Papa B
What is church?
Seems a simple enough question but work with me here for a moment. I’ve been struggling lately with the roll of the local congregation in the Body of Christ. What responsibility does the congregation have to its members? What responsibility do the members have to the congregation? What responsibility do both the members and the congregation have to the Body of Christ in their community?
I realized that I had some base assumptions about the rolls of the members and the congregational assembly. I would love some input and insight on this, so ….
What is church?
He had served the purpose of God in his own generation
From time to time I wonder what my great-grandchildren will know about me. Personally, I don’t know anything about what my grandparents were like much less my great-grandparents. Will my children have happy memories of when they were growing up in my house? Will they read my blog post years from now and gain an insight into my love for God? Will the sermons that I preach or the classes that I teach cause others to glorify God? In short, how will I be remembered?
The Apostle Paul had this commentary on King David’s life in Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers…” Acts chapter 13 is Paul’s sermon to the Jews in Antioch concerning how their history was all leading to the redemption through Jesus. Of all the great things Kind David was and did, Paul could have emphasized how David unified the Jewish nation, how he was the greatest king they ever had, or how the promised Messiah was going to come from his line. Paul summarized all the importance of Kind David simply with “he had served the purpose of God”.
I pray that I have the opportunity to do mighty things for God but more than that I hope that I the reflection on my life will be “he served the purpose of God in his own generation.”
Proverbs 2:1-5
Pro 2:1-5 ESV My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, (2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (3) yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (4) if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Solomon is encouraging is children to seek to become wise, to desire it like they would a hidden treasure. The pursuit of wisdom leads you to the LORD.
Practical application: I should make my ear attentive to God’s instruction and make it my heart’s desire to gain understanding. If I just fill my heart with knowledge I’ll end up prideful, but if I seek wisdom the process will teach me to fear the LORD.
Proverbs 1:1-6
Pro 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: (2) To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, (3) to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; (4) to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth– (5) Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, (6) to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Solomon is telling us what types of instructions will be addressed. He points out that it is his intent to “give prudence to the simple” and “knowledge and discretion to the youth”. Knowing this is important because it tells us of the intended audience of Proverbs. There is a nugget of wisdom (are you surprised?) tucked into verse 5. The wise listen to increase learning and the one who understands obtains guidance.
Practical usage: LISTEN to increase learning. These proverbs can be applied or misapplied to many situations, but the intent we should have when we study Proverbs is to sharpen our discernment, to gain guidance in righteousness, and to understand how to apply justice.