2 Corinthians 3

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, Sept 20: 2 Cor 3

In this chapter, Paul seeks to remind the Corinthians of their identity. In addition to being the aroma of Christ (ch2), Paul draws upon another metaphor: “you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” (v3). The image is a beautiful one: God writing His story in us, through us, by the power of the Spirit. We are the living testimonies, the narrative breathed to life through which God demonstrates His power to save.

Paul moves on to contrast this new experience of the Spirit with what has come before in the old covenant. As “ministers of a new covenant” (v6), we bear witness to the surpassing glory of the “ministry of the Spirit” (v8). Recalling the way Moses’ face was illuminated upon receiving the first covenant, Paul argues in favor of a far greater glory now revealed in Christ. “When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit,” (v16-18).

The work of the Spirit is to liberate, to unveil our faces, in order that we might experience transformation. At the core, this is the heart of the Gospel, the power of transformation. And now, we share in this ministry, formerly reserved for one man (Moses). Such is the richness, beauty, and glory of the new covenant we enjoy.

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2 Corinthians 2

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, Sept 19: 2 Cor 2

Paul urges the Corinthians to practice forgiveness (v7). Paul’s previous visit to these brothers was a painful one (v1), and his correspondence with them has been filled with anguish and tears (v4). Now Paul turns toward loving forgiveness, one of the hallmarks of the Christian community. He specifically identifies forgiveness as a counter to the attack of Satan (v11), “for we are not ignorant of his designs.”

As susceptible as we are to the enemy’s plans, God is more praiseworthy: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ…” (v14-15). Our lives reek of Jesus. Our fragrance is grace. Our aroma is love.

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MyPod: September 2012

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Jason

So it’s been a long time since I’ve written a music blog. Most of my writing these days is taken up with our yearlong Project 3:45. But there have been quite a few great albums released here lately, with a few more on the horizon this year. Here is a smattering of what I’ve been listening to lately:

  • The Carpenter by The Avett Brothers. Time was, the Avett Brothers were my little secret, a raucous bluegrass indie band with Beatles-esque harmonies. Now, they’re on Kimmel and selling out huge arenas. Their sound has really evolved over the years, as evidenced by the Rick Rubin-produced Carpenter LP, a contemplative, even plaintive rumination on life’s darkness. The songwriting is some of the bands’ best to date, but the hootenany-jams of previous albums are all but absent, replaced with a radio-ready seriousness. To that end, the album’s best songs are its ballads: A Father’s First Spring, Through My Prayers, the title track, and Winter In My Heart, a hauntingly beautiful ode to love grown cold. Personally, I wish there was a little more banjo here; other than Live and Die, the Avetts signature instrument gets very little play on Carpenter. But still, this entry will stand the test of time as the sound of a band in transition, a band moving toward something greater. Promises to be a great ride.
  • Not to be outdone, Mumford & Sons will release their new album, Babel, next week. Roots rock geeks, rejoice! The first single, I Will Wait, is the jolt of high octane banjo and harmony I was hoping to find with the Avett album. But all indications are that the Mumford boys are aiming to stick closely to the recipe that won them such acclaim on their debut LP, Sigh No More. If Babel contains a song even half as good as Timshel, it’ll be worth the price. “I will wait…” indeed. Next week can’t get here quickly enough.
  • I’ve been a Dwight Yoakam fan forever. As in, his Just Looking For a Hit greatest hits compilation was the first cassette tape I ever owned. I’ve been streaming his new album, 3 Pears, over at Spotify for the past few days and it’s awesome. If you like Yoakam’s signature sound, you’ll love this new record. It’s really a shame that Nashville continues to ignore this one of a kind artist. 3 Pears is Yoakam’s first album in 7 years and the layoff hasn’t harmed him one bit. Best cut: It’s Never Alright.

I’ll have much more to say about the year in music in my year end review posts in December. Until then, I’ll probably look to make a few more posts about what I’m listening to.

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2 Corinthians 1

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, Sept 18: 2 Cor 1

I’ve used Paul’s description of God as “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (v3) many times over the years. Paul identifies God as the eternal source of encouragement and comfort, intervening into our trying circumstances to bring peace. And we receive a blessing as we, in turn, comfort others with the same kind of compassion that we’ve received from the Lord. “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ,” (v5).

