SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #138 ---- 9/4/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #138 ---- 9/4/00
TITLE: "Life's Motto's"
My Dear partner and fellow servant.
Jo Ann and I just returned from a conference in Dallas, TX last night,
and are trying to repack in order to leave later this morning for Kansas
City, MO. Pray for us; it is becoming more difficult each week to juggle
all the responsibilities we have with personal, family, and ministry
obligations.
And yet, as I write this moment, my mind is awhirl with thoughts of great
anticipation and visions of what can be.
Have you ever been there? Like maybe when you were first saved, or when
you were first called into ministry? Maybe it was your first church
right out of seminary or Bible school; you just knew you were God's
chosen one to get the church up and on its feet and that you were the
town's savior. Or what about that first day on the job in your new
ministry setting?
It's absolutely incredible, isn't it! Why, you'd think you could conquer
the world. Nothing is impossible, and you've got so many great ideas
that success is virtually certain. It is so exciting!
And then, somewhere down the line, that enthusiasm and drive begins to
diminish. Then it begins to deteriorate, then hopelessly disintegrate,
---- until it has totally disappeared . . . .
and you're back in the same old routine of surviving, pretending, and
playing the game.
What happens to us that these driving urges so often seem to dissolve
like sand sifting through our fingers and are lost on the beach beneath
our feet, never to be found again?
Well, for one thing, . . . .
1. Circumstances. Things beyond our control that come with life. An
economic slump, a factory shutdown, an injury, a death, a change of
attitude among the people. Life is filled with circumstances ---- and if
our heart is not right and our attitude is not submitted to Christ,
circumstances can steal away the drive.
And then there are . . . .
2. Others. Family, friends, peers, constituency. All are people, and
people are not only funny, as Art Linkletter so often reminded us, but
they are often fickle. Nobody can throw cold water on your idea or
vision any more quickly than a family member or one of your peers ---- or
maybe a leading member of the congregation.
In my own experience, circumstances did little to sway me from the
direction I felt I needed to go. People were another story. Nothing
overwhelmed me like a dark wave of discouragement more quickly than
someone telling me the idea was not a good one, or that I would never
succeed at something.
Then, of course, there are . . . .
3. Our own failures. Those little devils haunt us constantly. They
remind us of themselves ---- past failures. They also remind us of our
own weaknesses. They also warn us that, if we try again, we'll fail
again in the same way.
Isn't it interesting that, on one hand, we compare our greatest strengths
to other people's greatest weakness and, on the other, we compare our
greatest weaknesses with other people's greatest strengths. So, if we
have had a failure, we can quickly conclude with "certainty" that there's
no use jumping up from our fall to try again.
Next, we must consider . . . .
4. Neglect of our spiritual life. When we put things like personal
holiness, submission to Christ's Lordship, dependence on the Holy Spirit,
time in the Word, the spiritual exercise program of ministry and
witnessing, and a life of prayer, we should not be surprised when the
excitement and drive to go on is not there.
Finally, though there are many others, give thought to . . . .
5. God's sovereignty and timing. There are those occasions in our lives
when God, for reasons usually known only to Him, will bring something
into play that drains the excitement and motivation we need to drive us
on. The situations are many for such divine activity, and far too
numerous to cover at this point. You can certainly think of some on your
own.
So ---- where do you go when such a disappointing moment comes in your
life? Where do you turn? What do you try?
LEARN FROM THE WORLD:
Not long ago I heard of a major corporation in the United States that had
as their convention motto, . . . .
"People, Power, Freedom, Future".
When I first read that, I was intrigued ---- it looked strangely familiar
. . . .
As if I had seen it somewhere else.
You obviously know what I was thinking ---- those four words represent
some clear Biblical principles. In fact, when you think about it, those
four words really do sum up the substance of the Great Commission, don't
they.
I noticed others talking about that slogan; it was fascinating to listen
to their take, and look at their spin on those four words.
Again, listening to them, I was reminded of yet other occasions when I
had heard such discussions ---- times like denominational meetings,
ministers' fellowship breakfasts, and the like. Those conversations
sounded strangely like some I heard most recently.
