As much as we like to nominate ourselves for great works for God and to be in places of importance; whether a great leader, great speaker, artist, musician, etc it is ultimately God who ordains and appoints people to be in his service and to accomplish his work. It is God who calls and God who appoints and sets us apart for doing His work. Our only work is to believe through faith and then to walk in that faith as we follow Jesus.
John 15—you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last.
Eph 1:4—for he chose us in him before the creation of the world ....
So although, we like to nominate ourselves or move ourselves forward into important positions; it is not we who are in a position to do so. Who would dare to claim to be divinely called of God without first being sure that it was He who was calling?
Yet I am afraid we too often rush into it all, without first counting the cost and asking ourselves if we are indeed willing to drink the cup. To be called and to do the work of God is often a work of perseverance and faith which is surrounded by suffering. Following in the calling of God is not one of glamour. Too many people in ministry need ministry because it gives them identity and purpose. Many worship ministry more than they worship Jesus. There is a mirage that causes people to believe that minstry gives fame and attention, and even above average paychecks. To follow Jesus is not glamorous and it is not the way to increase your net-worth.
Probably the greatest leaders (servants is a better word) doing the work of the kingdom are people you will never hear about. They will not be found in any newsletter or publication or on the TV. They will not be sought after for interviews or to speak at conferences and they will most certainly not be self-promoting. You will find the greatest leaders in the Kingdom running away from the camera; hidden, obscure, and fulfilling their calling in secret—with the one who sees all things being the only one who notices. They will not be organizing prayer rallys because they are in thier closet with the door shut, alone with the Father who hears what is said in secret. They will not seek to fill stadiums or arenas, they will be in the places that are dirty, messy, risky, and uncomfortable. The greatest in the kingdom are the ones who are the least; who are the servants.
We all want to be known for having a servant’s heart, but we don’t want to be treated like a servant. Many in ministry would rather be treated like a rock-star. But with a true calling of Jesus, this cannot be the case.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Let Us Be Guides
Jesus repeatedly explained to the disciples that the way up is to go down, the way to life is to die, and that the path to following him is to take up the cross. Now he shows them as he has always shown them, through both word and deed.
Too much of the Christian method of ministry today is only word. This method lacks deed. Jesus taught by what he said backed up by what he did, telling others to take up their cross and then to follow him as he did the same. The way of Jesus is both the proclamation of the message as well as giving witness to the message. It is important to share, not only the message of the gospel, but our lives as well. It is imperative both to share and to show.
Here is the rub: we can only do this with small groups of people over a long period of time. Our culture is not satisfied with this method because we prefer large crowds to small groups. Large numbers make us feel more important and successful. Therefore giving into this desire, we tend to only seek large crowds and give them only the message without the life lived behind it. We fail to show the hearers an example that the message works, that the message is real and true. Let us turn our backs on the desire to only gather crowds so that we can spout our opinions, stories, and words. Let us give the message and invite others to walk along with us so that they can see what we are saying. A teacher gives information on how to do something. A guide not only gives the needed information but goes along with you to lead and show you how. Let us be guides.
Too much of the Christian method of ministry today is only word. This method lacks deed. Jesus taught by what he said backed up by what he did, telling others to take up their cross and then to follow him as he did the same. The way of Jesus is both the proclamation of the message as well as giving witness to the message. It is important to share, not only the message of the gospel, but our lives as well. It is imperative both to share and to show.
Here is the rub: we can only do this with small groups of people over a long period of time. Our culture is not satisfied with this method because we prefer large crowds to small groups. Large numbers make us feel more important and successful. Therefore giving into this desire, we tend to only seek large crowds and give them only the message without the life lived behind it. We fail to show the hearers an example that the message works, that the message is real and true. Let us turn our backs on the desire to only gather crowds so that we can spout our opinions, stories, and words. Let us give the message and invite others to walk along with us so that they can see what we are saying. A teacher gives information on how to do something. A guide not only gives the needed information but goes along with you to lead and show you how. Let us be guides.
Let us take up our cross and invite a few to follow along. "Follow me as I follow Christ." (1 Cor. 11:1)
Glory comes from suffering. A crown is fashioned from pain. If suffering is what brings glory, then what does pride, comfort, and an easy life bring? What does happiness bring? Glory comes from suffering. Obedience leads to suffering, which leads to death,which leads to life, which leads to joy, which leads to glory. Dying brings life. Being the least means being the greatest. The paradox of following Jesus, can we understand? Can we handle the truth of the calling to take up our own beam of wood and follow Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem and out of the city walls to Golgotha?
Friday, March 12, 2010
How Changed Are My Ambitions!
