March 14 Update from Justin Jordan
I hope you are doing well on this Saturday. I wanted to update you regarding where we are at with holding Sunday services with the outbreak of coronavirus in our community. If you haven’t heard, we now have a confirmed case of corona virus in our community located in Ada county.
At this point, we now plan to NOT hold physical services tomorrow. We are planning on having a sermon via video tomorrow and each Sunday until we choose to meet again. We are doing this not out of fear, but rather out of concern and love for our community. We want to love our neighbors well and make wise decisions. The health professionals have discouraged large group gatherings to help keep the spread of corona virus from happening and to help keep our health services from being overwhelmed. We believe choosing not to meet is a way to help contribute to this endeavor in our community.
With that being said, we have a tremendous opportunity in front of us as a church. The opportunity that lies before us is that we have the ability to meet needs, show up and rise to the occasion as a church. The history of the church shows us that while the world is scared, we are not. When the world runs away, we do not. When the world self preserves and hoards things, we do not,. Instead we share and we give up things for our neighbor. When there is uncertainty, we stand firm in the hope of Jesus and run towards the unknown and darkness that at times surround us. What does this practically look like for us in this season?
Here are some things I want you to consider. What would it look like for you to meet your neighbors and let them know you are here to meet needs? Could you offer over items that are needed and continue to find out what their needs are? Could you offer up some toilet paper? :) Could you go get groceries for the elderly, immunocompromised, asthmatics, sickly or those with diabetes and leave it at their front door for them? Could you FaceTime, text and call people who are lonely in quarantine and offer them encouragement and hope. The answer to all of those questions is yes. We could do that and I believe we will do it because you, Real Life, know who you are. You are the bride of Christ ready to be mobilized as Jesus’ church.
Here are the things that we are doing moving forward: We are doing a video on facebook later today that will cover the same things that are discussed in this email. You can watch it on Facebook and it will be uploaded onto our blog on our website later today. In addition, we will still continue meeting in small groups such as home groups, youth group and classes. We are empowering our leaders to decide whether or not they should meet, hoping that they will meet, but not expecting it either as we know a lot of sickness is going around. We trust each decision that is going to be made in smaller groups.
As stated earlier, we will do a sermon video each Sunday until we meet again that will be posted on Facebook and on our blog. In addition, we will be meeting together as a staff team on Monday to dive into a deeper plan of how we mobilize and meet needs as a church going forward in this season.
As your Lead Pastor I want you to know that even though we are living in an interesting season, we will not fear (2 Timothy 1:7). I am extremely excited to see how we as the church will overcome this moment. The bride of Christ always overcomes because Jesus overcomes. Please be sure to stay tuned with more communication (emails & social media posts) as we move into this season and remember where our hope lies.
“One Person at a Time,”
Justin Jordan
Lead Pastor
Note from Justin Jordan re: COVID-19
March 13, 2020
Good Morning Real Life,
I hope you are doing well this morning. I wanted to address the COVID19/Coronavirus situation and as you are all seeing, things are changing hour by hour but there are still no confirmed cases in Idaho. Many of you have begun to ask what is our plan at Real Life concerning corona virus.
At this point, we plan to hold services at 9:15 and 11:00 AM as usual. However, just like Jenni Florendo, our Family Ministries Director said in her email a week ago, if you are sick or have a compromised immune system we want to advise you to please stay home. The custodial team and children’s ministry are doing a great job of keeping areas and toys clean and sanitized. We will not be serving communion or coffee this Sunday to help keep the spread of germs to a minimum. We still have plenty of hand sanitizer located throughout the building and we encourage you to use it. We are also looking into streaming our services in the future for those who cannot join us in person. In addition, we are talking as an eldership about potential next steps we should take for our community as this progresses.
We want you to exercise wisdom and discernment when it comes to keeping yourself and the public safe. I will post further updates tomorrow and until then, make sure you’re following the precautionary measures to prevent illness which are good to follow all the time!
