It's Go Time!

The Wait Is Over

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Not just for the past few days or weeks, but years. Decades. Dare I say, centuries. It could be the birth of your first grandchild. Maybe it’s paying off your mortgage (Really? You can actually do that?). Your favorite team has finally won a championship (I’m looking at you, Cubs fans).

When we get the incredible news that what we’ve hoped for has finally happened, we can’t sit down. Tom Petty is right. Waiting is the hardest part. What’s even better is that the real deal is way better than anything we expected. Now that it’s here, the party is unavoidable!

It’s Go Time!

Mark’s Bio of Jesus

That’s the picture Mark paints in the opening chapter of his bio of Jesus. Let’s back up a bit. First, John the Baptizer preps people for Messiah’s arrival (Mk 1:1-8). When the sinless Son of God gets baptized, the other two Members of the Trinity can’t get there fast enough to celebrate (Mk 1:9-11).

Before Jesus starts spreading the Good News, the Spirit sends Him on the road for a duel in the desert with the devil (Mk 1:12-13). Christ dominates Satan in this forty-day slugfest. Spoiler alert: It won’t be the last time they tangle.

Palestine’s Hottest Reality Show

That’s where we pick up the action in John Mark’s story. “Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News” (v14). As soon as the Lord gets back from His road victory over the evil one, He gets the awful news that His weird, bug eating cousin is behind bars.

Jesus’ other biographers fill in the blanks on what’s going down with the Baptizer (Mt 14:3-4; Lk 3:19-20). It’s like some sordid soap opera story line right out of “The Young and Restless.” Apparently, First Century Palestine’s hottest reality show is all about royalty. Just call it “Herod Hot and Bothered.”

A Royal Scandal

It all begins when King Herod Antipas steals his brother Philip’s wife Herodias. John the Baptizer calls them out publicly for their slimy sinfulness. Antipas tries to get on his lady’s good side by arresting John and shutting him up.

I don’t know about you, but I usually get my wife gifts like cards, flowers, or chocolate as a present…not a fur wearing prophet of God. Then again, when you’re openly sleeping with your sister-in-law, all bets are off.

Herod’s Sleazy Birthday Party

John the Baptizer eventually dies after one of the most twisted scenes you’ll see anywhere. Read it for yourself over in Matthew 14. At Herod’s incredibly sleazy birthday party, he has his own niece perform a little bump-and-grind for the crowd. This is actually in the Bible, people!!

As a result, the king tells Herodias’ daughter she can have anything her little heart desires. Must have been quite a dance. Mom whispers to her little girl and suggests a shiny silver platter topped with the severed head of that rather annoying John the Baptizer (Mt 14:1-11).

Galilee Bound

Meanwhile back in Mark, we see Jesus putting the Judean wilderness in His rearview mirror. “Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News” (v14). He’s headed 90 miles north. That’s the distance from where most folks put Christ’s baptism to Capernaum, the Galilean fishing village that will become the Lord’s home office.

As a matter of fact, Matthew’s Gospel makes the point of telling us the Baptizer’s arrest is exactly the reason our Savior decides to head His home turf of Galilee (Mt 4:12). Remember, He grew up just down the road from Capernaum in Nazareth. A hick town so backward that it provided the punchline to a local joke (Jn 1:46).

No Hidden Agenda

Once back in Galilee, Jesus begins broadcasting breaking news. Breaking GOOD News. Mark uses a word we translate as “preached” (Gr. κηρυσσω/kerusso), which describes a public proclamation or open announcement.

The radical Rabbi/Carpenter is not secretly spreading the Gospel. He doesn’t organize a whisper campaign. He has no hidden agenda. His mission and His message are to publicly proclaim that God’s long promised plan is unfolding right before their eyes.

The Messiah’s Method and Message

Jesus’ method is actually pretty simple. He hits all the synagogues in Galilee, openly announcing God’s Good News as well as miraculously healing people of sickness and disease (Mt 4:23). His miracles help folks realize His message is legit and He really is Messiah. He’s the Hero the prophets have predicted for thousands of years.

Because Jesus preached, God now calls us to preach Jesus. That’s exactly what His followers did in Acts as the Tsunami of Grace rolled all around the Mediterranean Rim (Acts 5:42; 8:12; 10:36; 11:20; 17:18; 28:31). Two thousand years later, methods have changed. But the message has not.

Loud and Proud

Keep it simple. Preach Jesus. Make Him famous. Do it loud. Do it proud. Tell a friend. Don’t freak out and think you must have every answer to every question. You don’t have to be the Bible Answer Man. Simply tell folks about what He’s done for you. Preach Jesus.

Christ rolls into Galilee “proclaiming the Gospel” (v14). The Gospel. Boy, talk about a word that has drags around a truckload of churchy baggage. In the original language, “Gospel” is compound noun (Gr. ευαγγελιον/euaggelion) which literally means “good (Gr. ευ-/eu-) message (Gr. -αγγελιον/-aggelion).”

When Good Is Great

Back in the Greco-Roman world, this word usually meant breaking news of a recent military victory. With no 24-hour cable news or internet (stop and think about THAT for just a minute!), the winning army would send a messenger sprinting back from the battlefield to let everybody know the good news. We won! Start the party! It’s what we’ve been waiting to hear!

Part of the problem is that we’ve lost the true meaning of “good.” For us, good simply describes good enough. Just barely above acceptable. His Good News is not just meh good but EXCELLENT GOOD! We’re talking and-the-crowd-goes-wild GOOD!! The Gospel of God is ticker-tape-parade GOOD!!!

God’s good is our GREAT! That’s because God Himself is THE definition of goodness. That’s why Jesus tells a young rich dude, “Only God is truly good” (Mk 10:17). God’s Good News is the greatest news!! It’s the news we’ve been waiting to hear.

Crushing Sin’s Skull

The Good News of God is that Jesus has come to do for us what we could never do on our own. What exactly is that? First of all, He defeats sin and death. This is the very same sin and death our first parents allowed to slither into God’s perfect creation (Gen 3:1-7). Christ has come to crush sin’s skull (Gen 3:15). That’s certainly party worthy by itself!

The Gospel is that Jesus came to live the perfect life of obedience to God’s commands that we could never live. Do you realize that we can never be good enough in God’s eyes when it comes to keeping His rules? Jesus’ kid brother says if we break one, we’ve broken them all (James 2:10). Sounds like we’re ALL in need of a Savior.

Doing What We Can’t

Just when we think all is lost and we don’t stand a chance, that’s where Christ comes in on our behalf. Jesus wants us to know He didn’t come to erase His Father’s commands from Scripture but fulfill every single one of them for us when we can’t (Mt 5:17). Paul writes about how God willingly trades His sinless Son for my steaming pile of self-salvation (2Cor 5:21).

The Good News also means Jesus’ substitutes Himself in my place at Calvary. He dies the death I should have died for my rebellion against His kingdom. And it that’s not good enough, He rises to a glorious resurrection life that I certainly do NOT deserve.

But the Good News doesn’t stop there. The Gospel is SO much more than our incredible opportunity to spend eternity with Jesus. When Christ returns for His spectacular encore, our Savior will restore God’s perfect creation back to where it belongs (Mt 19:28; Col 1:19-20; Rev 21:2). I told you this is Good News!

Holding Out for a Hero

Christ tells the folks of Galilee this is the moment they’ve all been waiting for. “The time promised by God has come at last!” (v15). A promise He made in the garden to Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15). A promise He makes over and over to folks like Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 17:1-8), David (2Sam 7:9-16), and prophets named Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

The people of God have been waiting and waiting and waiting. From their perspective, it made the DMV look like a fast pass at Disney World. They wondered if it would EVER happen. They were holding out for a hero long before Bonnie Tyler recorded her hit tune. Well guess what, sports fans…this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!

