Epistle for April 19, 2002
Posted by: freewayfoundation <freewayfoundation@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation April 19, 2002
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In This Issue:
Sermon: II Corinthians 3:13 - 4:18
Bible Study: Colossians 3:1-24
Administratively Speaking
"Personal & Practical"
Take Off That Veil!
It could have been the plot of a "B" movie: boy meets girl; boy falls in love with girl and works hard to earn enough to get married; after the wedding and the honeymoon night, boy discovers he married the wrong girl . . . not the beautiful sister but the ugly older sister! Of course, you recognize that this story didn't originate in Hollywood, but in Genesis 29.
How could such a "mistake" have happened? Surely the wedding didn't take place in pitch darkness! The most logical explanation, considering the customs of the day, is that Leah wore a thick veil over her face. Jacob was fooled by Uncle Laban, and he had to work an additional seven years for the hand of his beloved, Rachel.
The purpose of a veil is to hide something; to conceal something; to cover up something. This purpose is clear in Exodus 34:29-35. Here Moses' face began to shine (glow; radiate) because he had spent time in the presence of Almighty God. When he came down from Mt. Sinai, he put a veil over his face. It was not to keep from frightening the children! According to Paul in our text, Moses put the veil over his face so that the people would not notice that the glory was fading away.
Warning to ministers: Unless we daily spend quality time in the presence of God, our spiritual radiance will grow dull . . . and perceptive people will notice!
Spiritual Veils
According to II Corinthians 3:14, 15, the veil represents dullness of mind and spiritual blindness. Paul explains why in I Corinthains 2:14, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." A spiritual veil prevents believers form "seeing" . . . produces an inability to discern and understand Godly truths.
The good news of II Corinthians 3:14-16 is that Christ removes the veil. He takes away the barrier so that a Christian may gain spiritual wisdom and insight. In I Corinthians 2:7, 9-10 we learn two vital truths on this subject. First, God's secret wisdom is destined for our glory. Second, God reveals this wisdom by His Spirit.
When Jesus removes the veil, remarkable things happen in a believer's life. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom . . . to see, to change, to grow (II Corinthians 3:17).
What Happens When the Veil is Removed?
Radiance: When the veil is removed, we radiate God's glory;
His light shines through us. (II Corinthians 3:18; 4:6).
Transformation: We start being transformed into the Lord's likeness.
(II Corinthians 3:18; 4:10; Romans 12:1,2)
Growth Daily: We daily increase in brightness. (II Corinthians 3:18; 4:6)
Insight: We start developing the mind of Christ.
(II Corinthians 4:6; I Corinthians 2:10, 12, and 16)
Humility: In humility, we see ourselves as vessels with no real value except for
the "treasure" of the presence (light) of God within us. (II Corinthians 4:7)
Overcoming Power: We experience all-surpassing spiritual power to live victoriously in
spite of circumstances. (II Corinthians 4:7-9). Through God's power
Christians may be down but they're not out! Emotionally, we may
be pressured. Mentally, we may be perplexed. Spiritually, we may
be persecuted. Physically, we may be punched.
But praise God, we're triumphant! (Romans 8:37)
Boldness: We have boldness to speak of our faith in Christ. (II Corinthians 4:13,14)
Encouragement: We are able to rise above discouragement. (II Corinthians 4:16)
WE DO NOT LOSE HEART!
Renewal Daily: We experience inner renewal daily.
(II Corinthians 4:16; Acts 3:19)
Vision: When the veil is removed, we change our persepctive
from concentrating on the visible temporary things to the
invisible, eternal realities. (II Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:1, 27)
How Does This Apply to My Life?
Matthew 27:51 records that the veil of the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross. This event signified that all persons now have direct access into the presence of God . . . can "see" God.
Today, we Christians are "Temples" of God. "Removing the veil" signifies our getting rid of the spiritual dullness of mind so that we may know God and experience dramatic transformation of our lives. Removing the veil also allows others to "see" God in us . . . His light shining.
Remember this chorus we used to sing?
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me;
All His power and passion and purity.
O Thou Spirit divine, All my nature refine
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Seek Those Things Which Are Above
(Colossians 3:1-24)
I. Concentration: on a believer's position in Christ
1. Believers have been raised with Christ to sit with Him at the place of
authority . . . "the right hand of God," v. 1.
2. Believers are to "set" (focus) their minds on spiritual things, not on
physical things, v. 2.
3. Believers have absolute security because their lives are hidden with
Christ in God, v. 3.
4. Because Christ literally is the believer's life, they also will appear
with Him in glory, v. 4.
II. Meditation: on "taking off" and "putting on"
1. Remove (take off; get rid of): (vv. 5, 8-9)
(1) Fornication (5) Covetousness ( 9) Malice
(2) Uncleanness (6) Idolatry (10) Blasphemy
(3) Passion (7) Anger (11) Filthy Language
(4) Evil Desire (8) Wrath (12) Lying
2. Receive (put on; cultivate): (vv. 10, 12-15)
(1) Knowledge (5) Kindness ( 9) Tolerance
(2) Holiness (6) Humility (10) Forgiveness
(3) Acceptance (7) Meekness (11) Love
(4) Tender Mercies (8) Long-suffering (12) Peace
III. Revelation: on the positive results of such a changed life
1. Spiritual edification and encouragement of each other, v. 16.
2. Worship, including singing with grace to the Lord, v. 16.
3. "Whatever you do" . . . do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
giving thanks, v. 17.
