something old, something borrowed, something ... new

In class yesterday our lecturer said that in the New Testament letters the writer will often repeat things and then build upon them. [I don't know about other writers, because he didn't mention it, and I didn't think to ask until now!]

 4 I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that by Him you were enriched in everything — in all speech and all knowledge.

Oddly enough, this was clearer in Greek because they used the same word.

But the same thing can happen with concepts too.

6 In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Authors can use this to reinforce their message and communicate clearly.

The repeated ideas come through really strongly, but it also helps you to follow their logic and to be on the lookout for what the 'new' element is.

Cool!

awesome homework #2: what does Colossians 1:15-20 say about creation and its destiny?

Another awesome homework task: What does Colossians 1:15-20 say about creation and its destiny?

What struck me immediately was the "Jesus-ness" of creation described here.  Admittedly, this passage is about Jesus, first and foremost, and just happens to say things about creation as well.  But I think that sometimes I forget that the Son was involved in creation, not just the Father.  The Son is over all creation (v15).  He is superior to all of the created things (v17).  Everything was created by Him (v16).  Everything was created though Him (v16).  Everything was created for Him (v16).  He created more than we think.  He created not just the stuff we can see, but also the stuff we can't.  He didn't just create it and let it go wild with its own whims, but He holds everything together (v17).

Not only is Jesus the head of the original creation, he is also head of the new creation.  The church is a new creation, a gathering of those reconciled to Himself (v18, 20 cf 2 Cor 5:17).  It is a new body, and He is its head (v18).  Verse 18 also hints at the end of things, of the destiny of creation: "He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything."  Creation changed with the resurrection of Jesus.  The world is no longer the same.  A person has now been raised from the dead.  And He won't be the last.  He is the firstborn from the dead.  It was just the beginning.  More will follow.  This guarantees that all of creation will be made new.  [Well, this is the more the point of 1 Corinthians 15...also a good read :-)].  But here Paul says that because Jesus has been raised from the dead He will be the boss.  He will have first place in everything.  Also, everything will be reconciled to the Father through Jesus' death (v20).  The end will be reconciliation and peace.  It will be a complete reconciliation, including both things in heaven and on earth (v20).  But there will still be a pecking order.  The Son will be in first place over all creation.

But with all this Jesus-ness, what about the Father?  Was He on holidays?  Is He in disagreement with these plans?  Absolutely not!  The Son is like the Father.  He is His image, His likeness (v15).  Furthermore, God the Father was pleased to have all of his fullness dwell in the Son (v19).  And He was pleased to reconcile everything to Himself through the Son (v20).  This was His plan, His design.

not just numbers, but people

As I mentioned earlier, last week was mission awareness week at College.  At chapel on Friday the guy leading the service was sharing about the vast numbers of people who have not heard of Jesus and people who don't have the Bible in their own language.  As he was sharing this, he began to cry.

It was very powerful.  I was reminded that these are not just numbers, but are real people.  Real people who need peace with God.

May God give both me and you hearts like that - hearts that weep for the lost.

May we be like Jesus, who said,
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ” (Matt 23:37-39)

Mission awareness week

This week is mission awareness week at College.

It has been really fantastic (as it was last year as well)!

We have mission agency reps come, we have talks from missionaries and overseas workers and we have food from all around the world.

I think it's really fabulous.  It lifts my eyes again from my little patch of the world.  It reminds me of the many great ministries happening overseas.  It also reminds me of the huge needs they have, and the huge wealth of resources we have (eg. great Bible knowledge + finances + a stable country).

But that's me.  I'm already excited about mission.  I'm already planning to go.

What about the rest of people at College?  Many aren't planning to do mission.  Many are undecided, but the default option for them is probably church ministry of some sort.

Not many people come along to ministry and mission hour each week.  Not many came to the seminars this week.  Why is that?

I know that people are busy, but I think this is something that should be a priority - hearing about other people's ministries.  I find it really sad that this is one aspect of what our community is like. 

Now making attendance at these sorts of things compulsory isn't the answer - a change of heart needs to happen.  I pray that God will keep changing me and our whole community

bargain!

I love bargain hunting!

It's not so good for when you really want a specific thing, but it's nice to browse and come across a nice thing you might like at a bargain price.

Today the Moore College Grapevine was on (think extreme op shop...basically like a clothes swap).

Here's what I scored...

Tall boots, bag, scarf, shirt.  And the price?  $2 for the lot.  Not bad.  Not bad at all! :-)