Author: Phil Rehberg

Weekly words of encouragement

Our Destiny Is Incomparable Blessings From God – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“God raised us up with Christ…in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6-7 (NIV) It is hard to think of greater words of encouragement than these. God has already raised us up spiritually with Christ and the reason he did that is so that in the next age (after Jesus returns) he could give to us incredible blessings. These blessings are “incomparable”; in other words, they surpass, exceed, transcend other riches. They are beyond other blessings we can imagine. This is God’s intention and future for us. This truth is a tremendous encouragement for keeping our focus on Jesus and fully surrendering ourselves to discipleship and spiritual growth. Simple application: put your name in the verse instead of “us.” Then say it out loud three times. Trust. God Will Reward The Continue Reading →

cross suffering

Christlikeness requires “Cross-likeness”

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In Philippians Paul ties our spiritual growth in with essential spiritual truths. Last week we looked at the way in which Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning of new creation. This week we look at closer union with Jesus’ cross and resurrection. In Phil. 2:1 Paul instructs the Philippians: “if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ” then please be one with each other. Paul considers Christians to be united with Christ. Then in Phil. 3:10-11 Paul talks about his spiritual growth: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (NIV) Notice that Paul is expanding on his union with Christ. He wants to experience more union with Christ. Specifically, he wants to experience Jesus’ “resurrection from the dead” for himself, which has not Continue Reading →

heaven eternal perspective

Has The New Creation Already Started?

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The reason we ask this provocative question is because of some mysterious passages in the New Testament that make us wonder when the New Creation starts. One of the most striking passages is Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (NIV). Notice that “raised” is in the past tense. Christians have already been raised in some way. But even more important is the fact that we have been raised “with Christ”. Thus, we are joined with Jesus in his resurrection. And because we are joined with him part of us is currently dwelling in heaven! So what does this have to do with the New Creation to come? The answer is that Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of the New Creation. And in the Old Testament the idea of resurrection was connected with the new ideal Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Are Sitting With Jesus In Heaven – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6 (NIV). Hmmm, we are seated in the heavenly realms with Christ? When did that happen? What is Paul talking about? It sounds like he is saying that Christians were resurrected with Christ and ascended into heaven with Christ. But obviously we don’t see this physically. Yet, we do see this spiritually, because “we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen,” II Cor. 4:18. So God is teaching us in Ephesians that we are already spiritually resurrected and ascended with Christ! And we are sitting with Him! This is the reality we live in now. It is a mystery, but it is true biblical mysticism. It may be mind-blowing but it is real. This truth has a radical effect on our spiritual formation and discipleship! It Continue Reading →

what should we be doing?

What Are We Supposed To Be Doing?

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What is the Christian life all about? Sometimes we find ourselves wondering “What am I supposed to be doing in my Christian life?” Who can deny that it is important to have a general idea of what discipleship and spiritual formation are all about. What are we supposed to focus our energies on in the Christian life? And what is spiritual formation according to scripture? One place we can find this in scripture is in Paul’s prayers for the churches. One particularly helpful prayer for spiritual growth is at Philippians 1:9-11: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (NIV) Continue Reading →