A Messianic View of the Ministry

Jesus called the apostles and said, "You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. But that's not the way it's going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone.
(Mar 10:42-44)

I used to think this passage was Christ instructing us on how to become a great Christian or a great minister, but as I read it today, I saw it as a warning. It doesn’t say that if we become a servant to others we will become great, but it says that our ambition will make us a slave to others.

The more personal ambition I have or the more I crave personal glory or personal gratitude or personal recognition as a minister the more I subject myself to the whims of the people. This approach ensures that I jump when anyone calls. I’ll run to the hospital. I’ll run to pray with someone. I’ll end up having my time dictated by others because I want to be loved and admired by them.

When I place the kingdom ahead of myself and my own feelings or ambitions, I no longer subject myself to the whims of the people, but I subject myself simply to the will of the Lord. I redirect praise and credit. I encourage and empower others to ministry, and they get the glory for serving others. I decrease, and the Lord increases.

The Symbol of Modern High Thought. 

Obtuse, Purple and Clairvoyant

I lament my obtuse mind. Years of public school and television have honed my quick whit to a veritable oblivion. Alas, I am not alone. We have a generation, perhaps two, of slow, amused sloths. Let me give you an example of our total lack of logical precision and curiosity.

The question of free will versus predestination has plagued the church for thousands of years; however, modern evangelicals, of whom I am one, seem to be able to so easily dismiss it. We use phrases to defend our position: “whosoever will”, or “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door”, or “if you call on my name”…the list goes on. It all seems so easy, that I used to wonder why all the hassle all these years.

The problem, I now see, is that I was too stupid to see the real question. I filled my mind with things that I had assumed to be true with no verification whatsoever. For instance, I assumed that “whosoever” inherently means anyone can. It simply means “whatever person”, and the word has no bearing on who is able to. If I said, “Whatever person gets an A on the test will come with me.” I make no claims about individuals having equal opportunity to get an A. We live in an egalitarian democratic society that values personal freedom over all else so we tend to assume it where it may or may not belong.

I tended to focus on the action and the “if/then” statements, but the real question comes before the if/then. The real question is what determines one’s ability to complete the “if”?

For instance, Revelation 3:20 states “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” This seems to our modern, western thinking to state that anyone can open the door to Christ, but Romans 10:17 states the emphatic opposite. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The passage continues with the fact that many Jews heard and didn’t gain faith because God himself had stopped up their ears to the understanding of the truth lest they turn to Christ.

In short the question is not:

Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation

The question is:

Whoever is able to hear + Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation

Calvin said that if you are able to hear you will by necessity come to Christ. Arminius said that you may come to Christ if you are able to hear. Pelagius said that anyone can come to Christ.

Oh, my obtuse head is aching.

The next question is “Do I control my will or does my will control me?”

Purgatory (the Roman Catholic version) 

Purgatory

I believe that nothing in my life happens by chance, every encounter I have, every advertisement I read, every news report I hear, every person I meet is appointed by God. It was once said that if there is a single molecule in the universe that God is not explicitly in control of then He cannot be God.

God is personal, and He personally cares for me and you. He is constantly teaching us, growing us in His ways, and perfecting us. I’ve been asked if I believe in Purgatory (This is the holding place that a Christian may be kept in as they are prepared for heaven.), and to this I reply a hearty “yes”. Then I finish with, “we are now in purgatory.” We are now being prepared for heaven. Our journey here on earth is two-fold. We do the work of the Lord and expand the kingdom of God, but we are made righteous and prepared to meet our Savior.

What I’ve been really thinking about lately is what the purpose is for each individual God brings across my path. Some people are difficult to deal with, and perhaps a challenge to love. Some may be stubbornly irresponsible or even rebellious. Some may be sanctimoniously righteous in their own eyes. Some may be complex while others lead simple lives. Each person I meet, deal with, correct, am corrected by or visit with has an impact on me and is purposed by God to lead me up the path of righteousness. So, sometimes I just stop and try to figure out why I am where I am, why I am with who I’m with and why I’m doing what I’m doing.

Stewardship of Those God Loves 

Stewardship of the Body of Christ

God places men to be stewards over his children. He calls them shepherds or pastors. These men are charged with the awesome responsibility of feeding, leading and protecting the flock God entrusts them with. God entrusts a man with a flock and instructs him to create disciples. Discipline is required by God of His children. However, God is not looking for a people who cower like abused dogs beaten with zealous, fundamentalist dogma exchanging the word of God for manmade rules giving an outward appearance of righteousness. God is looking for self-disciplined children who have been taught, exhorted, cajoled and coaxed into self-discipline. God’s children are not our children, and we must take great care in how we lead them to a disciplined life. The pastors are not their fathers but rather their teachers and guides. As one tries to instill self-discipline in other people’s children, one has two tools: the amount of time one spends with the child (more or less depending on the attitude and actions) and warnings as a form of attempted protection of the child and others. This is the frustration and this is the challenge of the pastor.

