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Category Archives: Ministry

Grace, Faith, and Works

22 Sep
Grace, Faith, and Works

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he begins to talk about his purpose. In my last post, we saw that the church was exhorted to walk in purity, shining the light of Christ, and holding forth the Word of God.

Paul told them these things…

…in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 NIV

Paul did not want his labors in the Philippian church to be in vain. Literally, that word means to be empty. But, what is Paul trying to get across to them?

It’s actually an important concept that we need to take note of. Our desire should be that our walk before God is not an empty walk. I want to explain it to you from Scripture.

We first have to start with the grace of God. His grace has been poured out on all of mankind. Some choose to receive it, while others either reject or ignore it.

As believers in Christ, we must receive it with a purpose. Scripture is clear.

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV

This is where it begins. The receiving of God’s grace. He has poured it out on us in abundance. But, what are we doing with it? That’s the real question.

So it’s not a matter of obtaining grace. You’ve already got it. You have the grace of God for everything you need. So what’s the problem?

Notice that Paul refers to his audience as God’s fellow workers. Do you see yourself as working alongside God in His field? If not, then that’s where you need to concentrate your prayers.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

You have the grace, now you need to start putting it to work. Your work, alongside God as a fellow worker, is not empty. It will have an effect. It will make a difference in your life and in those around you.

Grace always has a destination – a purpose – in mind. Receiving God’s grace, and not acting on it, makes for an empty life. All the work you’re doing is worthless.

That brings me to the final piece of the puzzle. We can’t act on God’s grace without a knowledge of God’s will. God’s Word is His will revealed to us. We should already know that faith comes by hearing that Word (Romans 10:17).

This faith has a relationship with grace.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

Romans 5:1-2a NIV

Faith gives us access to use the grace we’ve received. We hear God’s will. Faith is birthed I us. We trust that God’s Word is true. Then we act on it.

James understood this concept.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

James 2:20 NIV

This is an interesting verse because that word, foolish, is the same Greek word, vain that we’ve been talking about. If you don’t take the grace and faith that you’ve been given, and act on them, you’re empty and unfulfilled.

I don’t want an empty, unfulfilled life. I want to accomplish my destiny in the Lord. That will require me to take the grace and faith I’ve been given and use them to work alongside the Lord in His kingdom.

Let that be the desire of your heart!

Question: How are you putting God’s grace to work in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Bright Stars

20 Sep
Bright Stars

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. The apostle has been showing the example that Christ laid down for us to follow. We need to show His life to the world.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…

Philippians 2:14-16a NIV

The first thing he tells us is to live without quiet complaining and open debating. We should be living according to the Word of God, and not by feelings or human reasoning.

In that way, we will be without blame and without being mixed with the world’s thinking. That will set us apart from the world around us. Their walk is a winding path and distorted thinking.

At that point our light will be seen. It may be spiritually dark, but stars are very visible in the night sky.

We need to show the light of Christ to the world around us. The enemy would try to blind their spiritual eyes to the truth. But he can’t stop the power of God.

That’s because the light takes many forms. The prophet Malachi foresaw this day.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Malachi 4:2 NIV

He saw righteousness rising like the sun. Have you ever seen sunbeams breaking through the clouds? In the ancient Hebrew culture, they called them the “wings” of the sun. So, Malachi saw healing beaming out from righteousness.

That’s a part of the light that we shine. That’s why we pray for the sick, especially for an unsaved person. When God brings healing, that’s the light of Christ breaking through to them.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

But we always have to remember, it’s not our light but His. Peter talked about having the Word in you and allowing it to grow and produce fruit in your life. In speaking about this fruitfulness…

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter 1:9 NIV

Peter calls unfruitful Christians, blind and nearsighted. He says that you’ve forgotten about your past being cleansed by the blood of Christ.

That’s because this person is blind to what God is doing. They’re also nearsighted; they can only see what’s right in front of them. They major on the temporary things of this world.

We need 20/20 vision in the spirit.

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12 NIV

It’s interesting to see the contrast here between deeds of darkness vs. armor of light. That’s because the armor is all about action.

