Bottoms Up!

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (2Tim 4:6).

Last Call

The glass is almost empty. Just a sip or two remain. You hold it up and swirl it around a couple of times. There was a time when it was full. Maybe a little too full and overflowing down the sides. But it’s just about over. It’s last call and there are no refills.

Sounds like the kind of stuff that has filled country songs radio stations for decades, doesn’t it? From Hank Williams to George Jones to Luke Bryan. It’s where we get such classics(?) as “Light at the End of the Bottle.”

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (v6). Is this the last declaration made at the end of a long night by some pour dude getting his drink on? Has someone sufficiently drowned their sorrows and needs to call an Uber?

No, we’re not talking about the end of the night at your favorite local bar or craft brew pub. This is Paul describing the end of his life in a Roman prison. The apostle is not knocking back a beverage at last call. He IS the drink. His glass of his life is just about empty. He’s poured himself out as an act of worship to Jesus. Long before Maxwell House came up with their catchy slogan, Paul’s life has been good to the last drop.

So, bottoms up!

Caesar’s SuperMax

It’s somewhere around 64-67 AD. Thirty years since Jesus rocked the world by walking out of the cemetery. The former Pharisee has spent the last three decades spreading the word about the tsunami of grace that started in Palestine and rapidly inundating the Mediterranean Rim.

But this message of God’s love is actually quite dangerous. It challenges the religious establishment of rule-following. As a result, Paul regularly finds himself behind bars. Each time before, he got out. But this time is different. This time he won’t be leaving with his life or his head.

So the man from Tarsus writes what he knows will be the very last letter of his life to his spiritual son Timothy. He’s on Death Row in Caesar’s SuperMax in Rome (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). He realizes full well that he’s in the final round of what has been a very good fight (2Tim 4:7).

In these final words, he hopes Tim can make it to the prison and see him one last time before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). We really don’t know if they ever saw each other again on this side of eternity.

Paul’s Last Letter

Paul has just spent most of this last letter passing the baton of ministry to the young pastor (2Tim 2:1-4:5). How to handle spiritual con artists (2Tim 2:14-19). How to make sure he’s ready to go when Jesus calls (2Tim 2:20-21). How to steer clear of pointless controversies (2Tim 2:22-26). Warning him of the danger right around the corner (2Tim 3:1-9).

Reminding him of all he’s learned over a lifetime of hanging out with his mentor (2Tim 3:10-13). Making it clear that God’s Word has given the apostle’s protege a very particular set of skills (2Tim 3:14-17). Caring for the followers of Jesus means giving them what they need and not necessarily what they want (2Tim 4:1-4).

Paul sums up all of these instructions in what we might call his Final Four (2Tim 4:5). One, stay composed and on your toes. Two, hang tough and watch God work. Three, keep spreading the news. Four, full speed ahead and finish the mission.

No More Appeals

Which brings us back to that nearly empty glass. The apostle writes, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering” (v6). This is the end. Barring some unforeseen miraculous move by Jesus (hey, it’s happened before!), his life is coming to a close. Death is right around the corner.

His Roman captors have cranked up the Roman execution machine. The process has begun. Paul understands that clearly by using the term “already” (Gr. ηδη/ede), meaning now or at this moment. No more appeals. He’s run out of options. His death has moved from possibility to probability to certainty.

The Final Toast

The apostle sees his life as “being poured out as a drink offering” (v6). Believe it or not, this is actually just a single Greek verb: σπενδω/spendo. It means to offer a drink, pour out a beverage, or offer a liquid in sacrifice. Ancient writers used it when describing two enemies sharing a drink in peace after a period of war. It’s how the authors of the NT paint a picture of giving one’s life in sacrifice or spilling your blood in a violent death while serving God.

Paul is making the connection to his living his life as an act of worship with the system of worship and offerings in the Old Testament. When God gives His people the meticulous details of sacrifice, He wraps up just about every act of worship with a drink offering (Ex 29:40-41; Num 15:1-7; 28:1-15). It’s like lifting your glass for the final toast.

New Names, Feasts, and Vows

The first time we see a drink offering made is after Yahweh changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Right after he gets his new ID, Israel builds an altar to God and “poured out a drink offering on it” (Gen 35:14).

It was the final toast when the Israelites celebrated the Firstfruit Feast (Lev 23:13). The drink offering was the closing sacrifice at the end of each day of the Booth Feast (Num 29:16, 19, 22, 24-25, 27-28, 31, 33-34, 37-38) It’s how God wanted the sacrifice at Passover to wrap up (Num 28:16-24). It’s the last offering made during the Nazirite vow ceremony (Num 6:15, 17).

There were those dark times when God’s people played footsie with false gods poured out drink offerings to them (Dt 32:38; Is 57:6; Jer 52:19). Joel warns Yahweh’s chosen folks how these times of spiritual infidelity will lead to a time when they won’t be able to make the liquid sacrifice (Joel 1:9, 13). But because God overflows in grace and mercy, they can toast him again the moment they do a 180 of repentance (Joel 2:13-14).

Good to the Last Drop

Meanwhile back in a Roman dungeon, the apostle sees the final drops of his own life as his final toast to his Savior. He wrote something very similar to his friends in Philippi the last time he was doing hard time. “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering (Gr. σπενδω/spendo) upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Phil 2:17). In other words, when the glass of his life is finally empty, it will be worth every drop.

Bottoms up!

Wiggling off the Altar

That’s not the only time Paul connects the dots between pouring your life out in sacrifice as an act of worship. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1-2). As someone once said, the only problem with living sacrifices is that they keep wiggling off the altar. But given the overwhelming grace of God, how could we do anything else?

