PRIORITIES FOR THE PASTOR

I have heard it said, “There is not enough time to do all you want to do. There is not enough time to do all others want you to do. There is enough time to do all God wants you to do.”  Whether it be as a preacher at a small country church, a pastor off a metropolitan megachurch, the president of a corporation, or the president of this country we all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year—and we do not know how many years. What we do with that time is determined by our priorties.  Leading our family and our flock well is essential. Jude lays out in verses 20-23.

The first priority here is BUILDING. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith.”  We cannot build the church, if we do not build ourselves up. John Maxwell speaks of “The Law of the Lid” as one of his irrefutable laws of leadership. My leadership is a lid, and only as I lift my capacity will I be able to lift others. How do I build them? “Preach the Word,” Paul commanded in 2 Timothy 4.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. If the Word won’t do it, it won’t get done.

The next priority Jude lists is PRAYING, “praying in the Holy Spirit.”  When I work, my hands can accomplish what a man can do. When I pray, God works, and will accomplish what only He can do. Someone has said, “There is much to do after we pray, but nothing to do until we pray!”

Then, we find the priority of LOVING, “keep yourselves in the love of God,.”  The Great Commandment is to love God with all our being and then to love others as ourselves. God’s love for us is our model and His love in us is the means. Without love, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that we are just a lot of noise as we speak. 

Further, we focus on LOOKING, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  We have talked about faith and love. Now, we focus on the third Christian virtue of hope. The blessed hope in the return of Christ is one that must be sounded forth from our pulpit and a motivating force in our life and ministry. Ours is a hopeless world apart from Christ, and people are searching for it. Give it to them and they will soak it in!

Last, but not least, let us labor in REACHING, “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” This is evangelism, and it must claim a priority. This is the Great Commission. The fires of Hell await those who reject Christ. Let us do all we can to “rescue the perishing…snatch them in pity from sin and the grave,” as the hymn exhorts.

There—that should keep us busy!  Do this for your family and your flock and you will be a success in God’s eyes. What else matters?

THE HORROR OF THE HERETIC

The focus of 2 Peter 2 is the features of false teachers. If the Devil cannot beat the church, he will join the church. His best weapon is to place a man in the pulpit as a pied piper to lead the people to their doom. Often, such preachers seem solid and sound, but inside they are hollow and rotting—as a tree destined to fall. Their crash not only destroys them, but those who have gathered under their branches.  The horror of the heretic is not only experienced by him, but by those he influences.  How does this happen?

There is REFORMATION.  “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning,” (v. 20). The sad reality is that you can have a knowledge of the Lord and Savior intellectually and even emotionally without knowing the Lord and Savior personally. We see this often in people who will make a profession of faith and yet do not have a possession of faith as there is no perseverance in faith. This not only happens to people in the pew, but preachers in the pulpit!  They exhibited behavior that attested to salvation at first. But it is reformation and not regeneration. The outside conduct was clean while the inside character was still corrupt. Jesus described such hypocritical religious leaders in his day as “white-washed tombs,” beautiful outwardly, but inside there was death. Eventually, such become entangled again in the world and are overcome by it.

There is then REGRESSION.  “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them,” (v. 21).  They had facts in their head, but without faith in their heart. The doctrinal facts about Jesus are essential, but are not enough. They can stir the  feelings but unless they move us to submission—to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior—there is no salvation. Eventually, these depart from the faith. Today it is called, “deconstruction.”  We have heard of notable preachers who have departed from the faith. 

Peter illustrates it this way: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’” (v. 22‬‬).  Dogs and pigs behave as they do because of what they are. You can take a dog to the most exquisite cafe and he will still consume what he regurgitates. You can wash and perfume a pig, but it will roll in the mud at first opportunity. Without regeneration there is eventually regression.

The horror of the heretic is the end—and that is RETRIBUTION. Peter states it, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning,” (v. 20), and stresses, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them,” (v. 21). The ultimate horror of the heretic is hell—something he no longer believes in. It often begins with him avoiding the topic in his sermons, and moves to questioning it in his heart, to denying it in his unbelief. When he discovers the reality of God’s wrath it will be too late. The gravity of that judgement will be immense as it not only is in measure of his own apostasy, but increases in intensity due to those he has dragged down to hell with him!

God help us—help me—to not have such an end, but rather have the testimony of the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬‬).

Peter once wavered. He denied the Lord three times!  Yet, he did not stay there. He fell in the mud, but got up and cleaned up!  He repented because he was regenerated. If you are struggling, listening to seductive false teaching, then cast yourself in brokenness upon the Lord. Trust in Him! Believe His Word.

Without question, the greatest evangelist of the last century was Billy Graham. Yet, his grandson, Will, recounted that it almost did not happen.

He wrote, 

“a very good friend and contemporary of my grandfather’s, a man named Charles Templeton, had begun challenging my granddaddy’s way of thinking. Mr. Templeton, who had preached with Youth For Christ as well, had gone on to study at Princeton, where he began to believe that the Bible was flawed and that academia – not Jesus – was the answer to life’s problems. He tried to convince my grandfather that his way of thinking was outdated and the Bible couldn’t be trusted….

One night at Forest Home, he walked out into the woods and set his Bible on a stump – more an altar than a pulpit – and he cried out: ‘O God! There are many things in this book I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution. There are many seeming contradictions. There are some areas in it that do not seem to correlate with modern science. I can’t answer some of the philosophical and psychological questions Chuck and others are raising.’

And then, my grandfather fell to his knees and the Holy Spirit moved in him as he said, “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!’

My granddaddy wrote in his autobiography that as he stood up his eyes stung with tears, but he felt the power and presence of God in a way he hadn’t in months. “A major bridge had been crossed,” he said.