"Yet every advantage that I had gained I considered lost for Christ's sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ. For now my place is in him, and I am not dependent upon any of the self-achieved righteousness of the Law. God has given me that genuine righteousness which comes from faith in Christ. How changed are my ambitions! Now I long to know Christ and the power shown by his resurrection: now I long to share his sufferings, even to die as he died, so that I may perhaps attain as he did, the resurrection from the dead. " (Phil. 3:7-11--JB Phillips)
“How changed are my ambitions!” Our ambitions change drastically when we come to follow and truly desire to live a life of pursuing Christ. It is as if we lose our ambitions; or maybe our ambitions simply change from glorifying ourselves to glorifying Jesus. Paul says that everything is counted as a loss and considered useless rubbish compared to knowing Christ. No longer do I accumulate worthless and temporary items, but my only goal becomes wanting to know Jesus, in more fresh and deeper ways. I drop everything else in order to do this.
But the question has to be asked: What have we lost? What have I given up? Have I really given up anything? Am I continuing to try to keep everything? Am I only deluding myself?
The truth is that I cannot follow Jesus and still carry all my stuff and continue to accumulate more and more. So often I want to continue to cling on to my stuff and follow Jesus. But I cannot keep up. I have to come to a point where I must throw it all overboard in order to lighten the ship. The more I follow Jesus, the more I am willing to drop what I have always tried so hard to carry. I find it no longer useful. I find it is no longer worthy to carry. All the things I thought I needed, I find I do not need as much as I first thought. Originally, I thought these things would provide security or comfort. They have not.
I have found the stripped down life is a life that brings freedom. A life of accumulation only brings more and more burdens. And so I long to live the words Paul wrote and follow his example in counting all things a loss compared to knowing Christ. Everything loses its value when it is set next to Jesus.
What am I holding on to thinking it will give me life?
What am I holding on to thinking that I might need it further down the road?
Why can’t I simply drop it, chunk it out the window, count it useless?
“How changed are my ambitions!” Our ambitions change drastically when we come to follow and truly desire to live a life of pursuing Christ. It is as if we lose our ambitions; or maybe our ambitions simply change from glorifying ourselves to glorifying Jesus. Paul says that everything is counted as a loss and considered useless rubbish compared to knowing Christ. No longer do I accumulate worthless and temporary items, but my only goal becomes wanting to know Jesus, in more fresh and deeper ways. I drop everything else in order to do this.
But the question has to be asked: What have we lost? What have I given up? Have I really given up anything? Am I continuing to try to keep everything? Am I only deluding myself?
The truth is that I cannot follow Jesus and still carry all my stuff and continue to accumulate more and more. So often I want to continue to cling on to my stuff and follow Jesus. But I cannot keep up. I have to come to a point where I must throw it all overboard in order to lighten the ship. The more I follow Jesus, the more I am willing to drop what I have always tried so hard to carry. I find it no longer useful. I find it is no longer worthy to carry. All the things I thought I needed, I find I do not need as much as I first thought. Originally, I thought these things would provide security or comfort. They have not.
I have found the stripped down life is a life that brings freedom. A life of accumulation only brings more and more burdens. And so I long to live the words Paul wrote and follow his example in counting all things a loss compared to knowing Christ. Everything loses its value when it is set next to Jesus.
What am I holding on to thinking it will give me life?
What am I holding on to thinking that I might need it further down the road?
Why can’t I simply drop it, chunk it out the window, count it useless?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Can You Drink The Cup?
I am reading NT Wright’s book: Following Jesus, Biblical Reflections of Discipleship. I have decided to read it during Lent. It is a series of sermons he preached in the weeks leading up to Easter, following Jesus to the cross. The whole idea of following Jesus has been glamorized by our culture. It is almost trendy.
I am not sure we have thought deeply enough about this whole thing. Jesus went to the cross. He asks us to follow. I, like Peter, exclaim that "I am willing to fight and die to keep them from taking you to the cross!" And then I find later that I have denied knowing him three times.
“Can you drink the cup?” Jesus asked. Am I willing to drink the cup of sorrow? Am I willing to drink the cup of suffering? Am I willing to drink the cup of obedience that leads to death? I can’t. I can’t unless the power of Christ strengthens me in my time of trial. Unless he upholds me as I follow, I cannot follow. If left to my own decisions and choices I would quickly turn back and focus on my own life; on surviving; on living a life of comfort and self-glorification.
Jesus says, ‘Follow me. My way leads to the cross. It is bitter. Yet in giving up all things, you will find joy. In dying, you will find life.” Am I sure I want to follow? Even if it leads to death; death on a cross?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
the CROWD
And as Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, he set Barabbas free for them, and after having Jesus flogged handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15 JBPhillips
The CROWD is the most influential force in all of the world (other than God). if enough people get together and are focused on a united task, it can happen for good or for evil. It can be a worthy task or a destructive task; purposeful or empty. The crowd can sway opinions of others, can "force" them, without force, to do something they do not wish to do or become somebody they don't want to be.