The Last Toast at the Last Supper

That picture of emptying a cup as an offering drips all through the Bible. That’s why Jesus grabs His glass and at dinner with His posse the night before His own execution. “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mt 26:28; Mk 14:24). It was the last toast at the Last Supper on the last night before His death.

The Son of God loves us so much that He was willing to spill His own precious blood on our behalf! He gave everything He had to come to our rescue. He emptied His cup as a drink offering for you and me. Paul pours himself out as an offering in an act of love and worship to the Savior who did it for him. It’s the last offering. Jesus invites us to do the same.

Free Eternal Refills

It’s at this point that you might wonder why in the world anybody would be stupid enough to pour out a perfectly good drink? Why waste a full glass? Here’s the secret. God has something SO much better for you. He can’t refill my cup if it’s still full. That’s why He invites me to die to my own selfishness and empty my life as an act of worship.

Once my glass is empty, Jesus fills it to the brim with overflowing life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). As a matter of fact, Christ will make sure that the cup He fills will never ever run out and we’ll never be thirsty again (Jn 4:13-14). Forget free Slurpees at 7-11. Pour yourself out as drink offering and enjoy a never-ending glass of the Living Water. We’re talking free eternal refills!

Bottoms up!

A Divine Appointment

Meanwhile back on Death Row, Paul tells Tim that the sands in the hourglass of his life have just about run out. “The time of my departure has come” (v6). The apostle understands that his execution date is actually a divine appointment. Roman officials think they’re in control of day their prisoner will day. But the former Pharisee knows full well that God is in charge of that calendar.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27). Paul knows it’s now only a matter of time. Same for you and me. We may not walking the Green Mile with a death sentence hanging over our heads. But our time here on the third rock from the sun is limited on this side of eternity. Let’s make the most of it by loving God and loving people. Let’s pour ourselves out as an offering.

Cruising off to Paradise

The apostle doesn’t pull any punches. He knows death is right around the corner. But he sees what’s ahead with an eternal perspective. He calls it his “departure” and uses an interesting Greek word (Gr. αναλυσις/analusis) in doing so. It describes a breaking up, breakdown, or a dissolution into parts. It’s actually where we get our word “analysis.” You analyze something by taking it apart and breaking it down.

Paul’s analysis of his own date with death is that it’s only a transition. You see, the term is also a metaphor of untying a ships lines from the dock before setting sail. He understands that the end of life on this side of eternity is only a transition to the next. It’s bon voyage and time to sail away into the afterlife. And if you’re wondering, Royal Caribbean and Carnival have no cruises that come close to this trip to paradise.

We see the apostle use a very similar word in when he writes about the win/win he faces when it comes to life and death. “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart (Gr. αναλυω/analuo) and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Phil 1:23-24). Cruise away into Christ or stay here tell more people about Him? Tough call.

Don’t Knock It Back, Pour It Out

So as he’s about to cruise into the afterlife, Paul lifts one last toast. Instead of knocking it back, he pours it out. It’s a one final tribute to the One who poured Himself out for us. The One who lived the perfect life we failed to live. The One who died the death we should have died. The One who rose to the new life we don’t deserve. Let’s raise a glass and pour ourselves out as an offering in obedience to the Lord.

Bottoms up!

A Matter of Life through Death

“The saying is trustworthy, for: ‘If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him’” (2Tim 2:11).

How many times have you heard something is a matter of life and death? It happens in the movies when someone in grave danger pleads urgently for help. Somebody must come to the rescue because a life hangs in the balance. It’s simply life or death. It’s one or the other. It’s what engineers call a binary choice. Black or white. Up or down. On or off.

But what if it’s NOT an “either/or?” What if death was actually the way to life? That’s exactly Paul’s point here in his second letter to Timothy. “The saying is trustworthy, for: ‘If we have died with Him, we shall also with with Him” (v11). Here’s something you can take to the bank. Something you can always count on. Dying with Jesus ensures real life with Jesus.

It’s a matter of life through death. 

Paul should know. Certain death is a cold, cruel reality for the apostle as he writes to his buddy Tim. He’s locked up in the Mamertine Prison, Rome’s Death Row, and his time is rapidly running out (2Tim 1:16; 2:9; 4:6-7). Paul hopes his protege can get there before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). In the meantime, he crams everything he can in a short letter to give Tim instructions on carrying on the spread of the Good News once his life on earth is over (2Tim 2:1-4:5).

Paul wants Timothy to know he can bet the farm on what he’s about to read. “The saying is trustworthy” (v11). You can translate the original language here as “faithful the word.” It’s one of his go-to phrases in his letters to both young gun pastors, Tim and Titus (1Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8). Just so we’re clear, everything the Holy Spirit inspires every single word the apostle writes. He’s not trying to say the rest of his letters are shady and questionable. He IS pointing out that what you’re about to read is a big deal. It would be in all CAPS and bold if he could. Does he have your total attention? Sweet.

Notice how the next couple of verses appear different from the rest of Paul’s letter in your Bible. 

“If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;

if we endure, we will also reign with Him;

if we deny Him, He will also deny us;

if we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2Tim 2:11-14).

Kinda looks like a poem, doesn’t it? That’s because Scholars believe there’s a pretty good chance these are lyrics from a first century praise song. It’s not the first time the apostle dips into song lyrics to make a point (Phil 2:1-11). This principle is so trustworthy that somebody has written a song about it!

What a powerful reminder about the importance of music when it comes to communicating God’s truth. For those of us involved in either composing worship songs or the planning of worship services, it’s top-shelf important to ensure the lyrics we use are in line with Scripture. At the same time, we should pay VERY close attention to the words we sing when we gather together. Do you believe what’s coming out of your mouth? Are you learning more about who Jesus is and what He’s done for you? For centuries, songwriters have been some of the most important teachers of our faith.

