Colin S. Smith's Blog, page 39

4 Different Responses A Sower of God’s Word Sees

Maybe you are a small group leader. Six months in, you discover that some are more committed than others. A few are always engaged. One or two seem disconnected. You begin to wonder, What am I doing wrong? It’s not what I expected. 

Or maybe you are a Christian parent. You determine that you will sow the Word of God in the lives of your children. Early on you establish prayers and a pattern of reading the Bible, but they are not equally responsive.

While one child drinks it in, another has very little interest. As a parent you become concerned, My son seems disconnected from the Word of God. He does not relate to it. He has no interest in it. What am I to do? 

These are the real issues of life and ministry, and I want you to see today that they are precisely what our Lord speaks about in the parable of the sower. When you sow the Word. it will have different effects in the lives of different people. Here are some responses: 

Unresponsive  

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (Matthew 13:19) 

Some people who hear the Word will be unresponsive. If you are a sower of God’s Word, you know how hard and discouraging this can be. You are trying to teach the Word of God. You break it down to make it as simple as you possibly can, but your son or daughter, or a member of your small group just doesn’t get it. 

When this happens, you need to remember that this happened for Jesus too. This is the whole point of the parable of the sower. Jesus is telling us not to be surprised or unduly discouraged when people we love and pray for hear the Word but really have no interest in it or understanding of it. 

If that was the experience of Jesus, it will certainly be the experience of Sunday school teachers and of parents and of pastors and of church planters and of cross-cultural missionaries, however well they are prepared or how simply they teach.  

Enthusiastic   

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13:20-21)  

Here is a person who hears the Word and receives it. More than that, this person receives the Word with joy! And notice that this person makes an early response. They “immediately” receive it with joy. They could hardly be more different from the unresponsive person. 

But this joyful receiving of the Word does not last. Trouble comes, and the person who once professed faith so brightly falls away. This second response is perhaps the most discouraging of all for the sower of the Word.  

Jesus makes it clear that if you are a sower of the seed, you will know the disappointment of professions of faith that seem very bright, but prove not to be genuine because they do not last. You must not be surprised or unduly discouraged by this. It happened even in the ministry of Jesus.  

Jesus did not affirm every profession of faith. When he performed his first miracle in Cana by turning water into wine, many “believed in his name,” but “Jesus… did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people… He himself knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25). 

We cannot see the heart like Jesus did. We cannot finally tell who is genuinely converted from the one and who is merely manifesting a passing enthusiasm. But this teaching of Jesus surely reminds us that as parents and as Christian leaders, we should be very careful before affirming that a person is a Christian in advance of seeing evidence in their life.  

Telling a person that he or she is a Christian when they do not love, trust, or serve Jesus Christ is one of the most spiritually damaging things a parent or leader could do. 

Distracted   

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22) 

Here is a person who hears and receives the Word. The seed gets into the soil, and it begins to grow. 

We know this because our Lord says, ‘the thorns grew up’ (13:7). The thorns were not visible at the time when the seed was sown. The problem was that under the soil there were large root systems from old thorn bushes that had never been dug from the ground. They are just covered over. So when the seed began to grow the thorns outgrew it and choked it.  

Jesus does not say that this person ‘falls away.’  The distracted person remains in the church and would say that he (or she) is a Christian. But he is unfruitful. The ground of his life is so crowded that his profession of faith is barren. [3]  It doesn’t produce fruit.  

He would say, “Yes, I am a Christian.”  But the power of godliness has been eaten out from the inside. It has been crowded out. Archbishop Trench says, “The profession of a spiritual life is retained… but the power of godliness is by degrees eaten out and has departed.” [1] This person is Christian name only.  

The rich young ruler is a perfect example in the ministry of Jesus of this third response: “I want everything in this life and I want heaven as well.” And when he goes away, he is sorrowful. Why? Because the root system of his life is made up of thorns.

Receptive  

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23) 

Here are people who hear the Word and understand it. They see that it speaks to them and God lays claim to their lives. The Word of God goes into their lives and it bears fruit in them!  

The harvest that the Word brings in these people’s lives is abundant: “In one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 

The degree of fruitfulness will vary among believers, but the distinguishing mark of every true believer is that the Word of God bears fruit in your life. What is the fruit? The Word bears the fruit of repentance, faith, hope, love, service, perseverance, obedience, humility, and a long, long list of things in the New Testament. 

Here is the great encouragement for sowers: The living seed of the Word of God will produce an abundant harvest. Understand, as you give yourself to a lifetime of service, that there will be frustrations. There will be setbacks. But God’s Word, faithfully sown, will raise a harvest of lives lived under the blessing of the rule of God.  

This article was adapted from Pastor Colin’s sermon, “Expectations,” from his series Ministry Matters.



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[1] Richard C. Trench, Notes on the Parables of Our Lord, p. 76, BiblioBazaar, 2009.

5 Key Connections: God’s Voice, Growth, and more

Here are 5 key passages from recent Christian articles around the web, including an article on knowing God’s voice, and another on some misconceptions of Christian growth.

