Partners in the Gospel

Philippians 1:4-7

“always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

Last week I attended the Georgia Baptist Annual Meeting down in Jonesboro. I was going to pop in for a couple of hours to maybe see some friends and visit some booths that might help me in the next steps of my transition. I don’t think I got 5 or 6 steps into the building before I heard my name called out. I turned and saw about a dozen friends from a former church I had worked at. They were part of the 90+ person choir that would be leading the conference in worship later that evening. I took a few minutes hugging and catching up with them before I moved on. I got about 5 or 6 more steps into the building and saw some minister friends from Rome. We chatted for a bit and I looked over and saw a booth of a discipleship organization that I had been a part of. I went over and introduced myself and talked about our mutual connections. While I was there I bumped into 2 of the pastors at my former church and talked with them. Determined to at least make it across the foyer I excused myself and saw a couple of friends from my youth ministry days. We had been area coaches for the student ministry network for the GBC. They had both transitioned to pastoral roles so I asked them to give me a little advice. We talked for quite a bit and I was blessed by their counsel and encouragement. Without going into too much detail (probably too late for that!) I never made it fully across the building. In my time there I saw friends from my seminary days, other folks that I had worked with at the state and local levels, friends I had made on mission trips, and even made some new friends from various ministries and churches around the state. 

On my drive back home, I was overflowing with joy at the reminder of the many brothers and sisters I have the privilege to partner with in ministry. I was reminded that I wasn’t alone. I was part of a larger family – all involved in the gospel work. We are there for each other in the good and the difficult. Those that I had seen that night, and so many more, I hold in my heart, for we are all partakers of God’s wonderful grace, the grace that calls us, transforms us, unites us, and sustains us as we go about His work wherever we are. 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following:
  • List some people, current and from your past, that you have ministered together with. 
  • Take some time to remember them with joy, and pray for them where ever they are. 
  • Choose someone from that list and reach out to them, letting them know what they mean to you. 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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Focus this Week – Forgiveness

Philemon 1:1-3

“Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The book of Philemon is about forgiveness and repentance. It is actually a letter from Paul to a wealthy Christian (Philemon) concerning a man Paul met in Rome. This man, Onesimus, was a runaway slave of Philemon’s. And Paul was writing to let Philemon know that Onesimus had become a Christian as well. Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus, take him back and treat him like a brother. Paul offered several reasons to restore Onesimus, including repayment for whatever he had taken. Paul had Onesimus hand-deliver the letter, which was a leap of faith and a sign of repentance. 

Though Paul does not condemn slavery directly, he combats it in a different way. He tells Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother, which would exalt the slave’s status to an equal, thus ending his slavery. There are many ways to combat injustice – War, lobbying, exposing, and so on; but Jesus gave a new way, a way that works. It is by changing the heart of the offender.  

As you read the passages this week, think through your own process of forgiveness and restoration.

Outline:

  1. Introduction (1-3)
  2. Thankful for Philemon’s ministry (4-7)
  3. Intercession for Philemon’s slave, Onesimus (8-22)
  4. Greeting some friends (23-25)

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading about The Gospel this week.

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading.

The HEAR method is also an excellent structure for your discussion as a group. If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact sharon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Elise Jones

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A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In Romans 12 1-2, it talks about being a living sacrifice. Being a living sacrifice will show others how great God is. Being a good example, can lead others to God. Everywhere you go and everything you do can be seen by others. Some people that you are around your whole life may be influenced positively even more because of your faithfulness to His work. Even your enemies will see the glory of god in you, and might change them. Not all will change but some may, or they may not like the glory of God but it will show them him and plant a seed. God does so much for us and shows lots of mercy in our day to day experiences. This is a way to give back to him. It may not be easy to be a living sacrifice, but we need to do it for the glory of God. Sometimes you don’t want to be a sacrifice but we can help each other on being better and better throughout our lives by doing life together as a body of believers. Live and love like Jesus!
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What ways in your life can you be a “living sacrifice?”
  • Have you been encouraged or positively influenced by someone else’s faithfulness?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Matthew Worley

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The Gift of God in The Soul of Man

Romans 8:1-11

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Several years ago I got the chance to visit the Fredrik Meijer Gardens while visiting with family in Michigan, home to one of the largest butterfly exhibits in the world. Imagine yourself walking through a five-story tropical conservatory with tranquil waterfalls and streams winding around lush vegetation; over 7,000 butterflies from 60 different species, majestically fluttering throughout with complete freedom. A sad fact, however, about butterflies is that most butterflies only live between 2-3 weeks, rarely longer than a couple months. The full life cycle, an incredible transformation from eggs to larva to pupa to an adult butterfly, lasts less than a year. Its life is like a mist, appearing for a short time and then vanishes away. But during that short life span as an adult butterfly, it lives fully as God intends it to live, freely enjoying time in the garden. 

As I was walking through the garden, reflecting on the lifecycle of the butterfly, I couldn’t help but think about an article I read from John Piper explaining exactly how our spiritual metamorphosis relates to the life cycle of a butterfly. I can’t sum it up any better than he does so I want to present the article to you as it is worth the read: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-life-of-god-in-the-soul-of-man. 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Zach Gallman

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The Gift of God

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When we look around this world we understand that it’s broken. When we look around our community we understand that it’s broken. When we look at our families and friends we understand that they are broken. And when we look in the mirror we understand that we are broken. Brokenness is all around us no matter where we look. At times the brokenness of the world can be overwhelming, so much so that we decide that giving up might be easier.

This verse gives us the ‘why’ behind the brokenness. The ‘why’ is our sin and it leaves us broken. This verse continues to communicate where our sin leads us. Sin leads to death. The payment of our sins is eternal spiritual death. Sin separates us from a holy God. Sin leaves us in despair and darkness to the point that we become hopeless. The world has no answer for our brokenness. Of course, we are able to find temporary satisfaction in some things. However, we will never be able to find an answer for our sin from this world, which is the root of our brokenness.

The good news is found in the second part of this verse. There is a free gift that we are able to receive from the One who has no brokenness, or sin. This One has given His life for all. His name is Jesus. Eternal life only comes from Jesus Christ. Many people will try to convince you that the way out of brokenness is finding something a little less broken. That is a lie from the Father of all Lies, Satan. We must seek the holy and perfect One. His name is Jesus. God sent His only Son to die on a cross for all sins. Jesus paid the wages of sin with His life. The simple path out of our sin is through Jesus Christ becoming the Lord and Savior of our lives.

Please say these three words aloud right now, “Jesus is greater.” Remember these words when you feel low, depressed, or anxious. Remember these words when you feel alone, worthless, or hopeless. Say them aloud each time. Press on, fam. Jesus is greater!

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What evidence do you see around you of brokenness in the world, in your community, in your family and friends, and in yourself? 
  • How is Jesus greater than what the world has to offer as an antidote to brokenness? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Macon Jones, Pastor to Students and Young Adults

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