(From an article by Will Graham, https://billygraham.org.uk/p/the-tree-stump-prayer-when-billy-graham-overcame-doubt/)

HOW GOD PURIFIES A PEOPLE

Men, God works “through the word of God which lives and abides forever…Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you,” (1 Pet. 1:23b, 25b). Trust God and His Word. Preach the Gospel. Some seed will fall on hard soil and have no impact. Other seed will seem potentially received as people are moved emotionally or respond superficially only to fall away. But, some will respond fruitfully and their lives be changed for eternity. Let us preach the Gospel, confident in its power!

A PURIFIED PEOPLE

Sin separates us from God. This is a problem that we cannot solve. The distance between a Holy God and a sinful humanity is a chasm so vast we cannot cross. Since we are all sinners, we are all condemned. It is impossible to purify myself. That would be like trying to wash my hands in muddy water. Yet, God does not lower His standard. His demand is, “Be holy, for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:16). 

God did what we could never do, for God can do the impossible. There was REDEMPTION.  Enslaved by sin, God came in human flesh—Jesus Christ the Son—to free us, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” (1 Peter 1:18). By His blood, payment was made to purchase us. “What can wash away my sins?” That is the question, the hymn writer posed, and went on to answer, “Nothing, but the blood of Jesus!”  This was God’s one and only predetermined plan—that in the crucifixion of Christ, the penalty for sin has been paid, and in His resurrection, the confirmation of His work has been sealed. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God,” (1 Peter 1:19-21). 

A miracle takes place—REGENERATION.  We are no longer, slaves, but sons—no more sinners, but saints, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.’ Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:23-25). The seed of the Gospel is sown into the soil of the soul, and those who receive it are regenerated—born again of the Spirit working through the Scripture He has inspired. 

The evidence of being redeemed and regenerated is in RIGHTEOUSNESS. Having positional righteousness through redemption and potential righteousness through regeneration, there will be progressive righteousness in sanctification. This is not the root of salvation, but the fruit of salvation. 

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear…

 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,”  (1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭17, 22). 

As God’s children, we bear His image, and this should be an increasing reality more and more. We must choose to think properly, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind,” take this seriously, “be sober,” and trust fully, “and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  From start to finish, salvation is all of grace. Yet, He does not do the work apart from us, but in us as we rely on God and apply His grace by a will surrendered to Him.  The Holy God is marked by truth and love, so that as His children we will exhibit obedience to the truth and pure and passionate love for the family of God.

The people of God are a purified people—not perfect yet, but progressing toward it. John stated it, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬‬)

WHAT WE CAN CONTROL

Some churches are on the incline. God’s work is obvious and the congregation is growing spiritually and numerically. They are alive and thrive. More churches are in recline. They are stuck and stagnant. As many come in the front door are going out the back door, and where amens were formerly heard, they have been replaced with yawns. In our day, most churches seem in decline. Their spiritual health is failing and the membership is fading. Before the year ends, a significant number will be in hospice care—or even deceased. 

Is it the preacher’s fault?  

Certainly, the pastor must look in the mirror of the Word and let the Spirit show him if he is not up to the task. A spiritual inventory is a necessity. It may be that the preacher has doctrinal departure, moral compromise, a lack of effort, or something else. I cannot see a church succeeding if their shepherd is failing. 

Yet, there are men of God who are true to the Word of God—men who pray fervently and preach faithfully—who still serve dying churches. Whatever strategies they employ, the results are the same. These pastors carry a heavy burden and shed many tears and wonder what they can do.

Hebrews 4:1-2 remind us to focus on what we can control. There were people who had made profession of faith, but without possession of faith, and they were departing from the fellowship. The inspired writer deals with this by presenting an Old Testament illustration of this New Testament reality in the children of Israel who did not attain the promise, but instead perished. Moses brought them out, but did not bring them in. The issue was not Moses’ leadership. He was not a sinless man, but he was a steadfast leader. It was not a failure of leadership, but a failure of the people. 

There was FAITHFUL PROCLAMATION, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them.”  Moses was a faithful and fearless proclaimer of truth. Yet, he did not bring them in. I have often said, “If the Word of God won’t do it, it won’t get done.” What is in control of the preacher is that he can prepare himself spiritually and studiously to preach the Word steadfastly—and see people reject the message and walk away. The Word doesn’t get it done, not through the fault of the preacher, but the failing of the people. 

The sad reality is there can be FAILED PROFITABILITY, “but the word they heard did not profit them.” Consider the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Only one fourth of the fields were fruitful. The problem was not the seed—the seed was the Word of God. The problem was not the sower—he diligently spoke the truth. The problem was the soil as it fell on hard hearts with no receptivity, shallow hearts with only superficiality, and carnal hearts with worldly mentality. The preacher has control of being faithful in proclamation. If the Word of God won’t do it, it won’t get done, but sometimes it won’t get done because of the condition of the congregation’s hearts.

The issue here is a FAITHLESS PEOPLE, “the word…not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”  No matter how solid the message, how powerful the manner of delivery, and how anointed the messenger may be—all that is in his control—if the people do not respond in faith, then the congregation will not flourish. The Word rejected in unbelief will instead have a deadening effect. The sermon always gets results if it is faithfully, fervently, and fearlessly proclaimed by a consecrated man. People will leave the sanctuary different—better if they receive the Word, but worse if they reject it. 

If we try to shoulder a responsibility that is beyond our control, we face a risk. Moses became so frustrated and infuriated that he disobeyed God in anger. He would see the Promised Land and yet not enter it. Don’t allow anger and bitterness to lead you to make a mess of your ministry. 

Just do what is in your control. Live godly, pray fervently, love fully, and preach faithfully, and leave the results to God.