Mistaking the Voice of Man for the Voice of God (Brad Klassen, The Master’s Seminary)

The fact that others around us can be victimized by our inaccurate interpretation should compel us to pursue accurate interpretation at all costs. 

3 Misconceptions about Christian Growth (Thabiti Anyabwile, Crossway)

We emphasize the number of times we completed “quiet times” this week, the number of times we passed Christian literature to others, or how often we shared the gospel. We can fall into the performance trap, thinking that spiritual growth and discipleship look like good performance and success. When this happens our sense of growth and worth become wrongly tied up with our “stats.”

Does God Expect You to Be Perfect? (Kristen Wetherell)

The seriousness of God’s command means it’s impossible for us to fulfill—but his promise means the impossible is now possible because of Jesus. In the words of Augustine, God gives us what he commands of us. What does he give, exactly? For believers in Christ, his spectacular promise is three-fold:

5 Biblical Encouragements for Depressed Believers (Blake Boylston, TGC)

Sometimes, we feel depressed for reasons we can’t understand, which can be extremely frustrating. No matter what the reason, when you’re experiencing a cloud of depression, bring your grief and cries for help to God in prayer (Pss. 42; 88). He sees everything you’re going through (Ps. 139), and he knows your weak frame (Ps. 103:14). Whatever the cause of your melancholy, know that the Lord is compassionate toward your cry. He is “near to the brokenhearted” (Ps. 34:18).

Practical Wisdom for Sustaining Ministry (Colin Smith, Unlocking the Bible)

God can change the hardest heart. There will be many times when you wonder what has come of all your work in sowing the seed in a particular person’s life. You’ve prayed for them. You’ve loved them. You may share the Word of God, and as far as you are concerned, it felt like good seed on hard ground.

Knowing God Through His Name

God, Father, Lord—These names typify our communication with and about him. We know His name is to be honored, not said in vain (Exodus 20:7). It is to be “hallowed,” revered in our prayers (Matthew 6:9). Yet, God’s name signifies so much more.

God invites us through Scripture to see how His name declares who He is. And as we faithfully ponder His majestic, holy, and awesome name (Psalm 8:1; 111:9), we see how He not only reveals His character, but also His promises to us. Here are four names that embody the Lord’s attributes and assurances:

1.) He is Jehovah-Raah: The LORD My Shepherd

God’s Word illustrates the desperate need of sheep for a shepherd. Because sheep are prone to stray and become lost, they will fall into destruction without a tending shepherd. It’s no surprise that the Bible compares humanity to sheep:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way. (Isaiah 53:6)

Thankfully, we have Jehovah-Raah, “who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3). The Lord our Shepherd cares for, guides, protects, and leads His wandering sheep.

Isaiah says of Him:

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (40:11)

Jesus is our Good Shepherd—he knows His sheep, and we know Him (John 10:1-16). He has compassion on us in our propensity to wander and in our helplessness (Matthew 9:36). Our Shepherd willingly laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11), carrying our iniquities to reconcile us to a holy God (Isaiah 53:6).

He now awaits us in the middle of heaven’s throne, where He will guide us to streams of living water (Revelation 7:17) and give us the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:8).

Therefore, like King David, we echo in praise: “The LORD is my Shepherd. I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

2.) He is Jehovah-Jireh: The LORD Will Provide

Abraham saw God’s gracious provision in sparing Isaac’s life with a sacrificial ram, naming the location, “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14). Notice, Jehovah-Jireh does not mean, “The Lord did provide,” but rather, “The Lord will provide.” Abraham was not looking solely to past and present provisions; he was anticipating a future action from his Almighty Provider—and we can too.

Jehovah-Jireh provides earthly life and breath (Genesis 2:7) and eternal life (Romans 6:23). He gives abounding grace (2 Corinthians 9:8); the ability to escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13); heavenly rewards (Matthew 6:1-4); good and perfect gifts (James 1:17); and every need according to the riches of His glory in Christ (Philippians 4:19).

God’s ultimate provision points to Calvary, where He provided Jesus to pay the penalty of mankind’s sin, giving salvation by death on a cross (John 3:16; Romans 8:32). Yet, Jehovah-Jireh did not stop there: As Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, so did He provide His Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of His people (John 16:7). 

3.) He is Jehovah-Shalom: The LORD Is Peace

Jehovah-Shalom occurs once in Scripture in Judges 6, where Gideon realized that he saw an angel of the Lord. Gideon was fearful, but God responded to him assuredly: “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die” (Judges 6:23). Responding in praise, Gideon built an altar to the Lord, calling it “The Lord Is Peace” (6:24).

With “peace,” the word “shalom” also means “to be complete or sound” and “absence from strife.” Therefore, Shalom, according to the Bible is: found in Him (John 16:33); a blessing reserved for His people (Psalm 29:11); promised to His faithful servants (Psalm 85:8); for those who love His law (Psalm 119:165); for those who trust (Isaiah 26:3); a secured covenant (Isaiah 54:10); a spiritual gift (Romans 8:6); an effect of righteousness (Isaiah 32:17); and a result of a mind set on the Spirit (Romans 8:6).

