THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.  (Philippians 3:17)

We are influenced by our peers.  I am a Bible preacher.  I love to take a text, expound it—often preaching through books of the Bible.  That is what my mentors did.  It was how I was taught.  Sometimes we refer to peer pressure in a negative way because the influences are not good role models.  We have seen many a young life go off the rails from imitating those given to iniquity.  Paul is talking about the power of influence in Philippians 3:17-21.

There are those—Paul and others—who have established a pattern for us to follow (v.17).  They are pioneers of the faith who have blazed the trail for us through the wilderness of this world.  We need heroes—I mean real heroes—not like most of what we see today.  The world’s heroes are often promiscuous and profane.  Role models exert a strong pressure that helps shape our thinking and lifestyle.  If Hollywood stars and not holy saints have a greater influence, then we will not resist the cultural current of our day, but go with the flow.  The Apostle Paul, however, now there’s a hero!  Other than Jesus whom I worship—and is far more than any man—this is the greatest man to have ever set foot on this planet.  Others have done similarly.  We are told to “note” them—to study and scrutinize their lives.  How? Through Bible study, reading Christian biography, and being in fellowship with mature Christians in the church.

Having an eye on eternity is the driving force behind those who set an example for us and how we can become that kind of model for others (v.20-21).  We are to behave as those under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, who are citizens of the kingdom of heaven, living according to its laws.  The Philippians would have grasped this for their city was a Roman colony which meant that they were governed by Roman law although living in Greece.  They were to extend Roman influence through those about them.  We make a difference by being different.  As you walk in this sinful world are you behaving as a citizen of the heavenly realm?

There are those who would lead us astray (v.18-19).  These have chosen to walk according to the course of this world.  They are not overt in their opposition from outside the church, but those who subvert inside the church.  Old Vance Havner used to say, “The church has never been so threatened by woodpeckers on the outside as termites on the inside.”  These walk into church like saints on Sunday and then walk into the world like Satan on Monday.  They are not enemies of the cross because they contradict the Gospel in doctrine but they compromise the Gospel in deed (v.19).  They worship sensual appetites and serve them.  The way to kill such ungodly passions is to starve them.  We feed them by the movies we watch, the magazines we read, and the music we listen to.  C.S. Lewis, “Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you get neither.”  Such boast of what they should be ashamed of!  They call it liberty but it is licentiousness!  Their creed is tolerance.  They advertise how open-minded they are.  Follow that path and you are on the highway to hell.

What kinds of examples are you following and what kind are you setting?

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU

 

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  ‎If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  ‎Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:24-26)

The Gospel is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the Gospel that has the power to transform lives.  No wonder Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Rom.1:16).  The church has been given the responsibility to proclaim and practice the Gospel.  If we don’t demonstrate changed lives that mirror our message, no one is going to listen.  Spurgeon said, “The world demands facts and these we must supply.  It is of no use to cry up our medicine by words; we must point to cures.  Your life will be the greatest argument for the Gospel.”  This is the Gospel according to you. 

Paul points out that there is A DEATH TO EXECUTE (v.24). This is not for an exceptional class of believers, but should be normal experience for all who are Christ’s.  If a man claiming conversion is still dominated by the flesh, he should reevaluate his standing with God.  At salvation we were brought into vital union with Christ—totally identified with Him.  Therefore, His crucifixion is our crucifixion. Jesus not only took our sins to Calvary—those deeds of evil we do—but was made sin for us.  He dealt with our old nature, the factory that manufactures evil.  It had to be, because we are lost not merely because of what we do, but chiefly because of what we are.  We are to die to the drives and desires of the flesh.  The flesh perverts the God-given drives and desires within us.

