DON’T LOOK BACK

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9:62)

In ministry, it is tempting at times to look back, but Jesus warned us about it.  He used the example of a man plowing a field.  The farmer must keep his eyes fixed on the ground before him, if his furrow is to be straight. To look back is to go astray and maybe worse—to run into a rock, tree or fence post!

We must not be LIMITED by our past.  We all have a past—some of it is good, some of it is bad.  There are decisions we ought not to have made—and we may still be living with the consequences.  Life has no rewind button.  Regret will only hinder us from getting where we need to go.  “Don’t cry over spilt milk!” is the old saying. On second thought, maybe you do cry with remorse, confess in repentance, but then claim forgiveness and move on.  Failure need not be final.  The pages of the Bible are filled with men of faith who messed up, but moved ahead.  I know as a pastor I have made sinful decisions and others that were just stupid decisions.  We must not cave in to the paralysis of analysis.  Learn from it, but do not be limited by it.  The past needs to stay in the past.

We cannot LIVE in the past.  This is the polar opposite of limiting ourselves by past failures—it is relying on previous successes.  This happens when we do not succumb to regret, but nostalgia.  It is, “The good old days” syndrome.  We idolize the way it used to be—which is seldom as good as we imagined anyway—and this hinders us from embracing the opportunity of the present time.

Paul had this wonderful resolve,

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  ‎Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:12-14)

If we are not alert, we can rest on the results of effective ministry, and in the present shift into neutral.  Ministry effectiveness slows and eventually stops when we do.  “The victory of yesterday becomes the sin of today if it keeps us from the challenge of tomorrow.” ((R.B. Oullette).  Let’s grab the plow handles firmly, look straight ahead, and go!  Don’t look back!

INVINCIBLE

Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: “Take yet another scroll, and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.”  (Jeremiah 36:27-28)

How would you feel if on Sunday morning as you went to the pulpit, the deacon chairman grabbed your sermon notes, cut them up with scissors, and burned them right in front of the congregation?  Would you be sad?  Would you get mad?  Would you turn to flight?  Would you stand up and fight?

Jeremiah, the faithful prophet had been given a message for wicked King Jehoiakim.  He so despised God’s Word as to cut it into pieces and burn it in front of the court officials.  What did Jeremiah do?  He wrote the same message and added to it—a message of judgment for the king and his kingdom.  There is a time to speak to power.  If God gives us a message we dare not flinch in the face of opposition.  The Word of God is invincible!

Old John Bunyan believed that—and preached accordingly.  His arrest was ordered by the king of England, whose tyranny Bunyan had spoken against.  He was imprisoned for twelve years for preaching the Gospel.  His wife, Elizabeth, pleaded his case before the judges.  She was alone, raising their four children, and begged to have her husband released.  Of course Bunyan would be set free on only one condition—that he stop preaching.  Elizabeth’s response, “He dares not leave preaching, my lord, so long as he can speak.”  Was it so?  The judges pressed Bunyan for an answer and this was it: “If you free me today, tomorrow I will speak in the streets that all men have a right to worship God as conscience guides them, and that the state has no right to tell them how to worship.”  It was in the Bedford prison that Bunyan had a dream that was put to paper, and became the immortal, “Pilgrim’s Progress.”  The Word of God is invincible!

I do not know what you are facing, dear brother.  Maybe no one has burned your sermon notes, or cast you into prison for preaching.  Still, if we are faithful to the Word and speak out against the world—we know there will be hostility to some degree.  On the present trajectory in this nation, we are facing increasing opposition to the Gospel.  Some dear sister sits and scowls during your sermon.  A deacon verbally chastens you after the service.  You receive that dreaded anonymous letter attacking your ministry.  Just preach anyway.  Remember, the Word of God is invincible!

THE LEGACY I WANT TO LEAVE

As I approach age sixty, it is a sobering reality that I have rounded the final turn, the homestretch beckons, and the finish line is in sight.  Recently, celebrating twenty years at Pole Creek, serve to remind me that I will someday preach my final sermon there.  Who knows how long my tour of duty will be?  No matter how young you are you have a deadline for the end of your ministry.  What kind of legacy will we leave?  I can think of no better aim than what Paul described to the Ephesian elders:

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  ‎And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.  But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.  Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.  Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.  Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.  “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.  Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.  I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.  (Acts 20:17-38)

This is the legacy I want to leave.  May God help us!