The truth, righteousness, the Gospel, and faith – all of these things must be visible. It’s up to us to make the light accessible to the world.

We’re the ones looking into the light. We should be walking in it, letting it change us.

The question is, how do we shine like stars? The last part of the passage in Philippians tells us. It’s as we hold out the Word of life. The Word is the light. We hold it out. Not everybody wants it; but some people are touched and changed by it. We need to live in such a way that the light is seen in us.

Question: How have people seen the light of Christ in your life lately?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 20, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Work It Out

18 Sep
Work It Out

As we go through Paul’s Philippian letter, we see that he used Christ for our example of victory through obedience. The Lord is now exalted to the highest place of authority. Based upon that, there’s a response we need to walk in.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

Now that we’ve seen Christ’s example, we should follow that lead. We must have an obedience to God that takes place even when no one is around to watch us. It’s not about impressing other people.

But, there’s a deeper truth here. He tells us that we need to work out our salvation. That’s something important that we don’t hear preached very much these days. However, in order to understand it, we need to grasp the full scope of our salvation.

First of all, our salvation in Christ is not a “one prayer and it’s done” event. Salvation is an ongoing process. The first step was our redemption from sin, the curse, and hell. In that sense, I was saved.

Then, there’s more that goes along with this. Christ wants to perfect His righteousness and holiness in me. The Holy Spirit is cleaning up my life.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

The deeper my knowledge of God, the more I see His hand at work in me. I continue to grow and mature in the spirit. I see more of His will being accomplished in my life. In this sense, I am being saved – the ongoing process.

In order for that to happen, I need to submit to God’s plan for my life. That’s a daily decision to follow His ways. That’s what Paul means by working out your salvation.

The apostle actually says that we work it out with fear and trembling. That’s important. The Greek word for fear in this verse is where we get our word, phobia from.

Think about what that means. For example, if someone has claustrophobia, they will not go into a small space. It affects what they will and will not do.

In the same way, we need to fear not working out our salvation. This fear should affect all that we do. Not because we’re afraid of going to hell – our initial salvation took care of that. But what I fear, is ruining something that Christ paid such a high price to accomplish.

You may be thinking that you could never be good enough or strong enough to do all of this. Well, you’re absolutely right!

That’s where the second half of the passage in Philippians comes in. It literally says that it’s God who energizes you to do what He’s called you to do…. And He gives you the desire to do it. The Lord will put the determination in your heart to follow through on His will in your life.

As you spend time in His presence, you begin to know Him on a deeper level. Then, you find out His plans for your life. As you remain in that quiet place, the Holy Spirit places the desire, and the strength to accomplish all of this, into your heart.

I’ve said it more than once – we serve an excellent God!

Question: How has your desire to serve God changed over time with Him.

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2023 in Encouragement, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Spiritual Authority

15 Sep
Spiritual Authority

We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s epistle to the Philippian church. In my last post, I talked about the example of Christ. He humbled Himself for a life of service, even submitting to the cross.

However, that’s not the case right now. Because of His obedience, He was exalted to the highest place in the universe. He has supreme authority. The good news is that the Lord allows us to walk in that authority as we serve Him.

We’ve been given access to that name that’s above all other names.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

As I’ve said, Jesus Christ has the highest level of authority in the universe. But, He doesn’t just sit on His throne and watch the world go by. He’s an active participant.

In order to see His will accomplished, Jesus uses normal people like you and me. Anyone who will submit to His lordship comes under that authority. At that point, it’s passed on to those in submission to Him.

The Lord fully expects us to walk in and use His name in all of our activities. That means I need to strive to live the way He lived. That’s the only way I can adequately represent Christ to the world. It also means that I have a responsibility to seek the Lord’s way of ministry.

Let’s look at sickness for an example. How did Jesus heal the sick? He’s our pattern for how it’s to be accomplished.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:51-52 NIV

This is one of the many healings that are recorded in Scripture. One thing that strikes me right away is the boldness that Jesus had. We see the same thing in the ministry of the Apostles after the resurrection. Look at what happened in the Temple courts when Peter met a crippled man.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Acts 3:6-8 NIV

In both cases, Jesus and the Apostles were acting under the authority of God. What we need to understand is that the prayer for healing is a prayer of authority. That means that you don’t have to ask God to do it. It is a command that the healing be manifest.

