The Presbyter's Page
Electronic Edition – April 2003
Original articles published April 2003
Section 12 - LA
District UPCI
Donald Bryan - Presbyter
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Personal
Growth: "You Hypocrite!"
(II Corinthians 4:1-18)
"Therefore
seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. 2 But have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man's conscience in the sight of God. 3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the
dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in
our body. 11 For we which live are
always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might
be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
"13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and
therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord
Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that
the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory
of God. 16 For which cause we faint
not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by
day. 17 For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are
not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are
not seen are eternal." -- 2 Cor 4:118 (KJV)
Ministry is a marathon: It’s not how you start in ministry; it’s how you finish. If you look at II Corinthians 4:1-18, Paul gives seven suggestions for finishing the race:
(Verse 1) Remember God’s mercy: God has given us our ministries.
(Verse 2) Be truthful and honest in all you do: Maintain your integrity because integrity produces power in your life, while guilt zaps your energy.
(Verse 5) Be motivated to work for Jesus’ sake, not out of selfish desires.
(Verse 7) Realize that Christians are only human. We must accept our limitations, and the quickest way to burn out is to try to be Superman.
(Verse 16) Allow time for inward rejuvenation.
(Verse 17 – 18) Stay focused on the important things, not distracted by momentary troubles.
Outreach:
Winning Web Sites
In the current information age, many visitors to your church have probably visited your web site before they ever showed up at your physical facility. What kind of welcome did they find at your online front door? Whether you design your site for outreach purposes or simply to provide information, here are some guidelines for setting up a new site or retooling an existing one.
1.
Target your site. Just like when you preach at
your church’s services, you have to know who the audience is for your web
site. Are you trying to reach
non-Christians, new Christians, or longtime saints? Do you want it to be an outreach tool or just a place to make
announcements? No answer is
incorrect. Just be sure to know who’s
most likely to find your site and tailor it to that audience.
2.
Use good design. The old adage “keep it simple,
silly” (KISS) is a good one to follow
on your web site – and in all of your print publications as well. Before you distribute your site’s URL to
potential users and search engines, look at it on several different
computers. Does it load quickly and
easily? Have you used common fonts that
work with multiple browsers and operating systems?
3.
Provide at least basic information. If
you’re just starting a site, at least provide your location, the times of your
services, contact information, and perhaps a basic description of your
statement of faith. If you add other
things, such as special events, be sure to keep them up to date. You don’t want site visitors to find your
Easter service times at Christmas time!
4.
Choose a memorable domain name. Again,
KISS! Since churches in many
communities across the country have similar names, one solution is to connect
your church name to your community (such as www.churchnamecityname.com). Also, aim for short, since you’ll be listing
you URL on most printed materials your church produces, and you don’t need to
add clutter with a long web address.
5.
Put your sermons or a sampling of service online. You might need to hire technical help with this, or you might
find a volunteer Webmaster right in your congregation who can handle all the
technicalities. Your online sermons or
services will allow potential visitors to listen and see if they like your
preaching style, music, and atmosphere.
6.
Use it to help people connect. By adding a
chat room or message board feature, visitors to your church’s site can easily
stay connected, share prayer requests throughout the week, and build relationships.
For local help with web site design, look in the Yellow Pages under Internet Web Site Developers search the Internet or explore the services available below for ideas. If you’re comfortable working in a virtual world, use your favorite Internet search engine and look for key words such as “website, “design,” and “church.” Search using these similar words in different combinations and as a phrase: “church website design.” You can also purchase software that will guide you through the process and design of your own web site.
Personal Growth: “You Hypocrite!”
Failure – In the business world, this word isn’t an option. But in the church, it almost seems like a
requirement. Look at the heroes of the
faith in Hebrews 11. While the Bible
lauds their faithful successes here, check out their Old Testament stories, and
you’ll find that God used people who repeatedly failed and doubted him.
So the next time you feel like a failure or even a hypocrite – encouraging your congregation to live one way when you’re failing in that very same area yourself – remember God’s amazing penchant for using seemingly imperfect, irresponsible, and faithless people to further His kingdom. In fact, here are some specific places where you might be feeling like a failure, along with promises for you to claim.
Correcting and confronting people about sin when you know the pitiful
condition of your own heart. Remember that God detests
sin, but he already knows that you’ll fail Him. Victory doesn’t come through any power of our own, but only from
God’s strength over evil. Approach God
and admit your weaknesses. “If we claim
to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8-9)
Preaching on quiet time when you don’t have one. Change the terminology if
you need to. A quiet time is just a
means of recharging your own spiritual batteries on a semi-regular basis – even
if it’s not a daily quiet time. “Be
still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Being still is hard to do if you’re running in the opposite
direction. What will happen if you stop
and listen to God? “You’ll be made new
in the attitude of your minds; and you’ll put on the new self, created to be like
God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23-24)
Speaking on bringing people to the Lord when you haven’t led anyone to
Him in years. Double-check your source and
motivation. Jesus said that only people
plugged into Him could be fruitful.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the
vine. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will
bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Warning of the dangers of pride when your own head barely fits through
the door (or tips you over behind the pulpit).
Change your attitude, taking yourself out of the limelight if
necessary. “Make it your ambition to
lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… so
that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” (I Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Doing a sermon on joy when you’ve been miserable for months. Remember the old saying that
bitter people are never thankful, and thankful people are never bitter. Scripture says it this way: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give
thanks in all circumstances (not just the good ones) for this is God’s will for
you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
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