Live the Call Meekley
Notes
Transcript
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Intro: Who are you Chaplain?
Intro: Who are you Chaplain?
Live the Call fiercely!
What does it mean to live the Call? Who’s call? Why fiercely?
There is a question most of us have been seeking to answer during our time here: Have I been called to this ministry?
The answer for some of us is no, and thats ok.
I’d like to suggest up front that the most important thing we can do in order to answer this question is:
Be reconciled to God through the Christ of Scripture and abide in Him alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone.
Uniform Exercise
Job vs. compensation
Chaplain Identify paper in week 12
Identity word study
NOUN Etymology idem (Latin) the same -> identity (English) sameness, oneness, state of being the same
We’ve been learning what an Army Chaplain is and in week 12 will be asked to specify how our attitudes, choices, and actions relate to the Army’s definition of a Chaplain: Chaplain Identity Assignment
What makes this question particularly difficult, is that we each poses a plethora of identities (christian, husband, father. etc.) which jock for position of influence in our lives (marine vs. soldier, etc.)
Before we can answer the question of our CH identity, we first need to have a proper understanding of what the Army says a CH is.
Detrimental for CH to be under the impression that an Army CH is a present-day Crusader!
It is therefore of utmost importance that the thing to which we are seeking to identify with is by some measure objectively true and based-on reality.
Its in this vein, that I’d like us to turn to our text for this four-part study.
In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth
Do I have new life in Christ?
Has Christ called me to the Army Chaplain Corps?
If so, how do I live His Call in the Army Chaplain Corps? (Spoiler Alert: Its not fiercely...Meekly)
seeking the truth in where we base our identity,
I’d like to suggest that
Ones identity is based on that which is b
Turn with me to:
Suggested truths concerning our identities:
We amass them over time
Turn with me to:
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
I want to challenge us all to seek God’s truth in this text and how that truth can help us answer the following questions:
2 Cor 5:17-
I want to challenge us all to seek God’s truth in these passages and how that truth helps us answer the following questions:
I want to challenge us all to seek God’s truth in these passages and how that truth helps us answer the following questions:
Do I have new life in Christ? (v. 17)
Are we walking in union with Christ?
What has Christ Called me to do?
Verses 18-19
How has Christ called me to live? (Spoiler Alert: Its not fiercely...Meekly)
Verse 20
Context/Introduction
Context/Introduction
We Our preliminary dive into our study of this scritp
We won’t have time today to work completely through each of these questions and their corresponding verses, so today will be our introduction to the text which will lay a solid foundation for our study moving forward.
We won’t have time today to work through our primary text but we’ll lay the foundation by
2 Cor BLUF: Restored Relationship The Corinthian’s relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, had been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with false teachers and doctrine. The focus of his letter was the eternal rather than the temporal and he exhorted the Corinthians to be reconciled to God.
2 Cor BLUF: Restored Relationship The Corinthian’s relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, had been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with false teachers and doctrine. The focus of his letter was the eternal rather than the temporal and he exhorted the Corinthians to be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Our text comes from an important section (5:11-7:4) of Paul’s letter in which he defends his apostleship by responding to criticism and attacks. Our particular text comes from the portion of Paul’s defense that deals with the theological basis of reconciliation. That is, the gracious act of the one true and living Sovereign God to change sinful man from the inside out, reconcile believers to Himself, and then call believers to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation to others.
Q: Before we go into the historical context of the text, why is this text worth our consideration this morning?
Restored relationship: the church's relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, has been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with paganism. The focus is on eternal things rather than temporary.
Restored relationship: the church's relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, has been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with paganism. The focus is on eternal things rather than temporary.
A: One commentator helps provide an answer
The Corinthian’s “own social advancement rather than the gospel’s advancement was their top priority."
"At the root of much of the immorality and idolatry in Corinth, moreover, lay a lack of appreciation for the holiness that God requires of his people. Though the particulars of the Mosaic law were no longer to define the boundaries for God’s people (), the law’s underlying theme that God’s people were to be “set apart”—a people marked off from their culture—remained in place (, ; ; )."
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary l. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11–7:4)
Paul appeals to the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and to open their hearts to their apostle. He clears the ground for these appeals by first responding to criticisms of the style of his ministry (5:11–15), and then by stating the theological basis upon which reconciliation rests (5:16–21). Paul then makes the appeals (6:1–13; 7:2–4), and intersperses between them a call for holy living (6:14–7:1).
