Volume 12 Post/Email 4 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 4)
by brian
Jesus calls us to a higher life. The misunderstanding I can have is what this life involves.
I can think God intends for me to be popular. I can believe that God guarantees me an easy journey. I can expect God to make me wealthy. I can focus on worldly matters rather than kingdom interests.
In Matthew 23:11-12 Jesus explains, "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
God is a servant. Jesus left the comfort and bliss of heaven to reach people, love people, serve people, die and resurrect for people. Jesus lived and walked upon the earth for us! Jesus exalted us!
Jesus embodies servanthood. Now, he invites us to join him in participating in a higher life and calling. Jesus invites us to partner with him in ministry. Jesus invites us to experience a radical reorientation of our life, values, priorities and lifestyle. Jesus invites us to lose our life, our trivial pursuits, and our worries. Jesus invites us to a life of peace and joy seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Reflection: What are my impediments and objections to serving others?
Volume 12 Post/Email 3 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 3)
by brian
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul exhorts Christians to offer our bodies to God as living and holy sacrifices. He further states that we should not conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Immediately following this spiritual instruction, in verse 3-4 Paul targets our attitude, stating that we should not think of ourself more highly than we ought, but to think of ourself with sober judgment. Why?
Answer: He is about to address spiritual gifts (vs. 6-8). If one does not have a humble or sober disposition, then he or she will not use their gift(s) to serve others. We all have a function or role within the church to fulfill. These spiritual endowments are chosen and designated by God. However, if we have an inflated ego and sense of self, we will use our abilities from God for personal benefits rather than kingdom purposes.
We can follow Jesus daily, intentionally, and sacrificially in the use of our spiritual gifts. In devoting our lives to God and filling our lives with His Spirit, He blesses us with these opportunities to give, bless, minister, and share with others.
May we continue renewing our minds and reorienting our lives towards God's good, pleasing and perfect will!
Volume 12 Post/Email 2 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 2)
by brian
If there were a conference in your area being offered with the headline, "How To Become Successful," would you consider attending? Do you think you might be excited about attending a seminar titled, "The Path To Greatness?" Might you be inclined to participate in a gathering centered on the theme "Leading Effectively" or "Powerful Leadership?"
Finally, do you believe you would want to go to a conference on "How To Become Smaller," "Choosing Slavery" or "Learning The Path Of Servanthood?"
The latter is the appeal of the kingdom of heaven! This appeal does not seem attractive to the average person, and is not the typical emphasis in corporations. We pursue personal power for the primary purpose of personal recognition. We desire glory, and define success by how many resources are in our possession and by how few people have a higher position and salary within our company. We compare and compete.
"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Matthew 20:25-26)
Jesus does not say it is wrong to desire greatness. Jesus does not say that it is bad to obtain power. What Jesus does is redefine greatness and redirect how one thinks about power and using his or her power!
Jesus says greatness is not measured by how much authority one has, but is defined by being a servant.
According to Jesus, success and greatness are accomplished through actively and intentionally serving people. Furthermore, effective and powerful leadership are accomplished largely through seeing, serving, and promoting the well-being of others. To invest in others and equip others requires time and the heart of a servant.
Reflection: Am I becoming great God's way?
Volume 12 Post/Email 1 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 1)
by brian
This next series of thought is on servanthood. The premise of the series is that we miss what God desires when we reject the role of servant. I submit that Scripture teaches the following straightforwardly - All that God would have us learn is in the context of being a servant.
In Matthew 20 Jesus is approached by the mother of James and John. She asks if they can be next to him in rank, one on his right and the other on his left in his kingdom. Jesus tells her this is not for him to grant, but for his Father. Jesus proceeds to talk about greatness being to serve, and that whoever desires to be first must be a slave.
What a provocative and mind-boggling statement! Who considers slaves to be great? Who desires to be another's servant?
The answer: The one who has the attitude and perspective of Jesus.
