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The Supremacy of Christ

29 Nov
The Supremacy of Christ

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Colossians. Paul is giving truth that shows the fallacy of Gnosticism. For the last couple of posts, I talked about the place of Christ in creation.

Now Paul talks about the Lord’s place as Ruler and King.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:18-20 NIV

As I’ve said before, Paul is combating the heresy that places Christ at the bottom of the ladder of created angelic beings. He now gives us a picture of Christ in His rightful place.

First, we see the Lord as the Head of the church, His body on earth. The word, church, that Paul uses, means the gathering together of God’s people.

Jesus Christ is the beginning of it all. That word means the chief in order, rank, time, or place. Nothing would exist if not for Christ.

But, more than that, He is the firstborn from the dead. Not even death itself could stop the Lord from His assignment.

There were many who were raised from the dead in Scripture. But Jesus Christ is the only one who came back and stayed alive forever. All of the others, people like Lazarus, eventually had to die and go back to the grave. Not Jesus!

Paul makes the reasoning clear. This was so that in every area of existence, Christ is supreme.

The fullness of God was in Him. That’s one of the hardest things for us to grasp. The fact that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man at the same time.

But, because of that, He was the perfect mediator. The Lord could deal with our sin and the holiness of God at the same time. Now we have peace with God through the blood He shed on the cross. The power released in that act is totally unimaginable.

Now, because of His sacrifice, we can stand holy, righteous, and clean before the God of the universe. What an amazing gift. His love is unthinkable.

When you look at all of this as a whole, you can realize why only He is worthy of our worship. All of heaven, and earth will bow before His Lordship. The best thing we can do is to choose this response now, before we have no choice.

It takes me back to a verse in 2 Corinthians.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV

This is the message a dying world needs to hear. How can we keep it to ourselves? Share the Good News with everyone who will listen!

Question: How is the supremacy of Christ evident in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 29, 2023 in Creation, Faith, Power of God, The Gospel

 

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Dark Matter and the Word

27 Nov
Dark Matter and the Word

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, the apostle is giving them a clear picture of who Jesus Christ is. He explains the glory of God, the Son, in powerful terms.

But, before I start on today’s Scripture, I have to start with an introduction. As many of you know, I don’t have a religious degree. My degree is in the field of science. That gives me a unique perspective on the Word of God.

Contrary to what they say in the world, science does not disprove the Bible. Actually, in my experience, scientific FACTS only serve to prove who God is. The FACTS of science line up with the Word.

The problem comes in with the interpretation of those facts. Atheists come to the table with the foundational assumption that there’s no God. Therefore, they have to explain how those facts could work without God.

I see those same facts, and they only serve to increase my faith in the Lord. Today’s verse is one of those places that illustrate this. So, prepare yourself for a science lesson.

There are some things about this universe that baffle atheistic scientists. One of these is the FACT that there’s not enough mass in the universe to provide the gravity which holds it together. With the matter we see, everything should fly apart.

So, physicists have come up with a theoretical particle that they call dark matter. They say that in order for the universe to be stable, this dark matter has to provide the gravity necessary to hold everything together.

What baffles them is that you can’t see these particles. You can’t test for them. You can’t find them. You just have to take it on faith that they exist.

What does Scripture say? That brings me to today’s verse from Colossians. In talking about Christ, Paul says…

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17 NIV

According to the Word, the Creator made the universe in such a way that it needed to be held together. It is God, Himself who holds it together.

Atheistic physicists describe their belief in dark matter as an invisible “spider’s web” holding the universe together. That sounds like misplaced faith to me. In order to hold on to their belief in “no God”, they trust an invisible array of dark matter.

However, if you listen to their belief, it’s even more incredible. One article I read (written by an atheist) actually said that our universe has been “finely tuned to support life”. Of course, they believe that nature finely tuned it.

Think about it. If I say that an Indy race car was finely tuned, does that sound like random chance to you? “Finely tuned” implies that someone took a lot of time and care to make it run exactly how it should.

These physicists say that our universe has exactly the right amount of dark matter to produce life. Too much and everything would come together in a big blob. Not enough, and everything would disintegrate. It had to be perfect.

