Tag: Faithfulness

The Pastoral Heart

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 2:1–5 (ESV): 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

EXPLAIN

Paul began describing his ministry to the church in Colossians 1:24. These verses complete his thoughts. Paul explained how his suffering for Christ was a participation in Christ’s sufferings, his ministry to the church was a stewardship granted by Christ, and the effort he expended in ministry was due to the power of Christ flowing through him.

In our highlighted verses, we now see both Paul’s pain and Paul’s pleasure in ministry. In Colossians 2:1-4, Paul noted his struggle in ministry for these believers was a passion for three things.

Paul did not expressly state how he struggled for the believers. As he clearly noted, he had never met these Christians. He did not serve in their community. Therefore, it would seem best to understand his struggle as one that occurred primarily in prayer and was expressed in both his feelings of love and anxiety for this church.

What was Paul’s struggle in prayer for this church about? His passion was that they might

1. Be encouraged in their faith, v. 2.

Colossians 2:2 (ESV): 2 that their hearts may be encouraged

Paul’s desire for their encouragement begs the question, “Why might the believers be discouraged?” There were several possible causes of discouragement. First, the pressure and difficulties of living in a sinful world can sap our energy and joy. Second, the attacks of the enemy of our soul can drive fear and desperation. Third, the false teaching of that influential individual(s) who tried to persuade the believers that Christ alone was insufficient hope for salvation would rob the believers of their joy. If we resort to any foundation for hope besides Christ, we will lose our joy of living. But even if we remain grounded in our faith, combating those who teach spiritual error can lead to discouragement.

Therefore, Paul struggled, praying, desiring, hoping, seeking assurance that these believers would be encouraged in their faith, emboldened to live for God in a threatening, dismissive world.

Today as then, the Church of God desperately needs encouragement in the faith. The sources and avenues by which the enemies of God seek to discredit the gospel have only grown in the past couple thousand years. Furthermore, while followers of Jesus are actively persecuted around the world, even in the western world there seems to be a rising intolerance and even hatred for the Christian.

Furthermore, the distractions of the world have increased, and when we do not focus on Christ for our satisfaction and joy we can easily lose our way and become greatly discouraged. We should recognize that this discouragement may not be marked, at least at the first, by sadness and despair. Rather, we can be discouraged from living passionately for Jesus, staying vitally connected to the Vine, supported by the fellowship of the Church. Then, over time we find ourselves like a ship without a rudder, driven and tossed by wind and waves.

Paul struggled in prayer, desiring that the believers be encouraged in their faith and that they would also…

2. Be united in their faith, v. 2.

Colossians 2:2 (ESV): 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love

When I was young, I remember some crocheting frames that my mom had us boys put yarn into to make handmade potholders. As I grew older, I learned how to very clumsily sew a button back onto a dress shirt. Fortunately for my thumbs, that knowledge has not been tested too often. Needle pricks can hurt! To me, how a sewing machine inserts thread into a garment is a mystery, and I have witnessed how it can become a huge mess if interrupted from its proper functioning.

Like thin threads of cloth intertwined together become a strong bond that securely fastens various pieces of fabric together, the individual Christian is much weaker on his or her own than when inserted, surrounded and bonded with a band of believers.

I recently listened to a podcast in which the guest astutely noted that the COVID pandemic has devastated relationships within the church and without in part because we began to look at everyone, even family and friends, as a potential “enemy”. Could they be carrying this deadly, invisible virus?

The pandemic, however, is only one of several causes for fraying faith fellowships today. Paul struggled in prayer for a church threatened from without and within, seeking God’s grace to unite the church in love… that they might be knit together in love. Even so, our passionate prayer should be the same. We must pray that less important doctrinal and practical matters do not hinder us from unity on essentials. We must wrestle in prayer than politics might not supplant our love for God and for other people. We must strive in prayer, asking God that the myriad of opportunities for our careers and for pleasure available to us in the world today do not dilute our passion for the people of God.

How might our world be changed if the local church were to be knit together in love! The individual believer would be strengthened by his band of brothers who care, challenge, and correct one another. The family would be strengthened in a community of families and individuals all striving to love God and help each other overcome the challenges of life. The church would become a greater fellowship, as its meetings focused on loving and serving each other, rather than merely a passive time of sitting and watching a few perform for God. The different local churches would see the vital ministries of their sister congregations. Rather than operate in silos, they would band together to impact their communities with the love of Jesus.

Spiritually, we have a great enemy who would seek to tear us apart. Culturally, the headwinds of a post-pandemic, individualistic, personal techology-driven world discourage deeper fellowship with others. Economically, our time, energy, and money may be adversely impacted if we pursue developing bands of brothers and sisters. Yet, the benefits of such Christian fellowship are so rewarding. Therefore, Paul struggled in prayer for the believers to be knit together in love.

