Be a man- or woman role model.

Sport stars are often called upon to be role models to the young. Some measure up. Many do not. Even fewer celebrities could be looked to for such an important role. For those looking to the Church for guidance in this arena who would you choose?

The third imperative from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 deals with this matter, perhaps in a round-about-way. The Greek word used is ‘andrizo’ and is variously translated as ‘quit you like men’ (KJV) ‘be courageous’ (NRSV)) and ‘act like men and be courageous’ (Amplified) or ‘play the man’ (Nestles Interlinear Greek-English). This word is used only once in the New Testament. It’s apparent that what Paul wrote is a challenge to translate and apply.

It is certain that the apostle was calling his readers to reach for the highest ideal of manhood their transformed minds could imagine. Would they relate it to noble warriors, Olympic champions, Biblical characters, even to missionaries? We will never know. Thinking about Biblical characters however, the one I’d look to as my role model would be Timothy. Why? Maybe because I see in him some of my personality and temperament. The way he utilised their strength, rose above their weakness and allowed the Holy Spirit to refine, mature and flavour them is encouraging. He is my role model for being courageous. He is my example as a faithful minister. He is a challenge to ‘play the man’ when it would be the self-preserving thing to run.

Timothy had a difficult family situation. Jewish mother and a Gentile father who is apparently absent. Then, when they hear the gospel he, his mother and grandmother become followers of Christ. I wonder about the reaction of the synagogue. It is apparent that Timothy took hold of the Lord’s grace and proved true in the eyes of the recently established local church. They had no hesitation in endorsing him to serve with Paul in up-coming missionary ventures.

From the book of Acts and various letters from Paul we see Timothy’s character and commitment. He was timid but conviction of and commitment to Christ gave him moral and spiritual backbone. As last week’s imperative put it, he stood his ground in the faith. Another thing which impresses is how he handled serving under the ‘shadow’ of Paul’s dynamic and restless missionary endeavours. In Philippians 2:19-24 Paul tells the Church he is sending Timothy to them. Then he adds: ‘I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.’

The two letters Paul wrote to this man from prison are revealing. Timothy was the minister at Ephesus, a very difficult assignment. He was called upon to deal with a number of issues which I imagine he would rather have let pass. However, being a faithful servant and a capable teacher he stood on the authority of Scripture (both the Old Testament and Paul’s letters). In the first letter and chapter 4 he is encouraged to maintain pri0rities in teaching and setting an example in ‘speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.’ He was not a pulpiteer. He was first and foremost a role-model.

In the second letter this man faces issues regarding the political correct issues of his day. Paul addressed him as a soldier of Christ and a worker approved by God. These and other matters required him to stand true to the ‘sacred writings’ and to proclaim the message of Christ and the cross. The same is true today for those who would be role models in spirit and in truth.

The five imperatives of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 build-up similar to a musical crescendo. Each depends on the other and will culminate in the rhapsody of devotion. Next week be ‘be strong’ is the subject to consider.

Assassins of Christmas

They hide behind legal jargon with godless intent. Once they were covert in their opposition to Christian festivals, now they are running rampant. Those would be Assassins of Christmas are part of a wide spread movement which seems to have hit the news lately.

Some in authority want to call Christmas holiday season or festival of lights. One Government official didn’t want the Christmas tree called by that term. Banning Nativity plays and Carols about Christ under the pretence it offends other religions is spurious nonsense. The latent animosity within the World system towards Christ, the Bible and Christian concepts and morality has broken out, with gusto!

I call such people King Herod’s kith and kin. In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 2 is the account of his endeavour to kill the Baby Jesus. To do that he was indiscriminate. All boy babies two and under were to be killed in Bethlehem. Jesus was whisked away to Egypt by Joseph and Mary. Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’ but Herod made it the town of tears.