It’s Go Time!

Our On-Time God

The Apostle Paul put it this way. “When the right time came, God sent His Son” (Gal 4:4). Almighty God lives outside the river of time. He stands on the bank and sees the beginning, the middle, and the end. The beauty of being the Great I Am is always being in the present tense.

With that kind of perspective, His timing is perfect. He’s never early. He’s never late. He’s always right on time. He’s an on-time God. He’s an on-time Savior. Same with any problem you and I are facing. He’s STILL an on-time God. So when Jesus arrives two thousand years ago in Palestine, it’s not a moment too soon or too late.

It’s Go Time!

So Close You Almost Taste It

Once Jesus hits Galilee, He announces, “The Kingdom of God is near!” (v15). Not only is this what you’ve been waiting for but it is right here. So close you can almost touch it. So close you can almost taste it.

Just what is this Kingdom of God the Son of God is talking about? Mark gives us a few clues. First of all, it’s a mystery (Mk 4:11). That’s Bible talk describing something hidden for a long time and finally revealed. Our Savior is pulling back the curtain on the Kingdom.

The Kingdom Defined

God’s Kingdom is also a lot like someone spreading seeds (Mk 4:26). Jesus says it also belongs to kids (Mk 10:14-15). Yet it’s harder to get into than the most exclusive club. Christ says it’s almost impossible to enter even if you’re rich…ESPECIALLY if you’re rich (Mk 10:23-24). You can’t buy your way in.

In one conversation, the Messiah tells one of the so-called religious experts that he didn’t realize just how close he was to the Kingdom of God (Mk 12:34). On the night before His murder, Christ promises His crew that He won’t drink another drop of wine until He gets there (Mk 14:25).

Bringing Heaven to Earth

The Kingdom is near because wherever the King of Kings goes, His Kingdom goes with Him. A big part of His mission is to bringing God’s Kingdom down with Him. Sure, going to heaven when we die will be awesome. But you know what’s even better? Jesus bringing heaven to earth forever, once and for all!

That’s probably why He told His posse to pray to His Father to send it right away. “May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). Imagine a day when stuff here on our broken and fallen world (which WE broke, by the way!) happens just like it does in the perfect rhythm of heaven. I don’t know about you, but that can’t happen fast enough.

Doing a 180

Jesus tells folks there are two important preps we must make for the coming Kingdom. “Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (v15). Repent and believe. Turn and trust.

Let’s take those one at a time. “Repent of your sins” is actually one single Greek verb (Gr. μετανοεω/metanoeo) which describes a change of heart, turning from something toward something else. It’s a compound word which literally means “after (Gr. μετα-/meta-) thinking (Gr. -νοεω/-noeo).”

The Bad News Is REALLY Bad

“Repent” is another one of those super duper churchy words that conjures up visions of hellfire-spewing evangelists and summer tent revivals. But it’s actually one of THE most grace-filled ideas we’ll find anywhere. You see, repentance is actually a gift. Our incredibly gracious God grants us the privilege making a 180 when He doesn’t have to (Acts 11:18; 2Tim 2:24-25).

We can’t know the incredibly Good News without understanding the bad news. The bad news is that we’re all sinners. We’re all enemies of God’s Kingdom (Rom 5:10; Col 1:21). Rebels. Terrorists.

I told you the bad news is really bad. But repentance makes the Good News REALLY good! Jesus gives us the opportunity to turn from our self-centered, self-absorbed sinfulness and toward His grace and mercy. He gives me the amazing chance to spin from my sin.

Faithing

The second half of Jesus’ big announcement is for us to “believe in the Good News!” (v15). Now that we know what the Good News is, what exactly does the Lord mean by “believe”? One more time, a quick look into the original language will come in handy.

The word the NLT translates here as “believe” (Gr. πιστευω/pisteuo) paints a picture of placing your faith in something, trusting, or having complete confidence and assurance. It actually comes from the same root word as the Greek word for “faith” (Gr. πιστις/pistis). So believing is, shall we say, faithing.

Do You Smell What He’s Cooking?

Believing in the Good News is NOT working up some sort of inner gumption for God. That’s buying the lie that we can come up with enough belief on our own. Instead, believing in the Gospel IS placing your trust in who Jesus is and what He has done.

That’s because it’s WAY better to have a weak faith in a strong object than the other way around. And there’s no stronger object than Christ. Why do you think they call Him the Rock? If you smell what He’s cooking.

A little later, Mark will introduce us to the desperate dad of a demon-possessed little boy. The man not only pleads with Jesus to heal his son but honestly admits his own weak trust. “I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mk 9:24). Are you willing to offer the same prayer to our Savior?

How’s That Working Out for You?

In the end, Jesus’ talk about God’s Kingdom and the Gospel is all about turning and trusting. I must continually turn from my own jacked up way of trying to do life my own way. In the words of Dr. Phil, “How’s that working out for you?” Do I REALLY need to tell you?

The Good News is Jesus came so that we could do life the way God originally designed it. I can now turn from the dumpster fire I’ve started and turn toward my Savior.

Now that Jesus has arrived and brought God’s Kingdom with Him, there’s no time to waste. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to repent. It’s time to believe. Turn and trust.

It’s Go Time!

©2017
Jay Jennings

The New Neighbor

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (Jn 1:14 The Message).

Who Are They?

A moving van rumbles past your house and down the cul-de-sac. It pulls up in front of the house that sold last month. Yup, you’ve got new neighbors. 

What will they be like? Noisy? Nosey? Kind? Quiet? Do they have kids? Are they teenagers? Do they own a dog? Can you trust them? 

These are just a few of the questions that run through your head. New neighbors can change everything in the neighborhood.

A Big Change in the 'Hood

A couple of thousand years ago, a Galilean fisherman named John remembers the day he got a new Neighbor. This new Neighbor changed everything in the ‘hood. In a good way. A VERY good way. 

And when he says “neighborhood,” he means the entire world. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to this neck of the woods.

So what exactly did John say? Here it is as we find it in The Message, a paraphrase of the Bible. “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (v14).

The Why of Christmas

Believe it or not, John is writing about Christmas. You’ve probably heard the other more popular versions of Jesus’ birth as told by a former tax collector (Mt 1:1-25) and a first century physician (Lk 2:1-20). 

These guys tell us the play-by-play of how God uses a young carpenter and his pregnant teenage fiancee to bring His one and only Son into the world. John backs up and explains the story. Matthew and Luke give us the what. John gives us the why.

Before the Big Move 

First of all, we read about what our new Neighbor was doing before the big move. “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). John’s referring back to what he had to say at the very beginning of this document we’ve come to call the Gospel of John. “The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word, in readiness for God from day one” (Jn 1:1). 

This is his way of saying the Son of God was hanging out at the heavenly palace with God the Father from the very beginning. God’s mansion is so upscale that it makes Beverly Hills and Palm Beach look like the projects.

Packing for the Move

But Jesus is about to pack up and move. Instead of packing boxes and calling the movers, something else happens. Something amazing! “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). The Second Person of the Trinity took on human form. 

The One who was already 100% God also became 100% human. The math doesn’t make sense, but as one of God’s spokespersons told Jesus’ mom, “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God” (Lk 1:38).

Putting on His Earth Suit

In order to make the move, the Son of God puts on His Earth suit. He becomes the God-Man. Theologians, preachers, and a long list of smart folks have been trying to wrap their brains around this one for several hundred years. 

Some like to call it the Incarnation. That basically means God with meat. Don’t believe me? Ever have chili con carne or chili with meat?

Hypostatic What?

Another term we’ve cooked up to describe this divine/human combo is hypostatic union. It’s a high fallutin’ way of saying nobody can really figure out how Jesus did this. 

