II Thessalonians 3:6-16
Even though the world sometimes considers the word “work” as a four-letter dirty word, I remind you of what I wrote in the January 17th issue of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS: God designed that man should be involved in work. So, it’s not a nasty word; it’s a very important part of our society because it came from the heart of God. In fact, He even demonstrated it in the creation of our world. That set the example for us as He did a perfect job and when it looked at His handy-work, He pronounced it “good.”
In January 24th CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I dealt with the “responsibility” of work. When we read of the Proverb 31 woman we read in verse 24 “She maketh fine linen, . . .” This speaks of the workmanship she put in to her work. Even when Paul turned to speak about work in the spiritual sense, he exhorted in Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” God has gifted the believer with many talents and varying gifts. He says that each should walk worthy of whatever God has called the believer to do. It is the responsibility of every able-bodied person to fulfill the work laid out for him to do.
In this final issue on this subject I will deal more about the worker than the work.
III. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE WORKER – verse 8 “Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: . . . verses 12-13 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
It is very important that we understand how important it is to do the best job we can at whatever work we undertake. The wise man wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might;. . .” Let’s notice a few thoughts:
A. The Reliable Worker Is CONTENTED – Notice the phrase, “with quietness work.”
Paul is talking about the worker being a person who is reliable. He focuses on his work and does it with a humble, meek and quiet spirit. This issue of contentment with a man’s work has much to do with his physical, emotional and more importantly, his spiritual health.
Many have the wrong philosophy about work:
• Nathaniel Hawthorn: “Labor is the curse of the world.”
• John Locke: “Labor is against nature.”
There are many today who share this same discontented attitude about work. But if you’re one of the children of God and you have an honorable job, the only way that you can face and enjoy life and be contented is to accept work as the will of God for your life.
Our attitude will be reflected in our work. Our attitude about what God has allowed us to do will be seen in the product we turn out. We need to be contented with our jobs and let the unsaved be the only ones who are guilty of complaining and griping about the job we have.
Sign in kitchen: “Divine services conducted here, three times a day.”
That is the right attitude! That should be the attitude about any work we are called to do.
B. The Reliable Worker Is COMPENSATED – Notice the phrase, “eat your own bread.” It’s one thing to be contented in your work, but it’s another thing to actually be compensated for it. (That’s like getting jelly on your peanut butter sandwich.)
How do you get bread? You work for it. You earn it. There is nothing quite like eating the bread that you have earned.
As I look back on my ministry through the years, I have seen many of those who have either been in my choirs, bands, youth groups or members of my congregation go on to be successful for the Lord. Some are in full-time occupational ministry, others are serving as godly laymen in local churches. That is worth it all. That’s compensation here on this earth.
I worked hard at what God had called me to do, but I would like to think that I would have worked just as hard had I been a blue-collar worker in a factory, etc. A peson should take pride in his or her work. A believer should be the best worker in the office, factory or whatever work they are doing. They will be compensated.
C. The Reliable Worker Is CONSCIENTIOUS – He does not turn out a job that is half done. Paul says in I Thessalonians 4:11 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you:”
Remember, we established in January 17th CHALLENGING CONCEPTS that work was designed by God. God never sent anyone into this world to be idle. Since work is designed by God, each of us should be diligent in doing what God has given us to do. The wise man admonishes us in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might; . . .”
What is your divine calling? What work has God laid out for you to involve yourself? Take pride in your work. Don’t just do enough to get by. I have said many times, “The Christian should be the best worker on the job.” In fact, I believe the child of God ought to be more conscientious than anyone. If a task is given to you, then do the best job possible and work until that responsibility is fulfilled.
Thomas Edison wrote: “I never did anything by accident not do any of my inventions come by accident, but by good hard work.”