Today’s brood of Herod sympathisers cannot get their hands on the risen Christ Jesus. So, they resort to trying to eradicate expressions of His reality and message. In extreme cases this is the ideology of IS in their killing of Christians. In less graphic ways lawsuits are filed against Christians standing for Christian marriage and morality. One non-Christian religious leader even said to his people, to wish others a “merry Christmas” was worse than murder. Even having Christian prayer breakfasts are now anathema.

Whether they realise it or not, such assassins are creating for their communities ‘township of tears’. Why do I think that? By looking into the regions where the Christian faith and heritage are either unknown or are a persecuted minority. Fatalism rules and corruption is ‘king.’ There is a hopelessness unrelieved by the compassion and promises of Christ Jesus. There isn’t anything to sing about which could rival the joy and message of Christmas carols. We hear in Australia a lot about violence against women without appreciating how the Christmas event has elevated the status of a woman. What the virgin birth tells us should flow into the mindset of a community.

What do we gain from looking at Mary as the chosen vessel for the Messiah’s coming? Women are held in high esteem by the Creator and Redeemer God. The beautiful imagery of The Church as the Bride of Christ, New Jerusalem portrayed as a bride, plus the esteemed women in biblical history reaffirm that conviction. Any man who violates a woman offends his manliness, his biblical mandate and denies the Lord Jesus Christ’s example and teachings. How superior is this to Islam’s treatment of women in their judicial system, not to mention the use of young girls as bride material!

How are we to respond to these Assassins of Christmas? By standing our ground! By expressing our Joy in the Lord! By sharing the merriment and message that the Promised One has come and his name is Jesus! By inviting the assassins to share in the celebrations we enjoy! By living out the quality of life and the treatment of each other as taught by and lived out by Jesus, the warrior babe of Bethlehem.

Ray Hawkins Dec 14th 2015.

Thankfulness in ministry.

Key Insight: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

His life and ministry was nearing its climax. There were some things he had to share with his son in the faith, Timothy. It appears that this young man was having a tough time in the work at Ephesus. To encourage him Paul writes his first letter to Timothy. Over the years I thank God for those who have encouraged me in ministry.

The aged apostle expressed his gratitude to God for appointing him to the work of the ministry. (1Timothy 1:12) I wonder how Timothy took this. He knew the trials and tribulations which had pursued Paul since the Damascus road conversion. (2 Timothy 3:10-12). Paul in effect was saying, “Cheer up my son, it’s in the tough times you appreciate the grace of God. I know this from my experiences.”

To thrive rather than merely survive in the Lord’s service requires an inner strength. This power goes beyond what a gym can provide. Paul confessed that the strength for ministry flowed from Jesus. He works it in the believer and is known in everyday life and tribulations. The Greek word Paul used, endunameo, means ‘in-strengthened’. He used this word in Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.’ This was no glib saying or pious bumper sticker. Here was his personal testimony through the rough and tumble of life’s complexity and difficulties.

We live in a corrupt world. Here the holiness of God, the Cross of Christ and His salvation lifestyle are opposed, slandered and ignored. As His representatives we will face similar treatment to varying degrees. The hardest to handle are not those outside the Church who give us a rough time. The hardest will be the ‘Corinthian spirit’ within the Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).  Disciples and servants of Christ can be driven from the ministry and worship by such carnal pressures. Such ungodliness should drive the faithful to the heart of Jesus. There the strength to endure will be found.

 The time frame Paul alluded to is interesting. Jesus considered him faithful long before Paul had been appointed to the ministry. Any who are called to serve the Lord should find this a wonderful encouragement. In my case Jesus saw beyond my immaturity and frivolity and considered me faithful. In spite of obvious weaknesses the Lord took me under His supervision. He wrought out of me what He first worked in. Jesus is the faithful one. His trust in you is personal. Here's an unbeatable incentive to honour his confidence.

Faithfulness doesn’t mean failure-less. Faithfulness doesn’t mean having all the answers. Faithfulness is remaining true to the Lord and His Word. Faithfulness means learning from personal mistakes, finding wisdom, forgiving and being forgiven. Many a congregation must surely warrant some type of medal from the Lord for their grace and patience with novice preachers. Fortunate are those beginners in the pulpit who have some sensitive and godly person take them under their ‘wing.’ A good example of such a thing happening in the New Testament concerned Aquila and Priscilla. This couple got beside Apollos, invited him into their home, and explained the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:26).

