Continuing with our theme of the pastor's ministry and the ministry of any servant of God, we now touch on the area of battle against the works of the evil one. If we are to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, it is inevitable that we have many battles to fight. It is wishful thinking that there will be no battles if we are tearing down the kingdom of Satan. The kingdoms of the world are in the hands of Satan. He offered his kingdom to Jesus in return for a little worship. We are commissioned to establish our Lord's Kingdom. That means doing away with Satan's. The more threat you are to him, the more he will harass you. Stay quiet and be no threat to him and he will leave you alone.
Nehemiah did not face oppositions, ridicule, attack, threats and mockery until he started to rebuild the walls. David lived a peaceful, quiet life until he was annointed king. Elijah was not threatened and hunted until Baal's false prophets were killed. John the Baptist was not beheaded until he introduced the Messiah and exposed the sins of Herod. Paul became the persecuted when he received the vision of the true Messiah and sought to convert every Jew from Judaism to Christianity. The illustrations are endless and all speak the same message.
Facing up with the battle
Sit quietly in your comfortable pew or stand behind the pulpit like a clown, you can be sure the enemy will not bother you. Declare war on the enemy and his hordes will come out full force. You can get fearful and retreat (that's what the enemy wants) or you can take the stone that the builders' rejected and successfully face Goliath. You can take Aaron's rod that budded, and the Rod of the stem of Jesse, and go and do exploits with that Name. A sword left in the scabbard is no threat to the enemy. It is when it is drawn in a skillful hand that a battle looms.
What shall we do then? To those who have joined the mighty army, who love not their lives unto death (Rev. 12:11), who know that greater is He that is in them than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), there is no question. They are out in the front lines. They fight with victory in view. Nothing surfaces in their lives that will detract them from victory. Their purpose in life, their commitment and objective, is to establich His Kingdom. We must understant that "The battle is not yours but God's" (2 Chron. 22:15). But He chose to use us.
This calls for a disciplined life. Just like an Olympic Games swimming gold medalist who trained for years to break his own record and every record. He lived swimming and each day was taken up with it. He watched his diet, watched his exercise, cast aside other interests an put everthing he had into one vision - getting an Olympic gold medal for his country and himself.
Christian workers and ministers need to have the same measure of commitment and devotion. We need to ask ourselves - Is there no prize to win? Is there no contest? Is there no adversary that seeks to hinder or destroy us? Does our heavenly citizenship give us no pride? Are we not zealous and willing to pay the price to be winners? Are we not listening to our Coach, the Holy Spirit? How long will it be before He disqualified us? Discipline and commitment will either make or break an athlete, a pastor or any Church worker!
The reality of Satan and demon spirits
There is a battle to be fought because of the fact that we do have an enemy. We must recognize the real person (spiritual) that talked to Eve in the Garden; the real person that talked to Jesus in the wilderness; the real person that sought our Lord's worship, sought to get Jesus to tempt the Father; sought to get Jesus to draw on His diety (Matt. 4:1 - 11). This real person is Satan. Satan and his demons were there to derange the mind and soul of the man at Gadarenes (Luke 8:26 - 39). Satan gave residence to seven of his demons in Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9). He bound a daughter of Abraham, a Jewish believer for 18 years (Luke 13:10 - 16).
Here are some of the evil works of Satan:
Satan claims authority over this world
"Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish'" (Luke 4:5, 6, NKJV).
Satan is the father of every lie
Jesus said: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44, NKJV).
Satan comes as an angel of light
Paul said: "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14).
Satan goes after you as a roaring lion
Peter said: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Sinners are under the control of Satan
Jesus said to Paul: "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 25:17, 18).
Paul said: "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Cor. 4:3, 4).
Satan sometimes afflicts the righteous
"And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand on his person,' So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord" (Job 1:12).
Every calamity is the act of god (Satan, the god of this age)
Many people (Christians and non-christians) attribute every calamity to divine providence - An earthquake takes place, a tornado passes through, a typhoon or monsoon wrecks the vessels at sea. The Insurance companies hasten to say, "It was an act of God", but they don't say which "god."
If a storm was sent by God, then why did Jesus rebuke the storm (Matt. 8:23 - 26)? Can anyone with reasonable thinking conclude that the Father sent a storm to drown His own Son? Or to drown His own children that were in the boat? It is the Devil that comes to kill and destroy (John 10:10). God comes to heal and restore the the bruised, the broken-hearted and to save the lost. He comes that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.
Satan causes cancer, accident and heart attack etc
I was told this story. A little girl was killed by a road accident. At the funeral, the pastor went into detail how God needed another voice in His heavenly choir and chose to take this little girl. If such unscriptural nonsense could be attributed to God, would it not make more sense to translate this child as He did Enoch? Does God need a painful destructive accident to take a loved one hom? It is absurd and sounds blasphemous to attribute such action to a loving God.
No! God, our loving heavenly Father, does not need an accident, a cancer or even a heart attack to take us home. He could just say to us as He did to Moses (in my on words), "Lay down, Moses and fall asleep. I will awaken you in My house in glory" (Deut. 32:49, 50). Or He could just take us as He did Enoch who walked with God right into heaven (Gen. 5:24).
I was told another story. A pastor and his wife with seven children were serving God in a small Local Church. In the process of time, both of them had terminal cancer. The pastor died first and then followed by the wife. Their pastor friends praised God for them for being so faithful. Even without the husband, the wife, inflected with cancer, still carried on His work until the very end. The truth is, even if God allowed it, for some reason, it was Satan who cause this painful situation.
Our defense and victory
There are a number of things believers can do. I have posted a number of messages on spiritual warfare. Please refer to them.
Our defense
James said: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:6, 7, emphasis added).
Peter said: "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world" (1 Peter 5:8, 9, RSV, emphasis added).
Paul said: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11, NKJV, emphasis added).
From the above Scriptures the things we need to do are: Be humble and submit to God and resist the devil; be sober, be watchful and be strong and firm in your faith; and put on the whole armor of God. Notice that we are not able to resist Satan unless we submit ourselves to God first.
An important key in spiritual warfare is to recognize that the attacks of the enemy are are never from within, but always from without. His attacks on Eve, on Christ, or on Job were always from without. His attacks on Christians are also from without. The reason being, he has been removed, cast out from our innermost being when Christ came in and took up residance.
Paul said: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17, emphasis added).
The phrase, "in Christ" means, "to be united to Christ by faith." It denotes a close union. All of our strength and support derived from Him. It denotes that we partake of His fullness. It means, "abide in the vine" (John 15:4). Our old carnal nature (the old man) within us have passed away and crucified with Him.
Our victory
Paul said: "... that you have put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lust, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:22 - 24, emphasis added).
The Devil can only fire his fiery darts of lust and temptation to the spirit of your mind. Once you have located the enemy, and you know his tactics, you, who have the whole armor of God on, can lift the shield of faith and quench all those darts.
The beliver's battle is different than that of the man under the law of sin. The man of Roman 7, who is under the law of sin, has warring going on in his mind, but he does not have the indwelling Christ to give him the victory, and so he is brought into captivity of the law of sin (Romans 7:23). But there is no condemnation, there is no sense of guilt to the man who is in Christ and lives after the Spirit of God (Romans 8:1).
As servants of God, we must take this spiritual warfare very seriously. There are real evil forces out there. Principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness, powers that want to overcome and control man's spirit, soul, mind, emotions and will. The mind is their entry gate. To be victorious we must gird up the loins of your mind (1 Peter 1:3), because Satan attacks the mind with all types of tempatations and imagination, seeking to take back control of that which he lost.
The enemy is always about his business, watching every step, ever action that we make. He watches our loose moments when our guards are down. He looks for opportune times when we may have special needs and urges. Then he strikes when we are least prepared and taken unawares.
Paul said: "For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting ong th breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thess. 5:7, 8).
We have been give the full armor for victory. We have been promised the constant presence of the Lord (Ps. 125:2). The Lord has given us authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). We are designed to be victorious under every kind of circumstance.
Paul said: "If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:31, 35, 38, 39).
We are endowed to be overcomers - read Revelation 2 and 3.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Pastor and the Local Church
The Local Church is part of the Universal Church in a certain locality where believers come together regularly to worship God. It is also called a temple of God, the household of God, and a spiritual house.
Peter said, "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5, NKJV, emphasis added).
Paul said, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in which the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:19 -22, emphasis added).
The above Scriptures say believers are living stones and the Lord Jesus is the chief cornerstone. These Scriptures also say a lot about the Church but say nothing about how the Church is to be built. One thing we know is that the builder is the Lord (Ps. 127:1). And He builds according to His pattern. What pattern? The tabernacle of Moses is a pattern of the Local Church. Moses was commissioned to build exactly the pattern given to him by God. The tabernacle was the habitation of God, the house of God - a type of the Church. Please refer to one of my previous messages.
