The Imperative of ministry.

A mural at Sheffield, Tasmania

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.

An ‘imperative’ is a word or statement of authority we do well to heed.  Scripture is saturated with them. Unfortunately we tend to do mental gymnastics with such imperatives. They are converted into noble suggestions. By doing this we rob them of their sense of urgency, warning or command.

Paul’s words to Timothy as recorded in the two epistles have a number of imperatives to take to heart. The one calling to study the word of truth is both a command and a warning. The aged apostle, restricted by imprisonment, never forgot to be a mentor to his ‘son.’ He wanted Timothy to be able to fulfil the work he was called to do. Also when called to give account of his ministry no shame would cling to his presentation. Surely that is our heart’s desire also.

‘Do your best’ is from a Greek word calling for diligence. In daily life and work there is abhorrence for the person who is lazy and not fulfilling his or her role. Such characters make things difficult, even dangerous, for others. The same is true in ministry. We are not all equal in scholastic ability or communicating skills but we can all give of our best. The motivation is surely for the honour of our Lord.

‘To present yourself to God’ has overtones of a formal meeting being arranged. Hebrews 13:17: defines God’s servants as ‘men who must give an account.’ There is an official reporting time already set by the Lord. We should not take this lightly. It will deal with our calling as ministers not about our salvation. Between now and that time we have opportunity to get ourselves ready to meet our Master.  The words used by Paul when taking Communion become good advice in this matter. 1 Corinthians 11:31: ‘If we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgement.’ Such a self assessment must be under the scrutiny of scripture. It requires of us honesty and an acceptance of what the Bible has to say on personal issues touched upon.

‘As one approved’ means you have passed the inspection. You have been tried, tested and you stand true. Your testimony of God’s faithfulness is vouched for by others and your conscience as you stand confident in His Word.  In a sense the words of Peter can be applied to you, ‘. . .your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may prove genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.’ 1 Peter 1:7– 8

‘A workman’ is often used in Scripture for a field labourer. How applicable! As workman with and in the Gospel we work in the harvest field called the world. From Jesus’ parables dealing with fields some ministry insights are gleaned. There are those who sow seed, rock removers, bird chasers, weed pullers and reapers. At any one time we might be found doing anyone of those tasks. We must know the tools of our trade. In this context it is of course the Scriptures. The Master’s equipment for the various tasks can be found in His ‘toolshed’ of His word. Do we know what ‘implement’ to use and how to handle it when confronted by weed scatterers or birds, thorns or hidden rock?

‘Who correctly handles…’ expresses competency and confidence in the equipment. It is apparent that Scripture can be mishandled, misrepresented and misunderstood. Some of this is from ignorance and at other times from evil intent.  As with any craft the implements take time to master. We who are the Lord’s field workers must apply ourselves with diligence to mastering the many facets of God’s toolbox. The wonder of what is in this toolbox never ceases to amaze the faithful student and experienced worker.

‘The word of truth’ is a confronting term. It doesn’t say ‘words of truth’ as though there are words in there somewhere which are untrue. It is the word! It is the Logos. Paul associated the spoken word and the written word with the Living Word named Jesus. We may, with reverence, rewrite this verse this way: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a fieldworker who isn’t ashamed and who knows how to properly handle Jesus – the Logos of Truth.

Reflection: The Lord and Saviour will one day call me into His presence to give an account of my ministry. At this moment what is a reasonable expectation of what He’d most probably say to me?

Request:  Equip me to be a qualified and diligent field worker within the place of your appointment. When I take hold of the Logos may I have the sense that in some way I am handling or hanging onto Jesus!

Ray Hawkins July 18 2016.

Fast Food Sermons.

'What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.' 2 Timothy 1:13.

A preacher was so busy doing ‘things’ he skimped on his sermon preparations. Finally he resorted to reading from books or periodicals. Another preacher was content to use sermons previously preached elsewhere by a relative. Both men saw their ministry decline and two congregations with great potential faded from too much, way too much, ‘fast food’ from the pulpit.

Ministry is demanding upon a preacher’s time, energy, emotion and family. Beware the trap of consigning Sunday sermons and studies to T.V. style take-away meals status. This is ultimately self– defeating and destructive. Churches with ‘spectator saints’ who are being fed on a spiritual diet of sweets and savouries have a fitness problem. When tough times come, and they do, such Christians run out of stamina, have faith problems and develop critical attitudes.

In 2 Timothy 1:13 ‘sound teaching’ refers to healthy doctrine. Timothy was directed to work hard on ensuring what he preached and taught was health giving. So should we. In the Pastoral Epistles the Greek word for ‘sound’ teaching is ‘hugies’ or ‘hugiaino’ and is used seven times. The meaning embraces health and wholeness. This also suggests that there were many preachers giving unsound, unhealthy teaching. Is this why so many disciples and congregations are spiritually anaemic?  Can this explain how some are morally weak, factious, short-sighted and biblically illiterate.

According to 1Timothy 1:10, sound doctrine is the measure that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Sound doctrine exposes the inner qualities of any person whose belief system is laced with the poison of error and exploitation (1Timothy 6:3). There is value in imparting of good, nutritious doctrine with its vitamins and wholesome foods. Well nourished disciples of Christ are spared unnecessary ill effects caused by spiritual quacks. There’s sadness in reading some sections of the New Testament letters. Carnal chefs had penetrated the local congregation with menus appealing to the soul but anathema to the spirit. A constant diet of contaminated food cause congregational disorders. Effects like division, spiritual sleeping sickness and tolerance of ungodliness resulting in moral and spiritual coma. The letters to five of the seven churches in Revelation highlight this truth.

Ministers are called to be the Holy Spirit’s ‘kitchen.’ In us He must first prepare the necessary wholesome food. It is personalised for the particular congregation.  Sometimes He has a tough time with us in the preparation phase. The ingredients we must search for and properly mix. This is our labour over the text and its application. How easy it would be to go to a book of quotes and sermons to simply ‘reheat, serve and eat.’  Not good enough. The labour we expend as the ‘kitchen’ is to pass Heaven’s taste test. When the meal is thereby ready He transforms us into His waiters.

Preachers will often be unaware of their parishioners’ need for special spiritual nourishment. This is especially true in a large and growing congregation. How then can he expect to cater for the unknown? Being an under chef means this isn’t his problem. The master chef has the responsibility to know and meet the people’s need. It never ceases to amaze how the Holy Spirit takes various aspects of a service and feeds the heart and mind of those assembled. The Spirit of God will have the liberty to nourish His people from His word when His under – chef labours faithfully in the preparation. Any cook will know the satisfaction from being told the meal was great. The preacher likes to hear similar words whilst knowing the One who prepared it was the master Chef.

‘He has taken me to his banqueting table and his banner over me is love’ (S. of S. 2:4) underscores sound teaching. Worshippers need to feel they have been at a spiritual banquet following the service. There has been the awareness of the Lord’s presence and the covering of His banner. As they leave to serve and witness they do so from a fully nourished spirit. For the waiters it is a priceless privilege to distribute Heaven’s approved menu. Earth’s pilgrims of Faith will also have been strengthened for their coming tasks and challenges.

Request: Lord am I the boss in my ‘kitchen?’ Demote me. Be the Chef within and prepare in and through me wholesome food from your larder. Then it will be fit for the sons and daughters of the most High God. Amen