High Expectations...

I was recently reading Acts 9:15-16 and stopped to reflect on the implications of these verses... 

"But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

I remember the day that I responded to the invitation at end of the Sunday morning message. I stepped out of the aisle, a little anxious but very sure that the Lord was calling me into the ministry. 

Questions flooded my mind as I left church that day. What would all of this mean going forward? What kind of training would I need? Where and how would God have me serve? Yet, in all of this, I was very excited about this leading and call from God.

It's rather interesting that in the midst of excitement and great expectations, I never gave thought of the possibility of God's calling me to seasons of suffering for the sake of His name. As pastors and church leaders we have all been visited by dreams of success and high hopes for ministry growth. We expected this to require hard work... but not suffering. Where did we read this in the job description?

Paul's ministry was historic and life altering in more ways than one, but God never sold him a bill of goods. Making a difference for Jesus was going to cost him, and it did. A little over twenty years later Paul wrote the following in his second letter to the Corinthians... 

"For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."~ 2 Cor. 1:8–10

Fifty-nine years have past since I walked down that church aisle. Many expectations blossomed in ways far greater than I had hoped. Yet, they didn't come without hard hits, rough roads, and yes... some suffering for His Name. Would I do it again? IN A HEARTBEAT! 

It's an incredible privilege to serve the Chief Shepherd my brother. I stand by the statement that there is no higher call in life than the call of God to the ministry. So, as you face aother year with high expectations and potential suffering... Stay the Course! Because, "On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." and again, and again... Until the doors of glory open wide and the words are spoken so tenderly... "Well done". 

~ PJVS

Protection ...

 "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." -- John 17:15

The causes that lead to military engagement are many. As a result, many young men and women serve in parts of the world that place them in harm's way. They are given ballistic vests, Type III and above, having added steel, titanium, ceramic or polyethylene plates which can withstand high-powered rounds such as those from rifles. While we may desperately desire that they be safely at home, we provide them with gear that will protect.

As leaders in the Lord's army, we are placed on the battlefield of life in the face of great evil. Knowing that we are here for a great purpose, the Lord doesn't seek for our removal. We have been sent into the battle to lead the charge in spreading the good news of Jesus and showing the world his love. Although we may be in harm's way as we serve, we have the Lord's intercession for protection.

Occasionally you will be discouraged in the face of spiritual warfare but be strengthened my pastor friend. As the evil presses in upon you with unending attacks, be assured of victory. Remember that you have the greatest "ballistic vest" in the Lord's intercession for your protection.

“But since the adversary does not cease to resist many, and uses many and diverse arts to ensnare them, that he may seduce the faithful from their faith, and that he may prevent the faithless from believing, it seems to me necessary that we also, being armed with the invulnerable doctrines of the faith, do battle against him in behalf of the weak.”

~ Justin Martyr, Fragments of the Lost Work of Justin on the Resurrection

Working Together

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” – 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

It’s now football season. These days take me back to when I played “Pop Warner” football. I didn’t have a very stellar beginning, as I was assigned the position of offensive tackle and I always wanted to run the ball. I was constantly struggling to accept my task and trust that the coach knew best.

As every pastor well knows, church ministry needs servants who will be faithful to their “assigned task”. Each one is important and is needed for overall success. Then, as each worker does his or her task, God will also work to grow the church. Wisdom tells us to accept our task and trust the Lord to do his part. After all, He knows best. 

In divine wisdom the Spirit of God assigns roles and faithfully fulfills His. When we all do our part the church will be blessed and fruitful. While it may be hard for church members to accept their place in ministry, when encouraged, equipped, and well trained, there will be great growth. Keep working together in the truth that the Lord knows best. 

~ PJVS

"Pastor, our job is not to make every hospital visit, lead every ministry, always be on-call, and allow our congregation to lean on us for each ministry effort. Our job is to equip the saints and develop leaders who can help us go further as a church, whether you’re a pastor of 40 people, 400 people, or 4,000 people."

~ 95Network

Wisdom To Change Lives...

