Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
When William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, felt the call of the Lord to go into the streets of London and begin ministering to street people, he stood in a Methodist Conference meeting and requested permission from the presiding bishop to be released from his church to go into the streets and preach. The bishop heard the request and denied it telling Booth that they would not waste a man of his education and talent on the people of the streets. Upon hearing this, Booth sat down, resigned to defeat. His wife was seated in the balcony, because women were not allowed on the first floor. She stood up and leaned over the rail. She called to her husband and told him to listen to God and not to man. She vowed to stand with her husband against every foe. She came down from the balcony, Booth took her by the arm and they left the building to go into the streets to win people to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was ready to quit, but his wife, a lady who usually stayed in the background, stepped out of the shadow of her husband to hold up his arms at a critical time in his life!
This is a practical example of one like Aaron and Hur. Hur is recognized in the Word of God for what he did here with Moses, but I’m sure there were other times when Hur served the Lord but got no recognition for his efforts.
In our first CHALLENGING CONCEPTS on this passage of Scripture, we notice that THESE SERVANTS ARE ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE. Last week we noticed that THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED. Now, let’s go further with our thoughts:
III. THESE SERVANTS ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE
Notice verse 13 “And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” There is no mention whatsoever of Hur, Aaron or even Moses. In fact, the only mention is that of Joshua. Hur is not mentioned before this incident. And even more importantly, he's not mentioned but a couple of times afterwards. He's kind of like living his 15 minutes of fame. But that's alright. That's what he is supposed to do. He lived in the shadows but when he was supposed to act, he did so. He was willing to be invisible as long as the will of God was accomplished.
Hur was invisible to the crowd, and so are so many, many others who are serving behind the scenes in local churches and other para-church organizations. These unsung heroes make the ministry turn as the spokes do the wheel. Nothing would be accomplished, humanly speaking, without them.
Here are some thoughts about the SERVICE OF THE INVISIBLE VOLUNTEER:
1. It’s A Thankless Task
Who got the credit for the victory at Rephidim? It wasn’t Hur. Joshua got the credit but there would have been no victory without Hur being in his place.
I remember when I was in Bible College that the Highland Park Baptist Church was always decorated so beautifully. Dr. J.R. Faulkner was always given credit for the auditorium being so lovely at all seasons and for all major events. Dr. Faulkner was credited with what took place, but he would have been the very first to point out that Tom Kilpatrick was the one behind the scenes that made it come together. To most people, Tom was invisible but he was very important.
When Grace and I were in Germany, I had many military pastors and missionaries comment about how pretty the bulletin boards were in our buildings. I was given the credit for having such lovely and attractive boards, but the real invisible hero behind the scene was a very sweet lady named Vickie Raymer. She labored hour after hour, many times with little recognition, to fulfill the responsibility that had been given to her. Mrs. Raymer never truly knew how much her ministry meant to Grace and me and we’re glad that she and her dear family continues to be a dear friends of ours to this day.
2. It’s A Task That Has To Be Done For The Lord
Godly servants do not operate with sinful motives. They do not serve because they are seeking recognition and appreciation from fellow human beings. They have no desire for power or prestige. Their feathers do not have to be smoothed because they were ruffled by not having their name called at the end of a banquet. They are doing what they do for the Lord and not man.
The volunteers who are serving for the Lord are ones who do their best. They are examples of what Paul wrote in Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
Sometimes new believers are quick to volunteer for a position behind the scene but are sometimes too immature to handle being an invisible servant. The bumps in the road cause many immature volunteers to end up in the ditch. The service of volunteers must be done for the glory of God.
God wants the believer to serve Him and further the cause of Christ whether there is human affirmation or not. Godly servants need the toughness that only comes from denying one’s self and picking up his cross to follow Christ. No recognition for a job well done is little suffering compared to what our Savior faced.
The question we must ask ourselves is, “What kind of servant or volunteer are we? Why do we do what we do?”
Hur didn’t have to have human praise. He had a job to do and wasn’t offended because he did not get recognized. His purpose in holding up the hands of Moses was that he was a servant and a servant did what was needed.
There is a reward but that’s the subject of next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
THANK GOD FOR VOLUNTEERS – Pt 2
Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
Hur is a man who you don’t hear much about. I’m sure he was involved in more than is recorded in the Word of God, but this event here in Exodus 17 is what might be called his “fifteen minute of fame.” The incident here is not long but it was very valuable. Nothing done in the will of God goes without notice in His sight. You may not read of other great feats contributed to this great man, but every time you read this account you are challenged with his servant’s spirit.
