Labor for the Church
Nowadays, how is serving the church measured? It seems to be measured in the amount of hours clocked in any ministry. It is how much you give to the church. I would like to present another dimension of service which is often very much overlooked and sidelined.
In Colossians 1:24-2:1-5, Paul talks about his service or labor to the church. Let’s look at Colossians 1:25-26.
25I have become its (church) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
Paul became a servant to the church not to serve in various so called ministries or to give money to the church but his focus was in presenting the word of God in its fullness. In my opinion, things today have been oversimplified. I like simple stuff, as long its essence and force is not lost. However, for example, matters pertaining salvation and Christ work on the cross have been downplayed. We try to present a ‘maggie mee’ gospel, a gospel that can be understood and digested within 30minutes. They do not take the time to present the gospel fully, as Paul does. I am currently reading John Stott’s “Cross of Christ” where he examines what Jesus did on the cross. He puts it in simple language which is relatively easy to understand but the book is thick. Imagine a book almost as thick as a Harry Potter book talking purely on the meaning of the cross to Christians. Do pastors and leaders nowadays talk about things like ‘propitiation’, ‘justification’, problem of forgiveness, God’s holy love, sin, etc? I guess not often.
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.Colossians 1:28-29
Notice that he starts with the word ‘we’ means he was not alone in the endeavor. He probably was with other fellow Christian brothers in this task. So, things like teaching and admonishing are not only to be done by the pastor but by everyone.
However, those who want to teach have to get his or her doctrine straight before claiming to teach. If you teach false doctrine or wrong teaching, you will be accountable for it before God. Those receiving the teaching also have the task of counter-checking the teachings presented with the Word of God.
2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Colossians 2:2-3
What does the church define riches? Big buildings, good PA system, nice air-conditioning, growing ‘ministries’, etc. But what does it say here? To know the mystery of God and what Christ has done is like searching for valuable treasure. When we have complete understanding, it says here that we have full riches. If that is the case, should we not strive to that end? If that is so, why all the self-help, feel good sermons every Sunday?
Am I saying ministries and all that stuff are bad in itself? No. In fact, things like helping the community are good and should be continued. However, priorities have to be set properly or we may end up making idols of those things, and we know that God does not put up with this kind of attitude.
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
In Colossians 1:24-2:1-5, Paul talks about his service or labor to the church. Let’s look at Colossians 1:25-26.
25I have become its (church) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
Paul became a servant to the church not to serve in various so called ministries or to give money to the church but his focus was in presenting the word of God in its fullness. In my opinion, things today have been oversimplified. I like simple stuff, as long its essence and force is not lost. However, for example, matters pertaining salvation and Christ work on the cross have been downplayed. We try to present a ‘maggie mee’ gospel, a gospel that can be understood and digested within 30minutes. They do not take the time to present the gospel fully, as Paul does. I am currently reading John Stott’s “Cross of Christ” where he examines what Jesus did on the cross. He puts it in simple language which is relatively easy to understand but the book is thick. Imagine a book almost as thick as a Harry Potter book talking purely on the meaning of the cross to Christians. Do pastors and leaders nowadays talk about things like ‘propitiation’, ‘justification’, problem of forgiveness, God’s holy love, sin, etc? I guess not often.
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.Colossians 1:28-29
Notice that he starts with the word ‘we’ means he was not alone in the endeavor. He probably was with other fellow Christian brothers in this task. So, things like teaching and admonishing are not only to be done by the pastor but by everyone.
However, those who want to teach have to get his or her doctrine straight before claiming to teach. If you teach false doctrine or wrong teaching, you will be accountable for it before God. Those receiving the teaching also have the task of counter-checking the teachings presented with the Word of God.
2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Colossians 2:2-3
What does the church define riches? Big buildings, good PA system, nice air-conditioning, growing ‘ministries’, etc. But what does it say here? To know the mystery of God and what Christ has done is like searching for valuable treasure. When we have complete understanding, it says here that we have full riches. If that is the case, should we not strive to that end? If that is so, why all the self-help, feel good sermons every Sunday?
Am I saying ministries and all that stuff are bad in itself? No. In fact, things like helping the community are good and should be continued. However, priorities have to be set properly or we may end up making idols of those things, and we know that God does not put up with this kind of attitude.
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
posted by child_of_God at 12:14 AM
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