From Background Notes [BN] for July 26th &
27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:
We begin as infants, desiring the
"pure milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2), but we should not remain in this
developmental stage (see 1 Corinthians 3:1), satisfied only with the meeting of
our own needs and oblivious to the needs of others.
"Solid food" fuels the body
of the healthy, growing human being, and this imagery applies equally to the
body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12, 14). "Spiritual
lightweights" might also express Paul meaning, since he proceeds to warn
about the risks of being "tossed back and forth" by the winds of
doctrine that happen to sweep into our communities. The real test of spiritual
growth is not an appetite for novelty in theology, but for maturity in service
to others. A painful reality of the church in the postmodern world is its
propensity to seek out the innovative as though this was the test of vitality.
Forgetting the goal (to be like Christ), we pursue relevance rather than
revelation. We are reminded of Jesus' own metaphor in Luke 7:32, "We
played the flute, but you did not dance…" Ironically, these "winds of
doctrine" originate in the minds of people with sinister agendas. Paul
writes, "by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
Grounded followers of Jesus should be equipped to explain their faith,
counter the enemies of the Gospel, and not be led by anyone except the Spirit
of God (see 1 Peter 3:15). Those with foundational gifts fail their flocks
when they shrink back from this task. Self-help theology is no substitute for
the "meat of the word,” served at the appropriate time, with the goal in
mind to create stable and mature children of God. [BN,21]
Join
us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am
No comments:
Post a Comment