Peace also comes after godly discipline (Hebrews 12:11) and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).

Believers have the utmost shalom: peace with God through Christ (Romans 5:1). The prophesied Prince of Peace has come, and His chastisement brought us peace with God (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53:5). We can rejoice that, not only has He given and continues giving peace, but He himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)!

4.) He is Jehovah-Shammah: The LORD Is There

In Ezekiel 48:35, Jehovah-Shammah is a symbolic name for God’s presence in the earthly Jerusalem: “And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There” (italics added).

In this context, the Israelites’ shameless rebellion and detestable idolatry caused God to withdraw His presence from them. Yet, in abounding mercy, Jehovah-Shammah did not fully abandon Jerusalem. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God promised to restore and return to Jerusalem. In that day, the city would be called “Jehovah-Shammah.” That very prophecy was fulfilled when the exiles returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls.

The Lord’s once-departed glory (Ezekiel 8-11) had returned (Ezekiel 44:1-4)—and His presence returned with fulfillment in the form of Jesus Christ. And though Jesus physically departed from the earth after his death, He ascended into heaven with assurance for us:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

In his place, the Holy Spirit was provided to dwell in the Church and His people forever (John 14:15-17). He is there within us, teaching, helping, convicting, and interceding for us.

We eagerly await God’s restoration of the New Jerusalem, where we will dwell glorified in His presence forever. And as we apply this promise to our present lives, we are fueled by the Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8).

Matthew Henry says of our divine union with Jehovah-Shammah:

“It is true of every good Christian; he dwells in God, and God in him; whatever soul has in it a living principle of grace, it may be truly said, The Lord is There.”

The Name That is Above Every Name

When life’s hardships often tempt us to forget that God is our Shepherd, Provider, Peace, and that He is There, gaze upon the name of Jesus Christ. Paul says of him:

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

This name of incomparable power, authority, and deity humbled Himself to be made lower than the angels, to suffer death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9). This name poured out His life unto death, numbered among the transgressors, bearing the sins of many, making intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).

Yet, this name brought salvation (Acts 4:12), and was given dominion, glory, and kingship, so that every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14).

So in faith, we respond in praise:

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! (Psalm 113:2)

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Is Moderation the Best Policy for the Christian Life?

Have you ever heard the phrase “moderation in all
things?” I use it all the time without really thinking about it. And so I
recently became interested in knowing where
it originated.  

A quick online search showed the phrase probably originates from the Greek poet Hesiod (750-650 BC) who wrote, “observe due measure; moderation is best in all things.” Later, the Roman dramatist Plautus (205-184 BC) also wrote “moderation in all things is the best policy.”

I worry that many Christians, myself included, have subconsciously taken this to heart and live in agreement with the statement “moderation is best in all things.” We become something different—Christian Hesiodists—letting the idea of staying in the middle become as formational to our identity as our devotion to Christ Himself.

“Moderation in all things” is at best an incomplete picture of the Christian life and at worst a contradiction of how God has called us to live. Let me start by discussing the example Jesus Christ provides for us, and then I’ll finish with a few applications.

Jesus, Our Savior

Did Jesus’s life and teachings demonstrate a devotion to moderation in all things? The answer to that question must be a resounding no. Moderation is the avoiding of either end of the spectrum—both excess and total avoidance of a particular thing.

But He certainly taught some truths that would challenge moderation, right? Jesus showed that moderation was definitely not the best policy when it came to these things:

1.) Sin

He was unwavering in His teaching of avoiding sin. He didn’t say, “Don’t worry about a few bad words to your brother. You’re probably good as long as it doesn’t become a habit.” No, Jesus said:

Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:22)

Jesus did not say, “You’re probably fine if you sin a few times.
Just don’t make it a habit!” No, He said:

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better to lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:29)

Jesus did not lessen the cost of sin—and thank the Lord for this! Why do I thank Him for this? Because Jesus was also did not follow “moderation in all things” when it came to His devotion for the Father.

2.) Devotion to the Father

Certainly one of the allures of “moderation in all things” is the implicit promise that you’ll avoid harm. You don’t eat too much so you won’t upset your stomach. You don’t exercise too much so you don’t injure yourself. There is good sense in some moderation.

But Jesus left moderation far behind him in His devotion to the Father’s will. Jesus knew he was about to die. He knew He was about to be falsely condemned, betrayed, flogged, mocked, and crucified. And He knew He was going to be temporarily separated from the Father. Knowing these things, Jesus prayed:

My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.(Matthew 26:42)

Two questions arise from this line: What and How.

1.) What is the Father’s will?

The answer was foretold in many places both in Jesus’s teachings
and also all throughout the Old Testament. One such place is from the prophet Isaiah:

My servant [shall] make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

The will of God the Father was that Jesus, God the Son, would take on the sins of His people and make them “to be accounted righteous.” Jesus did not come to counter a wrathful God. No! God Himself came to earth to fulfill the plan He always had.   

2.) How was the Father’s will to come about?

