were (or are) an employer, what qualities
would you look for in hiring an employee?

2. What are the affects of a Christian employee who
under-performs in the workplace?

3. The Bible tells us that Daniel was ten times
better than all the other advisors to the king in Babylon (Dan.1:17-21; 6:3).
What are some steps to developing excellence in our work?

4. Reflect on some workplace challenges, such as
dishonesty, gossip and sexual temptation.

5. What are some key principles for sharing our
faith in the workplace?

6. How can we avoid work becoming an “idol” (the source
of identity, security and significance)?

7. Think about the impact of the pace of life in a
mega-city such as Melbourne, with seven day a week trading, continually
accessibility due to technology, and continual entertainment access.

8. What are the consequences of neglecting the
Sabbath principle?

9. What specific practices can help us to embrace
the Sabbath principle?

10.  How
much work is too much? What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that
work doesn’t lead to us “cheating” God or our family?

11.  You
are offered a higher profile job with significantly more money in another city.
What other important factors should you consider before deciding whether to take the offer or not?

12.  Consider the quality of contentment and how it
relates to our work (read Phil.4:10-13 and 1Tim.6:6-10).

Mark Conner Theology

Jesus’ and the Routine of Daily Work Life


JesusFor the first 30 years of his life, Jesus was boring.

He was an unknown carpenter who wasn’t doing “big” things for God.

He worked alongside his dad, using his hands to shape, shave and tack together pieces of wood. He quietly studied the scriptures, and grew in stature with God and men.

He didn’t have a public ministry.

He didn’t write any books, go on a conference tour, adopt an orphan, give away 75 percent of his income, or go on multiple missions trips. He loved the Lord with all his heart, honored his mother and father, and quietly went about his work.

Was Jesus wasting his life? Absolutely not.

He was doing exactly what God had called him to do. As his hands ran over rough planks of wood, he was quietly earning our salvation. Jesus, the lowly carpenter, the furniture maker, was as radical as they come.

And for 30 years he was quiet.

You don’t have to leave home to be crazy on fire for the Lord.

Jesus spent his first 30 years simply working and obeying. This tells me that it’s possible to be radical while changing diapers, or creating spreadsheets, or plowing snow, or doing whatever mundane task you are called to.

For the Christian, there is no such thing as insignificant work.

Being radical for Jesus means obeying Jesus, loving Jesus and proclaiming Jesus wherever we are, whether that’s in the mission fields of Cambodia or behind the counter at a coffee shop.

[Source]

For more about work, check out Your Work, God's Work.

Mark Conner Personal Development, Theology

Your Work, God’s Work (Pt.1)

WorkDid you know that the average person spends about a third of their life working, a third of their life sleeping, and the other third with family or friends (when they are not working or sleeping … or on the internet!). That mean’s that over half of our waking hours are spent in the workplace. Have you ever asked yourself what God's purpose for your work is? And how we can find more meaning and fulfillment in our work? These are some of the questions we’ll be discussing in this series.

God as Worker

In the beginning, God worked. Genesis shows us that the creation of the world is God’s “work” (Gen.2:1-3), undertaken within a regular workweek of seven days. Not only does God work, he finds delight and joy in his work. God then commissioned humans to carry on his work in paradise (Gen.1:26-28; 2:15). God works for us and we work for him, and he works through us (Ps.127:1).

In his book Every Good Endeavour, Tim Keller says, “Work did not come in after a golden age of leisure. It was part of God’s perfect design for human life, because we are made in God’s image, and part of his glory and happiness is that he works, as does the Son of God, who said, ‘My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working’ (John 5:17).” He does on to say, “Work is as much a basic human need as food, beauty, rest, friendship, prayer and sexuality … without meaningful work we sense significant inner loss and emptiness … we need work to thrive.”

Of course, sin has dramatically affected our world and our work. The curse of “thorns and thistles” (Gen.3:17-19) translates into relational problems as well as regular experiences of frustration, fruitlessness, lack of fulfilment and even meaninglessness. Work is not itself a curse, but it has been affected by the curse of sin.

