The Presbyter's Page
Electronic Edition - August 2000
Original articles published June 1996
Section 12 - LA
District UPCI
Donald Bryan - Presbyter
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Sermon
Thought: “Principles for the Gray
Areas”
Improve
Your Leadership Through Communication
Sermon Thought:
“Principles
for the Gray Areas”
Scripture Text – I Corinthians 6:12-14
We are to live and govern our lives by the Word of God. We don’t live by our thoughts, opinions, the
world or what’s popular. The Bible is
our manual on how to live and it declares that no one will go to heaven
accidentally. All who go there chose
that path. Matt. 7:21 says, “Not
everyone that saith Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:14, Luke 13:24, Matthew 22:14,
I Peter 4:18, I John 2:15 and Titus 2:12 confirms that we must live
Godly in this present world.
So how should we live? What are
the principles? Every Christian
generally understands the black and white issues of life. For example, it is wrong to murder, steal or
lie, but okay to drive an automobile or attend school. But, there are many areas of life that are
gray. They could be right or
wrong. They could help or hurt. They could be helpful or harmful. Christians struggle in the gray areas. Examples could include sports,
entertainment, social activities, or new types of technology. Listed are questions to ask about the gray
areas. These Biblical principles teach
us how to deal with issues that are not always clear. Ask these questions:
1.
Is this activity spiritually profitable to me? I Cor. 6:12 says all things are lawful but not
expedient. If it isn’t profitable
(means “better for me”); Paul said if it doesn’t produce godliness, don’t worry
whether it is lawful – don’t do it.
This is the principle of expediency.
2.
Will it build me up? Does it
strengthen me? I Cor. 10:23 “…all things edify
not.” Edify means “confirm, structure,
build up.” If continuing this activity
weakens the structure, don’t do it. This
is the principle of edification.
3.
Will it slow me down in the race? Heb. 12:1 “Lay aside every weight.” All weights aren’t sin, but still hinder. This is the principle of excess.
4.
Will it bring me into bondage? I
Cor. 6:12 Nothing
is to master me. If it does, lay it
aside. This is the principle of enslavement.
5.
Will it violate the lordship of Jesus Christ in my life? I Cor. 8:1-10 – Paul said don’t violate
your conscience, even with Christian liberty.
If it violates conscience and convictions, Jesus is no longer Lord. This principle is encroachment.
6.
Will it help other Christians by example? I Cor. 8:9 My life is to be an
example. Paul said not to make your
freedom in Christ become a stumbling block to the weak. If it offends a brother or causes some one
to fall, don’t do it. This is the principle
of example.
7.
Will it lead others to Jesus? I
Cor. 10:28 Paul used the example of meat offered to idols to state that
if I offend a brother or a non-Christian by my eating meat, not to eat it. This is the principle of enrichment.
8.
Will it be consistent with Christlikeness? Or, would Jesus do
it? I John 2:6 Can I do this
activity and be consistent with Christlikeness? Is my holiness, attitude,
modesty, etc., Christlike? This is the
principle of emulation.
9.
Will it glorify God? I Cor.
10:31 –
Whatever you do, do for the glory of God.
My life is to be lived for His glory.
This is the principle of exalting.
Improve Your Leadership Through Communication
Success – in leadership, marriage, career and relationships – greatly depends on communication skills. Yet, many of the best thinkers and workers never advance beyond a certain level because of their inability to communicate effectively, no matter how great or important their message. How can an aspiring leader grow beyond the barrier and improve his communication? By examining Jesus’ model in Matthew 13:
1.
Simplify the message. (It’s not
what you say, but how you say it.) In Matthew
13, Jesus told many stories to make His teachings understandable. Since every communicator’s goal is
understanding, make every effort to:
a.
Make it clear, concise and specific.
Jesus
didn’t use any concepts or terms that His audience wouldn’t understand. He also stuck with specific ideas and didn’t
cloud them with unnessary or vague explanations.
b.
Repeat it often. In Chapter 13 of Matthew
alone, Jesus told seven parables, some illustrating the same lesson. He repeated His message as many times – and
in as many different ways – as needed.
c.
Forget about impressing.
Seldom can an
audience be impressed with both the speaker and the subject. Let them be moved by the truth of the
subject, not by you.
d.
Emphasize the familiar.