• Wash your hands frequently and for 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol if soap isn’t available
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home if you are sick
• Wipe down and disinfect surfaces that are touched daily
Lastly, I want to encourage you to not live in fear, but instead to be thinking of what it means to be the church in this moment. Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I see this as a tremendous opportunity for us to show the world where our hope lies. That we have power, love and a sound mind that comes from our relationship with Jesus. We will not be a church that focuses on self preservation, but instead bringing hope and service to those in our community. The church is a group of people who goes into the unknown, the darkness and brings confidence and light to the world in the name of Jesus. It is in these moments that the church shines brightest.
Tonight we have our Prayer + Worship night to prepare our hearts for Easter at 6:30 pm. Let’s pray and worship together and pour our hearts out to Jesus and pray for our community. If you have questions feel free to email me at jjordan@reallifetv.church.
“One Person at a Time,”
Justin Jordan
Lead Pastor
SHIFTWORK
The Fifth Shift we need to make is to identify and begin working in our mission field.
Read through these statements and questions and think about each one thoughtfully. In your journal or notebook, record any thoughts or scripture verses that speak to you.
When Mary broke the alabaster jar over Jesus’ head, the disciples were angry and Jesus was pleased. What gift could you offer Him?
How might your actions affect the lives of people in your life? Would those people encourage or dissuade you?
Read over the list of habits and characteristics in Ephesians 5. Which ones exist in your life right now?
What shifts might you need to make to rid yourself of bad habits? In your own words, what does it mean to be “children of light”?
Your mission field exists where you live, work, learn and play. What nooks and crannies (opportunities) could you engage?
Who is “right in front of your face” and needs to hear the gospel? What method could you use to approach them?
What shift could you make to engage more fully in your mission field?
ORDAINED
Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Eph. 5:14-17).
Iadore Thomas’ English muffins and for writing this particular devotion,
I carb loaded for research purposes. I ate two toasted English muffins drenched in butter for your benefit. I love the company’s clever and extremely
appropriate well-known branding phrase: “nooks and crannies.” It is the ideal description of the muffins’ airy interior surface.
Once they’re split open, distinct pockets appear allowing the butter (or jam) to sink in. These nooks and crannies vary in size; some are minuscule and some are large. But the purpose of each one is that the muffin gets drenched in goodness.
Likewise, our lives contain nooks and crannies–pockets of time, spaces and seasons ordained for each one of us. Paul warned his readers to be very careful and pay attention to the way they lived their lives. He urges us to wisely use the time given to us, to avoid foolish pursuits, and to live for Christ.
How do we do that? Throughout Scripture, we see that living a life of wisdom requires us to be mindful and diligent. It requires us to be intentional. At times, we can be guilty of giving more thought to our “to do” lists and holiday plans than we give to our faith. Working and resting are, of course, part of living the human life. But it’s imperative we get in line with Jesus’ mission and priorities.
People everywhere are living and dying without Christ. They’re sleepwalking through life, unconscious of their need for Him and unaware of eternal separation. Like Jesus’ disciples, we too can succumb to the temptation of drowsiness and fall into a trap of inactivity.
He urges us to wake up, to come out of our slumber and lead people into intimate relationship with Him. We can use every nook and cranny in our lives for this noble and Kingdom-advancing calling. Each day and circumstance provide us with an opportunity to shine the light of Christ for others.
Christ’s sacrifice was a costly one. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
God put you where you are on purpose and for a purpose–this is your mission field. He has ordained you for such a time as this.
How awake are you to the mission God has ordained for you where you live, work, learn and play?
EVERYDAY MISSIONARY
For anything that becomes visible is light (Eph. 5:14).
When I was in my early twenties, I sold mineral health products for a multi-level marketing company. My belief in the company was rock-solid. After suffering an illness that left me bedridden for months, my desperate mother purchased some from a friend. Within weeks, I was not only fully healed, I also became a salesperson.
