(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
What is maturity in relation to the cross?
Intro:
Christian maturity has everything to do with our identity in Christ. In and through that identity we can be at peace with transparency — knowing and being known, we can believe that God is pleased with us and is for us, we can suffer well, we are free from legalism and guilt, we can be content and generous. And we can truly possess hope which the NT portrays as a sure thing that will happen at an unspecified time.
All of this, of course, is because of, and therefore, relates to, the cross. Our focus question today comes from the end of Philippians 3 where Paul contrasts two relationships to the cross, two roads, if you will.
NEW TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
Passage: Philippians 3-4:1
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 22
Words: ~454
OLD TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra-Nehemiah is one book, but it’s useful to remember that writings from 2500 years ago don’t necessarily flow nicely from Point A to Point B like we expect them to today. Erza’s story begins by talking about returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple, then turns to his mission which we wrapped up yesterday. Except that Nehemiah 8 is also about Erza. So the book of Nehemiah is his story, albeit with interruptions like that bit about Ezra and also various lists.
Passage: Nehemiah 1-3
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 63
Words: ~1527
The bottom line:
What is maturity in relation to the cross? Sometimes we learn best by illuminating contrasts. If we look back at the end of Philippians 3, let’s set the things Paul elucidated in vs 19-21 side by side:
The enemies of the cross are heading for destruction (v. 19). The champions of the cross are waiting for a Savior from heaven (v. 20).
The enemies of the cross worship their earthly bodies and its appetites (v. 19). The champions of the cross look for the transformation of their earthly body (body of humiliation) into a glorious body (v. 21).
The enemies of the cross have perverted values and glory in their shame (v. 19). The champions of the cross have true values and look forward to the glory of the future (v. 21).
The enemies of the cross are earthbound (v. 19). The champions of the cross are heavenbound (v. 20).(1)
The key to Christian maturity, in sum, is beginning with the end in mind.
When Paul called this a hope, he was not communicating uncertainty…It is this hope that makes the difference for Christians. After Francis Schaeffer died, his wife wrote these words that explain the nature of that hope for all of us who believe:
It was 4:00 a.m. precisely that a soft last breath was taken … and he was absent. That absence was so sharp and precise! Absent. As for his presence with the Lord … I had to turn to my Bible to know that. I only know that a person is present with the Lord because the Bible tells us so. The inerrant Bible became more important to me than ever before. My husband fought for truth and fought for the truth of the inspiration of the Bible—the inerrancy of the Bible—all the days that I knew him … through my fifty-two years of knowing him. But—never have I been more impressed with the wonder of having a trustworthy message from God, an unshakable word from God—than right then! I feel very sorry for the people who have to be “hoping without any assurance” … because they don’t know what portion of the Bible is myth and what portion might possibly be trusted.(1)
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Everything here from David Jeremiah, Turning toward Joy (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2013).