In prayer, Paul also sought that the believers might…

3. Grow deeper in the assurance of their faith, vv. 2-3.

Colossians 2:2–3 (ESV): 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The occasion for this letter was an influential individual(s) teaching the believers that there was some hidden mystery, some secrets to the gospel that could not be known by merely placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Devotion to that teacher and his teachings was necessary for full salvation.

Today, the believer faces a similar temptation and delusion. Knowledge and understanding is highly valued. We think that if we can somehow learn another truth from God’s word, another secret, another practical tip, our lives will be changed for the better.

Of course, we should grow in our knowledge of God’s Word. There are lessons and tips that may help us in our faith. The danger is that our faith becomes all about spiritual knowledge rather than Christ. Scripture memorization is vital, but hiding God’s Word in our heart should not become a substitute for knowing the God who wrote the Word. Biblical history and facts can greatly aid our understanding of scriptural truth, but we miss the point if we do not grow in our knowledge of the God of the ages.

Paul prayed for the believers to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.

The full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery is Christ. Ephesians 3:6 notes that the mystery of the gospel is that Gentiles are included in God’s plan of salvation partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Colossians 1:27 says that the riches of the glory of the mystery is Christ in you. Now, Paul emphasizes the God’s mystery is Christ.

For the detail-oriented person, this might seem like a contradiction or a moving target. But the general truth is that the mystery is Christ’s salvation offered to all freely.

In Colossians 2 Paul thus prayed for the believers to gain full assurance and knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. He would warn them in the following section of his letter not to allow anyone to mislead them and ensnare them spiritually by philosophy and tradition. The secret to spiritual growth is not understanding spiritual truth better or by following rituals and regulations. The secret of flourishing spirituality is knowing Christ deeply!

Indeed, Paul continued in Colossians 2:3 (ESV), saying: 3 in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Anything and everything you need spiritually is found in Christ. Christ is not the beginning point of a fulfilled life. Life in Christ gives lasting fulfillment.

Some might feel, however, that simply knowing Christ as Lord and Savior is not enough. There has to be more, they think. The truth is, simply making a profession of faith in Christ is not enough.

Do not misunderstand. I am not saying we need to work for our salvation or somehow gain knowledge that is not found in Christ to truly be spiritual. This was precisely the error of those in Colossae, Galatia, etc. who sought to lead the Christians astray.

By saying that a profession of faith in Christ is not enough, I am simply saying there follows a life of faith in Christ that must be lived! 3 in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Have we plumbed the depths of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in Christ? I know that I have not! Colossians 1:27 (ESV): The riches of the glory of this mystery … is Christ in you. Are you fully enjoying your spiritual wealth afforded by the abiding presence of Jesus within you? I know that I have not!

Therefore, our longing and prayer should not be for some secret that we can find through philosophy, science, or some other field. Rather, our deep desire should be to known and be known by our Lord and Savior more deeply and intimately than we have ever before experienced.

Paul’s Joy

Colossians 2:4–5 (ESV): 4I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

While Paul struggled mightily in prayer for the Colossians Christians that they might be encouraged, united and have a greater assurance in their faith, Paul also expressed great joy. Despite the attempts of this influential individual(s), the Christians kept good order and remained firm in their faith.

This church did not allow the novel teachings of a few to destroy the unity of their church or undermine their leadership. They refused to cast away their hope in Christ. Rather, they sought the apostle’s confirmation of the Gospel.

Their example is a powerful testimony to us of how to respond when certain individuals or teachings seek to make inroads in the Church, teaching “new” ideas. Instead of casting away our faith quickly or allowing chaos to reign, we must carefully study God’s Word to confirm what is truth. If the teaching highlights truth that had been hidden before, we should accept it in its proper place; if these ideas are in opposite to clear, biblical doctrine, we must reject them.

APPLY

For those of us called to ministry, this scripture speaks to us powerfully about the conflict in prayer required for God’s people, regardless of whether the people in one’s setting are in danger of being deceived by false doctrine or if they are merely under the attack of our spiritual enemy, as all believers are.

We must pray for encouragement in the faith, unity, and a greater assurance through a deeper knowledge of Christ himself. We should also rejoice as we see those under our care and ministry standing firm for Jesus.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing to us your mystery, which is Christ. Help us to devote our lives to a greater knowledge of your Son. Encourage our faith. Unite us in our love for you. May our assurance of faith be like a great shield protecting us from all fiery darts of those who oppose you. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Called unto Holiness

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 1:21–23 (ESV): 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

EXPLAIN

Paul was writing a church that was struggling with certain influential people who were trying to draw them away from following Christ and the pure gospel. Therefore, Paul emphasized the preeminence of Christ first and then tied that to reminder of the grace of God had changed the people from being lost in sin to having a magnificent purpose in God’s plan for the world, providing that they lived faithfully for Christ.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

Paul first described the unbeliever’s past. Before we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are alienated from God. The bridge illustration is useful in depicting this reality. The unbeliever stands on one side of a chasm; God is on the other. There is no way for us to cross the gulf to reach God. All our righteous deeds and other acts fall short of bridging the gap.