It’s the same as when demons are cast out of an individual. I’ve had the privilege of delivering people from the bondage of demonic possession and oppression. I didn’t ask God to do it. I took authority over the demons in the name of Jesus Christ.

I commanded them to leave based upon the clear teaching of Scripture that we’ve been given authority over all the power of the enemy. Sickness is the same way. The Word shows us that God hates sickness. It’s a blight on His perfect creation. We have His authority to command it to be healed.

The church needs to once again walk in the authority we’ve been given. Of course, as I’ve said before, this carries a responsibility to live as Christ lived. I think this might be the biggest hindrance to us living it out.

Doing things in the name of Jesus assumes that you’re doing what the Lord wants, the way He wants it done. This requires an intimate walk with the Holy Spirit. That’s where we pick up the attitude of Christ.

Question: How have you used the authority of the name of Jesus recently?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2023 in Anointing, Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Ultimate Service

13 Sep
Ultimate Service

We’ve been going through the book of Philippians. For the last couple of posts, I’ve been talking about the attitude of Christ as an example for us. He went further than anyone in His service.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

Christ, Himself, set the standard of living that we need to follow. He said that He came to live a life of service. That should be our attitude as well.

Jesus served God step by step, all the way to the cross. Even though He was without sin, He paid the price for all of mankind.

Jesus was taken before Pilate for trial by the Jewish leaders. Pilate examined Christ thoroughly and found Him not guilty of any crime. He found no basis for any death penalty. He then presented Christ before the people and publicly pronounced Him not guilty.

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”

John 19:6 NIV

The Jewish leaders refused to accept Pilate’s answer. Again and again the governor tried to explain that they had no basis for a charge. Jesus had done nothing worthy of the death penalty. It’s at that point that the Pharisees say something very interesting.

The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”

John 19:7 NIV

Jesus had no sin in Him. But they had a law! According to that law, Christ had to die. Why? What was this law that insisted that the Lord of Glory be put to death?

According to the Jewish leaders, “He made Himself the Son of God.” We must understand that to the ancient Jews the term Son of God was equivalent to saying God in the flesh. They understood what Christ was saying about Himself.

God took it upon Himself to clothe Himself in our weaknesses and live among us. He made Himself one of us. That truth is very clear throughout the Scripture. Remember the passage we started with.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8 NIV

“He made Himself…” “He humbled Himself…” This was all His work. He needed no one else’s assistance. The God of the universe took on flesh and lived among us.

It turned out that the Jewish leaders were marching right in step with God’s plan. There was a great mystery hidden in the mind of God. God had a law. According to that law, the true Son of God must be put to death on the cross.

The fact is that Jesus had tried to tell this to His disciples over and over again. They were just too unbelieving to grasp it. They kept thinking that when the Lord spoke about His death, He was being allegorical. The cross had been a part of God’s plan since before the universe was created.

The cross was not an accident or an unforeseen tragedy. It had been the Lord’s plan all along.

This is an example of ultimate service to God. Few of us will ever have to serve the Lord to that extent. We need to remember that when the road ahead seems hard. Christ is our strength, and He’ll see us through to the end.

Question: Why are you thankful for the cross of Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2023 in Encouragement, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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A Humble Lifestyle

08 Sep
A Humble Lifestyle

We’ve been discussing how we minister as the body of Christ. This is one of the themes of the book of Philippians. Now Paul brings us to the subject of humility. It’s an important part of our Christian life together.

I think sometimes we get so focused on who we are in Christ that we forget about who we were without Him. Don’t get me wrong. It’s imperative that we understand our “in Christ realities.” But who I am in Christ has nothing to do with my accomplishments and everything to do with what the Lord has done in me.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

God wants us to walk humbly together. The problem is that many believers don’t understand the Scriptural concept of humility. We don’t like the sound of that word.

At one point children were running around the feet of Jesus. He reached down and picked one up.

