Author: Bob Mathews

Prayer about Coronavirus

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Prayer and Coronavirus

(Over at our place, we are taking turns praying for specific groups of people affected by this ugly pandemic. I am sure you also are praying. The following is a prayer posted by World Vision, an international aid organization. You may find it helpful in structuring your thinking and praying during this troublesome time. Robert)

Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine.

Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.

Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Pray for people at higher risk of developing the disease.

Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Pray for medical professionals, caregivers, and researchers responsible for fighting the new coronavirus.

God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.

Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Pray for leaders responsible for making decisions about the new coronavirus.

Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection.

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers … (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)

Pray for families adjusting to new ways of life.

Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt worn-out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1)

Pray for business owners and families facing financial stress.

Jesus, we thank You for Your faithfulness in how you have guided and equipped people in their jobs and have provided in the past. It can be scary and overwhelming not knowing how bills and obligations will be met or to not be able to provide for families. As people feel financial strain during the uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Pray for grocery store workers and delivery drivers.

Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them grace to handle disgruntled customers during supplies shortages. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food people have ordered online. And please protect them all from contracting the new coronavirus.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Pray for the disease to stop spreading.

Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea … (Psalm 46:1-2)

Kristy J. O’Hara-Glaspie of World Vision’s office in the U.S. contributed to this

High Yield or High Risk Leadership

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We see some things differently in our perceptions of what elders are and do, so forth. But can we at least agree that the elder role is one of leadership for a congregation of God’s people in Christ? Is that really debatable? One of the most significant statements about spiritual leadership came from the heart of Jesus during the last few days of His life on earth. If it meant that much to Him, should it not mean something to us? I speak of the situation found in Matthew 20:20f., especially in vv. 24-28. I will make it easier for you by presenting the text:

24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

What do you make of that? These key figures in the kingdom of God on earth were yet to grasp the character of authentic spiritual leadership. Theirs was a worldly view of how to get the job done. Too often, so is ours. The Lord has little time remaining to teach about anything. But He cannot let this serious situation go unaddressed. So, Jesus pauses to correct their dangerous misunderstanding about how a spiritual leader is go about his work among the flock of God (in the near future, by the way).

Since I will soon leave this elder discussion, it is important to outline the huge difference between high yield and high risk leadership in the church. It is a very serious matter, and how we apply these things in our churches will have great impact upon whether we go forward, go nowhere, or go to pieces. Here is some of what I have. Add to it the fruit of your thinking and work in the Book.

HIGH YIELD SPIRITUAL LEADERS: men in leadership who can really help

  • Joseph – Genesis 39. A man of moral purity regardless of the cost.
  • Moses – a man of perseverance and tenacity. Endured a lot from the people. Handled disappointment and discouragement.
  • Isaiah – a man of reluctance but not rebellion. Did not feel capable but went with God’s plan. Jeremiah 1:6f.
  • Joshua – a man of vision. Sought it from the Lord and ran with it. Inspired courage and confidence in the face of great obstacles.
  • Elijah – a man of great courage in the face of evil. II Timothy 4 and Matthew 11 on that thought.
  • David – I Samuel 17. A man who could seize the moment, window. Also a man after God’s own heart – you can find that verse.
  • Nathan the prophet. II Samuel 12. A man who held other leaders accountable. See also Ezekiel along this line.
  • Nehemiah. Book of Nehemiah. A man with a vision for the work of the Lord. Also knew how to organize and delegate.
  • John the Baptist – a man of both great humility and bravery. Also never lost sight of his great mission.
  • John the apostle – a man who allowed the Lord to change him. Changed from “a son of thunder” to the apostle of love.
  • Barnabas – Acts 4:36. A man who encouraged others, including an apostle. Hebrews 3:12-14.
  • Gamaliel – Acts 5:33f. A man who was clear-headed in the midst of confusion and tension. Rose above the emotions of the moment.
  • A group of leaders who entrusted others to do a job then got out of the way. Acts 6:1f.
  • Paul – Acts 20:17-21. A man who would invest quality time in people.
    • also a man who be a role model for me – I Thessalonians 2:10-12.
  • Peter – a man who learned from and in spite of his mistakes.
  • Timothy – a man who was teachable.
  • Titus – a man who would not fold under pressure. Acts 15 situation; Titus 1.