Jesus says “if this cannot pass,” and he mentions something he has to drink in order to fulfill the Father’s will. What is it? Jesus Himself knew exactly and talked about it several times:

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:18-19)

So Jesus devoted Himself to the Father—even to the point of His own death. That’s not “moderation in all things!” Jesus went willingly to the cross because the simple truth is this: Moderation does not save anyone. Only the sacrifice of Jesus’s perfect life could atone for sins.

3.) Grace

Some people have the idea that Jesus is frugal with His grace. His sacrifice on the cross paid for some of my sins but not all of them, you might think. Or maybe that God forgives sins completely only after a great deal of work from the sinner.

Sin is evil, and those who recognize themselves as sinners will feel the weight of it. It can be difficult then to believe your guilt is atoned for in a moment’s time. If this is your position, remember Jesus’s teaching on sin.

Jesus taught the dangers and cost of sin perfectly. His statements on sin seem stark and hyperbolic to many. He did not downplay the evil of sin in the slightest. And yet, He says:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

Jesus promises salvation for those who believe in Him. Do you see the implication here? While sin is a terrible thing, terrible enough that one sinful thought makes us liable for hell, our God’s mercy and grace is greater.

To say that God gives grace to sinners completely does not in any way detract from the terribleness of sin, but instead highlights the unparalleled, awesome power of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross.

Reader, Jesus’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Sufficient and Abundant

The idea of sufficiency may sound like His grace is just
enough, but no more. This isn’t the case either! Jesus tells us how much He
gives to those who believe in Him:

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, italics added)

In Christ, there is sufficiency. In Christ, there is abundance.
And, as Paul states it:

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us…” (Ephesians 1:7)

There is nothing Christ holds back from you in terms of salvation if you believe. They are riches that have been lavished on us bringing abundant life. That is the beautiful excess of the Christian life!

Three Better Policies

Looking at what Jesus has done, here are three better policies than “moderation in all things” for those who are in Christ:

1.) Kill Sin

Don’t mess around with sin. Avoid it when you see it coming. But
more than this, Christ defeated sin on the cross and so we can defeat it in our
lives too. Don’t be moderate about sin—kill sin in your life!

2.) Imitate Jesus’s Devotion

Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. Thanks to our Lord’s sacrifice, we don’t need to atone for own sins. But we offer the life we live to bring honor and glory to our God. Sometimes that means sharing in Christ’s suffering, which means we will share in his comforts as well (2 Corinthians 1:5).

3.) Live Abundantly

When talking about the fruits of the Spirit, Paul says, “against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). So, if God has not set up a restriction on how much you should show love, or exercise patience, or be gentle, then why should you put a cap on it?

Live an abundant Spirit-filled life in light of Jesus fulfilling the will of the Father!

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Finding a Church When You’re Starting College

College is a wonderful season of life in which you will
learn many things and mature, both intellectually and personally. If you moved
to attend school, prioritize finding a good church. It is vital for your
spiritual growth and maturity during these transformative years.

How are you to choose which church to attend during college? Historically, three marks have identified evangelical churches, and these marks can provide wisdom for you in choosing a church. They are proper…

Teaching of the Gospel Administration of Baptism and CommunionChurch Discipline.

While parachurch ministries and even chapel services at
Christian schools can be a blessing, they should not replace a local church. If
you prioritize these three things, you’re likely to find a good church for your
college years.

1. Biblical Preaching

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

First, look for a church that faithfully handles the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The whole Bible points to Jesus Christ, not to traditions or to a teacher (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). Thus, Christian worship and what is preached should be shaped by the Bible.

Gospel-centered churches have a reverence for the Bible, and therefore they receive the Word with gladness as the very word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). When faithfully preached in the power of the Spirit, God speaks to His people.

When you regularly hear God’s Word, you will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The Word of God is profitable and applicable for you today. It will train and equip you to live in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Regularly hearing faithful preaching is essential for your faith at all times—that your time in college.

Be cautious about choosing a church based on its popularity,
size, or activities. Your soul will not be nourished by those things. Go to a
church where the Word is an imperishable treasure (1 Peter 1:24-25), and where people live by the very
Word of God (Matthew 4:4). Go to a church where, every week, the gospel is proclaimed
and the Bible is explained.

2. Valued Ordinances

Second, it is important to consider if your prospective
church values baptism and communion.

After his resurrection, Christ appeared to his disciples, and he commissioned them to plant churches by teaching and baptizing new believers (Matthew 28:18-20). Baptism symbolizes a believer’s union with Christ in his death and resurrection, and it illustrates how the blood of Christ washes away sin.

Likewise, on the night he was betrayed, Jesus instituted the
New Covenant meal of the bread and cup. At the Lord’s Table, Christians partake
in remembrance of Christ’s death and forgiveness, as well as celebrate in anticipation
of Christ’s return and the marriage supper of the Lamb (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Your convictions about baptism and the Lord’s Supper are
important enough that they should inform what church you attend. Worship where
you agree with the mode and theology of these ordinances, and do not observe
these ordinances thoughtlessly or in less appropriate settings. When you
celebrate these properly in the context of the local church, Christ is
glorified.