The writer of Hebrews points out how this gave God the opportunity to fully experience what it’s like to be mortal with one important exception. “He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Heb 4:15). Let’s break down the divine math this way: 100% God + 100% Man = 100% Savior.

The Ultimate Missionary

After the Son of God packed Himself in a human box, it was time to hit the road from Heaven to Earth. That’s when He “moved into the neighborhood” (v14). It’s because Jesus is the ultimate Missionary. 

Just like missionaries move right into the heart of the communities they will serve, so did our Savior. He buy a McMansion in a gated community and swing by to slum with us a couple of times a year. Jesus moved in.

One-of-a-Kind Glory

Because the Son of God lived just down the street, He gave folks a a glimpse of who He really was. “We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son” (v14). 

John’s not talking about Jesus’ baby pictures. He’s probably describing the time on a mountain when Christ let us Godness shine to John, his brother James, and their buddy Peter (Mt 17:1-8; Mr 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36).

Like Father, Like Son

Just to make sure these three are sure of what they’re seeing firsthand, Jesus’ Heavenly Dad connects the dots for them. “This is My Son, marked by My love, focus of My delight. Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). That’s why the apostle likes to say, “Like Father, like Son.” (v14). 

Want to know what God the Father looks like? Take a long look at the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee. They share a glory you don’t see anywhere else. “Like Father, like Son” (v14).

Generous Inside and Out

John says our new Neighbor is the kind of person you hope moves in just down the street. He’s “generous inside and out” (v14). Jesus isn’t the stingy guy on the block who never loans any of His tools, keeps a death grip on His wallet, or is too busy to talk. 

He’s generous with everything He has whether we deserve it or not. ESPECIALLY when we don’t deserve it. That’s the definition of grace. He gives. And it’s not phony. Need anything, just ask. Our new Neighbor’s “generous inside and out” (v14).

A Straight Shooter

Jesus is also “true from start to finish” (v14). He’s the one guy in the neighborhood we can always trust. Christ didn’t move in and immediately start complaining to the HoA. He’s true to His word. 

If He says, He does it. He’s a straight shooter and not afraid to say what needs to be said. No hidden agenda. Our new Neighbor has been that way ever since He rolled into town. There’s no reason to think He’ll ever change.

John wants us to know there’s no reason to worry. You’re going to love our new Neighbor. Why don’t you go say “hello”?

©2016
Jay Jennings

Jesus Pitches a Tent

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14).

The One who spoke the entire universe into being made a decision to rough it.  As the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son was 100% God.  Then something absolutely crazy happened.  Somehow, someway, He added to His 100% Godness.  He took on 100% humanity too!  That’s the new math.  The new DIVINE math. 

          100% God+100% Man=100% Savior!

But the Son didn’t sit back and chill out after taking on His brand new humanity.  He was about to make a road trip.  He had mission.  The Son packed up and headed to Earth.  He headed into the very creation He shaped and formed.  But when He left the lap of heaven’s luxury, He didn’t check into the Four Seasons or the Plaza.  He “dwelt among us.”  

Setting up Camp

John tells us that the Son of God went camping.  The original text tells us us that He literally “tabernacled” (Gr.σκενοω/skeno’o) once He got to earth.  In other words, Jesus set up camp and pitched a tent.  The Message describes how Christ “moved into the neighborhood.”  For the Second Person of the Big Three, His accommodations were just a bit less posh than the glorious palace He enjoyed back home in heaven.  

Jesus pitches a tent.  God is roughing it.  And if you have any doubts about all that, remember where Jesus made His arrival.  In a stinky old barn behind the Motel 6 in Bethlehem. 

Eyewitness to Glory

At this point, John jumps into the story and tells us what he saw.  “We have seen His glory.”  Since we know Jesus’ buddy wasn’t hanging out with the shepherds when the angels lit up the sky in glory, that can’t be what he’s talking about.  

Most likely, the apostle is talking about that crazy day Christ took him, his big brother Jim and their fishing buddy Pete mountain climbing.  Once they arrived at the summit, something wild happened.  Jesus started changing and glowing!  Their Leader pulled back the curtains of heaven to let them know just who He really was.  

Or John could be describing Jesus’ appearance after His resurrection.  And their’s a chance that this is his way of summing up all of their experiences with the remarkable Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilean.  His teaching exposed God’s glory.  His miracles revealed God’s glory.  His love disclosed God’s glory.  John and the boys saw Jesus’ glory with their own eyes.  They didn’t get this crazy stuff second hand.

The One and Only

John and the rest of the posse realized Jesus was more than Mary and Joe’s kid from Nazareth.  He was the one and only Son of God.  While Joe was a great dad, he was Jesus' adoptive father.  He and his wife had other kids.  But Christ was an only Child.  

His Dad in heaven had just one Boy.  Jesus was someone special.  That’s the meaning behind the term we translate “only.”  This is μονογενες/monogenes, which means unique, one of a kind, the one and only or the only one like it.  Jesus is unique.  He’s one of a kind.  He’s the one and only.  He’s the only one.  There was and is NOBODY like Him.  Ever.  

It’s interesting to understand that the word “Son” isn’t there in the original Greek text.  You can actually write this phrase in English as “the Unique of the Father.”  The First Person of the Trinity had only one Son.  There was and is no one else like Him in the history of the universe.  Jesus, the one and only. 

Grace and Truth

One of the things that makes Christ unique is the fact that no one who was so overflowing in goodness spoke so bluntly.  Jesus was “full of grace and truth.”  Everywhere He went, He opened up the fire hose of God’s blessing.  Healing.  Teaching.  Loving.  Caring.  

But Christ also pulled no punches when it came to telling the truth about sin.  Just ask the lady caught in adultery.  Or the woman sitting by the well in Sychar.  Or the religious bullies known as the Sanhedrin.  He told them the truth.  He made it perfectly clear that they needed a Savior.  One way to understand John’s wording is that Jesus made the Good News REALLY good because the bad news is REALLY bad.  

That’s what happens when you experience the one-of-a-kind Son of God.  
          100% God+100% Man=100% Savior!

A Human Torch of Worship

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1Tim 1:17).

Sometimes it just hits you and you never saw it coming. You can’t contain yourself and you can’t stop. Something you didn’t expect happens on the field or the court and sends the crowd into craziness. An unexpected rally in the bottom of the ninth. A frenetic fourth quarter comeback. A half court heave at the buzzer. You and the rest of the fans jump from your seats in unrestrained enthusiasm! Sometimes all want to do is celebrate!

That’s exactly what’s happening here in Paul’s first letter to Timothy in chapter one. The apostle has very specific and important instructions for the pastor of the Ephesian megachurch. First and foremost, stuff a sock in the team of false teachers who are selling a snake oil gospel that’s really no Gospel at all (1Tim 1:3-7). Paul takes a moment to recall just how crazy good God has been to him despite his rap sheet as a killer and torturer of Jesus’ followers (1Tim 1:12-14). Despite being the first of the worst of sinners, our Savior came to his rescue (1Tim 1:15). God uses His incredibly Good News through Paul’s bad example to spread His message of eternal life (1Tim 1:16). 

Suddenly the apostle can’t hold back. He explodes in worship to the One who has done so much for him and through him. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (v17). I have to say that I’m a little disappointed in our good friends translating the ESV in their lack of exclamation points here. In case you didn’t know, the original Greek text of the New Testament didn’t contain any chapter breaks, verse numbers, or punctuation. Given all of his excitement over what he’s just written, I just don’t see Paul quietly dropping a period here. Exclamation points!! Lots of them!!!!! ALL CAPS!!!!!! Is it too crazy to see him putting down his quill and running around the room in celebration at this point?!?!? I think not! Sometimes all you want to do is celebrate!