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we explored the subject of the servant and his or her value to God and his leader. This week we are going to delve into the subject of the involvement of these unsung heroes who volunteer to get involved in the service of the Lord. Let’s take a look at it:
II. THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED
Notice verse 10 “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.” Notice also verse 12 “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
You do not read of Hur being a great leader like Moses. He was not a great General like Joshua. He was not even a High Priest like Aaron. He was just Hur. From the eyes of the world he was just a servant, but he was a servant in the hands of a sovereign God Who had chosen him for this task on this day.
There’s a song I use to sing years ago that says it best:
In the harvest field now ripened,
There’s a work for all to do.
Hark, the voice of God is calling,
To the harvest calling you.
Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.
When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, my child well done.”
Chorus:
Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
I have been around some very talented people in my life. I have had the opportunity to sing in groups with people who had far better voices that I have. I played in bands with those who were far more talented than. I have been on church staffs with those with more administrative abilities; more speaking skills; and much greater personalities. But there is one thing I could do and that was be faithful to the task that was given to me. I could hold up the hands of those who were my authorities. I pray one day I will hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. You held up their hands very well.”
A person never knows the impact they have for the Lord no matter how little the talent or how small the task. On this one day in the life of the nation of Israel, there was one thing Hur could do and that was to hold up the hand of God’s man. And he did it faithfully. He put his heart and hands to the work and was actively doing what he could for the cause of God. He did the best job he could.
In the cause of Christ there’s a great job to be done and there’s room for every individual who will just be faithful. What task needs to be done at your church or Christian ministry? What could you do to help your pastor or other Christian leader? Get involved! There’s always room for one more.
I walk in church on Sunday morning and am greeted by someone who says, “Good morning.” They give me a bulletin as their way of holding up the hands of the pastor. An usher shows me to a seat as his way of holding up the pastor’s hands. The choir sings, the musicians play, the ushers receive the offering, my fellow believers give me a hardy handshake and the pastor preaches. All this is part of fulfilling the calling that God has given to do kingdom work. We all have a part and the best way to accomplish this is under the power of the Spirit of God and for the glory of the One Who gave Himself to redeems us from our sins.
You that are involved in the service of the Lord; I want to thank you and encourage you to continue to serve the Lord. Paul exhorted in Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” God doesn’t expect you to do everything everyone else can do. If you see a new believer or a new member of your church or organization, take them under your wings and help them to get involved. God will bless you for your encouragement to those individuals and He’ll reward you for your effort. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Next week’s CHALLEGING CONCEPTS will highlight THESE SERVANTS ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE.
That’s my view; how about you?
Hur is a man who you don’t hear much about. I’m sure he was involved in more than is recorded in the Word of God, but this event here in Exodus 17 is what might be called his “fifteen minute of fame.” The incident here is not long but it was very valuable. Nothing done in the will of God goes without notice in His sight. You may not read of other great feats contributed to this great man, but every time you read this account you are challenged with his servant’s spirit.
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we explored the subject of the servant and his or her value to God and his leader. This week we are going to delve into the subject of the involvement of these unsung heroes who volunteer to get involved in the service of the Lord. Let’s take a look at it:
II. THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED
Notice verse 10 “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.” Notice also verse 12 “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
You do not read of Hur being a great leader like Moses. He was not a great General like Joshua. He was not even a High Priest like Aaron. He was just Hur. From the eyes of the world he was just a servant, but he was a servant in the hands of a sovereign God Who had chosen him for this task on this day.
There’s a song I use to sing years ago that says it best:
In the harvest field now ripened,
There’s a work for all to do.
Hark, the voice of God is calling,
To the harvest calling you.
Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.
When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, my child well done.”
Chorus:
Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
I have been around some very talented people in my life. I have had the opportunity to sing in groups with people who had far better voices that I have. I played in bands with those who were far more talented than. I have been on church staffs with those with more administrative abilities; more speaking skills; and much greater personalities. But there is one thing I could do and that was be faithful to the task that was given to me. I could hold up the hands of those who were my authorities. I pray one day I will hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. You held up their hands very well.”
A person never knows the impact they have for the Lord no matter how little the talent or how small the task. On this one day in the life of the nation of Israel, there was one thing Hur could do and that was to hold up the hand of God’s man. And he did it faithfully. He put his heart and hands to the work and was actively doing what he could for the cause of God. He did the best job he could.
In the cause of Christ there’s a great job to be done and there’s room for every individual who will just be faithful. What task needs to be done at your church or Christian ministry? What could you do to help your pastor or other Christian leader? Get involved! There’s always room for one more.
I walk in church on Sunday morning and am greeted by someone who says, “Good morning.” They give me a bulletin as their way of holding up the hands of the pastor. An usher shows me to a seat as his way of holding up the pastor’s hands. The choir sings, the musicians play, the ushers receive the offering, my fellow believers give me a hardy handshake and the pastor preaches. All this is part of fulfilling the calling that God has given to do kingdom work. We all have a part and the best way to accomplish this is under the power of the Spirit of God and for the glory of the One Who gave Himself to redeems us from our sins.