We too often sacrifice ourselves for the approval of the crowd, thinking that by doing so will give us satisfaction or value or purpose. I can tell you stories upon stories of how the crowds have caused people to become somebody they are not. Our value is too often given to us by the crowd and we are sold in the market at the price the crowd has assigned to us. Our importance depends on how we are viewed by others. Finding ourselves on the stage of the world, we become actors in a play called life. The challenge is to play our true and real part, and not the part that the world demands that we play.
The crowd that a person most deeply connects with is who he will become.
The CROWD is the most influential force in all of the world (other than God). if enough people get together and are focused on a united task, it can happen for good or for evil. It can be a worthy task or a destructive task; purposeful or empty. The crowd can sway opinions of others, can "force" them, without force, to do something they do not wish to do or become somebody they don't want to be.
We too often sacrifice ourselves for the approval of the crowd, thinking that by doing so will give us satisfaction or value or purpose. I can tell you stories upon stories of how the crowds have caused people to become somebody they are not. Our value is too often given to us by the crowd and we are sold in the market at the price the crowd has assigned to us. Our importance depends on how we are viewed by others. Finding ourselves on the stage of the world, we become actors in a play called life. The challenge is to play our true and real part, and not the part that the world demands that we play.
The crowd that a person most deeply connects with is who he will become.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Why this Waste?
"Jesus himself was now in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. As he was sitting at table, a woman approached him with an alabaster flask of very costly spikenard perfume. She broke the neck of the flask and poured the perfume on Jesus' head. Some of those present were highly indignant and muttered, "What is the point of such wicked waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over thirty pounds and the money could have been given to the poor." And there was a murmur of resentment against her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone, why must you make her feel uncomfortable? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You have the poor with you always and you can do good to them whenever you like, but you will not always have me. She has done all she could - for she has anointed my body in preparation for burial. I assure you that wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as her memorial to me." Mark 14:3-9, JB Phillips
I've been thinking a lot about the poor and those in need, especially in light of events in Haiti and the surge to provide for the poor and oppressed in places such as Africa. However, there are things, even good things, that become more of a trendy thing to do rather than answering a call to go and serve among the poor. I am not sure that some of the trips people are calling "mission" trips really are about mission trips. It's more of a, "man, it would be cool to go to Africa," kind of thing and the next thing you know, they are raising $5,000 to go to Africa for a week. Why not just sent the $5,000 to someone who is already there or some organization that is always there, has been there, and will continue to be there?
I continue to bump into more and more people who are involved in things dealing with Africa, who seem to look down on anyone else who is not. Or they seem to imply that to do ministry in the States is a "waste" compared to doing a mission trip to a third world country. I am for both, and I think that if God has put something on someone's heart, they need to follow it, no matter if it leads to Haiti, China, or to Auburn, Alabama. But, they all are worthy. Nothing is a waste. Neither is a higher calling than another.
When the woman broke the expensive jar of perfume and poured it over the head of Jesus, there were those that were there that muttered, "Why this waste?! It could have been sold and given to the poor." Sometimes, I think we are beginning to think like this as we view different ministries and missions. We should be careful and encourage people wherever they may be serving Christ. To work with rich white kids is no less spiritual than playing soccer with the poor children of Africa. They are both actions of Christ at work through people.
Jesus is always primary, even over trendy movements. The needy are all around us...3000 miles away as well as 3 feet away. They may look or act different but they are there.
I've been thinking a lot about the poor and those in need, especially in light of events in Haiti and the surge to provide for the poor and oppressed in places such as Africa. However, there are things, even good things, that become more of a trendy thing to do rather than answering a call to go and serve among the poor. I am not sure that some of the trips people are calling "mission" trips really are about mission trips. It's more of a, "man, it would be cool to go to Africa," kind of thing and the next thing you know, they are raising $5,000 to go to Africa for a week. Why not just sent the $5,000 to someone who is already there or some organization that is always there, has been there, and will continue to be there?
I continue to bump into more and more people who are involved in things dealing with Africa, who seem to look down on anyone else who is not. Or they seem to imply that to do ministry in the States is a "waste" compared to doing a mission trip to a third world country. I am for both, and I think that if God has put something on someone's heart, they need to follow it, no matter if it leads to Haiti, China, or to Auburn, Alabama. But, they all are worthy. Nothing is a waste. Neither is a higher calling than another.
When the woman broke the expensive jar of perfume and poured it over the head of Jesus, there were those that were there that muttered, "Why this waste?! It could have been sold and given to the poor." Sometimes, I think we are beginning to think like this as we view different ministries and missions. We should be careful and encourage people wherever they may be serving Christ. To work with rich white kids is no less spiritual than playing soccer with the poor children of Africa. They are both actions of Christ at work through people.
Jesus is always primary, even over trendy movements. The needy are all around us...3000 miles away as well as 3 feet away. They may look or act different but they are there.
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