B-36 Peacemaker with 16-20mm Cannon on 8 Remotely Controlled Turrents.
The B-36 could deliver 10,000 Lbs of bombs 5,000 miles from its base.

When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Pro 16:7)

How displeased is the Lord with us? The church in general has very little peace. Backbiting, division and quarrels are the rule rather than the acceptations.

Conflict and confrontation will arise because we must progress as the Kingdom of God; however, when I find myself at war with another…or even not at peace…I must first examine myself and see whether or not I am pleasing the Lord. If I am, the other person, although he may hate me, will be at peace with me.

My wife, who teaches kindergarten, constantly experiences the fact that the most dedicated and loving parents are usually those who have had a strident conflict with her. It is in conflict, or war, when a true Christian’s colors show and peace is made. We often lament conflicts when perhaps it is the Lord bringing you or I opportunity to show forth His grace. How can we be peacemakers without bringing peace out of conflict? It’s no great feat to be a peacemaker at time of peace.

The truly patient man. 

A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense. (Pro 19:11)

We all go through periods of growth when out soul grows a couple of inches in a few months, and I feel as though I’m in such a process right now. Unfortunately, my bones ache.

There are 4 areas of growth in my life right now. The first two of these God told me a couple of months ago would be my next two areas to conquer. God told me that until I conquer these two issues, I’d be stuck where I am. The fact that the Lord has moved two more items into my internal battle lets me know that I’m progressing.

1. Eating. I was tempted to call this “weight loss” or “physical discipline”, but the bottom line is that I need to discipline my eating habits. I’ve been on a campaign to eat what I need to…period. I certainly haven’t arrived; however, my average caloric intake has probably halved.

2. Money. I need to discipline my spending habits. I’ve worked to spend less and less each month. I’ve been paying down debt and investing more and more in retirement and the stock market.

3. Offence. I am ambivalent as I attempt to judge myself on this issue. A while back, I took offense over something that a person close to me did. I finally recognized it and dropped it about a week ago, but I feel like I have secretly taken offense over other things since then. I’ve perhaps used the excuse of trying to help people to bring up their offenses toward me in order to help them not do this toward someone else. I have felt clean and guilt free, but in retrospect, I’m not so sure. I guess I feel like offence is sort of sticking to me right now.

4. Purpose. I realize crystal clearly that my life and my family can not afford to just travel along anymore. I have to be purposed in everything that we do. We must trim away anything that doesn’t enhance the vision and mission of this family. The things we do must enhance our talents and abilities, and our purpose for being. This can be difficult because there are things that we currently do that we must cut off. Those people who count on us in those areas may not understand what I’m trying to do with this family.

Joab Fighting at Rabbah 

Joab…Part 2

I’ve been reading and meditating about Joab these last couple of weeks, and I see more and more clearly how his life, actions, and character apply to me. Just as I am the executive at Dexter Lake Church of God, so was Joab an executer of sorts for David, King of Israel (eventual king). Joab was David’s chief of the army, and probably his closest confidant and advisor. Here are a few of the lessons:

1. Above all else, Joab’s loyalty was totally above question. Joab could not have survived in his position without the complete trust of David, and one gets the feeling from the narrative that even if Joab was not always loyal and faithful to God, he was to David. This is evidenced, in part, in Joab’s jealous killing of Amasa and Sheba for rebellion.

2. Joab did not expose David’s weaknesses, faults or sins to others. Joab was a coverer of David’s faults rather than an exposer. Joab even set up Uriah to be killed as David had requested in order to cover David’s sin. This is an extreme example; however the pattern stands: Joab loyally protected David’s dignity.

3. Joab corrected David occasionally. Joab skillfully got David to see the light when he should have allowed Absalom to return after killing Amnon for the rape of Tamar. Joab didn’t just confront David, but he brought in a clever woman who played a role and helped the king to see the right decision. It is a difficult thing to know when is the right time to address the king in such a fashion.

4. Joab defied David’s orders when David’s emotions got in the way of clear judgement. Contrary to David’s orders, Joab outright killed Absalom in order to end the rebellion that nearly cost David the throne. Joab also blatantly confronted David in his mourning as well. This was a time of crisis and ultimate destinies were on the line from their perspective. Again, the sense of this correction though is that it was not an open and public rebuke, but a private correction in his home. This rebuke was for a blatant and destructive behavior: loving those who hate you and hating those who love you.

5. Joab refused glory to himself. In Rabbah, an Ammonite city, as well as other cities, Joab refused to complete the defeat, and would set David up for the final glorious push to capture the cities. Joab realized that his glory came through the king, not aside from the king.