Work as Sacred

God is interested in our work life. Unfortunately, many people have created a division between the “sacred” and the “secular”. This dualism is a product of Greek philosophy that has so influenced our Western worldview. Life is often seen as a series of boxes – one for family, one for work, one for friends, one for recreation, and one for religion (God or our “spiritual life”). As long as we prioritise correctly and make appropriate contributions to each box, life will work out for us. This results in compartmental thinking. In contrast, in the Hebrew mind, and from a Christian perspective, life should be viewed as one large circle with God in the centre. Everything else is to find its meaning and perspective from that centre. God wants to be involved in every area of our life – not just our spiritual life. All of life is sacred and God is interested in every dimension of our lives.

Brother Lawrence is well known for writing a little booklet that has touched millions of people’s lives. It’s called Practising the Presence of God. It’s about living with a greater realisation each moment of every day that God is with us and interested in doing life (including work) together with us. The apostle Paul put it this way: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col.3:17).” Doing something in Jesus’ name means to do it in his character. It means doing it as Jesus himself would do it if he were in your place. Paul is saying that our entire lives – from the moment we wake up until the time we lay down to sleep – are to be lived out ‘in the name of Jesus’. That is what discipleship is all about.

[Read about Jesus and the routine of daily work]

The Purpose of Work 

1. To Glorify God

For us as followers of Christ, the entire purpose of our life is to bring glory to God – to display his nature and character to the world (1Cor.10:31). We are God’s representatives in every sector of our world and we need to represent him in such as way that we bring him praise and honour (Deut.4:5-8). The way we live, as well as the way we work and do business should attract people to God and give us opportunities to point people to Him. Who we are, how we work should please God and bring glory to him (Matt.5:13-16). There are many ways to do this, including (from Micah 6:8) acting justly (doing what is right, fair and equitable), loving mercy (being kind in the way we treat people) and walking humbly (avoiding pride and arrogance). Everything about us is part of God’s message through us to the world. How we treat others – our customers, our competitors and our community – speaks volumes to people (Col.4:5-6).

2. To Serve People

Every business, and therefore every job, exists to add value to people – to provide a service or a product that enhances people’s quality of life. The business or the industry you work in does not exist just as a way to make a living but as part of God’s plan for meeting the needs of people and making the world a better place. Your organisation exists for its customers not just its owners or shareholders. Great service creates not just customers, but raving fans who are so excited about the way they were treated that they brag about the organisation and its service. Think about Jesus who attracted crowds of people without all of our modern day marketing methods because he knew and met real needs and people kept spreading the word until he had more customers than he could handle (Matt.20:28). God wants us to do the same (Gal.5:13). When we make a delicious meal, clean a house, construct a building or create something of artistic beauty, we are doing kingdom business.

3. To Provide an Opportunity for Meaningful Contribution

God created us with the need for meaningful work. Part of our sense of significance comes from our ability to make a contribution to our world. It is part of God’s purpose for our lives. Your work has the potential to enhance your sense of dignity and contribution (2Thess.3:6-13), as well as providing an outlet for your skills and creative energies.

4. To Generate Wealth

In exchange for service or a product we receive payment of some sort. This is the principle of “fair exchange”. It’s okay to make a profit. Making a profit simply enables you to do business for another day. With the profit we make we can reward our ourselves, providing for our own family’s needs, as well as having resources to contribute towards God’s work in the earth (Deut.8:18).

[Read Part 2]

Reflection Questions

1. Think about your work – what do you enjoy about your job and what is frustrating about it?

2. What does the fact that God is a worker tell us about his nature and character?

3. Although, God gives dignity and purpose to our work, we know that sin has affected everything. Reflect on the challenges and potential frustrations of work in a fallen and broken world (read Gen.3:16-19 and Ecc.2:17-20).

4. Consider the common divide between “sacred” and “secular.” What are some practical ways we can include, and be more aware of, God in the daily routines of our lives?

5. What does it look like to do our daily work “in Jesus’ name?”

6. How can our work bring glory to God (read and reflect on Deut.4:5-8. Matt.5:13-16. Micah 6:8. 1Cor.10:31 and Col.4:5-6 for some ideas)?