Theologians have a fancy schmancy word for these passages in the Bible. They call them doxologies. Ooo, looks like somebody has been using their Word-a-Day calendar! This is a $10 term that simply means “glory words.” You’ll find them all throughout the pages of Scripture like volcanos unexpectedly erupting in praise to God (1Chr 29:10-13; Is 6:3; Mt 6:13; Heb 13:21; 1Pet 5:11; 2Pet 3:18; Jude 25). It probably comes a no shock that a lot of them are song lyrics (Ex 15:18; Ps 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:40; 146:10; 150:1; Lk 2:14; Rev 4:8; 5:13; 7:12). Paul is particularly prone to these sudden explosions of God’s glory (Rom 16:25-27; Gal 1:5; Eph 3:20-21; Phil 4:20). In fact, he cuts loose again a little later in this letter (1Tim 6:16)! He’s a Human Torch of spontaneous worship combustion!

Near the end of this very same letter, Paul busts loose in unbridled worship of God one more time. “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion” (1Tim 6:15-16). Sometimes all the apostle can do is celebrate…not once, but twice!

After talking about God’s gift of eternal life to those who trust in Jesus in the previous verse (1Tim 1:16), it’s probably no surprise Paul immediately applauds “to the King of the ages” (v17). Make no mistake about who’s in charge. It’s not me. It’s not you. It’s not even Donald Trump. God is King. He’s in total control of the universe. Every bit of it. This has a couple of implications. One, relax. God’s got this. Two, He’s the Boss. The apostle wants us to now that God’s reign will never end. Don’t worry your pretty little head about divine term limits. 

The idea of God as King Eternal is all over the place, biblically speaking. The prophet Isaiah talked about a Baby who would come one day to rule forever. “For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Is 9:6-7). To put it in the words of Ricky Bobby, eight pound six ounce Baby Jesus is also King Jesus, King of the ages. 

But wait, there’s more! We see God as a nonstop ruling Machine all throughout the Bible (Ex 15:18; Ps 10:16; 29:10; Jer 10:18; Lam 5:19; Rev 11:15). And check this out. Two different pagan kings were in such awe of Yahweh that they even gave Him His props. Babylonian dictator Nebuchadnezzar may have been the baddest man on the planet at the time, but he was blown away by God’s eternal kingdom (Dan 4:3, 34). One of his successors was a dude named Darius. He might have ruled the world’s top superpower at the time, but he knew he was a short-timer compared to heaven’s eternal King (Dan 6:26). 

One reason that God is the perfect King eternal is because He’s also “immortal” (v17). Paul uses a Greek word here (Gr. aphthartos) that means imperishable, not subject to death or decay. The apostle writes how rebels against God’s kingdom “exchanged the glory of the immortal (Gr. aphthartos) God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things” (Rom 1:23). Earthly athletic champs win “a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (Gr. aphthartos)” (1Cor 9:25). Our God is immortal, imperishable, and indestructible. 

Another interesting aspect of the term is how it describes something or someone unpolluted or incorruptible in an ethical sense. In other words, we can always trust in the goodness and purity of God’s rule. He’s not subject to bribes. He’s not on the take. He won’t be influenced by lobbyists or special interests. Kind of different from that bunch we’ve sent to Washington, don’t you think? He will He never die. He’ll never become corrupt. He’s immortal.

The cool thing is that God can’t wait to share His immortality with us. That happens when we trust in who Jesus is and what He has done for us! For instance when the heavenly horn section blows its final solo then “the dead will be raised imperishable (Gr. aphthartos), and we shall be changed” (1Cor 15:52). God also promises us “an inheritance that is imperishable (Gr. aphthartos), undefiled, and unfading” (1Pet 1:4). God brings us to eternal life when we are born again, “not of perishable seed but of imperishable (Gr. aphthartos), through the living and abiding Word of God” (1Pet 1:23). Can you start to see why Paul is peeked? I thought so!

Speaking of seeing, Paul makes the point that we can’t see God. He’s “invisible” (v17). You may have an image of God the Father as this wise old grandpa with a long white beard. Well, you would be wrong. Moses put in a request to see God but was denied (Ex 33:20). But when the Big Mo hit the road out of Egypt, he wasn’t afraid of pharaoh who he could see. He had a glorious vision of God, “seeing Him who is invisible” (Heb 11:27). Job knew that catching a glimpse Yahweh wasn’t happening for him (Job 9:11; 23:8). 

The writers of the New Testament continue this theme. “No one has ever seen God; the only God” (Jn 1:16). Jesus tells a Samaritan woman that His Heavenly Dad is Spirit (Jn 4:24). The Apostle John makes the blanket statement that “no one has ever seen God as any time” (1Jn 4:12). Just because you can’t see God, doesn’t mean He’s not in control. You can’t SEE gravity but you’re not flying off the planet into space. You can’t SEE oxygen but you’re still breathing. You ARE breathing, aren’t you? (If not, stop reading right now tell somebody RIGHT NOW!) 

You can see how this whole invisibility deal could be a bit of a problem. But it should come as no shock that God has this all taken care of. That’s where the our Savior comes in as the Second Member of the Trinity. The Son of God make it clear that His Dad sent Him as His visible rep to a lost and dying world (Jn 5:37). Paul confirms that Jesus “is the image of the invisible (Gr. aoratos) God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (Gr. aoratos)” (Col 1:15-16). As a matter of fact, the author of Hebrews tells us to never take our eyes off “Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2). So if you want to see God, take a look at His Son.

Don’t get the idea that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three different deities. God is “the only God” (v17). I admit it. The Trinity makes my head hurt. The best way I can figure out how to describe this mystery is One What and Three Whos. How does it work? I have no idea. What Paul wants us to know is that our God is the one and only God. The rest of the contenders are just pretenders. Moses didn’t want the Israelites to be confused. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Dt 6:4). Paul had the same message for Corinthian believers. “There is one God” (1Cor 8:6). And that’s a big reason why the apostle so giddy.

Just in case you had any doubt what to do with these glory words, the man from Tarsus tells Tim that there should “be honor and glory forever and ever” (v17). God is so good, so awesome, so wonderful, so gracious that the applause never stops. The worship never ends. The spotlight never fades. God is the ONLY who deserves this kind of adulation and attention. Not Kim and Kanye. Not The Donald. Not the biggest stars. Not the greatest athletes. God and God alone. A big part of being a follower of Jesus is to make God famous. Tell folks how amazing He is. Tell them how much He’s done for you. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Start making Him famous and don’t stop. He’s really that awesome. Because of that sometimes all you can do is celebrate.

That’s when we come to Paul’s big finish with a simple and emphatic word “Amen” (v17). If you’re like me, you probably were under the mistaken impression that this was just a way of saying “over and out” at the end of prayer. Not so much. It’s powerful word that’s the equivalent of a first century mic drop. It’s like shouting, “Truth!” In other words, truer words have never been spoken. The apostle can’t say it any better than that!

Doxologies like this one don’t just give God the glory, they are also very good for us. They get my eyes off myself as well as my issues and worries. When I set my mind on my VERY big God, suddenly my big hairy problems don’t seem so…well, big and hairy. So when you’re up against it, when you’re between a rock and a hard place, when life smacks you up the side of the head, make God famous. Try some of these glory words. You never know what will happen. You may even spontaneously combust like the Human Torch of worship. Because sometimes all you can do is celebrate. Flame on!

Shining through the Cracks

“In accordance with the Gospel of glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted” (1Tim 1:11)

It’s over. Everything is ruined. And what’s worse, I’m the one who ruined it. Ever been there? Ever taken that disgusting and depressing look back at your own life and seen nothing but a dumpster of destruction, most of it self-inflicted? If your world was a little league game, someone should have used the mercy rule. It’s painfully obvious that it’s “Goodnight. Game over. Drive home safely.” 

