While reading an article by Matt Chandler entitled, "The Good Fight" on the process of sanctification and the war against sin, I came across this statement:
"I had been fed a gospel that said; Do you want a better life? Do you want to be happy? Then come to Jesus. But when my struggles with sin didn't immediately go away, I felt I had been lied to. I felt I had been duped. No one told me how much deeper sin was, or how ruthless Jesus was going to be once he took over my heart."
That statement spoke to me in so many ways. What is the Gospel message that I am feeding? what are people hearing me say God wants to do in them and for them? And then after that, what is the ongoing message people hear when they choose to do life with me as their pastor?
Those are hard questions to answer because our feelings and religious posterity get in the way. Maybe, like me, your first response was to defend your approach and how you lay-out and teach the gospel message. Did you, like me, focus all your attention on what you do and how you do it, your doctrinal viewpoints and your theological stances? If so, you have to move beyond all that, the issue is not about you or your doctrine, it's about them and what they are becoming. Can you step back and view what your preaching and teaching is producing in the lives of the people that follow you? Can you objectively allow God to speak to you about how you are passing on His message?
That's the goal in writing this article. I don't want to get into a debate or challenge what you teach, although that may be needed. I want to encourage you to look at the long term results of what your gospel message is producing in the hearts and minds of those you influence.
Maybe for you it's not that you preach a soft, wimpy gospel, maybe you preach a mean, harsh one. And what people come away with is a feeling that they never measure up. Maybe you are right theologically and doctrinally but your attitude and approach is offensive.
The point is this - the way you and I preach and model the gospel of Jesus Christ is producing in people a perspective on what God expects and wants to do in their lives. We are painting a picture of what it means to "live for God". And that is a huge responsibility. I want to be able, like the Apostle Paul, to stand up at the end of my life and say, like He did:
(Act 20:26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
(Act 20:27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Now before you just write this whole thing off. And pat yourself on the back, because you're doctrine is right or your theology is perfect. Notice Paul didn't point to his doctrine or theology as proof for his confidence. Paul pointed to his lifestyle and sacrifice. Paul points to a decision that he had made early on in his ministry in regards to the way he would financially fund the call of God on his life. He points to a personal choice that he made to not take any money from the people or churches that he lead to Christ or built.
(Act 20:32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
(Act 20:33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(Act 20:34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(Act 20:35) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And then Paul brings the responsibility of leading people home to all of us.
(Act 20:28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
"I had been fed a gospel that said; Do you want a better life? Do you want to be happy? Then come to Jesus. But when my struggles with sin didn't immediately go away, I felt I had been lied to. I felt I had been duped. No one told me how much deeper sin was, or how ruthless Jesus was going to be once he took over my heart."
That statement spoke to me in so many ways. What is the Gospel message that I am feeding? what are people hearing me say God wants to do in them and for them? And then after that, what is the ongoing message people hear when they choose to do life with me as their pastor?
Those are hard questions to answer because our feelings and religious posterity get in the way. Maybe, like me, your first response was to defend your approach and how you lay-out and teach the gospel message. Did you, like me, focus all your attention on what you do and how you do it, your doctrinal viewpoints and your theological stances? If so, you have to move beyond all that, the issue is not about you or your doctrine, it's about them and what they are becoming. Can you step back and view what your preaching and teaching is producing in the lives of the people that follow you? Can you objectively allow God to speak to you about how you are passing on His message?
That's the goal in writing this article. I don't want to get into a debate or challenge what you teach, although that may be needed. I want to encourage you to look at the long term results of what your gospel message is producing in the hearts and minds of those you influence.
Maybe for you it's not that you preach a soft, wimpy gospel, maybe you preach a mean, harsh one. And what people come away with is a feeling that they never measure up. Maybe you are right theologically and doctrinally but your attitude and approach is offensive.
The point is this - the way you and I preach and model the gospel of Jesus Christ is producing in people a perspective on what God expects and wants to do in their lives. We are painting a picture of what it means to "live for God". And that is a huge responsibility. I want to be able, like the Apostle Paul, to stand up at the end of my life and say, like He did:
(Act 20:26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
(Act 20:27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Now before you just write this whole thing off. And pat yourself on the back, because you're doctrine is right or your theology is perfect. Notice Paul didn't point to his doctrine or theology as proof for his confidence. Paul pointed to his lifestyle and sacrifice. Paul points to a decision that he had made early on in his ministry in regards to the way he would financially fund the call of God on his life. He points to a personal choice that he made to not take any money from the people or churches that he lead to Christ or built.
(Act 20:32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
(Act 20:33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(Act 20:34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(Act 20:35) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And then Paul brings the responsibility of leading people home to all of us.
(Act 20:28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
So what about it? Do you, like me, see any aspects of your leadership as a spiritual leader that needs to be addressed? Can you evaluate yourself, like Paul, at a deeper level than just your doctrine or religion? Yes those things matter, and yes they matter on the front end. But what about all the other area’s that come with being a follower of Jesus Christ. I think Paul’s admonition and wisdom that he gave to the believers at Corinth hit this issue right on the head
(1Co 10:31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
(1Co 10:32) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
(1Co 10:33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
(1Co 10:32) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
(1Co 10:33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
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