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Secret societies and fraternal organizations have existed for ages. People are drawn to them because they promise the knowledge of secrets and unique wisdom that only members can know. We all seem to be interested in knowing the wisdom of some hidden past that only a few ever discovered. But, the only wisdom worth finding and knowing is that which can change our lives for the good.

From ancient times, God prepared to help his people with unheard and unknown wisdom. In a real sense such wisdom simply begins with salvation by grace. With our new life in Christ comes the Holy Spirit who reveals even the deepest things of God. This is the wisdom that goes beyond height, depth, length or breadth, for it reveals all we need to know, to grow, to serve, and to change lives for the good. 

Are you looking for spiritual wisdom pastor? Do you feel like you're missing some unique insight necessary to lead your church? There is no Seminary, Bible Conference or Commentary set that will give you that certain edge. Such wisdom is simply received as a gift from God. Stop and reflect on the truth that Paul writes, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Cor. 2:12) Wisdom will always rest upon those who walk in the Spirit and seek to change lives for the good. 

~ PJVS

Relevance ...

 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2

How often are we, who enter the pulpit from week to week, pressed to speak on contemporary issues? In addition, as the years pass, must we deal with changing times that are overrun with shifting social mores and conduct? Our congregations are made up of such a wide variety of people and cultures that complexity undercuts every effort to keep focused on the basics. Is it possible, in such a roller coaster world to maintain relevance?

After Paul very aptly addressed issues and problems to the max, he finally focused on a timeless and stabilizing truth in this latter chapter of his epistle to the cosmopolitan church at Corinth. As noted, he had previously been very faithful to preach the gospel to this church. Yet, as with all great life changing truth, repetition was critical. He was not only concerned with the positive reception of the gospel, but he also wanted to be sure the church would "hold fast" to the word preached. In a changing world, the gospel preached will always be most relevant.

How often do you give simple gospel messages from your pulpit my brother? Are you passionate about "reminding" your flock of that which has saved them? Is there a clarion call in your messages to "hold fast" to the basics? As your services come to an end, do you make a path to Calvary and the empty tomb? Charles Spurgeon, that well know preacher of days gone by once noted, "The seasons change, and you change, but your Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of His Love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever".  A regular reminder of the basic unchanging gospel will always be relevant.

~ PJVS

Selfless Compassion ...

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race..." -- Romans 9:1-3

I attended an ordination service for a good friend some years ago. He was being ordained to the Gospel ministry with a focus on inner city mission work. His brother spoke of growing up near the city and making many visits as a family. One thing he remembered about my friend was the way he wept over the homeless and downtrodden of the city. Throughout the years my friend expressed unceasing anguish in his heart for the city. He had selfless compassion.

Sincere ministry should be passionate. The passion comes from deep within and motivates us as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For Christ’s love compels us..." In the above passage he is also moved by the lost condition of his brothers and he has a passion for their salvation. His passion is so strong that he is willing to be cut off from Christ for the sake of his brothers. He had selfless compassion.

Jesus gave his life for the salvation of the lost, what are we willing to give? Do we love the Lord and the lost enough to be passionate about their salvation? May our ministry objectives never dampen our drive to reach a lost world for Christ. May our prayers be inspired by the passion of Paul as we look to the fields that are white unto harvest. Sincere ministry needs selfless compassion.

~ PJVS

Rescued ...

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household." - Acts 7:9-10

Martin Luther was a man of great conviction and courage. As a result, he found himself hiding in the Wartburg Castle at Eisenach. During this stay at Wartburg, which he referred to as "my Patmos", Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into German and produced a wide array of theological writings. As God was with him, in time he was rescued from his struggles and returned to Wittenberg.

The story seems to be the same throughout the ages. Those who serve the Lord may suffer persecution in many ways, but God is with them. As we think about Joseph we must realize that he spent thirteen years in servitude and prison. The time was sufficient to embitter the best of us, but Joseph only grew stronger and more effective for His God. In the end, God rescued him and blessed him abundantly.

Are you in the Wartburg Castles or Egyptian dungeons of your ministry my friend? In such dark hours find a way to carry on with great purpose for your Lord. Seek to be a blessing by blooming where you are, and in time... the Lord will rescue you out of your struggles too.

~ PJVS