Christ is the Head of the Church Family

This week, we are learning about what the purpose driven church would look like. As we think about how we can be intentional – living with God’s truths to guard and govern our lives, we need to realize that Jesus Christ is to be the head of the spiritual household. He is to govern our lives. That’s His job! How are we allowing Jesus Christ to do His job, and in the process – amazes us with who He is?

The Scriptures

“This is why I have called you Peter (rock): for on this rock I will build My church. The church will reign triumphant even at the gates of hell (Mt. 16:18, VOICE).”

“There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed. As others build on the foundation (whether with gold, silver, gemstones, wood, hay, or straw)… (1 Cor. 3:11-12)“

“God has placed all things beneath His feet and anointed Him as the head over all things for His church. This church is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all (Eph. 1:22-23).“

“You see, all that is God, all His fullness, resides in His body. You, too, are being completed in Him, the One who has dominion over all rule, all authority (Col. 2:9-10).“

The Owner and Operator of The Church

In the Scriptures, we learn that Jesus Christ has to be the Owner and Operator of His Church. If the Church is to function as it ought to, we need to let Jesus Christ to take the wheel. We cannot try to do things our way, but need to do things God’s way.

Jesus Christ is to be the head of the church family. We need to let God have His way with us. We need to quit surrounding our lives with utter foolishness and the darkness of this world, and surround ourselves with Jesus Christ. Starting with, making Jesus Christ the head of our spiritual household.

Jesus Christ has so much He wants to pour into you – if you will allow Him to lead into your life. The Father has set Jesus Christ in charge. He has not set you in charge of the Church. He may be allowing you some temporary responsibility, for which you are held accountable to, but He has given that responsibility to Jesus Christ.

And, praise God He has! (That is one responsibility God has never designed for man to carry, and it is not one we should ever try to bear.)

The Responsibility is Christ’s

That responsibility is Jesus Christ’s alone. We can fully rest in Him, knowing He is the One leading us, interceding for us, and showing us the right way to go. We don’t have to worry about possibly going the wrong way (on a repeated basis), because Jesus Christ is the head of the household – and – He will lead us on the right path.

Which path are you taking? How are you allowing Christ to be the head of your spiritual household? How are you allowing Him to have His way in your life – to govern and guide you? How have you been willing to submit to His Authority in your life?

Scripture Applied Affirm the Family

When we live, in light of the hope of Jesus Christ, we are able to grow closer to the family God has in store for us. In Ephesians, we learn that from the moment we accept Jesus Christ (we say “yes” to Jesus Christ by believing in Him and pursuing a relationship with Him) we are placed into His divine family.

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family (Eph. 2:19).”

As we learn about God and grow in a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, we learn that family is important. As we grow in God, we learn how He has placed us in a special kind of family. As we learn about Him, through the Scriptures, we get a glimpse of the beauty found in His Church – in this kind of family He has given us.

It is different than our earthly family that we given – biologically.

So, we must ask ourselves two questions, in light of today’s Scripture.

1. How are you pursuing Jesus Christ, God’s Word, and His family?
2. How are you allowing Him to drive your life?

The Truth of The Scriptures

When we choose to –

• Fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly.
• Put away false idols.
• Worship God alone.
• Keep God alone as first in your life, choosing to serve Him only

… we are learning how to put our hope in Him. Through Jesus Christ, we have brand new life. We have a love relationship with our great God. We are loved by Him. We are placed in families. Yes, even the loneliest of us are placed in His great family. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we have done.

This is what happens when we choose to live out the Scriptures in our daily lives.

Give Him Our Hearts

God uses His Words to give us hope, live out His divine purpose for our family, and know Him like never before. But, it begins with His Words of truth. It begins with knowing Jesus Christ is Awesome and loving. It begins with choosing to give our hearts to Him, knowing He will never disappoint (see Rom. 3:3-5).

In Joshua 24:14-24, we are reminded how important it is to choose God and devote ourselves to serve God. It affects everything we do, when we resolve to put God first and make Him the Lord of our lives. God is head over all creation. He is the One who has placed us in a relationship with Himself and given us a spiritual family – to help us when times get tough and our hearts get tempted by other things.

The Hope

 

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

The People’s Response::
Choosing to Commit Themselves to God

The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.”

Wise Words From Joshua, The Lord’s Servant

Then Joshua warned the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.”

The Continuing Dialogue::
Destroying Idols to Turn Our Hearts Toward God

But the people answered Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!”

“You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said. “You have chosen to serve the Lord.”

“Yes,” they replied, “we are witnesses to what we have said.”

“All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God. We will obey him alone.””

Salvation Accepted (Entrance into the Family of God)

“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. (Jn. 1:12).”

Choosing to Believe

The moment we say “yes” to Jesus Christ, we gain entrance to a whole new world. Remember the Aladdin song, “A Whole New World?” If you don’t, let’s just hit the high points of this well-known song…

Him: I can show you the world// Shining, shimmering, splendid// Tell me , princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?//

…

Her: I’ve come so far// I can’t go back// To where I used to be//

When was the moment where you decided to place your trust in Jesus Christ?

The Truth

Maybe, you cannot pinpoint an exact moment, but you do know that you need to place your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord. You are choosing to allow the God over all creation to become the One leading you.

Let today be the moment you choose to place your trust in Jesus Christ. Yesterday and all the previous days don’t matter, as much as this one. Today, just let your heart whisper “yes” to the One your heart beats for.

Because, the truth is God wants to lead you.

New Life

God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your (& mine) sins and rose again to give us new life.

Jesus Christ wants to give you new life.

It is a new life that is far better than anything we could ever imagine.

We simply need to choose to let Jesus show us the way.

