{"id":1128,"date":"2023-07-17T08:51:12","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T15:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/?p=1128"},"modified":"2023-07-17T08:53:07","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T15:53:07","slug":"loved-to-live-what-you-learned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/?p=1128","title":{"rendered":"Loved, to Live What You Learn(ed)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(2 Corinthians 13:11-14)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to begin with a story. It\u2019s the story of a believer named _________ (insert name here). The end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the end of the story. Because it isn\u2019t finished yet. It\u2019s still being written. And now is a great opportunity to pause and think about how you want the rest of your story to play out. To help us, Paul provides some guidance for believers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This letter has every reason to end in a different tone than it does. If you don\u2019t recall why, go back and read the rest of 2 Corinthians and then review 1 Corinthians. If you want to see what a dysfunctional congregation looks like, this is it! Division, discord, immorality, legal action, etc. – they had it all. And not only was the congregation all over the map in spiritual disarray, but remember Paul’s own life and ministry and all of the trauma he experienced. To wrap up his communication with the encouragement to rejoice seems a bit out of place in light of all of their challenges!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REJOICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Paul is 100% correct. Because their joy wasn\u2019t based on circumstances; it was based in Jesus. And when he is the source of joy, not even messy external circumstances can rob us of the joy we have in Jesus. So rejoice – you have every reason to in Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RECONCILE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is that same joy in Jesus that prompts the following encouragements that Paul gives. Because of our joy in Jesus, we can reconcile. That\u2019s what Paul is getting at with the phrase, \u201cstrive for full restoration\u201d (v.11)<\/em><\/strong>. When believers share the same joy in Jesus, there\u2019s no place for withholding forgiveness from each other and allowing bitterness to take root and establish itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recently had some plumbing issues on the night of our school play and had to open up the restrooms in our school because the ones here at church were backed up. That\u2019s what happens when roots worm their way into the plumbing. However, once the plumber came and cleaned out the roots, everything was in working order again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When believers avoid or put off reconciliation with each other – when we are slow to repent or forgive each other – we let those roots grow and establish themselves. Instead, Paul says, don\u2019t even let them take root in the first place. But if they do, get rid of them through reconciliation. When you have an issue with a brother or sister in Christ in this congregation or any other congregation (and you will – just as you do with your biological brothers and sisters!), pull out the roto-rooter of reconciliation and do everything in your power to be restored to each other. Take the first step. If you need to confess and apologize, don\u2019t wait for the other person. If someone else has wronged you, don\u2019t harbor that resentment in your heart; make it known to them so they can repent and apologize. Those are the very things Jesus came to heal and forgive, so look for every opportunity to lovingly apply his grace and forgiveness so that this may continue to be a place of reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REASSURE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closely related to reconciliation is Paul\u2019s next closing thought to reassure each other. Really, that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing when we \u201cencourage one another\u201d (v.11),<\/em><\/strong> isn\u2019t it? Christian encouragement isn\u2019t the empty promise that \u201ceverything is going to be alright,\u201d because each day that passes in this broken world proves otherwise: not everything is <\/em>going to be alright. We will experience great loss. We will suffer. We will face hardship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those things will happen, so when we speak of encouraging each other, we aren\u2019t pretending that bad things won\u2019t happen; rather, we\u2019re reassuring each other with the promise that Jesus has overcome those troubles. He\u2019s made sure they are temporary. When we reassure each other, we assure each other again and again of God\u2019s gracious promises – both for this time and for eternity. That kind of encouragement can\u2019t be found in the world, so if we Christians aren\u2019t reassuring each other with it, then we can easily become discouraged and disheartened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REALIGN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, Paul says to \u201cbe of one mind\u201d (v.11)<\/em><\/strong>. We might think of that as realignment. While he is not saying that Christians must agree on every detail about life or ministry, we do routinely need to make sure that our way of thinking is brought back in line with God\u2019s. Just as wheels on a vehicle need to be realigned and rotated over time so they don\u2019t wear out unevenly and result in a flat tire, we can also get off-center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not surprisingly, the more removed we are from regular time in the Word and worship, the more naturally this takes place. What happens is the world\u2019s thinking begins to shape more of our own. The world\u2019s values and philosophies start to influence us and the world then informs our theology rather than God\u2019s theology informing how we see the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be subtle or it can be severe. It might cause us to struggle a bit with this teaching or that, or might lead us to dismiss doctrine altogether and allow our own personal views and ideas of God to take over. Being of one mind means caring enough about each other to point this out and encourage some realignment so that our souls don\u2019t wear out and leave us spiritually stranded on the side of the road for eternity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