Paul seems interested in helping the Corinthians understand that trials are a part of every Christian’s life. He shares his own difficulties in the province of Asia (v8), saying “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death,” (v8-9). Does that sound familiar? Can you relate to Paul’s words? Is life wearisome? Is your burden heavy? Take comfort; you’re definitely not alone. But listen to what Paul has to say next: “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead,” (v9).

Paul’s travel plans have been modified and he spends some time explaining this to his Corinthian brothers and sisters. But Paul also weaves theology in here. He does not fail to seize an opportunity to capitalize on God’s character in this conversation. “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us…was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ but in him it has always been ‘Yes’,” (v18-19). God’s ultimate demonstration of His character and love is found in Jesus. Human feelings will vacillate; we say one thing, and do another. Not God. His ultimate “Yes” toward us is Christ.

Does God really love us? In Christ, “Yes”.
Does God care about my life? In Christ, “Yes”.
Will God forgive me for what I’ve done? In Christ, “Yes”.
Is there a place in God’s Kingdom for a sinner like me? In Christ, “Yes”.

In all things, “Yes”.

For in him, it has always been “Yes”.

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1 Corinthians 16

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Monday, Sept 17: 1 Cor 16

We close our study of 1 Corinthians by looking at the closing chapter, ch16. Paul begins by encouraging the Corinthians believers to follow the example Paul gave to the Galatian churches: to set aside a portion of their money each Lord’s day to contribute toward the work of the Kingdom. This seems to assume a corporate worship gathering on Sunday and an intentional focus on ministry and service.

Paul concludes with some personal statements: his upcoming itinerary, his plan to send Timothy, the plans he has arranged with Apollos. For the second time in as many chapters, Paul exhorts these brethren to stand firm: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love,” (v13-14). Words to live by…

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1 Corinthians 15

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Friday, Sept 14: 1 Cor 15

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve,” (v3-5). With these verses, Paul distills the Gospel down to the essential truths: atonement, forgiveness, death, and resurrection. These are matters of “first importance”. Other Christian teachings, important as they might be, orbit around these core truths. We would do well to keep these elemental principles at the forefront of our minds, along with Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of loving God and loving others.

Paul shifts the teaching toward the resurrection, offering up a lengthy discourse on the significance of the empty tomb. “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith,” (v14). The resurrection confirms Christ’s victory over sin and death. But there is something more here as well: “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” (v20). This means that Christ’s resurrection stands as God’s promise to us as well. He is the firstfruits of an eternal harvest, a forerunner of the transformed, glorified selves we are becoming.

Paul elaborates on this body in the final 25 verses of the chapter. Just as seeds must be planted in the ground in order to fully grow, our physical bodies undergo the same metamorphosis in the resurrection. But this means we have to die first in order to receive the glory God is promising. “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body,” (v42-44).

Paul’s final words need no commentary: “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.

‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

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1 Corinthians 14

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, Sept 13: 1 Cor 14

I love the way this chapter begins: “Pursue love…” (v1). Since love is the most excellent way (12:31), we should desire love above all. Paul offers an explanation of the superiority of prophesy (exhortation and encouragement, not predicting the future) over speaking in tongues. “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church,” (v4). Tongues require and interpreter, but the act of prophesy stands on its own. But whether we prophesy or speak in tongues or express some other spiritual gift, Paul would direct us back to the foundational principle upon which the church was founded: love. This is what we pursue.

These ecstatic utterances are also signs for unbelievers, not believers (v22). But the prophetic act is more accessible to insiders and outsiders alike. Perhaps this is why this gift has endured while tongues is no longer a mainstream matter that demands our attention.

Paul returns to propriety and order in worship and his comments deepen our awareness of the corporate event’s power to edify and encourage. “Let all things be done for building up,” (v26). Paul also addresses the matter of women’s role in vv34-35, holding up the practice of submission represented in “all the churches of the saints” (v33). We must balance Paul’s statements here (i.e., v35 – “If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”) with his earlier command for women to cover their head when praying and prophesying in the corporate assembly.