Again, since work is a divine gift, that makes the assignment our responsibility and is respectable. Let’s be reliable servants of the Lord.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
A DIRTY FOUR-LETTER WORD – Pt 2
II Thessalonians 3:6-16
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we noticed that PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPECTABILITY TO WORK. Work was ordained by God. There’s nothing wrong with getting your hand dirty. There’s nothing wrong with having sweat on your brow. God designed it and demonstrated it Himself.
If work is designed and demonstrated by God Himself, then we ought to embrace it with all our might.
II. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK—vs 10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work neither should he eat.”
I spent a lot of time in last week’s “Challenging Concepts” showing that “work” is a very respectful activity, which had been ordained by God. Since that is so, then we are responsible to fulfill that activity. The Apostle Paul does not mince any words when dealing with this matter. As Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to say, he puts it “. . .down where the rubber meets the road.”
I believe that the Word of God teaches that if a person is able-bodied and able-mineded, they are expected by God to do the activity of working. That is God’s anti-poverty program. There are too many on our welfare rolls who should be out in the work force.
The Word of God has much to say about the subject of your responsibility in working. Let me give you some:
A. Work And LIFE – verse 10 “. . . if any would not work neither should he eat.” To put it bluntly, Paul is saying “If you don’t work, you don’t deserve to live.” If I want life, I must do what is necessary to sustain that life.
Plato: “He that would eat the nut must crack the shell.” That’s pretty good philosophy.
As a pastor I’ve seen some very needy people and my church, and I personally, have helped many of those and have received a tremendous blessing out of it. But on the other hand, I have seen some very sorry people who were not willing to do a day’s work but wanted somebody else to give them a handout. Paul has some very strong words for those kinds of people. You don’t work, you don’t eat.
I have a responsibility to myself to work because my life has been given by God and I have to be a good steward of that precious gift.
B. Work And Loved Ones – Paul wrote in I Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
God expects every responsible person to work and support his or her dependents. There is nothing more precious than a person’s family. Before God created any other organization, He created the family. The family is precious to Him. So He directed Paul to write a stern command here in I Timothy 5. If a capable person does not support their family by working, they are pretty low; they are worse than an infidel or an unbeliever.
This verse seems to imply there is no motivation to take care of his own. I heard about a jockey that had a special way of motivating his horse: “Roses are red, violets are blue, horses that don’t run are made into glue.” Maybe some motivation like that might help some of those dead beats who have walked away from their wives and children; or a woman who has abandoned her child.
God is concerned that we as believers should use the avenue of work to fulfill our responsibility to our loved ones.
C. WORK AND HONESTY – Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Paul makes a contrast between stealing and working. He implies that stealing is the outcome of refusing to do an honest day’s work. In II Thessalonians 3:11 there are three types of persons mentioned. Notice the verse again, “For we heard that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” He mentions those who walk “disorderly.” He then mentions who are “working not at all.” Finally he mentions the “busybodies.”
I believe one of the greatest reasons for the increase in crime in our country today is because of disorderly, non-working busybodies.” Look on the street corner and on the welfare rolls. There are too many able bodies who are too lazy to do a day’s work.
Again, I know there are some who are unable to work. I understand that. But too many people know how to manipulate the system to get a check from the government. They need to learn to fulfill their God given responsibility to WORK.
I read this prayer of a little boy: “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Now I get me up to work; I pray the Lord I may not shirk, if I should die before tonight, I pray the Lord my work’s all right.”
I feel it’s a privilege to do what God has ordained – Work. II Thessalonians 3:13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will notice THE RELIABILITY OF THE WORKER.
That’s my view; how about you?
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we noticed that PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPECTABILITY TO WORK. Work was ordained by God. There’s nothing wrong with getting your hand dirty. There’s nothing wrong with having sweat on your brow. God designed it and demonstrated it Himself.
If work is designed and demonstrated by God Himself, then we ought to embrace it with all our might.
II. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK—vs 10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work neither should he eat.”