“If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him” (2Tim 2:11-12). These first two lines of the tune are a pair of paradoxes. (Wait, does that make four doxes? But I digress.) God’s Word is loaded with these statements that seem to contradict each other. In reality, they’re NOT really contradictions. They just appear to be mutually exclusive at first glance. Digging a little deeper, we see the beauty of eternal truth. The reason for the apparent contradiction is the stark difference between how our fallen world works and God’s original design for His universe. 

Jesus came to set things straight again. He came give us Gospel optics so we could see life as it was intended. It seems that He came to turn the world’s economy upside down. In actuality, Christ came to turn it rightside up. That’s because our sin has totally trashed paradise. So when we read words like Paul’s here in verses 11 and 12, they seem wacky. Death is the way to life? Patient submission is the way to sovereignty? What the WHAT?!? God is using the apostle give us the glasses of grace in order to see things His way.

Let’s drill down on the first line of the lyrics. “If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him” (v11). Just in case you’re wondering about just who “Him” is, we’re talking about Jesus. The secret decoder for “Him” is back just one verse where Paul writes about “salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:10). Just another reminder that the Son of God is THE Hero of the Bible. From the opening pages of the Old Testament to the last words of the New. So it’s no surprise that “Him” is Jesus.

You might be surprised at the source of the first line of lyrics here in verse 11. Apparently the songwriter is passing along words originally written by…wait for it…the Apostle Paul! Check out what he wrote a few years back to the church in Rome: “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him” (Rom 6:8). 

Doug Bookman among others thinks the apostle wrote Romans around 56 AD and 2 Timothy in 66 or 67 AD. Over those ten years, was some first century worship leader in Rome so moved by what Paul wrote that he put it in a praise song for his church? While we can’t be sure of that, there’s no question these two verses share the same truth, nearly word for word.

But just what in the world is Paul saying when he writes, “If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him” (v11)? Don’t miss the fact that both ends of the idea connect us with Christ. The first phrase “died with Him” is actually just one compound Greek verb (Gr. συναποθνησκω). It literally means “together (συν-) separated (-απο-) in death (-θνησκω).” You only see it a grand total of three times in the NT.

Remember how Peter puffed out his chest the night before Jesus died? He wouldn’t leave the Lord hanging, even if it meant he would die too. “If I must die with you (Gr. συναποθνησκω), I will not deny you” (Mk 14:31). Yeah, that didn’t go so well, did it? Just a few hours later, a question from a middle school girl would crumble the one Christ called Rocky (Mk 14:66-68). History tells us the former fisherman would eventually die like His Savior, crucified upside down.

The other time we see it is when Paul tells believers in Corinth that his relationship with them is so tight that it would they would go so far as “to die together (Gr. συναποθνησκω) and to live together” (2Cor 7:3). The Corinthians may have been a hot mess but the apostle refused to turn his back on them.

Paul begins, “If we have died with Him” (v11). Wait. IF we died with Jesus? I don’t know about you, but they haven’t held my funeral yet. Don’t let the past tense of the verb throw us for a loop. Relax. We’re not walking around like Patrick Swayze in “Ghost,” hoping Whoopy Goldberg can help us warn our loved ones. You see, the grammar of Paul’s Greek tips us off that we actually died with Christ in the past on that bloody Friday outside Jerusalem. When we place our trust in our Lord, we died when He died. 

It’s a matter of life through death. 

The apostle makes the point that Jesus wasn’t alone at Golgotha that bloody Friday outside Jerusalem. Yeah, there certainly were a couple of crooks on crosses too. But that’s not all. Calvary was actually incredibly crowded that day. Everyone who ever places their faith in Christ was there too. That’s what Paul tells the folks in Galatia. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20). 

It’s a matter of life through death. 

Since we died with our crucified Savior, “we will also live with Him” (v11). We’re connected with Christ one more time, this time Paul’s talking about life. Not just existence. Not just survival. This is buckle-your-seat-belt-and-hang-on life with Jesus. The former Pharisee drops another compound word (Gr. συζαω) that means to live with, share life, or enjoy life. You can literally translate this “together (συ-) enjoying life (-ζαω).”

This is exactly the lavish life Jesus says He came to bring (Jn 10:10). He and Paul are describing life overflowing with God’s goodness. Following Christ isn’t just splashing around in the kiddie pool. It’s going down a breathtaking waterslide into the deep end! King David thanks God for His amazing grace this way. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps 23:5-6). An all-you-can-eat banquet. Oil running down your head. Cup overflowing. The good life is the God life. 

It’s a matter of life through death.

Let’s take a New York minute to review what real life with Jesus is NOT. This is NOT the so-called prosperity gospel. This is the phony belief that God wants you to have a multi-million dollar mansion, a couple of Beamers, and a private jet. According to its proponents, all you have to do is believe. This turns Almighty God into a divine vending machine spitting out blessings at your request. It places our focus on His gifts instead of the Ultimate Giver.

Real life with Jesus is better than that. WAY better than that! Life together with Christ is NOT about you. It’s a “me third” lifestyle. In other words, “God first, others second, me third.” If we’re living with the Lord, why would we expect it to be any different from His original mission. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28). Dying with Christ also means dying to self. Getting my eyes off the goofball in the mirror unlocks the abundant life with Jesus.

It’s a matter of life through death. 

There’s one more benefit of sharing death and life with Christ. It demonstrates to the world exactly Who should get the credit. According to Paul, we’re “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. for we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2Cor 4:10-11).