As a successful distributor, I earned my way to a regional conference. The leadership brought in an international sales speaker to help us learn about marketing psychology. At that time, much of my motivation in life was driven by the need to succeed. My illness caused me to leave college, and I felt detached from the purpose I once had.
I’m a born learner and found myself captivated by the speaker as he broke down psychology. During the middle of his discourse, he walked over to my side of the stage, looked directly at me and said, “God loves you and has a plan for your life.” Then he continued on with his talk.
I was stunned! At that moment, I burst into tears, weeping silently in my seat. This random guy from Canada, just doing his job and at the same time being an everyday missionary, told me something I’d never heard before. That God loved me and had plans for me. It was as if someone turned on a light from Heaven and shined it directly into my heart.
I had to leave the room because I was a blubbering mess.
During our lunch break (still crying), I called my best friend and roommate who was the only Christian I knew personally. I felt so excited to tell her about the man and his message for me. Her response was less than stellar.
“Uh...ok,” was all she said.
But her lackluster response couldn’t diminish my elation. My heart completely changed that day.
The work of God is a mystery. How does He take words from a stranger and transform them into an effective force of life change? That one sentence created a hunger in me. I wanted more. I wanted to know about this mystery God and what His plans were. Instead of desiring money and success, I desired to know Him.
I’ll never forget the name of this man whom God inspired to express His love. I’m eternally grateful that He didn’t cave in to fear, thinking his words may be inappropriate for a business setting. He became for me a messenger of hope–a living, breathing light bearer who made God visible.
Your mission field might be right in front of your face! Who can you share God’s message of love with today?
LIVING LIGHT
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:8-10).
In ancient times, themes of light and darkness like this one we see in Ephesians 5 were common. We can find references to both of these opposites throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Of course in our plugged-in society here in the West, we don’t really understand the true reality of darkness or the real power of light. With the simple flip of a switch or clap, even a word now in our smart world, a dark space instantly transforms and shadows are driven away. We quickly avoid darkness. Try asking a child (or most adults) to hang out in a pitch-black basement. The answer will be an emphatic, “No way!”
Light overcomes darkness. It comforts and brings visibility to that which is unseen.
In antiquity, the dual themes of light and darkness represent good and evil. Paul explains to his readers that a life of light in Christ produces positive results. As believers, it’s up to us to discover and distinguish between what pleases God and what doesn’t. Everything we need to know can be found in Christ, for He is the Word.
Jesus explained the “more” life we are to lead when He said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).
Opportunities to be light to the world are all around us; our communities are filled with people living in darkness. Jesus desires that we have the same compassion for those in the dark as He had for us when we were once darkness.
Maybe the elderly neighbor next door would enjoy going out for coffee. Maybe the single mother could use help with car repairs. Perhaps the veteran suffering from PTSD needs an understanding friend. Or the troubled child in your child’s class could benefit from an invitation to church youth group.
Intentionally doing what we can to push back the darkness fulfills us and lightens the burdens of others. But most importantly, it pleases God and brings glory to Him.
You (yes you!) are the light of the world. Where can you be a living light today?
WORTHLESS
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Eph. 5:6).
The Bible makes ample use of lists--those habits and characteristics that benefit us; and those that are worthless. Paul’’s letter to the Ephesians has several such lists we can use to lead and guide us in Christlike living.
Why should we pay attention to these lists in this day and age? Because they’re still relevant. They’re God’s standard of obedience for all believers. And as Ephesians 5 says, there is a terrible fate awaiting the sons of disobedience. Our fruitfulness in serving Christ depends on our intimate relationship with Him and in obeying His commands.
Make no mistake, there are people and spiritual forces intent on stopping our progress– they want to tear us away from Jesus.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus diligently taught His disciples, preparing them for the events about to take place. He warned them, saying, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matt. 24:4-5).
Though no one knows when our Savior will come again, we can count on it in the same way we expect the sun to rise in the morning. Matthew 24 brings us a message of horror and hope. Horror for the disobedient and hope for the children of God.
Jesus’ apostles and followers were full of zeal for His Word and work. Before He ascended to Heaven, He gave them a mission and purpose for living known to us as the Great Commission:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded of you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:18-20).
Jesus’ promise then assures us of His presence today.
Worthless words are filled with treachery and deception. Worthless acts threaten to separate us from the one who has only the best in mind for us. If we want to be considered faithful servants and worthy of the calling He gave us and the “more” He has for us, it’s imperative we pay attention to the way we live on this earth.
In your crazy busy life, what are some habits you could cultivate to better fulfill Jesus’ mission of His Great Commission? In light of this pursuit, what becomes worthless in your life?
FRAGRANCE
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph 5:1-2).
In certain cultures, fragrance plays an important role in everyday life. My husband is from the Holy Land, and I experience this directly every day. Each morning after his shower, he “showers” again with cologne. He douses himself with it.
I’m talking head-to-toe spritzing. The fragrance is so strong that I can’t go
into the bathroom until it dissipates. It’s become a running joke in our family that when we can’t figure out what to buy him for a special occasion, we’ll never go wrong with cologne.
In Scripture, One of the most known stories about fragrance in the Bible is the beautiful story of Mary, one of Jesus’ disciples. I can just see this young woman carrying in a beautiful, translucent white alabaster jar filled with nard, a potent anointing oil and then, to everyone’s surprise, she breaks the jar and pours out the fragrant offering on Jesus’ head. The disciples there couldn’t believe their eyes. Nard was used only for special occasions and instead of seeing the spiritual significance of her actions, they yelled at her for wasting what could have been sold and given to the poor.
I love Jesus’ response and the way He stood up for Mary. He rebuked them, saying, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matt. 26:10-13).
Mary’s intent was pure. She wanted to honor her Lord through her offering–likely the most valuable possession she owned. The story of her bold sacrifice is told throughout the world, more than two thousand years later.
Though it was an extravagant gesture, Mary certainly wasn’t aware it would be legendary in Christ’s eyes. She was simply working with what she had in the context of her life. Likewise, our service to Jesus is also a type of love offering that greatly pleases Him.
And like any perfume, the odor is perceived differently. In 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, Paul tells us: For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death and to the other, the fragrance of life.
You, too, have more to offer. Using what you already have, what fragrant offering could you pour out on Christ? On the people in your path?
WORK
The third shift we need to make to live life to the fullest measure is to get rid of the junk that hinders our service and get serious about discovering and using our spiritual gifts.
Read through these statements and questions and think about each one thoughtfully. In your journal or notebook, record any thoughts or scripture verses that speak to you.
Paul talks about walking worthy of Christ. In your own words define the word “worthy.”
Looking at the three characteristic clusters Paul mentioned–humility and gentleness; patience and love: and eagerness for unity–which (if any) values do you struggle with?
What shifts do you need to make in your life to adopt these values? You have been gifted by God! List one or two of your spiritual gifts. How might you use these gifts to serve Christ and His kingdom? What would it look like to live your life to the fullest measure?
We all have to “clean house” from time to time and get rid of the old stuff that hinders us from putting on the “new self.” What hindrances need to be trashed in your life?
Using the APEST model as an example, which ministry strength(s) best describes you? Do you see yourself as one of the five ... because you are?
ATTACHED
It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness in Christ (Eph. 4:11-13).
Paul tells us that God’s Church is organized for fullness. One look at his (very) long sentence in the passage above explains the how and why of the organizational structure. In ministry, the acronym for this fivefold structure is known as APEST, which stands for Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and Teachers.
In their book, Made for More: Six Essential Shifts for Creating a Culture of Mobilization, authors Todd Wilson and Rob Wegner break down the functional strengths of these types of servants:
Apostle - Pioneering, sending, extending, and entrepreneurial.