You that are involved in the service of the Lord; I want to thank you and encourage you to continue to serve the Lord. Paul exhorted in Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” God doesn’t expect you to do everything everyone else can do. If you see a new believer or a new member of your church or organization, take them under your wings and help them to get involved. God will bless you for your encouragement to those individuals and He’ll reward you for your effort. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Next week’s CHALLEGING CONCEPTS will highlight THESE SERVANTS ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, February 7, 2011
THANK GOD FOR VOLUNTEERS – Pt 1
Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
This is a very important moment in the life of the nation of Israel. As they journey toward the Promised Land, they faced their first encounter with an army that is their enemy. They come face to face with Amalek.
The Amalekites were nomadic people. They occupied the peninsula of Sinai and the wilderness between the southern hill-ranges of Palestine and the border of Egypt. I Samuel 15:5 mentions a “town” but being nomadic people, that probably was only a station or nomadic enclosures. They were a constant thorn in the side of the nation of Israel. This attack here is the first contact between the two groups of people.
Here in this account we find the mention of Moses, Aaron and the first mention of Joshua. All these were great leaders in the history of Israel. They played an important role in the lives of the people of God.
However, there's another man who's mentioned here in this passage that deserves just as much attention. That man is Hur. He steps out on life’s stage, actually out of nowhere. He performs a great game-changing work and then disappears into the same shadows from which he had appeared.
When you think of great men in the history of Israel, you recall men like Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha, and many others. Even in this story we think of Moses and Joshua, but let me remind you that there two other men who played a significant role in God’s plan. Those two great servants are Aaron and Hur. When the hands of Moses were raised to the heavens, there was victory. When the hands were dropped toward the ground, there was defeat.
After a while, Moses became too weary to hold his own hands up and Aaron and Hur stepped up and held Moses hands up until the battle was finished and victory was won.
In my mind, they are the true heroes in our saga. Of these two, Hur seems to stand out in my mind. Here is a man about whom we know next to nothing, yet he enabled an entire nation to see a great victory over a group of people they would see time and time again. That's what I call success. One man who dared to make a difference.
In the next few weeks in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS, I want to pay tribute to every Hur who is serving God somewhere in a local church. I know there are para-church organizations that are doing good work for the Lord and they have some fine volunteer and paid staff. I’m not discrediting those great servants. But my ministry has always been connected with a local church and I believe every child of God should be involved in a good Bible preaching local church.
In this blog I want to honor and thank the volunteers. I’m thankful for every person who has surrendered to full-time occupational ministry. God is using them in a great way, but every pastor of a local church knows how important it is to have an army of volunteers that in their service holds his hands high.
The “Hurs” are the ones who're willing to take the second seat, play second fiddle and not always be recognized for what they do. They're the real heroes.
Allow me to share four things that make them important to the work of the Lord. And if you one of those “Hurs” in your local church, thank God for you:
I. THESE SERVANTS ARE ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE
Notice verse 12 “But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
In verse 12 Moses has stood holding his hands up but he can’t do it any longer. So what happens? Aaron and Hur step up to the plate. It might not sound like a great task to some people, but Moses knows how important it is. And don’t let anybody kid you; God knew how important it was.
As I look back on my many years in the ministry, I recognize the value volunteers were to my service. When I graduated from Bible College and headed south with my wife, two children and all our belongings in a U-Haul trailer, we were setting out to turn the world upside down; or at least South Florida. My wife and I had no idea what we would face in the service of the Lord. I thought I was going to serve as Music Director but learned very quickly that I would have the position of Youth Director along with my musical duties. I didn’t even know how to spell “Youth Director” but now I are one. I had no training to work with youth. I didn’t even know where to start. Even in my duties with music I learned they wanted me to start a school band. I hadn’t expected that but did start a band program there at that Christian school, and went on to start two more band programs in other schools.
The thing that helped me the most, outside of the Lord, of course, was lay people in the church and school that gave of themselves tirelessly to hold up my hands. They were the real heroes. In our third church the youth group was averaging 75 each Sunday when we arrived. In less than four years God was bringing in 200 young people every Sunday morning. I could not do justice to start naming the people that worked side by side with me in the service of the Lord. We had countless young people come to know Christ as their personal Savior. Many went off to Christian colleges to prepare to make a difference for the Lord Jesus Christ in churches, Christian schools, and in the business world. They were the true heroes.
In my ministry at First Baptist Church of Westwood Lake, Clearlake Baptist of Cocoa, Calvary Baptist of Lakeland, Tri-City Baptist Church of Kansas City, Eifel Baptist of Herforst Germany and then back to Calvary Baptist of Lakeland, so many people held up my hands. Notice what Jesus said in Mark 15:40-41, "There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem." They held up His hands.