ENABLING AND EXCELLING GRACE

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “God’s commandment is His enablement.”  Paul attests to that in 1 Timothy 1:12-14. That is the grace of God. Grace is God’s sufficiency for our inadequacy. 

That is grace to save, since we do not have the capability to save ourselves. Paul rejoices in the amazing grace that saved a wretch like he was, “formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief,” (v. 13). 

But, the grace of God extends beyond that, as it is also grace to serve.  Our efforts to serve God will be futile apart from God’s Spirit equipping us. That is the focus of these verses. 

It is ENABLING GRACE, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” (v. 12). Paul was faithful and God made Him fruitful. Jesus used the analogy of a grape vine and its branches in John 15. He is the True Vine and we are mere branches. Only as we abide in Him, does His grace flow into us and through us, yielding fruit. The God who called us into the ministry will give us the capacity to minister.  The task is beyond my ability, but puts no strain on Omnipotent God!

This is also EXCELLING GRACE, “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus,” (v. 14). Not only is there an adequate measure of grace so I may serve the Lord, but there is an abundant supply of grace—more than enough. The demands of ministry would be overwhelming. Yet, there is no drain on Almighty God!  This grace is expressed with faith and love. 

The faith in Christ supplies this grace. This is how we connect to Him. The writer of Hebrews list the exploits of heroic people of faith in chapter 11. He concludes with a reminder that we too have work to do in our day—and it is the work of faith. “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Heb.‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬‬).

The love of Christ shares this grace. This is how we communicate Him. Grace operates in us to turn us from self-centeredness to servant-heartedness. We take up the basin and towel, following the example of Jesus in washing feet, for it is the enabling of Jesus who gives us His heart of love to do so. I need to speak of God’s love, but it will only be impactful as I show His love.

So, as you serve Him—marvel that He would reach down into the den of iniquity and summon you out of the dregs of society to be a trophy of His grace. But, then that same grace is not meant to have you displayed on a shelf, but demonstrated as you serve.

VIRTUES FOR VICTORY

 

There is a trinity of Christian virtues—faith, hope, and love. Paul returns to these again and again in his writings. These are found repeatedly in 1 Thessalonians as the Apostle tells the church what they are to be: a people of faith, hope, and love. Nearing the close of this letter, he indicates that these virtues are vital for victorious spiritual warfare in 5:8. 

He points to THE SOBRIETY OF THE CONFLICT, “But let us of who are of the day be sober…”.  War is serious business. There is the need to face it with sobriety. The Christian life is not to be taken casually. Satan and his forces are ever seeking opportunity to attack. We are exhorted to vigilance of we would have victory—“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation,” is the call of Christ, (Matt. 26:41). Paul had just exhorted, “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober,” (v. 6).  

Then, he stresses THE SECURITY IN OUR COMBAT, “putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”  While we must keep our eyes open, we also must have our armor on. 

This brings protection for our heart, “putting on the breastplate of faith and love…”.  The heart is the seat of affection. To protect our heart for God requires we wear the breastplate of faith and love. 

Faith is the response of the heart to the Word of God. We have heard the truth of the Gospel and by the work of the Spirit we have been drawn to Christ. Faith in Christ saves us and secures us. Satan seeks to undermine the Word of God. Recall in the first temptation in Eden how the serpent called Eve to doubt the Word of God and then to deny it altogether. 

Love is the response of the heart to the love of God. We love Him for He first loved us. God sent His Son to save us and seal us. Knowing this shields us. Again, we revisit the catastrophic choice in Paradise as the serpent basically told Eve that God was holding out on them by denying them the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He called into question God’s love for Adam and Eve.

If our heart does not rest in the Word of God and rely on the love of God, then we have no protection. Our doubt will defeat us.

Further, we have protection for our head, “and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”  The head is the seat of comprehension. Hope is the confident assurance of the promises of God. Satan seeks to undermine these by our circumstances. Consider Job’s devastating circumstances. Satan attacked him furiously. Even Job’s wife assailed him with a call to abandon God for God had surely abandoned him. 

There is what is called, “the fog of war.”  What we cannot see and the wrong conclusions based on that limited knowledge impacts our decision making and potentially can bring defeat. While, we may not fully grasp what is happening in the midst of Satan’s attacks, we can rely on what we have seen—the hope of salvation in the end. Have you not read the book of Revelation?  We win—and it is not even close!  Get this firmly fixed in your mind and press on. That blessed hope is your helmet. It is why Paul stresses the rapture of the church as Christ comes for His people.

The Apostle  would go on to say, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (v.8‬-‭11‬‬). 

Shane and Shane have a song that puts it:

So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need You will provide
Just like You always have

 

I'm fighting a battle
That You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won.

STOP WHINING AND START WINNING

Are we on the verge of World War III?  Is the economy shrinking?  What are we to say of the apparent decline of the church and depravity of the culture?  We can just whine about it—and that will only make things worse.  Or, we can start winning souls to Christ!  That will make a difference!  Spurgeon put it this way:

I know that with many of us there is a tendency to sit down and say, “All things are wrong,  the world gets darker and darker, and everything is going to the bad.” We sit and fret together in most delightful misery, and try to cheer each other downwards into greater depths of despair!  Do we not often act thus? Alas! it is so, and we feel happy to think that other people will blend in blessed harmony of misery with us in all our melancholies; or if we do stir ourselves at little, we feel that there is not much good in our service, and that very little can possibly come of it. This message of our Master seems to me to be something like fine sound of a  trumpet. I have given you the strains of a dulcimer, but now there rings out the clarion note of a trumpet. Here is the power to enable you to “go.” Therefore, “go” away from your dunghills,  away from your ashes and your dust. Shake yourselves from your melancholy. The bugle calls, “Boot and saddle! Up and away!” The battle has begun, and every good soldier of Jesus Christ must be to the front for his Captain and his Lord.  Because all power is given unto Christ, He passes on that power  to His people, and sends them forth to battle and to victory.

