Posts Tagged ‘proclamation’
March 1st, 2010 | 
Author: No More Excuses: Refuting 6 Justifiers for Not Serving
“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2, ESV)
I am beginning this blog series because there is so much work to be done for the Kingdom of God. As the Elders meet each day we discuss various ministries and the laborers need to complete the work. It is clear that there is much to be done on Anderson Island. There are several reasons for the work of the ministry. As we work to spread the gospel, we minister to unbelievers as well as believers. We have ministries that are focused toward unbelievers as well as ministries that are focused toward believers. It takes individuals to complete the work of these ministries. Regardless of whom the ministry is geared toward, God works through the life of the servant as well as in the life of the servant. The Elders of AICF desire to see the God working in the life of every member of AICF. Every Christian is called to be actively serving Christ so that His name is proclaimed and He may work in the life of the servant.
The reason we ask you to serve may not be what you think it is.
We have your best interests in mind. God has ordained that the work of the ministry be completed by people. Several things take place when ministry work is completed. The gospel is proclaimed and people are saved; and God is at work in and though the life of the servant. Working for Christ in ministry is less about the task and more about the effects. Lives are changed when we work in ministry. God works through us to change others, and in us to increase our relationship with Him. Therefore, when we ask you to serve it is not about the task. It is about God working in and though you. Our primary purpose is to feed the flock of God or in other words to see you grow spiritually. Because we want you to grow spiritually, we want you to stretch yourself in the work of the ministry. Therefore, I have written this blog to respond to the various arguments people use to justify their lack of service to God. Ultimately, their lack of spiritual growth.
Praying for your spiritual growth,
Pastor Ray
Psalm 139 proclaims God’s intimate knowledge of David, the author, and by implication – God’s intimate knowledge of each of His people. The first five verses lay out the facts of God’s involvement in the details of our daily walk and our every thought.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Depending on your view of God, this could be very intimidating or extremely comforting. Without real relational trust, God’s involvement would be unwelcome and intrusive; but David didn’t perceive God in that way. Verse 6 reveals an attitude of awe and trust.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Commentary by Tony, Scripture quotes from the NIV.
I always wonder what the director of music and the congregation of singers thought when the songs of David veered off into angry words against his enemies. Can they relate? Did they also become distracted with life’s anxious cares while trying to lift up praise to their Creator/Designer? I know that I can relate to distraction. My mind is not always trained and focused properly; my thoughts might even stray during times of praise and worship. Verses 19-22 seem a bit out of place; they don’t match the tone of David’s high praise for his LORD. But David knows God well; he knows that “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.” And so, David doesn’t try to cover up or hide his distraction. The man after God’s own heart demonstrates transparency.
If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Commentary by Tony, Scripture quotes from the NIV.
And then David’s heart and mind become refocused, and the music calms and peace returns. David, who began the song with the proclamation that, “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me,” cries out to God to search and know and test. He confesses his anxious thoughts, and petitions God to lead him in the way. May our prayers also be filled with transparency, confession, and petition for God’s leading. Amen.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Commentary by Tony, Scripture quotes from the NIV.