Prophet - Questioning systems of power, seeking justice, critiquing
mission drift and protecting the marginalizedEvangelist - Reaching out, including the seeker, proclaiming the gospel and including new people
Shepherd - Nurture, care, community and health
Teacher - Sound doctrine, clear teaching, effective processes and
systems, and strong values
Do you recognize any of these strengths in yourself?
Most of us aren’t called into vocational ministry and will never be. Instead, we serve in all the areas where we live, work, learn and play. But as Ephesians 4:11-13 reminds us, we all have a part to play in building up the body of Christ. Our leaders are there to help us, the saints, prepare for service.
Author and teacher Alan Hirsch often talks and writes about APEST, focusing heavily on the Apostle gifting. Listen to what he says about the expression of Jesus in the world and our part in that: “Play with the image of body for awhile. The body is the embodiment. The German evangelist Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ‘The Church is the one place in the world where Jesus Christ is taking form.’
Hirsch continues: “It’s not happening anywhere else. He has chosen this particular people to become the concrete expression of who He is, attached to Him as our Lord and the One who guides us.”
We are attached to Christ who has organized us to both mature us and bring us into the fullness of Him.
How are you living into your spiritual gifting? How does knowing you’re attached to Jesus help you live filled up and poured out to others?
RENEWED
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:20-24).
Have you ever seen the TV show Hoarders? It’s about people with hoarding disorder (a true mental illness) who collect and store things with disastrous results. Most often, their homes are stacked to the rafters.
Worthless trash fills entire rooms, floors buckle under pressure, and in extreme cases rodents scavenge freely.
There’s no order in a hoarder’s world. Relationships are broken (if not completely destroyed), and quality of life is in the pits. Yet these people can’t let go because their perspective is skewed. They can’t release their “valuables”even if the purging will bring them reconciliation with loved ones and a better way of life. Again, it’s a sickness. A psychiatrist and trash removal service are on hand to help remove the junk and begin the healing process.
Just as hoarders hang on to stuff, we can also hang on to junk that threatens to destroy. Sin, unhealthy thoughts and unholy relationships contaminate our spirit. To begin the heart renewal Jesus died for and put on our “new self,” we first need to make space by clearing out the old.
If anyone could speak about life renewed, it was Paul. Meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus and throwing off his “old self” literally changed him-- and the world.
We get a glimpse of Paul’s life change in his words to Timothy: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 1:12-14).
The truth is in Jesus. In fact, the truth is Jesus. Scripture tells us we are works in progress, never complete, and always moving toward righteousness and holiness through Him. Our journey is long and arduous, but Jesus supplies us with abundant strength and nourishment for our souls.
Jesus desires to give us full life in Him. He wants us to experience His love and join Him in the adventure He has in store for each one of us. But we need to be awake and alert. Sin separates us from God. So we must be diligent about cleaning house. Let’s not hold on to the worthless clutter that belongs to the old way and robs us of the peace and joy a renewed heart brings.
As Jesus reminds us in John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
What is the worthless junk you can begin tossing out to experience renewal of your heart and mind?
GIFTED
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men” (Eph. 4:7-8).
I’m the parent of three gifted children; two are artists, and one is a computer whiz. They’re all smarter than their parents! Throughout today’s culture, gifted people are all around. We’re entertained by top-notch performers. We learn from teachers who clarify and impart knowledge; and our way of life is enhanced by inventive problem solvers.
What may be surprising to know is that we’re all gifted in one way or another. Do you see yourself in this way?
The priceless gift of grace was measured out to each one of us through Jesus. Many scholars believe that Psalm 68:18 is an Old Testament prophetic scripture that refers to Christ:
When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious – that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.
Jesus is the ultimate victor who conquered Satan, sin and death. In ancient times, kings would invade a territory and capture people, including the nobility of the royal households he conquered. The king would march back his captives to his land and parade them in a “train” as a display of victory for his people to see.