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3-4

We need to learn from the humility of children. When they’re with an adult who shows them love and attention, children are transformed. That adult becomes their world.

They want to be like that adult. They want to act and talk like them. Children just want to hang around that kind of adult. They look up to them and have the attitude that “he or she is it!”

That’s what true humility is all about. It has nothing to do with considering yourself as dirt. Humility never puts itself down, but rather sees others as better. That makes a world of difference. Humility looks beyond its own interests.

When you’re truly walking in humility, you’re no longer the center of your own world. Now the needs and desires of other people become important to you. You want to find a way to uplift others.

In our walk with God, that translates to seeing God’s desires for us as greater than our own wants. I want to please Him first, before I please myself. I seek the Lord for who He is rather than what I can get from Him.

Instead of looking to Christ and saying, “I want this from You.” we need to be saying, “Lord, I want to be like you.” “Lord, I just want to hang around in Your presence. I want to pick up Your habits and attitudes.”

Whether it’s being humble towards God, or in the church, it means that I take my eyes off of myself. That’s what true ministry is all about. How do I view others around me.

Too often we want people to see how great we are. “Look at the wonderful things I’m doing for God.” We try to make an impression.

Then there are the others who think that it’s spiritual to always be putting themselves down. “I’m not mature enough. I don’t know the Bible well enough. God could never use me.” In reality, this is just another way to call attention to yourself.

I need to learn to exalt others. I must start to see the value God places on the people around me.

That’s what true humility is all about. It has nothing to do with putting myself down or trying to get others to believe that I’m a nobody.

A humble lifestyle means that I take my eyes off myself and focus on the Lord and those He has brought into my life.

Question: What needs to change in order to pursue humility?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 8, 2023 in Fellowship, Ministry, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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United Together

06 Sep
United Together

We’re currently studying Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. In my last post we saw Paul’s assumption concerning our life in Christ. Now the apostle shows us the results of these things.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

If verse 1 is at work in you (I talked about those in my last post) then these things should be the result. The apostle was rejoicing at the thought of the church living on this level of ministry. We should be striving for the same things.

Being like-minded. This means that we have the same view of things. It’s all about our agreement. This is something that gives power to a ministry.

Too often we see churches that are a conglomeration of warring factions. Each one is trying to outmaneuver the other. That’s not the way things should be.

If we have the same view of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, then we should be able to work together in harmony. There doesn’t need to be total agreement on every subject, but submission to God’s plan should be the number one priority.

Having the same love. The same as what? I believe that this is referring back to verse 1. That verse talks about His love, meaning the love of Christ.

We need to walk in that same agape love that Jesus manifested. If you remember from my last post, I talked about the Lord’s love persuading us. The more I learn of His love, the more I love like Jesus did.

It seems to me that this is something we lack in this generation. When I see the discussions online, I wonder where the love is sometimes. Doctrine without love is never correct. People should be able to see our love in spite of any doctrinal differences.

Being one in spirit. This is actually a poor translation of what Paul said. The word, spirit (pneuma) is not in this verse. It’s the word, soul (psuche) that the apostle uses. So, in essence, he’s telling us to be co-souled. (Yes, I made up that word, but it’s what Paul said!)

The Lord wants the church to look like it has one soul. That’s why I’m against a church being run by democratic voting. It should be based upon prayer, and a consensus of what God is speaking to His people. If there is sharp disagreement, then that’s a sign that more prayer is needed.

The one mind that this talks about is not our humanity. It’s being in submission to the mind of God. That’s harder to do. It’s easy to take a vote. It’s more inconvenient to seek the heart of God’s will.

Being one in purpose. Of all the things on this list, that’s by far the toughest to accomplish. The word, purpose, means our thought process, opinions, and interests. This doesn’t just happen overnight. And, it for sure doesn’t happen by argument and debate.

It’s all about what I taught in my last post. That was how Paul led into this whole subject. There’s only one way that individual people can have the same purpose. We must submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love, the participation with the Holy Spirit, and a passion for God’s will.