This death-with-Jesus-means-life-with-Jesus is a bunch of whacko crazy talk without the Gospel. He lived the perfect life of obedience to every one of His Dad’s commands and laws. I never came close. He died the death for my sin and disobedience that I should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that I don’t deserve. I trust in what He has done for me that I could never do for myself. 

Trusting in Jesus’ substitutionary death means “we have died with Him” (v11). Trusting in His resurrection means “we will also live with Him” (v11). According to Paul, Christ takes our garbage and gives us His goodness (2Cor 5:21). Martin Luther liked to call this the Great Exchange. My garbage for God’s goodness is the most lopsided deal in the history of the universe. It’s what makes His grace so amazing!

It’s a matter of life through death. 

How to BE Rich

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1Tim 6:18).

God wants you to be rich. So much so that He commands it through the Apostle Paul. Sweet! Who couldn’t use a little more jingle in their pocket? Well, pump your brakes before you believe the man from Tarsus is all about the so-called prosperity gospel. Not even close. Nope, instead of turning Almighty God into supernatural vending machine, He wants us to realize He’s ALREADY blessed us. God wants us to be rich. NOT get rich. BE rich. So since we’re ALREADY rich, what are we supposed to do with our wealth? 

In a letter to his protege Timothy, Paul passes along God’s rules for the rich over in chapter six. Specifically verses 17-18. He begins by warning against getting cocky because of cash. Don’t get duped by the money mirage. Realize that our incredibly generous God wants us to enjoy all that He gives. Here in verse 18, the apostle tells us what to do now that we’ve been on the receiving end of supernatural blessing. “They are to be do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (v18). God wants you to be rich.

Before we go any further, I need to give credit where credit is due. And that credit goes to Andy Stanley. He literally wrote the book on this topic. Okay, God inspired Paul to write the verse that inspired Andy to write the book. But back in 2013, Andy wrote “How to Be Rich: It’s Not What You Have but What You Do with What You Have.” Each year he preaches a message on generosity he calls “Be Rich.” A huge chunk of what I’m writing has Andy’s very talented (and generous!) fingerprints all over it.

Before we dig into more of God’s rules for the rich, it’s probably a good idea to understand what’s going on in this letter. Paul is writing to Tim, the young pastor he’s left in charge as the servant/leader of the Ephesian church (1Tim 1:1-3). The apostle has hit the road to Macedonia, probably to help churches there in places like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. These were all stops on Paul’s second Mediterranean tour (Acts 16:11-17:15). While he’s gone, Paul makes Tim the lead pastor in Ephesus.

But the Ephesian church is a shadow of her former self. Paul had spent three years in the city telling everyone who would listen about Jesus through blood, sweat, and tears (Acts 20:31). But not long after he left, a team of spiritual hucksters weaseled their way into the congregation and distracted folks from following Jesus (1Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3). The sad part is that Paul could see it coming and warned the Ephesian leaders (Acts 20:29-30).

These false teachers completely corrupted God’s teaching about money. They saw religion as a get-rich-quick scheme (1Tim 6:5). In their mind, there’s no business like God’s business. Paul reminds Pastor Tim of the dangers of greed and how it results in a fatal case of human root rot (1Tim 6:9-10). With that in mind, this church desperately needs to correct the wealthy members of the congregation about what God expects from those who are “rich in this present age” (1Tim 6:17). 

Maybe you think you’re off the hook on this one. You certainly don’t feel “rich in this present age.” Paul MUST be talking to people Donald Trump and Warren Buffett, right? Yes, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion he’s talking to you too. I KNOW he’s talking to me. Here are the numbers. If you make $40,000 each year, you’re in the top four percent of wage earners in the world. Increase that to $48,000 annually, and you’re in the top ONE percent of money makers on the planet. I’m no statistician, but I’m pretty sure that makes most of us “rich in this present age.”

So if that’s you (and it most certainly is me), the apostle tells us “to do good” (v18). This is actually one word in the original language: agathoergeo. It’s a compound word meaning “excellent (agatho-) work (-ergeo).” It means to show kindness, provide benefits, be generous with your possessions, or act rightly. God is calling us to do what people desperately need, not what they necessarily want. There’s an importance difference between the two. In the words of a Spike Lee joint, “Do the Right Thing.”

Paul then tells us “to be rich in good works” (v18). The Greek verb here (Gr. plouteo) paints a picture having in abundance, being richly supplied, and affluent. This is the fourth time the former Pharisee uses a variation on the word “rich” in these two verses. “As for the rich (Gr. plousios)” (1Tim 6:17). We shouldn’t put our trust “on the uncertainty of riches (Gr. ploutos)” (1Tim 6:17). Instead put our hope in “God, who richly (Gr. plousios) us with everything to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). Last but not least, he commands us “to be rich (Gr. plouteo) in good works” (v18).

Each one of these words comes from a root word that means to be filled and overflowing. Picture someone filling a glass of beer from the tap and the excess brew is spilling over the sides. It’s having so much that it’s more than a bit sloppy. Are you so generous that your blessing is just a little messy? Jesus even commanded us to be sloppy givers so that our Heavenly Dad will overwhelm us in His blessing, “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap” (Lk 9:38). Running over. In your lap. Sure sounds like a messy blessing to me!

Since I AM rich, how am I supposed to BE rich? Specifically, Paul commands us to overflow “in good works” (v18). If I’m wealthy, let me make the Forbes 400 of helping others. As a matter of fact, we can do that no matter what kind of 401k we have socked away. I can bless without a stack of Benjamins. I can help. I can pray. I can sit with a friend who’s hurting. To “be rich in good works” is shine God’s light and spread His salt wherever we go. Make sure the light is bright and you’re not stingy with the salt. That’s what it means to be rich.