HIGH RISK SPIRITUAL LEADERS: men in leadership who can really hurt

  • Moses – the bottleneck leader. Deuteronomy 18. Wanted his finger on every single button.
  • Saul – the jealous leader. David was a large blessing to this king-leader but he was too small to appreciate the fact.
  • Absalom. II Samuel 15-18. King David’s son who just had to be in charge. He could not live in the shadow of another.
  • Ahithophel. II Samuel 16; Proverbs 11:13. The untrustworthy leader. Betrayed king David when he had his back turned.
  • Rehoboam. Solomon’s son who listened to bad advice. I Kings 12. The kingdom greatly suffered.
  • Herod the Great. Matthew 2. The leader who hurt others for selfish reasons.
  • Herod Antipas. Matthew 14. The impulsive leader. Spoke before he thought.
  • The Jewish hierarchy of Jesus’ day. John 9:34. Know-it-all leaders. Also these were crony leaders, all for one and one for all.
  • The hireling leader. John 10:12,13. The self-serving leader. A user.
  • Pilate. Matthew 27. The self-protecting leader. Pilate was a wheel-greaser, all at the expense of what was right.
  • Diotrephes. III John. The church bully. Also could not learn, ignoring even an apostle.
  • The sheriff leader. I Peter 5:3. Pulls rank, makes demands.
  • The covert leader. Decisions, plans are always secretive and open to only a handful. Does not respect or trust the people.

Again, these are merely profiles of how a spiritual leader can look. He can be either a high yield leader or a high risk leader. We know what the Lord has in mind for us, right? That is to be our great desire, for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom. A church may want to keep these thoughts in mind during its elder selection process.

robert

Confessing faith in the face of fear

Posted on by Bob Mathews

(Remind me to add a postscript to our earlier Psalm 27 entry.)

John and James speak to us about confessing our sins – I John 1:9 (to God) and James 5:16 (to one another). Needs to be done. Sincerely and consistently. How so? Because the Lord can help us a lot as long as we are honest about our lives. He can’t do much with pretense. Same as with a parent-child relationship. Perfection in a child is not expected but honesty is. Else, you don’t know who or what you really have in front of you. Right?

One cannot look at the Psalms for long without hearing their authors speaking with God about their fears.

Well, how about confessing my fears – being open and honest about them? Does not God also want that from me, or would He be ashamed to hear it? And, is that not how trust in the Lord is exercised, through being open about my struggles and equally open about my confidence that the Lord is my Help and Hope? If not, why not? One cannot look at the Psalms for long without hearing their authors speaking with God about their fears. Check for yourself. Examples are all over the place. Well, if that was okay for them why is it not for me as His child in Jesus? And the good news is: biblical authors did more than record and confess their fears. They confessed faith in the face of their fears.

That being said, see what you think of the following confessions which contain both the problem of fear and the answer of faith:

Lord, my fears have made me feel so alone – but I know that is a lie, for You are always near. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears seem to be overwhelming – but I am Yours, and nothing is greater than You. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears make me feel so weak – but You are my rock and shelter. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears are trying to stop me from going forward – but You are my strength. I will go on. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears seem as if they never will end – but only You are eternal and You will have the last word. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears make me feel like a failure – but I know You are pleased with me and understand. I trust in You.

Lord, my fears make me feel ashamed – but I know You spoke about fear to even the most brave-hearted. I trust in You.

We all are different. Each of us handles things differently. That surely is true of how we go about prayer and communion with God. So, the above thoughts are simply there if you find them helpful in dealing with fear (or anything else) in your thought and prayer life.

(Oops, thanks for reminding me about that p.s. to our prior article on Psalm 27. Here it is: Psalm 27 is not about fear. It is about FEARLESS FAITH! That is our ambition, right? Enjoy it again and see what you think.

robert

Perspective about the pandemic: Psalm 27

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Fear is one of life’s most powerful factors, for good or bad. There is the standard “fight or flight”  type of fear, such as when a sudden danger pops up out of nowhere. Then, there are phobias of all shapes and sizes. Such fears can literally shut down a person’s ability to handle things in a typical way. And, of course, there are the standard fears which also can really affect us, such as fear of failure or rejection or growing old or being without income or dying. Or SICKNESS.

Believers play their cards differently than do unbelievers when confronting their fears.

