Inform Your 'Faith'

Falling rocks. Yield. Lanes merge. Construction ahead. Red light. Green light. Stop! Motorists will encounter a number of traffic signals, such as these, when driving from point A to point B. These signals serve to enable the motorist to effectively navigate to their destination. In much the same way Scripture provides a man with a number of pastoral signals that enable him to navigate through pastoral calling. Signals that enable a man to determine whether or not he is actually called to pastoral ministry as well as signals that will enable a man to make his way through the journey of pastoral calling. (As a point of clarity  when I make reference to pastor the term elder is included in it. Elder and pastor are employed interchangeably within New Testament nomenclature).

So what are these signals? After all the road the of pastoral calling isn't successfully navigated by aspiration alone, albeit, aspiration is a signal. And it is the first signal on my list here.

A man should have a strong desire for pastoral ministry. If a man is called to ministry there will  be an inner aspiration to this ministerial post (1 Tim. 3:1). This is a compulsion born out of an  innate awareness rooted deep within the fiber of a man. An inner compulsion and resolve, to  be sure, that brought Paul to say, "...necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel."(I Cor.9:16). Now, aspiration is not always without reservation or inhibition. While serving as an elder/pastor at Ephesus Paul writes Timothy about the young  pastors inhibitions as a pastor(1 Tim. 4:12a, 2 Tim.1:6-7, 2:1-13). Moses was reticent and doubtful (Ex.3) as was Jeremiah (Jer.1:6)...not to mention Jonah. Reservation does not disqualify. On the other side of the coin, aspiration without reservation does not disqualify.  Isaiah was quick to respond to the Lord's call to ministry (Is.6:8). Paul also had an unabashed aspiration (Acts 9:20,26-30). Some men need pushed while others push themselves. Either way aspiration will be present. With that being said, aspiration without qualification (#2) ends before it begins. Aspiration will not stand on its own.

Again, aspiration will not stand on its own. Without qualification aspiration will spend itself of its own resources. Without qualification the flame of aspiration will burn its own oxygen and die out. Immediately after affirming aspiration Paul conditions aspiration saying, "Therefore, an overseer (pastor/elder) must be...(1 Tim.3:1-7;Titus 1:5-9). He than proceeds to list a number of traits for men called to pastoral ministry. Aspiration devoid of those qualifications is vacuous. Bear in mind that Paul is writing a personal letter to Pastor Timothy at Ephesus. Timothy was to use the qualifications as a template to gauge bona fide pastoral calling. Those Timothy might be considering arguably would not have seen this list. We can infer that men who are called will already be exemplifying the qualifications on some level without the prospect of ordination. A man who is called will show himself qualified without  a list to accomplish. This is important because an ambitious man with aspiration will mechanically work through the list Timothy was given without genuinely being qualified. How do pastor's differentiate? A pastoral candidate will be doing the work of a pastor without being told or without it being demanded. This doesn't negate the need for encouragement or giving such men direction. It simply means that those called to pastor will exude the quality of a pastoral heart and mind without being commanded.
  Qualification  ensures that a man will have the character and quality to endure  the pressures and anxieties of ministry lest he stumble. A man must have the character to endure the high points and benefits of the pastoral ministry as well, lest he stumble. Pastoral ministry comes with a serious gravity and weight (Acts 3:11-16,20:28-32; Rom.16:17-18; 1 Cor.1:10-17; Eph.4:11-12; 1 Tim.4:11-16, 5:17-22; James 3:1, et al.)  that qualification reveals a man to be able to honestly handle and carry. This doesn't mean pastors will handle their calling perfectly but that they will handle their calling faithfully.

