ONWARD TO CORINTH

Bobservations: 
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz 

  There is no scriptural reference to a church having been founded in Athens, it proved to be a strong-hold of Satan.

    And from that frying pan, into the fire Paul went as Corinth was his next stop. Corinth is located on the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow spit of land which commanded two harbors, one to the north and the other to the south. It was a shipping and commerce center, wealthy and rich in Hellenist culture. It connected Athens with Greece’s Peloponnesian Peninsula. On the peninsula, we find Olympia, Sparta, and that well known source of olives, the city and region of Kalamata.

    But there on the Isthmus, we find the Temple of Aphrodite which housed a thousand Temple Prostitutes, to assist in the “worship” of the goddess. It was said that those that “acted the Corinthian” were given over to much fornication. Where the Athenians worshiped many gods, including Athena (the virgin), the Corinthians focused on Aphrodite.

    It reminds me of the scripture “where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.” Like Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles; both given over to sinful vices, and it’s hard to decide which is worse. Yet in those cities there are vibrant churches full of dedicated believers. God does not leave His children without resources for their faith, regardless of the character of their cities.

    In Corinth though, Paul found fellowship with people who had things in common with him. Like Paul, Aquila and Priscilla were a couple who were tentmakers by trade. We can see the benefit of being able to relate to people when sharing Christ with them. Paul found a common thread in Athens by pointing to their shrine to the Unknown God, but little fruit followed. And now, a personal thread through tent-making (no pun intended). We find the Apostle to be able to identify with many because of his background.

    Building on the things we have in common is a great way to break the ice, and broach the subject of Jesus with others. Brothers and sisters encourage us, and God blesses our meagre efforts and opens doors that we could not imagine.

Relate to people, and then let them see Christ in you!

Glorious Liberty

Bobservations Column

by Pastor Bob Lawrenz

    On this July 4th Holiday weekend, there will be an endless stream of platitudes about our Nation’s freedoms, and remembrances of great victories in the past. From the American War of Independence, to World War II, there is no mistaking the battles won, and the battles lost, all bringing ultimate victory over tyranny of all sorts, from all over the world. Liberty and freedoms came at a high cost in human lives, and continue to do so. 

    But evil and cruel leaders existed long before the United States won her wars. And there is one battle that has gone on since the Garden of Eden. A cruel and jealous ruler wanted to raise himself up to the level of God, and that battle cannot be won, but Satan continues to try to recruit as many as he can. 

    Satan’s lies will never cease. His fiery realm means death for all the souls he wins. The wars that our nation has fought pale in comparison. Even the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have rebuilt and are among the most vibrant cities of the Far East. 

    However, Satan’s kingdom is eternal; there will be no rebuilding, and there will be no vibrant life for those who are duped by his lies and enticements. The familiar picture on the front depicts a victory on a faraway island, and it came at a high cost: many died trying to win the battle of Iwo Jima, and even in victory, the battle raged on. Some of the men raising that U.S. Flag never made it home. The battle continued in spite of our victorious flag raising.

    Because the war with Satan is a spiritual battle, God sent His only begotten Son to enter the fray, and to win our battle for us, paying with His life. In victory, Jesus rose from the dead and lives on at the right hand of the Father. So while we have victory in Jesus Christ, we know that Satan’s battle rages on, deceiving and tempting every new generation. And, 0ur own battles will not cease until the Lord calls us home. They will continue because we live out our lives in enemy territory. There are pockets of peace and joy here and there, but none can compare with the Glory that lies ahead in God’s Holy presence.

“Because (we ourselves) also shall be delivered from the bondage of

corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” - Romans 8:21

Great Gain

Bobservations Column

by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
 

    Thankfulness seems to be a key to happiness in the scriptures. I can envision a door marked “Happiness.” There is a key to open it. Our life mission is to possess the key, and then share it with others. This is one of the messages of the Gospel. With our citizenship in heaven, the focus of every Believer should be our eternal life with Him, and to share the key with others is a desire of our hearts. 

    But there are millions of people who have rejected Jesus, or unbelievably, who have not ever heard of Him, or who remain apathetic towards Him. God has said that He will be found when we search for Him with all our heart. 

    For those that reject God, they seek their happiness in earthly places and Earthly relationships. A whole segment of our culture just received a stamp of approval from the U.S. Supreme Court. Many of them think this will be the key to their happiness: acceptance by their fellow earth-bound citizens. The Apostle Paul has written that those who refuse to worship God, and refuse to be thankful will end up with vain imaginations and darkened hearts.  

    To be thankful, and to worship God keeps our hearts bright and warm, and our imaginations clear and meaningful. When we are in such a state, happiness overflows and a sense of profound contentment washes over us. To be content is to rest from our labors, and look with appreciation to all that we already have at our finger-tips. It is an end of striving for bigger, better, newer, and the next “trending thing.”  

    Those feelings currently being enjoyed because of a Supreme Court Ruling will be short-lived, and disappointing. Soon enough, the daily grind sets in and socks or slacks have to be put on one foot, or one leg at a time. Such a life turns into a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, looking for and striving towards bigger, more frequent highs. It’s an endless cycle, and often frustrating. 

    The difference between these two types of happiness, involves one more component: Godliness. This brings and supplies a profound sense of contentment that the neither the world, nor the Supreme Court will ever bring. 

I Timothy 6:6 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”