The Local Church is built upon Christ
Paul said: "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" (1 Cor. 3:9 - 17, NIV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone - the foundation which has already been laid.
2. The Local Church is built upon Christ. Pastors are God's fellow workers. They are not responsible for the foundation, but are responsible for how they build thereon.
3. The quality of workmanship and the materials are fearfully the pastor's responsibility. there is no place for hay, wood and straw, but but for gold, silver and precious stones. God will test and reveal by fire, the pastor's workmanship. If what the pastor built survives, the pastor will receive his reward.
4. Church members collectively are God's field, God's building and God's temple. God's Spirit lives in the Church.
5. The Church is sacred and if anyone destroys the Church, God will destroy him.
We need to understand that gold speaks of Divinity and siver speaks of Redemption - which are precious. Only the most precious and costly materials are to be used in God's building. Solid values that which has been purified by fire can only be used in this glorious temple. These are to be genuine precious stones. There are many stones ad artificial diamonds on the market today that outshine the real things. We must not use substitutes. Sparkling personalities, polished talent are not accepted unless it comes from an experience of the New Birth. I am talking about pastors and his Church members.
The Church - Christ's Body
The Church is God's eternal purpose. His plan, work, sacrifice is always for the Church. The Church is not a passing fancy, a spare time project or after-thought. It s ordained from the beginning of time. Every direction and experience of Israel was given with the Church in mind. Prophecies inspired in the mouth of His prophets spoke of His glorious Church.
The Church is referred to as His Body (Eph. 1:23). It is a complement unto Him, and without her He is incomplete. That is an awesome thought. He intends to reveal His glory, wisdom and power through her. Christ expresses His total being through His Body, the Church. Through her, His love, wisdom, compassion, and power are all expressed. How important it is that we do not live our own life, but let Him live His live through us.
Paul grasped this truth clearly: "I have been crucifed with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ live in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, NKJV).
Pastors cannot effectively build God's holy Church by their own wisdom and effort. Like weaving, the making of the coverings of the Tabernacle, it has to be done through the skillful hands of the Divine weaver. In other words, the pastors need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God alone knows where the dark threads of sorrow, Gethsemane and crucifixion should go. He alone provides the white thread of holiness. He alone knows when to insert the scarlet thread of the bleeding sacrifice, to accentuate the royal purple thread of kingship. God will not leave it to the pastors to choose the thread and do their own weaving. Pastors need to constantly seeking the Lord, in order that the Holy Spirit will come to teach them how to build, not only the lives of members of the congregation, but their own lives as well - after His likeness.
Awesome responsibility of the pastors
The weekly worship service of the Local Church is the pastor's responsibility. It is part of his duty of building up the Body of Christ. The pastor needs wisdom to select the song leader, the backup singers and the musicians. It is also important that the song leader prayerfully seeks the Lord for what choruses and hymns should be sung. Every chorus, every hymn, every remark, every Scripture should be part of the building of the Body. it is sad to say that very often the "worship team" - the pastor, song leader, backup singers and musicians come with little or no practice and preparation. As a result there is a lack of smooth flow as to the theme or tempo. As a result the congregation's adoration and worship expressions are yanked and jerked around like a roller coaster. Too often it is a tiresome series of highs and lows, instead of an ascending of incense where worship ascends, carefully orchestrated by the Holy Spirit unto a sweet-smelling savour unto the Lord.
Whether the pastor himself is the preacher or he has invited a visiting preacher, the pulpit ministry is his responsibility. What purpose is a sermon if it is not for building up the Body of Christ? Too often it is a ranting and raving "Hallelujahs", "Amens". "Glory be to God", "The Lord is a good God" that bear no content worthy of such lofty expressions. Too often if is a recital of disjointed, unrelated Scriptures and keep the worshipers rustling through the pages of the Bible trying to keep up with the barrage of Scripture references.
The pastor's sermon needs to be prayerfully prepared, and carefully thought out to convey a message, so that it will be food for the soul, strength to the weary, muscle for the difficulties ahead. The pastor must not leave the worshipers depressed, short-changed, empty and disillusioned, unprepared to face a complex world. The pastor is responsible for himself and his staff/leaders to so prepare and direct the sorship service that the worshipers will say, "It was good for us to be in the house of the Lord"!
To build the Church is the greatest challenge heaven or earth can offer. It is the Lord's Body, the residence of God. It is made up of people, of God's elect. He is building His dwelling place for all eternity. But He uses people - He has invited pastors to be fellow-laborers. It must be done expeditiously. It must be done according to His Divine "Pattern." - It is composed of those who have experienced repentance towards God; of those who love Christ and hate sin; of those who are filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
Leadership is commissioned to develop, mature, and cause such to be fitly framed together, forming a habitiation for God (Eph. 2:21, 22; 4:13). The health and maturity of such a Body will not result from forms and ceremonies, from endowments and luxurious buildings. it will come from the presence and manifestation of the living Christ. It will come when the people worship Him in Spirit and in truth, for He inhabits the praises of His people. It will come when the manna is gathered and enjoyed daily. The pastor is reponsible to present Christ, the Living Manna, in a palatable form to all assembled.
Where the Church is will-fed, well-exercised, well-informed and well-challenged, she will be well. The pastor's ceaseless efforts, ceaseless prayer with tears and crying, ceaseless study of the Word with example and experience, ceaseless anticipation in its growth and maturity, will lead into ceaseless joy, satisfaction and peace.
The Lord's vision becomes the pastor's vision
The pastor needs to exchange his weakness for the Lord's strength. The Lord's burden becomes his burden. The Lord's vision becomes his vision. He is gripped with an urgency to reach, teach and perfect the Body of Christ. His vision is extended beyond the Local Church, beyond his denomination and country. Even as the Lord sees only one Church, the pastor must also see one Church. People may worship differently; their methods of prayer may be different; their music may be different, but they all love Christ. They are forming not many Churches, but one Church, one Tabernacle. Each member is fitly framed together. The golden rod of the Spirit has passed through each member binding them together in love. To such a Church He whispers: "I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). My beloved is mine!"
The Lord longs that His Church would give Him due love and honor.
To His Church He says: "Be ye holy for I the Lord am holy. Be conformed to My image, for you are My Body. I am preparing you to be a Holy Bride for a Holy Bridegroom to dwell in an eternal holy place prepared for you."
To the pastor (shepherd) He pleads: "My shepherd, there are so many in your care that are not holy. I have chosen you as their shepherd, but their perfection I am charging you with. Have you cared for the wounded, or did you know they were wounded? Worse yet, have you wounded them by your cutting remarks and failed them by your careless living? Do you know those sheep by name and have you loved those lamb? I am holding you, pastor, responsible to feed them so they can be reproductive and profitable. Every unprofitable servant in your charge will be a charge against you. Have you lived for your sheep or have you merely lived off the sheep? When they suffer, do you suffer with them; when they rejoice, do you rejoice with them? What did you do when false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, deceived them and carried them away with false doctrine? Did you go after the wayward and lost, forsaking your own to restore the lost? With all these I have charged you with, and many more, shall I charge you with being an unprofitable servant?
The pastor and his reward
To pastors who have responded to the call of God and have been fruitful and have fought the good fight of faith, the Lord's reward for them is commendable. As Paul said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day" (2 Tim. 4:7, 8, NKJV, emphasis added). Besides the "crown of righteousness" here are some other rewards:
To those who have been faithful in soul winning:
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3, NKJV).
To those who have been humble servants:
"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward" (Matt. 10:42).
To those who have been faithful stewards:
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (Matt. 25:23).
To those who have been faithful in the Lord's wineyard (Church):
"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (1 Cor. 3:8).
To those who have sown bountifully:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Cor. 9:6).
To those who have been faithful in their work:
"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matt 16:27).
To those who have been faithful to find the lost sheep:
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:6, 7).
To those who have been faithful in benevolence:
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil" (Luke 6:35).
To those who have endured persecution:
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11, 12).
The above are only some of the rewards and you will find many more. For example, those who have been identified as overcomers mentioned in the seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3, will receive many other rewards.
Our God is a good and faith God!
Peter said, "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5, NKJV, emphasis added).
Paul said, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in which the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:19 -22, emphasis added).
The above Scriptures say believers are living stones and the Lord Jesus is the chief cornerstone. These Scriptures also say a lot about the Church but say nothing about how the Church is to be built. One thing we know is that the builder is the Lord (Ps. 127:1). And He builds according to His pattern. What pattern? The tabernacle of Moses is a pattern of the Local Church. Moses was commissioned to build exactly the pattern given to him by God. The tabernacle was the habitation of God, the house of God - a type of the Church. Please refer to one of my previous messages.
The Local Church is built upon Christ
Paul said: "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" (1 Cor. 3:9 - 17, NIV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone - the foundation which has already been laid.
2. The Local Church is built upon Christ. Pastors are God's fellow workers. They are not responsible for the foundation, but are responsible for how they build thereon.