Secondly, the Apostle tells us there is A DYNAMIC TO EXPERIENCE (v.25).  Just as we are identified with Christ in His death, so we are in His resurrection.  He was made alive in the Spirit.  The Spirit gives us life also.  The same dynamic power that raised Christ from the tomb is now available to us for daily living.  To walk in the Spirit is to be Spirit-directed, Spirit-controlled, and Spirit-empowered.  Instead of following the impulses of the flesh, we are to follow the inspiration of the Spirit.  Our first step is to publicly confess our union with Christ in His death and resurrection.  In baptism, we make this testimony. We say that we have died to the old life and are risen to walk in newness of life.

Thirdly, there is A DEMONSTRATION TO EVIDENCE (v.26).  How can we know that our life has been transformed by the Gospel, that we are dead to sin, and walking in the Spirit?  There is evidence.  We do not become conceited. The Christian does not seek glory for himself, but to give glory to God. Another evidence is that we don’t provoke each other. Instead we seek to be peacemakers.  Another evidence is that we don’t envy each other. The one living the Christ life nails envy to the cross. I deny the message of the Gospel when I build up my ego by tearing down others, when I provoke someone into debate and conflict, or when I envy others.  Humility, peacemaking, and edification reflect Christ, while conceit, provocation, and envy reveal Satan.  Who are we showing to the world?

You are the only Bible some will ever read.  What is the Gospel according to you?

THE LEADER’S ACTIVITY

 

An effective leader doesn’t just say what others ought to do, but shows what leaders do.  Jesus shows us in Luke chapter four THE COURSE OF OUR SERVICE.  We do what Jesus did. 

 

As He embarks on His public ministry—three and one half years that changed the world—He was active as God’s spokesman and soldier.  He shared the Gospel and He stood His ground. 

 

Jesus COMMUNICATED THE WORD (Luke 4:18b-21).  We see the words, “preach” and “proclaim” (twice).  He had a Word to declare.

 

·         It would be a message of good news to the poor, “Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor.”  None are so low the Gospel cannot reach them.

·         It would be a message of healing for the grieving, “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.”   None are so brokenhearted that the Word cannot mend them.

 ·         It would be a message of liberty to those in bondage, “To proclaim liberty to the captives.”  None are so enslaved that the truth cannot free them. 

·         It would be a message that brought light to the blind, “And recovery of sight to the blind.”  None are so blind that God’s light cannot restore them.

 ·         It would be a message of deliverance to the oppressed, “To set at liberty those who are oppressed,” None are so burdened that God’s promises cannot lift them.

 

What Jesus said was in the context of the Jewish Year of Jubilee.

 

And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years.  Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land.   And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.  That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine.  For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field.

In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession.  And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another.  According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor, and according to the number of years of crops he shall sell to you.  According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops.  Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.  (Leviticus 25:8-17)

Christ said His message was, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”  Jesus is our Jubilee—the fulfillment in His New Covenant what was prefigured under the Old Covenant.

What Christ communicated is the same message Christian leaders today need to declare.  Our message can inspire those we lead to rise above their circumstances and become all God means for them to be. 

 

But you will soon discover that plenty of people are opposed to the light.  They don’t want the Gospel for the poor, because in their pride they won’t admit their spiritual bankruptcy.   Rather than embracing the pain of a broken heart and seeking the Healer, they callus their heart to shut out the pain.  Such refuse to admit their slavery, proclaiming their liberation.  They hide from the light because they don’t want to see the dirt on their soul.  These reject the idea of needing help for their burdens asserting their independence.   Their mocking attitude was addressed by Jesus,

 

He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself!  Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ”  Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.  (Luke 4:23-24)

 

People seemed impressed as a first response, but then took a second look.

 

Jesus, in His leadership then not only communicated the Word, He COMBATED THE WICKED (Luke 4:22-30). 

 

·         Some of these wicked opponents were the skeptical, “So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.  And they said, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’ ” (Luke 4:22).  There are always those who want to make Jesus only a good man.  We must fight that error.  It is when you say Jesus is the only Way and we must bow to Him that people will reject you.

·         There are also the hateful. 