Years ago Jo Ann and I had been involved in a major nutritional company.
While it was not a Christian company per se, it was founded by a doctor
who was a professing Christian. He had taken many Biblical principles
and incorporated them nutritionally into his products and philosophically
into the principles of his company's operation, expecting those who
worked for him to strive for the honesty, integrity, and work ethic which
he espoused.
During those years we were exposed to some profound "people skills" and
"business principles" that not only changed our lives, but even changed
the effectiveness of our ministry. To this day, I'm grateful for what
God taught me through that experience.
However, one thing that really "bugged" me was that to discover many of
those principles I had to go to the "secular market" to learn even though
many were actually Biblical truths I had not noticed or learned within
the context of church life and seminary training.
But, that's what happened in my case. Maybe you've had something similar
happen to you.
At any rate, isn't it a tragedy that the world often does a better job of
utilizing Biblical principles in the secular market than the Church does.
With that in mind, let me use that big corporate slogan to stimulate us
and build us up.
PEOPLE:
So, this big corporation notwithstanding, I tell you unequivocally that
the entire scope of your ministry and mine is divinely ordained to focus
on . . . .
People!
If it isn't about people, it isn't about anything important!
It's not about your denomination, your para church ministry, your status,
your security, your popularity, your polish, your ideas, your agenda, or
even your vision.
If love for people and reaching them with the Gospel are not at the
center of your denomination, you should leave it.
If a strategy for reaching people is not the thrust of your para church
ministry, you should shut it down.
If your status is more important to you than people, you should be heart
broken ---- and humiliatingly embarrassed.
If your security is more important than people in their need, you should
repent for your selfishness and lack of trust in God to take care of you.
If your popularity is more important to you than the needs of people, you
should be ashamed of yourself.
If your skill and polish are more important than getting in the mud and
ministering to people, then you've been reading the wrong book. Get back
to the Bible.
If your ideas and your agenda are more important than people, then repent
---- get right with God, and then become a broken hearted humble servant.
Wash some feet.
If your vision doesn't include people first and foremost, you've got a
distorted one that is not from God. Leave it, and go get with God until
He gives you one that has people at the center.
Jesus came for people, not for causes, movements, ideas, agendas, or
denominations. He was never a Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, or
anything else, and He never will be. He was a people person ---- and He
still is.
You should be, too.
POWER:
To be sure this corporation was clearly talking about the power of the
people involved in their company, the power of the product, and/or the
power of their sales strategy.
But, that exposes the real point of the matter ---- we in church often do
the same thing, in spite of Zachariah's admonition, "Not by might, nor by
power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord."
Yet, how many times have you and I depended on the power of people, the
power of an idea or "product" or even the power of a method when trying
to articulate the Gospel?
Frankly, we have done it often ---- and we should be utterly ashamed at
every occasion.
The point does not need to be belabored ---- two things are absolutely
indispensable for our effectiveness and success in ministry . . . .
Power and . . . .
The authority to use it.
According to the Great Commission (Acts 1:8; Mt 28:18-20), we have both.
Some ten years ago I did one of the most exciting sermon series of my
preaching ministry, speaking for about ten successive weeks on "Power And
Authority In The Life Of The Believer". God opened my eyes to so much in
that exercise.
One of my first discoveries was that God does not give us power to preach
the Gospel, but rather, the Gospel is power!
God's power!
And it produces salvation.
Paul said so in Romans 1:16. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for IT IS
the POWER OF GOD for salvation . . . "
That's a humbling truth ---- It's not our tracts, plans, and great
sermons that are the Gospel. Those are just ways of articulating
information about the Gospel.
The Gospel ---- the "Good news" ---- the "Fantastic Announcement!" is
this . . . . . .
The Power of God brings Salvation to all who believe!
Paul illustrates that in some of his indicting remarks to the Corinthians
in his first letter, chapter two. He told them he didn't come with
superiority of speech, of great wisdom, or human ingenuity (2:1).
Then, my friend, why do we?
