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 9 Post/Email 4 – Kopia
by brian
VBS has begun! It is always an exciting time at James Avenue as we spend the week teaching and sharing Bible stories through songs, skits, and classes.
Regarding VBS, I am mindful of the New Testament instruction provided to Christians to work. All Christians are called to work in God's kingdom. VBS is an event where numerous members at JA roll up their sleeves and get involved helping and ministering to the children in our congregation and community. It is not the work of a few, and the endeavor can be exhausting, while being a blessing.
Colossians 3:23 reads, "Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men."
1 Thessalonians 5:12 states, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you."
Here are a few examples about work. To provide a little more insight for understanding and application, the Greek term for work is 'kopia.' Kopia literally means "to work to a point of exhaustion."
Not just during VBS, but year round, the church is to work! Elders, preachers, and all, are to exhaust ourselves for the cause of Christ. We find refuge and experience renewal in God so we can invest more of ourselves and spend more of our energy in kingdom work.
Prayer:
God, this week, may we work to a point of exhaustion, only to be blessed and filled with joy and energy to continue working next week and next month to teach and minister to people in Jesus' name for his honor. May you be at work in our midst touching and transforming lives. Thank you for the invitation to know you, love you, and follow you - into the world - as ambassadors with your life-changing, life-giving message.
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 5 – Servant Leadership
by brian
The temptation of power is a matter any leader can face - political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power. What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible?
Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God and easier to control people than to love people.
Jesus asks, "Do you love me?" We ask, "Can we sit at your right hand and your left hand in your kindgom?"
Ever since the snake said, "The day you eat of this tree your eyes will be open and you will be like God, knowing good from evil" (Gen. 3:5), we have been tempted to replace love with power.
We learn from Jesus (both his teaching and example) that true spiritual leadership is servant leadership.
Reflection Question: Do I love people or try to control people?
Remember that love (agape) is action. To love others is to help and serve them, not to use and dominate them.
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 4 – Jesus’ Humility
by brian
1. Consider the commencement of His ministry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus opens with "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) The very first words of His proclamation about the kingdom reveal that it comes to the poor, who have nothing in themselves.
2. Jesus offers himself as Teacher, stating "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Humility is our salvation.
3. The disciples had been disputing among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom, and had agreed to ask the Master (Luke 9:46-48 ; Matthew 18:2-3). In the first story, he answers, "He who is least among you all - he is the greatest." In the second story, He placed a child in their midst and said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The question ('Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?') is far-reaching. The answer is surprising. The least is the greatest.
4. The Sons of Zebedee asked Jesus if they could sit on His right hand and on his left, the highest places in the kingdom. Jesus said it was not His to give but the Father's, who would give to those for whom it was prepared. They must not seek it or ask for it. And then He added, "Whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." (Matthew 20:27-28) The lowliest is the nearest to God.
5. Speaking to the multitudes and the disciples, of the Pharisees and their love of the chief seats, Jesus said once again, "The greatest among you will be your servant." (Matthew 23:11) Humble servanthood is the only ladder to honor in God's kingdom.
6. On another occasion, in the house of a Pharisee, He spoke the parable of the guest who would be invited to move higher, and added, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11) There is no other way. Self-abasement alone will be exalted.
7. After the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus spoke again, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14) In the temple and the presence and worship of God, everything is worthless that is not pervaded by deep, true humility toward God and mankind.
8. After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus said, "Now that I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." (John 13:14) The authority of command and example, every thought, either of obedience or conformity, make humility the first and most essential element of discipleship.
How little this is preached. How seldom it is practiced. How faintly the lack of it is felt or confessed. One cannot say how few attain to some recognizable measure of likeness to Jesus in his humility. How little the world has seen it. How scarcely it is seen in the inner circle of the church.
Here is the path to the higher life. It is the lowest path!
That is God's work. We are to humble ourselves, and take no place before God or man but that of a servant.
Jesus, the meek and lowly One, calls us to learn of Him the path to God, and to His favor and joy in kingdom living!
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 3 – Divine Purpose
by brian
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips, your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I, send me!" (Isaiah 6:5-8)
Is this not a picture of grace? As Isaiah experiences God's holiness or otherness, he feels his personal unworthiness. Yet God, through one of his angels, provides atonement for his sin and removes the guilt!
Furthermore, the LORD's voice speaks in Isaiah's presence, questioning whom he shall send, providing Isaiah with the opportunity to go.
In this story we are reminded of the dual nature of God's calling for Christians. The divine purpose for us is two-fold. We are called to love God and love others. We are called to communion first - being together and seeing together with God. We are called to commission second - serving together and sacrificing together with God.
2 Timothy 2:21 reads, "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
Each day is an opportunity to be holy and useful to God. Because of his grace, we can be vessels or instruments for noble purposes. We can be ministers or servants who focus on doing good works.
We are all unclean and unworthy without the mercy of Christ. Through his mercy we are justified and set apart for divine purpose or holy living.
Everyday let God use you as a Christian neighbor, parent, spouse, friend and member in the Lord's church. Remember: Each day God has a divine purpose for your life! "Here am I LORD, use me!"
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 6 – The Good News
by brian
(While this message is being typed before the Superbowl, it will not be posted and read until afterward.)
This year a 30 second Superbowl commercial costs $3 million. It is difficult to fathom every second of communicating a message costing a company $100,000! Yet, these companies are willing to spend that enormous amount of money to advertise and potentially affect successful sales.
What about Christians? What about churches? How much are we willing to sacrifice to communicate our hope and message of salvation in Jesus Christ?
There will not be a marketed product in those commercials that people need! On the other hand, every person needs Jesus!
Ministering to others through conversations and service always have the potential of making an impression and positive difference in another's life, faith and eternal destiny.
The church in Acts was willing to sacrifice their money, time, freedom and even their wellbeing to witness to the world about the good news.
Acts 5:41-42 reads, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."
We should not underestimate the time spent influencing others. Whether it's 30 seconds or 30 minutes, 30 days or 30 years, we all have opportunities to witness to, teach, encourage, and impact people in ways that glorify Christ.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 6 – Proverbs 11:24-25
by brian
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
I really like these 2 verses and thought they would be good ones to share here on elguy.
These proverbs encourage us to extend a helping hand to our fellow man.
Another translation ends with "he who waters others will himself be watered."
When we only live for ourselves and self preservation, we actually miss out on personal blessings.
However, when we look to bless others, a byproduct of a generous heart and generous acts is personal gain!
By faith, we believe and trust in the supernatural realm and providence of God.
Thus, we live with the awareness of the truth that we actually gain when we give!
We actually end up refreshed, or watered, when we refresh or water others.
Are we giving freely? 
-Brian