Matthew 20:28 - "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Over the next several weeks, I want us to focus on discipleship, and being a people of action who use our spiritual gifts in an attitude of humility and joy to serve others. All that Jesus would have us to learn is in the context of taking up our personal cross and carrying God's will for us. His purpose is largely and primarily that we see others. In seeing others, we capitalize on the opportunity to serve them!
Reflection: Am I rejecting the role of servant in my relationships?
Volume 11 Post/Email 6 – Lukewarm Leadership
by brian
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 and Hebrews 13:17 instruct churches to hold their leaders in highest regard, respecting and obeying them. Leadership is vital to the life, health, and successfulness of the church of our Lord. Jesus spent 3 years training 12 men for kingdom leadership. Paul's letters to churches often include instructions regarding what qualities to look for in spiritual leaders, and what priorities by which spiritual leaders should focus. With all of this in consideration, some people called to serve and function as leaders fail to operate God's way. They may be people of character and good motives, but they neglect to grow and adapt to God's will regarding their role in the flock.
Therefore, some churches suffer from lukewarm leadership. Lukewarm leaders have at best a vague clue as to what the church is to be, but even less any sense of how to move people in the intended direction. Lukewarm leaders do not have a plan, do not have any pretense of implementation, and lack an undergirding philosophy. As examples, an elder might concentrate on the specific tasks of deacons, rather than the expanded role and responsibility of shepherds, or a minister might choose to do tasks that others could do and neglect his specific role of teaching and equipping. The congregation suffers because the leaders are not developing and maximizing the potential of the whole.
What are some consequences of vacuous, lukewarm leadership?
-Followers grow more cynical and discouraged by the day (low morale)
-Wasted energy / wasted time / wasted resources / wasted talent
-The church's potential goes unrealized
Can you think of any other consequences?
Reflection: For those in church leadership, accept the challenge to lead intentionally with a shared vision and strategy. Do not be directionless, passive, complacent, or lazy. Do not be lacking in prayer nor priorities. Be diligent to lead the members, nurture and equip the members, to promote and build upon the positives in the culture, and love them enough to lead change regarding any negatives embedded in your specific congregation's culture.
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 5 – Lukewarm Actions
by brian
I don't understand why people choose to be lukewarm about the only thing that really matters. We are not lukewarm about our hobbies and secular interests. Yet we are sometimes lukewarm about our religion and God's kingdom. The minority in most churches are lukewarm, but occasionally it is the majority. In fact, Revelation 3:14-22 records the words of Jesus as he addresses the entire congregation at Laeodicea for being lukewarm.
Below are some examples of actions a church can take that seem good and spiritual, but are lukewarm.
1. Lukewarm churches see Jesus as part of their life. They give Jesus a section of their time, money, and thoughts, but do not allow him full control.
2. Lukewarm churches feel obligated to worship.
3. Lukewarm churches participate in worship without having their mind and heart engaged.
4. Lukewarm churches do really well what need not be done at all.
5. Lukewarm churches have Bible classes that do not have any thoughtful objective or intended direction. The teacher in each adult class just talks and rambles about whatever. Children's classes are not prepared in advance with any clear goals.
6. Lukewarm churches choose what is popular over what is right whenever there is conflict.
7. Lukewarm churches rarely share their faith and time with the community.
8. Lukewarm churches do what is comfortable and familiar, trusting in themselves instead of God.
Overall, I am excited about the church and the many who have the same singleness of purpose and focus that we read about in the book of Acts. Many in the church today are passionate about Jesus, discipleship, missions and ministry. However, we must guard against distractions and illusions that appear spiritual and worth our time and attention, that really make us lukewarm concerning what matters to Jesus. (Next week, I will address lukewarm leadership).
Reflection: Does my church have any lukewarm actions? Do I as an individual member have any lukewarm actions? If so, what am I going to do about it?
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 4 – Action and Thoughts
by brian
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
I chose this quote because it shows the power of thinking. Our words, actions, habits, character, and destiny are all created by our thoughts!
The Bible encourages (and warns) us to fill our minds with positive thinking and truths for which we can and will be transformed.