Yes, I believe our universe was finely tuned. The Good News is that I know the Tuner and Creator. When I see the choice…an invisible spider’s web vs. A loving Creator…my decision is simple. I place my faith in the God who has revealed Himself through the Bible and in Jesus Christ.

That seems the simplest choice to me. Over and over again throughout my life, it has proven to be the exact, right choice.

Question: Where do you place your faith?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 27, 2023 in Creation, Faith, Power of God, Word of God

 

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God Lives in Us

24 Nov
God Lives in Us

As we continue through Colossians, I just want to remind you of some things. A man named Epaphras was the founding pastor of this church. He was one of Paul’s spiritual sons.

He visited Paul with a question about the Gnostic heresy that was creeping into his church. The Gnostics taught that everything in the material world is evil. God cannot touch it, so He created a number of lower beings as mediators.

According to their cult, Jesus was at the bottom of this list. This was a blatant denial of the Lord’s deity. Because he’s dealing with this subject, Paul gives us one of the clearest pictures of Christ in this small letter.

In my last post, Paul showed us that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ. Now he describes exactly who Christ is.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Colossians 1:15-16 NIV

In this verse we see Christ as the Creator. Sometimes that confuses people. They trip up over the words, God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Much of the problem is that we’ve developed a religious language that’s not based on the Bible. It seems like it’s based on songs and traditions. If you listen to our language, you get the idea that there are three Gods.

The fact is that there is only one God. Another important point is that we’ve been created in the image of God. That should give us a foundation for understanding Him. Just like us, there are three parts to His being – Father, Son and Spirit.

Part of the problem is that we like formulas. Many times, I’ve heard that we must pray to the Father, through the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus. While there’s nothing wrong with that, a lot of what we do sounds like this…

If you were meeting with a friend, would you say, “I just want to sit down with your body and talk to your mind through your ears.”

We don’t do this in the natural. We simply say, “Can I talk to you?”

Even something as simple as “Who created the world?” sometimes can be confusing.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:1-3 NIV

We know that God created everything, but we argue over whether it was the Father, the Son, or the Spirit who said, “Let there be…”

This is why Paul’s description of Christ is so important. It answers the burning question. Was it Father, Son, or Spirit who created us? What I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t matter – God created us – all the parts of His being worked together.

That’s like asking; was it my spirit, soul or body who drove my car? I DROVE MY CAR!!!

I think that we get so caught up in the parts of God’s being, that we miss the big picture. God Himself lives in us. I have access into His presence because of Christ.

I don’t believe that the Lord is as concerned over our formulas as much as our relationship with Him. We must deepen our walk with Christ, by spending quality time with His Holy Spirit.

Question: How would you characterize your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 24, 2023 in Creation, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, The Gospel

 

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Politics of Heaven

16 Oct
Politics of Heaven

I’m currently going through the book of Philippians. The Apostle Paul has been warning us about the lifestyle of half-hearted believers. Now he talks about the glory of a committed life.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

Paul starts by talking about our true citizenship. We’re citizens of heaven. This statement, especially in the original Greek, is critical for understanding our place in this present world system.

If you were to look at the meanings of each word separately, you would get a rich view. The apostle says that our citizenship is in quiet submission under an eternal perspective. That’s a mouthful!

First of all, I want to talk about our citizenship. If we could understand this, it would change everything. The Greek word Paul uses for citizenship, is the word from which we get our English word, politics. That should speak volumes in this generation. As a believer, my political affiliation is not of this world.

I’m not Republican, Democrat, or any other label. I’m tied in with the politics of Heaven. I have no business debating over which worldly party is the best. There will never be a vote that can change the hearts of people.

Yes, I participate in our government. I vote in each election. But, I do so knowing that my vote is not enough to bring the changes that we need. It’s more important that we participate with intercessory prayer and a living testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We need a full on move of God to sweep through our nation. That will only happen as God’s people see themselves as working outside the world system.

This comes as we realize our true citizenship. Paul uses the word, sky. Our citizenship is upward. We should have an eternal perspective on things.

