09.15 || Advancing

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
– 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

GREEK
νῖκος/nikos: results of a conquest

CONSIDER
Early in life, Gordon Granger cared more about surviving than advancing. Born in the Finger Lakes, his mother died when he was 4, and he bounced around between his grandparent’s farm in Phelps and his father’s home in Sodus. Granger chose to strike out on his own early and became a teacher in the North Rose school district before the age of 18. But in the military, he could pursue a transient lifestyle, and so at the age of 19, Gordon Granger set out to become a career soldier. Fast forward nearly 24 years and Granger had become a Major General in the Union army. After an inauspicious start to life, the Civil War transformed him into a strong leader. When the Civil War ended, he was given command of the District of Texas, where his first order of business was to post General Order No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Gordon’s Order set in motion the celebrations that would come to be known as Juneteenth, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law.
For enslaved people living in Texas, the victory of emancipation wasn’t experienced until Gordon Granger ordered the people of Texas to act in accordance with it. The Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, but the effects of the victory were not felt until June 19, 1865! This is similar to the concept that Paul proclaimed to the church in 1 Corinthians 15. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the nikos (results of a conquest) through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was advancing the truth that Jesus’ victory on the cross has implications for our lives as well. Because of it, we now have the grace to live life to the fullest, and the strength to be immovable in our resolve to abound in the work of the Lord. Much like General Gordon, our role is simply to announce the freedom that Christ’s work has won for us. ​

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How will I increase my proximity to Jesus this week?

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
– 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

GREEK
κενὸς/kenos: empty, hollow

CONSIDER
As we reflect on six years of God’s faithfulness to Centerway, one of the Because and Therefore statements that often comes to mind is on authenticity: Because we’ve been awarded grace we value AUTHENTICITY therefore we honestly do life together, don’t try to hide our mess, and don’t lead second rate versions of our one and only life. In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul provides a clue as to how to keep our lives from unintentionally falling into habits that lead to those second-rate versions. In 15:58 he links the command to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord with the reality “that in the Lord your labor is not kenos (empty, hollow).” Paul’s point is not that our identity should be wrapped up in our work and labor; instead he insists that our position in the Lord shapes our identity in a way that is full and robust. We never have to worry about our lives being hollow if we authentically submit them to the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Our vocation, our acts of service, and even our hobbies can be leveraged toward the work of the Lord, and in so doing we get to showcase the grace that we have been awarded so extravagantly. Close proximity to Jesus keeps our lives from being kenos, directs us to labor alongside people from all walks of life, and strengthens us to advance the gospel message with our one and only lives.

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How will I increase my proximity to Jesus this week?

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
– Psalm 127:1 ESV

HEBREW
Im- Yah·weh: Except under the circumstances that the Lord

CONSIDER
In many ways, the message of Psalm 127 has been a predominant theme throughout the life of Centerway. It is attributed to King Solomon, who oversaw the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, and sat on the throne as the City of David experienced a season of flourishing. He certainly knew a thing or two about what it took to build a house and protect a city! This short poem starts off by stating, “Im- Yah·weh (Except under the circumstances that the Lord) builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Im- Yah·weh watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”  The beauty of this verse is found, in part, in its simplicity; either the Lord does it or it is pointless. There simply is no third option. So how can we ensure that Yahweh is the One advancing the work he wants accomplished? We absolutely must know his Word and follow his voice. Both of these pursuits require proximity to Jesus, who not only reminds us that apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5), but who also promises to fill us with power to work by sending his Spirit to indwell us (Acts 1:8). Whether we are laboring to build a house, protect a city, shape a legacy, nurture a family, or grow in influence, proximity to Jesus is the only way to ensure our work is fruitful and endures for generations. This is a truth that has shaped Centerway to this point, and will continue to for our church’s lifetime!

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How will I increase my proximity to Jesus this week?