This really talks to me. It convicts me of gluttony. and calls me to practice what I preach. SO I think I'll put a huge mirror in back of the church and preach to myself.I wouldn't dare ask anyone to immitate me as Paul does. WE all better immitate Jesus. Any suggestions? Harold in Alabama
Department of Redundancy Department - Harold speaking
Who does want people to look up to them. The sports stars say they are not responsible to their young fans. The stars of hollywood don't set good examples and could care less. Yet, there are people in our congregation who do look up to us. We had better be pointing to Jesus and living our lives looking to Jesus.
Can we share our struggles with the congregation and let them see that we don't have it all together. Can we admit that we look up to others who live the faith in a way we wish we could?
Jonesey in WI
Jonesey in Wis,
I have heard this preached about in terms of "Removing our Mask" I say the sooner - the better!
Pastor Binny
v18. "...enemies of the Cross of Christ." Notice Paul does not say they are enemies of Jesus or of the Church. What people rebel against is the cross, the symbol of God's pain and suffering, the symbol of the sacrifice all of us are called to make.
The irony that brings Paul to tears is that they who would avoid the Cross --the dying God and the death to which he calls to imitate-- inevitably meet destruction themselves.
AND I LOVE 3:20-4:1 Would someone please embroider it and send it my way? The idea that we aren't citizens of this horrible, greedy world; that one day my humiliating body will be transformed to match the person I really am inside. And (blush), Paul said that I am his joy and crown!
DSS
There is always the great temptation to imitate the standards of the secular world rather than the world Christ points to. For example, how often has one heard a church member comment: "If we do that, what will the community think of us?" Sometimes, it is important for the church to make a stand or a statement, but declines rather than risking it's reputation in the community. During the Civil Rights protests or Viet Nam War Protests, the church had opportunities to imitate Christ. Even today, when the numbers of the poor encrease, the gap widens between the rich and the poor, when issues of justic or prejudice come before us in many ways and forms, does the church respond as the church (imitation of Christ) or as society? Just some rambling thoughts of one still sorting out ideas for Sunday. Peace and Joy, Francis
... their god is the belly ... their minds are set on earthly things.
Abram's desire for an heir and his willingness to help Yahweh out any way he can - is a sign of this. Abram made mistakes as he sought to do God's will.
The Pharisee's attempt to test Jesus, to scare him is also a sign of this. The Pharisees deliberately sought to disobey the word as they tried to get rid of this prophet.
Jesus commitment to the future in the present, his journey toward his destiny without detour is a sign of the "stand firmness" in Philippians.
tom in ga