The Covid 19 pandemic has the entire world on its heels. It is a fearful adversary of both life and faith. The good news is that God is not silent (as we shall soon read)! Now, I don’t buy the idea that fear equals sin. (And I can reference all the Bible texts to which some turn to “prove” that.) Instead, I see fear as a normative reaction to the unpredictable and/or painful things of life. On the other hand, scripture is not silent about how the child of God can look at and deal with fear. I need help with it and God is not indifferent to that. Indeed, fear can become sin when it, rather than the Lord, is allowed to control a person. Unfortunately, I have been on that south side of it. Have you? Am I? Are you? I don’t want to be there now, nor do you, I am sure. (And some of us face more fears than the current pandemic. Fear is fear is fear. Will it handle me or will I handle it?) Read on.

How do you deal with fearful things? Believers play their cards differently when confronting their fears (and they must be confronted lest they control us). By His mercy, we have numerous lines of attack against this enemy of our peace and joy. What works best for you? For some, it is prayer. Others handle fearful times better through song. Still others find it most helpful to talk about the matter. What works best for me is listening to and thinking about scripture, the Bible. Hearing God’s voice just fits me best during dark or fearful times.

Lately I have been walking around in Psalm 27, listening through the wall of time/space to David as he speaks of dangerous adversaries arrayed against him. The great warrior-king had formidable enemies. Notice how this man of God has learned to look upon dreadful and dangerous times. See how fearful things have become subjected to the power and practice of God during David’s lifetime of faith. As you do so, notice the following things which may help:

David speaks of what he FEELS in his situation. So can I.

David speaks of what he KNOWS of God. So can I.

David speaks of what he REMEMBERS from experiences with God. So can I.

David speaks of what he WANTS from God. So can I.

David speaks of what he WANTS FOR ALL OTHERS WHO TRUST GOD in the midst of their fearful times. So can I.

Go ahead. I have posted the Psalm so you can read both it and yourself at this sitting. Transplant what David has to say about pandemic-times into your thoughts and feelings. After all, it was written for you, for times like these. Hopefully, Psalm 27 will help us all keep perspective during a pandemic.  Be blessed.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 
2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 
3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident. 
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 
5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 
9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 
14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

robert

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding – 3

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Scripture describes an elder’s work as a multi-faceted ministry. It is basically set forth in terms of:

  1. Shepherding – John 10; Luke 15; Acts 20; I Peter 5. See our cursory treatment of that aspect.
  2. Modeling – I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
  3. Equipping – Ephesians 4:11-15.
  4. Overseeing – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2

Let’s look at the aspect of MODELING (It really would help if you would open to the above texts on that now. I will wait.):

In the biblical record, nothing takes place in a vacuum. A context, whether or not it is articulated, always exists. Context often is the key to ascertaining the proper meaning and application of a  text. Whereas, ignoring context can leave one short of a healthy understanding.  (Example: Matthew 18:20. Is its context about church worship? No, it is about conflict resolution and the matter of reconciliation. Then why do we only apply it to worship? Not that it cannot be so applied, but that, in doing so, we fail to see the weight it carries in the reconciliation process. We miss its intended purpose. “But what does it matter?” It matters in that a context ignored often leads to a meaning being missed. Other than that, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.)

Similarly, in our typical approach to I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, we have shorted ourselves by simply airdropping right into those elder texts without respecting their broader contexts. It is not that we have necessarily mistaught them but that we may have mishandled them. In doing so, we may have both missed the big picture and created unnecessary problems for ourselves in the elder selection process. (And, yes, there also is mention of deacons but that is not my focus.) Let’s take a look at the background of I Timothy.

Since Paul was taking off to Macedonia (his fourth missionary trip), he instructed preacher-apprentice Timothy about how to help the Ephesian church with some renegade teachers – 1:2f. (Remember that Paul had worked in Ephesus for three years – Acts 18, 19. The apostle knew the existing elders in this church, and that some would become bad actors – Acts 20:17f., esp. vv. 29f.) Later realizing that he would not soon return, Paul paused to say some things to Timothy about both that church and the young preacher’s current ministry with them. (I am sure Timothy profusely thanked Paul for sending him into the mouth of the lion! He would have a real fight on his hands – 1:18. By the way, Titus ran into similar characters in his church situation. You can read that.) Anyway, that is how we got I Timothy and I Timothy 3.

Now, we are in I Timothy 3 and its words about elders. But I Timothy does not start with I Timothy 3! CONTEXT! What was going on with that church? First, look at the bad guys in the picture. How are they described?

