“JUST ONE REQUEST” AUTHOR UNKNOWN.
Dear master for this coming year.
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness, or any earthly thing.
I do not ask to understand,
The way Thou leadest me.
But this I ask, Teach me to do,
The thing that pleaseth thee.
I want to know thy guiding voice.
To walk with thee each day.
Dear Master make me swift to hear and ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin,
A happy year will be,
If I am seeking just to do,
The thing that pleaseth thee.
As we begin this new year I believe the church will face many challenges. The greatest will be to keep our identity. The culture around us is evolving and dictating to the church to conform to their standards.
We live in what has been called the “post modern age” the culture is calling out, “don’t judge me.” “I’m ok you must tolerate and accept what I do.” Society pressures Christians to conform to their values that are in constant flux.
With a new year, the church stands as an entity that could be gobbled up in the culture if we do look back to our roots. The Apostles of our Lord and the first century church were willing to go to their death for the Lord not because they made resolutions to the Lord but they were resolved about the Lord.
It is with a similar resolve the church will triumph and grow today. What is the difference between a resolve and a resolution? A Resolution is: ” A formal determination.” Resolutions are not bad, but they are often like a treaty, they last as long as it is convenient. Like making a resolution to loose weight, how long do those last? The bible does not speak about resolutions, however it does speak about having resolve. And although the word Resolutions is derived from the word Resolve, I believe there are some important differences.
To be Resolved is: “To fix or settle by deliberate choice.” To be resolved is synonymous with being purposed, determined and holding steadfast in direction.
1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
The Apostle Paul said that to a church that was worldly. Then and now the believers have one thing to offer the world, and its the only thing that will matter in eternity, we offer salvation.
Today there pressure on the church to focus on things other than the Gospel. Some would think that the church is only social reform, or to preach on health and wealth. Still others would have the church be a welfare agency, or a counseling center.
All these things may help people but none offer eternal hope. Today, much of the church has lost it’s identity, just as it had in Corinth. So like Paul going to Corinth, believers must remember and proclaim the most important message. It is the only message that shows God’s power, its the message of the Jesus Christ and the cross.
Paul reminds us that was his focus his resolve. The message of Jesus Christ is simply that no one is good enough to get to God – so God sent his Son to be good enough for us. And whosoever believes in him will have eternal life. This is the only message that demonstrates the power of God.
1CO 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Let be like the first century church who had one message, with many avenues of ministry. To be resolved in our message is to trust that by the power of the Gospel, God will do the work in people’s lives that I can not do. To be resolved in the Gospel is to trust God’s power in my own life over working my way to God. Justification by faith, its all by Grace and that is my resolution for this year, to believe God’s word and to believe that there is power in His word.
Blessings for a new year
Pastor Rich <><