In contrast, Christ took His own “prisoners of war,” those captives whose hearts He conquered, and gave them to His people as gifts. We see in the Apostle Paul the perfect irony of this vivid imagery. As Saul, he persecuted Jesus followers and was on his way to Damascus to arrest and take Christians back to Jerusalem as his captives.
But something happened along the way and instead of capturing, Saul was captured. Jesus then gave him back to us as a gift–an apostle for the purpose of preaching to the Gentiles and building up His Church. Thereafter, in several letters to the churches he planted, Paul identified himself according to who he was in Christ: a servant of Christ Jesus; an apostle of Christ Jesus; a slave of Christ; and a prisoner for the Lord.
Well aware of whose He was, Paul fulfilled his work for the Kingdom in love and gratitude for the One who had transformed his life. He used his life as a gift and poured himself out on behalf of others. Throughout his ministry, he exhorts us to do the same.
Paul often urged people to follow his way of life, and this is a reminder
of encouragement for us: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
We’re gifted because of Christ’s grace, and when we use those gifts of service for His Kingdom, the Church grows in maturity and numbers. The Church is all the people of God on everyday mission that fills everything everywhere with the fullness of Jesus.
What gifts can you identify and use to fulfill your everyday mission?
SERVED
There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:4-6).
In late August, Hurricane Florence barreled toward our small beach town causing mandatory evacuations. My family worked together to secure our home and gather up what little we could fit in one car. We drove to be with relatives in another state and watched the destruction on television. Because river flooding closed the highways, we weren’t able to return home for three weeks.
During that time, we spent days scrolling through social media, looking at pictures and video of the devastation. One story in my news feed intrigued me–people everywhere posted warnings of “rafts” of fire ants floating on the surface of the water. Unfortunately, some folks learned about this freaky fact the hard way and got attacked by swarms.
The rafts were made up of hundreds of thousands of ants. The ant colony is impossible to destroy as long as its queen is alive. When the waters rose, they sprung into action and bonded together for one purpose: to protect the queen and her young. The frantic pace of this binding creates a structure that allows them to float and seek the safety of dry land.
Beneath the water, danger lurks as predators attempt to gobble them up and tear the raft apart. However, once the ants make it to land, they get back to work at building up their community.
I see so many parallels between this natural phenomenon and our faith. The survival of the fire ant community depends on their leader. The queen is their entire reason for being, and all they do centers around her. The strength of the ants’ survival depends on them coming together as one unit for a critical purpose.
In the same way, Christ is building His Church (us) His way and wants all of us to join and serve in the communal effort He has designed and put into action. He is the One Lord, our leader, Savior and Master.
Paul tells us our call as Jesus’ disciples carries with it a responsibility to serve. Faithful servants hear, obey and serve their Lord with all humility and love. This love extends itself toward Him and one another.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of His purpose for coming to earth: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:2).
Have you ever thought of being someone God has served? How does knowing He first loved and served us impact how you serve with others in His mission?
RECONCILED
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-3).
Recent research suggests the worldwide Church is at a point of crisis. The global persecution of Christians is growing at an alarming rate, church attendance is down in the West, and the news is filled with stories about younger generations rejecting Christianity altogether.
Now is the time for us to come together as one family so that instead of
the Church imploding, the Church begins exploding.
In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul tells us we have been called to “live in a manner worthy of “ that calling and gives us the keys to do that:
Humility and gentleness Patience and love Eagerness for unity
These are characteristics, Paul says, that we should live out with one another and the world at large.
They’re the distinguishing traits of Jesus who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
In the Church, as in life, we can create and encounter problems because we’re so busy working for Jesus that we forget to be like Jesus?
Our calling is a high and holy one. To walk in a way worthy of that calling, we must walk in the way of Christ. His way is loving and humble.
Remember, Jesus came to reconcile all things to Himself. This is the essence of unity and contains no divisions and strife.
Reconciliation is primary to God’s plan. In fact, Paul reminds us of our obligation in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
What do you need to change in your life to walk in a way worthy of God’s plan to reconcile us to Him?