FOR THE YOUNG MAN IN MINISTRY (OLD-TIMERS MIGHT PROFIT TOO)

 

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.  (Acts 18:24)

If an arrow is aimed in the right direction, it is more likely to hit its target.  A good beginning as a young man in ministry does not insure a great ending, but it surely helps.  Apollos was one who was aimed the right way, and what a difference it made in him and those he served.  There are a few brief helps drawn from his story in Acts 18 which can guide the young preacher.

Develop your communication skills.  Apollos was “an eloquent man.”  While it might be a few exceptional preachers that are worthy of the description, “eloquent,” we must aim at least at being effective!  Pronouncing words clearly, the cadence of the voice, eye contact, and such may not come naturally to us, but we can work at it and improve.  The best sermon poorly delivered will be a waste of your time in preparation and the congregation’s in attendance.

Immerse yourself in Scripture and expound it.  Apollos was “mighty in the Scripture…instructed in the way of the Lord… he spoke and taught accurately….”  Believe it and apply it every day.  Feed your soul or you will not be able to feed your sheep.  This is more than preparing a sermon; it is preparing the servant—being strong in Scripture in our own personal life, so we can speak with authority in the pulpit.  The mandate is to, “Preach the Word!”  (2 Tim.4:2)   We are not to impose our opinions on the text.  That is pastoral malpractice!  Impressive communication can never substitute for inspired content.

Preach passionately.  Apollos was, “fervent in spirit.”  Why should our audience be excited about the sermon if we are not?  This isn’t just about volume, but we are not giving a classroom lecture on Bible history or theology.  We are enthusiastically proclaiming the truth that will transport one from darkness into light, and transform sinners into saints!  That is something to get stirred up about!

Preach courageously.  Apollos spoke, “boldly,” because he spoke Biblically. The temptation these days is to skirt the tough issues and make the message palatable to the culture.  Open the Book and open your mouth, speaking with clarity and conviction.

Listen and learn all your life.  A godly old couple, Aquila and Priscilla “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”  Apollos knew a lot, but he did not know it all.  He was not an arrogant man, but a teachable preacher.  He knew how to talk, but he also knew how to listen.  You cannot teach someone who knows it all!  One thing a young preacher assuredly does not have is experience.  There are lessons learned in the laboratory of life that older, wiser lay people and elderly pastors can teach us.  Our peers are important, but our elders are indispensable.  The white-headed men in suits need to help the spikey-haired men in jeans!  The church needs both.

Exhort the saints and exalt the Savior.  Apollos “greatly helped those who had believed.”  Exhortation is giving people a pat on the back or a kick in the rear, depending on which is needed to move them along, with the discernment to know which is applicable.  Above all keep the focus on Jesus, “showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”  Apollos set that standard for us to emulate.  The ministry is about Jesus and not about us!

 

 

 

THE SHEPHERD’S SUSTENANCE

Your words were found, and I ate them,

And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;

For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.  (Jeremiah 15:16)

The shepherd must be fed, if he is to feed the flock.  Leading the sheep into green pastures is demanding work.  It cannot be accomplished unless the shepherd is strong—and spiritually speaking, our sustenance is in the Scriptures.  Jeremiah consumed the Word of God and found it not only nourishing, but delightful.  He did not study in order to “get up a sermon,” but in order to get up with God!  If the man of God does not internalize the message, then he may be sure the congregation will not.  Should there be lack of passion in the pulpit, we may rest assured the sheep with have no delight in the message either.  Jeremiah was reminded in reading that he belonged to God—the God who revealed Himself as the Lord God of spiritual armies.  He would face many foes—the preacher of truth always does—but, the security of our relationship to the Almighty will strengthen God’s preacher to stand.  There are predators that would devour the flock.  Often wolves enter masquerading as sheep.  They are ferocious.  Yet, we are God’s and He will sustain us.  I pray that we have feasted on God’s Word this week, so that we will enter the pulpit with joy and send the sheep out full of truth and delight!  If we have failed, then let us repent and sin no more!

MOTIVES AND MINISTRY

“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”  (Matthew 20:16)

Motives matter to God.  The right thing done for the wrong reason is still wrong.  Jesus warned that to give, pray, or fast to impress people would bring the reward of human approval (Matt.6:1-18), but negate heaven’s applause.  We might suppose that ministry activity would be seen by God as, “gold, silver, precious stones,” yet, should the motive be self-centered and not God-honoring, temporal in its end and not eternal in its goal, then such will prove to be, “wood, hay, straw,” to go up in smoke in the fire of Christ’s scrutiny (1 Cor.3:10-15).

