Service And Sacrifice: Poured Out For Jesus

Yes, and if I am being poured out 

as a drink offering

 on the sacrifice and service 

of your faith, I am glad

and rejoice with you all.

For the same reason you also

be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:17-18

     First, allow me to address why "as a drink offering" is in italics. The Greek word:  σπένδομαι: is first person singular present indicative passive, that is, this word speaks to the one speaking the word as doing, and is a primary verb to pour out as a libation, or in the figurative sense to devote one's life, as a sacrifice (2Timothy 4:6) and the writers of the Bible used a figurative sense of this word by adding "as a drink," also the word for "poured" is added to this verb indicating as to what was happening to Paul. Paul would make mention of this happening to him due to the fact that he was in prison in Rome and would be sacrificed for his preaching of the Gospel. Therefore his life was being poured out, and this pouring out was upon those to whom he taught. Paul sacrificed in his service to the Gospel and towards those he brought the Gospel to and rejoiced that he could do such a thing as this is what God has commanded, not just for him, but for all Authentic Christians. We then, with Paul, rejoice, rejoice to be a servant of Jesus Christ, to be poured out as a drink offering for Him, our Savior Who poured Himself out on the cross to pay for sin, this debt owed to Him, which He did paying His own debt and applying that propitiation to those God has given to Him as His bride. (Read John 17).

     Who have you intentionally spoken to about the Gospel? What are you doing to be a servant of God according to His command (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20)? Are you as Paul and rejoice with Him: (For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me: Philippians 2:18)? You are not alone in this service and God has provided those who are like minded with Paul, to be of service to you as Authentic Christians and this Paul did by sending Timothy to them: (But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for you state" Philippians 2:19-20). God in His economy and dispensation, that is His arrangement for His children has provided men who are proved by their faith, their Authentic Christian Faith to lead His children, those who are holding fast to the faith once delivered. 

     A problem exists in the Church for many have added much that is unChristian and unBiblical, teaching a theology that is not the Faith, the Gospel, but their own ideology that has lead to a false theology. It happened in Paul's day and is happening today: (For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:21). Are you holding fast to the faith once delivered, or are you following a theology that seems to have some Scriptural warrant? Have you taken time to examine what is being taught (1Thessalonians 5:21). Does your Church look more like the world that it does as a body of Christians who respect and worship God in all they say and do, their services that promote true worship to God? Or, do the members of your Church show disrespect, in dress, in actions, or inaction, and rely on working or doing, as in some, albeit good, programs, and yet live more as the world when not in Church? 

     The time has come to stand firm for Authentic Christian Faith! Christianity is under attack in many affronts and is in need for Christians to stand up, take a stand for the truth, to be "poured out as a drink offering" in service and in sacrifice. As a Bob Marley song: "Redemption," in one of his stanzas states: How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand by and look?" How long before you take action for the Gospel? We are pilgrims here on earth, and we have a home in heaven waiting for us when we get there, man cannot harm us, man cannot take away from us that which Jesus has done assuring us that we will never lose our salvation, and we will live eternally. What is there to be afraid of? NOTHING!! 

Blessed by the LORD God of Israel

     From everlasting to everlasting!

Get busy for the Lord: He is your Savior

Richard L. Crumb

     

Resurrecton Day: Our Savior Is Alive In Heaven

Do all things without complaining

and disputing, that you may become

blameless and harmless, children of God

without fault in the midst of a crooked

and perverse generation, among whom

you shine as lights in the world, 

holding fast the word of life, so that I

may rejoice in the day of Christ that I

have not run in vain.

Philippians 2:14-16

     If the world in Paul's day was considered to be crooked and a perverse generation, what should we considered this present age? This present age that has declined so much in morality that it accepts as normal that which is abnormal. How can it be that anyone with a sane mind could accept what is clearly abnormal for normality, that is, how could this generation accept, abortion, a killing of a human life, or to accept homosexuality, as they like to say, "gay," as though by that word this abnormal lifestyle is acceptable? Times may change and there may be a shift in culture, but man does not change, and that which was always considered abnormal, even if allowed in some extent, had laws that defined them as abnormal,(See the laws of Hammurabi). Paul faced such people that called themselves "Christian," and yet demanded that the laws of Judaism be followed, circumcision to be performed, and the Gnostics that taught a false religion, each attempting to enter into the Church and make a change from the truth taught by Paul to conform to their worldview and ideology. Add to this influx of people, people that had beliefs outside of Authentic Christianity and confusion, debates, and complaining were rampart and Paul was giving advice to those holding to the truth of the Gospel not to become one like those who he spoke against. 

