Supply and Distribution

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen (Philippians 4)
Being a missionary can be a scary venture.  Relying on others for support, then leaving the security of home and easy access to resources behind makes them very vulnerable.  They depend on the faithfulness of God's people.  In recent years I have seen many missionaries "left to dry" when churches cut or drop support in the middle of one of their terms overseas. It's a distribution problem. God provides for God's people. They don't always distribute and deliver.  Paul had lived through some pretty lean times, working and serving no matter what, to make sure the gospel went forward.  Over time, people became faithful, and he had "more than enough".  What he really longed for was that all of God's people would learn the joy of distributing, giving. When we let God's recources flow throw us to His church, His Missions, and those in need, we will find that the supply never runs dry.  That's because He is the supplier.  But when we clog the distribution line, we will have less to enjoy, and enjoy what we have less. It is a lesson on faith. Do we really trust God to supply all our needs? 

Let's do this Together!

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (Colossians 4)
Paul learned a lesson we all would do well to put into practice: we cannot do it alone.  The life of following Jesus is best done the way Jesus demonstrated with His disciples: two by two and in small groups, as well as larger congregations. Paul was thankfor for those he had opportunity to work with one-on-one, and for the team of "fellow workers" with whom he served. He encouraged his readers (including us!) to have that same appreciation and teamwork.  Stop and think, as Paul did here, of those you are thankful for who share in the journey. Let them know; let others know; let Him know.  Then, serving together with them, "see that you fulfill the ministry that YOU have receivced in the Lord."

Finish Strong

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 
(Ephesians 6)
Finally - the word preachers often use but we're not sure they mean...  But this time Paul does. Finally - what you and I really need, is the strength God supplies to continue on boldly as followers of Christ, to finish well.  All around us we are surrounded by those who do not finish well. We don't want to be one of them. Someone is especially interested in us stumbling and falling. We must stand against him in the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, calling out to God constantly and repeatedly in dependence for His strength.  It happens one day at a time, so let us make this a day where we step forward, to finish strong.

Share Good; Do Good; then Do a Little More Good

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6)
What should be the response of our lives to the Goodness of God and the Good news of the Gospel? Good. First, we should respond to God and those who have shared the Good News with us Good things.  Though Paul does often have in mind supporting those in ministry, even more so here he has in mind letting those who have discipled us see the fruit of their ministry by our verbalizing and demonstrating we have learned and applied what they have taught. Don't take your teachers for granted. Then, Paul pictures our "good" actions as seed, planted in our lives and the lives of those around us. We need to keep doing the good things He has taught us, realizing that we often need to replant over and over again.  This is especially true of people.  Like us, they often do not get it the first time.  Many people take ten times to hear the gospel before they respond.  Difficult people can be shown love over and over again and still now treat us right - even others in the church. Do not give up. Do good, and then do it some more.

All Out for Unity

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (II Corinthians 13)

The Corinthians had a problem with oneness.  They all had their little cliques; they had a tendency toward self promotion; they treated one another as nothing special. Paul had addressed many of the core issues and symptoms of their divisiveness, and now looks toward their future.  What, above all else, did he prescribe? Overkill on kindness; putting each other above one another; setting a tone of love, grace and affection demonstrated toward us by the Triune God. When He has gone to such an extent to provide so much for us, we should make every effort to preserve and entrich our relationship in Christ. Go all out today. 

We Are Not Alone...

19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 
(I Corinthians 16)
As Paul closed his difficult letter to a church with a number of struggles - just before his final personal signature - he sent this greeting from the other believers where he was presently located.  In doing so, he reminds them that they are not alone; there are churches and believers and fellowships of believers all over the world who share their faith and hope in Christ.  This reminder, in the midst of struggling, is as essential today as it was then.  We need to know that someone else out there gets it: our struggles of faith, our battles with sin, tendancy to take off on our own, isolate ourselves, then find we need someone. Probably no one feels this more keenly than persecuted churches and believers across the world.  We need to remind them, and ourselves, that we are not alone.  The Holy Spirit unites us. Blessed be the tie that binds. 