3. The quality of workmanship and the materials are fearfully the pastor's responsibility. there is no place for hay, wood and straw, but but for gold, silver and precious stones. God will test and reveal by fire, the pastor's workmanship. If what the pastor built survives, the pastor will receive his reward.
4. Church members collectively are God's field, God's building and God's temple. God's Spirit lives in the Church.
5. The Church is sacred and if anyone destroys the Church, God will destroy him.
We need to understand that gold speaks of Divinity and siver speaks of Redemption - which are precious. Only the most precious and costly materials are to be used in God's building. Solid values that which has been purified by fire can only be used in this glorious temple. These are to be genuine precious stones. There are many stones ad artificial diamonds on the market today that outshine the real things. We must not use substitutes. Sparkling personalities, polished talent are not accepted unless it comes from an experience of the New Birth. I am talking about pastors and his Church members.
The Church - Christ's Body
The Church is God's eternal purpose. His plan, work, sacrifice is always for the Church. The Church is not a passing fancy, a spare time project or after-thought. It s ordained from the beginning of time. Every direction and experience of Israel was given with the Church in mind. Prophecies inspired in the mouth of His prophets spoke of His glorious Church.
The Church is referred to as His Body (Eph. 1:23). It is a complement unto Him, and without her He is incomplete. That is an awesome thought. He intends to reveal His glory, wisdom and power through her. Christ expresses His total being through His Body, the Church. Through her, His love, wisdom, compassion, and power are all expressed. How important it is that we do not live our own life, but let Him live His live through us.
Paul grasped this truth clearly: "I have been crucifed with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ live in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, NKJV).
Pastors cannot effectively build God's holy Church by their own wisdom and effort. Like weaving, the making of the coverings of the Tabernacle, it has to be done through the skillful hands of the Divine weaver. In other words, the pastors need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God alone knows where the dark threads of sorrow, Gethsemane and crucifixion should go. He alone provides the white thread of holiness. He alone knows when to insert the scarlet thread of the bleeding sacrifice, to accentuate the royal purple thread of kingship. God will not leave it to the pastors to choose the thread and do their own weaving. Pastors need to constantly seeking the Lord, in order that the Holy Spirit will come to teach them how to build, not only the lives of members of the congregation, but their own lives as well - after His likeness.
Awesome responsibility of the pastors
The weekly worship service of the Local Church is the pastor's responsibility. It is part of his duty of building up the Body of Christ. The pastor needs wisdom to select the song leader, the backup singers and the musicians. It is also important that the song leader prayerfully seeks the Lord for what choruses and hymns should be sung. Every chorus, every hymn, every remark, every Scripture should be part of the building of the Body. it is sad to say that very often the "worship team" - the pastor, song leader, backup singers and musicians come with little or no practice and preparation. As a result there is a lack of smooth flow as to the theme or tempo. As a result the congregation's adoration and worship expressions are yanked and jerked around like a roller coaster. Too often it is a tiresome series of highs and lows, instead of an ascending of incense where worship ascends, carefully orchestrated by the Holy Spirit unto a sweet-smelling savour unto the Lord.
Whether the pastor himself is the preacher or he has invited a visiting preacher, the pulpit ministry is his responsibility. What purpose is a sermon if it is not for building up the Body of Christ? Too often it is a ranting and raving "Hallelujahs", "Amens". "Glory be to God", "The Lord is a good God" that bear no content worthy of such lofty expressions. Too often if is a recital of disjointed, unrelated Scriptures and keep the worshipers rustling through the pages of the Bible trying to keep up with the barrage of Scripture references.
The pastor's sermon needs to be prayerfully prepared, and carefully thought out to convey a message, so that it will be food for the soul, strength to the weary, muscle for the difficulties ahead. The pastor must not leave the worshipers depressed, short-changed, empty and disillusioned, unprepared to face a complex world. The pastor is responsible for himself and his staff/leaders to so prepare and direct the sorship service that the worshipers will say, "It was good for us to be in the house of the Lord"!
To build the Church is the greatest challenge heaven or earth can offer. It is the Lord's Body, the residence of God. It is made up of people, of God's elect. He is building His dwelling place for all eternity. But He uses people - He has invited pastors to be fellow-laborers. It must be done expeditiously. It must be done according to His Divine "Pattern." - It is composed of those who have experienced repentance towards God; of those who love Christ and hate sin; of those who are filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
Leadership is commissioned to develop, mature, and cause such to be fitly framed together, forming a habitiation for God (Eph. 2:21, 22; 4:13). The health and maturity of such a Body will not result from forms and ceremonies, from endowments and luxurious buildings. it will come from the presence and manifestation of the living Christ. It will come when the people worship Him in Spirit and in truth, for He inhabits the praises of His people. It will come when the manna is gathered and enjoyed daily. The pastor is reponsible to present Christ, the Living Manna, in a palatable form to all assembled.
Where the Church is will-fed, well-exercised, well-informed and well-challenged, she will be well. The pastor's ceaseless efforts, ceaseless prayer with tears and crying, ceaseless study of the Word with example and experience, ceaseless anticipation in its growth and maturity, will lead into ceaseless joy, satisfaction and peace.
The Lord's vision becomes the pastor's vision
The pastor needs to exchange his weakness for the Lord's strength. The Lord's burden becomes his burden. The Lord's vision becomes his vision. He is gripped with an urgency to reach, teach and perfect the Body of Christ. His vision is extended beyond the Local Church, beyond his denomination and country. Even as the Lord sees only one Church, the pastor must also see one Church. People may worship differently; their methods of prayer may be different; their music may be different, but they all love Christ. They are forming not many Churches, but one Church, one Tabernacle. Each member is fitly framed together. The golden rod of the Spirit has passed through each member binding them together in love. To such a Church He whispers: "I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). My beloved is mine!"
The Lord longs that His Church would give Him due love and honor.
To His Church He says: "Be ye holy for I the Lord am holy. Be conformed to My image, for you are My Body. I am preparing you to be a Holy Bride for a Holy Bridegroom to dwell in an eternal holy place prepared for you."
To the pastor (shepherd) He pleads: "My shepherd, there are so many in your care that are not holy. I have chosen you as their shepherd, but their perfection I am charging you with. Have you cared for the wounded, or did you know they were wounded? Worse yet, have you wounded them by your cutting remarks and failed them by your careless living? Do you know those sheep by name and have you loved those lamb? I am holding you, pastor, responsible to feed them so they can be reproductive and profitable. Every unprofitable servant in your charge will be a charge against you. Have you lived for your sheep or have you merely lived off the sheep? When they suffer, do you suffer with them; when they rejoice, do you rejoice with them? What did you do when false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, deceived them and carried them away with false doctrine? Did you go after the wayward and lost, forsaking your own to restore the lost? With all these I have charged you with, and many more, shall I charge you with being an unprofitable servant?
The pastor and his reward
To pastors who have responded to the call of God and have been fruitful and have fought the good fight of faith, the Lord's reward for them is commendable. As Paul said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day" (2 Tim. 4:7, 8, NKJV, emphasis added). Besides the "crown of righteousness" here are some other rewards:
To those who have been faithful in soul winning:
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3, NKJV).
To those who have been humble servants:
"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward" (Matt. 10:42).
To those who have been faithful stewards:
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (Matt. 25:23).
To those who have been faithful in the Lord's wineyard (Church):
"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (1 Cor. 3:8).
To those who have sown bountifully:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Cor. 9:6).
To those who have been faithful in their work:
"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matt 16:27).
To those who have been faithful to find the lost sheep:
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:6, 7).
To those who have been faithful in benevolence:
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil" (Luke 6:35).
To those who have endured persecution:
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11, 12).
The above are only some of the rewards and you will find many more. For example, those who have been identified as overcomers mentioned in the seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3, will receive many other rewards.
Our God is a good and faith God!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fulfilling God's Calling
Every believer is called into the full-time ministry. Every adult person needs to fulfill God's calling - either in full-time ministry in the Body of Christ or have a "secular" job. Many people do not understand that having a secular job - be it a janitor, a homemaker, a teacher or a doctor is both a ministry and a calling of God. Nothing happens by chance.
Paul said, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ..." (Eph. 4:11, 12, NKJV, emphasis added).
Any one of the five-fold ministry - apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor (shepherd) and teacher, should not be undertaken unless one has been especially called for such a purpose. He is a minister of the Lord and Jesus Christ alone does the choosing. He who is called by Him, has the benefit of a personal encounter and experience resulting in "knowing" that he is called. Notice that the apostle, prophet and evangelist are "mobile" ministry; the ministry of the pastor is "resident." That means the pastor stays with the Local Church. But the teacher can be both "mobile" and "resident."
This message concerns God's calling of a Pastor. We compare the ministry of the pastor with that of the Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul. We shall also deal with an interesting comparison between the calling of a pastor with that of a secular employee.
