Don't Get Caught With Your Pants Down...

This past Sunday I preached about being ready for Jesus' return.  The title of the message was "Ready or Not..."  Whether we are ready or not, Jesus is coming back.

On that day, it will be much better for us to be ready than not.

I'll let Jesus explain.

Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.45 But if that servant says to himself, My master is delayed in coming, and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Jesus gives four specific examples of people.

1. The person who does what he/she is supposed to be doing—Serving, following, and obeying Jesus with everything inside of them!


2. The person who "assumes" today is not the day Jesus is coming back.  Do you know what "assuming" does?   Just look at the syllable breakdown: "Ass-u-me"!  This person takes advantage of Christian leadership and exploits it for their own purposes.  This person is self-centered and deserves what Jesus' describes.


3. The person who knows about Jesus but doesn't fully obey Him.


4. The person who has never heard about Jesus and acted according to the sinful nature.

Each one of these people gets what they deserve.  However, it is interesting, the person who "knows" Jesus but doesn't do what He commands gets a harsh beating (person number three).  This doesn't mean they don't get into heaven, it means they will suffer great loss.

Here is what the Apostle Paul says about this type of person:

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire./

Ouch!

I fear the population of Christians in America is best represented in person number three.

You can read God's Word for yourself...

You can see the judgements of God on each profile.

Who are you today?

Be person number one.

It will be much better for us to be ready on the day Jesus returns.  Because ready or not, He's coming back!

Don't get caught with your pants down...

Thoughts On Leadership

The other day I was reading the account of Moses' call into ministry.  I have always loved this account because I can relate to it in this way:  God puts have an amazing calling on our lives and we are pumped to serve him!  Then reality sets in and we begin to say "I'm not good enough!"  It's a shame that a lot of times our human insecurity casts a dark shadow on the will of God.  Instead of leaning into God and trusting that His will and purpose for our lives will lead to "greater things" as Jesus said, we lean into our insecurity and begin to fall prey to a lie.  When God gives a call to a person, he provides for that person what they will need to fulfill the calling!  I find it interesting though that Moses still trusted more in his insecurity than the power of God.  However God still provided for him!  Moses told God he couldn't speak well.  God tell's Moses: "Who gave man his mouth?"  Moses still wimps out and says God please send someone else! (Ever been there?)  God became angry at Moses for not trusting completely in His power but He still provided for Moses!  God gave Aaron to Moses to speak for him.  This part is interesting:  God told Moses, Aaron would be like Moses' mouth and Moses would be like God to Aaron.  God makes it clear though that He will help these guys by teaching them what to do!  God would have taught Moses by himself, but Moses trusted more in His insecurity.  God also gave Moses a sign and a promise through his staff.  So remember, lean into God.  He alone is our provider of security: He bought us at a high price!  Remember that the next time someone comes to you to fight against the visions and decisions GOD GAVE YOU for your ministry!

Just one more thing I want to point out.  Everything is going awesome for Moses in terms of fulfilling God's plan.  God gave him the call at the burning bush, God gave him Aaron to speak for him, and Moses is on his way back to save his people.  Then there is a bump in the road, which there often is in man's life.  Exodus 4:24-26 says that while Moses, his wife and child where lodging along the way "The LORD met Moses and was about to kill him."  That is comforting. God gave you this amazing call, he provides for your needs to fulfill that call, and now he is going to kill you.  Lots to look forward to as a Pastor or leader in the church!  Actually the point here is very clear and that is why I love God's Word.  God is a just God, and he cannot allow Moses to lead his people out of Egypt unless Moses himself is following the law that God gave to his native people.  Moses neglected to circumcise his son therefore neglecting the covenant God made with his people through Abraham.  The long and short of this is that God cannot allow a person to serve Him without accountability!  Serving God is pretty serious stuff.  In fact, teachers in the church will be held to a higher standard of judgment!  Take this lesson from Moses and get rid of sin in your life if you know where that sin is!  God has provided our forgiveness of sin through Jesus, so don't, as the Apostle Paul says, live in it anymore.  It was crucified with Christ.  Be free and serve God, fulfilling the calling God has placed on your life!

The Two Main Points:

1. Trust God alone.  He called you.  He'll teach you and provide for you.

2. Get rid of sin.  Serve free.

The Power of the GROUP

There is a good book out called "The 100 Most Important Bible Verses for Leaders" published by the W Publishing Group.  As I have been reading this book, God has been doing some amazing things in my heart and mind.  This book is good for leaders who don't want to stay the same.  If you're a leader who is content with the status quo then just stop reading now.  But if you are a leader with a desire to grow and become the most effective leader you can be, let God's Word work into your heart.

"Get advice if you want your plans to work.  If you go to war, get the advice of others."
                                                                                                     -Proverbs 10:18

From this verse we know that it is God who designed leaders to have accountability.  Now, everyone needs accountability in order to grow in their faith, but leaders need special accountability.  Whether you're the leader of a large corporation, or a pastor of a small church, listen to this advice:  Leaders need an effective GROUP of advisors.  These advisers are different people who can offer advice, direction, and accountability,  to  a leader.  These advisors should have five qualities as follows:  Godly wisdom, Realism, Optimism, Understanding, and Perseverance.

It is my belief that every leader should seek first godly wisdom.  Wisdom that comes from God is tested, true and universal.  Therefore a leader should have an adviser who offers godly wisdom.  Second a leader should have someone who offers a dose of realism.  Please note, a realist is not a pessimist. You should be careful that you don't mistake one for the other.  The realist gives you, as the book says, the perspective of "the good, the bad, and the ugly".  The optimistic looks at the great opportunities and possibilities.  Both, together, are healthy but apart they can be destructive.  Next the leader should have someone who offers understanding.  This understanding is a reminding of the mission, vision, and values.  The person with understanding helps leaders stay on the path that has been laid out in the corporation's strategic plan.  (Which, if you don't have one, in order to be successful, you should get one!) The last quality is perseverance.  The group should persevere through any decision big and small, tough or easy, short term or long term.

If a leader surrounds himself with a GROUP of advisers his or her plans will succeed.  You can take that to the bank.