During the past weekend we had the privilege and pleasure of sharing in anniversary celebrations for a couple of friends in ministry in a Baptist Church in Bradford. Tony and Sue Newnham worked with Doreen and me many years ago in Mission for Christ a rural evangelistic ministry. Tony was responsible for music and technical matters in those days and Sue managed a large Christian bookshop. The Lord has led them over the years and twenty years ago they began their first experience in pastoral leadership of a church. We had a great weekend with them, members of their church and other friends. It was good to meet with two other former co-workers in MfC and some others who share in our current ministry.
Preparation for speaking at this event suffered from the fact that I had a demanding programme through last week. However, as I had prayed about the weekend I had felt drawn to explore models for ministry from Paul's letter to the Christians at Philippi. I love this book and there is so much that informs the subject. One of the areas of the letter that often seems neglected is the last part of chapter 2. The early par of the chapter contains the great hymn about Jesus and describes how he graciously humbled himself for us and our salvation. This is followed by a "Therefore" that tells us how he was then raised up and given honour. But then a second "Therefore" follows. Paul writes about how he expected the church to respond in the light of what went before.
If they respond appropriately Paul states, "Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life" (NIV). We could link this concept top what Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 3: 12-18 where he refers back to the experience of Moses whose face shone (radiated) glory after seeing God on the mountain. He argues that we should also be being transformed (or transfigured) into God's likeness as we... Now here is the nub of the matter. Paul uses an expression unique in the New Testament. Literally it means to look into a mirror. The NIV translates it "contemplate". What the original language implies is that we are seeing the glory of God - but indirectly. As we gaze on this we are made like him.
Keen that we should not assume anything good coming from ourselves many have stated that what happens is that we are reflecting his likeness. But what we need to note is that it is the image of the glory of God that is being reflected towards us. We are not seeing it directly but indirectly as we contemplate the glory of the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and the saving work he has accomplished, and that is being furthered in our lives by the Spirit of God within us. What is not stated here is that we are reflecting that image. But we are being transformed.
Paul specifically uses a word that is translated as "stars" in Philippians 2:15. The original Greek word means an object that emits light. The moon is inanimate and does not emit light; it reflects the light of the sun. Our sun is in fact a star. The light with which we are to shine should be coming from within us, though it has its origin in God. As we spend time consciously in God's presence, and become immersed in the wonder of the gospel, and as God's word works within us, it is as if we are charged up like a battery. Another illustration would be an electric storage heater. It emits heat but only because it has received previous input.
Let's continue to spend time contemplating the reflected glory of God revealed in the gospel of grace so that we are transformed - changed from glory to glory. Don't be a passive mirror; become a dynamic star and shine in today's dark world.
Give thanks...
Please pray...
Preparation for speaking at this event suffered from the fact that I had a demanding programme through last week. However, as I had prayed about the weekend I had felt drawn to explore models for ministry from Paul's letter to the Christians at Philippi. I love this book and there is so much that informs the subject. One of the areas of the letter that often seems neglected is the last part of chapter 2. The early par of the chapter contains the great hymn about Jesus and describes how he graciously humbled himself for us and our salvation. This is followed by a "Therefore" that tells us how he was then raised up and given honour. But then a second "Therefore" follows. Paul writes about how he expected the church to respond in the light of what went before.
If they respond appropriately Paul states, "Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life" (NIV). We could link this concept top what Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 3: 12-18 where he refers back to the experience of Moses whose face shone (radiated) glory after seeing God on the mountain. He argues that we should also be being transformed (or transfigured) into God's likeness as we... Now here is the nub of the matter. Paul uses an expression unique in the New Testament. Literally it means to look into a mirror. The NIV translates it "contemplate". What the original language implies is that we are seeing the glory of God - but indirectly. As we gaze on this we are made like him.
Keen that we should not assume anything good coming from ourselves many have stated that what happens is that we are reflecting his likeness. But what we need to note is that it is the image of the glory of God that is being reflected towards us. We are not seeing it directly but indirectly as we contemplate the glory of the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and the saving work he has accomplished, and that is being furthered in our lives by the Spirit of God within us. What is not stated here is that we are reflecting that image. But we are being transformed.
Paul specifically uses a word that is translated as "stars" in Philippians 2:15. The original Greek word means an object that emits light. The moon is inanimate and does not emit light; it reflects the light of the sun. Our sun is in fact a star. The light with which we are to shine should be coming from within us, though it has its origin in God. As we spend time consciously in God's presence, and become immersed in the wonder of the gospel, and as God's word works within us, it is as if we are charged up like a battery. Another illustration would be an electric storage heater. It emits heat but only because it has received previous input.
Let's continue to spend time contemplating the reflected glory of God revealed in the gospel of grace so that we are transformed - changed from glory to glory. Don't be a passive mirror; become a dynamic star and shine in today's dark world.
Give thanks...
- For God's blessing during my recent ministry in Bradford.
- For God's blessing on meetings Monica Cook has held in Nairobi and Obambo, Kenya.
- For safety in our travels at home and abroad.
- For God's provision for our needs. Give thanks for those who help to keep us on the road through their donations.
- For God's grace through a very demanding past week.
- For invitations to share God's word in song and spoken ministry.
- That the work of Action for Christ is being sustained.
- For encouraging feedback from our activities. It's always good to know that people are being blessed.
Please pray...
- Ministry this week in Yelvertoft: pastoral visits, Bible discussion meeting on Thursday morning, special mission meeting Thursday evening, and next Sunday morning.
- My regular visit to HMP Gartree on Tuesday.
- Administrative work this week for Rural Mission Solutions and the Rural Evangelism Network.
- As I re-engage with the research work with Winchester University
- For Monica Cook who is busy in Obambo, Kenya
- For wisdom as there are a couple of aspects of Mission for Christ that need to be completed but are delayed by communication problems. We are also still following up requests for assistance from the police and Charity Commission as we address historic matters before I came on board.
- For growth in Gift Aid support for Rural mission Solutions. Our work in the UK is not in difficulty but a few more regular sponsors would be helpful.
- Pray for our continuing outreach through the internet and publications.
- Open doors for the ministry of the gospel in rural Britain.
- For the members of Dunks Green Evangelical Free Church in Kent.
Barry
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