REST<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, pursue peace, or to keep our alliteration going, rest. That is what it means to \u201clive in peace\u201d (v.11)<\/em><\/strong>. There is no shortage of ideas on how to achieve peace in our world today. Cut negative people out of your life. Unfollow social media accounts that consistently crush you with feelings of inadequacy. Be true to yourself, no matter what others think or how you get labeled. I could go on, and while a few of these approaches may provide us with some relief, none of them will give us real rest, the kind of peace we find in only one place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul even indicates that source of peace. \u201cAnd the God of love and peace will be with you\u201d (v.11)<\/em><\/strong>. If God is characterized as the God of love and peace, that kind of makes it his thing, doesn\u2019t it? To be revealed in such a way is to make a clear connection between God and peace. If God is the source of peace, then we must go to the source when we desire the rest he provides. And we will always find it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d (Romans 5:1)<\/em><\/strong>. Also, \u201cFor God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross\u201d (Colossians 1:19-20)<\/em><\/strong>. If we desire rest, then we must have peace, and if we are to find peace, look no further than to the God of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rejoice. Reconcile. Reassure. Realign. Rest. These are tall orders! But it isn\u2019t just any God who calls us to this thing. It is the triune God, the Holy Trinity, who equips us to carry them out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God is never interested in just telling you what to do without reminding you of who you are. Who are you? \u201cMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all\u201d (v.14)<\/em><\/strong>. These are not just three randomly mashed-together phrases that Paul threw together because they had a nice ring to them as a closing thought. Rather, these are the unique characteristics of the eternal God incorporated into a blessing by which God desired to touch the hearts and lives of believers for the rest of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How appropriate, then, to remind us of the grace – undeserved love – that is ours in Christ! An understanding of grace is foundational to our relationship with the true and triune God because it establishes the undeserved nature of our relationship with God. That is hugely important anytime you ever feel worthless and undeserving, whether those feelings come as a result of what someone else has said to you or about you, or those feelings are the result of your own regrettable words or actions. When we are left feeling worthless, grace is the reminder that we\u2019re in great company – Christ came to win the worthless, the undeserving, the sinners and screw-ups, the don\u2019t-have-it-all-togethers, the shameless and those in shambles. You aren\u2019t disqualified when you feel undeserving; rather, you are God\u2019s target audience! Jesus didn\u2019t come for those who think they deserve him or are worthy of him on their own merits; he came for those who know they don\u2019t deserve him. That\u2019s grace – and it is and always will be yours in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That<\/em> is love, as the next portion of the blessing reflects, \u201cthe love of God,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>to be specific. Grace is proof that God\u2019s love is different. More than an emotion or a feeling, God\u2019s unconditional love is an action. It\u2019s a real love based on real action that God took and continues to take on behalf of his people. I can say I love my wife and my kids – and I do say it – but my actions don\u2019t always back it up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not so with God. He says he loves us, and then recorded for us in his Word action after action after action on behalf of his people that backs up his love. That amazing love captured in J<\/a>ohn 3:16<\/a> is yours today and forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, fellowship. \u201cThe fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>Healthy Christian congregations enjoy strong fellowship – a bond of faith and friendship that surpasses that of other friendships. But your fellowship isn\u2019t just with each other. It is also with God. It is with our church body, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)<\/a>. It is with all Christians whose names are written in the Book of Life by faith in Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellowship by definition is God\u2019s reminder that his plan for you was never a relationship with just him but with his body, the church – with other Christians. The popular idea that one\u2019s faith is one\u2019s own and is only between God and that person has no basis in Scripture. God wants your faith to grow in fellowship with other Christians, too. Yes, your faith in Jesus is personal – it\u2019s yours, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s private. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not at all private. Each Sunday we make a public confession of our sins and publicly confess our faith with the words of the creed. That\u2019s not private at all, and I pray that your faith never becomes so. Instead, may it continue to be fanned into flame to burn brightly as you rejoice, reconcile, reassure, realign, and rest. Do so blessed by and empowered by the grace, love, and fellowship of the Holy Trinity. That deep love of God for you will not only lead and equip you to live for him but will also guarantee the absolute best ending to your story. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(2 Corinthians 13:11-14) I want to begin with a story. It\u2019s the story of a believer named _________ (insert name here). The end. That\u2019s the end of the story. Because it isn\u2019t finished yet. It\u2019s still being written. And now is a great opportunity to pause and think about how you want the rest of… Continue reading Loved, to Live What You Learn(ed)<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[65,1],"tags":[5,109,36,108],"class_list":["post-1128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons","category-uncategorized","tag-jesus","tag-preaching","tag-sermon","tag-teaching"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p842FN-ic","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1128"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1133,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1128\/revisions\/1133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}