Though the road may be difficult, at times, the road paved by Jesus Christ – is the one where the blessings are. It is through Jesus, that we can find our purpose. As we experience new life in Him, we quickly learn one blessing God has always intended for us – once we come to Him.

The Family of God

Family is a beautiful thing. And with Jesus, we gain entrance into the family of God. Aside from eternity, this is perhaps one of the greatest blessings we could ask for.

The lonely are placed into families.

There is no such thing as outcast.

Each person is passionately loved by His family.

This is the way God has designed us.

To be in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and with His Church (our spiritual family).

What Scripture Proclaims

The Scriptures teach us that the moment we say “yes” to Jesus Christ, we gain entrance into His permanent family. So, what is keeping us from walking in a real live relationship with God and our spiritual family found through Jesus Christ? How are we delighting in Jesus Christ and His Church?

“He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved (Acts 11:13-14)!’”

“Then he (the jailer) brought them (Paul and Silas) out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God (16:30-34).”

“Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized (18:8).”

Again, I ask you – When was the moment when you first believed in Jesus Christ? His name holds power and hope, because He is God. Believe in Him. It doesn’t mean your life is outwardly (or inwardly) perfect. But, it does mean that you have peace of God. Jesus Christ came to take the penalty caused by your (and mine) sins.

How are you choosing to believe Him and follow Him on this day? Who has made an impact on your decision to follow Jesus Christ? How is God continuing to surround you with your spiritual family (His Church), to spur you on in your faith?

Joy in Using Our Gifts

The moment you came to Jesus Christ, He placed gifts within your life – designed to build up His Church. Think about how God has used others’ gifts to build up you. As we think about our faith journey in Jesus, how has God used others in your midst?

The Word

Today’s truth is wrapped up in the joy found in using our gifts for God.

When I serve God, it will create joy in my life – as I use my gifts to help others.

Let’s take a moment to meditate on today’s truth –

“Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties (1 Pet. 4:10).”

For His Glory

Whatever God has given us the gifts to do, it needs to be done for His glory! When we use the stuff God has given us, it is used to build up others. As others have used their gifts, God has used it for our benefit. Now is our chance to build up others in the Church. Now is our chance to give back to God, using the marvelous gift He has given us. What are your spiritual gifts? How might God be calling you to serve Him and His people. For a list of possible gifts, check out 1 Cor. 12 and Romans 12.

The Joy Flood

As you go about your day, consider how God might be using you.

The joy is found in serving God alone. It is enjoying God.

When we serve God using our gifts, there is the place where our joy gets its makeover.

Our joy gets flooded, as we enjoy God by serving and using our gifts.

Whenever I get the opportunity to write, and it’s for God’s glory, this is the place where my joy gets its makeover. This is the place where my joy gets to be flooded. It is doing the very thing God has designed for me to do.

God has placed very specific gifts and talents within you.

When you use them for His glory, you are gonna have His joy unleashed on your life.

“Delight in Him, and He will give the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4).”

What are you waiting for?

Joy in Serving (Losing Myself)

Serving God

This week, we are talking about serving God.

Examination

I want us to consider how we have serve God, and how we have acted in a self-focused way. When we are only thinking about ourselves, it sucks the life out of us. Not just life. But, joy. The thing we all claim to want, when we are in our pleasure-seeking frenzy.

In Matthew (16:25), we are reminded that if we lose our life (if we surrender everything to God and live for Him versus ourselves) that this is the very place where we find life. Amazing life is found when we choose to serve God -to fellowship with God – to love God – to surrender our lives. This is why Jesus came, and poured out His own blood and rose again. To give us this precious life and opportunity.

If we don’t examine ourselves, how can we get closer to God and be there for one another? How do we fill our cup with God’s joy? Take a few minutes to examine your heart, when it comes to serving God.

When we serve God, it will create joy in our lives… as we get the focus off of ourselves.

When we come to know God, He reveals to us that He desires to give us good things. Surrendering our wills for His is actually where the joy train begins. It begins, when we lay down our wants for God’s will.

Scriptures on Serving God, by Being Others-Centered

Let’s meditate upon these Scriptures for today –

“Even if my lifeblood is to be poured out like wine as a sacrifice of your faith, I have great reason to celebrate with all of you (Phil. 2:17).”

“ Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! Keep your gentle nature so that all people will know what it looks like to walk in His footsteps. The Lord is ever present with us (Phil. 4:4-5).“

“Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere,and secure your neighbors’ interests first (Phil. 2:4).”

The Joy of Serving God

As we think about Paul in 2:17, he says his life is being poured out as a sacrifice of another’s faith. How often do we give ourselves to build up the faith of others? Paul got to celebrate what happened – as a result of his continual giving. How are we celebrating how God is using us? As he served God, look what God used him to do. To build up the faith of others. That’s worth the struggle of continuing to give. Paul had a hard life due to his commit to serving God, but look what happened as the end of it all. Many came to Christ.

Secondly, we are reminded of the joy we get to experience. REJOICE. Friends, rejoice! How often do we find ourselves rejoicing? God is ever present in our lives. That is something to rejoice. We need to look beyond our circumstances and feelings, and take notice. God is near. How does looking at eternity, beyond yourself, enhance your perspective of who God is and what He is doing?

Thirdly, we are told plainly in Phil. 2:4 that we need to get beyond ourselves. Look at God and His Kingdom. Look how He can use you AND your circumstances. We need to show others what a true community of Christ followers looks like – by being there for one another. We need to be ministered to, but need to minister to others too. Plus, God will meet our needs – as we reach out to meet the needs of others.

Tell Yourselves…

Yes, our struggles are real.

Yes, they are hard.

But, God.

If nothing else, may we just stop and tell one another “But, God…”