Evangelical churches practice these ordinances because they
exalt Christ and illustrate the gospel. They affirm, nourish, and strengthen a
believer’s faith. When you regularly see them with your church family, they
should point you to the gospel.

3. Church Membership

Third, I encourage you to not float around from church to
church when at school. You need the community of a local church, and they need
you. Whether on Sunday mornings or in a small group throughout the week, the
mutual encouragement of Christians glorifies God and is good for your faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The best way you can be part of a local church is by
becoming a church member. Just as you pay attention to professors and
administrators because they are keeping watch over your studies and grades,
submit yourself to the teaching and authority of pastors and other leaders of
the church.

God gave the local church leaders equip Christians with the
gospel and to help congregations mature (Ephesians 4:11-13), and they are accountable to him, to
keep watch and care for your soul (Hebrews 13:17).

Membership values both authority and fellowship, and when you commit to being part of a local congregation of God’s people, they will watch over your life and doctrine, as well as encourage you in your academic studies (1 Timothy 4:16).

Go to a church where you can be a committed member of the
congregation all throughout your college years. Emulate godly church leaders
and honor them by becoming a member (Hebrews 13:7).

Go to Church

When you go to college, do not neglect to meet with other
Christians in a local church, for Christianity is not a solo experience. The
Christian life is a Word-saturated life. In church, you will regularly hear and
see the gospel with other believers through the singing, praying, reading and
preaching of the bible.

If you are a Christian and have never been baptized, get to
know a faithful congregation and be baptized so that you can grow and enjoy the
Lord’s promises with other believers. Then seek the Lord’s further blessing
when you come around the Lord’s Table.

Emulate your pastors, elders and small group leaders, and seek to grow in personal holiness. Become a faithful member of a gospel-proclaiming church during college, for when you do, your faith will abound. Being part of a church is more than a formality; it is the family of God.

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Practical Wisdom for Sustaining Ministry

Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). How can you bear fruit that proves you are a disciple? How can you sustain a lifetime of service?

Stick with the proper seed. 

“The seed is the Word of God.” (Luke 8:11) 

This is the only seed that will bear the fruit of God-ward change in people’s lives.  

One of the greatest responsibilities of any ministry leader is to make sure that the Word of God is at the heart of your ministry. Would a person need to bring a Bible to your small group in order to follow along? Does your friend need a Bible at the mentoring sessions you have with her? Is your ministry a ministry of the Word, or are you using some other kind of seed?  

Here’s how a church loses a faithful and fruitful ministry: Some well-meaning Christians observe what Jesus teaches here, that the seed of the Word does not produce an abundant harvest in every life. So they say, “There are some people in whom this seed is not producing a harvest, so let’s consider them and try some other seed.”  

In other words, “They are not responding to this, so let’s give them something else.” 

But here’s the problem: Different seed will produce a different harvest. Different seed may keep people together, and it may create a helpful group experience. But, it will not bring people under the rule of God. Only the seed of the Word of God can do that. 

The goal of Jesus was never to keep the crowd. It was to draw out of the crowd people who would live under the blessing of God’s rule. That harvest can only be raised through the Word of God.  

Exercise patience. 

Remember, Jesus told the Parable of the Sower, not the Parable of the Bomber. Jesus does not say, “A bomber went out to bomb, and as he bombed, he changed the whole landscape overnight.” 

Maybe there are times when you wish that God would drop a few bombs. The structures of evil seem at times to be so strong in the world. We would love to see abortion unneeded and unwanted now. We would love to see the culture transformed by godliness now.  

But God works by sowing seeds not by dropping bombs. Christ is telling us that God’s work gets done, not by earth-shattering explosions, but by the faithful and quiet teaching of the Word of God.  

Watch yourself.  

Your work as a sower can affect the soil of your heart. 

Here’s what happens: You love the Lord and you give yourself to ministry. You take responsibility and you become a sower of the Word in the lives of other people. As you do this, three things will happen:  

1. You will get trodden on. 

Some difficult experience happens in the course of ministry, and when that happens, watch your heart. Do not become a sower whose heart is getting harder: A father who is so concerned about the unresponsiveness of his son, and what happens is that he doesn’t notice that his own heart is becoming unresponsive to the same seed. 

2. As you give yourself to ministry, it will become more costly.

Circumstances in your life will arise that will make your ministry more difficult. When that happens, watch your heart! Do not become a sower who loses your joy. 

3. As you give yourself to ministry, your life will become more crowded   

As God gives you greater responsibility, it will be harder for you to manage your life. When that happens, watch your heart! It is so easy to become like Martha, who was concerned about many things. Don’t let your life not become so crowded with what you are doing for Jesus that there no longer is room for Jesus Himself! 

Trust the outcome of your ministry into the hands of God.  

God can change the hardest heart. There will be many times when you wonder what has come of all your work in sowing the seed in a particular person’s life. You’ve prayed for them. You’ve loved them. You may share the Word of God, and as far as you are concerned, it felt like good seed on hard ground.   

William Lane points out that in the time of Jesus, farmers plowed after they had sown, not before. [1] When the plough comes, the hard path gets broken up, the seed gets tipped into the opened ground, and everything is changed!  