While we might not like to recognize this, in sin we are also hostile in mind to God. Our sin is a terrible affront to God. The sinner, in his self-righteous refusal to believe God and admit his sin, opposes God. Yes, in a sense, the sinner is the victim of sin and Satan, trapped by guilt. Yet in a very real sense, the sinner is also an agent – a solider – for sin and Satan, warring against God and His Church.

Thirdly, the sinner is busy doing evil deeds. We must not sugar-coat this reality. The sinner does wickedness. Unbelief is sin. Sin is sin. Even our attempts to be good, apart from God’s grace and power, are unclean. Isaiah 64:6 says (ESV): 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Truly, we were in need of a Savior!

22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, There is an important truth here that we could overlook. The reconciliation that Christ undertook for us is glorious. But how has Christ reconciled us? In the body of his flesh. The intent of Paul’s statement seems to be more than an emphasis on Christ’s humanity, although that was surely intended. Rather, Christ’s reconciliation of sinners was accomplished in his body of flesh. Typically, the flesh is regarded as evil; we struggle often with our flesh to do what is right. But Christ shows us as the God-man that our physical bodies are not evil; the problem is our carnal nature. Consider then the great triumph of Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, who accomplished our reconciliation to God in his body, by living a holy, sinless life and then offering his body – his life – as the only sacrifice acceptable to take away the sins of the world!

Having described our past as unbelievers, Paul then wrote about our purpose as God’s people. 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, God has reconciled us to himself through His Son’s death so that He might present us to himself holy. This scripture echoes Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV): 25 … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Holy… blameless… above reproach. These three words are synonyms, and looking at the original Greek words of the text find little difference between their meanings.

The Greek rendered into “holy” is hagios and means, according to Strong’s: “sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).”

The Greek behind “blameless” is amomos. Strong’s definition is: “unblemished (literally or figuratively): – without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblameable.”

The Greek for “above reproach” is anegkletos. Strong’s says: “unaccused, that is, (by implication) irreproachable: – blameless.”

Hagios is used 229 times in the New Testament. It is the word for “holy” with which we are most familiar. This word seems to describe the character or nature of that which is holy, for example, the Holy Spirit, or saints (holy ones). Therefore, Paul was writing that Christ’s reconciliation in his body by his death is to make our nature – our character – holy.

Amomos is used 7 times in the New Testament and seems to refer more to our actual condition – that we might be without blemish morally, ethically, etc. before God.

For example, in Ephesians 5:26–27 (ESV) we read: 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. The words “without blemish” are amomos.

Also, in Hebrews 9:14 (ESV) we read of Christ’s sacrifice: 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Again, “without blemish” is amomos.

Therefore, the intention of Paul in Colossians 1:22 was to say that Christ’s purpose is to present us to himself without flaw. Wow!

Such a thought is amazing… and intimidating. It is one thing to be declared holy, even made holy. When we are “saved” – regenerated, redeemed, and adopted into God’s family, there is an initial sanctification that God performs in us. We are declared righteous – made holy in God’s sight.

However, while we are forgiven and cleansed of sin as new Christians, our carnal nature – the bent toward sinning – remains. We need a deeper, second work of grace called entire sanctification, in which we recognize our bent toward sinning remains, consecrate ourselves fully to God, and experience our own Pentecost in which we receive cleansing of inbred sin and are filled fully with the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8-9).

A great example of this need for entire sanctification was the Church of Corinth. Paul addressed this problem church as … 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV): 2 … the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints… . Yet he also charged these saints as carnal. 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (ESV): 3 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. Despite all the wonderful spiritual gifts these believers had received and practiced, they needed to be entirely sanctified, for they had forgotten that love is the greatest gift of all from God.

John Wesley described the sanctified life as one of “perfect love.” In saying this, he did not intend to suggest that the sanctified Christian experienced absolute perfection. Rather, one’s heart is purified and therefore the intentions are holy, even though one’s actions may still not always be perfect and require God’s continuing grace.

Some are afraid to believe that such an experience of grace is possible. Yet, why would God’s will and plan be to present us blameless – without flaw, if he did not have the ability to do so?

Continuing on, anegkletos is used five times in the New Testament; three of those instances are found in 1 Timothy 3:10, Titus 1:6 and Titus 1:7. 1 Timothy 3:10 regards the qualifications for deacons; Titus 1:6-7 talks about qualifications for elders (pastors).

The use of the word anegkletos is italicized in the verses following.

1 Timothy 3:10 (ESV): 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Titus 1:5–6 (ESV): 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

Titus 1:7 (ESV): 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

“Blameless” as anegkletos describes a person as seen by others. We are blameless, above reproach, in the eyes of others.

In our litigious, quick-to-find-fault world in which we live, it might seem impossible to live blameless before the eyes of others. It would seem that someone will find fault with anyone. Living above reproach does not mean one will escape the gossip and slander of everyone around them. Even righteous Daniel was accused by jealous peers in government. Rather, Paul is saying that Christ enables us to live in such a way that we do not wrongly offend others. Peter described such a life in his first epistle:

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV): 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Living a blameless life that is above reproach does not exclude slander and gossip, but proves such hateful speech to be a lie to those who are honest, equitable, and investigate the matter carefully.