But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.  And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”  So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.  Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (Luke 4:25-30) 

 They wanted to kill Him already!   Jesus illustrated from Scripture two instances where the Jews rejected God’s work and Gentiles instead received the miracle.  This was like throwing a lit match into a gas can!  Truth can be incendiary!

 

But a man is immortal until his lifework is done.  Jesus would die—not by being thrown down a hill, but raised up on one in crucifixion.  He would die according to the will of the Father and not the whims of men.  What a picture of Jesus—not some delicate, effeminate Christ of medieval portraits—but a muscular man pushing the mob aside as He marched threw their gauntlet of fury. 

Like Jesus we need men who will take a stand no matter the cost—men of courage and conviction.  We are following the footsteps of Jesus when this is the activity we conduct.  This is the course of our service.

 

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Home for Sheep

“A bishop then must be…hospitable…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

I recall a phone call from a pastor friend several years ago about Debbie, a troubled young teen.  He and his wife had taken her into their home—and her defiance had led them to exasperation.  They wanted to help her, but no longer felt they could.  So, they proposed that we take her in for a time.  We did.

It was a challenge, but we tried to show her love and help her.  Later on, she would find a job and a boyfriend—they planned to marry.  I’ve now lost track of Debbie, but hopefully we made a difference in her life.  She said we did.

Sheep need a home—a pasture and sheepfold where they can feel safe and be nourished.

The hospitality spoken of here found its occasion in the fact that in the days of the great Roman persecutions, Christians were banished and persecuted, and rendered homeless.  Or, in the case of traveling preachers and teachers, ministering from church to church, these servants of God were to be received and cared for by the bishop.  Or, because in the early centuries, the local churches had no church edifice in which to worship, the church met in the home of an individual.  The bishop should be glad to thus open his home for this purpose. ^[1]

Love for God’s lambs is the fundamental foundation for hospitality.  Love can never stop at verbal profession, but must become a practical action. 

Opening one’s house to strangers involves risk, inconvenience and there is a price to pay in money, time and energy.  But, the Golden Rule applies—to do unto others, as we would have them do unto us.  If I were homeless, I would want a shelter.  So, I must offer that to others.

The pastor’s example of Christian love can inspire others in the church to do likewise.       

A PRAYER

Lord,

I am grateful for those who have opened up their home to us in the past.  We are also thankful for those You have sent into our home and the time we have spent together.  The blessings that have come from such relationships have been enriching—far greater than any personal cost.  Thank You for those today who have Bible studies in their home.  Help the movement to flourish once more, and for Your church to continue to grow.

In The Name of Jesus,

Amen.

---

^[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Dignity of Shepherds

“A bishop then must be…of good behavior…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest, relates concerning this word:

                                                                                                                          

“Of good behaviour” is kosmion (κοσμιον), which speaks of order as against disorder. The word could be rendered here, “orderly.” Expositors suggests, “perhaps dignified in the best sense of the term.” ^[1]

There is a dignity about the office of the pastor, and we must conduct ourselves accordingly.  It doesn’t mean we strut around with our nose in the air as though we are special, but that we humbly behave as those chosen by grace to a high and holy task.

Wuest’s suggestion that the term could be translated, “orderly” is precisely what the Good News Bible does.  Considering this reminds us of Paul’s injunction to the Corinthian church, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”  (1 Cor.14:40).

It is not only “what” we do, but the “way” we do things in the church that matters.  There is a template of propriety that should be superimposed over all church functions.  The shepherd sets the standard in this.

The way a pastor conducts himself conveys a message, and not just what he speaks from the pulpit.  We cannot tolerate hypocrisy in our lifestyle that would lead someone to exclaim, “You mean he’s a preacher?!”  All that we do and say is to enhance the office we hold.

A PRAYER

Blessed Lord,

I praise you for the grace you have bestowed in choosing frail men to be shepherds of Your flock.  It is an honor to serve You and I pray that You would give us the wisdom and strength to fulfill our responsibilities honorably.  Help us do the right thing, the right way, the right time and with the right motive.

