Who Knows That You Know?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…  Ephesians 1:3

Happy Thanksgiving

Paul’s in jail.

When he writes, ‘Blessed be God the Father who has blessed us,’  he is sitting in a Roman prison; he breaks out in praise despite the fact he’s in lock-down. I find that to be incredible.

How can he do it?

I submit to you there are at least two reasons. First, Paul comprehends that blessings don’t just come from Jesus, but are realized in Jesus. Grateful believers are those who recognize and draw upon this indwelling relationship.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Secondly, Paul has seen the future in Christ.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago–whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows–such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows–how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Consider Your Platform

By our standards, Paul had it rough. His platform was a lowly prison cell, yet he used every inch of it to bring honor, glory, and praise to Jesus Christ.

Tim Tebow has a platform too. As an NFL quarterback he is regularly interviewed on television and always gives the glory to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, despite being ridiculed from one side of the country to the other.

It’s safe to say that your platform is somewhere in between Paul’s and Tebow’s.

How are you using it?

When it’s your turn to speak, is the name of Jesus mentioned?

I’m reminded of an up-and-coming Christian musician who recently appeared on one of the nation’s most popular afternoon television shows. Did he give Jesus any of the glory? The short answer is no, he did not. He did however take the time to promote himself and his secular agenda.

???

All Christians must remember that God provides the platform and if we consistently misuse the opportunities, they’ll be given to someone else. Plain and simple, it’s arrogant, selfish, and prideful when we fail to recognize the One who has made us new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thankful?

1. Has God given you a platform?
2. Is Jesus a part of your conversations?
3. Do those under your roof know you know Him?
4. Do your neighbors know you know Him?
5. Do both your friends and enemies know you know Him?

~ ~ ~

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Mixed Messages

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

I confess, I spend a good chunk of time on Facebook. For me, it’s but another mission field and I try to be a good steward of the time and space. So while it’s true that I do socialize on the social network, I always try to bring Jesus Christ into the conversation.

The Indirect Route

A friend (we’ll call him Jim because that’s his name), posted to his profile that he was going to the dentist and he wanted something that was both hopeful and funny to say to his doctor. As a means to bring Jesus into their conversation I suggested he say, “Dr. ______, I thank God that you are my dentist.”

For the humorous part I told him to add, “And I pray you washed your hands.”

Where a remark like that goes is in God’s hands, but it certainly was a leaping off point. It further demonstrates that an indirect remark about faith might lead to a deeper conversation about the focus of our faith. If it dies in the water, so be it, but that’s not really the issue, is it? I believe God is looking for faith-filled, obedience and is less concerned with results.

The Direct Route

This morning, my across-the-street, father and son neighbors, Mario and Pasquale came over to do some spackling and tile work. I greeted them at the door and then left them to do their business. After a few moments, the Lord spoke to my heart.

“Go back and pray with them,” He said.

Ugh.  I didn’t want to. I grumbled a little bit, but then recalled my wife’s prayer earlier in the morning,

…And may Mario and his son feel Your presence in our home this morning.

Suddenly I saw this occasion for the divine appointment it was; I had the opportunity to be an answer to prayer; a tool in the Master’s hand! So I went up to them and asked if I could pray for them. Yes, I sensed some discomfort, but they said yes and His name went forth. Where will it go? I don’t know, but that doesn’t really matter, does it?

The In-Your-Face Route

An old high school friend posted a sign on her FB page that read, “Hurt me with the truth, but never comfort me with a lie.”

Seeing the direct invitation I wrote back, “John 14:6,” the verse where Jesus proclaims,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

She’s Jewish.

She never responded, but that’s not the point is it?

Our Christian Platform

In the video, Tim Tebow talks to the CBN host about his faith, his platform, and his purpose. He also relates some advice his father had given to him when he was younger.

“Bret Favre can go into any school and share any message he wants… when you’re in that position you can share any message you want.”

The wise counsel was not at all a knock on Bret Favre, but merely an illustration pointing out the significance of our God-given positions. Tim has never forgotten his father’s words and now constantly shares about his Christian faith. He has come to realize that the spotlight he has been given was granted to illuminate Jesus the Christ, not Tim the football player.

I’m no Tim Tebow, but nevertheless, I have a platform and a spotlight. So do you. The stage may not be as big, nor the light as intense, but the magnitude of the message is still the same. The reality is that every single encounter a Christian has is a divine appointment and not one of them should be wasted.

Be Reasonable

Is it reasonable to bring Jesus into every conversation? I submit to you that it is. I would further offer that to the degree a Christian understands their own salvation is to the same degree they will find it a reasonable thing to talk about. Consider these questions:

• What have you been saved from?
• What have you been saved for?
• Who saved you?
• Who have you told?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

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