Posted by David on December 31, 1996 under Bulletin Articles
The following is a brief summation of the lessons presented on leadership in the fall of 1997. For outlines of those lessons, follow links to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5 sermons.
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 were not intended to become “check lists” for elder qualifications. Neither scripture included these basic, critical qualifications:
- The quality and nature of the man’s faith.
- The man’s love for people, and how he demonstrates his love.
- The man’s love for the congregation (a shepherd must love the sheep).
- His possessing and demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).
- His possessing and demonstrating the Christian graces (1 Peter 1:5-8).
1 Timothy 3 gives the profile of the kind of man qualified to be a shepherd in the urban church of the huge city of Ephesus. This city was a business and religious center with a population of 250,000 people. It was a wealthy, sophisticated city with a significant degree of cultural development.
This congregation already had elders–some good, some evil. They needed more elders. They did not need just to add some men. They needed to add a particular type of Christian man. His profile: he is respected for his mature spiritual character. His values stress the spiritual, not the material. He is a family man who knows how to love and work with people. He is not deceived by unspiritual thinking. The urban community respects him.
Titus 1 gives a profile of the kind of man qualified to shepherd one of the congregations on the island of Crete. People living there had an earned reputation for evil. They were known for greed, violence, and earthiness. They were self-indulgent people who loved money. Christian shepherds needed to be devoted to God’s work (not selfish ambitions); to loving good (not honoring evil); to being upright (not being devious); and to being holy (not being sensuous and earthly).
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 stress this essential understanding: spiritual leadership in a congregation provides shepherding while addressing the real needs of the congregation in the context of its “real world” situation.
In 1 Peter 5:1-5, Peter, an elder, gives a charge to other elders. As an elder, he walked in their sandals, he actually saw Jesus’ sufferings, and he understood the eternal destination. Peter focused them on their responsibility. Their primary responsibility: shepherd the sheep (or take care of the Christians). Remember: sheep are hard to care for. (1) Exercise oversight, (2) do it because you want to do it, (3) lead by example, (4) do not lord it over them (or do not lead by using power and control).
Selecting men to be elders (entrusting them with leadership within the congregation) is the most critical moment in the life of a congregation. That decision affects the health and future of the congregation more than any other single leadership decision. Too many help make that decision while having little understanding of the spiritual concerns or responsibilities involved. The biblical selection of elders should never become (1) a popularity contest, (2) a reward for successful business accomplishments, (3) a political campaign, (4) a contest between factions within a congregation, or (5) “a good business decision” that chooses someone who “knows how to make business decisions and handle money.”
The real issue: who has the spiritual ability to capably shepherd this congregation? Who has the spiritual maturity, the Christ-like personality, and the compassionate disposition that will enable this man to be an inspirational guide? Who can encourage us as we serve and follow Jesus Christ? Who (1) would I turn to in the moment of crisis, (2) would I trust to be of help when I am struggling, (3) would spiritually “carry me on his shoulder” when I was too discouraged or too weary to continue on?
The central consideration: The central consideration does not focus on questions and issues that concern real estate and finances. The central consideration focuses on ministering to souls–souls that are troubled, or discouraged, or weak, or tempted, or deceived, or misguided, or fallen, or energetic, or motivated, or purpose driven, or developing and maturing. The central consideration focuses on people, not on things.
Posted by David on December 22, 1996 under Bulletin Articles
Our initial impression of Jesus often becomes the basis of our spiritualfocus. The Lord directed Peter to Cornelius. A confused Peter finallyunderstood that he was to introduce Cornelius to Jesus. This was hisintroduction:
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God appointed him with the Holy Spiritand with power, and how he went about doing good, healing all who wereoppressed by the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
These words leap out: “…He went about doing good…, for God was withhim.” What a beautiful summation of Jesus’ ministry! Jesus went about doinggood because God was with Him. What a marvelous insight!
You and I have difficulty seeing evil. Sure, we see the evil that torturesus or that personally offends us. But, we do not see all evil in all of itsforms and presentations. Jesus did: the evil in hearts, motives, andattitudes as well as the evil in actions and human interaction. Yet, seeingall evil, He went about doing good.
Incredible! Our greatest reasons for refusing to do good arise from ourawareness of evil. Evil discourages us. It “turns us off.” It intimidatesus. It disillusions us. It makes us cynical and judgmental. It powerfullyconvinces us that it is “wrong” to do good. We find others’ evil sooffensive that we refuse to do good.
Christians who stumble and fall frustrate us. Godly people who fall prey toevil motives anger us. Evil within the church outrages us. We set otherChristians on idealistic pedestals. Then we are disgusted when they failto meet our expectations.
In all circumstances, Jesus saw evil as we are incapable of seeing it. Yet,He went about doing good.
Jesus was born to do good, lived to do good, died to do good, and He everreigns to do good. May we follow His leadership. Why? Because God is withus. Remember: the more God’s presence fills us, the more good we will do.