Think of our solders. They work in a religiously diverse organization that prides itself on being the best in the world. Our soldiers may one day be involved, whether directly or indirectly, in the killing of another human being.
2 Corinthians the church's relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, has been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with paganism. The focus is on eternal things rather than temporary.
2 Corinthians the church's relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, has been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with paganism. The focus is on eternal things rather than temporary.
How hard do you think it is for a soldier to prioritize their own social advancement over the gospel’s advancement? How easy do you think it is for a soldier to violate the trust vested in them when no one is looking?
Now ask yourself these same questions.
We all need to be reconciled to God. Let us consider how Paul flushes this argument out.
Restored relationship: the church's relationship with Paul, and subsequently God, has been hindered by their unwillingness to renounce all compromise with paganism. The focus is on eternal things rather than temporary.
Author and Date
Author and Date
Started church at Corinth (c.a. 50-52)
Described in
About 20 years after Christ's crucifixion
Wrote a previous letter to Corinth (since lost)
During 3rd missionary journey, From Ephesus, Paul writes 1 Cor and sends Timothy in response to reports (ca. 53-55)
Many reject and rebel
Paul visits the Corinth (painful visit)
Sends another letter (sever letter)
Titus reports that a majority of the Corinthians had repented of their rebellion ()
Follows up with 2 Cor to assure them of his love (c.a. 55-56)
Luke writes in concerning the end of Paul's second missionary journey (c.a. 50-52 a.d.) and how he spent 18 months (v. 11) in the commercial city of Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla (fellow tent makers). Paul spent many Sabbaths in the synagogue "reasoning" and "trying to persuade" (v. 4) Jews and Greeks. However, when they "resisted and blasphemed" (v. 6) that Jesus was the Christ, Paul "shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles"" (v. 6). Eventually, the Jews "rose up against Paul" with one accord and "brought him before the judgement seat" for blasphemy (v. 12-13). However, no harm came to Paul while at Corinth and he successfully helped establish a church there.
c.a. 53-55 a.d., while in Ephesus and during his third missionary journey, Paul wrote 1 Cor and sent Timothy to Corinth in response to the following: he became aware of trouble in the Corinthian Church and wrote a letter (since lost) confronting that sin (associate with immoral people; ). Some time later, he received further reports of issues in the Corinthian church (divisions- , sexual immorality- , food- , gatherings- ; , resurrection- ) in addition to a letter from the Corinthian church () seeking clarification on some issues.
Some time after sending 1 Cor, Paul became aware that many in the Corinthian church rejected his teachings in the letter and rebelled against his authority. Additionally, false apostles had made their way into the Corinthian church (). In an attempt to delegitimize the Gospel as was preached and taught by Paul, these false apostles attacked Paul's character and reputation, intent on dissuading the Corinthian church from the true Gospel. The church, in part, began to reject and question Paul and his ministry. He was poor, often suffered under some form of persecution, homeless, regularly engaged in manual labor, and is generally considered to have been unimpressive in physical appearance and speech.
What a far cry from some of our mega church pastors of today!
The peddlers of God's Word () probably gained influence among the Corinthians thanks to their wealth, physical attractiveness, and articulate speech.
In response, Paul immediately returned to Corinth () for a brief and painful visit and then followed his visit up with a "sever letter" ().
After receiving reports from Titus that a majority of the Corinthians had repented of their rebellion (), Paul sent (c.a. 55-56) the letter we know as 2 Cor to reassure the Corinthians of his continued love for them.
Follows up with 2 Cor to assure them of his love (c.a. 55-56)After his departure from Ephesus, late a.d. 55 or early a.d. 56, he wrote 2 Cor.
I think its worth taking the time to examine the major issue Paul was facing with respect to the false apostles. Paul’s ministry was being challenged by external forces. His response to these challenges were Christ-centered and Spirit lead.
Context
Context
Our passage
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary l. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11–7:4)
Paul appeals to the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and to open their hearts to their apostle. He clears the ground for these appeals by first responding to criticisms of the style of his ministry (5:11–15), and then by stating the theological basis upon which reconciliation rests (5:16–21). Paul then makes the appeals (6:1–13; 7:2–4), and intersperses between them a call for holy living (6:14–7:1).
Conclusion
Conclusion
At the beginning of our intro we discussed the issue of CH identity. For the Christian, our identity in Christ...
