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