Posted by David on December 15, 1996 under Bulletin Articles
Paul told the Philippian congregation to develop the attitude toward eachother that Jesus had toward God (Philippians 2:5-11). This was practicalguidance given to a good congregation that needed to adjust some basicattitudes. Though they loved Christ and Paul (1:9), they inadequately lovedeach other. Selfishness, or conceit, or a sense of self-importancecharacterized many of them (2:2, 3). Two fine Christian women were inserious conflict. Each had provided Paul invaluable assistance “in thecause of the gospel” (4:2, 3). However, they failed to translate love forChrist into respect for each other.
Their relationship problems were rooted in attitudes. The problems would beaddressed productively if this happened: they identified, understood, andadopted the mind of Jesus Christ. Having the “mind of Christ” is the key tomaking godly mental and emotional adjustments. Two events in Jesus’ lifemust be understood if His “mind” is to reform our minds and impact ourrelationships. The first: his mind-set before entering this world. Thesecond: his mind-set as he faced and experienced the cross.
Preoccupation with blame and fault is a major curse. We are too easilyconsumed with a passion to assign fault and affix blame. In Jesus’willingness to be born and to die, the blameless Jesus was unconcerned aboutassigning fault or affixing blame.
Consider his crucifixion. Who was to blame? Who was at fault? Judas thebetrayer? Peter the denier? The twelve who fled? The religious leaderswho condemned Him? The multitudes who screamed for His death? Pilate whorefused to release Him? The soldiers who mocked, scourged, and executedHim? Adam and Eve who first rebelled? Humanity–because we all rebel and fail?Blame was unimportant, fault irrelevant. Evil had conquered everyone. Godmust satisfy divine justice to freely extend divine grace and unconditionalforgiveness. Only Jesus’ death could produce atonement and redemption.Jesus focused on that objective. Concern about fault and blame was adangerous distraction. So the dying Jesus refused to consider the grossinjustices surrounding His death. He placed those in God’s hands (1 Peter2:21-24).
Unconcerned about fault or blame, he said, “Father, forgive them; they donot understand what they are doing.” God, when we are victimized by ourpassion to assign fault or affix blame, forgive us. Help us be enveloped bythe mind of Jesus Christ.
Posted by David on November 24, 1996 under Bulletin Articles
You are God’s greatest investment. In nothing has God investedmore than He has invested in you. He brought you into being byplacing a part of Himself in you. When our original ancestorsdecided to allow evil to become a permanent condition of the humanexperience, He committed to His most costly investment, thecreation of perfect forgiveness.
To grasp the magnitude of God’s investment (in time, frustration,sorrow, and personal cost), consider the known things required ofGod. Consider the decision to work patiently with humanity’sstubborn free wills. Consider the difficulty of forming the Nation ofIsrael. Consider Israel’s challenges to God’s purposes and patiencein Israel’s wilderness experiences. Consider the disappointmentsand setbacks God tolerated in Israel’s stubborn, hard-heartedrebelliousness generation after generation. Consider the agony ofGod’s distress when Israel’s failures necessitated exiles andcaptivities. But Israel had to exist for God to send Jesus. No Israel,no Jesus, no perfect forgiveness.
The most costly part of God’s investment was Jesus. He permitted apart of Himself, the active agent in creation, to become a humanpart of that creation. He permitted him, as a human, to endure theworst that evil could conspire. He permitted him, in true purity andinnocence, to suffer the most agonizing execution a human couldexperience. He allowed Jesus in death to wear in his body the totalsin of humanity. He allowed Jesus fully to experience an evilperson’s death.
God invested all of this in you. No one wants you to have and enjoysalvation as much as God does. God did not invest all of this todestroy you. He could have destroyed you with no investment.
God’s love was determined to save you. Having made this enormousinvestment, He will not hesitate to do anything needful to make yoursalvation certain reality. Your salvation is a daily reality and aneternal reality if you do three things. Place your confidence in theatonement of Jesus’ death. Place your trust in God’s power toresurrect. Learn to love God as He loves you.
Jesus came to save you. The patient, loving God wants no one to perish. If you chose to accept salvation through Jesus and, in love, commit yourself to God’s will, you can be certain that God will not neglect His investment. You can be assured that the same love which invested Jesus in your forgiveness will sustain you through forgiveness. In that assurance is the peace that passes all understanding.
Posted by David on December 31, 1969 under Bulletin Articles
Oh, profondità della ricchezza, della sapienza e della scienza di Dio! Quanto inscrutabili sono i suoi giudizi e ininvestigabili le sue vie! Infatti, chi ha conosciuto il pensiero del Signore? O chi è stato suo consigliere (Isaia 40:13-14)? O chi gli ha dato qualcosa per primo, sì da riceverne il contraccambio (Giobbe 41:11)? Perché da lui, per mezzo di lui e per lui sono tutte le cose. A lui sia la gloria in eterno. Amen.(Romani 11:33-36)
La saggezza umana non può comprendere la profondità della sapienza di Dio, neanche un cristiano può farlo. Gli uomini possono dipendere dalle vie di Dio, ma non possono capirle.
