From the Pulpit

C. S. Lewis once wrote, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Do you share his optimism? Do you believe, as a Christian, that your future is immeasurably greater than even your most precious experiences so far? I hope you do because this is one of the privileges that Christ offers his children: beauty and glory ahead.

But western Christians today can struggle with this sanctified anticipation because life is pretty good. We have full bellies, warm backs, and dry beds. Some of us may think, “If Jesus wanted to come back today, that would be fine. But if he decided to wait, that’s okay too.” Many have lost the urgency of looking ahead for things promised.

The Christmas season provides an opportunity to excise our anticipatory muscles as we imagine waiting for the first coming of Christ. And, while we do that, we also get to stoke the flames of our expectation for his second coming, that for which we still wait today.

A Christmas Carol is the story of a mean, selfish old man named Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by a series of ghosts come to show him how his behaviour has affected others. At one point of this supernatural education, Scrooge is led to the home of his ill-treated employee, Bob Cratchit, and, looking through the front window, observes something powerful and foreign. He sees a family marked by contentment and generosity in spite of poverty, by joy and love in spite of hardship. Looking through that window, Scrooge sees what a family can and should look like. 

The closing verses of Colossians have a similar tone. As Paul extends his greetings and says his farewells, it’s as though readers are being brought to the front window of his ministry, looking in on a snapshot of the life he enjoyed. And as believers peer inside they see what a family can and should look like, that is, a church family.

Scripture is full of individuals who, when faced with a God-given task, immediately felt ill-equipped and insecure, sure that the Almighty had chosen the wrong person of the job. For example, consider Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17:17), Moses (Ex 3:11), Gideon (Jdg 6:15), Jeremiah (Jer 1:6), Mary (Luke 1:34), and Paul (1 Cor 15:9). These were real people wanting to serve a real God who had given them real assignments in the real world but were faced with real uncertainty because of real deficiencies.

Most Christians today can relate with these characters in the face of our God-given task to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:18–20). That’s a huge and potentially overwhelming calling, one that leaves many believers wondering how to even get started, if they’re even capable of contributing, and if they have anything of significance to offer. It’s into this uncertainty that the Holy Spirit speaks clarity and reassurance through Paul’s pen.

Jesus is the absolute and incomparable Christ who preexisted all (Col 1:17), created all (1:16), is over all (1:15; 2:10), sustains all (1:17), and owns all (1:16). All the fullness of divinity dwells in him (1:19; 2:9), all things are being reconciled to him (1:20), and all the treasures of wisdom are hidden with him (2:3). Jesus is everything and, because of that, believers lack nothing. By virtue of our relationship with Christ we have access to all spiritual understanding (1:9), enjoy all assurance (2:2), can please him in all ways (1:10), are strengthened with all power and all steadfastness (1:11), forgiven of all transgressions (2:13), united to all the body (2:19), and are freed from all that is perishing (2:22).

But how do these lofty realities affect the daily life of a Christian? What practical difference do they make? In 3:18–4:1, Paul shifts from the extraordinary to the ultra-ordinary, from the heavens to the home, and explains how it is that the fullness of Christ changes family life.

This morning we are going to look at Psalm 47. This psalm has been categorized by some as one of several “psalms of the Lord’s kingship” or “enthronement psalms”; that is, it specifically deals with the acknowledgement of God as King.

One of the things I find particularly interesting about this one is that, while the majority emphasizes God’s universal reign as king over all the earth, there’s a little segment in the middle that is focussed more on Israel, and what God has done and will do for them, which adds a neat twist for us as New Testament believers.

Ultimately my hope for today is that as we spend time reading and learning more about the God we worship—his identity, his kingship, who he is and what he’s done—that in turn we will better understand what it means to worship him, properly, as the King of all the earth.

A quick internet search informs the budding altruist that a good person is someone who is kind, attentive, wise, self-controlled, and courageous. They are people who are happy, promoters of happiness, and who never stifle others’ happiness. Further online research suggests that such exemplary character can be achieved by such means as embracing change, being grateful, taking care of yourself, complimenting yourself, letting go of anger, giving back, shopping local, being yourself, setting goals, and forgiving others. 

Followers of Jesus should desire clarity on those questions as well. What does it look like to be a good person in God’s eyes? How does one successfully move in that direction? However, Christians should seek answers from God and not Google … nor any other source. What does the Lord desire for the lives of those who are his? What means does he provide for their growth?

Let's think together about Heaven. Some people call this the afterlife, about what happens when you die, and though we can understand the thought, the term “afterlife” is technically incorrect and not something that can be found in the Bible. Let's go to Scripture today and find a better understanding of Heaven, one that can encourage us to seek it, to set our minds on it, and to look forward to it.

While many have heard of claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces), acrophobia (a fear of heights), and arachnophobia (a fear of spiders), fewer are familiar with sciophobia—a fear of shadows.

One publication explains that, for someone wrestling with it, sciophobia “may dictate major decisions they make in their day-to-day life such as choosing to not go outside in the daylight … in fear they may come across a shadow.” This fear can lead to intense, paralyzing anxiety. Now, most understand that a shadow is harmless, just a shape produced on a surface by an object blocking light. But for sciophobics, something so common and powerless can enslave them and stop them from fully enjoying the life they have.

Many Christians suffer from spiritual sciophobia, ensnared by “mere shadows” (Col 2:17). Paul, however, insists that such a hindrance is avoidable and that followers of Jesus can come out of the shadows and into the Son.

Some assignments are so big they can be overwhelming. Maybe it’s a comprehensive final exam or a massive term paper, a necessary home renovation or a significant health issue, a mountain of personal debt to climb or a relational tension to overcome. Huge tasks like these can be intimidating, deflating, and immobilizing. “Where do I even start? Is it even possible? Should I even bother?” 

Sometimes this is how it feels to follow Jesus, to give our lives to him, to serve him, to share him, and to become more like him. And as we grow in our understanding of how wonderful he is and how sinful we are, the assignment can become increasingly daunting. “I’m supposed to follow in his steps? Where do I even start? Is it even possible? Should I even bother?” If you have ever felt this way—like you’re in over your head in this Christian life—God has something to tell you today.

“Handle with care.” We’ve all heard, read, said, and maybe prayed those three words of request. Whether when passing a newborn to an excited older sibling for the first time, packing and transporting boxes of irreplaceable items, or offering help to a vulnerable, ill, or discouraged loved one, the need is the same—to proceed with caution, to speak with compassion, and to handle with care. And the care with which we handle a situation reflects its perceived worth and fragility. We care for robust things if they’re expensive and we care for inexpensive things if they’re delicate. But when something is both costly and vulnerable, we take special care.

In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul reminds his readers that the good news of Jesus Christ is both. The gospel is precious, costly, and invaluable. But it’s also fragile as it can be distorted, attacked, obstructed, and obscured. So, we as recipients and beneficiaries of that gospel must protect it, defend it, and handle it with care.