Thirdly, Paul wrote about the believer’s position in Christ. There is a condition to our salvation and the holiness God provides for us.

Colossians 1:23 (ESV): 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The Greek for stable is themelioō, meaning to be “to lay a basis for, that is, (literally) erect, or (figuratively) consolidate: – (lay the) found (-ation), ground, settle.”

The Greek for steadfast is hedraios, with a similar meaning: “(to sit); sedentary, that is, (by implication) immovable: – settled, stedfast.”

The Greek for not shifting is composed of a negative for “not” and metakineō, “to stir to a place elsewhere, that is, remove (figuratively): – move away.“

The picture I get in my mind here is of an established oak tree with huge, strong roots that cannot be easily moved away. Its leaves may swirl in the wind, but that tree is stable, steadfast, and does not shift with the winds and storms of life.

We must tackle, however, the condition Paul gives the believer in verse 23. if indeed you continue in the faith This condition does not suggest that God’s saving powers are imperfect, nor does it mean that one’s salvation is suspect, easily lost, untrustworthy.

Rather, these words mean what they clearly say: we have a responsibility to live in the grace Christ has provided us. If we refuse to walk in Christ’s light, if we intentionally stray by neglect, by sin, by disobedience and rebellion, then obviously we no longer are continuing in the faith. Then, we are not living a stable, steadfast life for God. We have shifted from the hope of the gospel.

But if we continue to live in obedience to God and His word, if we avail ourselves of His grace, we can know God will continue his work of purifying and molding us in holiness as we live faithfully for Christ.

APPLY

It is important for us to remember our past before Christ, but not to wallow in guilt for sins covered by the blood of Jesus, nor to glorify a life lived without Christ. Rather, it is important to remember our life before Christ in order that we might never take his grace for granted, but redouble our efforts to live in his holiness.

In this vein of thought, we should also recognize Christ’s purpose for our lives. He has redeemed and sanctified us of sin so that we might live holy before him. As the wonderful hymn says…

“Called unto holiness,” Church of our God,
Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood,
Called from the world and its idols to flee,
Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

“Holiness unto the Lord” is our watchword and song;
“Holiness unto the Lord” as we’re marching along.
Sing it, shout it, loud and long:
“Holiness unto the Lord” now and forever.

He makes us holy, cleansing us of committed sin and purifying us of inbred sin, but we also bear a great responsibility: to live in his holiness pure of willful sin so that there is no basis behind the reproaches of a scoffing, jealous, insincere world.

Therefore, the conditional aspect of our salvation again takes center stage. While we need not fear that our salvation may slip away, we must stay grounded in God and His Word so that we might remain stable and steadfast in the grace of Jesus.

The first readers of this letter were being challenged by false teachers to leave… or to add on… to the gospel of Jesus. The specifics and angles of attack may differ from then to what we experience today, but the essence of the temptations we face is the same: to abandon the grace of God for something “more shiny”.

Our challenge is continue in the faith.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. Thank you for changing my life so dramatically. Thank you for holiness; continue your work of making me more like Christ. I desire to reflect Jesus more purely and completely in every aspect of my life. Help me, then, to live faithfully for you, for in you only is the stability and security we need in this world roiling from the consequences of sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Faithful Servant

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 1:7–8 (ESV): 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

EXPLAIN

It is believed that Epaphras, a native of Colossae (Colossians 4:14) traveled to Ephesus while Paul ministered there, was converted, and then returned home, starting the church in Colossae.

Epaphras now had traveled to Rome to report the faith, love and hope of Colossae Church, but also the presence of some who were teaching false doctrines.

In Colossians 4:12, Epaphras is described as a prayer warrior, struggling in prayer for his church. In Philemon, a personal letter sent to an individual who lived near Colossae and may have been delivered at the same time as Colossians, Paul described Epaphras as a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus (v. 23). Thus, Epaphras’ efforts to minister to Paul may have led to his own arrest.

APPLY

Of all the descriptions Paul could have used for this fellow minister of the Gospel, it is interesting to note what Paul called Epaphras: faithful. Epaphras was a successful church planter. Epaphras was a prayer warrior, which Paul did note at the end of his letter. But how did Paul describe this fellow preacher and pastor?

Faithful.

In a world driven by the search for success, followers of Jesus must take note of God’s values.

Even in the church world today, we tend to highlight those who can grow a church to large numbers, or at least pastor a large church, who make a name in their community for various reasons, are published authors, etc, etc. We often rate a preacher by how dynamic his sermon delivery is, how polished and energizing the worship service feels, among other factors.

God values faithfulness.

Notice also of whom Epaphras was a servant: “a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf” (Colossians 1:7). The minister of the Gospel serves Christ… on the behalf of people.

The pastor is not a politician, seeking to please a constituency. The pastor is a servant of King Jesus. The pastor shares the Good News to his community.