6. Joab’s killing of Abner was a crisis in the relationship between Joab and David. Obviously Joab was wrong in killing Abner, or so it would appear. The king refused to cover Joab’s deed and refused to take any responsibility in it. The punishment was twofold. He made Joab mourn Abner’s death, and in making all Israel mourn he exposed Joab’s failure. When David says that a great man has fallen in Israel, it is perhaps a double-entendre as Joab has also fallen.

This is a difficult thing. Joab consistently covers David’s faults; however David specifically exposes Joab. Of course, the real diffuculty comes if Joab expects David to reciprocate his devotion and his reverence. The truth is that David is not in a position to do that without the crown being tarnished.

7. Finally, Joab questions David when David orders the census. However, Joab doesn't argue with David or press the point. He simply raises the concern and then fulfills his orders without complaint and with full expedience.

I think all of these have application and impact on my life and especially my relationship with the king I serve. I can only hope to someday learn to serve as Joab served.

Joab Saves David's Kingdom by Slaying Absolom in Defiance of David's Order 

The Lesson of Joab

Joab was the consummate right-hand-man of David, King of Israel. Joab was not only obedient, submissive, and loyal to David, but he counseled, even manipulated, David to do the right thing. I’m reminded of His trick put to David through the woman from Tekoa in 2 Samuel 14. Joab shows David that he should allow Absolom back into the country even though Absolom had murdered Amnon, his own half-brother who had raped Absolom’s full sister. Later, Joab actually kills Absolom in defiance of David’s order because it is needful to keep the kingdom together.

The most self-deferential act that I see Joab making was at the city of Rabbah. First, David has Joab send Uriah to the front line leading the attack and retreat from him in an open act of murder. Shortly thereafter, Joab sends word to David that he has captured the water supply to the city and it is ready to fall. Joab tells David to bring men and attack the city so that David takes it rather than Joab. Joab, knowing the ineptness of David and his pathetic rule over Israel…and even his recent sin…is submitted to the man that the Lord chose to rule. He is even dedicated to enhancing and advancing David with all his might.

How much can we prideful, self-righteous, malcontents learn from the successes of Joab? His loyalty was beyond question; therefore, he was a great counselor, warrior, and advocate for a man after God’s own heart.

My Doe 

Lessons From the Deer

I hadn’t hunted in probably 15 years before this year, but I decided to get out and make time for it. When I was a kid, I was a kid, and consequently, I got my first deer ever last night. It was an average doe (probably 2 years old). I learned a couple of things from hunting…

1. It is always easier to endure hardship if there is an end in sight. I despise hunting in the morning, and it took me a while to realize that the reason was that I decide arbitrarily when I’m going to come in from the hunt. Every moment standing in the freezing cold is my own volition and I could just leave if I wanted to. In the evening, I know that eventually I have to come in. As it gets darker and darker, I can see the end approaching,,and I can endure that next 10 or 15 minutes.

This same phenomenon is true in other areas. I can endure the pain and shock of a doctor’s needle if I know it’s about to end. I can endure a horrible job or difficult circumstance if I can see the end in sight. It’s when there is no end in sight that man becomes hopeless and despondent.

2. There is something about actually killing a deer. I’ve hunted many times and for many different things. I’ve gotten many different types of game animals, but the deer is the largest thing I’ve ever killed. There is something of a feeling a greater responsibility or a rite of passage. It has a calming, foot grounding effect. Once in a while every man passes a point where he steps to a new kind of manhood. Those who don’t experience this remain children all their lives. These events might be a fight, a promotion, a lose, a death, a birthday or some other dramatic event. Women may grow up gradually, but men grow up in chunks. We mature in fits and starts.

Burned Rose...very symbolic this week. 

Burned Good

This week I made a serious mistake which caused me to step back and evaluate the road I have been traveling. I received an email request from someone, and I forwarded the request to my boss with exceedingly frank comments regarding my opinion of the matter. A little later, I was checking my email and discovered that rather than forwarding the request to my boss I had replied to the requester’s original message. I was devastated.

There is always a need to be extra cordial in public, but sometimes this can lead to a duality in our lives. I looked back and saw a number of recent incidents where I was acting very cordial and non-confrontation to a person’s face, but behind the scenes I was anything from upset, disappointed to even brutally dismissive. I had spent time prejudging and even spreading my prejudices rather than simply going to the person in compassion and love and getting to the heart of the matter.

In my experience and observation, this seed of devilry never remains hidden for too long. Our true colors eventually come out. It is much better to govern our thoughts and tongues at all times…then we never have to worry about who we’re with or who we sent that email to.
I got burned…but there was a rose in it

The thief on the cross truly believes on Christ and is saved.