By the way, the relation between eating and working is two-fold: First, Paul was writing to believers of the Church of the Thessalonians that believers should not be supported by the Church unless they are willing to work. Second, working is part of a curse (punishment) handed down to mankind because of the Fall: "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, ..." (Gen. 3:19).
Paul said, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10, NKJV).
I am not being unkind to pastors but I just want to point out what the Scripture says about the ministry of a true pastor. A pastor is a believer and therefore if he does not work according to the Lord's calling for him as a shepherd, he should not eat!
The ministry of today's pastor/shepherd must be plural
In any denomination, it is impossible to have only one pastor in a Local Church. The pastor is often called to the main Church/main office for board meeting, conference for leaders and working committee meeting every month. And so the Local Church is left without a shepherd during that time. Every year the same pastor will go for his sabbatical for a long period of time. Very often this is just a holiday with his wife and family members. Furthermore, if he is involved in a new program or project for the Local Church, the same pastor needs to travel abroad to consult his mentor. All these activities take the pastor away from the Local Church for two to three months every year. The weekly attendance decreases progressively as the pastor stays away from his local congregation. The longer he stays away, the lower will be the attendance the following week. People might say that they come to Church not because the pastor is there. They come because they want to receive a message from God. Well said, but I believe this is a spiritual principle. Of course you cannot blame the pastor for being the only one who is blind; the main Church is equally blind. It is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Jesus said, "Let them alone. They are blind leads of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matt. 15:14).
The pastor is totally clueless regarding his duty as a shepherd. A true pastor needs to spend quality time with his local congregation. The problem can be partly solved if he realizes that the ministry of the shepherd must be plural in these circumstances. In other words, every local congregation needs at least two pastor. But it is not a green light for every pastor to take turns to spend time away.
Pastors at ease
Amos, a prophet, was somewhat obscured, but the Lord used him mightily to bring forth a powerful and timely message:
"Woe to you who are at ease in Zion. Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near; who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall; who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments like David; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos 6:1, 3 - 6).
During the evil reign in the land, Amos had something to say to those who were at ease in Zion. In Scripture, Zion is always a type of the Church. The people lived as if there was no wickedness in the land. They treated the evil as if it were in some far-off place. They relaxed on their ivory beds, drank the wine and lived in luxury. They failed to arise to challenge and change the situation.
This gives a vivid picture of many of God's servants, including pastors, today. They are at ease in Zion! They are lying around on "beds of ease" and live like millionaires. Even unbelievers hardly believe that they are "men of God." Their frivoluos lifestyle not only a bad testimony, but also an insult to the Chief Shepherd!
Admittedly, not many pastors are at ease in Zion. Not all Local Churches have turned worldly. Unfortunately too many relate to Amos' prophecy above. A pastor who is at ease in Zion should be reminded that he will have to give an account for flock that has been entrusted to his care. He will be held responsible for their lack of bearing lambs. It is his responsibility to feed the flock so that they will be fruit-bearing. It is his responsibility to tend to the lambs so they will come into full stature (Eph. 4:13). It is his responsibility to restore the lost and straying, to care for the weak and sickly. It is his responsibility to protect them from the wolf and the evil one. It is a fulltime job ordained by the Chief Shepherd.
If a pastor is truly called and anointed with the Spirit he will succeed. The flock will multiply, the sheep will know his voice and he will know them individually.
Primary ministry of a Pastor
Being a pastor in not a job, it is a "charge!" You are charged with caring, nurturing, building and expanding a Church that has been purchased by the precious blood of Christ. It has come forth at a great sacrifice. you must be stable and steadfast in preparing to touch every live in your area of charge. One of the members might say: "We have a stable pastor - so stable he won't move. He has been here for ten years. There has been no growth, rather the membership is declining." Yes, he is stable in character, in his home life, but of course we are not talking about that. We are talking about the areas of responsibility and accountability that come with the ministry.
A pastor's commitment to Christ
The level of a pastor's commitment to Christ need to tbe the same as Paul's commitment to Christ and also Timothy's commitment to Paul.
Paul's commitment to Christ
It was total - spirit and soul and body. There were no hidden rooms or areas in his life. he no longer lived for himself. Every area that may conflict with the purposes of Christ was crucified. Every ambition, passion, emotion or feeling was turned over to the Lord. He chose to allow Christ to reign and live through his entire being:
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, NKJV).
Paul told Timothy: "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Tim. 1:12).
Paul recognized that his commitment was to a Divine person with a Divine commission. Paul counted the cost before he started. Similarly, a pastor should count the cost before he starts. He should know what his luggage will be for his journey. The Lord says to him: "Here's your cross, son, and we are going to your crucifixion!"
When Christ faced Jerusalem and crucifixion, well meaning people tried to dissuade Him, suggesting it was a waste of one's life and talent. But it was a joy for Him to die for my sins and your sins.
"... who (Jesus) for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
A pastor's love for Christ, his commitment to Christ, must supersede all other loves and all other commitments.
Timothy's commitment to Paul
Paul expected Timothy to hold fast the words that he heard from Paul's lips:
Paul told Timothy: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13).
Similarly, a pastor is to hold fast the Word of God without compromise. That does not mean that he needs a period of training in a Bible College or a Seminary. There are many effective pastors who have not had the benefit (or drawback) of seminary training. You can find many Bible College graduates sitting in dying Local Churches. They have gone so deep in theology and come up so dry that their Church members just withered away. Why? There have not been any "rivers of living water" flowing from the pulpit. Pastors need to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
Commitment to a vision
To be successful in the work of the Lord the pastor must have a vision. The vision of the Lord must become the pastor's vision. The Lord's vision was to establish His Kingdom in a lost world. See how Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 13:34). See how He, moved with compassion, wept over the lost:
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matt. 9:36).
There are a lot of lost sheep without a shepherd out there. The Lord expects the pastor, who is called to be a shepherd, to weep over the lost also. Therefore, if a pastor who does not have a vision for his city and community ought to pray and get one. If he has a vision, what is he doing to implement it? A vision that is not in harmony with the Lord's vision is not His vision. The Lord never saw a group of stagnant believers with no growth, no progress, no influence and no activity. He saw them as salt that is applied in a rotten society. He saw them as light on a hill dispelling the darkness and revealing the way in which to go. A fruit treee that is not bearing fruit will not be allowed to cumber the ground.
Paul said, "... I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19).
Similarly, if the Lord does give a pastor a heavenly vision, let him be obedient and fulfill His Vision.
A pastor's personal walk
The pastor is called and appointed to represent Jesus Christ to His Church and community. His life and walk should be of the highest order. It should in every way reflect the walk of Jesus.
John said, "He sho says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
Paul said, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:1 - 3).
It is true that the above requirement is for all believers and not only for pastors. But, the pastors as shepherds, must lead his sheep to walk as Jesus walked and to be good examples to them.
Comparison between the ministries of a pastor to that of a secular employee
For the pastor at ease
This comprison is meant for a pastor who is at ease in Zion. The boss of the pastor is Christ who does not see if rules are followed or not followed. And so some pastors take their days off for the children, days for the wife, days to be with guests, days for conventions and take long holidays abroad. They check in late and check out early, and usually don't put in a 40-hour week.
A secular employee has strict rules to follow according to the emplyment agreement. If he is not an excutive staff, he has to clock in and clock out. If hes does not put in a 8 to 10 hours day, his salary will be deducted. His annual leave is limited according to seniority. His emergency leave is considered no-pay leave. His sick leave is also limitted. And when he is sick he must not be seen on holidays. His boss does his job evaluation annually and his salary increment, bonus and promotion depend on the result.
For the successful pastor
He is a God-fearing pastor. He knows God sees his heart. God is watching him and his motives at all times. The successful pastor is on call 24 hours a day. His is in the office before the staff arrives. he is praying, planning, counseling, visiting the sick and homebound, studying and working all hours others know nothing about. He does not advertise his commitment. He expects no special mention or recognition for the same. He does not expect compliments, bonuses or even promotions. He is a love-slave and does it because he loves Christ and His Church!
Paul said, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ..." (Eph. 4:11, 12, NKJV, emphasis added).
Any one of the five-fold ministry - apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor (shepherd) and teacher, should not be undertaken unless one has been especially called for such a purpose. He is a minister of the Lord and Jesus Christ alone does the choosing. He who is called by Him, has the benefit of a personal encounter and experience resulting in "knowing" that he is called. Notice that the apostle, prophet and evangelist are "mobile" ministry; the ministry of the pastor is "resident." That means the pastor stays with the Local Church. But the teacher can be both "mobile" and "resident."
This message concerns God's calling of a Pastor. We compare the ministry of the pastor with that of the Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul. We shall also deal with an interesting comparison between the calling of a pastor with that of a secular employee.
By the way, the relation between eating and working is two-fold: First, Paul was writing to believers of the Church of the Thessalonians that believers should not be supported by the Church unless they are willing to work. Second, working is part of a curse (punishment) handed down to mankind because of the Fall: "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, ..." (Gen. 3:19).
