TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

If we are too use to pray, then we are too busy. Consider these challenging words from Andrew Murray:

Though God had His appointed servants in Israel, watchmen set by Himself to cry to Him day and night and give Him no rest, He often had to wonder and say that there was no intercessor, none to stir themselves up to take hold of His strength. And He still waits and wonders in our day, that there are not more intercessors, that all His children do not give themselves to this highest and holiest work, that many of them who do so, do not engage in it more intensely and perseveringly. He wonders to find ministers of His gospel complaining that their duties do not allow them to find time for this, which He counts their first, their highest, their most delightful, their alone effective work. He wonders to find His sons and daughters, who have forsaken home and friends for His sake and the gospel’s, come so short in what He meant to be their abiding strength – receiving day by day all they needed to impart to the dark heathen. He wonders to find multitudes of His children who have hardly any conception of what intercession is. He wonders to find multitudes more who have learned that it is their duty, and seek to obey it, but confess that they know but little of taking hold upon God or prevailing with Him. (The Ministry of Intercession, pp. 120-121, Kindle edition).

The old hymn reminds us to “Take Time to Be Holy.”

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. 

2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. (William D. Longstaff)

TO THE GLORY OF GOD THROUGH US

As the Westminster Shorter Catechism properly puts it, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  The pastor effectively leads the church, when he models this to the church. Our ministry is about the majesty of God. It is not about making a name for ourselves, but magnifying the name of our Savior.  Paul states that he—as a preacher—along with other men of God, like Silvanus and Timothy, lived “to the glory of God through us,” (2 Cor. 1:20b). Let us explore 2 Corinthians 1:8-22. 

The passage begins with Paul acknowledging his PAST DESPAIR, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life,” (v. 8 ). Gospel ministry is not all sunshine and daisies, but often storms and difficulties. Being in the heat of spiritual battle can make us weary and worn. We can reach the point of despair, as did Paul. If a man of such faith could, “despair even of life,” I certainly may. I think of the mighty prophet Elijah, sitting under a juniper tree wanting to die. Many have been taught that “God will not put on you more than you can bear.”  Paul clearly contradicts that. He says, “we were burdened beyond measure, above strength…”. But though Paul was in despair, he did not stay there. 

We may experience a POWERFUL DELIVERANCE, “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” (v. 9-11). Adrian Rogers said, “God will put more on us than we can bear, but not more than He can bear.” (Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible, p. 1299). Paul was about to die, but had a Deliverer—the Lord Jesus who conquered death, hell, and the grave. Nothing then is beyond His power to overcome!  The Lord worked through His Body, the church at Corinth, to bring the Apostle’s deliverance through the power of their prayers. We must remind our congregation to lift us up in prayer, as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses until the deliverance came. The Corinthians not only supported him with their fervent prayers, but their financial possessions.  Over and again, I have seen the bank account depleted, but then a kind church member’s generosity enabled me to make it through another week. 

Thus, Paul maintained a PURPOSEFUL DEVOTION, “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.” (v. 12-16). Paul may have been sidelined in despair, but because of the Lord hearing the pleas of the saints on his behalf, he was restored in devotion. He lived with purpose. His conscience was clear. He was in the world, but not of the world. His lifestyle was marked by “simplicity and godly sincerity.”  He did not rely on “fleshly wisdom,” but “the grace of God.”  We are to emulate him in living for eternity—“the day of the Lord Jesus,” and summon others to do likewise.  What a crowning moment it will be, when we stand before the Lord of Glory, with those we have shepherded safely to the other side!

The preacher must make a PURE DECLARATION, “Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (v. 17‬-‭22‬‬). God is faithful and we as preachers must faithfully proclaim Him. We do not say one thing in the pulpit and another outside it—yes to one member and no to another. There must be consistency in our communication—purity in our preaching. It is pointed: “the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us.”  As the old saying goes, “Wherever you take your text, make a beeline to the cross!”  The glory of preaching is in the glory of the cross of Christ.

My brothers, do not despair, many—including me—are praying for your deliverance, so reinforce your devotion, and refocus your declaration.  “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION

Early in my ministry, I picked up a book in the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, where I was a student, that made a profound impact on me. I devoured “The Ministry of Intercession,” by Andrew Murray.  

Murray’s premise was that intercession was not praying merely for the effectiveness of Gospel ministry—needful of course—but, that it was ministry in itself. Prayer does not just prepare us for our work, but it is the work!  When I work, I can do what my hands can accomplish—and that is not much. But, when I pray, the hand of God will work, and He can do all things!

Paul writes in Romans 1:9 of his persistent prayer for the Roman church.  Of the myriad of things that might have rightly claimed the Apostle’s attention, he knew that meeting with God and pleading with God on behalf of the church was to be an unwavering commitment. 

I must confess that saying it and doing it are altogether different matters. There are times that I allow other concerns to crowd out what should be my priority, or even if going through the motions, there is little passion and my mind wanders into a myriad of places. 

But, we should not be surprised that prayer is such a struggle. Satan knows its power and will fight us ferociously. Indeed, when we enter the prayer closet, we have entered the war zone. Paul told us to don the whole armor of God for spiritual conflict and then to pray!  That is where victory is won or the battle is lost.

Here is a snippet of what Murray wrote:

We all know the difference between a man whose profits are just enough to maintain his family and keep up his business, and another whose income enables him to extend the business and help others. There may be an earnest Christian life in which there is prayer enough to keep us from going back, and just maintain the position we have attained to, without much growth in spirituality or Christlikeness. The attitude is more defensive, seeking to ward off temptation, than aggressive, reaching out after higher attainment. If there is indeed to be a going from strength to strength, with some large experience of God’s power to sanctify ourselves and to bring down real blessing on others, there must be more definite and persevering prayer. The Scripture teaching about crying day and night, continuing steadfastly in prayer, watching unto prayer, being heard for his persistence, must in some degree become our experience if we are really to be intercessors, (p. 3, Kindle Version). 

