The Back of the Colony Chapel Bulletin
Posted on March 4, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
Tags: acts 20, chris hughes, encouragement, john hibbard, spiritual leadership
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” ~Acts 20:28 (NKJV)There are times when I could just kick myself for not taking better notes. If I would have known that September 14, 2014 was the last time I was gonna hear Pastor John Hibbard preach my note taking would have been a little more detailed. As some of you know Pastor Hibbard (someone I consider a Keswick Titan) went home to be with our LORD and Savior. There was this one phrase he used that I really liked and kinda thought had some truth to it. He would say, “If you can get your mind around that you’ll have it all in nutshell.” I think he was conveying to us that we are a little nuts at times. Anyway…on this particular Sunday morning he started his sermon with what we read in Acts 20:28. I know this because I wrote it down but the rest of my notes are from the 14th chapter of the Book of Romans. So I’ll take it from there…
What we can glean from Romans 14:8-12 are three things but they are centered around one central theme and that is Christ alone has the right to purchase us. We see this reinforced from what is written in verse 7, “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.” Basically this comes in two positions, one that as we live we are under the influence of the grace of God and secondly in our death we will be taken into the presence and glory of Christ. Now apparently according the notes I took we can now look at those three things as they pertain to Divine Lordship. You may want some A-1 steak sauce to go with this…just sayin’.
1. “For both if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore both if we live, and if we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8) This speaks to realms of Divine Lordship. Weather it’s natural or spiritual, all life is derived from the LORD. We live by faith and do His will and when it’s our time we will live with Him forever. This is life in the realm of Divine Lordship.
2. “For this Christ both died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.” (Romans 14:9) This speaks to the rights of Divine Lordship. By doing the will of The Father Christ rightly deserves His spot on the right hand seat. All creation is under His subjugation, He has defeated death and beat the Devil. This is life of deserved rights
3. “But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you despise your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Romans 14:10) This speaks to the rules of Divine Lordship. Like it or not you are gonna give an account for what you’ve done here and just to put it in Jesus’ words, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11) I once heard a Pastor say, “You can bow now or you can bow later but in the end you’re gonna bow.” This is life under the rules of Divine Lordship.
Then I come to end the end of my note taking and Pastor Hibbard gave two things that should be taken into account when we have an understanding of Divine Lordship. If we have an unconditional submission to all aspects of life THEN we can express an unashamed confession of Christ in all aspects of life! That got kinda deep and it still raises a “hmm” as I look at it. So what’s this got to do with Acts 20:28? Here’s my guess…
Many men out there think that they can’t be a spiritual leader even though they have a deep love for our Lord and Savior. Hogwash I say!! If you are married with children, then you’re the pastor in your home. Many single guys out there think because they it’s just them they can’t be spiritual leaders. Again I say hogwash! Anywhere you are you can share the Gospel Good News…you can do all things through Him who gives you strength. Even those ladies out there (who are rumored to read the Freedom Fighter blog) are spiritual leaders and need to impart encouragement to those around them.
As we accept those things that are of Jesus Christ, we truly become ambassadors of The One who has Divine Lordship in our lives and the joy of living in that needs to penetrate and encourage the hearts of those who are weaker among us. As Paul would put it, “Then let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward his brother.” (Romans 14:13) Nicely put don’t ya think?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy 11-2003 and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 64; Proverbs 4
Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan
Daily Quote: “Those living the crucified life do not seek place or wealth, fame or high positions. Rather, they want to know God and to be where Jesus is. Only to know Christ—that is all.” ~A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV)
