The Ministry of Men
“Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3).
Principles established in the Old Testament are worthy of consideration. Some laws of the old covenant are repeated as guidelines for believers in the new covenant era. It is good and right to honor the elders. Paul gave the commandment as instructive to the believers in Ephesus. He included the promise of long life to those who would give honor to their mothers and fathers.
In a culture where “new and improved” is touted as superior, that which is aged is undervalued. Computers must be updated frequently and programs constantly upgraded to maintain relevance. As a result the same perception is often applied to all materials and even to relationships. Marriages are discarded and replaced with new relationships. People quickly tire of the tried and true and look for something fresh and new.
True values are time tested and lasting. Marriages should be “until death us do part.” Families are forever and relationships with friends should be worth maintaining for life. Showing respect for elders should be constant. Taking time to honor our parents and others who have years of experience must become a part of our culture again.
Elders in the church should also be revered. Paul also instructed Timothy to give special honor to those who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17). A new appreciation for our history and our heritage needs to be rebirthed in the church. Knowledge of the sacrifices and suffering of those in the past will cause our admiration to grow and our appreciation to be expressed.
Thanks to all those who have blazed the trail and shown the way. We walk in the footsteps of our leaders and trod the paths of faithful patriarchs. We must always honor those who have gone before to make our road a little easier.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Be Strong
The Ministry of Men
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Moses gave these words of encouragement to the man who would take the leadership of Israel and stand in his place. God has vested strength and courage in men and called them to be bold leaders throughout history.
Strength is more than brawn and muscle; however those attributes are naturally more prominent in the male. These are areas where men may excel. Interestingly, the Scripture frequently couples the attribute of strength with courage. Eleven times in Scripture the command to “be strong” is accompanied by “of good courage.” Two other times the exhortation is to be strong and “courageous.” It isn’t sufficient just to have strength, but also the courage to use it effectively.
Men should not be intimidated by societal pressures to hide their strength and bridle their courage. These are God given traits and appropriately used they bring glory to God and fulfillment of our purpose.
Joshua rose to the challenge, leading the people of Israel across the Jordan and throughout the conquest of the land of Canaan. In the book of Joshua, God speaks the same words to the people that Joshua had heard from Moses. "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).
Paul emphasizes the attribute of strength and encourages the brethren to “be strong!”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
- 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Use your strength in serving the Lord. This strength is much greater than pressing iron or excelling in physical development. Men who are “strong in the Lord” will be great leaders. Those who become “strong in the grace” of God will truly be great disciples.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Moses gave these words of encouragement to the man who would take the leadership of Israel and stand in his place. God has vested strength and courage in men and called them to be bold leaders throughout history.
Strength is more than brawn and muscle; however those attributes are naturally more prominent in the male. These are areas where men may excel. Interestingly, the Scripture frequently couples the attribute of strength with courage. Eleven times in Scripture the command to “be strong” is accompanied by “of good courage.” Two other times the exhortation is to be strong and “courageous.” It isn’t sufficient just to have strength, but also the courage to use it effectively.
Men should not be intimidated by societal pressures to hide their strength and bridle their courage. These are God given traits and appropriately used they bring glory to God and fulfillment of our purpose.
Joshua rose to the challenge, leading the people of Israel across the Jordan and throughout the conquest of the land of Canaan. In the book of Joshua, God speaks the same words to the people that Joshua had heard from Moses. "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).
Paul emphasizes the attribute of strength and encourages the brethren to “be strong!”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
- 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Use your strength in serving the Lord. This strength is much greater than pressing iron or excelling in physical development. Men who are “strong in the Lord” will be great leaders. Those who become “strong in the grace” of God will truly be great disciples.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Not many Fathers
The Ministry of Men
“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; …” (1 Corinthians 4:15 NKJ).
It is one thing to be a teacher, quite another to be a father. A teacher can lecture, discipline, and share some important principles of life, but a father is so much more. A father may instruct, but he also must listen. A father may discipline, but he also must show love and mercy. He may teach principles of life, but he also must lead by example.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians with the concern that they had many instructors, yet not so many fathers. He observed that there were plenty of volunteers to teach lessons and lecture facts. What was missing was the more intimate leadership role of fathers in the church.
As it was in the Corinthian church so it may be in the modern church that there are not so many that are willing to be fathers to young believers. The condition of the absent father in the church is a reflection of the same condition in the culture. All too often the mom is left with the responsibility of child rearing and the father skips off to do his own thing. We need more fathers in the home and in the church, men who are willing to step in to assist in the mentoring of young children and ready to accept the responsibility of caring leadership roles in spiritual areas.
That being said let us also consider that many godly men are fulfilling responsible roles of leadership in the church. Thankfully, there are those that have resisted the trend of cultural shift and dedicated themselves to their families and their churches providing valuable leadership for children and young believers. Paul said there were “not many fathers,” but by implication there were some, men who rose to the challenge and led with conviction. In the midst of changing mores and decaying moral climate, may there be a new breed of men who are strong in faith and full of the Spirit to rise to the challenge of spiritual leadership.
