Pastor Bob DuPar
September 30, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12

Observation

Where did September go?

Isaiah 61:1-4 is Messianic in that it foretells the mission of the Messiah, Jesus. It’s interesting that all three members of the Trinity are referred to in verse 1: the Sovereign Lord, the Spirit & the Messiah. Jesus quotes part of this passage, in reference to Himself, in Luke 4:18-19. It also provides a picture of what true ministry/religion should look like,

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”

Philippians 1:29 isn’t a “warm fuzzy” verse. It’s not the kind of verse that we “name & claim” and put on our refrigerator in multicolored splendor, but it is a hard truth we don’t often face. Suffering for Christ is a privilege:

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
The Kenotic passage (“self-emptying of Christ) in Philippians 2:1-11 is one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture, not just in its description of what Jesus went through on our behalf but also in its ramifications for believers.

In Philippians 2:12 the Apostle Paul tells the believers at Philippi to “work out” their salvation with “fear and trembling” not to “work for” their salvation. There’s a big difference between these two phrases. Some scholars and commentators translate “salvation” as “deliverance” and apply the exhortation to mean deliverance from their situation of trial and persecution rather than their personal salvation (or corporate salvation - as a body of believers).

Whatever the case, Paul gives us the encouraging promise that “it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (2:13) And, the challenge that we are to “shine like stars” amidst a “crooked and depraved generation” as we “hold out” or “hold forth” the Word of life.

Application

I have to ask myself, “Am I preaching the Good News? Binding-up the brokenhearted? Proclaiming freedom to captives? Releasing prisoners from darkness? Comforting those who mourn and grieve?” These things constitute real ministry and accurately reflect our Father’s heart.

I don’t welcome suffering; and, I’m not at a point of spiritual maturity in which I view it as a privilege. But, I do acknowledge that some of my most powerful experiences of God/Christ have been in times of suffering.

Growing up in the Church, an overemphasis upon grace and a message of condemnation regarding works has caused me to undervalue the importance of bearing fruit (“works as a result of salvation”).

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for promising me both the desire and the power to fulfill Your will in my life.”