Make no mistake about why we do do good works. It’s not to pile up enough brownie points so God will save us. Helping others isn’t like building up frequent flyer miles. It doesn’t work that way. We’re not saved BY our good works but to DO good works. That’s exactly Paul’s point in one of the most famous passages on grace (Eph 2:8-10). Jesus worked to save us so that we could respond with good works as an act of worship. In other words, Christ did the ultimate good work that we could never do for ourselves. 

Paul goes on to give us a couple of ways we can be rich. We’re “to be generous and ready to share” (v18). I can tell you that after an in-depth word study of the Greek here, the original language means…wait for it…“to be generous and ready to share!” Instead of being a tightfisted miser, God calls His people to be extravagant givers. Openhanded. Unselfish. 

Here are a couple of words that are going to make a few of us uncomfortable. Liberal. Promiscuous. Yeah, you read that right. If the church was truly liberal in her giving, we wouldn’t need to “Feel the Bern” in an election year. What would our communities, towns, and cities look like if God’s people were recklessly promiscuous with our resources to those marginalized by society? That’s exactly why Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Lk 12:48). Be liberal. Be promiscuous. With your resources, that is. That’s what it means to be rich.

Here’s the big idea. God overflows to us so that we can overflow to others. Jesus is liberal and lavish to me so that I can be liberal and lavish to others. The lyrics of John Mark McMillan’s song “How He Loves” makes me wonderfully uncomfortable. He describes the grace of Jesus as “heaven meets earth with a sloppy wet kiss.” A few thousand years before that, King David’s wrote what many believe is his best song ever. He sings about how God is so unbelievably generous toward him that “my cup overflows” and “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:5-6). Jesus is incredibly messing in His blessing to you and me. Why shouldn’t we be the same?

God has created us in His image (Gen 1:26-27) and is conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). A big part of His image is as the ultimate Giver. God the Father gave His Son. God the Son gave His life. God is ridiculously generous to you and me. Sloppy. Messy. Liberal. Promiscuous. He’s calling us to do the same. He’s calling us to BE rich.

Messy Grace

“And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1Tim 1:14).

Grace is messy. Wonderfully messy. Beautifully messy. My friends with OCD are cringing right now and looking for something to clean up this spectacular spill. Maybe you think it’s not like God to be sloppy. Isn’t cleanliness next to godliness? That’s in the Bible somewhere right? Nope. Sorry. As a matter of fact, Paul goes WAY out of his way to tell his buddy Timothy about how Jesus poured so much of His goodness into his broken life that it was running down the sides of the glass and all over the counter! “And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v14). You see Jesus isn’t shy when it comes to giving out His grace. It’s messy. Very messy. Wonderfully messy. Beautifully messy.

And why should it be anything else for Paul? His life before Jesus was a hot mess. He readily admits how “formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” of the Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee (1Tim 1:13). But one crazy day outside of Damascus, everything changed. Jesus drenches the man known then as Saul with a tidal wave of His grace. He radically transforms this enemy into His friend. Next thing you know, Saul the assassin becomes Paul the apostle. Murderer becomes missionary. This incredibly messy life is healed under the flow of God’s incredibly messy grace.

I’ve got a sneaking feeling that some of you are just having a hard time thinking Jesus is sloppy with His salvation. Christ may generous, but He’s not careless. What Paul wants us to know is that Jesus radically generous. He tells Tim how “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me” (v14). First of all, remember God’s grace is His descending one-way love that we did nothing to deserve. We do absolutely nothing to earn or gain God’s goodness (Rom 3:23-24; Eph 2:7-9). Zip. Zilch. The big fat zero. The great preacher Jonathan Edwards does say there is one particular item we provide. “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” Without our Savior, the only thing we’re generous with is our sin. Ouch. 

Despite bringing less than zero to the table, Paul describes how Jesus’ grace “overflowed” in his direction. In doing so, he uses a Greek word that only appears once in the New Testament: huperpleonazo. It’s compound verb which literally means “super (huper-) excess (-pleonazo).” Picture filling a glass to the point of overflowing. Receiving something to the point of ridiculous excess. God does not hold back when He delivers the incredible abundance of His goodness. Put away the measuring spoons. You’ll need more than a bucket. That dump truck is nowhere big enough. His grace is BEYOND measure and never-ending! The Amplified Bible pumps up the volume and reads “the grace (unmerited favor and blessing) of our Lord [actually] flowed out superabundantly and beyond measure for me” (v14 AMP). Jesus doesn’t just splash you once and move on. Picture yourself standing under a spectacular waterfall of His generosity. Ahhhh!

How do we know when we have some understanding of what God has done for us? The apostle says we overflow “with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v14). His tsunami of grace opens my mind to trust in all that my Savior has done for me that I could never do for myself. He lived the perfect life while I drove it in the ditch. He died the death for my disobedience in my place. He rose to a new life when I did nothing to deserve it. You see, messy grace makes for messy faith. I trust in Jesus even when my life is a total dumpster fire. It’s about Him, not me. Messy grace makes for messy love. I love the people in my life when they are the most unlovable. ESPECIALLY when they are the most unlovable. It’s about them, not me. Remember, Christ loved you and me while we were still shanking our fists at heaven (Rom 5:8). You see that idea front and center in the New Living Translation. “Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that comes from Jesus Christ” (v14 NLT).

His waterfall of grace creates followers who become fire hydrants of faith in Him and love for others. Because of His incredibly messy grace, His church is a wonderful mess. Maybe you’ve bought the lie that church is filled with folks who’ve figured it out. People who are neat and clean. People that have their stuff in one bag with a twist tie. Wrong. The truth be known, the body of Christ is full of jacked up, messed up, and goofed up people. It’s less like a black tie formal at the country club than the freak show at the carnival. Messy grace. Messy faith. Messy love. 