7. What are some criteria to consider when contemplating a potential job or career choice?

8. How can retirees continue to make a contribution – without retiring from life?

Recommended Reading

Every Good Endeavour: Connecting Your Work to God's Plan for the World by Timothy Keller

God the Worker: Journeys into the Mind, Heart and Imagination of God by Robert Banks

Business through the Eyes of Faith by Richard C. Chewning

Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life by Robert Banks

[Read Part 2]

Mark Conner Bible, Theology

Jesus, Born to be King

KingChristmas draws our attention to the arrival of Jesus on the
earth as a small baby over 2,000 years ago. It provides an opportunity to
reflect on his life and how He intersects with our life, wherever we may be on
our journey. Jesus is known by many titles, each describing part of who
he is and/or a role that he fulfils. We can think of Jesus as Saviour and Immanuel. Jesus was also called the
Messiah or the Christ, which means ‘anointed one’, as well as Son of Man (his humanity) and
Son of God (his deity).

I love how one old preacher described Jesus in 'That's My King!' As we read the Gospels, one title rings loud and
clear – that of King. The first disciples saw Jesus as Israel’s long awaited
King.

Matthew’s dominating idea for his Gospel is
presenting Jesus as King. He continually shows the royalty of Jesus. Right at
the beginning the genealogy is presented in order to prove that Jesus is the Son of David
(Matthew 1:1–17). The title, Son of David, is used more frequently in Matthew than in any other gospel (see Matthew 15:22; 21:9; 21:15).

The wise men came looking for him who is "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2). The triumphal entry wass a deliberately
dramatized claim to be King (Matthew 21:1–11), fulfilling prophecies from Isaiah 62:11 and
Isaiah 9:9. Before Pilate, Jesus deliberately
accepted the name of "King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:11). Even on the Cross, the title of "King of the Jews" was
affixed, though in mockery, over his head (Matthew 27:37). However, Jesus was a King of a different kind. His message was of God’s kingdom come, yet realised through
a cross on which he would die.

After the resurrection of Jesus, his followers saw Him as
not just Israel’s promised King and Messiah but also as the King who was
sovereign over the entire world, including Caesar (Acts 17:5-7). The early church declared Jesus as King over all kings both
now and in his return (1 Timothy 6:15. Revelation 19:16). They worshipped Jesus as the Son of God and the King who was
and is reigning now. They saw themselves as kings and priests, representing God's rule and work on the earth. They waited expectantly for his return and the full
realisation of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (something they prayed for regularly, as Jesus taught them). They understood Jesus’ message of kingdom and cross (suffering) as something that they would need to embrace in this life too.

If your life could be likened to a
car … is Jesus: nowhere near your car? In the car, but locked in the boot for Sundays,
where you stuff him back in for the rest of the week, in case he upsets your
ordinary life? In the car, but a back-seat passenger who
you don’t pay much attention to? In the car, but a front-seat passenger? … Or is he the driver in your car … and if so, are you a backseat driver?

How do we know that
God is first in our lives? What are the indicators? Consider your relationships, your priorities, your interests, as well as the use of your time and your finances. 

General William
Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Toward the end of his career, he
was interviewed by the press. As he looked back over his lifetime, this is what
he said: “God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater
plans and greater opportunities than I; but from the day I had a vision of what
God could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William
Booth.” Does Jesus have all of you?

Being a disciple of Jesus or a “Christian” is not just about
having your sins forgiven and knowing that you will go to heaven when you die.
It is about living life here and now under new management – under the new
leadership of King Jesus. It is seeing Him as the Lord and therefore the Leader
of your life. Life is about following Him and partnering with the work he is
doing in history as your story contributes to HIS story. Surrender afresh to his loving leadership. He is a leader worth
following and he knows best. His desire for your is life to the full (John 10:10).

Mark Conner Theology

4 Wrong Answers to the Question “Why Me?” by Tim Keller

Why meHere is an excellent BLOG post by Tim Keller from Redeemer Church in New York City (August 6th, 2012) …

When I was diagnosed with cancer, the question "Why me?" was a natural one. Later, when I survived but others with the same kind of cancer died, I also had to ask, "Why me?"