I don’t know all that the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. God has made the outcome clear, but the timing is only known to Him. May we have the desperate drive of the four lepers who sat starving outside the besieged city of Samaria and asked, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (2 Kings‬ ‭7‬:‭3).  God not only provided a miracle for them, but poured out blessing on His people through them.

I think of the thousands of starfish that washed up on the beach in a storm, where they would die. A little lad knowing this picked one up and tossed it into the water, again and again. An old fellow watched with amusement and asked, “Son, do you think that will make any difference?”  The boy picked up another and cast it into the surf. He said, “It did for that one!” 

So, whatever challenges you are facing today—get up and go forward. Stop whining and start winning. 

PROBLEMS AND PROVIDENCE

 

Is God sovereign?  Of course He is or He would not be God. That being the case, do we affirm that when problems come, they are according to His providence?  The Apostle Paul affirms it to be so. Writing to the Philippians, he does not merely resign himself to be confined in chains, but rejoices that he is. 

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:12-18 NKJV)

Joy is the note that sounds over and over in this small letter. Perceiving providence in his problems led to praise. How are you responding to your adversity and dealing with adversaries?  These are inescapable realities in ministry. Being a preacher does not mean we escape them, but assures that we will face them. You either recently faced trouble, or are in the midst of a conflict, or soon will be in one. 

Paul calls on us to STAND FAST, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast…” (Philippians 1:27a). This is a matter of conviction. I am at an age where I can no longer run fast…but I can stand fast!  The man of God dare not compromise. While we seek peace—it is not “peace at any price.”  The preacher who is surrendered to the Word must never surrender to the world.  In this sinful world, we will always face strong winds and surging waves.  Dig in your heels!  Providence has brought you where you are.

We stand fast when we STRIVE FEARLESSLY, “in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God,” (1:27b-28). This is a matter of courage. Satan whispers, “Flee!”  God speaks and says, “Fight!”  The providence that brought you to the problems will bring you through the problems. You can be fearless, when you recall that you are not in this fight alone. Of course, our Commander is there and He is more than sufficient, but it is also helpful to know we have other warriors alongside us. Paul calls for unity—to strive together. Too often we fight with each other. How many churches become a circular firing squad?  Do not see your fellow pastor as a competitor. See him as a fellow soldier!

To stand fast and strive fearlessly, requires a resolve that by the grace of God, we will SUFFER FAITHFULLY, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me,” (v.29-30). This is a matter of consistency. Whatever our circumstances—and problems will often be present and in seasons be powerful—we must consistently embrace that God’s providence has brought us there. He has supplies us with faith to come to Christ and therefore will give us grace to suffer for Christ. Paul was a great man of faith, yet still a man. The same Spirit that empowered him is with us. Others have suffered faithfully, so may we.  Old Isaac Watts asked us:

1. Am I a soldier of the cross,
   A follow’r of the Lamb?
   And shall I fear to own His cause,
   Or blush to speak His name?
2. Must I be carried to the skies
   On flow’ry beds of ease,
   While others fought to win the prize,
   And sailed through bloody seas?
3. Are there no foes for me to face?
   Must I not stem the flood?
   Is this vile world a friend to grace,
   To help me on to God?
4. Sure I must fight if I would reign;
   Increase my courage, Lord;
   I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
   Supported by Thy Word.
5. Thy saints in all this glorious war
   Shall conquer, though they die;
   They see the triumph from afar,
   By faith’s discerning eye.
6. When that illustrious day shall rise,
   And all Thy armies shine
   In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
   The glory shall be Thine.

SAVED TO SERVE

Most evangelicals are familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  We ought to have those words embedded in our mind. 

Yet, we may not be as acquainted with the next verse, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” (v. 10). These go together—two sides of the same coin of salvation. While we are saved apart from our works—the root of salvation is solely in the work of Christ—our salvation is never apart from producing works—the fruit of salvation is seen in the work of Christ in Christians. The quote attributed to Martin Luther states it, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”  

We are saved to serve. That is true of every child of God. This Gospel message must be preached. It must also be observed in the preacher’s life as well as heard from his lips.  Otherwise the words ring hollow and we may be branded a hypocrite.  The call is, “Practice what you preach!”

Ours is a POETIC LIFE, “For we are His workmanship…”.  The Greek word for “workmanship,” is poiema.  Our English word, “poem,” is derived from that. We might say it is a life that is “poetry in motion.”  I heard my mentor, Dr. Stephen Olford, put it, “a life of rhyme and reason.”  

God is the Author. He has written the script in His providence. As I look back over the course of my nearly seventy years of life, I can see how God has worked in me and through me. What may seem isolated events at the time, are now seen to be lines of sacred verse that God has been putting together. Since we are still here on earth, we may be sure there are more stanzas to be written.

Ours is also a PRACTICAL LIFE, “created in Christ Jesus for good works…”.  Orthodoxy in our doctrine leads to orthopraxy in our duty. If our belief is Biblical, then our behavior will be practical. God sovereignly created Adam and Eve for a sacred responsibility—to steward the creation and to shun the temptation.  Yet, they failed. Sin is now part of our natural state. 

Jesus came to give us a new nature—to fashion a new creation in Christ. This is regeneration. Yet, we are to flesh out our faith in daily duty. In Christ, His crucifixion means we die to self, sin, and this sphere of the world system (cf. Gal. 6:14), as we have been crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, we live, so in Christ’s resurrection we live for Him—yet, not I but Christ living in and through me, (cf. Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6). 