3. Prioritization

This is the practical outworking of aspiration and qualification. Pastoral ministry and all that it entails necessarily involves priorities. Aspiration and qualification feed prioritization. What is prioritization? It is a personal commitment to re-order ones life so as to devote the necessary energy and time to the pastoral calling. When Christ calls His disciples, for instance, we find them re-ordering their respective affairs. James and John had to make a decision appertaining to how their choice to follow Christ in the ministry would effect the family business (Mark 1:16-20). The same passage records Peter and Andrew having to take similar measures germane to personal business as well. Peter and Andrew had household affairs that were effected by their calling to ministry (Mark 1:29-31). Now, pastoral calling beyond the apostolate (the Apostles) does not take on the same degree of priority of course. The demands on the apostles do not carry over into the pastorate, strictly speaking. However, the aforementioned principles of priority germane to the disciples/apostles still do extend into the pastorate.  This often involves dictating our schedules and consequently, family schedules in a manner that serves the ministry while not sacrificing ones family on the horns of the alter of pastoral calling. Yes, this is easier said than done. And, as your breathing slows to normal, it will not be done perfectly which is why there is an ebb and flow of prioritization throughout ones pastoral tenure. That is the nature of  prioritization. It necessarily involves re-prioritization  depending on seasons and times.

I think this is an especially pertinent point of interest in a post modern, avant gard culture that is obsessed with figure head mentality, experimental ideas and cultural tribalism.  The cult of personality as it were continues to linger. In this environment it is commonplace for people to gravitate towards characters or personalities who exemplify certain characteristics and proclivity's that they either identify with or characteristics and proclivity's that they are devoid of. It's a very externalistic and superficial climate.  The other side of this coin is the crux of providing an appealing atmosphere or sub-culture that becomes the locus of attraction as a way to appeal to these sub-cultural tribes. 

  Within this culture personalities and atomospheres are embraced for all the wrong reasons. They are promoted or embraced because they are different, because they are dynamic, because they are 'controversial', because they are seemingly anti-establishment in rhetoric or theatrics, so forth and so on.  I fear that when this is appealed to, though, all that is being accomplished is that of 'caricatures'.  In other words, personalities attract only those folk who identify with those characteristics. This is disingenuous though. It is not so much the message that attracts people or the 'truth' that attracts people but the methodology, the theatrics or the personality. Tribalism carries the day instead of truism.

  This creates a culture of superficiality and 'drones' who are committed to the new hype or the latest rhetorical fad instead of the message. (There are of course exceptions to this.)

  Christ's own ministry underscores this point...Jesus attracted large crowds because of His dynamic personality and 'miraculous' ministry or activity that generated an electric atmosphere. However, we find that when He spoke difficult truths or when His rhetoric became perspectivally intrusive many abandoned Him.

  I think it beneficial for ministers or ministries to counteract this generic 'attraction' or superficial 'gravitation' by balancing their respective 'cultural ghetto' or 'theatrical leitmotifs' with truths that are presented in a counter-cultural manner to that 'cultural market'. Is the church to be focused on such fleeting cultural dynamics?? I think not, for it inevitably breeds cultural relativism and cloistered communities. Of course we should become all things to all in order to win some (I Cor.9:19-23)....so long as we aren't reinforcing 'fleeting trends' (Rom.12:2) to the extent that those cultural traditions become the element of interest and not the message of the gospel.

  Not only do we need to counteract the modus vivendi of advancing culture over message we also need to contend with promoting ministers over Christ.  People have the tendency to also gravitate towards 'servants' rather than He whom servants serve as I have alluded to above.  (To be sure these two are more often than not inextricably bound.) Whenever and wherever ministers do not counteract the attraction of people to personalities or personal allure they risk creating a loyalty and/or dependency upon themselves amongst the rank and file of their congregations. This is known as the 'fanbase' in the variegated sphere of entertainment.

  Paul addressed the church at Corinth regarding this mentality of polarizing to figure heads. Some were following Cephas(Peter), Apollos, Paul et cetera. (I Cor.1-4)  Paul repudiated this credulity and went on to describe those who who were romanticising 'men' as babes and men of the flesh (I Cor.3:1-5). Paul eventually interjected that they were to be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards of the gospel (I Cor.4:1) Paul consciously and deliberately counteracted figure head mentality by saying elsewhere, "follow me, as I follow Christ" (I Cor. 11:1). We must vigorously reinforce Christ within the hearts and minds of the church. He alone is head of the church..Ministers are but servants of Christ, under-shepherds of The good Shepherd!! We must not be in the business of making personal disciples but in making Christian disciples. Its not about personal followship but Christian discipleship.