We serve a God whose plough can break up the biggest rocks and root out the most stubborn thorn bushes. When God’s plough comes won’t you be so glad that you planted the seed? 

This article was adapted from Pastor Colin’s sermon, “Expectations,” from his series Ministry Matters.  



Photo Credit: Unsplash 

__________ 

[1] William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark, p. 153, Eerdmans, 1974 

5 Key Connections: Sin’s Strategies, and more

Here are 5 key passages from recent Christian articles around the web, including an article on Satan’s strategies, one on poor reasons to read the Bible, and more!

Why Jesus Christ Is of Supreme Value (Colin Smith, Unlocking the Bible)

Jesus Christ is of supreme value, not only because of who He is, but because of what he has done. Nobody else can do what he has done. 

Satan’s Strategy #1: Bait and Hook (Robert Spinney, Meet the Puritans)

Sin is bad for many reasons; one of them is that it wreaks havoc in a man’s soul. It promises satisfaction, but delivers emptiness. Sin leads to more and bigger sins. It either makes us feel guilty and ashamed (which is bad), or creates moral numbness in us so we no longer feel guilt and shame over our sin (which is worse). But Satan hides these hooks and presents only the bait.

He Has Written (Chris Thomas, The Ploughman’s Rest)

Jesus wrote your faith into existence, he is also the divine editor—the one who perfects and finishes that which He began. It’s why Paul could so confidently say to the Philippians:

3 Poor Reasons to Read the Bible (Ryan Higginbottom, Knowable Word)

On this side of our glorified bodies, Christians have two natures that wrestle within. Our “old man” persists until we see the Lord, and as a result, even our good behavior can be laced with sin.

4 Things to Protect When You Engage with Culture (Kyle Golden, Unlocking the Bible)

Culture can be that arena through which we express these experiences of connecting, yearning, pursuing, and experiencing God. But it can also be that arena through which we express a feeling of disconnect, a desire to run away from God, or to reject Him. 

Seeking God’s Will in Disappointment

I received my first official rejection email from a publisher. It would be nice if I could say that was years ago and God has since used books I authored to point people to himself. However, I only recently got the email.

When the disappointment hit, I assumed:

I’d close my laptop and stop writing altogetherI’d realize I’d mistaken God’s leading and
repent for submitting a proposalI’d have to start over at seeking God’s will for
my life

But, praise God, none of that happened. Instead, I was
reminded:

God’s will is what God will do. What God will do doesn’t change when my plans do.

Are you struggling to understand God’s will for your life? Are you discouraged about his purpose for you? It’s too easy to misplace our hope in our plans and goals. God’s will is about so much more than just our circumstances, and He is more persistent than our problems too.

Take a look at God’s own word about His will:

God Will Listen Patiently

Evening and morning and at noon
    I utter my complaint and moan,
    and he hears my voice…
God will give ear and humble them,
    he who is enthroned from of old,
because they do not change
    and do not fear God. (Psalm 55:17-19)

David was writing about enemies who literally wanted to kill him. But God says He will listen lovingly even to our smallest disappointments and fear: “Cast all your cares on God” (1 Peter 5:7). His will is to hear from His people, so we are free to speak.

God Will Keep His Word

All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)

Disappointment isn’t going to last forever (partly because we aren’t going to last in our present, earthly forms forever). What matters for eternity, God’s going to sustain eternally.

If the thing that disappointed you had eternal purposes, like encouraging believers or sharing the Gospel, you can be sure God will accomplish it His way, in His timing. He is building into eternity, and He has planned in advance the ways each of us will participate (Ephesians 2:10).

God Will Provide What We Need

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)

Paul wrote these words, and Peter echoed: “His divine power
has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).

It’s in Jesus that we find what we need to live out God’s will for our lives, and what we find in Him is a lasting, day-by-day relationship with Him.

The reward we long for in eternity is a worshipful relationship with Christ. And that’s God’s will for us beginning now, too. “In whatever we do,” God’s will is that we do it in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

God Will Bring Plentiful Redemption

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.” (Psalm 130:5-8)

Pastor Colin Smith shares this passage in a message titled Trusting in the Darkness. He explains that you and I are called to wait for the Lord: “with the deep conviction of mind and heart that at some point God will come through for me and when he does I will be right here waiting for Him.”

In disappointment, we can know that waiting on God as He accomplishes His will for us and through us is worth it. Pastor Colin says, “Literally the word there is plentiful. Plentiful redemption. Abundant redemption. Redemption means simply what God will bring out of the pain and brokenness.”

God Will Not Disappoint

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13)

Disappointment can make it feel like God’s will is murky and hard to recognize. But God will not let us down with rejection or misdirection. He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us, and He will lead us into what He intends.

You and I can trust God to be “your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory” (Isaiah 60:19).

Photo Credit: Unsplash

The Root and Reward of Faithful Service

King David had faithful servants. In fact, the Bibles records some stories of “David’s mighty men” in 2 Samuel 23 and then repeats those stories 1 Chronicles 11. The Bible tells us these men:

Gave [David] strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel. (1 Chronicles 11:10)

In other words, these men were David’s servants, and they
were faithful to him. And their story can teach us about the root of faithful
service and the reward it brings.