The best way to resist the trend of negative drift is through positive affirmation of those who are examples of good virtue. On this Fathers’ Day and every other day of the year let us show honor to the godly men that are leading the way, men who are committed to traditional values of marriage, lovingly leading in secure families, and depending on God for strength of faith and character.
“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; …” (1 Corinthians 4:15 NKJ).
It is one thing to be a teacher, quite another to be a father. A teacher can lecture, discipline, and share some important principles of life, but a father is so much more. A father may instruct, but he also must listen. A father may discipline, but he also must show love and mercy. He may teach principles of life, but he also must lead by example.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians with the concern that they had many instructors, yet not so many fathers. He observed that there were plenty of volunteers to teach lessons and lecture facts. What was missing was the more intimate leadership role of fathers in the church.
As it was in the Corinthian church so it may be in the modern church that there are not so many that are willing to be fathers to young believers. The condition of the absent father in the church is a reflection of the same condition in the culture. All too often the mom is left with the responsibility of child rearing and the father skips off to do his own thing. We need more fathers in the home and in the church, men who are willing to step in to assist in the mentoring of young children and ready to accept the responsibility of caring leadership roles in spiritual areas.
That being said let us also consider that many godly men are fulfilling responsible roles of leadership in the church. Thankfully, there are those that have resisted the trend of cultural shift and dedicated themselves to their families and their churches providing valuable leadership for children and young believers. Paul said there were “not many fathers,” but by implication there were some, men who rose to the challenge and led with conviction. In the midst of changing mores and decaying moral climate, may there be a new breed of men who are strong in faith and full of the Spirit to rise to the challenge of spiritual leadership.
The best way to resist the trend of negative drift is through positive affirmation of those who are examples of good virtue. On this Fathers’ Day and every other day of the year let us show honor to the godly men that are leading the way, men who are committed to traditional values of marriage, lovingly leading in secure families, and depending on God for strength of faith and character.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The Promise to Women!
The Ministry of Women
“Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18 NIV).
In antiquity women were often viewed as lesser beings than men. Women were seen as undeveloped males in Grecian thought and literature. The female was seen as a sign of weakness and inferiority.
It was in this culture that Jesus was born. However, in His teaching and conduct He continually gave value to women. Where others would not even speak to a woman other than their wife in public, Jesus holds a conversation with the woman at the well. He apparently was a welcome guest in the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. He did not object to Mary’s choice of listening to Him speak rather than helping in the kitchen. He defended the woman who washed his feet and sacrificed the precious ointment from the alabaster box. Finally, He allowed the women to discover the empty tomb and witness His resurrection first.
In a culture that viewed men as superior to women it must have seemed strange to hear the words Peter quoted to crowd on the Day of Pentecost. He recounted the words of the prophet Joel, “I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” The promised sign of spiritual experience in the last days would be to both sexes, sons AND daughters shall prophesy. He further extended the blessing to “menservants and maidservants” (Acts 2:17-18).
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t just the sexes that were encompassed; the promise of Pentecost was all inclusive. Age was not a limiting factor, “young men shall see visions … old men shall dream dreams.” Economic status was not a condition for exclusion, servants were included. A particular ethnicity was not a requirement for blessing; the Spirit was to be poured out on “all flesh.” Geographic location was not a requirement because the commission was given to carry the gospel into the entire world. The promise of Pentecost was extended to everyone, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).
The Scripture carefully points out that “the women and Mary the mother of Jesus” were among the crowd that gathered in the upper room after the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:14). They continued in “one accord in prayer and supplication” as they waited for the promise of the Father that Jesus had given them. They too were the recipients of the greatest promise ever given humanity!
“Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18 NIV).
In antiquity women were often viewed as lesser beings than men. Women were seen as undeveloped males in Grecian thought and literature. The female was seen as a sign of weakness and inferiority.
It was in this culture that Jesus was born. However, in His teaching and conduct He continually gave value to women. Where others would not even speak to a woman other than their wife in public, Jesus holds a conversation with the woman at the well. He apparently was a welcome guest in the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. He did not object to Mary’s choice of listening to Him speak rather than helping in the kitchen. He defended the woman who washed his feet and sacrificed the precious ointment from the alabaster box. Finally, He allowed the women to discover the empty tomb and witness His resurrection first.
In a culture that viewed men as superior to women it must have seemed strange to hear the words Peter quoted to crowd on the Day of Pentecost. He recounted the words of the prophet Joel, “I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” The promised sign of spiritual experience in the last days would be to both sexes, sons AND daughters shall prophesy. He further extended the blessing to “menservants and maidservants” (Acts 2:17-18).
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t just the sexes that were encompassed; the promise of Pentecost was all inclusive. Age was not a limiting factor, “young men shall see visions … old men shall dream dreams.” Economic status was not a condition for exclusion, servants were included. A particular ethnicity was not a requirement for blessing; the Spirit was to be poured out on “all flesh.” Geographic location was not a requirement because the commission was given to carry the gospel into the entire world. The promise of Pentecost was extended to everyone, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).
The Scripture carefully points out that “the women and Mary the mother of Jesus” were among the crowd that gathered in the upper room after the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:14). They continued in “one accord in prayer and supplication” as they waited for the promise of the Father that Jesus had given them. They too were the recipients of the greatest promise ever given humanity!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
