Analog 1 - "That Sounds Smart"

I wrote this for this thing called Analog that we do at our church. All of the small groups get these. They corrispond to a certain sermon that is coming up and help guide conversation and study in the small groups. I just started helping out with Analog, and here's my first entry before it went through the hands of the group's editor. It may be a bit raw. And yes, I stole the "hina" part from my pastor. This is supposed to relate to a sermon on Colossians 1:9-11.

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There was a time before the world existed, a time where the creation we know was formless and blank--perhaps even a time before time itself existed. But at some point, for some reason, an all-powerful, all-knowing being decided to create something. And, he didn't just create some toy or pet. For some reason, he elected to create something that he could love: a creation that could choose whether or not to love in return. But why would he do that? Why would a complete God need to create the beloved?

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Cor 13:1)

There is a confounding pattern found throughout the Bible. All over, people are doing hard, painful things so that they may help others. And the darndest part of it all is that those that sacrifice often receive nothing in return. Christ, of course, is the pinnacle example of this behavior. As he hangs from his instrument of torture, he chooses to use one of his last breaths to utter, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). How otherworldly is it for this God to protect his children as they murder him? What is this strange force that drives God and man alike to behave in ways that would otherwise seem so unreasonable?

In Paul's letter to the church at Colosse, he begins by telling the people how he has asked God to fill them "with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col 1:9). But, he doesn't stop there. For the first time in the letter, we notice the words, "so that." This is important because it is a Greek clause called a "hina", and this sort of clause is typically used to explain why something is done. In this case, it's used to describe why these people should receive such a blessing:

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Col 1:10-12)

The Christian life is one meant to be lived loving those around you. In His every move and action, God has consistently demonstrated his selfless love for his children. And it's this continuing pattern that Paul is describing here. Not only does he pray for blessings on these people, he does so that they may in-turn go out and produce fruit of their own and demonstrate real love to those around them. All of the knowledge and understanding in world would be worthless if it did not have some purpose.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Cor 13:2)

A life more selfless is difficult to achieve, and it doesn't always make sense to the pragmatic mind. But Christ constantly pushes us to sacrifice for the sake of others. This crazy God is showing us a counter way of thinking: to die is to live, to give is to gain, to love is to really live.

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." (1 Cor 13:3)

In the end, Paul is pushing us to focus outward in our prayers and lives. The "kingdom of the Son he loves" is waiting for so many out there, and God has called all of us to go out there and produce the real fruit that can demonstrate that kingdom to the lost.

Related Verses:
Colossians 1.9-11
1 Cor 13:1-3
Luke 23:34

Discussion Starters:
In the past week or two, has someone demonstrated any kindness or selflessness towards you? How did it make you feel? How did it make you feel about that person?

Questions:
How well do you think the modern churches have done at serving their communities? How might they do better?

Do you think that if you were the most knowledgeable person to have ever walked the earth you would always make right and just decisions? Is knowledge a key to righteousness, or does it serve another purpose?

What kinds of gifts or blessings has God given you that you can use to bless others?

Action Step:
Choose two people that will see at some point this week, and if possible, choose two that you don’t know very well. Try to use some of your own skills, gifts, or talents to bless those two people some real, practical way.