I spent a lot of time in last week’s “Challenging Concepts” showing that “work” is a very respectful activity, which had been ordained by God. Since that is so, then we are responsible to fulfill that activity. The Apostle Paul does not mince any words when dealing with this matter. As Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to say, he puts it “. . .down where the rubber meets the road.”
I believe that the Word of God teaches that if a person is able-bodied and able-mineded, they are expected by God to do the activity of working. That is God’s anti-poverty program. There are too many on our welfare rolls who should be out in the work force.
The Word of God has much to say about the subject of your responsibility in working. Let me give you some:
A. Work And LIFE – verse 10 “. . . if any would not work neither should he eat.” To put it bluntly, Paul is saying “If you don’t work, you don’t deserve to live.” If I want life, I must do what is necessary to sustain that life.
Plato: “He that would eat the nut must crack the shell.” That’s pretty good philosophy.
As a pastor I’ve seen some very needy people and my church, and I personally, have helped many of those and have received a tremendous blessing out of it. But on the other hand, I have seen some very sorry people who were not willing to do a day’s work but wanted somebody else to give them a handout. Paul has some very strong words for those kinds of people. You don’t work, you don’t eat.
I have a responsibility to myself to work because my life has been given by God and I have to be a good steward of that precious gift.
B. Work And Loved Ones – Paul wrote in I Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
God expects every responsible person to work and support his or her dependents. There is nothing more precious than a person’s family. Before God created any other organization, He created the family. The family is precious to Him. So He directed Paul to write a stern command here in I Timothy 5. If a capable person does not support their family by working, they are pretty low; they are worse than an infidel or an unbeliever.
This verse seems to imply there is no motivation to take care of his own. I heard about a jockey that had a special way of motivating his horse: “Roses are red, violets are blue, horses that don’t run are made into glue.” Maybe some motivation like that might help some of those dead beats who have walked away from their wives and children; or a woman who has abandoned her child.
God is concerned that we as believers should use the avenue of work to fulfill our responsibility to our loved ones.
C. WORK AND HONESTY – Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Paul makes a contrast between stealing and working. He implies that stealing is the outcome of refusing to do an honest day’s work. In II Thessalonians 3:11 there are three types of persons mentioned. Notice the verse again, “For we heard that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” He mentions those who walk “disorderly.” He then mentions who are “working not at all.” Finally he mentions the “busybodies.”
I believe one of the greatest reasons for the increase in crime in our country today is because of disorderly, non-working busybodies.” Look on the street corner and on the welfare rolls. There are too many able bodies who are too lazy to do a day’s work.
Again, I know there are some who are unable to work. I understand that. But too many people know how to manipulate the system to get a check from the government. They need to learn to fulfill their God given responsibility to WORK.
I read this prayer of a little boy: “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Now I get me up to work; I pray the Lord I may not shirk, if I should die before tonight, I pray the Lord my work’s all right.”
I feel it’s a privilege to do what God has ordained – Work. II Thessalonians 3:13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will notice THE RELIABILITY OF THE WORKER.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, January 17, 2011
A DIRTY FOUR-LETTER WORD – Pt 1
II Thessalonians 3:6-16
I will not take the space here to write all the verses above, but take the opportunity yourself to read them. For the next 3 week I will deal with the subject of work in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS.
Work is considered a nasty word by many people, but work is really a good word. Since the beginning of the human race, work has been thought of in many different ways. Some think of it as only a necessity. Others view it as a blessing or a curse. The question you must ask yourself as you read this blog is, what is your viewpoint of this nasty four-letter word?
It is wrong for a person to look at work in connection with sin. It is true that sin has made work a burden, but even before the fall of man, work had been given to man for his enhancement and welfare. Work, then, is a very good word.
The Word of God has much to say about work. The fullest statement on this subject is found in the passage of Scripture that we will examine in the next few weeks.