Most of the worldly political battles are simply dealing with temporary issues. Finance, healthcare, infrastructure and the like are important. But the real issue is the spiritual health of the nation and its people.

That’s why our hope is in Christ. I’m not looking for a political party to save our nation. It’s the power of Jesus Christ that can bring everything under His control. He is the only Savior of our society.

When I put my hope in a man-made system, then I’m setting myself up for disappointment. Humanity will never be the salvation of humanity. I don’t care how wonderful their promises are. Christ is the only One who can bring lasting change.

So, we work for His kingdom. Our goal should not be to further an earthly political party. We want to see God’s kingdom advancing.

That means that we spend quality time with the Holy Spirit. We need to find the heavenly agenda. Then, in obedience to God, we move forward and see the effect that only God can bring about.

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Philippians 4:1 NIV

These are the attitudes needed in the uncertain days ahead of us. The only way we can stand firm is if we take on an eternal perspective. If I’m always looking at the things happening around me, it will produce fear, anxiety, and worry.

That’s not my portion. As a child of God, I’m a part of a different kingdom than what I see around me. I’m tied into a different system that makes me exempt from the fear and uncertainty around me. I know how it all will end. Jesus Christ wins. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

As I submit myself to His will and His ways, I’ll see the blessing of being a citizen of the eternal kingdom of God.

Question: How do you see the kingdom of God at work in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Return of Christ, Revival, The Gospel

 

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The Road to Resurrection Power

09 Oct
The Road to Resurrection Power

We’ve been going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. For the past couple of posts, I’ve been talking about Paul’s view of his walk with God. I was looking at the following verses.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

The question is; do we want to walk in the resurrection power of Christ? If so, there’s only one path to get there. I have to participate, fellowship, in sharing His suffering. This is the death process that my old man must go through.

It literally says that I have to take on the same form as His death. It doesn’t sound pleasant or convenient, but the result is worth it. The way Paul puts it, he wants to somehow – any way and at any cost – arrive at the resurrection power of the Lord.

But what will it take to accomplish this? Do you think that there’s any way to identify with Christ while ignoring His body on earth? Absolutely not! Fitting into the body of Christ plays a big role in conforming us to the image of Jesus.

Please realize that the suffering he’s talking about is not physical pain. It’s an internal discomfort to the flesh – our old sin nature. That’s why we need the church. The fact is that we can’t do this alone.

We know that in Christ, we have everything we need.

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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

This verse talks about all that God has made available to us. Did you ever stop to think about this? Why has the Lord given us all of these great gifts?

“He loves me. He wants to bless me. He’s given me these promises.” ME, ME, ME!

That’s not the way it is. It’s not all about me. Listen to how this is written.

His divine power has given US everything WE need…through OUR knowledge of him who called US…he has given US his…promises, so that YOU (this is in the plural form) may participate in the divine nature…

This is about us as a body. When Peter says that we may participate in the divine nature; it literally says that we are fellowshippers in the divine nature.

What is the divine nature? It’s God’s way of doing things. Growth by germination. Planting, sprouting, growing, and bearing fruit. This can’t happen if I try to do it all on my own. I need the body of Christ. Only then can I escape the ruin that’s happening in the world.

God wants us to walk in a new nature. This only happens when I connect where God wants me in His Body. Only then will I experience the best He has for me.

This growth doesn’t happen when the world revolves around me. But in the local church I need to think of the needs of others. I have to learn, by the Spirit, to be in unity with some people who are not like me. They might not think like me. There might even be some that I don’t like or, God forbid, that don’t like me.

It’s in the church that we grow together. We see things in us that need the work of the Holy Spirit to perfect. We learn about the grace of God operating in us. We find our giftings and callings.

Don’t take a light view of the fellowship we share. Without it we’ll never reach our greatest potential.

Question: How has fellowship with others changed your life for the better?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 9, 2023 in Fellowship, Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Truly Knowing Christ

04 Oct
Truly Knowing Christ

I’ve been posting from the book of Philippians. I’ve been talking about true worship in spirit vs. outward praise.

