Talk 4, Christ our KING
Pete Thompson
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3 Comments ↓
The Big Idea
Joyful obedience is the appropriate response to Jesus our Saviour King and is most clearly expressed by partnering in gospel ministry.
Posted in Bible Talk
Hi Pete and everyone else,
It was mentioned that Christians will shine brighter as ‘Stars’ the darker it is. I was wondering what it is that make one place darker than the next? For example is Lismore or Byron Bay darker (and therefore the Christian stars brighter)? or is Australia or Indonesia darker (and therefore the Christian stars brighter)?
Can a culture that practices somewhat ‘christian’ practices (like the government being financial generous, mercy, unity, peace and order) make it harder for Christians to shine than if they lived in cultures that are clearly without these things?
Also I feel that as a SCPC body we need to think a bit more collective and less individualistic. Pete you asked questions about wheater I as an individual am willing suffer for Christ, am I ready to give up things for him? The answer is yes but I know it would be a stronger YES of I felt like I had a team of similar people beside me as well. Which I think there is at SCPC but feeling that strength as a body of believers is sometimes hard for me to feel. God you have any ideas how we can feel that strength more?
Is it a thing is sharing with each other the things we’ve given up, the things we’ve suffered?
I don’t think it’s saying any place is darker than another it just points to the world in general more to the wickedness that happens in it.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Your right Mark we should be more collective and I believe that’s were gospel communities really comes into the life on life living which should mean then we move as the body of Christ. This then I believe creates a brighter light in to the’ crooked and twisted generation’. This requires us to go outside our hc community and be involved in the wider community collectively and being everyday people who are will to share the struggles and joys of life intertwining it with the story of God our lives and wherever and what ever we do. They can’t see the light if we are not living it out where they can see it.
Hi Mark
I agree with Trev. The point wasn’t so much that some places are darker than others but that wherever Christ is not known as King (which is everywhere, but not everyone), the church has a great opportunity to shine brightly. The darkness of the world isn’t an obstacle, its an opportunity.
And you’re both correct in identifying your gospel community as a great means of shining brightly together. Where else do we have such a great opportunity to “look not to our own interests but to the interests of others” and to “do everything without complaining or arguing”?!
In Christ (who is enough)
Pete