4. "Whatever you do" . . . do it with your whole heart, as to the Lord
and not as unto men, v. 23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Rejoice in my position of authority and security in Christ.
2. Focus my mind on spiritual things, allowing Christ to really "be" my life.
3. Renounce sin and embrace righteousness in my daily living.
4. Worship God and serve others (with thanksgiving) in the name of the Lord
and with my whole heart . . . as unto the Lord.
Administratively Speaking
by: Terry A. Coker
Staff Meetings! Who Wants Them? Who Needs Them?
Staff meetings. Sounds like a conference held for the inspection of a germ or disease. It has all the suspense of one I'm sure.
Staff meetings in church office circles have often been labeled as the last meeting anyone wishes to attend on any day. It's often looked upon as the most boring meeting ever created for personnel to attend. However, the meeting does not need to be compared to the removal of a wisdom tooth if a little thought is given to the agenda.
Agenda!? So many staff meetings have no agenda. If you are the leader of the meeting, it is a courtesy to your fellow employees and colleagues to create an agenda and to stick to it. Agendas keep the meeting focused on the particular issues that need the energy of your staff. At many staff meetings, 1) no agenda exists: 2) no focus is kept; 3) rabbits are chased, hunted, and eventually killed; 4) and the enthusiasm of everyone is diminished. Every regular meeting should have an agenda.
Regular!? Staff meetings need to be consistent if success as a staff is to be achieved. The size of staff does not dictate the frequency of staff meetings. It is often assumed that a large church staff should have a staff meeting every week, whereas a small church with one or two full time employees does not need a regular meeting. This is a myth. Where two or more people are gathered together for the promotion of events, a staff meeting must occur on a regular basis. Church size has nothing to do with the frequency. Attitudes about your work as a staff have everything to do with it.
Attitude!? If the leader is motivated, then others around him/her will become motivated. Staff meetings not only need to have an agenda and be held regularly, but an overall attitude of necessity is needed. These meetings need to convey an importance about the goals of the organization and the tasks needed to achieve these goals. It is the leader who carries the torch of enthusiasm into the meeting and lights the flame of the others! When the flames are burning, everyone will want to attend the next meeting because they share the vision of the leader.
As leaders within your church we need to create staff meetings that are organized, consistent, and positive. If you are having difficulty bringing people together, investigate the substance of your meetings. Do you want to attend your meeting? You might be surprised!
"Personal & Practical"
Bible Studies on Software
Dr. Curt Scarborough, out of his background and experience of almost a half-century of Christian ministry, has written a complete 5-volume set of Bible studies entitled "Personal & Practical" which will be available soon on CD. This new software package includes a chapter-by-chapter study on every book in the Old and New Testaments.
Personal & Practical: The 5 Books of Law
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 187 chapters of Genesis through Deuteronomy
Personal & Practical: The 12 Books of History
Preaching and teaching notes and outlines on
all 249 chapters of Joshua through Esther
Personal & Practical: The 5 Books of Poetry
Preaching and teaching notes and outlines on
all 243 chapters of Job through Song of Solomon
Personal & Practical: The 17 Books of Prophecy
Preaching and teaching notes and outlines on
all 250 chapters of Isaiah through Malachi
Personal & Practical: The 27 Books of the New Testament
Preaching and teaching notes and outlines on
all 260 chapters of Matthew through Revelation
"Personal and Practical" is a result of at least four hours of daily study and writing over a period of more than three years . . . a total of 5,000 plus hours of study and meditation. It is easily adaptable for private devotional use, aimed toward personal spiritual growth. Although it is designed to build discipline in personal study, it also provides practical, easy-to-understand Christian principles for teaching within a Bible class or prayer service.
"Personal & Practical" contains one full page of outline/study notes for each of the 1,189 chapters in the Bible. It is presented in a sentence outline format, with references, and is suitable for expository teaching. Intensely practical, each study in the series contains four main headings: concentration, meditation, revelation, and application.
The study, which allows for systematic through-the-Bible teaching, comes packaged on a single compact disk, designed for the easy duplication of study notes to be distributed to Bible class members or to the congregation. It contains enough useable material for two expository sermons or Bible teaching sessions per week for more than 11 years!
The five "Personal & Practical" books serve as the main texts for the Spiritual Mentoring track of the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity, founded by Dr. Scarborough in 1992. It introduces serious students of the Scriptures to his innovative MERE Bible study system, a new revelatory method which emphasizes meditating upon God's word and opening to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, I John 2:20, 27.
Special Introductory Pre-release Offer
$39.95 including postage, shipping and handling costs
Save $10.00 off the regular price of $49.95
Offer good through July 31, 2002
Planned release date for the CD - September 1, 2002
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money will be refunded!
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For a sample "Personal & Practical" Bible study, visit our website at:
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