Paul said, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10, NKJV).
I am not being unkind to pastors but I just want to point out what the Scripture says about the ministry of a true pastor. A pastor is a believer and therefore if he does not work according to the Lord's calling for him as a shepherd, he should not eat!
The ministry of today's pastor/shepherd must be plural
In any denomination, it is impossible to have only one pastor in a Local Church. The pastor is often called to the main Church/main office for board meeting, conference for leaders and working committee meeting every month. And so the Local Church is left without a shepherd during that time. Every year the same pastor will go for his sabbatical for a long period of time. Very often this is just a holiday with his wife and family members. Furthermore, if he is involved in a new program or project for the Local Church, the same pastor needs to travel abroad to consult his mentor. All these activities take the pastor away from the Local Church for two to three months every year. The weekly attendance decreases progressively as the pastor stays away from his local congregation. The longer he stays away, the lower will be the attendance the following week. People might say that they come to Church not because the pastor is there. They come because they want to receive a message from God. Well said, but I believe this is a spiritual principle. Of course you cannot blame the pastor for being the only one who is blind; the main Church is equally blind. It is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Jesus said, "Let them alone. They are blind leads of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matt. 15:14).
The pastor is totally clueless regarding his duty as a shepherd. A true pastor needs to spend quality time with his local congregation. The problem can be partly solved if he realizes that the ministry of the shepherd must be plural in these circumstances. In other words, every local congregation needs at least two pastor. But it is not a green light for every pastor to take turns to spend time away.
Pastors at ease
Amos, a prophet, was somewhat obscured, but the Lord used him mightily to bring forth a powerful and timely message:
"Woe to you who are at ease in Zion. Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near; who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall; who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments like David; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos 6:1, 3 - 6).
During the evil reign in the land, Amos had something to say to those who were at ease in Zion. In Scripture, Zion is always a type of the Church. The people lived as if there was no wickedness in the land. They treated the evil as if it were in some far-off place. They relaxed on their ivory beds, drank the wine and lived in luxury. They failed to arise to challenge and change the situation.
This gives a vivid picture of many of God's servants, including pastors, today. They are at ease in Zion! They are lying around on "beds of ease" and live like millionaires. Even unbelievers hardly believe that they are "men of God." Their frivoluos lifestyle not only a bad testimony, but also an insult to the Chief Shepherd!
Admittedly, not many pastors are at ease in Zion. Not all Local Churches have turned worldly. Unfortunately too many relate to Amos' prophecy above. A pastor who is at ease in Zion should be reminded that he will have to give an account for flock that has been entrusted to his care. He will be held responsible for their lack of bearing lambs. It is his responsibility to feed the flock so that they will be fruit-bearing. It is his responsibility to tend to the lambs so they will come into full stature (Eph. 4:13). It is his responsibility to restore the lost and straying, to care for the weak and sickly. It is his responsibility to protect them from the wolf and the evil one. It is a fulltime job ordained by the Chief Shepherd.
If a pastor is truly called and anointed with the Spirit he will succeed. The flock will multiply, the sheep will know his voice and he will know them individually.
Primary ministry of a Pastor
Being a pastor in not a job, it is a "charge!" You are charged with caring, nurturing, building and expanding a Church that has been purchased by the precious blood of Christ. It has come forth at a great sacrifice. you must be stable and steadfast in preparing to touch every live in your area of charge. One of the members might say: "We have a stable pastor - so stable he won't move. He has been here for ten years. There has been no growth, rather the membership is declining." Yes, he is stable in character, in his home life, but of course we are not talking about that. We are talking about the areas of responsibility and accountability that come with the ministry.
A pastor's commitment to Christ
The level of a pastor's commitment to Christ need to tbe the same as Paul's commitment to Christ and also Timothy's commitment to Paul.
Paul's commitment to Christ
It was total - spirit and soul and body. There were no hidden rooms or areas in his life. he no longer lived for himself. Every area that may conflict with the purposes of Christ was crucified. Every ambition, passion, emotion or feeling was turned over to the Lord. He chose to allow Christ to reign and live through his entire being:
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, NKJV).
Paul told Timothy: "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Tim. 1:12).
Paul recognized that his commitment was to a Divine person with a Divine commission. Paul counted the cost before he started. Similarly, a pastor should count the cost before he starts. He should know what his luggage will be for his journey. The Lord says to him: "Here's your cross, son, and we are going to your crucifixion!"
When Christ faced Jerusalem and crucifixion, well meaning people tried to dissuade Him, suggesting it was a waste of one's life and talent. But it was a joy for Him to die for my sins and your sins.
"... who (Jesus) for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
A pastor's love for Christ, his commitment to Christ, must supersede all other loves and all other commitments.
Timothy's commitment to Paul
Paul expected Timothy to hold fast the words that he heard from Paul's lips:
Paul told Timothy: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13).
Similarly, a pastor is to hold fast the Word of God without compromise. That does not mean that he needs a period of training in a Bible College or a Seminary. There are many effective pastors who have not had the benefit (or drawback) of seminary training. You can find many Bible College graduates sitting in dying Local Churches. They have gone so deep in theology and come up so dry that their Church members just withered away. Why? There have not been any "rivers of living water" flowing from the pulpit. Pastors need to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
Commitment to a vision
To be successful in the work of the Lord the pastor must have a vision. The vision of the Lord must become the pastor's vision. The Lord's vision was to establish His Kingdom in a lost world. See how Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 13:34). See how He, moved with compassion, wept over the lost:
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matt. 9:36).
There are a lot of lost sheep without a shepherd out there. The Lord expects the pastor, who is called to be a shepherd, to weep over the lost also. Therefore, if a pastor who does not have a vision for his city and community ought to pray and get one. If he has a vision, what is he doing to implement it? A vision that is not in harmony with the Lord's vision is not His vision. The Lord never saw a group of stagnant believers with no growth, no progress, no influence and no activity. He saw them as salt that is applied in a rotten society. He saw them as light on a hill dispelling the darkness and revealing the way in which to go. A fruit treee that is not bearing fruit will not be allowed to cumber the ground.
Paul said, "... I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19).
Similarly, if the Lord does give a pastor a heavenly vision, let him be obedient and fulfill His Vision.
A pastor's personal walk
The pastor is called and appointed to represent Jesus Christ to His Church and community. His life and walk should be of the highest order. It should in every way reflect the walk of Jesus.
John said, "He sho says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
Paul said, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:1 - 3).
It is true that the above requirement is for all believers and not only for pastors. But, the pastors as shepherds, must lead his sheep to walk as Jesus walked and to be good examples to them.
Comparison between the ministries of a pastor to that of a secular employee
For the pastor at ease
This comprison is meant for a pastor who is at ease in Zion. The boss of the pastor is Christ who does not see if rules are followed or not followed. And so some pastors take their days off for the children, days for the wife, days to be with guests, days for conventions and take long holidays abroad. They check in late and check out early, and usually don't put in a 40-hour week.
A secular employee has strict rules to follow according to the emplyment agreement. If he is not an excutive staff, he has to clock in and clock out. If hes does not put in a 8 to 10 hours day, his salary will be deducted. His annual leave is limited according to seniority. His emergency leave is considered no-pay leave. His sick leave is also limitted. And when he is sick he must not be seen on holidays. His boss does his job evaluation annually and his salary increment, bonus and promotion depend on the result.
For the successful pastor
He is a God-fearing pastor. He knows God sees his heart. God is watching him and his motives at all times. The successful pastor is on call 24 hours a day. His is in the office before the staff arrives. he is praying, planning, counseling, visiting the sick and homebound, studying and working all hours others know nothing about. He does not advertise his commitment. He expects no special mention or recognition for the same. He does not expect compliments, bonuses or even promotions. He is a love-slave and does it because he loves Christ and His Church!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Joy of Acceptance
My previous message, "Biblical Remedy for Rejection" ends with these words concerning what God had done at the cross: "The barrier between God and man had been removed. The way was opened for man to come to God without shame, without guilt and without fear. Jesus took our rejection so that we might experience His acceptance!"
Let us seach the Scripture and find out what a joy it is to be accepted into God's family. Bear in mind that I am not talking about the Local Church. What we are talking about is a section the Universal Church which will be Bride of Christ. In this sense, we need to realize that there is no family quite equal to the family of God. Even if your own family did not care for you, your own father rejected you, your mother never had time for you, or your husband never show you love, bear in mind that God wants you. You are accepted; you are highly favored; you are the object of His special care and affection. Everything He does in the universe revolves around you.
God as our Father
Before His crucifixion, Jesus' last prayer with His disciples was for those who followed Him then as well as for those who would follow afterward. If you ar a disciple of Christ then the answer of this prayer will work in your life (John 17:20).