I do not share this to condemn you, but to challenge you. I speak to myself foremost and trust that if you eavesdrop, it will help you also. So, let us renew our commitment to praying unceasingly for the church. It will make us productive and the church powerful. This is the ministry of intercession.

I PRAYED FOR YOU

 

“I prayed for you.”  When someone tells us that, it is encouraging. Though not minimizing that, there is something better. Jesus prayed for you. That prayer is recorded in John 17. 

It is true that He prayed for all believers, but originally He prayed for those He would commission to share His message—and all who would believe from their words. I think for those of us in Gospel ministry, there is a special encouragement in this intercessory prayer of our Lord. 

There is OUR STRATEGIC PLACEMENT. “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬‬). 

We serve Christ in a fallen world. The ravages of sin are all about us. Our field of service is a battlefield. Each day we face the world, the flesh, and the devil. Satan is out to defeat us, defile us, damage us, disqualify us, and even destroy us.  But, it is no accident—God’s appointment where and when and what we are assigned to do has been selected in His providence. It is a strategic placement. Where else should we be?  The sick need a physician. If we are not among the sin-sick, howA can we help them find healing?

Then, there is OUR SANCTIFIED POSITION. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:16-17).  

We are in the world, but not of the world. As a doctor must not be isolated from the diseased, he must, however, be immunized from the disease, else he become sick and unable to fulfill his duty. Before we can dispense the healing Word of God, we must digest it ourselves. Our spiritual health is essential and that comes from taking in the Word of God. Paul put it like this, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Rom.‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬‬). Our minds are renewed by the Truth and we are transformed into a sanctified servant of Christ, doing His will and work.

Finally, we consider OUR SAVING PROCLAMATION,  “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. …that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭18, 21‬‬b). 

Christ declared His redemptive mission thus, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10). He would also say, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” (John 20:21b). We are to extend the ministry of Jesus by seeking the lost and bringing them to Jesus for salvation. We have been entrusted with the Gospel—“the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” (Rom. 1:16). Not everyone will take the medicine, but for those who will, it is life giving! Preach and witness with conviction that God can use you to make an eternal difference in someone’s life!

Jesus prayed this for you. Even more, He is still interceding!  “He always lives to make intercession for [us],” (Heb. 7:25b).

THE INVESTMENT IN INTERCESSION

 

There are many good things a pastor may do, but surely one of the best is the ministry of intercession.  Often, we do not see the immediate results and are tempted to busy ourselves in other matters that seem to pay quicker dividends. Prayer is spiritual and therefore eternal. While God can and does answer with immediacy in some instances, often it is like sowing seed which may yield a harvest much later. It may even be after our lifetime.

The prayers of the saints are described here as being bowls full of incense with their fragrance filling the atmosphere of heaven. I see them as stored up, and in God’s timing and according to His sovereign design, will be answered. So, dear pastor, pray for your family, pray for the church, pray for the community, pray for missionaries and ministries. Pray and pray some more. Invest in intercession and it will pay eternal dividends.

It may be that you die without seeing much fruit. Looking back over a ministry and judging it as largely unproductive can be a discouraging thing. But, God gives the final judgment—and it may be when we get to the other side, that we discover an abundant fruitfulness exceeding our wildest imagination. Those prayers that seemed to rise no higher than the ceiling—the continual pleading when heaven seemed silent—were working powerfully.  Keep on praying!

BURDEN BEARING

Paul catalogues some of the adversities he has endured in ministry—and it is astonishing in their gravity and severity.  

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Cor.11:23-27 NKJV)

Beyond these crises events—that would have been more than sufficient to cause even the hardiest among us to give up—he describes a relentless pressure, “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Cor.‭11:28).  He does not seem to list this as an afterthought, but an accentuation.  This is the icing on the cake of trials!

I have not experienced much of what Paul lists as his troubles and trials, but this is one that any Gospel preacher who is faithful to proclaim the message and shepherd God’s people knows very well. You feel it when you wake up. You walk with it through the day. You carry it to bed at night. It can even haunt your dreams.  What the people of God face, we face with them. What hurt they know, we ache for them. When they fall, we feel it. When they grieve, we weep with them. Their need becomes our concern.  

Often we are there for others, and no one is there for us.  I recall sitting in my car in the parking deck of the hospital. One of our faithful members that had been a staunch supporter of mine had just died. I had sought to comfort the weeping family. Then it hit me—how much I would miss him—and I cried profusely. Yet, there was no one to hug me and pray for me. I was alone in my anguish. That is often the preacher’s lot. 

Yet, there is a special application for those who serve the church in an even broader context. Paul not only felt the weight of a local church, but of churches—plural—all of them. Those are the shoes I stepped into this year as an Associational Mission Strategist for Haywood Baptist Association. There are sixty two churches now that I serve.  ‬‬I walk with those pastors and seek to encourage them and counsel them. I pray for these churches and try to help them accomplish their mission.  Some are healthy and need to be fueled with encouragement to continue their effectiveness. Some are stuck and need counsel as how to get back on track. Others are sick and need guidance in how to end conflict, find a shepherd, refocus, and be revitalized. Then, there are those who are dying, and the praying for a miracle is intense.  Should they die, I will mourn.

Please pray for your pastors. Pray for other Christian ministers. Pray for me. Help us bear our burden and God will bless you for it!