1:3-4: they were into strange myths and wild speculations

1:5: they had serious integrity and character problems

1:6-7: they wanted to be teachers but were dumb as a brick about it.

4:1-5: they spoke doctrines of demons, were hypocrites and liars, of no conscience, legalistic.

6:3-5: they spoke doctrines not of Christ, were conceited, into controversy, were envious and divisive and evil and greedy.

In the midst of his multiple warnings about these bad guys, Paul calls upon Timothy to stay with what he had been taught about Jesus and to confront the troublemakers. Is it hard to doubt that some were the elders to whom Paul referred in Acts 20:28,29? Remember: the church was basically brand new, without much teaching, and without bibles! It is easy to see how a church could have ended up with a rascal as an elder or preacher. Ephesus had elders, including some bad elders. There is such a thing, you know. (How did they ever get in? Politics? Money? Family? Cronyism? Deceit? Or was it a case of breaking bad? It happens.) Mark it: good shepherding begins with good shepherd selection.

And those texts are not all Paul said to Timothy about how to deal with that dangerous mess. Remember, there is an entire church witnessing all the turmoil and confusion: a church comprised by many whom the apostle himself had brought to Jesus. There is much at stake here. So, the other line of defense against these threats to the church was chapter 3. How so? Well, had the church seen an abundance of good role models, godly leaders, loving shepherds, mature examples? Maybe not! So, Paul helps them (and Timothy) by doing two things:

  1. Identifying the bad guys.
  2. Identifying the good guys.

Paul’s emphasis in 1 Timothy 3 is upon modeling Christ in life.

That is what seems to be going on here. Paul is determined to help Timothy protect both himself and those whom Jesus already had saved – 4:16. How does the apostle go about it? Among other important things, he profiles and contrasts the bad guys and the good guys. Characteristics of both types are scattered through this letter to the young but manly preacher. Paul is drawing a picture of the bad and the good among and around that church. All Timothy has to do is lay it out for them: “Here is what the bad guys look like and here is what the good guys look like. You know these people! Now, church, you can clearly see who you can and cannot trust to be your elders. Some are bad models; some are good models. I will help you to see the difference. Some are living for Christ; some are living for the devil. Get the bad models out (often easier said than done) and get the good models in!” If not, why does Paul follow his words about elders and deacons with 3:14,15:

“I am writing these things to you (Timothy – rp), hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

It seems that the apostle is zeroed in on how elders, deacons, wives, preachers are to conduct themselves. There, again, is the emphasis upon modeling Christ in life. That seems to be the focus. You may have a better idea of it. But it seems to be how Paul sets it up for Timothy to help the church in Ephesus get things together. (We may as well note that Titus’ situation bears considerable similarity.)

Too often we have treated I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 as if they just fell out of the blue. “Here is the list. Let’s see what it means, check it off, then, get some elders.” Well, that may be okay but maybe not. For one thing, the “lists” are not the same. I hope you looked at the texts. So, which list is the correct or best, if lists they are? And who decides that? Furthermore, there are qualities to being an elder not mentioned in either “list.” How do we deal with that? Third, some have manipulated the “lists” into a pretzel in order to squeeze candidates either in or out. You think not? Fourth, and perhaps most significantly, we often define, debate, nitpick these “lists” to the point of tedium, often discouraging good men who could have helped the flock of God. (How many have heard the endless slicing and dicing of minute nuances?) All while missing the forest for the trees! Yes, I agree, those qualities noted in the “lists” have to mean something. But what is Paul’s plan in it all? Does context mean something only when we want it?

Make of it what you will. I think it is all about MODELING. (Things reproduce after their own kind, right?True also among the people of God.) The church in Ephesus is already trouble. They are sick from the head down! (Have you seen the Ephesians’ condition in Revelation 2? Did they ever figure it out? Did they ever heed Paul or Timothy about this elder thing?) I think Paul is anxious for Timothy to teach so that the church can easily identify the right kind of men to lead them in Jesus. His approach is to profile two types. He is asking the church to look and listen to who is around, and identify which type can show them how to go about their lives: domestically, socially, personally, emotionally, relationally, so forth. (By the way, this comes with age and experience. That is why an elder is called an elder. He has been to the rodeo.) MODELING is the focus here, as one aspect of an elder’s ministry. Seek out and pray for a man who can show “how to.” And remember:  good shepherding begins with good shepherd selection. 