That is the thrust of the parable Jesus presents in Matthew 20:1-16.  It is sandwiched between this point: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first. …” (19:30) and “So the last will be first, and the first last.  For many are called, but few chosen.” (20:16)  The context of the teaching is in response to Christ’s call to sacrificial service (19:23-29).  Peter has popped off—as he was prone to do—“See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?”  (19:27). Jesus teaches that their labor and loss for His sake will be rewarded (19:18-29), but ministry will also be sifted by motive.

1)      GOD SEEKS SERVANTS (v.1).  God doesn’t need us, yet in His amazing grace and infinite knowledge, He has chosen to employ frail creatures of flesh to partner with Him in His work.  Many are called, but few chosen.  What an honor to be called to preach the Gospel!

2)      SOME WORK AS AN OBLIGATION (v.2).  These were contract laborers.  They were motivated by what they would receive.  There is no hint of grace or love, just “punching the clock,” to collect the pay.  If we are not careful, duty becomes drudgery—and God knows our motive.  If ministry is merely doing a job, then we get out of it what we want—some credit and cash on earth, but nothing in eternity.

3)      OTHERS WOULD WORK IF ASKED (v.3-6).  Some are idle because they are indolent.  These are idle because they were yet to be invited.  They respond eagerly to the offer.  How many people do we have in church life, ready to serve, if only asked?  Are we letting young men know that God still calls people?

4)      THERE IS A WORK OF FAITH (v.4-7).  No contract was negotiated—they simply trusted the Landowner to do the right thing.  Faith is crucial not only in salvation, but in service.  We should read Hebrews 11 and be reminded of the works accomplished by faith.  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.   (Heb.11:6).

5)      GOD DISPENSES REWARDS ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGNTY (v.8-16).  We will have no ground of complaint at the Judgment Seat.  We will know He does right.  Let us not complain now!  Just do the right thing with the right motive and God will reward someday.  Too many pastors have a wrongful spirit of comparison—leading to pride or envy.  What really matters is God’s evaluation of our ministry and not man’s.  Motives matter!

THE CALL

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

  Before you were born I sanctified you;

  I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”  (Jeremiah 1:5)

Being back in my hometown, I occasionally have run into someone who knew me, “back in the day.”  That was B.C. history—before Christ—when I was as lost as a goose in a snowstorm.  Of course, one of the first questions they ask is, “What are you doing these days?”  When I answer, “I pastor a Baptist Church,” it has often brought looks of shock. 

I will assure you none has been more surprised that God called someone like me to preach the Gospel than me!  So unworthy, and yet such a definite call from God, that I had no doubt it was His plan for my life.  I did not hear an audible voice—it was just as clear, however.  Through a sequence of events, the confirmation of others, and now through the grace of God upon my ministry, I have occasionally become discouraged and wanted to quit, but I never doubted that I needed to press on.

When I announced my call, my pastor—the late Raymond Shumpert—encouraged me, but he did not gloss over the challenges that would confront me.  Ministry is a glorious work, but it is that—work!  It involves labor.  The prophets often spoke of the burden of the Lord.  The inspiration must be matched with perspiration.  It is more than work—it is warfare.  The man of God is on the frontlines, leading the troops, charging the gates of hell—and is the most obvious target for the enemy.  At times, the gravest wounds come from so-called, “friendly fire.”

Jeremiah would face much pain in preaching.  His call had to be definite, because it would be too easy to abandon the battle in the heat of the conflict.  That poor fellow was warned by God that he would have much struggle, but he had to experience it to fully appreciate it.  Little did I know when I stepped out in faith and obedience what I was getting myself into!  I do not wish to imply that there are no blessings.  It is an honor to be called of God.  It is grace.  Grace is definitely needed, however, as the issues we deal with are enormous—beyond human ability.

Men, make sure you have a definite call.  It does not have to be dramatic, but it has to be definite.  That conviction will give you courage when you face the ferocity of the enemy’s fire.  As my late homiletics professor, Dr. Kenneth Ridings used to say, “If you can do something besides preach, then do it!”  As for me, once more this Lord’s Day, I will stand with a Bible in my hand and preach.  I do it because I must.  God has called me.  Has He called you?