The message of the Good News is God’s love and grace, but the gospel is also a warning of God’s judgment upon those who will not repent. Therefore, the pastor’s work is not merely of being a messenger, but also a prophet.

The pastor’s faithfulness is seen in his ministry to his congregation, but the gauge of his faithfulness is Christ Jesus.

As an aside: it is interesting to consider that the people-gifts Christ gave the church (Ephesians 4:11) are more about roles of gospel ministers than titles of offices. If so, we would then see that apostles are those who bring the message of the Gospel to people, prophets proclaim God’s grace and judgment, evangelists passionately seek to convince people of Gospel truth through the work of the Spirit, and pastor-teachers expound the truth of the Gospel for the growth in grace of God’s people.

The ESV margin notes that in some Greek manuscripts “your behalf” (v. 7) is “our behalf.” If this rendering were preferable, the stress of the accountability of the gospel minister would be even less to the local congregation, as Paul would appear to note Epaphras as a missionary sent from his apostolic team to Colossae Church. Or, Paul could have been seeking to emphasize Epaphras’ pastoral authority by appealing to his own apostolic authority.

Regardless, Epaphras was a faithful minister of Christ on the behalf of Colossae Church. Epaphras reported to Christ, but he did serve the local church. Therefore, he was responsible to minister well to the people.

The significance of all this is the tendency of many local churches today to regard the pastor from a secular, business-like mindset. The pastor is hired as “CEO” and is expected to produce for and please the local congregation.

If the pastor’s messages are not deemed encouraging or exciting enough, if attendance does not grow, if the worship services are not polished and riveting, if the people do not feel “cared for” enough, the pastor is called on the carpet by the board of directors, and expected to turn around the “trajectory of the church” or be subject to threats of pay cuts or dismissal.

In adopting this model of the church, a local church robs itself of the blessing that Christ gives to it. God calls “gospel ministers” in order to share the Good News… in light of the menacing reality of sin. God forgives, redeems, and pardons the repentant, but those who persist in rebellion against him are doomed to an eternity of separation from God and terrible punishment for their sin! Thus, a pastor who acquiesces to spoken or unspoken demands to only preach a positive message, never challenging people for error, is truly an unfaithful minister of Christ!

Furthermore, the pastor is called by God to this ministry. If he begins to answer to people, rather than God, he takes orders from the wrong entity. The pastor cannot lead people in the will of God by following the will of man, whose heart is deceitful, and desperately wicked.

We must also remember the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). In a real and vital way, God has called every single follower of Jesus to be a minister of the gospel. God has given us different gifts, according to Christ’s grace, but he has given us all the responsibility to serve. As Ephesians 2:10, we are his worksmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-13, God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers (whether one understands that as roles or functions of “gospel ministers”) to equip the saints to do the work of ministry, whereby the church will be built up and mature in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.

Does this mean the pastor has no responsibility to grow the local church? Should he be excused if week after week his messages do not sound “inspiring” to the congregation or seem disconnected from God’s Word? If the pastor is a minister of Christ Jesus, what is his responsibility to the local church?

These are only a few of the possible responsibility/accountability questions for the pastor. But firstly, Jesus himself said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Thus, the church’s growth ultimately is due to the work of Christ, but we must also note that the pastor and congregation are responsible to cooperate with and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in this endeavor. A pastor who refuses to act in faith or to follow God’s will may be a leading factor in a local church’s failure to grow, but the same is true of a congregation unwilling to act and serve in faith or to follow God’s leading.

Jesus told two parables that, on the face of it, are very similar, yet upon great reflection have different implications and applications. In Matthew 25, Jesus told the story of a master giving three servants different amounts of money – the Parable of the Talents. Two invested their money and doubled the principal. The third hid away the money, unwilling to work for his master. In this parable, application is clear: a faithful servant will work hard, taking risks by faith, and will experience both a return on his endeavor and the commendation of his master.

The Parable of the Ten Minas, recorded in Luke 19:11-27, is deceivingly similar, but has different, important implications. In this parable, the master calls ten servants and gives them each one mina. Whereas in the other parable, some might argue the first two servants had an advantage over the third, in this parable each servant is given the same amount of money.

Furthermore, in this parable of the ten minas, the first servant does not merely double his master’s money. Instead, he greets his master with ten times the original amount! The second servant also does not merely double the money entrusted to him, but returns with five times the original amount! Also, unique to this parable is the fact that the earnings of seven servants are never reported.

Consider this application to faithful ministry in the church: some pastors are enabled by God to have a ministry with exponential results. They see their church grow to thousands, and oversee multiple ministries as they seek to make disciples who make disciples. Other pastors are blessed by God, but their results are somewhat muted, as they pastor a church in the hundreds, and have less ministries, even though these ministries are a powerful expression of God’s love to a lost and dying world.

But the vast majority of pastors labor in churches where the growth is not spectacular, where possible ministries are limited, and they often receive little widespread notoriety.

