Post by Admin on Nov 1, 2018 7:02:32 GMT
Tonight’s discussion-opening question was to describe the ways or methods we use to measure success in the church. A full church was one answer, others were focused on overt spiritual conditions such as joy, lovingness, and growing more like Christ. We applied the measurement question to ourselves and found the same criteria would be most important. What would Jesus look at and how would He measure our success? Our faith, our following of Him, our progress in knowing Him.
Which led easily into reading about the congregation in Philadelphia, which was characterized by faith and following. They were praised by Jesus and promised a number of wonderful events for their future. They were not called to repent in any behavior, although Jesus did remind them to remain in their current behavior and attitude.
Several phrases in this letter were of particular attention in tonight’s discussion. “Little strength” came up repeatedly, and in turning over the meaning we came to think of it as a straightforward description: they only had a little strength, and Jesus would provide all the rest of the strength needed. In other words, it was a descriptor of humbleness, not weakness. In verse 9, the Jews who might have been taunting the Christians are eventually made subservient to the Christians. This seems at first like a retribution comment. Instead we focused on the end of the promise, “acknowledge that I have loved you.” The most significant aspect of the promise was Jesus proclaiming that He loved them, suggesting that what mattered most in their lives was their love relationship with the Lord. While perhaps the Jews, or others, were going through the motions of their religion to impress other men, the Philadelphia Christians apparently were focused on impressing God with their love. And Jesus approves. The rewards he specifies for the faithful, loyal Philadelphians, and to us – being a pillar that holds up the temple and having God’s name written on a person – reflect that our fulfilling this calling will reflect glory to God, not us.
The third concept that garnered particular interest was the doorkeeper image. Everyone was pretty sure they would walk through any door if Jesus were in the next room through that door. In the world around us, however, many people aren’t interested - or perhaps there is an obstacle in the doorway placed there by someone unknowingly, making an approach to Jesus unattractive. What seems clear is that Jesus opens the door and beckons us through without regard for whether we have earned entrance, for we surely have not. We concluded with considering the various doorkeepers we allow in our lives, some who help us approach Jesus’ open door, and others who open side doors that lure us away from Jesus.
Which led easily into reading about the congregation in Philadelphia, which was characterized by faith and following. They were praised by Jesus and promised a number of wonderful events for their future. They were not called to repent in any behavior, although Jesus did remind them to remain in their current behavior and attitude.
Several phrases in this letter were of particular attention in tonight’s discussion. “Little strength” came up repeatedly, and in turning over the meaning we came to think of it as a straightforward description: they only had a little strength, and Jesus would provide all the rest of the strength needed. In other words, it was a descriptor of humbleness, not weakness. In verse 9, the Jews who might have been taunting the Christians are eventually made subservient to the Christians. This seems at first like a retribution comment. Instead we focused on the end of the promise, “acknowledge that I have loved you.” The most significant aspect of the promise was Jesus proclaiming that He loved them, suggesting that what mattered most in their lives was their love relationship with the Lord. While perhaps the Jews, or others, were going through the motions of their religion to impress other men, the Philadelphia Christians apparently were focused on impressing God with their love. And Jesus approves. The rewards he specifies for the faithful, loyal Philadelphians, and to us – being a pillar that holds up the temple and having God’s name written on a person – reflect that our fulfilling this calling will reflect glory to God, not us.
The third concept that garnered particular interest was the doorkeeper image. Everyone was pretty sure they would walk through any door if Jesus were in the next room through that door. In the world around us, however, many people aren’t interested - or perhaps there is an obstacle in the doorway placed there by someone unknowingly, making an approach to Jesus unattractive. What seems clear is that Jesus opens the door and beckons us through without regard for whether we have earned entrance, for we surely have not. We concluded with considering the various doorkeepers we allow in our lives, some who help us approach Jesus’ open door, and others who open side doors that lure us away from Jesus.