That’s exactly what happens when Christ is radically generous with His grace. Dare I say promiscuously generous? Did he just say THAT word when talking about Jesus? You bet I did. And you can bet that He is!! His grace is spilling over into our lives. It’s bursting at the seams. His grace is flowing everywhere. When there’s a boatload of sin, you need boatload of grace. “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom 5:20). So put down the rag. Drop the mop. Don’t worry about cleaning it up. Instead, let it go an let it flow! Be messy with your faith in Christ. Be messy with your love for others. Grace is messy. Very messy. Wonderfully messy. Beautifully messy.

God's Fire Hose of Grace

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Too many times my prayers sound like Oliver Twist begging for more gruel. “Please, sir. I want some more.” I’m willing to ask God but for some stupid reason I picture Him as a stingy Mr. Bumble from Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Where did I get this horrible picture of my amazingly generous Heavenly Dad?!? He’s a far cry from some heavenly tightwad who only dolls out room temperature porridge by the thimbleful. 

Here in the closing verses of his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul paints a picture of God’s overwhelming grace to His kids. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v19). This isn’t some kind of twisted fundraising letter from some prosperity gospel televangelist promising you a six-figure salary if you just send him a check for his new private jet. Far from it. This is a letter from a prisoner in Rome (Phil 1:7, 13) to one of the most broke congregations around (2Cor 8:1-2). 

Now read this verse one more time. God won’t just give you a little bit here and there. He’ll “supply EVERY need” (v19 emphasis added). And He’s not looking at a limited budget during financial crisis. He’ll make it happen “according to His RICHES in glory” (v19 emphasis added). It’s just another stunning example of one of the Bible’s mega-themes. Paul desperately wants us to know and experience God’s mind-blowing generosity. When we rely on God, buckle up. He’ll blow us away with His fire hose of grace.

Every. Single. Time.

The man from Tarsus starts off this jaw-dropping idea by pointing back to his intimate and personal relationship with Almighty God. The one behind all this is “my God” (v19). He doesn’t just know a guy. He’s got the Creator of the universe on speed dial. When he writes to his various recipients, Paul always thanks “my God” for his friends and for how the Lord is  working in and through them (Rom 1:8; 1Cor 1:4; Phil 1:3, Phm 4). He’s already made it clear that pursuing anything other than a deeper relationship with Jesus is total waste of time (Phil 3:7-11). For the apostle, He’s “my God” (v19). Are you able to make the same claim? Is Christ your God too? 

Paul’s God is the ultimate source who “will supply every need of yours” (v19). When he talks about this supernatural provision, he’s NOT talking about God dolling out a few bread crumbs or making minimum payments. When we see “supply” in the ESV, the apostle uses the Greek verb plero’o. It means to fill up completely, cause something to become full, and provide the complete amount. We’re talking fill to the top. Supply liberally. Gorge. Stuff. Fill full. To the brim. Overflowing. God is ready and waiting to provide an endless supply. He loves it when His kids belly up to His divine all-you-can-eat buffet.

We’ve just read the very same word in the previous verse. Paul tells his friends back in Philippi “I am well supplied (Gr. plero’o) having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent” (Phil 4:18). Back in the opening moments of this letter, Paul prays that his friends in Philippi will be absolutely “filled (Gr. plero’o) with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:11). He also encourages them to fill his joy to the rim by being united in the Gospel (Phil 2:2). Check out a few other appearances of this fill-it-to-the-brim-and-overflowing verb. Jesus says God’s kingdom is like a net so full of fish it’s about to break (Mt 13:48). When our Savior first pours out His Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the jet engine roar completely filled every corner of the house (Acts 2:2). Sometimes when you go to a wine or beer tasting the amount in your glass barely gets your tongue wet. When God does the pouring, He doesn’t hold anything back. Talk about a generous pour!

One reason for God’s lavishness is His unlimited goodness. He’s able to do this “according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ” (v18). You see, it’s not up to Paul. And it’s not up to the Philippians. It’s not based on what’s in their checking account or their 401k. The source of this over-the-top supply is God’s glorious riches. If you’ve not been paying attention, let’s take a quick look at His divine portfolio. He owns the universe. Take a look around. If you see it, it’s His. Cattle on a thousand hills, check (Ps 50:10). As a matter of fact, He owns the hill the herd is standing on (Lev 25:23). He also holds the minerals rights to His creation (Hag 2:8). Just in case you something might slip through the divine cracks, King David wrote a hit song about God’s total ownership (Ps 24:1). And if you’re a follower of Jesus, He paid a high price for you too (1Cor 6:19-20). So it’s not like He’s running out of grace. Jesus isn’t worried about having too much month left at the end of His money. There’s no budget crisis when it comes to Christ. And He’s ready to share. He wants to make His endless resources available to you and me.

This verse is STRONGLY related to Paul’s earlier statement about how he’s learned the secret of surviving and thriving in any and all situations (Phil 4:11-12). By finding his satisfaction in his Savior, the apostle is like an ATV of contentment. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). He desperately wants the folks back in Philippi to realize the very same truth. Our incredibly gracious and liberally generous God will absolutely blow our socks off when we find our contentment in Christ.

Maybe you’ve still got your doubts about God’s totally reckless generosity. I get it. I’ve been there. But just check out what His Word has to say. The whole deal starts with one of the most over-the-top acts of grace in history. Creation (Gen 1-2). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are completely and totally satisfied relationally in the Trinity. God certainly didn’t create the universe and humanity in His image because He was bored and lonely. He did it out of His amazing grace.