Suffering and death seem random, senseless. The recent Aurora shootings—in which some people were spared and others lost—is the latest, vivid example of this, but there are plenty of others every day: from casualties in the Syria uprising to victims of accidents on American roads. Tsunamis, tornadoes, household accidents—the list is long. As a minister, I’ve spent countless hours with suffering people crying: “Why did God let this happen?” In general I hear four answers to this question—but each is wrong, or at least inadequate.

The first answer is, "This makes no sense—I guess this proves there is no God." But the problem of senseless suffering does not go away if you abandon belief in God. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, said that if there was no higher divine Law, there would be no way to tell if any particular human law was unjust or not. If there is no God, then why have a sense of outrage and horror when suffering and tragedy occur? The strong eat the weak—that’s life—so why not? When Friedrich Nietzsche heard that a natural disaster had destroyed Java in 1883, he wrote a friend: “Two hundred thousand wiped out at a stroke—how magnificent!” Nietzsche was relentless in his logic. Because if there is no God, all value judgments are arbitrary. All definitions of justice are just the results of your culture or temperament. As different as they were in other ways, King and Nietzsche agreed on this point. If there is no God or higher divine Law, then violence is perfectly natural. So abandoning belief in God doesn’t help with the problem of suffering at all, and as we will see, it removes many resources for facing it.

The second answer is, “If there is a God, senseless suffering proves that God is not completely in control of everything. He couldn’t stop this.”  As many thinkers have pointed out—both devout believers as well as atheists—such a being, whatever it is, doesn’t really fit our definition of God. And this leaves you with the same problems mentioned above. If you don’t believe in a God powerful enough to create and sustain the whole world, then the world came about through natural forces, and that means, again, that violence is natural. Or if you think that God is an impersonal life force and this whole material world is just an illusion, again you remove any reason to be outraged at evil and suffering or to resist it.

Continue reading “4 Wrong Answers to the Question “Why Me?” by Tim Keller” →

Mark Conner Theology

Understand and Rest in God’s Providence (Pt.2)

Let’s look at a well known statement by the apostle Paul that gives us a providential perspective on our lives.

Rom 8:28. We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NAS

No matter what is happening in your life – good, bad, or ugly – God’s purpose is working in you. When you have a problem that you don’t understand the purpose it’s very difficult to handle. You know the most difficult kinds of questions of life are, “Why is this happening to me?” On the other hand, when you see a purpose behind your problem it gives you enormous hope. It also gives you enormous power to endure it. God says, I am working in your life and I have a purpose no matter what’s happening. God is doing good things in my life even when the situation is bad, even when I don’t feel it, even when it doesn’t make sense, even when I have no understanding.

Notice that it doesn’t say, “All things work out the way I want them to.” We would like that and we’d like to interpret it that way but that’s not what it says. It also doesn't say, “All things have a happy ending on earth.” Not all things have a happy ending here on earth. Reality teaches us that not every patient gets well, not every couple that gets married lives happily ever after, not every business makes heaps of money, and not every problem is resolved. 

What does it say?

First it says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good.” Those two words “We know” are very powerful. We don't wish, imagine, earnestly desire, or engage in an exercise of positive thinking. There is some we know … It's a certainty. We are confident of whatever comes after this.

“… God causes …” There is a grand master designer of the universe. There is a plan that is in action and history is His story. There is no such thing as fate. There is no such thing as chance. There is no such thing as luck – good luck or bad luck. There is a master designer. We may make mistakes for sure … but God never makes mistakes.

Continue reading “Understand and Rest in God’s Providence (Pt.2)” →

Mark Conner Theology

Understand and Rest in God’s Providence (Pt.1)

One of the things that the prophet Daniel had to learn was to understand and rest in God's providence. If he was here today, he would tell you that his life did not turn out as he expected it would or
even as he planned that it would. His life was affected by dramatic circumstances and changes of events that took him totally by surprise beginning
with him being taken as a prisoner from his homeland and right through his time in Babylon.