The people who Paul is addressing in the passage had recently been converted to Christianity. Because of their interest in their new-found belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and their involvement in the work of the Lord, they had become so committed to the ministry that they had neglected some other work that had to be done. Paul became aware of this and took some immediate steps to put work in its proper perspective. Let’s take a look at Pauls comments:
I. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPECTABILITY OF WORK
Notice what he says in verse 13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” This verse is short but is powerful as the Apostle Paul takes man’s daily work and lifts it from humdrum to the glorious purpose that God had for mankind. When Paul called work “well-doing” then “work is doing well.”
A person cannot study the Word of God without realizing that man’s work deserves his very best. Work has been dignified by God. In the Bible you can see very clearly that work was lifted up to a level in which we should delight. When you see work from God’s perspective then it becomes respectable.
A. Work was the DESIGN of God - Genesis 2:15 “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” We need to understand that work is a respectable activity because it was designed by God. From the very beginning God planned that man should work.
Even in a perfect state and environment, Adam had a job. He had work to do even before he made the choice to sin. He had the responsibility of keeping the garden. Tending paradise was the will of God for Adam’s life.
God’s will for man was not altered by sin because it’s still God’s plan and purpose for us today. If you read the Word of God very closely you will see that after the fall of man God speaks about work.
Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”
God’s design before and after sin was for man to work. Work was respectable because God ordained it for man. Every honorable man since his father Adam has involved himself in this activity which we call work.
B. Work was DEMONSTRATED by God – Over and over you read in the first chapter of Genesis phrases such as “God created” and “God made.” What did God call this activity of creating and making? Notice what we read in Genesis 2:2 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” Twice He use the word “work.” We see here that God Himself stamped “Respectability” on good, honest and hard work.
Let’s go a step further and look at the life of God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. As a youngester Jesus was taught the trade of carpentry. His earthly father, Joseph, took Him into the workshop and gave Him duties like any other man of that day.
After His earthly ministry started at the age of 30, He said in John 9:47 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” Notice also His statement in John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
Even near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said in John 17:4 “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Jesus came to work the will of the Father and on the cross of Calvary we read in John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
His work had been finished. The work that He came to do was to make a way for all of us to get to heaven. Only through His work can man be made righteous by placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
When we consider all we have looked at in the Word of God, we should never again think of work as something beneath us. By DESIGN and DEMONSTRATION God gave respectability to the word “work.”
II Thessalonians 3:13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
That’s my view; how about you?
I will not take the space here to write all the verses above, but take the opportunity yourself to read them. For the next 3 week I will deal with the subject of work in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS.
Work is considered a nasty word by many people, but work is really a good word. Since the beginning of the human race, work has been thought of in many different ways. Some think of it as only a necessity. Others view it as a blessing or a curse. The question you must ask yourself as you read this blog is, what is your viewpoint of this nasty four-letter word?
It is wrong for a person to look at work in connection with sin. It is true that sin has made work a burden, but even before the fall of man, work had been given to man for his enhancement and welfare. Work, then, is a very good word.
The Word of God has much to say about work. The fullest statement on this subject is found in the passage of Scripture that we will examine in the next few weeks.
The people who Paul is addressing in the passage had recently been converted to Christianity. Because of their interest in their new-found belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and their involvement in the work of the Lord, they had become so committed to the ministry that they had neglected some other work that had to be done. Paul became aware of this and took some immediate steps to put work in its proper perspective. Let’s take a look at Pauls comments:
I. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESPECTABILITY OF WORK
Notice what he says in verse 13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” This verse is short but is powerful as the Apostle Paul takes man’s daily work and lifts it from humdrum to the glorious purpose that God had for mankind. When Paul called work “well-doing” then “work is doing well.”
A person cannot study the Word of God without realizing that man’s work deserves his very best. Work has been dignified by God. In the Bible you can see very clearly that work was lifted up to a level in which we should delight. When you see work from God’s perspective then it becomes respectable.
A. Work was the DESIGN of God - Genesis 2:15 “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” We need to understand that work is a respectable activity because it was designed by God. From the very beginning God planned that man should work.