His radical goodness starts on the opening pages of Scripture and rolls like a tsunami of generosity. David sings, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:1, 5-6). Later the same king cranks up another rock anthem about the party at God’s house. “They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights” (Ps 36:8).

God’s one-way love we call grace keeps flowing into the New Testament with the gift of His Son on our behalf (Jn 3:16). Jesus told His followers that if you really want to see His Dad get crazy with His goodness, start being generous yourself. “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap” (Lk 6:38). Our Savior didn’t come to put us on a tight budget of limited resources. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

This is all part of God’s incredibly promiscuous plan to save you and me. Almighty God doesn’t use threats to soften our rebel hearts. It’s His incredible kindness that leads you and me to repentance (Rom 2:4). Once our Heavenly Dad entices us back into relationship with Him through His Son, He doesn’t suddenly cut us off. “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Rom 8:32). And His grace just keeps on coming. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2Cor 9:8). At one point, Paul seems to give up trying to write about God’s overwhelming grace because he can’t wrap his feeble brain around it. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the work within us” (Eph 3:20). 

Paul wants us to know God is anything but Mr. Bumble. He’s NOT greedy. He’s NOT stingy. As a matter of fact, He’s anything but!! You see, when we rely on God, buckle up. He’ll blow us away with His fire hose of grace.

Every. Single. Time.

Love Smart

“For it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment” (Phil 1:9).

There are smart phones, smart TVs, smart watches and even smart cars. These amazing inventions are smart because they do a lot of the thinking for us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to fire up Shazam to figure out who’s singing that song or have Siri tell me the nearest place to get a pizza. But these are just technological toys compared to the smart love Paul prays about. From behind bars in Rome, the apostle tells his friends back in Philippi that he’s continually asking God that they would love more and love smart. How ‘bout you? Are you looking to increase the level and efficiency of your love? I’ve checked online. There’s not an app for that. But there is a God who specializes in it. 

Our man Paul writes to the followers of Jesus in the Macedonian seaport of Philippi. He swung by the city several years ago as part of his tour taking the message of Jesus around the Mediterranean rim. Who can forget those crazy days in Macedonia? Dr. Luke sure can’t. The apostle’s personal physician and traveling partner wrote all about them in Acts 16:12-40. God used Paul and his team to shower His unconditional love on all sorts of folks. A fashionista named Lydia, a demon-possessed young lady caught in human trafficking, and a brutal prison warden all placed their trust in the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee. These are just three of the people who were on the receiving end of God’s love who are now on the receiving end of the apostle’s letter.

The man from Tarsus lets them know that they are the repeated focus of “my prayer” (v9). Paul spends this entire paragraph (Phil 1:2-11) telling the Philippians how he is praying for them. He thanks God for the memories of those wild times when he first rolled into town (Phil 1:3; Acts 16:12-40). They’ve remained teammates in grace ever since (Phil 1:4-8). Because of their shared experience in sharing and living out the Gospel, these Philippian believers have carved out a special place in Paul’s heart. Do you make a point of praying for folks you’re on mission with? Are their people God brought into your life in the past but are separated from now? Here’s an idea. Pray for them. Write down their names. Go to the Lord on their behalf regularly. And then let them know. How would you like a friend to let you know they’ve been praying for you? Yeah, that would be pretty awesome.

Their old friend says he prays that their “love may abound more and more” (v9). Is Paul simply asking God to amp up the warm fuzzy feeling these folks have in their hearts? That’s part of it, but it’s SO much more! He uses that wonderful Greek word agape. If you’ve spent any time growing up in Sunday School or going to a Christian youth camp, you’ve heart this word so much that it’s actually lost any real meaning. Agape describes unconditional love in action. It’s a love that does. A love that lasts. A love with legs. These Philippian Jesus followers are already world class when it comes to practical expressions of love. They’ve provided practical support for Paul during his time behind bars (Phil 4:14-20). But to paraphrase the boys from Spinal Tap, the apostle prays that God would take their love to 11.

He asks the Lord that their love increase and “abound more and more” (v9). Most English translations use “abound” to translate the Greek verb perisseuo. Maybe it’s just me, but that just doesn’t seem to scratch the surface on the original text. This paints a picture of an overflow (which both the NRS and NLT use). It’s the idea have way more than enough, to increase in abundance, or exceed lavishly. Paul’s not praying for just a little more love from his friends. He asks God to cut loose the Philippian fire hydrant of agape! And why not? In some of His final instructions before His crucifixion, our Savior told His boys that our priority is to love each other. It’s a sure sign to the world that we’re His followers (Jn 13:34-35). When lawyer tried to ask Him a trick question about what was the most important commandment to obey, Christ said it was simple (Mt 22:34-40). Love God. Love people. That’s the kind of love that Paul prays that God will crank up among God’s people. Love for God. Love for people.

The apostle doesn’t just pray for more love but smart love. He asks the Lord to not just jack up their love to new levels but that it happen “with knowledge and discernment” (v9). In other words, he’s not praying their love get more sappy but wise. Think of expressing God’s love in a directed and concentrated way. Like a fire hose. It’s focused. It’s pinpointed. Think laser love. A laser is simply a super-duper concentrated beam of light. Instead of Dr. Evil’s infamous Death Ray, Paul prays that God would transform us into a Love Laser. 

When it comes to smart love, God isn’t telling us to pick and choose WHOM we love. Remember, we’re to love God and we’re to love people. That pretty much covers everybody from what I can tell. It’s not about WHO but HOW. Paul asks God to give the Philippian believers the “knowledge and discernment” (v9) on how they should love others. Practical acts of love look different from person to person. Your spouse needs a separate sort of love than your buddy at work. Your child needs something different from one of your parents. Some need a hug. Some need money. Some need your time. Some need a meal. Some need help moving. Some need a ride. Some need bail. But they ALL need love. Let God’s Spirit give you the wisdom and discernment on how fire the Lord’s Love Laser.

