Now to the title of this post. What is an Epicurean. In the Apostle Paul's day they were a group of Greeks who's beliefs were this( this is from my Life Application Bible) " The Epicureans believed that seeking happiness or pleasure was the primary goal of life" Sound familiar? It does to me. Isn't this the American dream? Could this be why the American Church is becoming more ineffective each year? Is this why marriages are crumbling around us? Is this why our government seems to slip deeper and deeper into debt trying to to make a Utopian happy place for all Americans? Is this why we have infighting and division in our churches" if I ain't happy ain't nobody going to be happy"? This is nothing new, but look at the TV adds and look at the themes that are being portrayed, "happiness and joy". Big 401K's, fast shiny cars(I struggle with this), clothes, dream vacations, a more sculpted body. Have this and that and you will have pleasure and be happy. Epicurean ism.
So Paul ends his preaching with this thought. God has promised that Jesus will return and everyone will be judged. I think we need to ask God to search our hearts. Do we dare do that? If Jesus comes today what kind of church is he going to find. ( not the building) Remember in vs 24, He doesn't need a building, He can work inside one but He is not constrained to it. Are we seeking happiness in our churches or can we lay down our "crowns" of happiness and pleasure and seek him even if that doesn't always make us feel good. Roger shared a little bit about the suffering Paul experienced on his journeys, beatings, stoning, left for dead, and prison to name a few things, Does that sound like happiness and pleasure. Not to me. I can't put words into Paul's mouth but I can imagine him telling people today that I can't keep from following Jesus no matter what, the joy that God fills me with when I serve him is intoxicating. I can't help ,but tell the whole world about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, I can't stop. I believe Paul sought the Joy of Christ not the happiness of the world, he had been there. I'm sure he had a great wealthy life before his conversion. You know most of this I am preaching to myself. One day at a time my heart calls out to follow Christ while my flesh cries out to follow the world and its pleasures. God put this thought on my heart at Work Systems Sat while I was talking to another brother in Christ. A divine appointment, Vs26-27, God knew this was going to happen. Anyway I was impressed with this thought, if Satan works on the slippery slope principle, stealing little parts of your life over a period of time until the enemy has taken everything, why can't we follow Christ in in the opposite way. following him daily so that little by little we draw closer to him, so like in 2 Peter 1:3-10, we make our calling and election sure. Let " the joy of the Lord be my strength" Ive been sing that song in my head as I have been writing this.
Lets seek the joy that comes from following Christ.
Gods joy and peace be with you.
Russ.
Check out this song by Delirious, Kingdom Of Comfort.
Lyrics to Kingdom Of Comfort :
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I built myself a happy home
In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand
I just forgot where I came from
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference
I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
Instrumental/Lament
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king
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