Jesus talked
about farming to farmers, baking bread to those who did it everyday, and
fishing to those for whom it was their livelihood. The more your listeners identify with the message, the more they
can apply it to their own lives.
2.
See the person. (It’s not what
you say, but how they see it.) It’s impossible to
effectively communicate to an audience without knowing something about
them. For a leader, there may be times
when you need to speak to a large or varied audience. To reach them where they are, ask yourself the following
questions before you communicate.
a.
Who is your audience? What are their ages, backgrounds,
professions, prejudices, etc.? Will any
of their inclinations steer you toward some explanations and away from others?
b.
What are their questions?
What’s
important to them? Are they preoccupied
with a specific issue? Could the issue block
communication until it’s addressed?
c.
What needs to be accomplished? If you
could achieve one specific result through this communication, what would it be?
3.
Seize the moment. (It’s not
what you say, but when you say it.) Timing truly is everything,
and a leader needs to seize the opportunity at hand. When the crowds made it impossible for Jesus to teach on the
shore (Matthew 13:2), He climbed into a boat and preached from there. Jesus stuck with one pattern: when the people came, He spoke to them, but
when they rejected His message, Jesus withdrew. Watch to see when your listeners are ready, then seize the
opportunity.
4.
Show the truth. (It’s not what you say, but how you show it.) Every time you speak, your audience asks on
foundational question, “Why should I listen to you?” They want to know if you’re credible. What they really want to find out is…
a.
Can I trust you? Do you say what you mean,
and do what you say?
b.
Do you care for me? Your listeners are more
interested in your love for them than the topic.
c.
Do you know your subject? They
need to respect your expertise before they can respond to your instruction.
5.
Seek the response. (It’s not
what you say, but how they respond to it.)
When
He finished teaching, Jesus usually asked His audience, “Have you understood
what I have told you?” Effective
communication always gives your listener something to feel, remember
and do.
We can improve our communication skills, and we can accomplish it by following Jesus’ model. That’s important. After all, aren’t we trying to share His same message today?
I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I’ve stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees , colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions,
plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have
to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love
by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow,
my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,
lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of
adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of
popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let
go, or slow up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and
stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I
most go till He comes, give till I drop, preach until all know, and work till
He stops.
And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no
problems recognizing me… my colors will be clear.
“If the average church should suddenly take seriously the notion that every lay member, man or woman, is really a minister of Christ, we could have something like a revolution in a very short time.” -- Elton Trueblood
Pastor Bryan and/or
other members of the Pentecostals Online ministry staff personally recommend
the books listed below. They are
available for purchase through our virtual on-line bookstore through our
affiliation with Amazon.com, the world’s largest on-line bookstore. We invite you to take a look at the many new
Christian books, tapes and CD’s available through our link to Amazon’s
Christian Books and Music sections, or to visit the Electronics or Toys
sections. Proceeds from any sales go
toward maintaining our web site and the First Pentecostal Church Building
Fund. Thank you for your patronage.
Jesus CEO : Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary
Leadership
by Laurie
Beth Jones
List
Price: $12.95 Our
Price: $11.65
You Save: $1.30 (10%)
This is an excellent book that describes Jesus’
leadership techniques and His approach to motivating and managing others. It is based on the self-mastery, action and relationship
skills that Jesus used to train His team.
I recommend it!
Developing the Leaders Around You
by John
C. Maxwell
List Price: $17.99 Our Price: $16.19 You Save: $1.80 (10%)
In
this book, John Maxwell explains how to grow your organization by
growing
the leaders within the group. I highly
recommend it!
Arise My Love...The Very Best Of Newsong
audio CD
Newsong
List Price: $16.97 Our
Price: $13.49
You Save: $3.48 (21%)
Several members of our church just attended the Summer Jam 2000 concert in New Orleans featuring Newsong. They were great in concert and their “Greatest Hits” album is truly awesome! You can feel the anointing in several of the tracks, some of which will move you to tears. This album features the hits Can’t Keep a Good Man Down, Jesus to the World, (both previously unreleased) plus - Miracles, Rhythm of the World, This One’s With Me, My Heart’s Already There, When I’m With You, We Wear His Name, Love Revolution, All Around the World, Arise My Love and others; 15 tracks in all! This CD sold at the concert for $15.
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