An Act of Love

Among these stories of “David’s mighty men” is a somewhat
perplexing story, appearing both in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. David is at the
Cave of Abdullam and “the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem” (1
Chronicles 11:16). In short, things simply were not right about the current
situation.

David expressed this when he then said: “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” (11:17). Although he did not say this to anyone directly, three of David’s mighty men heard this remark and decided to fulfill David’s wish.

We are told they “broke through the camp of the Philistines” (11:18), got the water, and brought it back to David. Don’t be mistaken—this was far from an easy task. This is true faithful service! They risked their lives to do this for their king. Pastor Colin said about this passage:

This was not a stealth operation. They did not get in and out without being noticed. They fought their way in and they fought their way out. These men would do anything for David.

Imagine the great joy it would bring to the servant to surprise your King with the drink of water he thought he’d never get! They defied the odds and showed David how loyal they were. More so, they showed they genuinely loved their king—risking everything to fulfill even the wishes they had not been commanded to fulfill.

An Apparent Problem

It happens in storytelling, both biblical and otherwise, where the author will withhold the name of an important character to create a sense of anticipation. Their name will only be revealed after a turn of events, or at a crucial moment, as a testament to their significance.

I assumed this technique was in play here in this story. All the stories surrounding this one both in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 introduce a name almost immediately. This one, however, just starts with: “three of the thirty chief men” (1 Chronicles 11:15; 2 Samuel 23:13). Then when they heroically fought to get the water, again the Bible mentions no names (1 Chronicles 11:18; 2 Samuel 23:16).

Reading into this, I expected David, upon receiving the water from these three men, to recognize their faithful service: “Thank you Abishai, Jashobeam, and Eleazar!” (see 1 Chronicles 11:11, 12, 20). Or, “Thank you Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah!” (see 2 Samuel 23:8, 9, 11).

This does not happen, however, as David mentioned no one’s
name, but just poured out the water. The Bible says, “David would not
drink it. He poured it out to the Lord” (1 Chronicles 11:18). Then David says,
“Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the
lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it” (1
Chronicles 11:19).

When I first read this, I thought David’s choice was offensive, to the say the least. The mighty men risked everything for him and he didn’t even reward them by taking the drink he said he wanted. How would they respond? Would they quit from faithful service?

The Bible doesn’t tell us. It ends the story with: “These things the three mighty men did” (1 Chronicles 11:19; 2 Samuel 23:17).

The Root of Faithful Service

I have a guess for how they responded. Let me go back to the
first verse mentioned in this article—1 Chronicles 11:10. Note the reason why
these mighty men were faithful to David as their king.

1 Chronicles does not say that their support was “according
to David’s request” or “according to David’s impressive military victories.”
The verse reads their support was “according to the word of the Lord concerning
Israel.” Don’t get me wrong, these men loved David. Their actions prove that.
But they were always primarily faithful to God.

The root of these men’s faithfulness is their love for God
and His Word. They remember what God has done for them throughout the years,
how He has always been faithful, and they cling to His Word. They revere His
holiness and they find rest in serving Him.

God’s Holiness fuels their faithful service. And what’s really at stake here is not their own reputation—what David thinks of them, or they glory they could receive from their heroics—but the glory of the Lord.

The Reward of Faithful Service

This is why, I think, the Bible doesn’t show us their response because they likely did not feel slighted. Consider what Pastor Colin says about this story:

The key words here are… “poured it out to the Lord.” This was an act of worship. Other kings, lesser kings, would have drunk the water. But to drink the water would be to say, “You exist to satisfy my thirsts. My comfort matters more than your lives.” And David was not that kind of king.

David took this moment to remind his servants that he too
served the Lord. Though he was the current king of Israel, there was an
everlasting King above him.

The three men went to fetch the water, at the root, out of a
love for God and His Glory, and they were rewarded by David as he worshipped
the Lord. This is the true reward of faithful service—bringing glory to the
everlasting King.

It seems fitting to me know that the story never mentions
the names of the three men. For in their anonymity they bring more glory to the
name of the Lord.

The Faithful Servant

The whole Old Testament points to Jesus Christ. While we may
suspect that David is a symbol for Christ, we should see how these three might
men point to Him as well.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was perfectly obedient to the Father
out of a love for the Father. He gave up his life according the will of the
Father. And similar to how David poured out the “lifeblood” of the men, so
Jesus poured out his own blood to save us.

So may it be said of us, because of what Christ did, that we
always serve our Lord to honor His reign and point to His glory according to
His will.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

4 Things to Protect When You Engage with Culture

God’s work of creation reveals His character and radiance. In his creative self-expression, God reveals his eternal love and his power to bring about that revelation. 

God’s love motivated Him to create mankind after His image. As such, mankind can engage in its own creative self-expression. God endowed mankind with the capacity for language and communication to share our experience in his presence. 

Culture can be that arena through which we express these experiences of connecting, yearning, pursuing, and experiencing God. But it can also be that arena through which we express a feeling of disconnect, a desire to run away from God, or to reject Him. 