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
There are three things I want us to take away from this passage that will conclude this part of the series and segway into the next:
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
:14The love of Christ Compels/controls us Our sins were crucified with Him and He paid our penaltyWe no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ!It is based upon this truth that the Christian declares, as Paul did in and that:My life is not my own. It was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit's power I thankful seek to Glorify and worship God with all my mind, soul, heart, and strength.
The love of Christ Compels/controls us
There
Our sins were crucified with Him and He paid our penalty
The love of Christ Compels/controls us Our sins were crucified with Him and He paid our penaltyWe no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ!It is based upon this truth that the Christian declares, as Paul did in and that:My life is not my own. It was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit's power I thankful seek to Glorify and worship God with all my mind, soul, heart, and strength.
We no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ!
It is upon these truths that the Christian declares that:
My life is not my own (). It was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus () and by the Holy Spirit's power I thankful seek to Glorify and worship God with all my mind, soul, heart, and strength (; ).
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
and
and
Are these truths bearing out fruit in your life to the glory of God?
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
that:
! Cor 6:19-20
that:My life is not my own. It was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit's power I thankful seek to Glorify and worship God with all my mind, soul, heart, and strength.
New Life in Christ
New Life in Christ
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Cor 5:17
2nd person of the God Head. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. (This will come up later).
Who is Christ?
2nd person of the God Head. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. (This will come up later).
What does it mean to be in Christ?
What does it mean to be in Christ?
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 2. God’s Reconciling Act in Christ (5:16–21)
person is in Christ, he or she is part of the new creation. God’s plan of salvation
In union with Christ
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
New Creature?
New Creature?
New Creature?
New Creature?
Born again
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Cloaked in the righteousness and holiness of Christ.
John 3:3
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Godly wisdom.
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
What old things?
What old things?
Participation in the new creation is reflected in the changed outlook of Christ referenced in
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 2. God’s Reconciling Act in Christ (5:16–21)
This participation in the new creation is reflected in the changed outlook of which v. 16 spoke and in a new holiness of life (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9–11), and will culminate in the renewal of the whole person by resurrection to immortality in the new created order at the parousia (cf. Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rom. 8:19–23).
1 Cor 5:16
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
the new holiness of life
spoke and in a new holiness of life (cf. ), and will culminate in the renewal of the whole person by resurrection to immortality in the new created order at the parousia (cf. ; ; ).
the new holiness of life
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
and will culminate in the renewal of the whole person by resurrection to immortality in the new created order at the parousia
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “So your offspring and your name will endure.
19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
; ).
, and will culminate in the renewal of the whole person by resurrection to immortality in the new created order at the parousia (cf. ; ; ).
; ; ).
What new things?
What new things?
The Greek grammar here indicates that this newness is a continuing condition of fact. The Holy Spirit provides the believer with a new perception with respect to eternity, not temporal things.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
James
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
James 2:14
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
Parallel use of the verb translated controls (synechei) in , where Paul, facing the possibilities of departure to be with Christ through death or a longer life and further ministry, says, ‘I am hard pressed (synechomai) between the two.’ He felt the pressure of two alternatives so that he was motivated on the one hand to do one thing, but on the other hand to do the opposite. This illustrates the basic meaning of synechō, which is ‘to press together, constrain’. It is the pressure applied not so much to control as to cause action. It is motivational rather than directional force. The verb here in v. 14 is in the present tense, which emphasizes the continuous nature of the pressure upon Paul. The source of the pressure is the love of Christ. Paul’s recognition of Christ’s love, shown in his death for all, acts as the motivation for the apostle’s ministry. (Colin G. Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 120–121.)
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Rpm 6:4
New Creature?
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
What is Paul concluding with therefore?
Servants of a new covenant, given new life.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 cor 3:
Letter=Law.
6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Freedom in
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 5
Those who were enemies of God have now become friends by being reconciled to him. God’s wrath against sin was satisfied in the death of his Son. Sinners—who formerly put self-interest above God’s glory (Rm 1:21; 3:23)—have been brought to cherish God as their highest treasure (2Co 4:6).
Those who were enemies of God have now become friends by being reconciled to him. God’s wrath against sin was satisfied in the death of his Son. Sinners—who formerly put self-interest above God’s glory (; )—have been brought to cherish God as their highest treasure ().
4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
Christ’s Call to the Army Chaplain Corps
Christ’s Call to the Army Chaplain Corps
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
How were we reconciled? We were called out of darkness and into the light!
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
The Christian’s Life in the Army Chaplain Corps
The Christian’s Life in the Army Chaplain Corps
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
,