Instead, as he continued, "my message and my preaching were not in
persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
Power." (2:4)
Yes, my co-laborer ---- you and I have a power far greater than anything
the world can provide, big corporations notwithstanding.
We have the power of God in which to walk, talk, and serve.
But we must do it . . . .
and not just talk it.
FREEDOM:
While I cannot read the minds of the officers of this particular
corporation, I'm assuming they were declaring "Freedom!" because first,
they were operating in a democratic society wherein there are many rights
and freedoms to succeed.
I think also, though, there were probably referring to the freedom that
comes to a person when he has become financially successful and no longer
has to punch someone else's time clock or have his "worth" determined by
some superior who buys his services at wholesale, sells them at retail,
and keeps the profits for himself.
There is no doubt in my mind, that both freedoms are legitimate and
precious. I praise God I live in a country where freedom is a way of
life. I also thank Him for, on several occasions, enabling my family and
me to live and serve Him free from the financial pressures of life and
the financial "blackmail" of some church or committee that chooses to
control me through financial "threats".
Been there ---- done that.
But, not any more.
In spite of those two types of freedom probably being referred to by this
company, you and I have a far greater freedom.
Yet, too often we treat it like others treat the first two types of
freedom ---- we take it for granted, or we abuse it.
Jesus declared in John's Gospel that we would know the truth, and the
Truth would make us free.
I've often wondered about that profound statement. It is pregnant with
meaning.
When we know the truth about something, we are set free from ignorance,
intimidation, fears, uncertainties, and a host of other things.
Jesus told us He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As our Mighty
Conqueror and Redeemer, He did some things that are true. Because they
truly happened, they become part of the truth from The Truth.
Therefore, it is true that . . . .
We are saved and forgiven of all our sin. That . . . .
We are new creations and old things are done and gone. That . . . .
We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and sealed up unto God forever. That
. . . .
We are the righteousness of God in Christ. That . . . .
We have no further condemnation against us. That . . . .
We can do all things through Christ Who is our strength. That . . . .
We have strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow.
And so forth.
Talk about freedom, my friend . . . . .
We've got freedom the world can't have and doesn't understand!
Freedom to Be!
Freedom to Have!
Freedom to Do!
Freedom to Go!
If you are truly free, then you are free indeed!
FUTURE:
No matter what type of future this company was offering its constituents
and/or customers, there is an end to it.
Our future is endless!
At its very best, the world can offer a future that is temporal, earth
bound, and time restricted.
The future we have ---- and which we must declare! ---- is one that is
eternal, heavenly in nature, and cradled in eternity. Originating in the
Alpha and culminating in the Omega, it transcends our understanding. Yet
it undergirds our hope.
Let me ask you a question ---- if you knew there was no future in the
Gospel message, would you preach it? If you knew salvation went no
further than the grave, would you witness? Would you even want it?
Don't you see, friend, that because there is indeed bright hope for
tomorrow, the strength for today is what keeps us going until then. If
you didn't know there was hope for tomorrow, you wouldn't use the
strength God gives you for today.
IN CONCLUSION:
Do you remember that on several occasions I've referred to man's three
basic drives ---- to Belong, to feel Worth while, and to Be Competent?
Or put another way, man is always asking three basic questions ---- "Who
am I?" "Why am I here?" "What can I do with my life?"
Well, those three elements are what fuel the significance of God's answer
to this corporation's fourfold slogan, "People, Power, Freedom, Future".
When you think about it, that's a pretty good motto.
If you'll let it, it could rejuvenate your personal life ---- and your
ministry.
People ---- they need the Lord.
Power ---- The good news is God has the power to save, and you've got the
power to share the good news.
Freedom ---- You have been set free from all that had you in bondage
before, and have been given the commission and the authority to declare
the Gospel.
Future ---- The "blessed hope" is our ultimate destination, and getting
there will be half the fun.
So ---- Go For It!
What is your life's motto? Do you have one?
That one is pretty good, don't you think?
Have a great week, my friend. And, thanks for letting me share my heart
again.
In His Bond of Grace and Mercy,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright September, 2000. All rights reserved.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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