SHIFT WORK
Discipleship is an ongoing, ever-evolving process. “Shift Work” is about making critical changes towards spiritual growth. We continually mature in Christ and, as we do, our old self–our natural sin-filled self–sloughs off.
The Second Shift we need to make is to investigate and discover the unique ways in which God designed us.
Read through these statements and questions and think thoughtfully about each one. In your journal or notebook, record any thoughts or Scripture that speak to you.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Jesus is the master designer and has made each one of us a unique masterpiece. We are responsible for doing good works in service and discovering the unique qualities He has given us for this purpose. Reflect on the questions below to begin to unveil the picture God is creating.
What do you think you’re good at?
What do other people tell you you’re good at?
List five skills you’ve mastered.
What causes or people groups do you care about?
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? What scripture verses compel or convict you to action?
What do you think God is calling you to do with your gifts? What changes in your life are necessary to make this happen? Is a clear picture of your masterpiece life beginning to emerge? If so, describe it and then share it with someone in your life.
If not, what could you do daily or regularly to help you start to see that picture or see it more clearly?
UNITED
For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (Eph. 2:14-16).
The United States Supreme Court is a group of nine men and women making decisions on some of the most important legal cases in our nation’s history. Though each Justice is an individual, they work in unison as one body.
Despite the unique circumstances of their confirmation processes, political leanings and personal dispositions, these nine leaders come together to make decisions that affect individuals and the country as a whole.
Recently, I learned about one of their many interesting traditions. “The Judicial Handshake” dates back to the nineteenth century. Each day before they go on the bench and before any discussion in private conferences, they gather together and shake hands with each of their counterparts.
According to the Supreme Court website, there’s a reason for this: “Chief Justice Fuller instituted this practice as a reminder that differences of opinion on the Court did not preclude overall harmony of purpose.”
As believers, we’re also called to unity–to be one as the body of Christ. The “broken down” reference in our daily verse above is mild compared to what it actually means, which is total destruction. The hostility that formerly divided people and made them enemies suffered total devastation when Jesus willingly chose to die on the cross for us.
His purpose of making peace through reconciliation offers us a clear pattern to follow. By His example, we as His disciples are called to do the same in the here and now. We have a ministry of reconciliation.
As Ephesians 2:22 tells us: In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Think about that. While much of the world is divided and dominated
by hostility and enmity, a bright light still shines–us. Citizens and family members have rights and responsibilities to their leaders and relatives. Putting hostility and individuality aside for the sake of others is critical for any healthy household.
Jesus accomplished this for us on the cross. He calls us to pick up our cross–our responsibility–and to follow Him.
Is there anyone you need to make peace with and be reconciled to? How can you live more united?
SACRIFICE
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13).
One of my friends tells a hilarious story about the birth of her first child. She and her husband were, like most parents, thrilled to learn about her pregnancy. They got ready for the birth by taking parenting classes,
practicing breathing exercises and touring the hospital. When the great day came, they felt ready. They had done everything they could to be prepared for the amazing event.
She got to the hospital in a fairly advanced stage of labor, and the nurses got her settled in a delivery suite. Her husband (a burly man’s man) waited by her side the whole time and held her hand through powerful contractions. The nurse tried inserting an IV into my friend’s vein and a tiny drop of blood appeared. One glance, and her hubby fell to the floor in a heap as the nurse yelled, “Man down!” He watched his wife give birth from a chair at her bedside.
Blood makes some people squeamish, but it was a common sight in ancient times–especially for those living in the Roman Empire. Public whipping and crucifixion were routine forms of punishment for criminals. Blood rituals were used in magic, and the Jews sacrificed substitutionary animals to atone for sin.
The ancients viewed sacrificial blood as having strengthening and cleansing properties. A multitude of scriptures about Christ’s blood run through the New Testament. Hebrews 10:19 gives us clarity about its power:
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Jesus’ work on the cross is the pre-eminent event of world history. Without His sacrifice, we would all be destined for destruction. His death broke down the barrier between God and humanity, and He’s seated in Heaven as our great high priest. Our work for Jesus also requires a yielding of ourselves for His purpose.