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding – 2

Posted on by Bob Mathews

JOHN 10

7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.

As noticed in our first word on this, the thought of Jesus as shepherd flows out of the shepherding context of Israelite history and culture. Some of Israel’s earliest leaders were shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. And you may remember how impulsive Moses was transplanted from the palace to the pastures that he might learn how to care for people by taking care of sheep. David is a sheep-tender from the time we first meet him. He later will rule as God’s king-shepherd for 40 years.

For centuries to come, kings were considered to be shepherds over their nation-flocks. Some were good; too many were evil. You also can toss bad priests and prophets into that mix. Along with the king, it was their shepherding job to protect and feed and lead the people of God in the paths of righteousness and faithfulness. Their collective failure to do so is found in the accounts of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, so forth. Hear what Ezekiel preaches to these bad actors (chapter 34), noticing the stark contrast between bad shepherds and Jehovah, the good shepherd:

4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd…
7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. 8 As I live” — the declaration of the Lord GOD — “because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!… I will rescue My flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them…
11 “For this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them… I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day…16 “I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice.

So? So, if we hear the Lord speak of Himself in shepherding terminology then, we should not be surprised to hear Him do it later. The circumstances in the Israel of Jesus’ day were tragically similar to the state of things in Ezekiel’s day! Remember Matthew 9:36? Hence, we have the stark words of Christ in John 10 about thieves, strangers, hired hands, wolves…and the GOOD shepherd Who has come upon the scene to face them and free the sheep. (Keep in mind the context: Jesus has deliberately gone into the lion’s den of Jerusalem. Why? Well, for things such as this. It is only a matter of months before His enemies will try to permanently do away with Him. What does He do before that event? He heads straight toward the eye of the hurricane. So, expect tension and conflict to come out of His time in the chief city.)

Scripture speaks of elders primarily in terms of function, not position or structure or hierarchy.

So? So, in John 10, try not to envision an idyllic setting of contented sheep gently grazing around their smiling shepherd. Instead, think of the danger and confusion brought by mere pretenders. Then, hear Jesus announce Himself as the new sheriff in town. He has come to right the wrongs which had scattered the sheep away from their great shepherd-God, saying, “I AM the real deal, and you will know it by the way I treat you in contrast to these self servers. I know you. Trust Me. Follow Me. Listen to Me. I will neither use nor hurt you. These other guys are bad. There is nothing good about them. I am good. There is nothing bad about me. They led you astray. I will lead you to God. They lied. I will tell you the truth.”

Then, He goes about proving that out, to the point of the cross! (Not to mention the scorn and hate suffered in events leading up to that scene.) Very little that is mild and gentle about that! Rather, it is the shepherd-God in the flesh Who has interposed Himself into the reality of their times. His words are a statement of strength. Just as He had promised through Ezekiel centuries ago, Jehovah has come to set things right. He has come, not just to the world, but into our real worlds, to deal with whoever or whatever is hurting us. Here I AM, states Jesus, as both the Lamb and Shepherd God of Israel. Feature that! Would they grasp it all that day? No, nor perhaps do I to this day. But He is telling them and me about Who He is.  He simply wants them and Me to trust that, and enjoy life more abundantly (10:10) because of it. Good shepherds bring safety and life to their sheep. It is what they do.

Perhaps John 10 is less a picture of sweet Jesus (Luke 15 may lean that way) than it is a strong Jesus. Sheep were weak and timid, but shepherds were anything but. They were strong and courageous. They had to be. The welfare of the sheep demanded it. The last thing a predator or thief wanted to face was a fearless shepherd in rescue of HIS sheep. (It is to this that Jesus refers in 10:15,17, is it not?) Let us keep in mind that the good Shepherd is more than good. He also is great, as in the great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20) whom even death could not destroy (another enemy He chose to face head on I Corinthians 15:25,26. By the way, when is death ever called a friend of the believer? Just asking. And I speak not of the Christian’s confidence in the face of death, so forth. I speak of what I asked.) Nothing gentle about the Lord’s locking horns with death, by the way. You may want to look at Hebrews 13:20 again. I think I will, again.