Further, ours is a PREPARED LIFE, “which God prepared beforehand…”. Before you were born, God already knew you. He fashioned you in your mother’s womb, infusing you with personality and capacity to be His choice servant. Then, He directed your life to the point of conviction of sin and conversion to salvation by the Gospel of grace. 

How all this transpired has been the topic of theological debate for two millennia of church history—so I will not attempt to resolve every question in this brief devotion. Yet, we cannot deny that God is sovereign and He orchestrates all things to the fulfillment of His will. This all redounds to His glory. 

Perhaps you are familiar with the quote, “Try to explain predestination and you may lose your mind.  Try to explain it away and you may lose your soul.” I am content to accept there is mystery in the harmony of God’s sovereignty in His choices and my responsibility for my choices. To paraphrase the Shorter Westminster Catechism, “The chief end of [Dennis] is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  You can insert your name into that, as well.

In conclusion, ours is a PROGRESSIVE LIFE, “that we should walk in them.”  Perfection is not attainable on earth. That awaits eternity—to be glorified when we see Jesus face to face, “but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is,” (1 Jn. 3:2b). While perfection is not attainable, progression is achievable. John also said, “Beloved, now we are the children of God…. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure,” (1 Jn. 3:2a, 3). More and more, as I express the life of Christ within, I exhibit more of His likeness without. 

Jesus is the Model Servant. He set the example for us. We are being like Him than when we are serving others.  We are saved to serve!

BEFORE I GO: Some Final Instructions, Part 1—HOLD ON!

If you knew that today would be your last day on earth, what would you want to say to those you love?  That is what we have in Paul’s last letter in 2 Timothy. The Apostle was on death row, and wanted to give his young protege some final instructions for the church.  His first call is to “Hold on!”  He exhorts Timothy, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1:13). How can we hold on?

BY GROUNDING IN FAITH (v.1-7). Paul mentions the “sincere faith” (v. 5), the genuine faith in Christ that Timothy had received in his home that flowed from his grandmother Lois, to his mother Eunice, and now to him. 

This is the ground upon which a life, a home, a church must be built—the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, whom we have received by a sincere faith. Is yours a “sincere faith” that fits you for heaven? Peter enjoined, “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election,” (2 Pet.1:10). Having your name on a church membership roll won’t matter if it isn’t written in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  

Hear the words of Jesus in Matt.7:21-27. 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

I am haunted by the fact that some people who have sat in pews under my preaching, or read these words that I am posting, will hear those awful words, “Depart from me.”  If the foundation is not stable, then nothing else you do will stand.

Hold fast by grounding in faith, but also BY GROWING IN GRACE (v.8-12). The Apostle underscores the manner of salvation as the grace of God that has been bestowed on us (v.9). 

This is God’s free gift.  If we are saved, it is not based on anything we have done, but on Him.  If you could lose your salvation, you would. But, it isn’t our commitment to Christ, but His commitment to us that takes believers from start to finish (v.12). We can hold on because He holds on to us!  

Yet, there is always a danger that the fire of passion for Jesus may become a faint flicker (v.6). That devotion to Christ will require fueling.  Do you need to be rekindled today?  God’s Spirit is within us to empower us (v.7). 

I’ve heard that some of us have Christianity like an old iron bedstead—firm on both ends and sagging in the middle!  We are firm on the front end that God saves us from hell, and firm on the back end that He will save us for heaven, but right now we are sagging! 

God’s purpose in giving us grace, is not to sit, but to serve (v.11). When can we stop growing and going? Not, “until that Day” (v.12). The old hymn exhorts: “We’ll Work ’Til Jesus Comes.”  That is God’s intention for each of us. We may retire from a job, but we can only retire from serving Christ when Jesus comes for us.  Our retirement community is called, “Heaven!”

So hold on by grounding in faith, growing in grace, and BY GRIPPING THE TRUTH (v.13-18). Paul is saying to this young preacher boy to get an unbreakable grip on the truth—sound doctrine and systematic theology.  

Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest commented, “Particular words are to be retained and used so that the doctrinal statements of the truth may remain accurate and a norm for future teachers and preachers.”  

Do you have a grip on the meaning of words like, “justification, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification,” and what do you believe about the nature of God, the work of Christ, the person of the Spirit, the authority of Scripture, the mission of the church, etc.?  

False teachers are to be condemned (v.15). They are a cancer to be cut out!  

Faithful workers are to be commended (v.16-18). Nothing so refreshes a preacher as to see those who serve diligently!

It burdens me at times when I see a post on social media or hear someone quote some false teacher—a doctrinal deviant!  But, it blesses me when I see those who are solid in sound doctrine—who immerse themselves in truth and teach it.  That is refreshing!  

Pastors need refreshing!  We get weary and worn and weak.  We are not super human.  I want you to make a commitment today to be a refresher to your pastor. So many have been to me!  To all my pastor friends reading this—particularly those men who lead the Haywood Baptist Association member churches that I serve—know that I am here for you and praying for you!

Do you have a genuine faith?  If you were to die today and stand before the Lord, and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would you say?  I prayed a prayer.  I got baptized. I try to be a good person.  I believe in God. All that is good, but will not get you into heaven. A genuine faith is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ.  You look to Him alone for your salvation. 

Do you have a real faith, but it needs to be rekindled?  Will you recommit yourself to be faithful until Jesus calls you home?

Are you committed to studying the Word, submitting to it, and sharing it?  Will you say today, “I am going to be a refresher!”

BEING A MAN OF GOD

 

Paul calls upon Timothy to be a man of God. There can be do greater aspiration for the preacher than to be worthy of that description. This is the thrust of 1 Timothy 6. The key text reads: “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (v. ‭11‬-‭12‬‬). 