This prayer concerned our relationship with God as our Father and ended this way:
"O righteous Father! The world has not know You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them You Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17:25, 26, NKJV, emphasis added).
Notice that Jesus made God known to us as Father. The Jews had known God as Yahweh for fourteen centuries, but the only person who could introduce Him as Father was His Son.
I believe Verse 26 (emphasized) means that because Jesus is in us, God has exactly the same love for us as He has for Jesus. We are as dear to God as Jesus Himself is. However, there is also another aspect to this. Because Jesus is in us, we can love God in the same way that Jesus loves Him.
This represents the ultimate purpose of the earthly ministry of Jesus: to bring us into the same love relationship that exists between the Father and the Son. This has two aspects: not only does the Father have the same love for us that He has for Jesus, but also we can reciprocate with the same love for the Father that Jesus has.
John said, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, ..." (1 John 4:18, NKJV).
As we develop this love relationship with God, it leaves no room for guilt, for insecurity, or for rejection.
Perhaps you have unhappy memories of a human father. God intended every father to demonstrate what He Himself is, but many fathers have failed. Yet you still have a heavenly Father who loves you, who understands you, who thinks the best of you, and who plans the best for you. He will never abandon you, never misunderstand you, never take sides against you; nor will He ever reject you.
From rejection to acceptance
Let us consider wha appropriate steps to take as we travel the road from rejection to acceptance:
1. Be honest to yourself; admitting that you are wounded and have a problem of rejection. God always has to bring us to the moment of truth, even though it may seem devastating and extremely painful, before we can receive His help.
2. Forgive the one who had wounded you. You need to take Jesus as your pattern.
Let us seach the Scripture and find out what a joy it is to be accepted into God's family. Bear in mind that I am not talking about the Local Church. What we are talking about is a section the Universal Church which will be Bride of Christ. In this sense, we need to realize that there is no family quite equal to the family of God. Even if your own family did not care for you, your own father rejected you, your mother never had time for you, or your husband never show you love, bear in mind that God wants you. You are accepted; you are highly favored; you are the object of His special care and affection. Everything He does in the universe revolves around you.
God as our Father
Before His crucifixion, Jesus' last prayer with His disciples was for those who followed Him then as well as for those who would follow afterward. If you ar a disciple of Christ then the answer of this prayer will work in your life (John 17:20).
This prayer concerned our relationship with God as our Father and ended this way:
"O righteous Father! The world has not know You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them You Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17:25, 26, NKJV, emphasis added).
Notice that Jesus made God known to us as Father. The Jews had known God as Yahweh for fourteen centuries, but the only person who could introduce Him as Father was His Son.
I believe Verse 26 (emphasized) means that because Jesus is in us, God has exactly the same love for us as He has for Jesus. We are as dear to God as Jesus Himself is. However, there is also another aspect to this. Because Jesus is in us, we can love God in the same way that Jesus loves Him.
This represents the ultimate purpose of the earthly ministry of Jesus: to bring us into the same love relationship that exists between the Father and the Son. This has two aspects: not only does the Father have the same love for us that He has for Jesus, but also we can reciprocate with the same love for the Father that Jesus has.
John said, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, ..." (1 John 4:18, NKJV).
As we develop this love relationship with God, it leaves no room for guilt, for insecurity, or for rejection.
Perhaps you have unhappy memories of a human father. God intended every father to demonstrate what He Himself is, but many fathers have failed. Yet you still have a heavenly Father who loves you, who understands you, who thinks the best of you, and who plans the best for you. He will never abandon you, never misunderstand you, never take sides against you; nor will He ever reject you.
From rejection to acceptance
Let us consider wha appropriate steps to take as we travel the road from rejection to acceptance:
1. Be honest to yourself; admitting that you are wounded and have a problem of rejection. God always has to bring us to the moment of truth, even though it may seem devastating and extremely painful, before we can receive His help.
2. Forgive the one who had wounded you. You need to take Jesus as your pattern.
Peter said, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffer for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps ..." (1 Peter 2:21, NKJV).
How Jesus met rejection? In many ways. The people chose to release Barabbas, a criminal and crucified Jesus instead (Luke 23:13 - 25). In response, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34).
This is not an easy thing to do. We need the Holy Spirit to give us the supernatural grace to forgive those who had hurt and wounded us.
If the source of your wound is your father you must follow the only Commandment with a promise:
"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you" (Deut. 5:16, NIV).
You can be sure of this: if you do not honor your parents, your life will never go well; but if you do, God will favor you with a long, blessed life (see also Ephesians 6:2, 3). It make no difference what your father is (perhaps an alcoholic) you must still honor him. You do not honor him as an alcoholic, but as your father.
3. Make a conscious decision to get rid of the bad fruit that rejection has produced in your life - such as bitterness, resentment, hatred, and rebellion. If you nourish them in your heart, they will poison your whole life. They will cause you deep emotional problems and quite likely physical problems also. If your father (whether he is dead or alive) was the source your wound then you must make a conscious effort to forgive him.
4. Believe God has already accepted you and so receive what God has already done for you.
Paul said, "God has made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6, emphasis added).
When you come to God through Jesus, you discover that you are already accepted. God has no second-class children. He does not just tolerate you. He loves you. He is interested in you and He cares for you. God's purpose from eternity was to make us His children, which He accomplished through the death of Jesus for us on the cross (Eph. 1:4, 5). The only thing you need to do is to believe that God wants you to be His child. When you come to God through Jesus, He has already accepted you.
5. Accept yourself. Sometimes this is the hardest thing to do. You can (and must) accept yourself because God has accepted you. If you don't then you are found rebellious in the eyes of God.
When you come to God in Jesus, you become a new creation:
Paul said, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV).
You can no longer evaluate yourself on the basis of the way you lived before you come to Christ, because you have become a new creation since then. Now, your only true standard of self-evaluation is what God says about who you have become in Jesus. As you repeatedly declare who you are in Christ according to God's Word, you will begin to override the old, negative self-talk and learn to accept yourself.
Finding acceptance by God's people
Just to know that God has already accepted you, without condition, is not enough. The next thing to do is to discover your place in the body of Christ. As Christianss, we are never isolated individuals. We are brought into a relationship with our fellow believers. That relationship is one of the ways in which our accptance is worked out in our day-to-day living. Acceptance by our Father in heaven is the first step and the most important. However, acceptance also has to find expression in our relatioships with our fellow believers. Christians collectively constitute one body, with each Christian a member of that body.
Paul said, "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:4, 5).
Since we are members of one body, and each of us belongs to all the others, we can never find full satisfaction, peace, or acceptance apart from the other members. We all need one another. God created the body so that the members are interdependent (read 1 Cor. 12:14 - 16; 21 - 23). None of us can function effectively alone. You need other members, and they need you. Finding your places in the body will make your acceptance a real day-to-day experience.
The Lord's Prayer begins with: "Our Father" (Matt. 6:9). This tells us two things. First, we have a Father who is God. That means we are accepted vertically by God. But the first word is "our" and not "my", which tells us that we are members of a family, with a lot of other children in that family. Our acceptance becomes effective horizontally only when we find and fit into our place in the family. Therefore, we find vertical acceptance with God and horizontal acceptance in God's family.
Paul said, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19, emphasis added).
The psalmist said: "God sets the soltary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land" (Ps. 68:6, NKJV).
God's purpose is to bring you, who are lonely, into a family. In doing so, He breaks the chains that bind you, and He brings you into happiness (prosperity). Only people who refuse God's leadership have to dwell in a dry land (speaks of rejection).
The flow of divine love
It is true that rejection is one of the greatest hindrances to divine love. The reason being, as we discovered in my previous message, the primary result of rejection is the inability to receive love from others and to communicate love to them. Acceptance is just the opposite - we can communicate love to others. God's love first flows into us and then out through us to the world at large. In other words, we are the channels by which God's love flow to touch lives in the dark world.
Two phases of divine love
The flow of God's love consists of two successive phases. First, God's love is "outpoured"; then God's love is "outwork". The first phase is a tremendous supernatural experience; the second is the gradual, progressive formation of godly character.
1. Supernatural experience of God's love
Paul said, "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).
When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit (Paul's epistles were written to Spirit baptized believers) hope is never disappointed when it is fixed in God because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts - the totality of God's love. God withholds nothing. He just turn the "bucket" upside down and pours out the whole thing when He gives us the Holy Spirit.
2. Formation of Godly characters
A supernatural experience of the outpoured love of God is wonderful, but much more needs to be done to form our characters. God has to take us beyond the supernatural outpouring of love to the formation of a character that consistently expresses His love. That is a process, a long process, and it requires God's patience to take us through it.
John said, "He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:4 - 6. NKJV, emphasis added).
The phrase: "whoever keeps His word" means "whoever consistently obeys His word." If we faithfully follow Christ's guidance by walking as He did in obedience to the Scriptures, God's love will gradually be brought to completion, or maturity, in us.