FOR THOUGHT (The general idea of it all, right?) What has this to do with good (or bad) shepherding, eldering? Only everything! You may want to ask yourself:

  1. Which model do I want to imitate as an elder: Ezekiel 34 or John 10? Or, per John 10, do I treat God’s sheep as would a hired hand or a good shepherd?
  2. What could be some of the perils (or people) from which a good elder will seek to save the sheep on his watch?
  3. How did the Good shepherd describe his work – as one who served or one who supervised? (That a shepherd had authority, leadership is beyond question. But how he used his authority showed what kind of shepherd he was, right? And, by the way, an elder who feels he must constantly assert his power actually has little and deserves less. To be effective, he must rule by moral authority not fiat. Though God clearly has delegated authority to him (I Peter 5:2,3), he must not confuse that with lordship. He must continually earn followership by the way he handles leadership. Once again, eldering is defined more by practice than position. More on that later, perhaps.)
  4. Do you think Jesus looked at His shepherding position as being primarily relational or organizational?  We are so feverish about being “scripturally organized.” I know what we say and mean, but, again, scripture speaks of this elder thing primarily in terms of function, not position or structure. Look again at the concepts of shepherding, modeling, equipping,  and overseeing (which we are yet to examine), so forth.
  5. Along with that, where do you suppose the Good shepherd would have placed His title/name on one of our well-intended but often ill-designed church organizational flow charts: top or bottom? Yes, yes, He indeed is the Head of the church, has all authority, etc.(Colossians 1:18), but did He ever talk about how He chooses to exercise that inherent power? Do you think Mark 10:43-45 is instructive about this?
  6. Would the Good shepherd trust you with His sheep? Complete the following: “Jesus can trust me with His sheep because…”

What else is here that would help with good shepherding? More, for sure. Always is when Jesus is the discussion.

robert

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding

Posted on by Bob Mathews

JOHN 10 (The Good shepherd’s words about Himself)

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep… 14 I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep…27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

(LUKE 15:3 So He told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'”)

ACTS 20 (Paul’s warning words to the Ephesian elders)

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God,8 which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert…

I PETER 5 (Peter speaks AS an elder TO elders)

1 Therefore, as a fellow elder…I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;2 not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Shepherding is as old as dirt. Both Old Testament shepherding texts and contemporary shepherding form the context of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is the context of New Testament church-shepherding. All of that is the context for church-shepherding in our times. To our detriment, this concept is too often minimized in both elder selection and eldering itself. (Neither I Timothy 3 nor Titus 1 deal with it, so neither do we. Go figure.) Regardless, both the church and prospective elders should desire to know what shepherding means.

In scripture, the shepherd metaphor is no mere side issue, appearing more than 500 times…It is the dominant model for spiritual leadership.

If we want to know what it means, we need to know what it is. In scripture, the shepherd metaphor is no mere side issue. It shows up more than 500 times. In the Old Testament, Jehovah speaks of Himself as the Shepherd of His people. Israel’s leaders are called shepherds (and false shepherds). And, of course, Jesus self-describes Himself in shepherd terms. It is the DOMINANT model for spiritual leadership. Without it, I may supervise but will I serve? I may take care of money but will I take care of people? Will I focus on being over or with people? Huge difference!

Certain things are always true about good shepherds:

  1. They are NEAR the sheep. As much as possible, you want to be near the ones you love. No long distance shepherding. No Skype. No deliberate distancing akin to a corporate board. The shepherd is hands on – right there, all the time. Therefore, the sheep trust him. It is not an organizational but a relational thing. God’s people are no different. Time and closeness are signals that an elder really cares about the people whom God has entrusted to him. It also is the best way to detect any sickness, injury, or wandering away. Indeed, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. That is why an elder must get behind closed doors! A good shepherd will be NEAR the sheep.
  2. They are FOR the sheep. Sheep are skittish. Having many natural enemies, they are easily scared. But the shepherd will never hurt or misuse them. Beyond that, he will stand between his sheep and danger, to the point of death. He is their protector. Furthermore, he nurtures and tends to the weak and the wounded. That is not just a Sunday job. Nor can it be done from a church office. No sheep is ignored, minimized, or lost in the shuffle. On a church organizational chart, a good shepherd-elder’s name will be at the bottom as a servant, not at the top as a superior. Think on that. A good shepherd will be FOR the sheep.
  3. They are AHEAD OF the sheep. That is Psalm 23, is it not? Read it in light of our focus. By nature, sheep are followers. They just assume the shepherd knows the best paths of protection and provision. As a good shepherd, an elder guides the people of God with sound judgment and clear biblical insight. Sheep cannot lead a shepherd. Likewise, the sheep of the Lord should not have to lead an elder. He knows the way to pray, think, walk by faith, study the Book, serve, love and conduct himself. These qualities are his right to lead fellow believers through the wilderness to the land of promise. He is no spiritual or emotional light weight. His leadership does not have to be constantly announced, but is cemented by what the Lord’s sheep see, hear, and feel. On that basis, the flock in his care readily follows. A good shepherd will be AHEAD OF the sheep.