The man of God is to FLEE, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things,” (v. 11a). In context, the things we are to flee are listed in the prior verses, 1-10. 

The man of God will flee rebellion against authority, (v. 1-2). As always, when we interpret Scripture, we must consider the context. That means not only the Scriptural context, but the cultural context. It is too easy to read first century writing through twenty-first century eyes. 

Slavery was a condition in the first century Roman Empire that many new converts to Christianity found themselves in. How should a believer who was a slave respond to those in authority and how ought a believer who owned slaves exercise authority?  

We must also note in the context that the slavery in the Roman Empire was not equivalent to what was practiced in America. It was not the enslaving of a particular race, nor did it negate all the slave’s rights. Some slaves were in that state voluntarily due to poverty where they could survive no other way, or due to debts they could not pay. So, they subjugated themselves for a period of time. These slaves could own property and were able to purchase their freedom. 

Still, it was slavery. It was an institution that the law of love would bring to an end. It would not be by violent overthrow, but by elevating man’s understanding of human dignity in being made in God’s image. Further, how could a Christian who claimed God as Father enslave another believer who was his brother?

There is a practical application for us in our day. Concerning work conditions, employees are to honor the authority of the employer and employers are to respect the dignity of the workers.  A Communist Manifesto will never accomplish this, but a Christian message will!

The man of God is also to flee deviation into heresy, (v. 3-5). What Paul appears to confront is the doctrinal deviation called the “prosperity gospel” today. Those who preach this do so out of arrogance and ignorance. The presence of this produces division through diversion from the truth. They gain adherents among those depraved in thought and deprived of truth. God is pursued as a means of material gain. God becomes a means to the end, instead of Him being the end Himself. It is a materialistic worldview—love for what is of earth instead of the eternal. That brings us to our next danger from which to flee. 

The man of God must flee obsession with money, (v. 6-10). It is not that having possessions—should God provide them—that is sinful, but it is when possessions become obsessions that it opens a portal into all kinds of evils. The drive and desire for material things is a trap that ensnares many. Its love is the polluted fountain from which all manner of evil flows. Jesus put it bluntly—you can worship God or money, but not both, (cf. Matt. 6:24). Materialism brings ruin and the destruction of our souls. Mark those who preach and practice a prosperity perversion. They have strayed from Scripture and will be stabbed with reality sooner or later.  Simply put—the man of God cannot be a man of the world.  

Flee these things!  Yet, it is not enough to avoid the negative, we must also FOLLOW, “pursue,’ (v. 11b). This is the positive dimension. 

Pursue “righteousness.”  This is being right with God and man. We are to treat others “right,” because God has done so for us. 

Pursue, “godliness.”  That is, we are to seek to be like our God. There are attributes, of course, that we cannot obtain: omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, for example. But other attributes—his kindness, goodness, and patience are to be sought and obtained.

Pursue, “faith.”  From start to finish the Christian life is one of faith. We need to seek to grow in faith until we reach glory and faith becomes sight.

Pursue, “love.”  God is love and so a man of God will express love. It is a love for the Lord and a love for those made in His image. 

Pursue, “steadfastness.”  We are to be men of conviction. We take a stand and do not bend. Our feet our on the Rock. 

Pursue, “gentleness.”  You can be a man of conviction and also be a man of compassion. You do not compromise the truth, but you do not beat people over the head with the Bible. Screaming in anger at sinners will only drive them away. We must gently persuade them.

Flee, follow, and then FIGHT, “Fight the good fight of the faith,” (v. 12a). We can be gentle, and still firm. Think of a father holding a small child. He does not want to lose his grip, lest he drop the child, yet he does not want to squeeze the child so hard it hurts!  The man of God does not go looking for a fight, but if the fight is brought to him, he does not hesitate. There are some things worth fighting for—and in this case it is “the good fight of the faith.”

Fight with perseverance in devotion, (v. 12-16). Eternal life that is the promise of the Gospel is demonstrated to be more than an initial superficial decision, so we abide devoted to the Lord. Real grace that brings us to heaven will keep us solid here on earth. There is a tenacity that indicates it was “a good confession,” as that which our Lord made before Pontius Pilate. We devotedly, doggedly press on , “to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

Here is the good confession:  

God is, “he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (v. 15‬-‭16‬‬). 

Fight against pride in position, (v. 17-19). Our world classifies people as “the haves,” and “have nots.”  Those who have social standing are those who have wealth. That is not the attitude we are to have as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Humility instead of haughtiness is to mark those in the church, irrespective of the world’s estimation of them. Glorify God and be grateful for His gracious abundance if you have it. Be generous in using it for the good of others. It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is a sin to be greedy. God blesses some with the capacity to gain wealth, so that it may be exchanged for the currency of eternity. The “Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous,” is fleeting, but the generous soul has taken hold of “that which is truly life.”

Fight for purity of doctrine, (v. 20-21). The preacher has a sacred trust.  The faith—the body of Christian truth—has been deposited with him for safekeeping. 

There is not only a deposit to secure, but a deception to shun. It is “irreverent babble.”  It is irreverent for it exalts man’s wisdom over God’s Word. It is babble as it uses Christian vocabulary while denying Biblical veracity. 

These false teachers speak, “contradictions of what is falsely called, ‘knowledge,’” (v. 20).  Liberals claim a greater knowledge than those who hold to a simple faith in the Gospel. They are able to correct the Scripture, they think. What these actually do is abandon the most sublime truth which is beyond their understanding to confine a god of their own making into the little space between their ears. When one goes down that demonic detour, the wrecking of their faith awaits—as well as the passengers in the church that such a preacher is driving. 