If that’s you, meet my friend Paul. A few years back, everybody knew him as Saul of Tarsus. One of the rising stars of Judaism. He was so fired up about his religion that he was going to rid the planet of a pesky sect of people claiming that a radical Rabbi from the boondocks. He cheered when his buddies spilled the blood of a Jesus follower named Stephen. He became a one-man wrecking crew against this so-called Way. Arresting some. Torturing some. Even murdering others. 

But Jesus transforms Saul the murderer into Paul the missionary. God’s grace flips the script in a wacky way that is almost unbelievable. In a letter to his protege Timothy, the former Pharisee describes this radical transformation as “in accordance with the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted” (v11). The beauty of Paul’s story is how incredibly Christ used him despite his sordid history. Someone did institute the mercy rule for the terrorist from Tarsus. That Someone was Jesus. He also used the grace rule, drenching His newest apostle in His descending, one-way love just at the point he didn’t deserve it. So just when you and I think we’re useless, we’re the most useful. The Gospel allows God’s glory to shine through our brokenness.

Tim has had a front row seat to watch Jesus work in and through the man he knows as his spiritual dad (1Tim 1:2). He hopped aboard the Gospel party wagon during Paul’s second expedition around the Mediterranean Rim at a tour stop in Lystra (Acts 16:1-5). Talk about perfect timing. That was right before God threw the doors of Europe open to the message of Christ for the very first time (Acts 16:9-10). If you think the Beatles’ invasion of the U.S. was something, check out what went down in these first cities when the Gospel came to town. 

Philippi (Acts 16:12-40). 

Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). 

Berea (Acts 17:10-15). 

Athens (Acts 17:16-34). 

Corinth (Acts 18:1-17).

Chances are Tim was part of Paul’s team when he rolled into the massive Asian seaport of Ephesus and set up shop for three years (Acts 20:13). Now several years later, the apostle has left his righthand man to pastor the growing megachurch there while he takes the message of Jesus to Macedonia once again (1Tim 1:3). Paul just can’t stop telling everyone he meets everywhere he goes about “the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted” (v11). Jesus took His adversary and made him His apostle. So, do you still think you’re useless?

Paul will talk your ear off about “the Gospel of glory” (v11). So just what exactly is the Gospel? For a lot of us who grew up in the church, the term has become more familiar than the Jello salad your aunt brought to every potluck in the fellowship hall. “Gospel” is the Greek word euaggelion, which literally means “good message” or “beautiful announcement.” Back in the day, a messenger would hustle back from the war with the announcement that the home team has gotten the W in battle. That’s why some folks translate it as good news. But it’s not just good, it’s GRRRRRREAT!!! Jesus has personally just put the smack down on our sin for the win. Yeah, that qualifies as GREAT NEWS!!!

You did hear all about it, didn’t you? It’s such GREAT NEWS, we really can’t hear about it enough. Jesus did for us what we could never dream of doing for ourselves. According to God’s standard, we’re supposed to live a perfect life. When we didn’t, Christ did it for us. As a result of our rebellion, we were supposed to die. Instead Jesus died on the cross in our place. We desperately need new life, but there’s no way as the walking dead that we can climb out of the grave on our own. Once again, the Son of God walks out of the cemetery for us. And if that’s not awesome enough, Jesus declares that there’s absolutely nothing we have to do to STAY in God’s kingdom. I told you it was GREAT NEWS!!! 

Compare that with the crap the team of spiritual hucksters have been peddling to Ephesian believers. According to their counterfeit gospel that says we have to work to stay saved. Jesus may have gotten us in, but we have to do everything we can to stay there. Their gospel garbage isn’t GREAT news. It’s not even okay news. What they’re selling is awful news. Just as it’s impossible to get into God’s kingdom without Jesus help, there’s no way we can stay in without Him. See, I told it wasn’t such good news.

This incredible announcement of Christ’s victory on our behalf is a dazzling reflection of God’s own goodness. Paul describes it as “the Gospel of glory” (v11). The Greek word for “glory” (Gr. doxa) absolutely sparkles in meaning. Think radiance, brilliance, splendor, and majesty. It’s what Bill Murray and the boys in “Stripes” like to call the ol’ razzle dazzle. God’s glory is spectacular. It’s jaw-dropping. The former Pharisee should know. The resurrected Jesus literally blindsided him with the brilliance of His glory when Paul was on one of his infamous search-and-destroy missions to Damascus. “Since I could not see because of the brightness (Gr. doxa) of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus” (Acts 22:11). The glory of Christ shocks us and drops us to our knees. Glory will do that to you.

Make no mistake just Whose news this is. It’s God’s Gospel. He’s the Author. It was His idea. He came up with something so wild, so crazy that nobody else in the universe could have dream up this ridiculous plan. His Good News totally shocks the angels (1Pet 1:12). The false teachers didn’t cook it up. Paul didn't make it up. It’s God’s Gospel. He holds the copyright. As the saying goes, it’s often imitated but never duplicated. It’s His and His alone. But the awesome thing is that He’s not stinging with His message. God is ready to share it with anyone willing to put their faith in Jesus. Did I mention this is GREAT NEWS?!?!?!?

If this isn’t crazy enough already, guess who Jesus personally drafted as His number one spokesperson to non-Jews. If you said “Paul,” you win the prize! The apostle tells Tim how our Savior has “entrusted” (v11) with this blockbuster news. When Paul made a trip to the home office in Jerusalem, church leaders “saw that I had been entrusted with the Gospel” to non-Jews while Peter had similar marching orders to tell Jewish people that Jesus is Messiah (Gal 2:7). God believed in what He could do through Paul, not because of anything Paul brought to the table. God believed in what He could do through him because of God’s own faithfulness. Remember, Jesus is faithful even when we’re not (2Tim 2:13).

Jesus handpicked the former terrorist despite his sorted history. Or maybe BECAUSE of it! Paul’s brokenness provides cracks for God’s Gospel to shine through. That’s exactly what he wrote to the Corinthians about. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2Cor 4:7). It’s NOT about the jar. It’s about Jesus. It’s about letting His Gospel shine in and through us. The Gospel allows God’s glory to shine through our brokenness.

So what about you? If Christ can use Paul, why can’t He use you? Maybe you think your long list of mistakes disqualifies you from serving Jesus. Think again. How does your resume stack up to the apostle’s? Persecuted any Christians lately? Hunted down Jesus’ followers in your spare time? Tortured them? Murdered them? Didn’t think so. On the other hand, we all have our stuff. We all have our failures. We all have our mistakes. But let Jesus glow through the cracks. You see, the Gospel allows God’s glory to shine through our brokenness.

Making Father God Famous Forever

“To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:20).

The latest Hollywood blockbuster is about to premiere. The next hot project from your favorite artist is about to drop. These are times when the PR blitz really gets rolling. Folks involved do everything they can to get the word out. TV interviews. Media tours. Talk show appearances. Email blasts. Social media campaigns. For a few days or weeks, it’s everywhere. You can’t avoid it. But suddenly, it’s over and becomes yesterday’s news. The fame fizzles. 

God has a completely different kind of media campaign. According to Paul, God’s glory never stops. Near the end of his letter to the church back in Philippi, the apostle lets us know God’s push for prominence has legs. It’s long lasting. His fame goes on and on and on and on. “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (v20). You can’t stop it. You can’t even hope to contain it. Why doesn’t His fame ever fade? Because He’s the only One truly worthy of the spotlight. He’s the only One who truly deserves the applause. He’s the only One truly worthy of the standing O. Giving Him glory means making God the Father famous forever. Period.