Paul talked about all the things in his life that outwardly look like he had something to impress God with. He explained his training and heritage. But none of that made him any more acceptable to God.

He gives us the bottom line.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 3:7-9 NIV

This passage sums up everything that Paul was saying. The apostle talks about the wisdom of this world and how, on the surface, it looks so holy. He says that it’s all rubbish compared to knowing Christ. That’s the greatest achievement he could attain to.

Why? Because knowing Him intimately will change me. It will revolutionize my life. I will never be the same.

The writer of the book of Hebrews talks about this blessing.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

Hebrews 8:11 NIV

One of the greatest blessings that we’ve been given is the ability to be taught directly by the Holy Spirit. God, Himself, can speak to you.

Even though it’s our foundation of faith, reading the Bible is not enough to give us this knowledge. Hearing my teaching or that of other godly men and women isn’t enough.

If we want to know Christ on a personal level, then we need to make ourselves available to the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Only then can I recognize who He truly is and what He wants to accomplish in and through me.

How will it happen? Paul continues…

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11

That’s where true change takes place. When you tap into the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ. When you recognize Him as He is in you. This is where we receive the power for victory.

The question is; do we want to share in the fellowship of His sufferings? That means that we choose His wisdom, even when the flesh wants something else. It’s emotionally painful to choose the Spirit over the flesh, but that’s the path to power and victory.

We need to understand what this means. How do I know Christ in the fellowship of sharing His sufferings? I’m going to talk about that in my next post. But first, I want you to see the beautiful result of that experience.

Over the last couple of posts, I’ve talked about true worship in the spirit. That’s where the work of the Holy Spirit in you has its greatest effect.

Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. Let Him change you by His wisdom and revelation. Then watch as He works His power in you.

Question: How does your flesh react to God’s wisdom?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2023 in Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Worship

 

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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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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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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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Philippians Begins

18 Aug
Philippians Begins

I recently finished my series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. I have been systematically going through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.

I started with the four foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and Mark. The next thing on the Holy Spirit’s agenda was to inspire books that dealt with our personal walk with the Lord. These books include Second Thessalonians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans, and Luke.

After that, the Lord gave us books dealing with our corporate walk. We need to understand life as a church. These epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

The end of the book of Acts finds the Apostle Paul standing trial at Rome. This was his first Roman imprisonment. It seems that he had his own apartment while under house arrest.

It was during this time that these books were written. They are also called the prison epistles. It probably gave Paul a lot of time to reflect on what it means for the body of Christ to be a living organism. We are not just a social organization.

We’re now starting Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. It was established by him on his second missionary journey. We’ll find that this is more of a heartfelt letter to a church that has supported him throughout his ministry.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2 NIV

Paul uses some interesting language in this verse. He calls himself and Timothy servants of Christ Jesus – literally slaves. It’s interesting, because on various occasions Paul made a point of proving his freedom.

Once, he was arrested and he asked the guard why he was being denied his right to a trial as a Roman citizen. The guard explained that he, personally, had to buy his freedom. Paul, on the other hand, said that he was born a free Roman citizen. (Acts 22:25-29)

At that time, if you were born a slave, you were expected to be a slave forever – there was no escaping it. Under Roman law, a slave could find out his “sale price” from his master.

Then, if he saved enough money, he could pay the buying price to his master and have the ownership transferred to one of the many Roman gods. Then, as a slave to that god, could serve as a free man.

I believe this was in the back of Paul’s mind as he penned these words. We’re all born under slavery to sin. That was our unfortunate lot for the rest of our lives.

Jesus Christ paid the “slave price” for us. Now, just as Paul did, we need to transfer the ownership of our lives over to the true God. As God’s slaves we can now serve as free citizens of the kingdom of Heaven.

We have to live under this knowledge if we’re going to have a fulfilling life in Christ. We don’t own our lives.

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

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.

The Apostle Peter also understood this truth.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

1 Peter 2:16

Once we’ve transferred the ownership of our lives to God, our callings will open up to us. We’re now free to serve Him to the best of our ability. This is the attitude that will push you to do great things in the body of Christ.

Question: How do you view the ownership of your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 18, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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