Romans 12:2a - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
1 Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Transformed living begins by renewing our mind. Holiness, positive actions, and self-control begin with the preparation of our mind. This is why personal Bible study, meditation and reflection are important. This is why teaching and preaching are vital activities in the church. Both positive and negative actions begin with our mind.
What are you thinking?
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 3 – Action and Commitment
by brian
Sometimes people take action for a season, but then cease. They start a new family project. They begin a new exercise regimen. They initiate a new church program. They organize a new home group, et cetera.
Sometimes activities cease do to unavoidable circumstances, or transition into another phase or focus, or have successfully accomplished their given purpose. However, sometimes activities that should continue cease due to a lack of commitment.
In his book The One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard says, "There's a differnece between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses."
What about Christian living?
Are we committed to our Lord and discipleship, or are we merely interested?
What about The Great Commission?
Are we committed to The Great Commission, or do we just evangelize and teach when it is convenient?
The Great Commission is our calling from Christ for which we are to be committed and active participants. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 2 – Action and Courage
by brian
Maya Angelou visited Belmont University a few weeks ago on a Tuesday night to speak. One of her quotes, which was cited in The Tennessean the following Wednesday, was "Courage is the virtue that makes all the other virtues possible." She was saying that courage is the virtue that sustains the other virtues.
Action takes courage, especially action in the midst of obstinate people. Loving people takes courage, especially when people are resistant to that love. To be a people of sustained action and virtue, we must have conviction and courage.
Hebrews 12:12 reads, "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." The Hebrew writer is using the metaphors of arms and knees to address our tendency as Christians to become weak in life and relationships. We become weak as a result of a lack of courage. We lack courage and moral fiber because we lose sight of faith in God. We must be resolved to be people of strength and courage. Our help for this courage, confidence, fortitude, power and resoluteness comes from the Lord. Hebrews 13:6 reads, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"
Reflection:
Are my daily choices and actions revealing courage in the face of any opposition?
For what am I fearing, or lacking courage and strength?
(Ask the Lord for courage to take action concerning any issues identified.)
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 1 – Action
by brian
The words of our Lord in Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
God wants His church to be a people of action. He has given us a mission. The mission is not to be optional. The mission is not to be negotiable. The mission is not to be a side-thought. The mission is to be the main thing. The mission is to be the motivation and driving force of the church. The mission is to determine what the church does and does not do.
Every aspect of the church is to be aligned with her mission. Members of the church, beginning with the elders and evangelist, should be analyzing each activity through this lense. Ministries should be determined and organized based upon the mission. Worship should inspire and energize the church for a greater commitment to Jesus and the mission. Bible classes should be planned and taught in a context of mission and action.
Adult and teenage Bible teachers can help the students in the class ask and answer the following questions: Why does this lesson and truth matter? How can this lesson apply to and be married with a verb?
For all of the positives in every member of a congregation, there can still be some forces of inertia at work. A few can be vocally and even silently reluctant and resistant to change, even change that would actually improve faithfulness to the mission of the church. These can be personal friends and incredible Christians and members of the same congregation. What matters is that every congregation become more loyal to her mission than to habits, tradition and preference. What matters is that we all have pure motives who want to see the Lord's will be done, and not our own. We should all want the church to grow. We should all pray and work towards this end, and whatever this requires of us. We should all be committed to the mission of the church and taking action that is appropriate.
Finally, it is not pure to have a "personal" "hidden" agenda in a congregation. However, it is okay to have an agenda if it is the Lord's agenda. We should not hide, disregard or dismiss the Lord's agenda. We should uphold the Lord's mission for His church. The Lord's mission requires continual commitment to growth and improvement. The definition of insanity is to do the same things the same way and yet expect different results. Positive change and action are necessary. Positive change is happening in the church today. Greater health and growth are becoming realities. Episodic change is coming. Yes, "visible change" is being resisted, but that is expected. Each congregation has to be led gently and lovingly into transformation, especially when it is "visible transformation." What every church needs to know is that if it does not welcome an evolution, it can expect to experience a revolution - it will eventually become a dinosaur.
-Brian