Fresh Speaking
(Nancy's notes from Lord's Day, August 8, 2010)
What does it really mean to head up all things in Christ?
Here are 3 words that may help us see in a small way.
1. Heading : can be used as a noun and as a verb. The table of contents in a book is a heading. A newspaper has a headline - the front page that lists the main thoughts and most important things.
In God's will Christ is the focus of everything - the heading.
What a Christ have I! God's desire is to head up all things in Christ.
2. Leading - the one leading a company must be head - must get the job done. U.S. citizens vote to decide who will be head of the country. The head is the one leading - making all the decisions. Christ is appointed head for a purpose. Christ is the anointed One to lead the way on the pathway toward a goal.
3. Toward - this goal, this destiny, is the church. He gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. - to express the fullness of Him. God saved us and is leading us into the reality of being His body, His fullness!
Did you enjoy the meeting Friday night? Which message? There was no message! We saw the younger ones having their hearts open, being cared for by older ones. Seven were baptized! What do we do for them now? Take them to Dairy Queen? The Lord says - don't do anything. The best thing you can give them is to be headed up in Christ. It was so joyful to see the young ones put into the water, which is to be put into Christ.
Mark 16:16 says "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved" Be baptized - be saved. Are we waiting to go to heaven? We are buried with Christ, but also raised up together with Christ! Baptism is just the beginning of a new life. In the old creation - we are the head. In the new creation - Christ becomes our head to be toward the church. The best thing we can be, for them, is for us to be headed up in Christ. To care for them is according to what we want them to see. Praying for them (at the baptism) is a care for them. They are not alone. They have companions with them. In the family life we are here one for another to care for each other.
Ashley Feeney expressed being strengthened by seeing the younger ones going on. The one I pray for is my brother. His going on is my strength.
God's will is much more than going to heaven. He desires to head up all things - to get us together - in Christ. That we would live the reality of being headed up, to be a pattern to the young ones. (NOT DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO.!!!) This view will change our daily living. This is how we will truly care for the young ones.
How about our practices? Are we really in the reality? Young ones need the companionship and fellowship in order to go on in the Lord. we also need them, so we can stand firm in the Lord. 1 Thes. 3:8 "Because now we live if you stand firm in the Lord." We live if you stand firm and my brothers stand firm only if I go on. Without my going on, others will be dying. Consider this verse every day. Our living is not just for us, but for others.
Phil. 4:13 "I am able to do all things in Him who empowers me." I am not able - Lord, You are able. All the sections in the Bible reveal the same thing - because this is the will of God.
Form groups and labor in the word. This week get into Colossians chapter 1. Dig into it! I need you to dig something out for me. I need your portion and you need mine. Like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle - my companions make my joy full!! This week get some direction from Col. 1 - then when we come together everyone speak.
Baptism = being headed up in Christ. Now we need to live the reality of this to become patterns for others. Paul said - be imitators of me. By this God's desire, God's will can be accomplished. God's will be done on earth today! We can become the ones to accomplish God's goal!