Don’t think that the expiration date ran out on this love smart idea just because the apostle wrote these words 2,000 years ago. This is a timeless truth. Take a look around. God has placed folks in our lives to be recipients of His love through you and me. Your spouse. Your kids. Your neighbors. Your coworkers. The people that you meet when you’re walking down the street. Your love will look very different depending on the one on the receiving end. That’s what Jesus’ love looks like when it overflows through us and into the lives of those who come into our path. Smart phones are cool. Smart TVs are all the rage. But when comes to you and me, God calls us to smart love.

A Three Person Job

“Whom He poured on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:6)

Some jobs take more than one person. Some jobs can’t be done solo. Some jobs require a team. Here in his letter to his boy Titus, the Apostle Paul tells him that God’s work of salvation is a three person job. The entire Trinity rolls up its sleeves and gets busy in our rescue. God the Father. God the Son. God the Spirit. Take a close look at these verses and you’ll see all divine hands are on deck. You’ve heard the expression that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, we see here that it takes a Trinity to save a sinner. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.

Paul wants Titus to make sure the new believers on Crete have a clear view of what it means to follow Jesus. We’re to be good citizens (Titus 3:1). We’re to use our mouths to build folks up and not tear them down (Titus 3:2). Despite being fools, rebels, dupes, slaves, bullies, and haters (Titus 3:3), God the Father came to our rescue as an act of His overflowing love (Titus 3:4). We brought absolutely nothing to the table when it comes to our salvation except the desperate need to be saved from our own sin (Titus 3:5). At the end of verse 5, the apostle brings God the Spirit out on stage to explain His role in our rescue. He washes perfectly clean. He makes us completely new. Then we see how God the Son is the one who unleashes the supernatural firehose, pouring out the Holy Spirit on new believers. When God’s Spirit drenched us, He was “poured on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (v6). 

When it comes to giving out His Spirit, Jesus isn’t stingy. He doesn’t carefully ration the Spirit. He doesn’t measure Him out in a quota. Nope. Christ turns on the holy hydrant and lets the Spirit surge onto His people. Paul writes how God’s Spirit is “poured out on us” (v6). He uses the Greek verb ekcheo, which means to generously provide or give in abundance. Many times, the writers of the New Testament use this word to describe something messy. Liquids slosh and slop. They splash and gush. When He teaches about how old wineskins can’t handle being filled with the latest vintage of Merlot, Jesus says, “The skins burst and the wine is spilled (Gr. ekcheo)” (Mt 9:17). Dr. Luke paints a pretty nasty picture of Judas Iscariot’s body after his suicide when “he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out (Gr. ekcheo)” (Acts 1:18). Change went flying when Christ cleaned the crooks from the temple courts. “He poured out (Gr. ekcheo) the coins of the money-changers” (Jn 2:15). In the same way, God is so generous with His love and grace that things get messy when He saves us. When He passes the disciples a glass of wine, Jesus tells His posse the night before His execution, “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out (Gr. ekcheo) for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). 

God is especially generous and lavish when it comes to pouring out His Holy Spirit. Before He headed back home to heaven, the resurrected Jesus told His crew to hang in Jerusalem until the Spirit drenches them like they’ve never been drenched before (Acts 1:8). Once Jesus turns on His firehose, things get REALLY crazy and REALLY messy! People think His followers are hammered. At that point, the Apostle Peter delivers his first-ever sermon. He says what’s going on is what God promised through the prophet Joel. “I will pour out (Gr. ekcheo) My Spirit on all flesh…in those days I will pour out (Gr. ekcheo) My Spirit” (Acts 2:17-18). Pete goes on to explain that all Three Persons of the Trinity are involved with what’s going on. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out (Gr. ekcheo) this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33). Later, Pete and other Jewish believers jaws hit the floor when God starts saving non-Jews as “the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out (Gr. ekcheo) even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45). You see, things get messy when the Godhead gets going. REALLY messy!

Like I said, Jesus isn’t stingy when it comes to giving out God’s Spirit. He sloshes Him out on us “richly” (v6). This is the Greek term plousios, and it describes something in abundance, full measure, and something of great value given in large amount. It carries with it the idea of great wealth. This makes perfect sense since God is incredibly generous and the greatest Giver the universe has ever seen. God “richly (Gr. plousios) provides us with everything to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). The Lord is “rich (Gr. plousios) in mercy” (Eph 2:4). He loves the world so much that “He gave His only Son” (Jn 3:16). So it’s only logical that God the Son would also be an abundant giver. Jesus fills us to overflowing with His Spirit. He maxes us out. Our gauges red line with the Comforter. And once God gives us His Spirit, He fills our hearts with His unfailing love like the spigot fills your bathtub. “God’s love has been poured (Gr. ekcheo) into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given us” (Rom 5:5). When the Trinity gets busy, things get messy. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.

Am I so stinking sinful that it takes all the resources of the Trinity to come to my rescue? Before the Godhead saved me, I certainly was, in the words of Ulysses Everett McGill, “in a tight spot.” I couldn’t even dream of saving myself. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit all get involved in this great rescue mission because they WANT to be involved! There’s no greater friendship and fellowship in history than what They experience. I’m not even going to try and explain how and what the Trinity is. Think of Them this way: three Who’s and one What. Because They enjoy the perfect relationship, the Godhead does everything together. That includes saving you and me. Maybe this is sacrilege, but I see Dad, Son, and Spirit so stoked about what They’re doing that things get crazy. They’re excited. They’re generous. They’re messy. 

Salvation is a Three Person job.