Dan 4:25. “… until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.” NLT

In the same way, each person's journey has unexpected terrain and turns. 

We need to embrace a balanced viewed of human responsibility and divine sovereignty. As the writer to the book of Proverbs says …

Prov 16:9. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. NIV

Prov 19:21. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. NIV

We are to proactively and responsibly plan our way but as we do we are to acknowledge that it is God who directs our steps. This is not fatalism but rather trust.

How do you see the world? What is your worldview when it comes to providence and God’s sovereignty?

  • JazzDo you see everything as ‘set’ (determinism)? Are we playing in a classical orchestra where everything is
    predetermined and we really have no individual choices?
  • Is life simply a wild jam session – a free for all where nothing
    is planned and where we are totally in control and able to make life whatever we want it to be?
  • Or is life more like a jazz band, where there is an overall plan
    but with lots of improvisation within it, as we respond to the choices that we and others make?

I believe that the latter is a more biblical concept. Life involves interaction
and interplay between heaven and earth. God has a purpose and plan but within
this we have the responsibility and freedom to make choices that have
consequences.

Deut 30:19. This day I call heaven and earth as
witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and
curses. Now choose life … NIV


Continue reading “Understand and Rest in God’s Providence (Pt.1)” →

Mark Conner Theology

Theological Reflections

TheoTheology may sound a bit boring and heady, but it's really not. It is simply the study of God. Of course, God is not someone we can put under a microscope and fully understand. He is beyond our comprehension. nevertheless, as creations of God, its important that we take time to think about our Creator – to reflect on who he is and what's like, as well as what he's up to in the world.

I've written a whole bunch of posts around the topic of theology. Take some time to read one or two of them each day over the next week. You'll be glad you did.

May each of us come to know God more personally as we reflect on his revelation of himself to humanity.

Click here to begin.

Mark Conner Bible, Theology

The Jesus Story

The Jesus Story

Matthew’s begins his story about Jesus with a family tree that any first century Jew would have been pretty impressed with. It includes heroes such as Abraham and David, but also some surprise inclusions such as Boaz (son of Rahab the prostitute) and Solomon (born out of the adulterous relationship of David and Bathsheba), hinting at the unexpected ways God often works. Jesus (a popular boys name, similar to Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”) came to “save his people from their sins (Matt.1:21-23).” Jesus would rescue people not from slavery in Egypt (like Moses did) but from the slavery of sin.

John the Baptist then appears as the forerunner to Jesus, preaching a message of repentance (which literally means to “turn to God”) and the coming kingdom of God (Matt.3:1-3). When Jesus arrives on the scene, he turns out to be much different than expected, even surprising John by asking to be baptised and, in doing so, identifying with God’s people. Jesus then began his own ministry, preaching a similar message of repentance and the soon-arriving kingdom of God (Matt.4:17). Two themes emerge immediately as we read the Jesus story – salvation and kingdom.

Salvation – a Cross

Jesus came to save people from their sins. This mission fits within the larger story of history that includes creation, fall (sin) and redemption. The Jesus story climaxes with his death, burial and resurrection. Jesus is not just a teacher of ethics or a social reformer. Jesus understood that humans have a sickness of heart, which all attempts at improvement cannot fix (see Jer.17:9). That sickness had to be dealt with and Jesus came as a doctor with a cure for the deadly disease of sin. He came to offer us forgiveness and a way to become children of God. This is the good news (‘gospel’). However, saving us from our sins was designed to serve a larger purpose, the purpose of God’s kingdom.  

Kingdom – a Throne

The ‘kingdom of God’ was central to everything Jesus was and did. This term is dynamic and refers to the activity or rule of God. For Jesus, the character of this kingdom was much different than most people expected. It was revolutionary but not in a violent military sense. It was a kingdom of peace, healing, and forgiveness. God’s reign looked very much like God himself.