After thanking God for His overwhelming fire hose of grace (Phil 4:19), Paul can’t write another word without celebrating. He doesn’t want anyone to misunderstand the source of this lavish love. The result is this direct response to His jaw-dropping goodness. The apostle’s words here are what smart dudes in seminaries call a doxology. When I was a kid growing up in a Southern Baptist church, the doxology was the song everybody sang from memory when the ushers carried those plates full of cash back to the pastor. But it’s a whole lot more than a 20-second tune after the offering. 

Doxology literally means “glory words.” We see them all throughout Scripture (Lk 2:14; Rom 11:36; 16:27; Gal 1:4-5; 1Tim 1:17; 1Pet 4:11; Jude 25; Rev 1:6; Rev 7:12). When Paul cuts loose with these words of glory about the goodness of God, it’s nothing like the drone I heard in church as a child. He’s so excited about what Christ is doing, he can’t contain himself. This little letter his friends in Philippi is all about his joy in Jesus. According to Bengel, “The doxology flows out of the joy of the whole epistle.” The man from Tarsus may have spent the past five years behind bars, but that can’t rip the joy of Jesus from his heart. As a matter of fact, it’s this joy of the Lord that gives him the strength to endure no matter his situation (Neh 8:9; Phil 4:11-13).

So just what is this glory Paul’s so excited about? Let’s dig into the original language. “Glory” is the Greek word doxa. which means splendor, brightness, brilliance, magnificence, excellence, splendor, or grandeur. It’s what puts the doxa in our doxology! You can be sure the apostle doesn’t throw this term around willy nilly. And why would he? He’s a eyewitness of Jesus’ glory. He’ll never forget the day he was blindsided by the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter just outside of Damascus. Christ’s appearance was so dazzling that “I could not see because of the brightness (Gr. doxa) of the light” (Acts 22:11). That’s what happens when you catch a glimpse of God’s glory. It’s like looking into a spotlight. 

We read about this supernatural shimmering just about every time God pulls back the curtain of heaven. Just ask the shepherds outside Bethlehem the night Jesus was born (Lk 2:9). How about the time Christ took His inner circle up to the mountain? Not only does Jesus suddenly start to glow, but Moses and Elijah “appeared in glory (Gr. doxa)” (Lk 9:29-32). Jesus tells His posse that the world won’t miss His spectacular return because of His glittering glory.(Mt 24:30; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 13:26; Lk 9:26; 21:27). 

But the glory of God isn’t just about what we see, it’s about what we feel. The Hebrew word in the OT for “glory” is kavod. It carries the idea of weight or heaviness. To experience the glory of God is feel the weight and importance of God. To know His glory is to be under His heaviness. Jonathan Edwards writes that God’s glory is the weight of all He is. C.S. Lewis’ book “The Weight of Glory” goes into great detail about our response to the load of God’s incredible love for us. His grace has gravitas.

Paul doesn’t want us to miss the fact that God the Father’s glory goes on “forever and ever” (v20). He uses the little Greek word aion not once but twice. It’s a time term that means era, age, or eternity. We get our English word eon (or aeon) from it. For geologists, this is the longest continual measure of time. Astronomers define one billion years as an eon. But these scientists still don’t have a clock that will last long enough to count God’s glory. The era of God’s glory is forever. And ever. And ever. And ever. His publicity blitz never ends.

The apostle ends this never-ending doxology with “amen” (v20). For the longest time, I this was simply the way to sign off our prayers. Basically the divine equivalent to “over and out” on a walkie talkie. But this incredibly underrated word has rich implications. “Amen” means truly, so be it, certainly, let it be, this is indeed true, or that’s the way it should be. Today we might say things like “You got that right!” or “Dang straight!” or “Word!” Paul wants his friends back in Philippi to know that giving Father God all the applause for all time is the way things should be. The resurrected Jesus describes Himself as the ultimate “Amen” (Rev 3:14). When you say “Jesus,” you’ve said it all. “Amen” is a first century mic drop.

So what’s the point? What does this have to do with me? Am I supposed to do something with all this? Paul wants us to know that God the Father is forever famous. The question isn’t whether we’ll make Him famous. He’s going to get His glory. The only question is how we do it. Here’s the deal. Everything single stinking in the universe shines the spotlight on His goodness. Will I make God famous through my worship of Him? Or will I make Him look awesome through my sin and disobedience? Just in case you don’t think that’s possible just take a quick look back a Calvary. Father God took the murder of His sinless Son and transformed it into the most glorious moment in the history of the universe. He’s going to get the glory. And He’s going to get it forever. Period.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road for Jesus’ followers. When we give God the glory, it’s a good thing for us. We’re blessed that whatever brings God glory also brings us the most good. R.C. Sproul says, “Because you and I are in Christ Jesus, His glory and our good are linked together. Because we are united with Christ, whatever is for His glory is also for our good. And whatever is for our good is for His glory.” According to John Piper, we’ll find the ultimate satisfaction and happiness when we’re making God famous and finding our total satisfaction in Him. “The pursuit of our interest and happiness is never above God’s, but always in God’s. The most precious truth in the Bible is that God’s greatest interest is to glorify the wealth of His grace by making sinners happy in Him—in Him!” Piper drops the bottom line. “Our interest and His glory are one.” 

So if you and want to experience the overflowing and abundant life that Jesus talks about (Jn 10:10), let’s hop on the bandwagon and give God the glory He rightly deserves. His glory=our good. His fame rolls on and on and on. It’s not some short term publicity campaign that’s gone in a few weeks. The Message really sums up this idea. “Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes” (v20 The Message). He’s the only One truly worthy of the spotlight. He’s the only One who truly deserves the applause. He’s the only One truly worthy of the standing O. Giving Him glory means making God the Father famous forever. Period.

The Glorious Makeover

“who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:21).

Who doesn’t love one of those nifty TV makeovers? Primetime is packed with experts transforming the bland and ugly into the spectacular. Oprah introduces the once homely housewife who now rocks the runway like a Vogue cover girl. The stylist spins the chair for a spectacular new look for one of the contestants on “America’s Next Top Model.” The crowd on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” cheers when Ty tells them to “move that bus!” Jaw-dropping transformations are not just limited to reality TV. We grow up on stories about Cinderella and Eliza Doolittle. But Paul tells us that’s junior varsity stuff compared what Jesus has in store for His followers. Our Savior “will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself” (v21). Christ won’t just give you and me a new hairstyle, a hip new wardrobe, and hand us off to a personal trainer. He’ll unleash His unlimited power to make us totally new. He’ll make us totally like Himself. Call it the Glorious Makeover.

Paul may be behind bars in Rome (Phil 1:7, 13-14), but he’s got his eyes on the prize of Jesus’ incredible encore. The man from Tarsus knows Christ is going to make the ultimate comeback. He warns his Philippian friends to not fall for the fool’s gold of instant gratification like the folks he likes to call the “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil 3:18). They want all and they want it now (Phil 3:19). He encourages us to remember we’re just passing through on this planet as citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20). Instead of worshiping the god of the gut, we wait anxiously for Jesus’ Second Coming. Not only is He going to restore His creation (which we jacked up!), but the Lord will transform you and me into something we can’t begin to wrap our brains around. 

Translating the Greek text here is kinda goofy. It’s a little wonky converting into English. But the original language gives us a pretty cool understanding of the absolutely radical stuff Jesus has in store for us. Check out the Amplified Bible. (Don’t worry about turning down your speakers. The Amplified doesn’t crank the volume to 11. It simply uses language to boost our understanding of Scripture. Think of it as a biblical subwoofer.) Christ “will transform and fashion anew the the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty” (v21 AMP). Transform. Fashion. Conform. Be like. Do you get the idea that Jesus has something radical in store for you and me?