  Some will contend that Paul also listed Christ followers as an unhealthy faction in I Corinthians 1. This shows a superficial handling of scripture. For that would itself contradict Christ's own statement, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself pick up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34) Paul's remark in I Corinthians about those who tout following Christ exclusively was in the context of division. Paul's point there was not that following Christ  was wrong but that using that attitude as an elitist claim that contributed to division.

  We must make concerted effort to direct peoples attention to Christ  and Christ alone. This means comporting ourselves in a humble manner that always defers to Jesus in all things. When aggrandized and honored we must respond by attributing whatever is being praised to the grace of our Lord. As Paul advanced, "I am what I am by the grace of God" (I Cor.15) and again,"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" (I Cor.1:31)

Manifold wisdom. This is a unique phrase employed by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. A letter that acutely advances a robust doctrine of the church. Accordingly, for the apostle it is the church that makes known God's manifold wisdom. Manifold wisdom is a phrase that envisages the comprehensiveness of God's mysterious plan of reconciliation that he is continuing to work out. A conciliatory plan that involves uniting "all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth"(Eph.1:10).

The church not only serves to 'make known' this plan of conciliation she is the agency through which God is uniting all things in Christ. This cannot be overlooked or downplayed. We, the church, exist to make known God's plan of reconciliation and this necessarily makes known God's wisdom in bringing that plan of reconciliation about. These two are inextricably bound. What a role we as the church play in God's plan of uniting all things in Christ! 

Now, we must realize that this involves more than theory or idea. Paul's understanding of the church making known God's wisdom as a reconciled 'household of God' is to be actualized or lived out as we, the church, have indeed been reconciled with God and one another as we are united in Christ. 

Again, Paul understands that making known God's wisdom directly relates to God's plan of reconciliation in Christ. A plan, of course, involving man's reconciliation. This is why he proceeds to build upon or expand upon this assertion practically. In chapter 4 he emphasizes being 'one' (4:7) and being a body that is growing together as everyone who is apart of the church is ministering to one another (4:12,16) while maintaining a 'unity of faith' (4:13-14). After all we are all members of one household (2:13-22). 

From here Paul continues - throughout 4:17-5:21- to remind the Ephesians of their new life in Christ. They are no longer the Gentiles who were separated from God due their sinful and depraved condition. The life they are to now live is a life that promotes their having been reconciled to God in contradistinction to their former lives that were alienated from God (4:18). They are also no longer to allow that divided existence, due to sinful practices, to fracture their oneness for 'we are members one of another' (4:25) Therefore, any behavior that breeds fracturing is to be done away with and jettisoned (4:25-32). This is why Paul concludes chapter 4 saying, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving on another, as God in Christ forgave you." (4:32). 

Paul concludes with emphasis upon forgiving one another because of his overarching point. The salient point of chapter 3. We, as the church are to exist as one household. A household of reconciliation who comport ourselves in such a way that makes known the wisdom of God in His plan of unification. As the church we are to major in what advances unity and reconciliation. In so doing we make known the wisdom of God!

The devil on the other hand is involved in the deconstruction of the one church. His plan is to demolish and divide the one church. This is presupposed in Christ's assertion,  'I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail'. We find this happening throughout the life of the church in the N.T. Paul warns the elders at Ephesus about those who would attempt such tactics(Acts 20:26-31). Christ describes 'ministers' who "kill, steal and destroy' in relation to the church (John 10:7-13). Paul corrects the church her members are fracturing the church due to self serving preferences and traditions (Romans 14-15:7; I Cor.1:10-4). 