What Timothy needed in order to flee, follow, and fight was “grace,” (v. 21b). It is what we all need and it is all we need!  It is grace to flee from evil, grace to follow the good, and grace to fight the error. Grace makes the man of God. May the Lord give us grace to cling to the truth, and stop our ears to error. Lord, keep us true to this Blessed Old Book!

I BELIEVE GOD

 Do you believe God?

Preachers are supposed to be men of faith. We call on others to believe in God—to have saving faith. We comfort others in their time of trial to trust in God—to have sustaining faith. We challenge, even confront the wavering with this, “Believe in God!”

Do we believe God?

Saying it can be easy, but showing it is essential—and that is the test. There was David—who brought down a giant, yet often in the Psalms we hear him downcast, “My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’” (Ps. 42‬:‭3‬). Elijah stands alone on Mt. Carmel against 450 prophets of Baal, sees fire fall from heaven to consume the sacrifice in answer to his prayer, then slays those prophets. But, shortly thereafter we find him fleeing Jezebel and sitting under a juniper tree so despondent he prays to die. John the Baptist thunders a message of repentance and points to Jesus as, “The Lamb of God,” but later we find him imprisoned and feeling abandoned so that he sends words to Christ, his Cousin, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matt.‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬). As old Vance Havner put it, “It is one thing to stand on the banks of the Jordan and give it, and another to sit in the jail and take it!”

Do we believe God?

Some of the champions of faith have wavered, but they withstood in the end. Serving Christ will bring us into difficult, dark days. The devil will see to that. Paul was being tested in a storm, but his testimony was, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” (Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭25).

FEAR WILL FLEE

God’s servants are not exempt from the storms of life. They are certain to come. It is at that time we face a choice—faith or fear?

John tells us that he and the other disciples were in the same boat. It is true of everyone in ministry. Our “boat” may be a different size and the storms we face may be of a diverse nature, but the bottom line—it is a storm that tests us with the same choice.  I have heard it said, “You are either heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of one.”  It is the common lot of those who follow Christ in this creation that is groaning under the curse. 

“And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them,” (v. 17b). What do you do when darkness envelopes you, and you long for the Lord and He is nowhere apparent. Perhaps that is the way you feel today. You are rowing and rowing, but the wind only blows harder and the waves mount higher!

It is then—in that moment of desperation—that Jesus shows up. The very storm that we never wanted to be in becomes the means by which Christ will manifest His presence in a profound manner!

Yet, at first, His appearance only intensified their fear. Can you imagine being in such a desperate situation and seeing what appears a specter walking on top of the water toward you?  

Then the Lord speaks, “It is I; do not be afraid.”  It is the Word of God that produces faith and drives away our fear. Circumstances change.  One moment the disciples were on course and suddenly they are in a storm. Yet, just as quickly the storm is over and “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going,” (v. 21b). What does not change are the immutable promises of God.

To those who preach the Word, let us be reminded to trust that Word. We call people to faith, and so should model that faith. 

    Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
    When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
    By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
    Standing on the promises of God.

You can stand on the promises, even when sitting in a boat buffeted by winds and waves. Often we have little choice about the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we always have a choice as to how we respond to them. Fear or faith?  You make the call.

NO KNAPSACK BUT NO LACK

 

I’ve heard it said, “Where the finger of God points, the hand of God provides.”  If you want to make a fortune on earth, I would not recommend ministry as a vocation. But, if God calls you to serve Him, and He sends you into the field of Gospel work, then you can be confident of enough here and eternal reward hereafter!

I type this as I sit in a modest house. I drive a car that is about ten years old with around 200,000 miles on it. My wardrobe is not extravagant and my lifestyle not one of the rich and famous. So what?  It does not matter to me.  If I can meet my obligations—it is enough. 

The disciples testified to this reality. Jesus had sent them out without what one would consider even basic supplies. There was an urgency about the mission which did not allow a lot of preparation. They would learn to walk by faith and not by sight. It is how God wants us all to live. It is a counter-cultural approach that summons us to reject man’s natural inclination and live with supernatural direction.

My Father has never failed me. Day by day, He has cared for me. The One who feeds the fowls and robes the flowers, has kept me nourished and clothed. Sometimes what was going out demanded more than what was coming in. It is good to have a budget, but when you crunch the numbers, they may crash us to our knees.  But, that is a good place to be, and I will tell you that “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬‬). He has not promised to provide for greed, but to meet need. 

I was basically bi-vocational in my first pastorate—a small country church in the mountains. The membership was mainly senior saints on fixed incomes. A typical offering was $300, of which they paid me about a third of it. We went there with my wife expecting our first child. We had no insurance.  They did provide us a place to stay, but we had to pay for the utilities. The old two story, rock farmhouse had windows that were not tight and when the winds of winter blew hard, the curtains moved!  In a hard rain, water would pour in through the worn shingles and we placed jars and cans to catch the water that dripped through. 

I remember coming home with our little family one night and the furnace was off because the fuel had run out. There was nothing to do but call one of our young deacons who let us spend the night. The next day, they put some oil in. Then the church purchased a wood furnace, and they would let me cut wood off some of their land, sometimes even helping me work it up—and we made it through the winter. When it seemed the food would run out, somebody would bring us some beef for the freezer and some beans they had canned.

There are many other stories of this nature I might tell. Nearly half a century has passed and always God has provided.  Trust Him today. Serve Him always. If you have no knapsack, the Lord promises there will still be no lack. 

My old professor, the late William Willingham, sometimes would sing this song to us in chapel:

1. Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!
 
CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.
 
2. At times the sky seems dark,
with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on,
no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven,
Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems,
just go to him in prayer.
 
3. Life’s day will soon be o’re,
all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide
to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven:
a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished,
We’ll lay our burdens down.