When we engage with culture, we must remember that mankind creates culture either from a place of rebellion against God or a place of restoration to God. Consequently, Christians should discernwhat festivities, works of art, literature, or films and series they permit for their eyes and ears to behold. 

I want to offer four things that would be wise to protect when you consider what to engage with: 

1. A Pure Heart 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) 

Having a pure heart enables us to commune with God. A heart defiled by sin, however, cannot commune with God. That’s why God sent us a perfect representative to secure the perfect righteousness and sacrifice required to approach and commune with himself in peace and joy. 

Jesus satisfied our debt against divine justice on the cross. There Jesus took on our iniquities and consumed the Father’s wrath. He shed water and blood for our cleansing and purification (John 19:34). Crushed by the Father’s wrath, springs of living water could flow from him into us. 

And the Holy Spirit descends into our hearts to indwell us. There the Spirit cleanses and purifies us through Jesus’s shed water and blood. He melts our hardened hearts and illumines our darkened minds with the holy light and heat of God, Jesus himself. Thus, the Spirit transforms us into the pure and holy people that the Father declares us to be. 

As the Father’s children adopted into His spiritual household, we can approach and commune with God through Jesus. Through beholding God, we are conformed in our affections, convictions, and actions to God’s infinitely pure and holy, eternally-begotten Word. 

Take great caution to ensure you are not engaging with culture that is working against your sanctification. If you are in Christ, you will always be God’s adopted child. However, consuming culture that defiles your heart will make you feel as if you are living at a distance from God. 

2. A Good Conscience 

“… how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14) 

In addition to washing us in the Word, the Spirit writes that Word upon our hearts. Having washed our consciences, the Father’s holy truth securely rules our conscience.  

In a devotional, Anthony Carter defines the conscience as “the place of reality where the truth is told… the place out of which guilt arises, where condemnation and liberty fight for the life of a person.” There God’s truth speaks to convince and assure us of our spiritual life in Jesus. 

Our conscience, however, can be deeply affected. It can be corrupted or seared. In order to keep it aligned with the truth we need to anchor it in God’s Word. 

God has revealed his mind and heart to us in the Scriptures. There God reveals his will for us. That is, God reveals within His Word how we can increase in our conformity to Jesus’s likeness. 

We must regularly meditate upon the Scriptures from a cautious and cheerful spirit that reveres God and yearns for his Word. As we consume the written and divine Word, the Spirit fills us and moves our hearts to increasingly submit to God’s rule from increasing delight in God. 

In accordance to the Scriptures, discern for yourself whether a medium of culture opposes the truth claims of God’s Word. Respond to the world’s lies with God’s promises and commands. Most of all, do not compromise your devotion to God’s law which reflects his holy character to consume culture. 

3. A Sincere Faith

… whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

By grace through faith, God has given us an inner holiness and purity. This overflows to produce outer holiness and purity. In other words, our renewed affections and convictions produce renewed words and works. As we incline our affections and convictions toward Jesus, we set ourselves up for more renewed works.  

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to enter God’s presence alongside him (Hebrews 9:12; 10:19). And he has commissioned his Spirit to dwell within us and to empower us to pursue that which he has set our eyes upon.  

That object of our gaze is God. All good things come from fixing our gaze on Him. We need to value our sincere faith in Jesus and protect ourselves from things that threaten to take his place in our affections and convictions. As new creations gratefully indebted to Jesus, we ought to wrestle with what cultural mediums are worthy of our attention, time, and energy.  

Consuming some parts of culture increase greed for entertainment and self-indulgence. But faith in Jesus Christ cultivates generosity and self-denial within us. We feel joyously compelled to give our time to others and to do good works in the Lord. 

4. A Christ-Oriented Nature 

Through our discernment, we must point to Christ’s redemption. All of creation groans and awaits the complete application of Christ’s redemption. We too must not be content with this present age and world nor the cheap and fleeting pleasure that sin offers. As the people of God, we must join Jeremiah in proclaiming: 

A glorious throne set on high from the beginning 
is the place of our sanctuary. 
O Lord, the hope of Israel, 
all who forsake you shall be put to shame; 
those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, 
   for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.

(17:12-13)

Our consumption of any cultural medium ought to point us upward to our celestial inheritance and cultivate genuine love for God and our neighbor’s wellbeing. This love “issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). Without these we neglect our own and our neighbor’s spiritual health to the demise of our souls (1 Timothy 18-20).  

From respect for God’s law (by which God will judge all people), we must prayerfully seek out conversations to share our faith to our neighbor as we engage culture. Through the presentation of the Gospel in conjunction to the law, God deals a heavy blow to our pride while reviving us in Jesus’ person and work.  

Indeed, Jesus sits enthroned as the only remedy for sin’s presence, power, and guilt.  

Such a Christian pursuit proceeds from a heart of gratitude and honor in Christ. He delivered us from unbelief and hatred to live a life of faith and love in himself: 

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)

So our pursuit begins and ends with doxology that reveres and adores God: 

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Photo Credit: Unsplash