To Him

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16)
Benedictions.  Paul had a way with them.  Calling out for God's blessing on those to whom he was writing, yet at the same time pointing his finger to the One from whom all blessings come.  Like the celebrating athlete, Paul points us to Him: the Source of all strength, the Author of all truth, the Revealer of Reality as well as Himself. To Him belongs the praise and glory for Who He is and What He has done.  As Paul did here at the end of his letter, may we be able to do at the end of this day, the end of our goals, and the end of our lives. To Him...

Not Boxed In

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and turn, and I would heal them.’

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28)

Paul had been put under house arrest. The man who loved to preach the Gospel was boxed in by four walls.  But that did not hinder him from sharing his faith. God provided a way for him to continue his witness to Jews and Gentiles alike.  In a very real sense, the way Luke wraps up his account leaves it wide open for the future. There is no mention of Paul's release or death; the spread of the Gospel was wide opening and ongoing, unhindered by four walls or persecution or the death of a person or generation. The Gospel marches on. No matter how difficult it may become for us to share our faith, may we never lose heart or give up.  It may be hard, but never impossible. 

Bigger than the World...

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21)
John had been selective in his writing of this gospel. He chose certain teachings, miracles, and relationships Jesus had to focus in on.  Though he had been with Him from the beginning of His ministry, and was there for every intimate encounter, John realized He was not witness to everything Jesus did or said. There was everything He did and said in His first thirty years on earth, as well as all the mighty deeds He did and truth He spoke as the Word since eternity past.  Much too much for a brief biography.  Jesus is bigger than life, bigger than the world.  This gospel was written precisely so we would dig and find out more.  Start with John. God from there. Dig for treasure.

Good Riddance!

50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24)
This phrase "Good Riddance!" usually does not have a nice tone to it as we use it.  The old English word, however, was in itself neutral. It decribed being free from something or "rid" of something.  Jesus was going away.  Not long before this the disciples moaned at the thought of His departure, and their parting here did have a sense of "sweet sorrow."  But their response when He was gone - worshipping and blessing God, shows that they had begun to understand how it was for their good that He go back to the Father.  He blessed them; they blessed God, and waited for God to bless the world through Him with the Holy Spirit and the Gospel.  There was no desire for Jesus to leave, but an appreciation that His going was indeed good. 

Look and Do

 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 16)
Each Gospel writer has his unique way of presenting the life of Christ. Mark tends to be more concise and compelling: "Look at the evidence and do something.  See the place, go, and tell."   He also is straight-to-the-point about the the promise involved: "There you will see Him." Jesus had a record: a record of being dependable; they knew He would keep His promise; they just had to be reminded of it.  The disciples did as told, and because they have done so, we have heard.  We should do no less. 

Now What?

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28)
Where do we go from here? That is often the question presented and answered at the conclusion of the books from Scripture.  What comes next? The promises of God to send His Messiah were being fulfilled, bringing the eleven to the mountain to meet with God the Son.  Obviously, they came to worship. But what will that worship look like in daily life?  They (and we) were to go on from there letting others know - to keep on sharing the unfolding Story of God, waiting to see how it all plays out.  Just as they could not forsee all the details of what His first coming was like, neither can we of all His second coming will be.  But we do have this sense of direction: Worship; Go; Share; Follow; Wait in Expectation. 

A Precious Promise...

5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 4)
What a way to end book 1 of God's Revelation to man: "turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers." If there is any promise people long to hear, it is one of hope for broken relationships in the home.  Refreshing those relationships refreshes the soul. So many revivals in history are marked by people getting right with God, then bringing their loved ones with them, restoring both vertical and horizontal relationships.  What a promise to cling to for a few hundred years - several generations of waiting for that renewal.  It was precious and powerful enough to find many waiting when John pointed to Jesus and said: "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" 

On That Day

20 And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the Lord.” And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the altar. 21 And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the Lord of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day. (Zechariah 14)
On That Day... What a phrase.  The day when everything is finally made right. Justice will have been served. The wicked will prosper no more. Holiness will prevail. The picture Zechariah paints here is that everything will become sacred in the presence of the Lord. Everything that has been profaned will be made Holy.  There will be not hiding - there will not have to be. When I see this last sentence my mind rushes forward to Jesus in the Temple, cleansing all the traders, so there is room in God's house for everyone who wants to be there. On That Day... there will be room for all who trust and worship God; everything will be right and just; all will be holy and whole.  We will have more than 10,00o reasons to praise our God.