The 2020 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study of more than 15,000 U.S. religious congregations revealed that 7 in 10 U.S. churches have 100 or fewer weekly worship service attendees, while 7 in 10 U.S. churchgoers attend a church with more than 250 each week. (https://research.lifeway.com/2021/10/20/small-churches-continue-growing-but-in-number-not-size/)

70% of U.S. churches have less than 100 in their weekly worship. Does this mean that the pastor or congregation are unfaithful? No! Rather, it means the norm of churches is a small congregation! Huge churches are the outliers.

The issue is not the size of the church. The master’s overriding concern in the servants’ report was not how much they had gained him; he was pleased that they were faithful!

Matthew 25:23 (ESV): 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:26–27 (ESV): 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

Luke 19:17 (ESV): 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

Luke 19:22–23 (ESV): He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

What does it mean to be a faithful minister, a faithful pastor? Both 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 give the qualifications for the elders – the pastors of the church. For the sake of brevity, I will only include 1 Timothy 3 below:

1 Timothy 3:1–7 (ESV): 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

If you were to boil down all of these qualifications to one, what would it be?

Faithfulness.

Do you see it? The pastor must be above reproach – faithful in everything. The pastor must be the husband of one wife – faithful in marriage. The pastor must be sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable – faithful personally. The pastor must be hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money – faithful in his dealings with others. The pastor must with all dignity keep his children submissive – faithful in his home.

Sometimes, churches hold ridiculous expectations for their pastors. Consider 25 Unbelievable Things Search Committees Said to Pastoral Candidates as a few examples.

God’s expectation is faithfulness. Jesus expects his undershepherds to be faithful in every area of their lives. Jesus commands us to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), to preach the word both when it is a good time to share and when it is not (2 Timothy 4:2). Epaphras is a great example of the pastor’s care for his congregation, and of intercesory prayer (Colossians 4:12-13). The pastor’s role is to equip God’s people to do ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Each pastor will have different strengths and emphases in ministry, but each face a key expectation: to be faithful to God, others, and oneself.

Some might be afraid that such a standard of faithfulness for the pastor would mean that their church would never grow, that they would be “condemned” to bad sermons or uninspiring services … etc. But such thinking misunderstands God’s expectation of faithfulness. God does not call or require any pastor to be “successful”, but he does call us to be faithful!

We tend to judge, examine, and critique ministry by worldly standards. We must not be mistaken. God requires faithfulness. Speaking of his own ministry, Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. James also cautioned, James 3:1 (ESV): 3Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

We tend to measure faithfulness and spiritual success by the wrong standards!

I was saddened to read yet another article recently of a pastor who, it has been revealed, over several years has acted unfaithfully a couple of times. There were some contributing factors, medicine and alcohol, yet that should not be an excuse for his dishonoring of his marriage and his call to ministry.

My understanding is that these two incidents were not recent, but happened somewhat isolated over a period of time. The reason why these indiscreet moments have come to light, it seems, is due to more than one other pastor in his church who have also been disgraced due to infidelity, and the accusation that this pastor had failed to disclose sexual abuse by a close family member.

Why didn’t all of these issues result in correction by the church much sooner? The two incidents referred to before were known by the church board some time ago, and they even took steps to address these issues. Why is it only now that the board has asked for the pastor’s resignation? It could be argued that all of the various factors have finally reached a critical point in which change had to occur.

Yet we should not overlook the fact that the church this man pastored is a huge megachurch, and has been a great “success” with huge attendance numbers, incredible expansion, powerful influence on the worldwide Church through its worship ministry, and more.

By the factors most eagerly sought by many in the church world today – magnificent buildings, healthy budgets, and large attendances, this pastor was a success. But Christ calls his pastors to be faithful, and this man appears to have had a significant slip-up in that calling. May God grant grace to this pastor to find healing and restoration and continue to be used as a faithful servant of Jesus! Truly, we should hope for God’s grace to forgive, change and restore this man spiritually and even for his ministry calling.

But the point is obvious: we must be careful not to judge by the wrong standard of “success” for the ministry: God calls us to be faithful.

I write these words, however, with some trepidation. It is my fear that someone reading this might think I am giving an excuse for the pastor to be mediocre: sloppy in sermon preparation, half-hearted in pastoral care, uncommitted in outreach to the lost, failing to equip believers for the work of ministry. This is not my intention, at all.

Rather, the pastor must committed to excellence in all these areas. Surely God desires his pastors to have a holy ambition. Both of the parables mentioned above should attest to that. Selfish ambition is not of God; but a holy ambition to spread the Good News, equip the saints for ministry and glorify the King of kings is desperately needed in Christ’s Church.

Yet we should also recognize that every pastor will have certain strengths and weaknesses in their ministry. One may be an excellent expositor, yet not the greatest in delivery. One may deliver dynamic messages, but truly need to focus more on the scripture. One may be excellent in visiting the sick and bereaved, another may be better in teaching. One may have a great prayer ministry; another may excel in outreach.