Even in a perfect state and environment, Adam had a job. He had work to do even before he made the choice to sin. He had the responsibility of keeping the garden. Tending paradise was the will of God for Adam’s life.
God’s will for man was not altered by sin because it’s still God’s plan and purpose for us today. If you read the Word of God very closely you will see that after the fall of man God speaks about work.
Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”
God’s design before and after sin was for man to work. Work was respectable because God ordained it for man. Every honorable man since his father Adam has involved himself in this activity which we call work.
B. Work was DEMONSTRATED by God – Over and over you read in the first chapter of Genesis phrases such as “God created” and “God made.” What did God call this activity of creating and making? Notice what we read in Genesis 2:2 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” Twice He use the word “work.” We see here that God Himself stamped “Respectability” on good, honest and hard work.
Let’s go a step further and look at the life of God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. As a youngester Jesus was taught the trade of carpentry. His earthly father, Joseph, took Him into the workshop and gave Him duties like any other man of that day.
After His earthly ministry started at the age of 30, He said in John 9:47 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” Notice also His statement in John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
Even near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said in John 17:4 “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Jesus came to work the will of the Father and on the cross of Calvary we read in John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
His work had been finished. The work that He came to do was to make a way for all of us to get to heaven. Only through His work can man be made righteous by placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
When we consider all we have looked at in the Word of God, we should never again think of work as something beneath us. By DESIGN and DEMONSTRATION God gave respectability to the word “work.”
II Thessalonians 3:13 “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, January 10, 2011
EXPERIENCED EDUCATION – Pt 3
II Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Philippians 4:10-14 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”
There are many things I regret in my life, but one of the things I regret most is that I did not do as well academically as I should. I have said many times that the best thing I learned at Bible College was to trust God and walk by faith. Since leaving Bible College I have continued to challenge myself both as a leader and preacher. I believe that the school of hard knocks has been the best teacher.
In our first CHALLENGING CONCEPTS entitled “Experienced Education” we explored EXPERIENCES OF LIFE. Then in week two we looked at EXPERIENCE OF LESSONS. In this week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we want to explore:
III. EXPERIENCES OF LEGENDS
I have learned through the years that the person who can really help me the most is the one who has gone over the rough roads in his or her life and has finished a course in God’s school. The greatest help has come from one who has successfully conquered the hurdles of life. In this week’s blog I was to remind us of a few of these great giants of the faith.
A. JOB – I don’t know about you but when I think of Job I feel ashamed of the way I have complained when going through some minor problems in my life. He lost his property, business, children, health and even the support of his wife. But we read in Job 1:20- 22 “Then Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”
Job graduated the school of life as an honor student. Job received his education the hard way. And every time you think of Job it encourages, inspires and strengthens your faith in God.
B. DAVID – David has always been one of my favorite characters in Scripture. I cannot relate to the best of times with David, but I can surely relate to some of the negative traits in his life. On the positive side David was a man after God's own heart. Surely a favored king like David wouldn't have to go through this kind of training program, but he did. His life was one of turmoil, persecution, fear and heartache, Can you imagine having to flee for your life many times, and one of those times fleeing from your own son?
In the younger years of his life, David was persecuted by King Saul. His own family caused him trouble in later years. David was taught many lessons through EXPERIENCED EDUCATION and shared those times writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Every time we read David’s writings and think of his name we are inspired to keep serving the Lord.
C. Daniel – Here is another man who graduated with honors. We know him today as the young man who had the courage to say "No." He didn’t wait until the temptation cameb but decided ahead of time what he would do. We read in Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. . .”
Daniel was persecuted, hated, despised, and even cast into the lion's den. But when the school was over, he came through with flying colors, and his name encourages us to purpose in our hearts and stand for what is right and faithfully serve the Lord.
D. The Apostle Paul - Paul was deceived, beaten, stoned and even left for dead. He faced more than any man I know, yet his testimony is given in II Corinthians 4:8-10 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you."