Jesus didn’t see this kingdom coming all at once. From its small beginnings in Jesus’ own teaching and activity, the kingdom would ultimately blossom into a universal reality. In one of his parables, Jesus compared the kingdom to a mustard seed, which was known as the smallest of seeds. With his customary hyperbole, Jesus said that it eventually grows into the ‘greatest of all shrubs.’ In Jesus’ own ministry, insignificant though it might seem in the grand perspective of world history, God really was sowing the seed of his coming kingdom.

Salvation and kingdom must be kept closely together. To focus only on forgiveness and going to heaven in the afterlife can lead to escapism and a neglect of the work that God desires to do through us on earth right now. To focus only on the kingdom now can lead to utopianism, forgetting that the ultimate consummation of the kingdom will occur when Jesus returns for the second time. Today, we live between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’ – what Jesus has already done and what he is yet to do. The kingdom comes in two stages, just as Jesus does. Jesus is already ruling the world but this does not mean that the world is already completely as Jesus intends it to be. We live between Election Day and Inauguration Day, between D-Day and V-Day. In the meantime, we are called to carry the kingdom project forward as God’s ambassadors.

Kingdom Stories

Jesus frequently used ‘parables’ in his teaching (Matt.13:1-3. Mark 4:33-34). A parable is not just an “earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” In fact, parables are more about life here and now than they are about heaven. Through parables, Jesus’ goal was to teach people what God and his kingdom are like, as well as what God intends for his people. Stories are interesting. They capture people’s attention and take them out of them own world, often causing them to see things with fresh eyes. Jesus’ intent was to motivate people to feel differently, think differently and then to live differently. He wanted them to stop, to reconsider their ways, and to change their behaviour. The question for each parable is: “How did Jesus seek to change attitudes and behaviours with this parable?” The material for Jesus’ parables came from everyday life in first-century Palestine, making them accessible and meaningful to ordinary people. Through his teaching, Jesus was preparing his people for life in his kingdom through the new life of God’s Spirit.

Our Response to the Jesus

Seeing our own sin and our need for forgiveness leads us to repent, which means turning to God with all of our hearts, not just feeling bad for ourselves. We move beyond excuses, comparisons and out of denial. We come to Jesus as our SAVIOUR, confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. We also come to Jesus as LORD. He is the King and ruler of this world but also of our own hearts and lives. We allow him to be in charge of our lives. He becomes our leader and we follow him each day as his disciples.

Our Vocation: Kings and Priests

So what now? The Jesus story simply gets us back on track with the larger story of what God is doing in history. From the beginning, God created humans to be in relationship with him and to reign over His creation (Gen.1:26-28). In the end of time, we will worship God forever and reign over his universe (Rev.22:3-5). We will be kings and priests to our God, which has always been God’s intention for us right from the beginning (Exod.19:4-6. Is.61:6. 1 Pet.2:5,9. Rev.1:5-6; 3:21; 5:9-10; 20:4,6). This is our vocation.  

Through Jesus Christ, the human project is back on track – right here, right now. As priests, we are to represent God to people, declaring his loving forgiveness towards them and represent people to God, praying for their ultimate good. As kings, we are to represent God’s nature and character to our world – displaying his love, peace, and justice through everything that we do. Jesus fulfilled the roles of King and Priest and he calls us into those vocations here on earth, modelling how we are to carry them out, in loving, sacrificial service for God and others. Right now, God has you training for reigning. 

Sample Reflection Questions

  1. Reflect on the first time you heard the Jesus story. What surprised you about Jesus?
  2. Matthew begins with Jesus’ family tree (Matt.1). Why is this important? What insights are there?
  3. Jesus was baptised and in doing so identified with us. Why is water baptism important for followers of Christ? What is its significance?
  4. Discuss the two themes of Salvation (Cross) and Kingdom (throne). What are the dangers of focusing on one message while neglecting the other?
  5. What is your favourite parable? How does it impact or inspire you? What does it tell you about God?
  6. Discuss Jesus being SAVIOUR (forgiver) and LORD (leader). In what ways have we neglected the latter?
  7. Jesus taught us to pray, “May Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” In what ways can we become the answer to this prayer?
  8. Reflect on God’s intended vocation for us of being kings and priests. How does seeing ourselves in this way affect how we go about our daily lives?