We must not expect a pastor to “be the best” in every aspect of ministry; we must require him to be faithful in ministry, remembering that his job is truly to equip the rest of the church to serve alongside him in ministry. The pastor himself (or herself) must always strive to grow their skills.

Colossians 1:7–8 (ESV) again say: … Epaphras our beloved fellow servant … is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Paul described Epaphras as a fellow servant. The Greek for “servant” here is doulos. Epaphras was a bond servant, a slave of Jesus. He belonged to Christ, not to man. He faithfully served Christ on the behalf of Colossae Church. In doing this, Epaphras expressed this church’s love for Apostle Paul. Epaphras traveled some distance to talk to Paul about an issue that threatened the church. He was faithful to guard the church he served from those who would harm it. Epaphras served faithfully, even though it apparently meant imprisonment (see Philemon).

Epaphras was a faithful pastor of Jesus Christ. May each one of us who are called to this ministry follow his great example!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the life and example of Epaphras. Thank you for the call to ministry. May I serve you faithfully on behalf of others, wherever you send me, in whatever capacity you have for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Boast of Faithfulness

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (ESV): 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

EXPLAIN

Paul was extremely complimentary of the church of Thessalonica, in both of his letters to them. In previous verse Paul gave thanks to God for their abundantly growing faith and increasing love. Paul reiterates their great faith in this verse.

In his previous letter, 1 Thessalonians, Paul commended them for the triad of faith, hope, and love. While he directly speaks of faith and love in verses 3-4 of 2 Thessalonians, the following verses speak of the believer’s hope in contrast to the coming judgment of God upon the world.

APPLY

What is the boast of our churches? Some boast great edifices. Some boast of financial security. Some may boast of their influence in the community. Some may boast of dynamic worship teams, great preaching, powerful community. These boasts are wonderful, but are they what God would boast about of us?

Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in this part of God’s revealed Word a boast of a church that was faithful in the midst of persecution, trouble, suffering, and heartache.

May God help us, both as individual followers of Jesus and as the community of God, to be known for faithful love and service to our King of kings!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live and serve you faithfully, through easy times and difficult, giving you honor and glory in how I speak, think, feel, and act. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The rewards of faithfulness

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 19:20–21 (ESV): 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

EXPLAIN

This parable is well known. A master gives his three servants different amounts of money and instructs them to invest the money while he is gone. When he returns the first two servants have doubled the money, but the third had hidden it away, not doing anything with the money at all. The master was irate, saying that the servant could have at least invested the money in the bank and gained a little interest, but the third servant had not even done that.

There is another parable that is similar but different. In another parable, the master gave ten servants the same amount of money. We are only told how three of those servants used the money. The first two gained large amounts, one greater than the other. The third, again, hid the money away, doing nothing with it.

Sometimes, people interpret these parables to speak about spiritual gifts or even natural abilities that God gives us. Truly, a better interpretation is that the money represents opportunities of various kinds that we have to serve God.

APPLY

In my limited experience and training of sales, I have seen the lesson Jesus taught in this parable come true repeatedly. Those who work hard, regardless of their ability and even of their success ratio, somehow receive more and more opportunities. Some of these opportunities and successes come through hard work. Some simply seem to drop out of the sky. Some can be traced as happy customers give referrals which bring more business.

If you aren’t spiritual, it almost feels like somehow that one is rewarded by “the universe” for being faithful, doing hard work – that somehow opportunities gravitate around those who put in the work. As a follower of Jesus, I believe God is at work behind the scenes, rewarding us as we faithfully perform our duties in the workplace, the home, and the church.

The challenge, of course, is: are we being faithful, especially in our God-given mission of making disciples who make disciples of Jesus?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, in both “secular” and “spiritual” work, may I serve you faithfully. As you increase responsibilities and opportunities, may I continue to be faithful to your call. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When he remembered

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 14:72 (ESV): 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

EXPLAIN

Mark 14 is packed with stories of the final few days of Jesus, but the overall theme of all is the plot to kill Jesus. The chapter begins with the religious leaders trying to figure out how to get rid of him. Then we find the event that finally turned Judas Iscariot against Jesus – the anointing of Jesus at Simon the leper’s home. Judas then made his deal.

Next we find a brief accounting of the Passover and Jesus’ foretelling of Peter’s denial. The scene switches to the Garden of Gethsemane and the sleepy disciples. Jesus is betrayed and Peter feebly slices off a servant’s ear with his sword. The disciples scatter and Mark who was following escaped naked.

As Jesus was tried before the Council, Peter tried to stay close outside, but his fear for his life led him to worry more about his own skin. He vehemently denied Jesus three times. Then the rooster crowed and Peter realized what he had done.

APPLY

Peter’s tears express the sorrow of us all when we get so busy with life and worry for ourselves … and then suddenly find ourselves denying Christ by our words or deeds.

