Preaching Christ: The Heart of the Matter

Preaching Christ: The Heart of the Matter

In Philippians 1:14-18, we find Paul reflecting on his imprisonment and its unexpected effects on the spread of the gospel. His captivity has emboldened others to preach with greater courage, but Paul notices that not everyone does so with pure intentions. Some preach out of envy and rivalry, while others preach out of goodwill and love. Despite the mixed motives, Paul’s remarkable conclusion is that what truly matters is that Christ is preached.

Reflecting on this, Paul asks, "What then?" How should it affect my feelings when others preach from envy or rivalry? His answer is profound: regardless of their motives—whether in pretense or truth—the key point is that Christ is being proclaimed.

"Pretense" means hiding one’s true motives and giving others a false impression. It involves trying to cover up true intentions, often for personal gain. Paul did not support this kind of deception, but he did support spreading the message of Christ. For him, the core message—that Jesus Christ is the Saviour—and saving souls was more important than any competition or rivalry.

This serves as a powerful reminder that the proclamation of Christ, regardless of the manner, possesses the potential to impact and transform lives. Although it is preferable for preachers to be well-educated and sincere in their motives, any form of announcing the Saviour is preferable to silence.

Paul's kindness and understanding of this matter offers a few important lessons for us to consider. For example, if others are more popular or successful, we should celebrate their success because it means Christ is being preached. When other ministers preach, even if we see errors in their messages, yet the grace gospel is proclaimed, we can still find joy in the fact that Christ is magnified. When we can't preach because of other commitments, we should rejoice that others are able to share the message of Christ. No matter what the circumstance, what the intentions, or who is preaching, if it is proclaiming the free gift of justification through the cross and resurrection of Christ, we should rejoice in their contributions to God's work and to the furtherance of our blessed grace gospel.

In a world where so many things can hinder and affect the spread of the gospel, let us look at things the way Paul did. Let us celebrate the shared goal of making Christ known to all.

He who delights in the Word of the Lord shall be blessed in all of his ways

He who delights in the Word of the Lord shall be blessed in all of his ways

Paul's 9-church epistles make up our grace curriculum which lays a foundation and then increases the grace believer, who commits to studying the curriculum, in knowledge, in spiritual growth, and in faith. I have been studying and writing a lot of material concerning this topic for bible study messages, for blog posts, and for YouTube videos, but the other day I came across this Maranatha song that inspired me tremendously in my labour in the word of God. This post is simply to share this song with you. 

Take a moment of time to get quiet and let this song just utterly bless your socks off. The words are so perfect for what I am studying, and I hope it will bless you as much as it did me.

God bless.

Click the link below for the song on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYvKtEziuI

Serving one's own belly

Serving one's own belly

In Rom.16:17-18 and Php.3:17-19, "serving one's own belly" or "whose God is their belly" is a metaphor for living a self-indulgent, selfish lifestyle. It suggests that these individuals prioritize their own desires and appetites above spiritual or moral values.

In Romans 16:17-18, Paul warns the believers to be aware of those who cause divisions and act contrary to the doctrine they have learned. These individuals are described as serving "not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly." This means that their primary motivation is satisfying their own selfish desires, rather than serving Christ and upholding the grace doctrine. They use persuasive and flattering words to deceive others, particularly those who are less discerning.

In Philippians 3:17-19, Paul again addresses the issue of those who live for their own gratification. He describes them as "enemies of the cross of Christ" whose end is destruction. Their "God is their belly," meaning that their lives are driven by their own appetites and earthly desires. Because of the blindness of their hearts, they take pride in things that should bring them shame and are focused solely on worldly matters, ignoring spiritual truths and values, Eph 4:17-19.

Therefore, we are encouraged to mark and avoid these individuals, following instead the example of Paul and others who walk in like manner as him, who live according to the principles of the grace doctrine. By learning and applying our grace doctrine, thereby emulating their dedication to spiritual values and Christ-like behaviour, we can stay true to our faith and avoid being led astray by those who prioritize selfish desires over genuine spiritual growth.

Verse Study: Galatians 2:20-21

Verse Study: Galatians 2:20-21 

Having posted the “fill in the blanks” puzzle yesterday, let’s actually study out this passage in Gal.2:20-21 and find out what Paul is teaching us.

Gal 2:20-21  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  [21]  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;

This is a statement of faith. Though we have never experienced the actual cross ourselves, we must reckon that we too have died to this flesh life, even though we continue to live in it. You might live, but your mind needs to believe that you died with Christ. You must come to reckon it as true. How do we do that? Stare at the phrase. Study it out: cross referencing this with similar verses Paul writes to gain deeper understanding of it. Meditate upon it. Let it sink into your mind until it become as real and accepted as the physical objects around you. When we grow in knowledge of the truth it will start to naturally manifest in you and you will start to bear the fruit of that knowledge through your mind becoming renewed to the truth. 

Comparative Overview of Paul's Epistles

Comparative Overview of Paul's Epistles

This comparative list of Paul's epistles highlights key aspects such as the date of writing, growth stage, type, format, progress, realm, key words, and the intended audience for each letter. Dates are approximate. By presenting these details in a structured manner, this list serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to analyse and compare Paul's teachings across different communities and contexts. It enables readers to discern patterns, similarities, and differences in Paul's doctrine, offering a comprehensive perspective on his apostolic mission and the mystery doctrine he penned by inspiration. By examining Paul's epistles in sequence, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual growth and knowledge of God gained by the early believers.

Romans (Rom)

• Date Written: AD 57
• Growth: Foundation
• Type: Doctrinal
• Format: Milk, Meat
• Progress: Work of faith
• Realm: Sight/Carnal, Faith/Spirit
• Key Words: Salvation, Spirit, Israel, Appeal to Transform/Walk
• Audience: Christians in Rome

In preparation for the overview of the 9-church epistles

In preparation for the overview of the 9-church epistles

INTRODUCTION:

In his epistles, Paul uses a few analogies that indicate progression. Consider, milk and meat. Also consider babes, to children, to sons. How about from carnal to spiritual, from the outer man to the inner man and from the natural to the spiritual. All these examples can be applied to the 9-church epistles which make up the curriculum for the grace believer. Using these analogies helps to clarify the fact that the curriculum is indeed progressive and importantly, it should be recognised, studied, and understood in this manner to.

In this post, I’d like to draw your attention to this progressive concept by working through an overview of the 9-epistles, and assigning these analogical classifications to them, so you can identify the primary theme of the epistles and start to understand their position within the curriculum.

Before we get into the epistles however, it is necessary to define some terms that are used within the epistle comparisons. Please take note of these terms and consider them when working through the rest of this post.

Epistle Format

• Doctrine: The set of principles or teachings laid out in Paul’s letters that we are to know and obey (not by our own power, but by the Spirit working within us).
• Reproof: Identifying and expressing disapproval or criticism of a mistake or fault.
• Correction: Providing guidance or actions to rectifying or improving a mistake or fault.
• Instruction: Providing knowledge, information, or direction to help someone learn and grow.