There are a couple of key words in the Greek that we don’t want to miss. The first is what the ESV translators give us as “transform.” This is metaschematizo, which means to cause a radical change in the form of something, physically transfigure, alter, or change. It emphasizes a radical transformation in our outward appearance. Over in one of his notes to the Corinthian church, Paul uses this same word to talk about how spiritual hucksters have disguised themselves as counterfeit apostles (2Cor 11:13-15). You really have to squint hard at the ESV to see the other term. That little phrase “to be like” is actually the Greek term summorphos. It means having the same form as another, sharing a likeness, or a similarity of both form and nature. Some versions use a version of “conform” (NRS, NKJV, NASB, YLT). This is the idea of both outward AND inward metamorphosis. In other words, this Glorious Makeover isn’t a makeover at all! It’s a whole new you and me! One that looks just like Jesus amazing resurrection body!!

If you want a preview of what the radical transformation of “our lowly body to be like His glorious body,” flip back to the bios of Jesus that kick off the NT. Dr. Luke describes how the resurrected Christ walked and talked with two dudes walking back home to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35). When these boys race back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, suddenly Jesus shows up there out of thin air (Lk 24:36-37). Apparently there will be no need for keys, deadbolts, or doorknobs in the future. Despite His glorious new body, He still bears the scars of His crucifixion (Lk 24:38-40; Jn 20:27). Jesus enjoys more than one meal with His boys (Lk 24:41-42; Jn 21:9-14). I’m looking forward to ribeye steaks and chocolate milkshakes without consequences…if you know what I mean!

Paul LOVES talking about our Glorious Makeover. We find out God has been planning this transformation from the very beginning. “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom 8:29). This was no last minute brain storm. He tells the Corinthians how Jesus will make sure we will no longer wear a dirt suit like Adam but shine in glory (1Cor 15:43-53). He writes more about that in a letter to the Colossian church, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:4). Let’s be clear. He promises to change us inside and out. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for my resurrection body. No more love handles. No more cranky ankles. No more glasses. No more wrinkles. No more disease. No more cancer. No more death. Count me in for the Glorious Makeover. 

Maybe you’ve got doubts about Jesus’ ability to pull this off. You’ve tried to lose weight but haven’t been able to keep it off. You can’t figure out how to get your hair to do what the stylist did when they gave you the new ‘do. Ah, but He’s got something up His supernatural sleeve nobody else does. He’s got “the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself” (v21). It’s the same juice that enables Him to create, sustain, and rule the universe. Just a while back, Paul describes his passion to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10). If God can do all that, imagine what He can do with my broken down, middle aged body!  

The next time you grab the remote and turn on one of those reality makeover shows, remember that’s kindergarten stuff compared to Jesus is going to do for His followers. A new hairstyle is cute. A nifty new wardrobe is sweet. A remodeled house is nice. But just you wait until Christ gets His hands on you and me. And there’s no question that He’s got the goods to get it done. I’m ready for His Glorious Makeover. How ‘bout you?

Living Out Loud

“and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11)

Ever heard that often quoted line from St. Francis of Assisi? You probably know the one I’m talking about. “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” There’s only one itty bitty problem with that little ditty. Frankie didn’t say it. It’s not in any of his writings. Nowhere. His first biographer quotes the monk as actually saying just the opposite. Words and actions go hand in hand. That’s the point Paul is trying to get across as he sings the closing line of lyrics to the worship song we read in Philippians 2:6-11. We not only live a life of obedience and worship of Jesus but look for opportunities to tell everybody who will listen that He is our Leader. We say it out loud. We live out loud.

From behind bars in Rome, the apostle writes a letter of incredible encouragement to his friends back in Philippi. Over the past couple of years, he’s had to send notes to put out theological fires in churches in Ephesus and Colossae. But this epistle is different. VERY different. Paul is so overwhelmed with the joy of Jesus while he’s in the joint that he’s got to share it with the amazing followers of we call the Philippians. A few years back, the man from Tarsus and his travel team rolled into the Macedonian port city with the message of Jesus. God used Paul to open the heart of a fashionista named Lydia, save a young woman from demon-possession and slavery, and convert a brutal prison warden and his entire family. You can read all about it in Dr. Luke’s sequel (Acts 16:12-40). 

Here in chapter 2 of his letter, the apostle can’t contain himself and bursts out into song. We’re not sure if Paul wrote it or if he was simply quoting one of the hot worship tunes of the time. But the structure is in the form of lyrics or poetry. Folks like Chris Tomlin and David Crowder compose some fantastic praise music, but this golden oldie is a classic. This little number is all about Jesus, who He is and what He’s done for us. Christ is 100% God and then added 100% humanity in order to serve and save us (Phil 2:6-7). He left His palatial home in heaven to live as one of us and then die in our place on the cross (Phil 2:8). Because of Jesus’ mind-blowing humility His heavenly Dad escorted His Son to the place of honor and gave Him a name greater than any other (Phil 2:9). The result of our Lord’s new name is the worship and submission of every person who has ever lived (Phil 2:10). We’ll not only humble ourselves before Him but tell everyone that the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth is the ultimate authority in the universe (v11). All that leads us back to making His Father famous.

After painting a picture of how “every knee should bow” before our Savior, Paul writes, “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (v11). The apostle is singing about the Who behind the why. Just about every Bible translator uses the word “confess.” This is from the Greek verb exomologeo, a word that describes the words proceed an inevitable action. It’s to openly and joyfully acknowledge, agree, profess, or affirm a fact to be the reason you’re about to do something. This particular song reminds me of one we sing at our church, “This Is Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham. It goes a little something like this. “This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love. That You would take my place, that You would bear my cross. You would lay down Your life, that I could be set free. Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me!” We can’t help but sing and shout about our Savior. We confess to everyone who will listen who He is and what He’s done. We say it out loud as we live out loud.

If you think this phrase “every tongue confess” looks familiar, there’s a reason. It’s sprinkled throughout the Bible. God announced to Isaiah, “To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance” (Is 45:23). When you combine that with Paul’s words in Philippians, it connects the biblical dots between the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth and the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews! In other words, Jesus isn’t just an awesome Teacher but the One God has promised would come to our rescue since our first parents listened to the lies of a satanic snake (Gen 3:15). The apostle sings about the Hero of the entire Bible! He sings about the Hero of the Big Story! All of the great movie heroes have a theme song. One day we’ll ALL sing Jesus’ song.

That tune is the a big part of the soundtrack of the New Testament as well. We’ll belt out that “Jesus Christ is Lord” (v11). It’s our acknowledgement that He is the rightful Ruler and unquestioned Boss of the Universe. When it’s all said and done, we will announce that Jesus is God and the sovereign authority of the whole shooting match. Some of you might have some doubts and are hedging your bets on this idea. Meet Thomas. You may remember him by his nickname Doubting Thomas. He had missed the meet-up with the resurrected Jesus and wasn’t buying what his buddies were selling about a resurrected Jesus. When Christ appears to His posse in the  bonus room, Tommy’s doubts disappear just as quickly. “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 21:28). He confesses with his tongue just exactly who Jesus is. Tommy and the rest of the apostle live the rest of their lives saying it out loud. They live the rest of their lives living out loud.

