Letters From The Inside

Yesterday in verse 17, Paul says, “…take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” As I said yesterday, that could be a good pattern; people living a Godly life. Or it could be, in light of verse 18, an ungodly pattern.

Vs. 18 “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Pretty simple verse. There are enemies of the cross. We all know that. But I find it interesting that he says it, with many tears. Usually when you think of an enemy, the emotion that it stirs up is anger. I, personally, would be hard pressed to pull up tears when I think of Al Quaida. I get angry when I think of that terrorist group.

On Sunday, I talked about the Angry Christian. (“My, you’re an angry Christian!”) (Said like Will Ferrel in “Elf”) As I get on the blog world, I see a lot of angry Christians who do not look at enemies of the cross with tears but with anger. This statement shows you where Paul’s heart was. And what a transformation he had too. From persecuting Christians to speaking about enemies of the cross with tears. This is what a radical encounter with the grace of God will do for you.

How do you respond to enemies of the cross? How as a church do we respond to enemies of the cross?

Jesus told Peter that when you have been forgiven much, you love much. I guess that’s why is is real important to not forget where you came from. Paul probably responded with tears because he probably remembered being an enemy of the cross himself. What a true pastor or evangelist.

That is how I want to be.  What about you?

Pastor Eric

This week, we will take a look at chapter 3, starting in Vs. 17. If you would like to get some input on the first 16 verses of chapter 3, go to www.shorelinechurch.net and watch Sunday’s message.

Vs. 17 “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”

So, after all he said in the first 16 verses, now he says, join with others and follow my example. What example is that? It is, according to the end of the verse, the pattern that he gave us. That’s why partnering with a life-giving church is important. When we partner with a life-giving church, we can follow as an example those who are living according to the pattern that the bible lays out for us. This one of the reasons church attendance is so important. This is why we are so adamant about being plugged into a Life Group. It enables you to join together with other people who are following the examples of Paul and living life according to the New Testament pattern.

Let me ask you some questions:

• Whose “life example” is your life patterned after? Is it Jesus? Is it Paul?
• Is there someone in church that you could pattern your life after that is patterning their life after Jesus? Paul said it this way, “follow me as I follow Christ.”
• Are you in community with people that have the desire to follow and set the example of Godly living?

Though, I must tell you, in this verse it is hard to tell whether Paul means a good, Godly pattern or the pattern of this world (a phrase he uses in Romans 12) because in verse 18 he talks about people who live according to an ungodly pattern. So, he might be saying, “take note of them,” in a warning sense. But we will look at verse 18 tomorrow.

Pastor Eric

If you were around in July when we had Chris Hill speak at Shoreline, you may also remember that we ordained Pastor Sam on that same Sunday. When it was time for the ordination, I read this passage. I read this passage because the traits that Paul said Timothy possessed, Pastor Sam possesses them as well. So, at the time, I thought it very fitting to compare these traits to Sam.

As you read them for yourself, ask yourself;

• Do I exhibit these same characteristics?
• How can I develop these characteristics in my life?
• Is there somebody around me that has exhibited these characteristics that I can mentor?

Verses 19-24 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive the news about you. I have no one else like him, (some translations use the words kindred spirit) who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.”

Three characteristics of Timothy or a disciple:

Kindred Spirit – Someone who is like minded. Not just someone who thinks like me but someone who has the same passions, interests and goals. Those passions, interests and goals should hinge somewhere around the advancement of the message of Jesus Christ. As a pastor, I get asked to mentor people all the time. This is one of the first characteristics I look for, a kindred spirit.
A genuine interest in the people they are serving – Are they in it for themselves? Are they looking for a position? Or are they serving people because they care for them? In caring for people, they are looking out for the interests of Jesus. Jesus made this very clear when He described how when you visit people in prison or the hospital, feed the hungry or clothe the naked, that you are doing these things to Him.
Serving – A disciple of Christ should have a strong sense of serving. Paul said, that they way Timothy has served me is the way a son would serve his father. What is huge here is that Paul said that serving proved Timothy’s heart. His serving showed where his heart was; that his passion was the same as that of Jesus and Paul.

These are huge for me as a pastor of a growing church. These are the characteristics that I look for in people. You would be surprised at how many people seek out a new church as a platform for “their” ministry. Paul said to know those who labor among you. It takes time to know people. That’s also why Paul said not to place people in leadership too quickly. It takes time to know people, to watch them serve; to discover their hearts. To discern whether they are kindred spirits with the ministry; whether they have a genuine concern and care for the people; do they have servants heart?

That’s how we roll at Shoreline!

Pastor Eric