     

Paul was apostle, prophet and pastor beyond peer. In 1 Timothy 1:12 he used one of the lowliest term to describe the heights of Christian service. Paul was eternally grateful that Jesus had made him a deacon, a table waiter. Why choose this title? Probably because it was the one Jesus applied to Himself in Matthew 20:28, ‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…’ Jesus served Humanity as a Deacon. He most wonderfully demonstrated that at the Passover meal by washing the disciples’ feet. Paul would not presume to put himself above his Lord. Nor should we!

Reflection: In your present stage of ministry how burns the passion? Do you need to find a quiet place and regain your inner strength from your Lord?  He has counted you faithful!What are you doing to prove His verdict correct?

Request: Strengthen me within so that I might be faithful for you. May those who are looking to me in the various stresses and strains of ministry know you are my endunameo Amen!

Ray Hawkins Oct 19th. 2015.

The Bullies against Christmas

Christmas Bullies

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. It use to be mostly boys but now girls have joined the ranks. Such creatures usually cannot hold their own in debate and discussion so seek to win by muscle power or verbal humiliation. Their effect on some has been devastating.

History has thrown up untold numbers of national bullies in the form of dictators. Such men are usually in Government, tribal or religious areas. Dominating women of history are much more subtle and seductive. Both have their power for a while but death always takes them from the scene. Whether they believe in God or not, they will have to stand in judgment before Him.

Onto the 21st century a new and more corrosive form of bullying has developed. It is religious in nature but seductive in its approach. Through the abuse of anti-discrimination laws and political correctness these bullies seek to destroy Christmas. They want the holiday but they want to remove the Christian reason undergirding it. What is it? Christ’s birth at Bethlehem. In its Christless place they want innocuous terms such as vacation or recreation day.

Who are at the head of the ‘Bully Boys Brigade’? Islam and Atheists. Who are their compliant assistants? Government and local councils. Such countries with a previously Christian history and majority, such as Norway, are buckling under the fear of offending non Christians. It doesn’t seem to matter that Christians and their faith and holy days are violated and other faiths are left untouched.

Why is there such hostility to Christmas and Easter and of course, the Bible? Could it be due to what they declare? That is the promised one of the Tanak (Jewish scriptures) is declared to have come in the Gospels. In them we read that the promised one is the Messiah who came as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. That pointed to the Jewish Passover being fulfilled in the Messiah’s crucifixion. If this promised one we know as Jesus was still dead no one would celebrate Christmas or Easter. The section of the Bible called the New Testament declares Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to His Father’s realm. Jesus in now Lord and Saviour! He waits the right moment when the rest of Scripture is fulfilled to return as ruler and judge.

That is what the bully boys don’t want to happen (not that they can stop it). As they don’t like to be reminded of their fate and as they don’t want to change their mind, they endeavour to remove that which offends their belief system. No tolerance there. No sound argument can destroy the Christmas event, so be a bully and crush your opponent. ‘Hide incompetence and lack of argument behind well meaning laws that can be twisted to one’s own advantage’ is their mantra.

The bullies can not prevail. Caesar tried it with the lions in the arena. He failed. Christmas will be celebrated and its message will shine out more brightly than ever. The meek may pay a price but they are on the winning side, just read what Jesus said in Matthew 5:5.

Whether you like or dislike Christmas, whether you believe December 25 is the right date, ultimately doesn’t matter. What matters is its testimony. That is ‘He who was long promised came in the fullness of time.’ You can follow His story in the Gospels. How do we know Jesus came? Because of the

cross and resurrection! Without that event we wouldn’t be having this celebration. Then we wouldn’t have bullies trying to prove Christmas didn’t happen.
But it did.
Its meaning prevails.
Its promise endures.
So put your trust in Jesus the Messiah and have a happy Christmas.