A person cannot look at the life of this godly man and not be challenged to serve the Lord no matter what God allows to come into his life.
E. John Bunyan – The biggest hard knock that Bunyan faced was that he was kept in jail in England for twelve long years. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and giving up, this godly man penned a book which is excelled only by the Word of God. His writing would not have had the depth it did without the schooling he received through persecution and hardships. God knew what he needed to be the vessel he became.
I wonder if you and I are willing to go through what John Bunyan faced. Let’s look at one more Legend.
F. David Livingstone – Livingston was born in poverty and even worked in a factory when he was only ten years of age. He labored from six in the morning until late at night, studying his books as he worked. Finally, led by God to Africa, he traveled 29,000 miles on foot and suffered 27 attacks of African fever. Livingstone endured many, many hardships but found the grace of God to be sufficient for them all. Many of our missionaries today have been challenged by the faithfulness and tenacity of this great man of God.
In this CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have examined some of the honor graduates of God’s school of experience. I trust they have been as inspiring to you as they have been to me. And the next time either of us are tempted to complain about what we are facing, I hope that we will be reminded of what these men faced and conquered. Let’s not complain or be tempted to quit, let’s serve the Lord faithfully.
That’s my view; how about you?
Philippians 4:10-14 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”
There are many things I regret in my life, but one of the things I regret most is that I did not do as well academically as I should. I have said many times that the best thing I learned at Bible College was to trust God and walk by faith. Since leaving Bible College I have continued to challenge myself both as a leader and preacher. I believe that the school of hard knocks has been the best teacher.
In our first CHALLENGING CONCEPTS entitled “Experienced Education” we explored EXPERIENCES OF LIFE. Then in week two we looked at EXPERIENCE OF LESSONS. In this week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we want to explore:
III. EXPERIENCES OF LEGENDS
I have learned through the years that the person who can really help me the most is the one who has gone over the rough roads in his or her life and has finished a course in God’s school. The greatest help has come from one who has successfully conquered the hurdles of life. In this week’s blog I was to remind us of a few of these great giants of the faith.
A. JOB – I don’t know about you but when I think of Job I feel ashamed of the way I have complained when going through some minor problems in my life. He lost his property, business, children, health and even the support of his wife. But we read in Job 1:20- 22 “Then Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”
Job graduated the school of life as an honor student. Job received his education the hard way. And every time you think of Job it encourages, inspires and strengthens your faith in God.
B. DAVID – David has always been one of my favorite characters in Scripture. I cannot relate to the best of times with David, but I can surely relate to some of the negative traits in his life. On the positive side David was a man after God's own heart. Surely a favored king like David wouldn't have to go through this kind of training program, but he did. His life was one of turmoil, persecution, fear and heartache, Can you imagine having to flee for your life many times, and one of those times fleeing from your own son?
In the younger years of his life, David was persecuted by King Saul. His own family caused him trouble in later years. David was taught many lessons through EXPERIENCED EDUCATION and shared those times writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Every time we read David’s writings and think of his name we are inspired to keep serving the Lord.
C. Daniel – Here is another man who graduated with honors. We know him today as the young man who had the courage to say "No." He didn’t wait until the temptation cameb but decided ahead of time what he would do. We read in Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. . .”
Daniel was persecuted, hated, despised, and even cast into the lion's den. But when the school was over, he came through with flying colors, and his name encourages us to purpose in our hearts and stand for what is right and faithfully serve the Lord.
D. The Apostle Paul - Paul was deceived, beaten, stoned and even left for dead. He faced more than any man I know, yet his testimony is given in II Corinthians 4:8-10 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you."
A person cannot look at the life of this godly man and not be challenged to serve the Lord no matter what God allows to come into his life.