Whenever these characteristics predominate the plan and wisdom of God is not made known. Instead, the plan and folly of the devil is being made known. This is precisely why Paul writes in Ephesians, where he is advancing making known God's wisdom, "give no opportunity to the devil" (4:27) while encouraging them to 'stand against the schemes of the devil" (6:11). This is also why Paul instructs the Ephesians to submit to one another(5:21). Contentiousness and refusal to submit are devilish qualities that divide and fracture. Even when it appears to be wisdom one is arguing (James 3:13-18). If that wisdom is breeding divisiveness and contentiousness it isn't God's wisdom being made known but demonic wisdom.

God's wisdom is made known where reconciliation abounds whereas the devils folly is made known where division and separation abounds. Again, as the church we are to major in what advances unity and reconciliation. In so doing we make known the wisdom of God! 

  At Sovereign Grace Church of Lagrange we are presently working through Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It has been a thoroughgoing delight. While Romans may very well be a more technical expansion of the mystery of salvation Ephesians represents a more pregnant understanding of the mystery in a more comprehensive treatment; albeit much more succinct. In Ephesians Paul clearly acknowledges his insight into this mystery,

  "the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ." (Eph.3:3-4). 

   Paul is acutely aware of the 'mystery of Christ' (cf. 1 Cor.2:6-13). This mystery, as Paul unfolds according to the insight given him by the Spirit of God in Ephesians 2:11-4:16 and more directly in chapter 3, is that the church is central to 'the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things...' (Eph. 3:9; 1:7c-10). In other words the 'household of God' (Eph.3:19), or the church, is a mainstay or a central component to the 'mystery of Christ' that is now made known! 

    It is 'through the church' that 'the manifold wisdom of God' is made known (Eph.3:10) and through the church that God is glorified in Christ (Eph.3:21). The church is central to the mystery of Christ!! This is beyond cavil as Ephesians particularly espouses a HIGH VIEW of the church. After all, the church is what Christ is building...in fact. Shouldn't we then have a high view of the church considering it is what Christ is building while also recognizing Paul views suffering imprisonment 'positively' for the sake of the church (Eph. 3:1, 3:13)? And when Paul is speaking positively this way he is referring to the local church not the universal - though it certainly does extend to the church universal.

   This last point - that Paul views his imprisonment positively - is worthy of note. Considering that after everything Paul had suffered as he stewarded the ministry of grace he was given for the church and to nevertheless busy himself emphasizing the churches centrality and indispensability only underscores how integral the church is to the mystery of the gospel. And how integral each individual Christian is to the church as contributing and functioning members as each has been given an aspect of grace (Eph.4:7)!

   Again, Paul continued to serve the tangible/visible church to the point of imprisonment despite his challenges, disappointments, hurts and persecutions, not just from non-Christians but from Christians within the church. He didn't reject the church or withdrawal and he, beyond anyone else perhaps, had every reason to withdrawal. 

   Now, the challenges and hurts that Paul experienced are challenges and hurts that will be experienced throughout the history of the church until Christ's return. I know of many who have been devastated by the actions of a single minister or even by a most inauspicious and hurtful happening within the ranks of the church such as division and the like. Its a melancholy truth and perhaps an inevitable one. Inevitable not because we should embrace the eventuality of such things but because we need to be realistic about the ongoing role of lingering sin that we all are dying to daily.

    This is precisely why we cannot withdrawal from the church though. Because when the sting of sin strikes the balm of grace is needed. A grace every member of the church is given by Christ!

    Maybe you have become disillusioned about the church due to wounds and hurts. They are very real and fresh perhaps. They definitely shouldn't be disregarded or treated arbitrarily either in the name of the centrality of the church. I encourage you not to withdraw from the church. Now, you may need to withdraw from a particular local church but not the local church completely. There are many local churches with a culture of active grace exchange that can and will bring about the needed healing. Beyond that YOU have a measure of grace that the church needs. Allow the hurt/s to motivate and move you to realize that while you have been hurt and need the balm of grace so another within the church who has been hurt needs the balm of grace from you.         