As long as we want to walk in our own wisdom, the world will never be affected. This was the prayer of Jesus right before He went to the cross.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:20-23 NIV

That prayer says it all. We need to have that same devotion to Christ. Then, the world will be drawn to the cross.

Question: What will it take for the church to reach this level of unity?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2023 in Anointing, Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Revival, The Church

 

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Moving Forward in Faith

30 Aug
Moving Forward in Faith

We’re continuing to study Paul’s letter to the Philippians from his imprisonment in Rome. He’s awaiting the outcome of his trial.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Philippians 1:18b-19 NIV

Paul uses some important language in these verses. It’s one of those things that you miss in translation. If we understood it, we’d be a lot less worried about the future.

There’s a very good reason why Paul is rejoicing over the outcome of his situation. When Paul says the phrase, I know, he literally says I’ve seen, in the Greek.

This is not a quote from some modern-day faith preacher. This is Scripture through the Apostle Paul. I’ve heard people criticized for talking like this, but it’s perfectly Biblical.

Paul was a man of prayer. He spent enormous amounts of time communing with the Holy Spirit. It was during those times that the Spirit showed him that he would be acquitted and released. He’s not just speaking from wishful thinking.

Paul was going forward in joy because he had a knowledge beyond what any man could see. Understand this, God is no respecter of persons. The Lord wants to do this in us as well. We just have to take the time to remain in His presence and listen for His voice.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:20-21 NIV

Paul makes it clear that because he is earnestly watching and expecting God’s intervention, he can be as bold as he needs to be. It’s always easier to be courageous if you know the outcome ahead of time.

Please understand what Paul is NOT saying here. He’s not thinking that there’s a chance they’ll find him guilty and put him to death. He’s already settled that matter. He’s letting these supporters know that, as always, his goal is to glorify Christ either in life or death.

And just so the church will understand this truth, he continues.

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1:22-26 NIV

Paul makes it abundantly clear that God’s will for him is to continue his ministry. He will be back in Philippi some day and they will see him again. This is not some “name it and claim it” foolishness. It’s a faith in a holy and powerful God.

The Bible makes it clear that faith comes by hearing a Word from God (Romans 10:17). But hearing a Word from God requires time in His presence. This is where the Lord is trying to lead His church in this generation.

God wants a people who hear and obey His voice. Then we can move forward in faith, courage, and boldness. That’s because we’ve seen how our labors will turn out before we even start. True faith is a product of our time with the Holy Spirit.

Especially in our generation, we need men and women of God who are willing to seek His face. It’s a complicated road that we’re traveling, and we need the wisdom of God to see us through. Don’t neglect intimate time with the Spirit.

Question: How does hearing from God produce faith?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 30, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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The Gospel Unhindered

28 Aug
The Gospel Unhindered

We’re continuing through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. If you remember, Paul is writing this from his house arrest in Rome. This was his first Roman imprisonment for supposedly breaking the Jewish law and starting a riot in Jerusalem.

You would think that by this time, a couple of years after the “crime” took place, he would be angry and frustrated at the drawn-out procedure to prove his innocence. His letter shows the attitude that he had.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Philippians 1:12 NIV

I find this amazing. He doesn’t vent his frustration. There’s no call for prayer for his quick release. He has a totally different attitude than that.

This is because his eyes are not on himself and his position. Instead, his focus is on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He rejoices that his circumstances move the Gospel forward.

We need this same mindset when we go through frustrating circumstances. We should ask; how does my present situation advance the Gospel? Instead, many times we just wallow in self-pity.

Paul’s positive attitude even had an effect on those around him.

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Philippians 1:13-14 NIV

The fact is that God’s grace was reaching out through Paul to both the saved and the unsaved. There were those in the Roman legal system working on his case that heard the Gospel. I’m sure that many came to faith in Christ as a result of his testimony.

Also, other believers were affected. Maybe they were “in the closet” because of the sporadic persecution. But then they saw the boldness of Paul, and the results of his testimony. That was able to spur them on to a more active faith. They started walking in boldness and courage for Christ.

You would think that through all of this, the Christians would be rallying around Paul, encouraging him. But that’s not the case. There’s always those who seem to live to cause trouble (even today).