E. John Bunyan – The biggest hard knock that Bunyan faced was that he was kept in jail in England for twelve long years. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and giving up, this godly man penned a book which is excelled only by the Word of God. His writing would not have had the depth it did without the schooling he received through persecution and hardships. God knew what he needed to be the vessel he became.
I wonder if you and I are willing to go through what John Bunyan faced. Let’s look at one more Legend.
F. David Livingstone – Livingston was born in poverty and even worked in a factory when he was only ten years of age. He labored from six in the morning until late at night, studying his books as he worked. Finally, led by God to Africa, he traveled 29,000 miles on foot and suffered 27 attacks of African fever. Livingstone endured many, many hardships but found the grace of God to be sufficient for them all. Many of our missionaries today have been challenged by the faithfulness and tenacity of this great man of God.
In this CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have examined some of the honor graduates of God’s school of experience. I trust they have been as inspiring to you as they have been to me. And the next time either of us are tempted to complain about what we are facing, I hope that we will be reminded of what these men faced and conquered. Let’s not complain or be tempted to quit, let’s serve the Lord faithfully.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, January 3, 2011
EXPERIENCED EDUCATION – Pt 2
II Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Philippians 4:10-14 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”
I am writing the introduction for this CHALLENGING CONCEPTS on Sunday evening January 2. Tonight our Associate Pastor, Todd Borders, preached an awesome message from Hebrews 12:1-2. He reminded us that the race of the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. The journey is not always on smooth terrain. There is cross country involved that sometimes has some hazards and pitfalls. He also pointed out that this race is PERSONAL and PERMANENT. The finish line is when we come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. And until we cross that finish line, God expects us to get up every morning and run that race for the glory of God.
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we noticed the EXPERIENCES OF LIFE. This week I want us to notice also:
II. EXPERIENCE OF LESSONS
Why do we go to school? We go to school to improve, benefit and learn. So what are the lessons we learn as believers? What do they benefit or accomplish in our lives? That’s what we want to explore in this blog.
A. They TOUGHEN us – They make us able to take hardships. Most of us are too thin skinned. We’re just too soft. In the Christian community there are just too many babies. Every time I complain, my wife just tells me, “Suck it up. You’re just a Wimp!” And you know what? She’s right! She also says, “In the ministry a person has to have a soft heart and a tough hide.” She’s right there also.
When I was a pastor, I spent a lot of time dealing with petty things. I had to put soothing cream and bandaids on scratches when there were others who were really hurting.
There are hurts which come in our lives, but remember, God is still on the throne and He has allowed those hurts and wounds for a purpose. One of those purposes is the toughen us.
Paul had some hardships in his life. Notice what we read in II Corinthians 11:23-27 "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
Notice also II Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
When we respond to the trials, problems and hurts in our lives, they will toughen us.
B. They TEACH us – If we are wise, we can learn from the hard knocks and hard times. Some people never learn. On the other hand, people who are successful have learned from the school of hard knocks. They learn what to do or not to do when hardships come.
The wise man, Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
When God is trying to teach us through hardships, allow Him to do His work. Notice what we read in Isaiah 26:9 “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
C. They TENDER us – I have learned many things through the Word of God and also through observation. One of those things is that those who are mightily used of God are those who have gone through hardships. God has to break our hearts before we can be greatly used by Him. Before we can help others we need to be tenderized. I wish there was another way to be tenderized, but I only know one way and that is to go through hard times and respond correctly to what God allows in our lives.
I’m not much of a hiker but I do remember some times as a young person when we would hike some mountain trails. Some of the trails had some very steep climbs to them. One thing that I learned about steep climbing was that it made me grateful for the plateau at the top. Too much rain makes us grateful for the sunshine. Too much sunshine makes us grateful for the clouds. The bare cupboard makes us grateful for the horn of plenty. The rough road makes us grateful for the smooth highway. Hard knocks have a way of making us grateful for the blessings God pours out on us each and every day. They make us tender.