Peter said: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Peter 1:5 - 7, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here Peter gives the seven successive phases in the process of character building. Notice that there are seven successive steps to divine love. The starting point with everything God does is faith. There is no other place to begin. But after God has given us faith, there has to be a process of character development. Here are the seven successive steps:
1. Virtue - It means "excellence." Excellence is the mark of a true Christian. If you were a janitor before you were saved, be a better janitor afterward. If you were a teacher before, be a better teacher afterward. We must add excellence to our faith.
2. Knowledge - Primarily, this means the knowledge of God's will and the knowledge of His Word. Secular knowledge is often important to acquire, especially in developing the necessary skills for your vocation, but even more important is learning what God's will is for your life in every circumstance which can be discovered by thoroughly studying His Word.
3. Self-control - There is a point beyond which you cannot go in character development if you do not learn to control yourself, your emotion, your words, your appetites, and all the things that motivate you.
4. Perseverance - Stick it out! Again, there is a point beyond which you will never advance if you do not learn to persevere. Otherwise, every time you are about to attain the next stage of development, you will give up.
5. Godliness - Godliness or holiness is developed by allowing the Holy Spirit to control your temperament and every aspect of your being.
6. Brotherly kindness - Brotherly kindness or "love for one another" is our testimony to the world. Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35, NKJV).
7. Love - Divine, agape love. This is the ideal and perfect kind of love that God has for us. The difference between brotherly love and divine love is that in brotherly love, we love our fellow Christians who love us; in divine love, we love those who hate us, persecute us, and are altogether unloving and unlovable.
With a developed Godly character you can become a vessel of God's love to others who have been wounded just as you were. That is the joy of acceptance!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Biblical Remedy for Rejection
Rejection can be defined as the sense of being unwanted. You desire people to love you, and yet you believe that they do not. You want to be part of a group, but you feel excluded. Somehow you are always on the outside looking in.
Closely related to rejection are the wounds of betrayal and shame. All produce similar responses in the wounded person, the feeling of not being wanted or accepted. This can happen to Christians - both ordained ministers and churchgoers. Rejection is in the spirit of man and therefore many Christians suffer rejection without even knowing about it. Many of them have a "crushed" or "broken" spirit without knowing it. Consequently they suffer many types of disorders, and the common ones are sleeping disorder and eating disorder. The tragedy is that instead of coming to God and the Word of God for remedy, they, without hesitation, visit psychologists or psychiatrists for help. Medications are given to them but their problems remain - their broken spirits still cling on to them. Please read my earlier message - "Christianity or Psychology."
Solomon said, "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken" (Proverbs 15:13, NKJV).
"The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit" (Proverbs 18:14)?
A broken spirit is harder to bear than physical illness.
Let us study the nature of rejection, the causes of rejection and the results of rejection before we look for a remedy of rejection provided for us from the Word of God.
The nature of rejection
We need to understand that God seeks to work in our lives from the root.
John the Baptist said, "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good food fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matt. 3:10).
The tree is cut down from the root. I believe one of the most common roots of all human problems is rejection.
Broken relationships
God designed human nature so that every baby born into the world would crave for the kind of security provided by the beautiful unbroken relationship between the child and his parents. A child can never truly be satisfied, fulfilled, or secure without parental love, particularly love from a father. The major cause of broken relationships between parents and children comes from failed marriages. Almost always, one or both parties emerge with a wound of rejection.
Broken relationship between parents and children is in the heart of God. God foresaw this end-time crisis when He spoke through prophet Malachi. The last two verses of the Old Testament say:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5, 6).
The final outcome of rejection caused by broken relationship is a curse. However, for those who will turn to God through Jesus, He has provided healing from this curse. We shall deal with this in a later section.
The causes of rejection
All human relationships are accompanied by the risk of rejection. Here are some causes of rejection.
Rejection during the school years
This is very common. You could be a subject of ridicule because of your race, your hair style or if you had a physical defect. Whatever the reason, many people are disturbed by those who are different. If they do not how to identify with you, they reject you.
Rejection from a parent
The most damaging kind of rejection comes when a child perceives rejection from a parent. I believe there are three situations that can cause this wound. First, a child may be unwanted during pregnancy. The mother may be carrying a child in her womb whom she really does not want. She may not say anything, but the attitude is in her heart.
A second situation is when a child's parents do not physically demonstrate their love for their child. The is common in the Asian culture.
A third rejection-producing circumstance occurs when siblings perceive unequal affection from their parents, whether it is intentional or not. This can come about when there are several children with unequal performance in school work - academic or in sports. The favored one usually gets all the praises and affections.
Rejection due to betrayal and shame
This is rejection of a failed relationship, especially by a marriage partner. The pain of rejection is compounded because it involves broken trust, and thus it becomes betrayal. For example, a wife trusted her husband and gave herself to him unreservedly. Then her husband left her and she felt betrayed and rejected. Or the same thing could happen when the wife suddenly left her husband who trusted her, and he felt betrayed and rejected.
Read what comfortable words the Lord spoke through Isaiah:
"'Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected,' says your God" (Isaiah 54:4 - 6, NIV).
Isaiah painted a vivid picture of what betrayal is like. God painted for Israel a picture of their condition as He saw it. He compared them to a wife who has been rejected by her husband.
The results of rejection
I believe the primary result of rejection is the inability to receive or communicate love. A person who has never experienced being loved cannot transmit love.
John said, "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
It is the love of God that stimulates our love for Him in response. Love lies dormant until it is stimulated by another person. Without such interaction, love never comes to life. Therefore, if a person does not know the love of God or parents, an inability to love can be passed from generation to generation. Take for example, a little girl is born into a family where she does not experience love - she has a wound of rejection, so she cannot communicate love. She grows up, marries, becomes a mother, and has a daughter. Because she cannot communicate love to her daughter, her daughter has the same problem. Therefore, this terrible problem is perpetuated from generation to generation.
God spoke through Ezekiel that children should not be obligated to suffer for what wrong their ancestors did:
"What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die. If he has walked in My statutes and kept My judgments faithfully - he is just; he shall surely live!' says the Lord God" (Ezekiel 18:1 - 4, 9, NKJV).
Therefore, even if your parents never showed you love, God does not want you or your children to suffer for their mistakes. By accepting God's provision, you can cut off that evil inheritance once and for all. Besides an inability to show love, there are other secondary results of rejection. I believe rejection produces three kinds of people: the person who gives in, the person who hold out, and the person who fights back.
The person who gives in
This type of person thinks, "I just can't take this. Life is too much for me. There is really nothing I can do." The chain of negative emotions goes like this - rejection, loneliness, self-pity, misery, depression, despair or hopelessness, and then finally lead to suicide.
The final result is tragic. Many, of course stop short of it, yet it is the logical outcome of the process that is set in motion by rejection. Whether it takes the form of death or of suicide depends on the emotional makeup of each person.
The person who hold out
This type of person refuses to give in and builds some kind of defense. This is really a facade, something that covers up the inner agony and struggle. They usually develop a kind of superficial happiness.
The person who fights back
This type of person usually becomes a fighter - one who fights everything. The order in which his reactions to rejection develop, is usually like this - first, resentment; second, hatred; and finally, rebellion.
Samuel said, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:23).
Both rebellion and witchcraft are forms of apostasy. Rebellion is the denial of God's authority; witchcraft is the recognition of false supernatural experiences distinct from God. The sin of witchcraft means participating in the occult - which includes such things as Ouija boards, horoscopes, fortune telling and seances. In other words, it is turning from the true God to a false god.
The remedy of rejection
Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the remedy of rejection. His sacrificial death on the cross is an all-inclusive provision for all human needs, including rejection. His ultimate rejection purchased for us our acceptance.
Let us look at various aspects of the exchange that took place on the cross - Christ took our curse so that we might have His blessing (Gal. 3:13, 14). He took our sin in order that we might have His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). He took our poverty so that we might have His wealth (2 Cor. 8:9). He took our death in order that we might have His life (Heb. 2:9).
The shame and rejection endured by Jesus
The exchange also has implications for us concerning shame and rejection.
The writer of Hebrews said: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame" (Heb. 12:2, NIV, emphasis added).
Jesus was well aware of the shame and public humilation that He would experience on the cross. In fact, one of the primary objectives of curcifixion was to shame that person. As the person hung naked on the cross, spectators walked by and made derogatory remarks.
On the cross God's offering for us is:
The Lord spoke through Isaiah: "Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance" (Isaiah 61:7, NIV, emphasis added).
A double rejection endured by Jesus
Now we come to the deepest wound of all endured by Jesus - rejection. Jesus endured a double rejection - first by men and then by God Himself.
1. Isaiah clearly portrayed the rejection of Jesus by His fellow county men:
"He was dispised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3, NIV, emphasis added).
2. Jesus Himself said that God had forsaken Him:
"From the sixth hour (midday) until the ninth hour darkness came over all land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' - which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matt. 27:45, 46, NIV, emphasis added).
