Gary Chapman
February 8, 2001
2:30 pm
Community in Process
Message Summary
Gary Chapman began by defining the process of sanctification as the act of being set apart from the world, of not merely seeking morality but following God's process of becoming who He wants us to be. "No matter how deeply we have been saved; no matter how deeply we love the Lord, we still fall short of what we know we should be." Chapman centered his message around the truth of Philippians 3:10-21; that the desire of all true Christians is to attain the resurrection of Jesus. In verses 10-11, Paul describes this resurrection in three ways. Throughout man's history there has been no greater evidence of divine power than Christ's risen body; the body that we will attain on the other side of death. This truth should grant Jesus' perspective: the ability to see through mortality's suffering to God's purpose. A true Christian, Chapman explained, is totally yielded to God's will. "I want to have victory over sin in my life, to see meaning in a new life in Christ."
While verses 10-11 describe the desire of all Christians, Chapman proposes that 12-14 presents the reality. Applying the principles of the desire to our day-to-day reality, Chapman believes that Paul dictates three challenges. First, Christians must keep running. Chapman used the illustration of long-distance runners who press on to the goal, the finish line. Second, Christians are commanded not to look back. A good heritage and high expectations can be as debilitating as a bad history, and the follower of Christ must pursue God's desires without carrying the baggage of past accomplishments and failures. Chapman reminded his audience of David Livingstone who said, "I will go anywhere, provided it is forward." Third, Chapman stated that Christians must stick to the basics of their faith. A daily quiet time with God, weekly Bible studies and corporate worship, praying about everything, and loving other Christians are the fruit of faith in the ressurection of Christ. Chapman closed by reminding his audience to choose Godly models, practically applying this to reading biographies of Christian heroes.
Student Response
Chapman reminded me that all Christians are construction sites—not pretty, but a work in progress that will one day result in a beautiful edifice. "In short," he stated, "cooperate with God. He is the potter and we are the clay. Stay on the wheel and let Him work with you." I often forget that the consequences of a life lived in faith is eternity with Christ in Heaven, in a body modeling his perfect form. Life is full of struggles, death, and corruption. But Jesus understands; if we are faithful to His calling and to His process of sanctification, He will lead us to an eternal rest. As the gospel quartet who opened the meeting sang, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through."
—John-Joseph Johansson, Sophomore, Communications/Print Media major