Whose the Boss?

As Christians, it is important to remember who we serve.  It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that whoever signs our paycheck is the one we serve. We work for them.  Thinking like this is dangerous.  While we should serve them diligently and with a joyful and willing heart, we must always remember that it is Jesus we ultimately serve (Ephesians 4:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24).  This is especially important of those called into pastoral ministry.

In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur makes a helpful observation regarding the importance of seeing Jesus as your boss rather than the church.  He writes it primarily to pastors, but I think it also applies to all lines of work.  When we forget who our boss is, we compromise.

Even if a pastor’s or teacher’s primary devotion is to the church, it will inevitably bring some measure of compromise, disappointment, and spiritual failure.  But devotion to Christ Jesus can never be disappointing or in vain.  If his ministry is concerned with other believers’ standards and opinions, a pastor will invariably stray from the gospel to some form of compromise.  But devotion and obedience to the Lord and to His Word will just as invariably keep him on a godly and faithful course. (pp. 13-14)

I hope and pray that as you go about the work God calls you to today you will remember that it is Jesus that you serve.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

CJ Applies the Bible to Men and Women

CJ Mahaney is becoming one of my favorite biblical "appliers."  He doesn't let you escape from the truth of God's Word, but forces you to deal with it.

In this article (click here to read it), CJ questions how we apply the truth of biblical manhood and womanhood in our homes and ministries.  It is well worth reading!  I hope to spend some time with my wife soon to ask the questions CJ poses.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Enjoy Leviticus

Leviticus is not a book that most Christians turn to with excitement and joy.  But, like every part of God’s Word, it has tremendous value for the believer. Here are some observations from Mark Dever’s sermon on Leviticus in Promises Made that I found particularly helpful:

·        God’s expectation of holiness.  The book of Leviticus makes it very clear that God expects us to serve Him as He instructs, not in whatever way we think is best.  I recognize that in Christ we don’t have the same elaborate system of worship; but the principle remains.  We must serve God as He instructs.

·        The Laws regarding the clean, unclean, holy and common.  First, these show that nothing is neutral.  Everything we do and touch is to be evaluated in light of God’s Word.  Second, the distinctions served to instruct
Israel not to incorporate the practices of the surrounding nations in their worship. 

·        The sacrificial system.  Dever does an excellent job showing how the sacrificial system shows the reality of sin and our need of Jesus.

If you have ever struggled with understanding Leviticus—read this chapter.  It will help you grow in understanding of the holiness that God requires of His people.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

P.S. I now have internet access again, however I will be keeping a lighter schedule for the next week as we finish getting our new home set up.  I am not sure how this will affect the frequency of posts but I should be up and running on a full schedule by the 19th.  Check back, though, there may be posts in the interim.

What’s the Bible Really About?

How would you answer the question, “What’s the Bible About?”   

Mark Dever, the pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, has given his answer in the first chapter of Promises Made.  Very simply it is that “God makes promises to his people in the Old Testament, and he keeps his promises in the New Testament.” (p26)  Ultimately, these promises are about and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

Indeed, Jesus Christ is the point of the Bible.  It is all about Him.  If you wanted to sum up the Bible in one word, you could do so by pointing to Christ.  The Old Testament makes promises about Christ, and the New Testament keeps promises in Christ. (p35) 

The next time you pick up your Bible ask yourself, “How does what I am reading relate to Jesus Christ?” If you are having trouble relating Jesus to what you are reading, focus on the following ideas.  There are other questions you could ask, but these provide a good start and are easy to remember.

Is there a promise about Jesus?

• Is there a prophecy about Jesus?
• Is there something here that points to our need for Jesus?
• Is there something here that foreshadows the character of Jesus?
• Is there something about how Jesus relates to His people?  Those who are not His people?
• Is there something here about how Jesus fulfills the promises of God?

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

P.S. I still have limited access to the internet, so there may not be posts over the next few days.  I hope to have everything running by the 14th or 15th of June. 

Little Faith, Big Faith

Do you ever feel that you can’t do the things God calls you to do?  Do you feel that there are too many needs and not enough resources?  There simply isn’t enough time, money or energy?  I know I do.

As I was reading through the Gospel of Mark, I was reminded that the issue is not my resources but my faith!  It is simply too little!

In Mark 6:30-52, two events happen that reveal the problem of “little faith.”  First, the disciples see a need to feed the crowds gathered for Jesus teaching, but don’t recognize their resources.  They want to send the crowds away.  Jesus wants to show them that God will provide all they need to minister to people in His name.  He takes five loaves and two fish and feeds 5,000 men (not to mention the women and children).  Second, Jesus sends the disciples across the Sea of Galilee and then in the middle of the night takes a stroll across the water.  The disciples are terrified. The reason—they didn’t understand the power of God they had just witnessed in the feeding of the 5,000.  Why?  Their hearts were hard.  They were blind to the character and power of God.

The lesson is that we don’t need to fear as we step out to minister.  God has prepared the good works He intends for us to do (see Ephesians 2:10).  He is the Creator and Sovereign Lord.  If we reflect on who He is, we should realize that He will not leave us without the resources we need to do His will.

Let’s have “big faith.”  Let’s see the multitudes in need of personal ministry and step out in faith, not worried about the resources.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters