ListenDaily - 03 January 2008; What do you know?

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Know nothing else???
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Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-2 (NIV)
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

This is an interesting statement from the Apostle Paul:

"...I resolved to know nothing while I
was with you except Jesus Christ..."

How literally do we take this? We all know that Paul knew many things; tent making, Roman and Hebrew Law, he was well-traveled, knew multiple languages...so what are we to make of his "know nothing except' statement? Metaphor? Hyperbole?

I don't think so.

I think that Christ had become the completion of all that Paul saw, all that he thought of, all that he knew. Nothing else existed for him except as it existed in reference to Christ. Everything in nature - part of Christ's creation. Everything made by man - an item to be used to bring someone, somehow to Christ. Every believer? A Christ-follower. Every non-believer? Someone headed to Hell unless brought to Christ.

It is not that Paul was empty of other information, it is that he could no longer separate anything in the world from his Savior. Or more accurately, he realized no separation existed between Christ and anything else.

So, here we are, 2008. How does this work for us? What compartments we have in our lives! Work, entertainment, family, leisure...church...quiet time... Is Christ in all of these for you? Or do you find that He only becomes real during prayer, or quiet time, or during church?

Oh church, may we seek to be as Paul...and know nothing else but, or apart from, Christ!
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Questions

1. What do you think of this perspective?

2. In what areas of your life is it hard to see Christ? Do you try in those areas?

3. What can you commit to doing, for a week, month, to help you know Jesus better?
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Quote of the Day
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Jim Elliot

ListenDaily - 02 January 2008; New Year's Resolve

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ListenDaily - 02 January 2008; New Year's Resolve

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re·solve [ri-zolv] - to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something).
- to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).
- to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve.- to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.).- to cause (a voice part or entire harmony) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
- firmness of purpose or intent; determination

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Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-2 (NIV)
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I resolved to know...Jesus Christ

Resolve. As you can see above, there are a variety of ways to define this word, and even more that I did not include. In these days of revolving door trends in nearly everything, it seems we may need to brush up on what it means to be resolute, what it means to resolve to do something.

So then, what does it mean if we, as Paul did, resolve to know Jesus? It means we will:

- come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine to know Him.
- convert or transform ourselves by any process needed in order to know Him.
- deal with any and all questions or matters of uncertainty that hinder us knowing Him- clear away or dispel any doubts, fears, etc. that hinder us knowing Him- cause progress from dissonance to a consonance in our minds, families, and churches
- have firmness, purpose or intent, and determination in our pursuit to know Him

Resolve.

Amen!
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Questions

1. When is the last time you resolved to do something?

2. What would it mean for you to resolve to know Jesus?

3. What can you commit to doing, for a week, month, or year, to help you know Jesus better?

New Year's Resolutions Resolved

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1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NIV)

It is that time of the year...time to make those New Year's resolutions, read more, eat less, exercise more...so on and so on. Different people making different resolutions for different reasons.

But as Christians we share a common ground, a common faith, and some commonality for resolution-making. I have encouraged the congregation at my church to consider starting, or increasing five things:

1) Reading the Bible daily
2) Becoming involved in Bible study
3) Developing a sense of the reality of God's constant presence through increased communication with Him (yes, prayer)
4) Doing their Christianity, acting out their faith

5) Developing personal worship beyond the church service, in "spirit and truth".

These and any other resolutions can really come down to Paul's resolution: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." Or, streamlined: "I resolved to know nothing except Jesus."

How's that for a resolution?
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Questions

1. Surely Paul 'knew' other things...what do you think he meant by this?

2. What would it mean for you to now nothing but Jesus?

3. What can you commit to doing, for a week, month, or year, to help you know Jesus better?
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Quote of the Day
"Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." Jonathan Edwards