Peter denied Jesus by saying he did not know him. We may deny Jesus by ignoring his commands to love one another or by compromising biblical principles. We deny Jesus by failing to be faithful to his leadership of our lives.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to remain faithful to Jesus in all I say and do. Help me to stay aware at all times of the enemy’s scheme, being in close communion with the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How to have a fruitful life

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 128:1–2 (ESV): 1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

EXPLAIN

Psalms are often placed into four or five categories: lament, imprecatory, praise, etc. If I could create a category, I might suggest “family” for at least Psalms 127 & 128. Both psalms talk about how God will bless the family of the one who chooses to serve God as King.

Psalm 127 begins somewhat negatively, saying that unless God builds the house, the builders build in vain, but the psalm ends with great positivity. Psalm 128 is completely positive. The one who references God and obeys him will eat of the fruit of his own labor, and his wife and children will be blessed.

The psalm ends with a blessing that the one who fears God may see their grandchildren. Of course, in those days average life expectancy was a lot lower than it is today with the advances in medicine we enjoy. So to see your grandchildren suggests a very full and blessed life.

APPLY

I think almost everyone wants to have a good life. Some may be afraid of getting too old due to the loss of mobility, mental capacity, etc. that we see some experience today. But most people desire a full, abundant, fruitful life.

We do many things to gain, keep, and preserve this kind of life, as well. Some focus on education, work ethic and more to prosper. Some focus on investments, insurance, etc. to grow and protect one’s wealth. All of this may be helpful.

But the truly blessed person is the one who has submitted their life to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I have chosen to live for you and you have blessed my life so far. May I continue to serve you faithfully as you pour out blessings upon me. In good times and bad, life under your lordship is prosperous. So I live with gratitude to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The law of the harvest

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 126:6 (ESV): 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

EXPLAIN

The heading of this psalm doesn’t give many clues about the historical context in which it was written. I tend to picture this as the reaction of the Babylonian exiles, when they received the news that they would be allowed to return to their homeland.

In the final two verses of the psalm, we find the law of the harvest. You must sow in order to reap. Indeed, you reap according to how much you sow.

For the farmers then, what they reaped in harvest had to last them till the next harvest. They had to budget their tithe to God, what they would need to eat for a year, and what they must plant in order to get the next year’s harvest.

When a farmer did not have a good harvest, he could especially feel the pinch as he planted crops for the next year. He was literally throwing his food on the ground. No wonder, he cried as he sowed. Would his family survive on what was left?

Yet he did so in faith, trusting God and believing that sacrifice today results in rewards tomorrow. And when the next harvest resulted in bushels of grain, he came home shouting with joy!

APPLY

The Law of the Harvest still applies to us today. In work and school, we sacrifice and work hard for a payoff later. In our personal spiritual life, we do the hard work now so that we can reap a harvest of righteousness later. In the church, we also must be faithful to plant seeds for the good news today so that there will be a great harvest in the future.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live by the Law of the Harvest, sacrificing and working faithfully so that I can reap a good harvest for you in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sweet and bitter

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HIGHLIGHT

Revelation 10:10 (ESV): 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.

EXPLAIN

In John’s revelation of the end times, the angel with the sixth trumpet revealed three plagues which killed 1/3rd of mankind. Yet the rest of mankind did not repent of their great wickedness.

Then another mighty angel came down from heaven, setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land. He called out and seven thunders sounded, but a voice from heaven told John to seal up those words and not write it down. While John’s revelation tells us a good deal about the end of time, there are details that we do not know and must wait to see.

The voice from heaven spoke again, commanding John to take the scroll from the angel and eat it. It was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach.

APPLY

Reading and meditating on God’s Word for the devoted follower of Jesus is like eating a tasty supper meal. But even though we may rejoice at the wonderful words of life, we know that for those who refuse to submit to Christ, heartache and judgment await. So those same sweet words can be bitter to our stomach.

Faithfulness in proclaiming God’s Word to others is sweet, yet can be disappointing. Yet we must remain faithful in sharing the good news.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful privilege you have given me in being a preacher of the Gospel. May I be faithful to proclaim you Word to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Fan the flame

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HIGHLIGHT

Jude 20–21 (ESV): 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

EXPLAIN

Jude’s letter lambasts false teachers infiltrating the church, using various vivid word pictures and descriptions to paint them as totally undesirable.

Near the end of his letter, he then writes encouragement to the believers, reminding them that the apostles had warned them of those who would scoff at holiness and cause trouble in the church.

Then, Jude encouraged them to build themselves up in the faith, praying, in the Spirit, keeping themselves in God’s love, waiting for Christ’s mercy.

APPLY

Sometimes, we think that the situation in the world – spiritually, etc. – has never been worse. Scriptures like this demonstrate that in various ages, spirituality has been at a very low ebb. God’s people felt overwhelmed at times in the first century as much as we might in the 21st century.

But God’s truth has endured, and God’s people, building themselves up in their faith, have gained victory, both then and now.

Our responsibility is not to curse the darkness, but to fan the flame of our faith.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I grow in Christlikeness each day, trusting you, seeking your wisdom and power, living faithfully for you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.