For the first time in history of the universe, the Son of God prayed but the Father did not answer Him. God averted His eyes from His Son. God stopped His ears at His cry. Why? You see, at that time, Jesus was identified with our sin. The attitude of God the Father toward Jesus had to be the attitude of God's holiness toward our sin - the refusal of fellowship, a complete and absolute rejection. Jesus did not endure that for His own sake, but instead to make His soul a sin offering for us!
Think of that awful darkness. Think of the loneliness, the sense of being absolutely abandoned - first by man, then by God. You and I may have experienced some measure of rejection, but never has it been in that measure. Jesus died of a broken heart. What broke His heart? The ultimate rejection! His rejection opened the way for our acceptance!
"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matt. 27:51).
In other words, the barrier between God and man had been removed. The way was opened for man to come to God without shame, without guilt and without fear. Jesus took our rejection so that we might experience His acceptance!
Closely related to rejection are the wounds of betrayal and shame. All produce similar responses in the wounded person, the feeling of not being wanted or accepted. This can happen to Christians - both ordained ministers and churchgoers. Rejection is in the spirit of man and therefore many Christians suffer rejection without even knowing about it. Many of them have a "crushed" or "broken" spirit without knowing it. Consequently they suffer many types of disorders, and the common ones are sleeping disorder and eating disorder. The tragedy is that instead of coming to God and the Word of God for remedy, they, without hesitation, visit psychologists or psychiatrists for help. Medications are given to them but their problems remain - their broken spirits still cling on to them. Please read my earlier message - "Christianity or Psychology."
Solomon said, "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken" (Proverbs 15:13, NKJV).
"The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit" (Proverbs 18:14)?
A broken spirit is harder to bear than physical illness.
Let us study the nature of rejection, the causes of rejection and the results of rejection before we look for a remedy of rejection provided for us from the Word of God.
The nature of rejection
We need to understand that God seeks to work in our lives from the root.
John the Baptist said, "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good food fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matt. 3:10).
The tree is cut down from the root. I believe one of the most common roots of all human problems is rejection.
Broken relationships
God designed human nature so that every baby born into the world would crave for the kind of security provided by the beautiful unbroken relationship between the child and his parents. A child can never truly be satisfied, fulfilled, or secure without parental love, particularly love from a father. The major cause of broken relationships between parents and children comes from failed marriages. Almost always, one or both parties emerge with a wound of rejection.
Broken relationship between parents and children is in the heart of God. God foresaw this end-time crisis when He spoke through prophet Malachi. The last two verses of the Old Testament say:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5, 6).
The final outcome of rejection caused by broken relationship is a curse. However, for those who will turn to God through Jesus, He has provided healing from this curse. We shall deal with this in a later section.
The causes of rejection
All human relationships are accompanied by the risk of rejection. Here are some causes of rejection.
Rejection during the school years
This is very common. You could be a subject of ridicule because of your race, your hair style or if you had a physical defect. Whatever the reason, many people are disturbed by those who are different. If they do not how to identify with you, they reject you.
Rejection from a parent
The most damaging kind of rejection comes when a child perceives rejection from a parent. I believe there are three situations that can cause this wound. First, a child may be unwanted during pregnancy. The mother may be carrying a child in her womb whom she really does not want. She may not say anything, but the attitude is in her heart.
A second situation is when a child's parents do not physically demonstrate their love for their child. The is common in the Asian culture.
A third rejection-producing circumstance occurs when siblings perceive unequal affection from their parents, whether it is intentional or not. This can come about when there are several children with unequal performance in school work - academic or in sports. The favored one usually gets all the praises and affections.
Rejection due to betrayal and shame
This is rejection of a failed relationship, especially by a marriage partner. The pain of rejection is compounded because it involves broken trust, and thus it becomes betrayal. For example, a wife trusted her husband and gave herself to him unreservedly. Then her husband left her and she felt betrayed and rejected. Or the same thing could happen when the wife suddenly left her husband who trusted her, and he felt betrayed and rejected.
Read what comfortable words the Lord spoke through Isaiah:
"'Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected,' says your God" (Isaiah 54:4 - 6, NIV).
Isaiah painted a vivid picture of what betrayal is like. God painted for Israel a picture of their condition as He saw it. He compared them to a wife who has been rejected by her husband.
The results of rejection
I believe the primary result of rejection is the inability to receive or communicate love. A person who has never experienced being loved cannot transmit love.
John said, "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
It is the love of God that stimulates our love for Him in response. Love lies dormant until it is stimulated by another person. Without such interaction, love never comes to life. Therefore, if a person does not know the love of God or parents, an inability to love can be passed from generation to generation. Take for example, a little girl is born into a family where she does not experience love - she has a wound of rejection, so she cannot communicate love. She grows up, marries, becomes a mother, and has a daughter. Because she cannot communicate love to her daughter, her daughter has the same problem. Therefore, this terrible problem is perpetuated from generation to generation.
God spoke through Ezekiel that children should not be obligated to suffer for what wrong their ancestors did:
"What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die. If he has walked in My statutes and kept My judgments faithfully - he is just; he shall surely live!' says the Lord God" (Ezekiel 18:1 - 4, 9, NKJV).
Therefore, even if your parents never showed you love, God does not want you or your children to suffer for their mistakes. By accepting God's provision, you can cut off that evil inheritance once and for all. Besides an inability to show love, there are other secondary results of rejection. I believe rejection produces three kinds of people: the person who gives in, the person who hold out, and the person who fights back.
The person who gives in
This type of person thinks, "I just can't take this. Life is too much for me. There is really nothing I can do." The chain of negative emotions goes like this - rejection, loneliness, self-pity, misery, depression, despair or hopelessness, and then finally lead to suicide.
The final result is tragic. Many, of course stop short of it, yet it is the logical outcome of the process that is set in motion by rejection. Whether it takes the form of death or of suicide depends on the emotional makeup of each person.
The person who hold out
This type of person refuses to give in and builds some kind of defense. This is really a facade, something that covers up the inner agony and struggle. They usually develop a kind of superficial happiness.
The person who fights back
This type of person usually becomes a fighter - one who fights everything. The order in which his reactions to rejection develop, is usually like this - first, resentment; second, hatred; and finally, rebellion.
Samuel said, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:23).
Both rebellion and witchcraft are forms of apostasy. Rebellion is the denial of God's authority; witchcraft is the recognition of false supernatural experiences distinct from God. The sin of witchcraft means participating in the occult - which includes such things as Ouija boards, horoscopes, fortune telling and seances. In other words, it is turning from the true God to a false god.
The remedy of rejection
Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the remedy of rejection. His sacrificial death on the cross is an all-inclusive provision for all human needs, including rejection. His ultimate rejection purchased for us our acceptance.
Let us look at various aspects of the exchange that took place on the cross - Christ took our curse so that we might have His blessing (Gal. 3:13, 14). He took our sin in order that we might have His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). He took our poverty so that we might have His wealth (2 Cor. 8:9). He took our death in order that we might have His life (Heb. 2:9).
The shame and rejection endured by Jesus
The exchange also has implications for us concerning shame and rejection.
The writer of Hebrews said: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame" (Heb. 12:2, NIV, emphasis added).
Jesus was well aware of the shame and public humilation that He would experience on the cross. In fact, one of the primary objectives of curcifixion was to shame that person. As the person hung naked on the cross, spectators walked by and made derogatory remarks.
On the cross God's offering for us is:
The Lord spoke through Isaiah: "Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance" (Isaiah 61:7, NIV, emphasis added).
A double rejection endured by Jesus
Now we come to the deepest wound of all endured by Jesus - rejection. Jesus endured a double rejection - first by men and then by God Himself.
1. Isaiah clearly portrayed the rejection of Jesus by His fellow county men:
"He was dispised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3, NIV, emphasis added).
2. Jesus Himself said that God had forsaken Him:
"From the sixth hour (midday) until the ninth hour darkness came over all land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' - which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matt. 27:45, 46, NIV, emphasis added).
For the first time in history of the universe, the Son of God prayed but the Father did not answer Him. God averted His eyes from His Son. God stopped His ears at His cry. Why? You see, at that time, Jesus was identified with our sin. The attitude of God the Father toward Jesus had to be the attitude of God's holiness toward our sin - the refusal of fellowship, a complete and absolute rejection. Jesus did not endure that for His own sake, but instead to make His soul a sin offering for us!
Think of that awful darkness. Think of the loneliness, the sense of being absolutely abandoned - first by man, then by God. You and I may have experienced some measure of rejection, but never has it been in that measure. Jesus died of a broken heart. What broke His heart? The ultimate rejection! His rejection opened the way for our acceptance!
"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matt. 27:51).
In other words, the barrier between God and man had been removed. The way was opened for man to come to God without shame, without guilt and without fear. Jesus took our rejection so that we might experience His acceptance!
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