I read this verse in bible meditation this morning:
' "For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised in the holy spirit." '
-- Acts 1v5 --
In cell groups this term we're studying 1 Corinthians, and yesterday's training was on chapter 1, where Paul picks up on the church of Corinth being divided by them saying they follow people like Paul, Apollos as well as Christ.
It's so easy when you hear a good sermon at church, or a good talk at CU to simply look back and see it as 'a good talk', when in fact you were more taken in by the speaker than the message itself.
The verse in Acts1v5 reminds us of man's power (baptising merely with water, a symbol) vs. God's power (baptising in the holy spirit). The truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter who's speaking, what kind of speech they use or whether they use big words or not: we need to focus on the message they are preaching, and whether it is faithful or not.
We cannot allow ourselves to be focussed on the speaker, but on what God is saying through them. And to understand what God is saying, we need to ask him before they start talking, to open our ears to hear him speak.
You may have noticed I'm highlighting 'him' a lot, well, that's because it is just that, it's all about him, God!! When we go to hear a talk - it ought not to be for the person, but because we know that person faithfully preaches the gospel.
Let us not focus on the person, because our focus is then not Christ. Let our focus instead lie on God, from the beginning. He is who should be glorified, he is the one with the power, and it is with him that we will one day stand in eternity. Hallelujah!!
Oh yeah, and read 1 Corinthians 1, it's a fantastic read, and is good background reading on what I've just been talking about!!
TheWeeScottie
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if computers are idiot-proof, why can't I make them work...
2 comments:
So true, thanks Tim.
Struck me while I was reading that that it also works in the reverse sometimes doesn't it.
Sometimes we decide NOT to listen to a speaker because we don't like THEM. I've heard ppl say they won't listen to a speaker coz they don't like them. But when you start to dig a little deeper you realise it's nothing personal, it's simply the fact that this person has spoken into someone's lives about something they need to change.
We don't like correction! And I guess my point is that sometimes in our sinful, sinful hearts we turn God's grace and His love for us - demonstrated in the way he uses people to point us back to Him - into a personal attack on our brothers and sisters.
We need to be seeking after God more. Whether the message encourages or challenges or rebukes us in love, if it's a faithfully proclaimed message then we need to sit up and listen. Hard. Whether it comes from an internationaly renowned speaker, a little known pastor, our friends or families. And we need to be entirely focussed on God, allowing Him by His Spirit to work in our hearts, refining us until Jesus returns. All about Him, all for Him and all through Him.
Sorry for my ramble!
Awsome Post Tim!! You are at the heart of where we fail when listning to a sermon. We need to focus on Him.. its HIS truth, His words that we are learning from... we need to put Him first and continue to meditate on His word!! Awsome stuff! keep posting :-D!!!
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