GOING DEEP

 

Too often we are content to splash around in the shallows. Stephen Olford reminds us in these devotional thoughts to go deeper. How much productivity have we missed in ministry because we did not launch out by faith according to the Word of the Lord?

If you recall the story, the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus commanded them to get back in the boat and go back in the water—but to go deeper this time. Simon protested initially. Perhaps he thought, “We are worn out. We have been at this all night with nothing to show for it. We just got our nets clean. I mean, we are experts at this as fishermen by trade—and You are carpenter!”  

Have we studied methodology, immersed ourselves in demographics, and made excuses for the lack of response  by pointing to the difficulties modern culture presents?  There is help that may be found and truth to acknowledge in those areas, but supremely our call is to say, “Master we have toiled…and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net,” (Lk. 5:5). 

When I get to heaven someday will the Lord show me what might have been had I only trusted in Him?

To their credit, the disciples did as Jesus said—and that faith enabled them to catch so many fish, the weight of them nearly sunk the boats!  Peter recognized the sinfulness of his unbelief and the power of Christ, falling at the Lord’s feet in repentance. The Lord let them know that this wasn’t really about catching fish, but would illustrate His call for them to catch men!

These simple fishermen in faith and obedience to the Lord changed the course of history and impacted eternity. It is said, “they forsook all and followed Him,” (Lk. 5:11b). God desires to do a deeper work in us and through us. Let us trust Him!

THE POWER OF UNBELIEF

As I read these sobering words I thought how many times God might have used me in a greater way had I only trusted Him more. Pastors may be struggling to lead their flock forward because either they or their congregation just do not trust God. Our preaching on faith will have little impact if our practice of faith is absent. Lord, increase our faith!

ONLY SAY THE WORD

Preacher—commit yourself to faithful exposition of the Word of God. Set the standard for the new year by standing with a Bible in your hand and speak the truth in love. Here a Roman soldier experienced a miracle by exhibiting faith in the spoken Word of Christ!  Perhaps your church is sick—even to the point of death. Do you believe in that life-giving Word?

LED THAT WE MIGHT LEAD

 

Joseph provides an example of how those in church leadership should be led by the Lord. We can only be effective if we are directed by Him. Unlike Joseph, we may not expect an angel to guide us, but we have God’s Word to speak to us and the Spirit of God to specifically apply the principles revealed in our current context. The issue in much of our leadership is not so much a failure of knowing what to do, but knowing it and failing to do it!  Certainly, we must ask God for clear direction, but my problem has often been knowing more than I have been doing!  

The three responses of Joseph, as underscored by Olford here are vital in being led that we might lead. Preacher, stand fast, shun fear, and show faith!  In these days of doctrinal and moral compromise, may God give us a backbone of steel—clarity and courage of conviction!

OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL SLUGGISHNESS

How do you keep going when your get up and go got up and went?  Physical demand and emotional drain in Christian service can easily lead to spiritual sluggishness. You really do not have to do try to become sluggish. Call it “burnout,” if you will—a condition from burning the candle at both ends.  The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter six, verses ten through twelve, how to overcome spiritual sluggishness.  You will notice the three great Christian virtues are mentioned: faith, hope, and love.

LABOR IN LOVE, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (v.10).  Ministry motivated by obligation alone becomes a drudgery and we look for ways to do the minimum. When we are driven by compassion, we discover a dynamic that maximizes effort.  We serve because we love God and love people. Even if we are not rewarded with man’s commendation here,  we know we will have the Master’s crowning hereafter!

ENDURE IN HOPE, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,” (v.11).  Diligence is the opposite of sluggishness. It is the assurance of hope that inspires such effort. Hope rests confidently in an unchanging God.  Marathon runners are victorious when a burst of energy rises as they near the finish line.  Do you want to finish as a sluggish whiner or a strong winner?

IMITATE IN FAITH, “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” (v.12). You must regularly take in the Word of God. As you ingest its principles and digest its promises, you will find faith nourished and growing. Others have done so and we can too!  Biblical stories are filled with the exploits of those who conquered by faith. Church history is replete with the examples of those who overcame by faith. Imitate them!  Such will inspire you and you will shed sluggishness like water on a duck’s back.

In closing, recall Paul’s charge, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” (Gal.6:9).

FACING LIONS WITHOUT FEAR

Satan is pictured as a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). We may be sure that his offspring—lions and lionesses, often in the church—will lurk, ready to pounce. Paul spoke of such here, and God’s servants will face them. You may hear their roar, smell the stench of their breath, and even feel the pain of their fangs clamping down on you and claws leaving you bleeding. Preacher, you will face lions—maybe dressed as deacons, or a slanderous woman—not only in the world, but in the church. Hope this encourages you to do as Paul, “so that the message might be preached fully through [you]”!  Do not back down and do not tailor the truth to fit the whims of the critics.  Paul tells us that we can face these lions without fear.  

We can STAND for the Lord stands with us. Get your eyes off the lion and look to the Lord.  Ravenous beasts are no match for Jesus Christ!  He is the Creator and Conqueror and since He is with us, we don’t have to flee in fear. He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Nehemiah was threatened and answered, “Should such a man as I flee?”  Stand your ground.

We are STRONG for our strength is from the Omnipotent. The power of the Spirit indwells us.  While in myself, I am weak—in His strength I am more than sufficient to overcome my adversaries.  They whimper and slink into the shadows when the Lion of Judah, King of the jungle of this world roars!

We are SECURE since none can truly harm us.  What is the worst an enemy might do—kill us?  But, our times are in God’s hands. He numbers our days and when He is through with us, by whatever means He sovereignty selects, He will take us home. Paul was spared from the lion before, but soon would lose his head!  Yet, He was secure in knowing that would only deliver him to glory and the greatest gain of all!  As Luther sang, “the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!”

You can face the lion without fear!