What can you sacrifice to draw others near or nearer to Christ?
ALL ACCESS
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (Eph. 2:17-18).
Last year for my husband’s birthday, I bought us tickets to a show in
Las Vegas. I wanted him to have the fullest experience possible, so I purchased an All Access Pass, which included front-row seating and backstage passes. After the show, I asked if he wanted to go back and meet the performers.
Surprisingly, he told me, “No, I wouldn’t even know what to say.” Instead of taking full advantage of our passes, we left the theater as others lined up behind velvet ropes to meet the cast.
In Ephesians 2:17-18, Jesus is the preacher of peace Paul is writing about. Paul says Jesus brought His Good News to two different groups of people: those who were near (the Jews) and those far off (the Gentiles). Essentially, Paul tells us that message is for all of us ... that we have full access to our Creator and Savior.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have access to our Heavenly Father who is not hidden behind a silky curtain or velvet ropes. He doesn’t show partiality to those in the front-row seats because all who believe in Him are welcome. All have full access to His throne of grace.
The original Greek word Paul used for “access” is prosagoge (pronounced pros-a-go-gay). It’s defined as the right or opportunity to address someone, implying that the person who is addressed has a higher status. This is part of the profound mystery of God. We, who are mere mortals, have access to the Creator of the universe through His Son.
It’s one of the many spiritual blessings believers enjoy and others have
yet to experience. Just imagine for a minute what the world would be like without Him. Maybe remember a time when you were “far off” and someone told you about the gospel of peace.
What stops us from sharing this truth with others? Fear? Doubt?
One of Jesus’ own disciples struggled with doubt. His disbelief even earned him a nickname. When Jesus told His followers that He was going to be with His Father, He reassured them that He’d come back one day and take all of them to be with Him.
But that wasn’t enough for Thomas, who asked Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5).
In His response, Jesus gave us (and Doubting Thomas) a profound promise and helped us understand just who He is and the gift of full access He brings: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Do you live as if you have full access to your Creator and Savior? Who in your sphere is far off and desperately needs to know they have full access to Jesus and His message of peace?
GRACE
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
Do you know people who like to be in control? Someone who needs to have their hand in everything, everywhere, at all times? Maybe that’s you or a spouse, boss or parent in your life.
We can agree that for the most part, people who have a “my way or the highway” attitude are annoying. Without delving too deeply into motivations and mindset, there are several reasons we can be prone to this behavior. Feelings of insecurity, the need for affirmation, and a conceited attitude are some of the many possible causes.
I believe Paul had deep insight into our human tendency to want to be in control. He wanted his hearers to know that the grace through which they had been saved had absolutely nothing to do with them, their effort or accomplishment. He first makes the statement, “For by grace you have been saved through faith” and then reinforces it with a threefold response:
Grace is not deserved or your own doing.
It’s a gift of God--nothing you did made it happen.
You can’t take credit for it.
Simply defined, grace is undeserved kindness. It is a gift.
The Bible tells us that our faith is also a gift: For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you (Rom. 12:3).
Paul knew a thing or two about arrogance and conceit. He was well- known for being a persecutor of Christians, that is, until Jesus literally knocked him off his high horse.
Grace and faith work hand-in-hand as miracle activators. In just one of many healing stories, Matthew recounts the tale of two blind men who came to Jesus hoping for restored sight. He first asked them, “Do you believe that
I am able to do this?” After they said they did, He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you,” and their sight was restored(Matt. 9:28-29).
The bottom line is that all we have and all we are is a gift from God.
And here’s the kicker. God gave us these gifts of grace and faith to be shared with others–not to just keep for ourselves. When we share our faith and extend grace, we’re reminded of our humble status before God. We also get to participate in the miracle-working process!
How can you share the gifts of grace and faith with the people you see and engage with today?