Baptism by Fire

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A1-11&version=NIV;NLT

 

Have you ever felt like you’ve been baptized by fire? When I started in insurance sixteen years ago, I didn’t know anything. Limits of liability, med pay, and uninsured motorist bodily injury were terms that made my eyes glaze over. Probably not too different from what your eyes are doing right now.

 

Baptism by fire is when you are learning something the hard way. It might be because you’ve been thrown into a situation that you aren’t prepared for; or you’re just facing a very difficult circumstance in life. But here’s how John the Baptist spoke of  it.

 

¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.            Matthew 3 NLT

 

Baptism by fire includes the death of our old nature. It doesn’t matter what sinful behavior we acted out in the past, or will do in the present or future; we are forgiven.

 

A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list (of sinful behavior). Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.         1 Corinthians 6:11 MSG

 

Baptism by fire for you may have come as the result of the death of a loved one; the loss of a friend; being let go or looked over at work; diagnosis of a deadly disease; or dealing with an addiction. You don’t feel prepared; nobody educated you on how to deal with something like this. Yet here it is.

 

Just know that through Jesus’ Baptism by Fire he has made it possible for you to live a new life, free from the power of sin; free to love and to serve him. He gives you hope; gives you a fresh start; gives you renewed purpose.

 

We’re not perfect… just forgiven.

 

 

 

9/11

Matthew 15:1-9

 

 

Do you remember where you were when the news broke about 9/11? I do. I was in a meeting. At first nobody realized the magnitude of what was happening, but as details were released it became clear. The United States had been attacked by Islamic terrorists resulting in over 3000 deaths. Unbelievable!

 

How could people rationalize or justify such evil behavior? In reality though, the human condition has rationalized behavior since the beginning of time, and then blamed someone else. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake; but both justified their rebellious actions. Not much has changed since then.

 

Consider then, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in today’s passage. “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” (Have you ever noticed how a why question is actually an accusation?)

 

According to my NIV study Bible, the “tradition of the elders” was developed “after the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish rabbis began to make meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of the people. These were interpretations and applications of the law of Moses, handed down from generation to generation.”

 

It seems then, that in the beginning there may have been good intentions in the “tradition of the elders”. Ultimately though, it became a tool to rationalize and justify sinful behavior.

 

Here is Jesus’ response to their question above. “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” Jesus was good with why questions too. He didn’t pull any punches.

 

If we are honest with ourselves, we recognize that we justify and rationalize our behavior. Granted, we may not fly a jet into a building killing thousands; we may not rebel against God’s causing humanity to fall into sin; but we justify and rationalize our sinful behavior every day.

 

Jesus condemned the Pharisees. Are we any better? No. However, I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

 

9/11 was the epitome of the pain and damage that rationalization and justification can do. In light of our sinful nature and what it is capable of, Paul’s words bring us great hope. They are words filled with life not death; words to help us turn from our sinful nature to become a new creation in Christ. Thanks be to God.

 

 

"Hello. My Name is Joe."

Psalm 139:13-24

 

After introductions, what do you say next? How do you answer the question, “Who are you”? Is it in terms of your job, your school or maybe your church? Do your children, your spouse or your parents define who you are?

 

 

For some it is something they have done, possibly an addiction. When introducing yourself at a meeting you give your name and say, “I am an addict”. What is it that defines you; that goes to the core of your being; that is the bottom line of how you truly feel about yourself?

 

In his prayer, David wrote the following about how he defined himself:

 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”

 

He understands that although he had biological parents, God was his true creator. In polite conversation, we tend to not disclose our inner being. But God created our inner being, and not only did He create it, it is “fearfully and wonderfully made”. That means that there is nothing to be ashamed about who we are.

 

The definitions of guilt and shame are very similar, but significantly different. Guilt means that we feel bad about what we did. Shame means that we feel bad about who we are. God is saying through David that we need not feel ashamed of who we are, because God created us.

 

Finally, Paul wrote this about who we are:

 

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”         Ephesians 2:10

 

God has created you for a unique purpose to use the gifts and abilities that He has given you through His grace. God is the potter, and you are His clay. He defines who you are. He has prepared good works for you to do.

 

“Hello. My name is Joe. I’m a creation of God and a follower of Christ Jesus”. Who do you believe you are?