Vision and Mission at the Glenwood church of 2020

Posted on by Bob Mathews

This is not for general consumption, though it could have meaning to anyone anywhere anytime. But I have in view my Glenwood family, present and future. This is a follow up to Brenda’s bulletin-mention of our recent brainstorming session with regard to an appropriate mission statement. Or did she say all that? Regardless, I hope you will consider the following about the subject.

First, it is not uncommon for churches to have clear cut vision and mission statements. Nothing new about them, except perhaps to us. They are not gimmicks or gadgets. They say a lot about how we look at ourselves and how we intend to make a difference to our times. This writing assumes that we really care about that.  Some churches choose to simply plod down the road with no recognizable direction or goals. These are content to simply meet, greet, and retreat. Others have noble desires and sporadic flurries of activity, but no focused leadership or coherent plan. Like sheep without a shepherd. You and I know the Lord has something better in mind.

The church knows who we are in a broad biblical sense (body, temple, family, etc.) but who are we in terms of specific congregational purpose and aim? What clearly defines us as a church in the here and now? (It will be hard to have a productive “there and then” without a deliberate and definable “here and now.”) Glenwood needs a clearly stated and easily remembered statement of mission. I will lay this thing out as simply as possible (not a gift of mine, as you may have noticed). Perhaps it will help to compare a mission statement to a vision statement. Here goes:

  1. A vision statement focuses upon a long-term goal. It gets everyone on the same page and motivates them to act in accordance with that clear vision. It relates to WHERE we are going. It paints a picture of what we DESIRE to be, the future we earnestly want for ourselves as a church. It needs to be clear, memorable, and inspirational. Vision is  about the AIM of a church. Consider the following examples:

A place for everyone.

A place of help, hope, and home.

A place where real life and real faith intersect.

A place where people are connected to Jesus and one another.

A place where people believe in Jesus, belong to one another, and become disciples.

  1. On the other hand, a mission statement relates to the WHY of a church. Mission is about what we DO. It governs how we go about ministry, money, priorities, activities in the here and now. Mission is all about the ACTION of a church. Consider the following examples:

To save, equip, and send.

To know Jesus and make Jesus known.

To love God, love people, and make disciples.

To reach up, reach out, and reach in.

To help people find God, grow their faith, discover their purpose, and make a difference.

 

Now, with this comparison of vision and mission in mind, you will appreciate how Bob Matthews’ group helped us during the Planning/Prayer brainstorming.  Here is a potential mission statement they put together in that session:

“A caring family supporting Glenwood and the surrounding communities with the love of Jesus.”

Notice the emphasis upon DOING. Mission is about the ACTION of a church. It is where we put our immediate efforts, time, energy. It defines and governs what we are about now.

Okay, as Brenda stated, you are asked for your input. What we say and do about this thing of mission statement will greatly influence the Glenwood church both now and later. It will concentrate our focus and consolidate our efforts. It will call upon us to view all we desire and do in light of how it reflects our reason for being here.  It will move us to always ask this critical question about all we consider doing: “How will this help with our mission?” I cannot overstate the importance of how this can help. Please pray about it and speak with Bob about your thoughts. He would appreciate it.