     Authentic Christians are those who are the salt of the earth, the light and not to use that which you are is only to be downtrodden, shamed, have fingers pointed at you for not being what you say you are as it is plain by complaints, that the word of God has little place in your thinking, your belief, and in your life: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, ho shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-16). 

     As the resurrection day of Jesus Christ draws near, let us not forget whose we are and who we are: His ambassadors, the light of the world, and one who is holding fast to the word of life. Those who have aided you in your growth as an Authentic Christian have then reason to rejoice for all their hard work, prayers and to the glory of God. That person will rejoice in heaven and so will you for you will see Jesus, not just one who died on the cross, but the resurrected Jesus your Savior, and the One with whom forever you will live with, Him, and all of His bride. 

     Take time now! Spend time now, not just to hunt Easter eggs, to go and buy special attire for the occasion, but to mediated upon Him, and how you can be a light to your world. God will bless your efforts even though you may not see all that is accomplished, but knowing that you are obedient and that to the glory of God.

Your word is a lamp to my feet

     and a light to my path.

I have sworn and confirmed

     that I will keep Your 

righteous judgments.

             Psalm 119:105-106

He has risen! Salvation has come!

Richard L. Crumb

 

Leave The Consequences To God: Be Obedient

And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled Himself and became obedient 

to the point of death, even death of the cross.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him

and give Him the name which is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of those in heaven, and of those on earth,

and of those under the earth, and that every

tongue should confess that Jesus Christ

is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:8-11

     Philippi a city of Macedonia as considered by Augustus was a microcosm of the Roman people and the only city called after Philip the father of Alexander the Great. A once great city that resided in a fertile region with gold and silver mines, rivers and a highway between Asia and Europe. a famous battle occurred there between Brutus and Mark Antony (42 B.C.) and time when the Roman republic ceased to be and a new political empire began, a place where existed a Roman military colony. Among the peoples of this city and region where Jews, Greeks. Here Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas visited and proselytes such as Lydia a seller of purple, also the Roman jailer who converted to Christianity (Acts 16). The city was governed by Roman magistrates, a city also of many superstitions. In Philippi the Church of Christians grew and became fully organized with bishops and deacons. Unfortunately Philippi does not exist as a city as before and only a small village exists possibly on the cite of the old city. Paul's ministry there did not die with the city as from that city the root of Christianity flourished and spread to other cities as the people of Philippi moved to a more commercial and active place where to do business. It is important to acknowledge the character of the people of Philippi and the opposition the Christians faced and their labor of love for Jesus Christ and how Paul reminded them of the self-denying example of Jesus Christ who while God emptied Himself to come to earth incarnate as a man and to die innocently on the cross. By the humbleness of Jesus Christ and the divesting of Himself and of His divine majesty was rewarded and exalted so that by His name, Jesus Christ that all peoples, alive, dead, now, and in the future should bow at His name and acknowledge Him and this to the glory of God the Father that He is the Lord of Salvation, the Lord, the creator, God Himself, the Second Person of the Trinity. 

     Obedience is a hallmark of Authentic Christians, not obedience to some object, rather obedience to God the Father, to Jesus Christ the Savior, and by this obedience you are pleasing to God. Not for yourself to feel pious or godly, for you have nothing to feel pious about, or godly, rather, God the Father has willed to work in you His work that is to be done on this earth no matter how you can give nothing to receive His blessing. All is to the glory of God, not of ourselves: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your won salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). You do not work to get salvation, for God calls those He chooses to call and by this call the one called then lives for Him and allows Him to work in his life. Paul adds: "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain" (Philippians 2:14-16). 

     Are you just living to live, or are you living to be the light of the world? Will those who instructed you in the Gospel rejoice on the Day of the Lord, that is His second coming to earth for His bride? Are you being proactive in spreading the Good News to others or are you just taking it in, getting fat on the word, but not exercising the power one receives from God as they study to be that light for Jesus Christ? These are important questions for we are to be obedient even in the face of struggles, persecutions, or whatever may come and leave all the consequences to God.

The LORD has done what He purposed;

     He has fulfilled His word which He 

commanded of old. He has thrown down

     and has not pitied, and He has caused

an enemy to rejoice over you; He has 

     exalted the horn of your adversaries.

                  Lamentations 2:17

Rejoice God has chosen you to work for Him

Richard L. Crumb