  Mothers naturally play an integral and indispensable role in the dynamics of children knowing their father. Think about it for a moment. Without the mother, upon conception, a child will not survive. Without the nurture, provision and security of the mother conceived life will not endure. Even after birth the mother's natural provision of breast milk is absolutely necessary for survival. It is only when these basic provisions of a mother are available and enjoyed that life thrives. A child, or new life, NEEDS these provisions or resources in order to live. If the mother isn't in the equation the father never will be. When a child is deprived of these resources or basic provisions, that life will not proliferate. When this happens the child will never thrive, develop or mature to a place of consciousness whereby that child will come to KNOW their father.

   Sunday morning at Sovereign Grace Church of Lagrange we considered what it ACTUALLY means to be blessed and how our understanding of blessedness impacts our life. Ephesians 1:3 reveals that Father God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…”

     of God located in Christ Jesus (Ch.1-2:10). Christ as the center of salvation not

     us.

     of God” or the local church (2:11-22). The exchange of life amongst the church is essential to   

     being ALIVE.

  ~Participating in the local church by contributing to the local church according    

    to the  ‘giftedness’ that Christ has bestowed upon you. (4:7-16). This

    promotes LIFE  and WELLBEING amongst the church including yourself as part of the church.     

    When and how are you contributing to local church LIFE and WELLBEING?

    pray regularly as a way of sustaining LIFE and WELL BEING. Solving problems

    logically, as important as this is,  isn’t the same as asking God to create LIFE or

    to sustain WELL BEING.

   promotes a New manner of LIVING. We will not LIVE according to old, sinful

    customs or practices.

    and businesses/jobs.

Growth by degrees. Last Saturday at Sovereign Grace Church of Lagrange we hosted a Leadership Seminar. Aron Osborne with Metro Life Church shared with us from (2 Cor.3:18)  . Aron enlarged upon the Christian degrees of transformation that unfold as we fix our gaze upon Christ's glory. We are truly and actually being changed from one degree of glory to the next.

  The challenge germane to Christian growth or change (sanctification), often times,  is that we are susceptible to the crux of degrees. What is this crux of degrees. Well its the measure of degrees. Degrees are intrinsically variant. So often do we measure the growth, maturation, transformation et al of ourselves and others based upon greater degrees that we often overlook the growth, maturation and transformation that is actually happening. In other-words we define transformation by 10 degrees or 20 degrees. While growth by these greater degrees does occur we are well served not to overlook growth by lesser degrees.

  So how do we understand growth by degrees? Is it greater degrees or lesser degrees? Well,first things first. This is a false dichotomy. The former shouldn't be put at odds or in competition with the latter. When Paul asserts that we are being transformed from one degree to another he is speaking generally more or less, and not being person specific or relative.The point is that while growth by degrees will be active and present within all of our lives respectively, growth by degrees will vary by degree within all of our lives individually.

  There will be times or periods of life whereby we grow by greater degrees while at other times and periods of life we grow by lesser degrees. Or there may be some whose growth by greater degrees is intrinsically sporadic while another's growth by lesser degrees is intrinsically steady. This is the crux of growth by degrees. There is no standard of measuring our degrees of change or growth within ourselves outside of the standard of Christ's life. And His life in us, by way of the Holy Spirit, is changing us by degrees.

  How should we respond when realizing this? We shouldn't apply a 'uniform degrees' template to every Christian as though one person's growth by degrees will be the same. When we apply a template of this kind we eventually downplay the degrees referred to by Paul. Degrees that are again subjectively variant. We must also recognize that Paul is speaking positively about the degrees of growth. It is a promise we have in Christ whose Spirit has liberated us to be transformed according to Christ's glory. Let's not impose or force one's degree or degree's of growth onto another's degree or degree's of growth! Otherwise the promised degrees of growth promised  here in Scripture will take on oppressive overtones and thereby distort the nature of Christ's glory being worked out in us.

  Christ is working his glory out in us by the Holy Spirit by way of degrees. Growth by degrees is promised. It is incontrovertible. But as we are being changed from one degree of glory to another, that growth by degree will vary from person to person by degrees. Let's bare this in mind as we walk together.