Thank God for the ones in every ministry around the world who serve the Lord and hold up the hands of the pastors and staff. They are the true heroes. They are invaluable in the service of the Lord.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I will deal with THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED.
That’s my view; how about you?
This is a very important moment in the life of the nation of Israel. As they journey toward the Promised Land, they faced their first encounter with an army that is their enemy. They come face to face with Amalek.
The Amalekites were nomadic people. They occupied the peninsula of Sinai and the wilderness between the southern hill-ranges of Palestine and the border of Egypt. I Samuel 15:5 mentions a “town” but being nomadic people, that probably was only a station or nomadic enclosures. They were a constant thorn in the side of the nation of Israel. This attack here is the first contact between the two groups of people.
Here in this account we find the mention of Moses, Aaron and the first mention of Joshua. All these were great leaders in the history of Israel. They played an important role in the lives of the people of God.
However, there's another man who's mentioned here in this passage that deserves just as much attention. That man is Hur. He steps out on life’s stage, actually out of nowhere. He performs a great game-changing work and then disappears into the same shadows from which he had appeared.
When you think of great men in the history of Israel, you recall men like Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha, and many others. Even in this story we think of Moses and Joshua, but let me remind you that there two other men who played a significant role in God’s plan. Those two great servants are Aaron and Hur. When the hands of Moses were raised to the heavens, there was victory. When the hands were dropped toward the ground, there was defeat.
After a while, Moses became too weary to hold his own hands up and Aaron and Hur stepped up and held Moses hands up until the battle was finished and victory was won.
In my mind, they are the true heroes in our saga. Of these two, Hur seems to stand out in my mind. Here is a man about whom we know next to nothing, yet he enabled an entire nation to see a great victory over a group of people they would see time and time again. That's what I call success. One man who dared to make a difference.
In the next few weeks in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS, I want to pay tribute to every Hur who is serving God somewhere in a local church. I know there are para-church organizations that are doing good work for the Lord and they have some fine volunteer and paid staff. I’m not discrediting those great servants. But my ministry has always been connected with a local church and I believe every child of God should be involved in a good Bible preaching local church.
In this blog I want to honor and thank the volunteers. I’m thankful for every person who has surrendered to full-time occupational ministry. God is using them in a great way, but every pastor of a local church knows how important it is to have an army of volunteers that in their service holds his hands high.
The “Hurs” are the ones who're willing to take the second seat, play second fiddle and not always be recognized for what they do. They're the real heroes.
Allow me to share four things that make them important to the work of the Lord. And if you one of those “Hurs” in your local church, thank God for you:
I. THESE SERVANTS ARE ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE
Notice verse 12 “But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
In verse 12 Moses has stood holding his hands up but he can’t do it any longer. So what happens? Aaron and Hur step up to the plate. It might not sound like a great task to some people, but Moses knows how important it is. And don’t let anybody kid you; God knew how important it was.
As I look back on my many years in the ministry, I recognize the value volunteers were to my service. When I graduated from Bible College and headed south with my wife, two children and all our belongings in a U-Haul trailer, we were setting out to turn the world upside down; or at least South Florida. My wife and I had no idea what we would face in the service of the Lord. I thought I was going to serve as Music Director but learned very quickly that I would have the position of Youth Director along with my musical duties. I didn’t even know how to spell “Youth Director” but now I are one. I had no training to work with youth. I didn’t even know where to start. Even in my duties with music I learned they wanted me to start a school band. I hadn’t expected that but did start a band program there at that Christian school, and went on to start two more band programs in other schools.
The thing that helped me the most, outside of the Lord, of course, was lay people in the church and school that gave of themselves tirelessly to hold up my hands. They were the real heroes. In our third church the youth group was averaging 75 each Sunday when we arrived. In less than four years God was bringing in 200 young people every Sunday morning. I could not do justice to start naming the people that worked side by side with me in the service of the Lord. We had countless young people come to know Christ as their personal Savior. Many went off to Christian colleges to prepare to make a difference for the Lord Jesus Christ in churches, Christian schools, and in the business world. They were the true heroes.
In my ministry at First Baptist Church of Westwood Lake, Clearlake Baptist of Cocoa, Calvary Baptist of Lakeland, Tri-City Baptist Church of Kansas City, Eifel Baptist of Herforst Germany and then back to Calvary Baptist of Lakeland, so many people held up my hands. Notice what Jesus said in Mark 15:40-41, "There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem." They held up His hands.
Thank God for the ones in every ministry around the world who serve the Lord and hold up the hands of the pastors and staff. They are the true heroes. They are invaluable in the service of the Lord.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I will deal with THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, January 31, 2011
A DIRTY FOUR-LETTER WORD – Pt 3
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?
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 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?
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