In the name of Your Son, Jesus,

Amen.

---

^[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (1 Ti 3:2). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

LOOK BACK, LOOK AROUND AND LOOK AHEAD

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV)

As we prepare to celebrate another birthday of Pole Creek Baptist Church this upcoming Sunday, I had a few thoughts about the purpose of what we call “Homecoming Day.”

Scripture enjoins us to LOOK BACK.  “Now all these things happened to them as examples…”

What Paul writes concerning Israel’s wilderness wanderings is intended to leave us an example—that even in their failures, there is a warning not to repeat the same error.  While we are not to live in the past, we are to learn from the past!  The times have changed since Pole Creek was birthed, but the truth upon which she was founded has not!

It is a mistake for young people and newer members to neglect this element.  We may relegate the past with its testimonies and traditions to the dustbin of time and miss the valuable lessons to learn.  If we do not connect with our roots, we are in danger of becoming spiritual tumbleweeds, blown about by the prevailing winds of the latest fads.

We are exhorted that from this look back to then LOOK AROUND.  “and they were written for our admonition…”  The lessons from yesterday are to make a difference in life today.  Paul was telling the Corinthian Christians that it was imperative to apply the Scripture in their day.  Today is all we have.  Yesterday is past; tomorrow may never come.  Just thinking about the past accomplishes nothing but a dreamy nostalgia.  Others labored at Pole Creek to bring us to the opportunity around us today.  Some snort about the word, “contemporary,” especially when applied to 21^st century music, media and methodology.  But, all we have is the contemporary—our day, and the need to follow the Latin credo, “carpe diem” popularly translated as, “seize the day.”

After a look back and a look around, there follows a LOOK AHEAD.  “upon whom the end of the ages have come.”

The Apostle was telling them that from the Jews came the Messiah, and His arrival brought in the last days which will culminate in the prevailing of the Kingdom of God as Christ holds universal dominion.  What we learn from our past, is to stir us to take action in the present, and that in turn will shape our future.  For the child of God it is a glorious future God plans!

It is vital for those members who have been around awhile to come to grips with the sobering reality that they will not be here forever.  We may be so enamored with stubbornly clinging to personal preferences from decades ago, that we have no energy for opening our arms to embrace the young and accept their gifts and employ them.  Too many churches die prematurely because they begin to converse more on the way it was than to concentrate on the way to move forward.

May God help us this Lord’s Day to commemorate our history, celebrate our opportunity, and consecrate our future hopes and dreams to His glory!

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Example of Godliness

“A bishop then must be…of good behavior…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

If we are going to lead people in the church, there is no better place to begin than with our personal example of godliness.  The most obvious thing people will see and know about us is our behavior.  Such will either undergird or undermine our message.  What kind of model am I providing?

Goodness is related to godliness.  That is an attribute of God which we may—and we must—emulate.  What we will then display is love, mercy, kindness, righteousness, justice and veracity.  Our conduct will parallel our communication.

The ESV translates this word as, “respectable.”  Only those who live righteously are worthy of respect.  No one respects a hypocrite—they loathe them.  Such respect cannot be demanded based on our position, but must be deserved based on our practice.  Consider this poem by Edgar Guest:

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day:
I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil, and more willing than the ear,
Fine council is confusing, but example's always clear.

The best of all the preachers are men who live their creed,
For to see good put into action, is what everyone needs.

I can soon learn how to do it, if you let me see it done,
I can catch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast my run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.

For I may misunderstand you in the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

A PRAYER

Righteous One,

You provide the impeccable standard of behavior.  All You do is right.  That righteousness is bestowed upon me by faith in Your Son, and is expressed by Your indwelling Spirit.  Please help me to practice what I preach.  May people see a sermon fleshed out in my faithful conduct each day!

In the name of the Sinless Savior,

Amen.