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 1:15-18 NIV

Preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry – how is that possible? I can tell you that it’s still a big problem today.

All you have to do is start preaching Scripture in such a way that it attracts a large crowd of people. Then, suddenly, you find that there are preachers who make it their goal to preach about you. It amazes me that in our culture, there are preachers whose whole “ministry” is to preach against fellow believers.

“It doesn’t matter that hundreds are being saved under a ministry. If I don’t agree with something they say, then I make it my goal to come against them.”

Paul had to face this same hindrance. But how did he handle it. Did he yell and scream trying to defend himself in anger over the attacks? No, just the opposite. He simply kept doing what God called him to do.

We need to pick up on Paul’s attitudes. No matter what the situation around us is like, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and His Gospel. That’s the only way to survive, spiritually, in the generation we find ourselves in right now.

Question: What is your attitude toward the place you find yourself in?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 28, 2023 in Encouragement, Ministry, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Defending and Confirming

23 Aug
Defending and Confirming

I’m continuing with my study through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. We’ve seen that he commends them for their continued partnership in the Gospel.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

Philippians 1:7 NIV

This verse shows us an important aspect of partnership. There is a power that’s released when I give resources to a ministry. I’m talking about finances, time, and encouragement. Giving is an important part of the Christian walk.

Paul lets them know that they have a special place in his heart. That’s true whether he’s imprisoned somewhere or out proclaiming the Gospel.

He explains that there are two aspects to the Gospel message. Unfortunately, at this point in history, many are complacent with only one.

First, there’s the defense of the Word. That Greek word simply means giving an answer. It’s about sharing the Gospel in a way that’s meaningful to the people who are hearing it. When we say, “Christ is the answer,” we must make sure that we deal with the right questions.

That’s where much of the church leaves off. I’ve heard so many teachings and seminars on how to present the Gospel in different situations. That’s great, but it’s not enough.

The other aspect that Paul talks about is confirming the Gospel. That’s just as important, if not more so. Don’t just take my word for it. I want the Scripture to explain it. Here’s another verse where that word, confirming, is used.

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Mark 16:20 NIV

I firmly believe that speaking God’s Word is not enough. If it truly is the Word of the Lord, then there will be signs that accompany it. Along with that, we need to realize, if I’m not hearing from the Holy Spirit, then I cannot preach God’s Word.

As I’ve said before, there are many who use Scripture in their preaching. But that doesn’t make it God’s Word to the hearers. The true Word of God will cut straight to their hearts.

This truth is found throughout the Bible. Paul understood it’s importance in his ministry.

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:18-19

Notice, that Paul fulfilled his ministry by what he SAID and DID. It was through the power of signs and miracles. The difference between a sign and a miracle is that a sign is a miracle that confirms what you say about God.

The key issue is that by operating in this way, Paul fully proclaimed the gospel. I believe that just talking about Christ is not the whole Gospel. The Bible is clear that the kingdom of God is “not a matter of talk but of power.” (I Corinthians 4:20)

In many cases we’ve reduced the Gospel to cliches. “Jesus loves you.” “Jesus wants to bless you.” “God loves you and I do too.” The problem is that there’s no demonstration.

Based upon Scripture, if there’s no demonstration, then there’s no Gospel. Many are ashamed because all they can do is tell about Jesus. Some can’t even see the proof in their own lives because of the lack of power. It makes many believers feel like charlatans when they share the Good News.

It seems we’ve lost the original Good News. We don’t understand the power of God and we don’t understand the Gospel. The two go hand in hand.

Without the Good News, there’s no need for the demonstration of power. Some American Christians want the power without proclaiming the Good News. The fact is, that without the message of the Gospel there’s no need to demonstrate healing, prosperity, joy, freedom from depression, or anything else the Lord has provided for us through the cross. I’m striving to spur the church on to get hungry to experience the full Gospel.

That’s why Paul could say that he had fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. Not only did he tell about Christ, but he also demonstrated the love and power of the Lord.

Question: How can we return to the true Gospel?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 23, 2023 in Ministry, Missions, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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