There are lessons that God wants you and me to learn. Most of those lessons come through the tough times we face. When I was attending Bible College my family went through some times of testing. I usually say the best thing I learned at Bible College was to trust God. God was more real to me then than He had ever been up to that time. I thank God for the hard times because there were some lessons I need to learn. We all need to continue to respond correctly when God sees fit to allow hardships to come into our lives. We also need to praise Him for the hardship. Notice Isaiah 49:13 “Sing O heavens; and be joyful O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”
Next week in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I wants us to consider some people who went through the School of Hard Knocks and earned a passing grade.
That’s my view; how about you?
Philippians 4:10-14 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”
I am writing the introduction for this CHALLENGING CONCEPTS on Sunday evening January 2. Tonight our Associate Pastor, Todd Borders, preached an awesome message from Hebrews 12:1-2. He reminded us that the race of the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. The journey is not always on smooth terrain. There is cross country involved that sometimes has some hazards and pitfalls. He also pointed out that this race is PERSONAL and PERMANENT. The finish line is when we come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. And until we cross that finish line, God expects us to get up every morning and run that race for the glory of God.
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we noticed the EXPERIENCES OF LIFE. This week I want us to notice also:
II. EXPERIENCE OF LESSONS
Why do we go to school? We go to school to improve, benefit and learn. So what are the lessons we learn as believers? What do they benefit or accomplish in our lives? That’s what we want to explore in this blog.
A. They TOUGHEN us – They make us able to take hardships. Most of us are too thin skinned. We’re just too soft. In the Christian community there are just too many babies. Every time I complain, my wife just tells me, “Suck it up. You’re just a Wimp!” And you know what? She’s right! She also says, “In the ministry a person has to have a soft heart and a tough hide.” She’s right there also.
When I was a pastor, I spent a lot of time dealing with petty things. I had to put soothing cream and bandaids on scratches when there were others who were really hurting.
There are hurts which come in our lives, but remember, God is still on the throne and He has allowed those hurts and wounds for a purpose. One of those purposes is the toughen us.
Paul had some hardships in his life. Notice what we read in II Corinthians 11:23-27 "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
Notice also II Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
When we respond to the trials, problems and hurts in our lives, they will toughen us.
B. They TEACH us – If we are wise, we can learn from the hard knocks and hard times. Some people never learn. On the other hand, people who are successful have learned from the school of hard knocks. They learn what to do or not to do when hardships come.
The wise man, Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
When God is trying to teach us through hardships, allow Him to do His work. Notice what we read in Isaiah 26:9 “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
C. They TENDER us – I have learned many things through the Word of God and also through observation. One of those things is that those who are mightily used of God are those who have gone through hardships. God has to break our hearts before we can be greatly used by Him. Before we can help others we need to be tenderized. I wish there was another way to be tenderized, but I only know one way and that is to go through hard times and respond correctly to what God allows in our lives.
I’m not much of a hiker but I do remember some times as a young person when we would hike some mountain trails. Some of the trails had some very steep climbs to them. One thing that I learned about steep climbing was that it made me grateful for the plateau at the top. Too much rain makes us grateful for the sunshine. Too much sunshine makes us grateful for the clouds. The bare cupboard makes us grateful for the horn of plenty. The rough road makes us grateful for the smooth highway. Hard knocks have a way of making us grateful for the blessings God pours out on us each and every day. They make us tender.
There are lessons that God wants you and me to learn. Most of those lessons come through the tough times we face. When I was attending Bible College my family went through some times of testing. I usually say the best thing I learned at Bible College was to trust God. God was more real to me then than He had ever been up to that time. I thank God for the hard times because there were some lessons I need to learn. We all need to continue to respond correctly when God sees fit to allow hardships to come into our lives. We also need to praise Him for the hardship. Notice Isaiah 49:13 “Sing O heavens; and be joyful O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”
Next week in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I wants us to consider some people who went through the School of Hard Knocks and earned a passing grade.
That’s my view; how about you?
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