Category: Digging in Deeper

Digging in Deeper: Acts 17:28

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“For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’” (CSB – Read the chapter)

One of the errors Christians sometimes make is in thinking there’s nothing redeeming about the world at all. While we are to reject the world and its ways, the people in it were still created in God’s image even if they don’t recognize that. And, as bearers of God’s image, they will occasionally stumble across truth and get something right. This is usually accidental, but even as a broken clock is right twice a day, so the world sometimes gets it right. I was reminded of this in a recent episode of Abbott Elementary. Let me tell you how.

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Digging in Deeper: Philippians 3:10-11

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“My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What is it that matters most in the end? We can offer up all sorts of different answers to that question. Various folks have pointed to money or possessions in one way or another. Most people, though, generally have a sense that isn’t the right answer. We could also point to things like relationships, good works, or renown. Here, as Paul is talking about what matters most to him, he points to something we don’t think about—even as followers of Jesus—but which should fall a whole lot more centrally on our radar. Let’s take a look at what he has to say.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 8:1-2

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“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I finally broke down and did it. I waited as long as I could. I really could have done it at any time, but I just didn’t want to at first. But then everybody was doing it. Just about literally everybody. And everybody was talking about it. And it was a cultural phenomenon. And I finally just had to see for myself. So I did it. It wasn’t very long. And it was better than I expected. It really was as good as most everybody had said. And there were just so many Gospel touchpoints. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch on that mark, but it touched on some truths that are really important to understand. If only it offered real solutions. Wondering what I’m talking about? I finally watched the international smash hit, KPop Demon Hunters. Let’s talk about it.

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Digging in Deeper: Philippians 3:7-9

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“But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What are you most proud of in this life? What is the thing you point to that you think gives your life meaning and value? How did you come by that thing? Was it given to you? Did you labor hard to achieve it? Did it come by a path of suffering? What would your life look like if you didn’t have it anymore? In the last section, Paul laid out his resume for the Philippian believers and it was a pretty impressive resume indeed. In these next few verses, starting with these two, he reflects on it all and points to what matters most to him. Let’s check it out.

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Digging in Deeper: Philippians 2:25-30

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“But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need—since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

It’s tough sometimes knowing when something should be a habit and when it should be merely an occasional affair. It takes wisdom to know when some event should be annual or ongoing and when it should be a one-time thing. This is especially true in the church. When we do something that works, that’s really exciting. Just because it works though, doesn’t mean we should necessarily do it again. It doesn’t mean it should become a permanent fixture in our ministry. Sometimes it is time to go, but there are also times to stay or even to come home. I say all of this because of what Paul has to say about his next ministry partner. Let’s talk about it.

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