Vision statements and Mission statements! Huge items for churches who are serious about impacting their worlds in their times. And the good news is, they can be developed without elders or preachers. That doesn’t mean that such could not be great assets in the process. Indeed! On the other hand, what if they (he) lacked understanding or appreciation regarding this priority? That could become a hurtful liability. Besides, who better knows the church than the church? The point is, we are the church of the living God. Our faith and hope are in Him. If we depend upon the Lord in things of this magnitude, surely He will be our great Shepherd Who will lead us in a way that is good and right and fruitful. What are your thoughts about a mission statement for the Glenwood church? That’s really all I intended to ask.

robert

 

 

 

A Safe Church

Posted on by Bob Mathews

In John 9, the Lord gave sight to a man born blind. A staggering feat! Changed the guy’s life in more ways than one. But the miracle was worked on a Sabbath. As in John 5, the Jewish leaders used that to condemn Jesus for His work of healing mercy. Back to John 9: the same bunch called the now-sighted man into the principal’s office and raked him over the coals. Later, they confronted his parents with the situation. Mom and dad were so afraid of the Pharisees that they refused to come to their own son’s defense. Why were people so afraid of the Jewish leaders? The answer is that those guys were not safe to be around. (This is the background for Jesus’ analogy in John 10 of shepherds, hired hands, and sheep. Notice the stark contrast between Jesus and the religious hierarchy of those times. Why did the lost and broken and bleeding turn to him and not to them? Why did they come to Him with their issues and questions and children? It was because He proved Himself to be a safe place for them. He did not exploit or hurt them. Is not Matthew 11:28-30 about that?)

In the Acts 10 account of Cornelius and Peter, we see that Peter was not safe for a pagan to be around. Notwithstanding the fruitfulness of his preaching in Jerusalem (Acts 2), his Jewishness bled over into how he handled the gospel. It took the direct intervention of God to persuade the apostle, for the gospel’s sake,  to look at some things differently. Don’t be too hard on Peter. He was just being true to his roots and conditioning. Thanks to the gracious intervention of the Lord, Peter ultimately was God’s instrument for bringing an entire family to Christ.

In a safe church, relationships are more important than “being right”.

Some people are not safe to be around. In their presence, people are made worse not better, weaker not stronger. They hurt people more than help them. That is true of life. Sadly, it also can be true of a church congregation. Say what? Yes, it is so. Some churches just are not safe places for either members or guests. On the other hand, there are those in which people are blessed and built up and equipped and empowered to joyfully serve both God and man. (And, yes, I know we have hammered the need to be a “scriptural church,” a point not to be argued. But, in our zeal to be “scriptural” have we ceased to be safe? Have we made it okay to hurt or hammer people in the name of “truth?”) That aside, what would you consider to be marks of a safe church? Here is what I have on it at this time:

Relationships. In a safe church, relationships are more important than “being right” – Romans 14:19. (Indeed, Ephesians 4:4-6 itemizes some essential truths which bring us together in Christ. But 4:1-3 gives us what will keep us together!) The church in Rome was becoming unsafe due to infighting and spats about nonessential matters. Know this: if we insist upon making every conviction or practice a test of fidelity to Christ, then unity in Christ will continue to elude us. The apostle lifts up the cross as the great peacekeeper in the great house of God. In the cross there is peace and safety in the presence of both God and man. The church should be a “no fire zone” in which brethren feel safe to work through their ideas without fear of being labeled and branded. My brother is my brother because we both belong to the same Christ. That relationship ought to be honored in all circumstances.  Matter of fact, how can I really be right if I am treating my brother wrongly? What matters most to me: the positions I hold or the people I behold? In a safe church, relationships are more important than “being right.”

To the Uttermost

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them — Hebrews 7:25. This context is highlighting the supremacy and glory of King-High Priest Jesus Christ, in contrast to the glories of the Aaronic priesthood of Israel. Summing up only part of it, the Hebrews author says the above of Jesus High Priest.

Because of the kind of God-Savior He is, GREAT High Priest-Jesus is able to save us to the farthest extent of His own Divine capabilities.

“To the uttermost” means “to the end” or “to the farthest extent.” Because of the kind of God-Savior He is, GREAT High Priest-Jesus is able (powerful and sympathetic enough) to save them (us) to the farthest extent of His own Divine capabilities. As far as God could go, Jesus Lord went! (He still does.)

Consider that:

  1. He went from the farthest reaches of eternity to the farthest corners of the earth in order to seek, find, and save us.
  2. He went to the very last end of His earthly life, His last breath, to save us.
  3. He went to the very farthest and darkest realms of our sin and rebellion in order to save us.
  4. He went on His saving journey from heaven to the cross out of the uttermost love which even God can generate.
  5. He continues to go to the farthest extent into our burdens and trials in order to help us in them all.

You may want to think on that — what it says about Him, and not only what He DID but what He presently DOES for you — what it says about what He thinks toward you — what it means to where you now are, or have been, or shall be.