Telling others that Christ is in charge of your life is a sure sign that He’s come to your rescue. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). Chances are if my mouth is confessing Christ and my heart is trusting in what He’s done for me, I’ll be living out loud for Him. Let’s be clear about what Paul is NOT saying about being a tongue confessor. Chances are he’s not telling you to buy a bullhorn, wear a “Jesus is Lord” sandwich board, and go for a walk at the mall. But he IS saying we can’t be shy about Who we worship. You don’t have to force anyone to believe in the One who came to your rescue. On the other hand, our love for and trust in Jesus should be a regular part of our conversation. Paul’s buddy Peter says as followers of Jesus we’re “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1Pet 3:15). Be ready. But NOT to pound your next victim into the kingdom with a 20 pound King Jimmy Bible. Be ready to share the Good News of Jesus (don’t miss this!) gently and respectfully. Put down the bullhorn. Take off the sandwich board. Simply say it out loud and live out loud.

But the worship of Jesus is NOT the last word of this worship song. This is all about “the glory of God the Father” (v11). All the Son has done shines the spotlight of praise back on the Father. As charter members of the Holy Trinity, there’s a incredible relationship there that’s hard to wrap our human minds around. During His time on our planet, Jesus continually made the supernatural connection between Him and His Dad. “All may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5:23). There’s this crazy ricochet of glory that happens between the Father and Son. “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him at once” (Jn 13:31-32). Yeah, it makes my head hurt when I try to figure it out. The bottom line is when we make the Father famous, we make the Son famous. And vice versa. So the glory doesn’t just pile up in front of Christ. I know what some of you are thinking right now. There’s all this talk about the Trinity but why are you talking about the Holy Spirit. Every Member of the Big Three is fully involved in the glory ricochet. Check out what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 12:3). The Spirit is the One behind every confession that Jesus is Lord. This confession is “to the glory of God the Father” (v11). 

So what do we do with the truth found here in the last line of Paul’s first century worship song? Don’t be afraid to tell others that “Jesus is Lord” (v11). He’s the One who’s truly in charge of my life. He’s the ultimate authority. Put it this way, you’re one of His direct reports. Not begrudgingly. Not unwillingly. It’s an act of love and gratitude for all He’s done for you. We say it out loud. We live out loud.

Making Jesus Famous

“Yes, and I rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as alway Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life for by death” (Philippians 1:18b-20).

Jesus is a game changer. He brings hope where there should gloom. He brings joy where there should be tears. There’s no greater example than the life of Paul, especially during his four years behind bars for telling everyone who would listen about Jesus. I mean there must have been some absolutely crazy stuff going on in the Roman prison where the apostle was in custody. Jesus used Paul to transform this place of pain and suffering into a joyful joint. You see, the man from Tarsus knew that no matter what happened to him during his time in the pen, Christ would use it to make Himself more and more famous. 

Let’s be honest. This little letter to a tiny group of believers in Philippi just doesn’t make sense. Jesus’ top spokesperson is locked up. The church he planted in the Macedonian seaport sent their current pastor to help but he nearly died making the trip to Rome. Yet this note absolutely drips with joy. Yeah, you read that right. Joy. If Paul had a boom box, he may have had Pharrell’s “Happy” cranked to 11. Here in the darkest dungeon of the empire, the apostle feels like a room without a roof. He knows that Jesus has given him something so incredibly awesome that Caesar’s supermax can’t take away. That’s the reason for his joy. As a result, God uses the apostle to turn the slammer into a greenhouse for Good News. Paul is telling everybody who will listen about the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee.

We pick things with Paul’s joy on repeat. “Yes, and I will rejoice” (v18). He’s just said that he’s absolutely stoked to know that no matter what the motives are of the various messengers, they’re spreading the message of Jesus. Because “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (v18). His joy keeps jumping he knows one way or the other Jesus will spring him from prison. While the apostle’s praying for his friends back in Philippi (Phil 1:3-11), they’ve been praying for him too. God is up to something “through your prayers” (v19). Their concern for their founder isn’t just lip service. Their prayers have clearly resulted in action. They’ve sent very practical help in the form of their pastor Epaphroditus (Phil 4:18). The Big E nearly died on his mission to aid Paul (Phil 2:30).

Do you pray for your friends and family? Do you know of fellow believers who are, in the words of Ulysses Everett McGill in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, are in a tight spot? Do you ask the One who’s in charge of the universe to help them out? That’s a huge part of God’s gift of prayer. It’s not an intercom so God can be some sort of supernatural butler to freshen your drink. John Piper sees prayer like a walkie talkie on the battlefield. We use it to call in the ultimate air support. We call on God when we’re in real trouble. We call on God when we know the ones we love are in real trouble. Who needs your prayers right now? Call HQ and get Jesus involved. That’s what the Philippians have done for Paul. 

The prayers of the Philippian followers of Jesus sound the alarm for “the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (v19). No, they’re not baking a cake with a file in it. There’s no plan to bust Paul out of the joint through an elaborate jail break. Paul knows that there’s something, or should I say Someone much greater at work. The Holy Spirit has something up His sleeve. The Third Person of the Trinity provides “help” (v19). Paul uses the Greek word epichoregia here. This describes a large supply, a rich provision, and overwhelming assistance. God’s Spirit just won’t give what Paul needs to squeak by on the cellblock. He’s giving him more than he could ever dream of wanting or needing (Eph 3:20). Later, the man from Tarsus proudly writes, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). In this particular instance, he knows that the combo of their prayers and God’s Spirit “will turn out for my deliverance” (v19). One way or the other, prisoner Paul will be a free man soon.

You would think it to be bad press when God’s top missionary is locked up in prison. Wrong. It’s not that any publicity is good publicity. It’s because Paul knows that he “will not be at all ashamed” (v20). He knows that as long as he is obedient to God’s call on his life and in willing submission to the Lord’s leadership, Jesus’ glory will continue to roll around the world. In the big house in Rome, I wonder if Paul remembers his words to the Roman church that he sent them a few years back. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). He’s not ashamed to broadcast the Good News of Christ because it’s more than powerful enough to change the lives of everyone who hears it. “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been give to us” (Rom 5:5). Something tells me that Paul not only remembers these words, but is giving them very practical application in this Roman prison.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road for the apostle. He’s completely confident “with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body whether by life of or death” (20). Check out the word he drops that the folks at the ESV translate “honored.” Megaluno. It means to magnify with great intensity, enlarge greatly, make incredibly conspicuous, or even to make famous. Check out a few other times writers of the NT use this term. Mary sang about how her very soul was a magnifying glass of God’s glory (Lk 1:46). When God’s Spirit bum rushes Gentile believers right before Peter’s eyes, they couldn’t stop enlarging Jesus’ rep to everyone who would listen (Acts 10:46). God used Paul’s preaching about Jesus to turn Ephesus upside down to the point that Christ’s name became known all throughout the city (Acts 19:17). It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock that God will use whatever happens to Paul in order to make Jesus famous.

So from the comfort of my suburban life in America, do I have the same confidence as Paul does in prison? Am I honoring Jesus with my life? Am I making Him famous? Am I using my soul as a magnifying glass of God’s glory? Am I doing everything I can to tell the world about the One who has come to my rescue? I need to remember the incredible cost Jesus paid to make me His and what I should do about it. “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1Cor 6:20). There’s also a mammoth point here that God calls us to worship with so much more than our minds. We’re to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:2). I’m not saying that I need to do P90X for Jesus (then again, this particular “temple” could certainly use a little renovation). But there is certainly a physical component to following Christ. 

When it’s all said and done, Paul knows that no matter what happens to him the Lord will use it as part of the worldwide campaign to spread the Gospel. And that includes whether the apostle walks out through the front door of the prison or whether he dies behind bars. Jesus will be honored “whether by life or by death” (v20). That’s not something most American believers are facing these days. But there are those around the world that bring glory to our Savior as they face death at the hands of terrorists like ISIS and Boko Haram. Paul doesn’t let the possibility of dying in jail steal his joy. He knows more than most that Jesus is a game changer. God will use whatever happens to make sure Christ is the lead story in every newscast.