Un uomo o una donna che affermi di comprendere Dio, inganna se stesso/a e di conseguenza gli altri. I farisei erano convinti d’aver capito Dio.
Erano esperti delle scritture (Matteo 23:2,3). Avevano enorme fiducia nella loro intelligenza e conoscenza, e credevano molto nel loro sistema religioso e nelle proprie tradizioni.
Erano così certi d’aver compreso le intenzioni e la volontà di Dio che si permisero di contraddire, castigare, ridicolizzare e cospirare contro Gesù.
Gesù era Dio fatto carne (Giovanni 1:1-5) Se loro erano così esperti nella conoscenza come hanno potuto fallire, nel non riconoscere Dio in carne?
Se erano così conoscitori delle scritture, come hanno potuto fallire nel non riconoscere il Creatore fatto carne?
Se loro avevano conoscenza accurata dei modi di Dio, come hanno potuto fallire nel non riconoscere la mano di Dio, negli insegnamenti e nelle opere di Gesù?
Sorprendentemente, incoraggiarono la morte del figlio di Dio perché erano sicuri di conoscere Dio. Io lo trovo spaventoso e voi? Quanto è grande il Dio che ci ha mandato Gesù?
Grande abbastanza per salvarci con la Sua misericordia, grande abbastanza da sostenerci con la Sua grazia, grande abbastanza da usare il sangue di Gesù per redimerci dai peccati.
Così grande da santificarci nella morte di Gesù, da giustificarci nel sacrificio di Gesù, grande abbastanza da essere sordo di fronte alle accuse mossaci da Satana.
Grande abbastanza per distruggere la nostra colpa. Grande abbastanza da darci la pace in Cristo.
E perché forse comprendiamo la Sua sapienza e conoscenza?
No, è solo perché gli crediamo!
Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles
Un ufficiale dell’esercito romano, incontrò Gesù al suo arrivo a Capernaum (Matteo 8:5-13). L’ufficiale aveva un servo paralizzato che soffriva tanto, e chiese a Gesù di guarirlo. Gesù era d’accordo ad andare da lui per sanarlo. L’ufficiale disse: “No” non venire perché sono indegno di farti entrare a casa mia, tutto quello di cui hai bisogno è di dire una parola e il mio servitore sarà guarito. So cosa significa avere autorità, quando io comando ad uno dei miei soldati di far qualcosa egli lo fa.”
Quest’ufficiale era incredibile, non era un giudeo, e non aveva avuto i vantaggi di chi passava la vita nella sinagoga. Era improbabile che lui conoscesse l’interazione di Dio con Israele attraverso i secoli, eppure riconosceva potere e autorità quando li vedeva. Vide i miracoli che faceva Gesù per quelli che erano, e li accettò come tali. Molti Giudei, Farisei e Sadducei non credevano a quello che vedevano con i loro occhi.
A quest’ufficiale stava a cuore il suo servitore, gli dispiaceva che fosse paralizzato, che soffrisse. _Quanto gli stava a cuore?_ Lui era un soldato odiato per quel che faceva, per la sua posizione di forza e per quello che rappresentava, eppure osò fare una richiesta ad un ebreo, non lo minacciò, né comandò o gli ordinò di far qualcosa. Rischiò di rendersi ridicolo, d’esser rigettato o disprezzato per prendersi cura del suo servitore.
Questo soldato era veramente umile. Gli ufficiali romani non erano conosciuti per la loro umiltà. Quest’uomo non solo riconobbe potere e autorità quando li vide, ma capì subito che posizione prendere. Non so quale identità egli attribuì a Gesù, ma so cosa pensò di Lui, nonostante l’ufficiale poteva comandare cento soldati, sapeva che Gesù gli era infinitamente superiore. _Quanto?_ Lui credeva che la sua casa non fosse degna d’ospitarlo, vera umiltà (non falsa modestia!)
Quest’ufficiale era un uomo con un’incredibile fede. Lui credeva che la guarigione del suo servitore non dipendesse dalla presenza di Gesù o dal fatto che gli parlasse o lo toccasse. Sapeva che sarebbe bastato soltanto un comando, una parola, era sicuro che se Lui lo avesse detto, una volta tornato a casa avrebbe trovato il servo guarito.
Gesù non aveva mai trovato tanta fede in un Israelita, neanche in Pietro, Giacomo e Giovanni che pure hanno lasciato tutto per seguirlo.
Mi piacerebbe che Gesù guardasse noi esclamando: “Wow quanta fiducia che hanno in me! Non ho mai trovato tanta fede negli USA! (in Italia N.d.R.).” _Perché mi piacerebbe?_ forse per essere superiori? No, mi piacerebbe che noi fossimo così umili, fedeli e premurosi.