Paul draws the chapter to a close with a summary reminder: “But all things should be done decently and in order,” (v40).

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Things I Want To Remember, Vol. 19

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Jason

My ongoing series of things I want to remember at this stage of parenthood:

  • My kids like to copy each other. Which is highly annoying and not necessarily something worth remembering. But what’s funny is Jackson’s response to his brother and sister: “Stop cappy-cotting me!” Classic. And pretty cute. And I only use the word cute like twice a year. So there you go.
  • Tonight, we found out Sadie (our dog) likes sweet tea. I left my drink on a coaster beside the chair only to find Sadie neck deep in tea when I returned. Abby Kate looked at me and shrugged and said, “Well, puppies will be puppies.” Wise proverbs from an eight-year old.
  • Abby Kate is also our deep thinker. The other day we had some storms move through that were strong enough to set off the tornado sirens. Having lived through the storms of April 2011, my kids are highly skittish of inclement weather. As we were talking about this storm, she asked Sunny, “Momma, do weathermen pray?” I love how she interprets even these dark storm clouds through the lens of faith. May it always be so in her life.
  • Speaking of prayer, the kids are diligent in their prayers for their grandfather. PawPaw was diagnosed with ALS exactly one year ago, and these past 12 months have been difficult. But one of the things I’ll always treasure is the simple yet faithful prayers my children have offered up on behalf of their granddad. Countless times they’ve reminded their classmates and fellow students to pray for him during their morning chapel time. Not a meal goes by that they don’t pray that PawPaw and Nana are having a good day. The Bible talks about the faith of a child. My kids teach me more about that every day.
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1 Corinthians 13: The Greatest of These

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, Sept 12: 1 Cor 13
Entitled “The Greatest of These”

Jason's avataralready & not yet

Over the years, I’ve developed my own working theology of Paul’s discourse on love found in 1 Cor. 13. I’ve used this material in sermons, in premarital counseling, and in conversation with good friends. In particular, I’ve always been struck by Paul’s statement relative to the superior quality of love.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. — 1 Cor. 13.13

Best I can tell, there is an enduring, eternal quality to love that makes it greater than faith and hope. Although faith is integral to our walk with God — conviction of things not seen — faith someday becomes sight. At the revelation of Jesus Christ, our confession of His lordship will be a matter of fact, not faith (Phil. 2). The inevitable outcome of faith is sight. The same is true of hope. As essential as hope is to…

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1 Corinthians 12

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, Sept 11: 1 Cor 12

Given all the struggles of this young church in Corinth, what comes next is a bit unexpected. Paul offers a rich teaching on the nature of spiritual gifts. In spite of their challenges, Paul still sees this church as a conduit of God’s grace and power, an outpost of the Kingdom animated by the living Spirit of the Almighty. These spiritual gifts Paul speaks of bear witness to the presence of God among these Corinthians. And, I would argue, they bear witness to His continued presence among us today.

In the Lord’s church, there is great diversity: varieties of gifts, varieties of service, varieties of activities (v4-6). But there is also great commonality and unity: one Spirit, one Lord, one God (v4-6; see also Eph. 4:4-6). “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” (v7).

Where we go off the tracks is when we assign merit or value to one gift over against another. Perhaps we hold up a particular gift because we have been gifted with it, seeking to rank it “higher” than the gift of someone else. Maybe we desire a more “public” gift, one that will be seen by all and garner us attention. This is precisely the kind of thinking that Paul is preaching against here. If every gift comes from the same source, how can we say one gift is better than another? Do we dare presume to judge the gifts of God based on our human understanding? Do we dare minimize the gift of the Spirit in another individual, simply because we need to make ourselves feel better? Jealousy, self-esteem, pride…these are real issues that are present in the body of Christ. But Paul’s teaching elevates us beyond pettiness and envy to see each individual as a unique Spirit-gifted servant in God’s sprawling, expansive Kingdom crusade.

But there is still a more excellent way, a higher plane still that these gifts call us toward. Paul will focus his attention here in ch13.

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