1Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
How often do we seek glory? We want men to recognize us. We want our own family, church, and friends to give us glory. I have been so guilty of this. Paul said that he did not seek glory of them or anyone else. He did not even place rightful demands on his people. He could have asked much more from them but he didn’t. He wanted to serve God. He used the ministry as a way to serve not to be served.
As missionaries, pastors, and even laypeople how often have we been guilty of seeking glory? How often do we want to be recognized and honored. I am so very guilty and I confess that filthy sin today.
I want to seek His glory and to forget mine. I want to serve for Him and not for me.
Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Our spiritual life is lived out because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is Christ in us the hope of glory. We do not live holy lives because we follow rules. Read carefully this passage:
We were dead but we are now alive and forgiven. Colossians 2:13
He has canceled our debt by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14
We are not judged by what we do or do not do! Colossians 2:17
We are to hold on to Jesus who is our head. He feeds us, grows us, to be what He made us. We are new creatures. Colossians 2:19
With Jesus Christ we died to the rudiments or the stuff of this world so why is it that we think we please Him by obeying rules even if the rules are religious. Colossians 2:20-21
Sometimes it seems we are trying to change by following rules. We think that by being hard on ourselves we can change but we do not need to change, we are new creatures. There was nothing of redeeming value in us before He saved us. When He saved us He didn’t change us, He made us new 2Corinthians 5:17
You are a new creature, so live out who you are. As a new born Christian you do not want to live that old life. The Holy Spirit is at work in you. Just listen to Him and obey Him because you love Him, you want to obey, it is who you are!
Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Notice that Paul says unto Him be glory in the church. The church is so much more important than most of us believe. The church, a called out assembly of baptized believers organized to carry out His commission, is His body. The church is the tool He uses to spread His glory. The church is the place where He should be most magnified.
God is to receive glory by Jesus Christ in our midst forever. Does that tell you what your attitude should be when you come to the house of God? Does that say anything about our conversations when we assemble?
We are a church because of what He did on Calvary. We are a church because He called us out of our sin to Him. We are a church because He purchased us with His blood.
I hope you will take the church more seriously. I hope you will realize what a privilege we have to be part of the called out ones.
Let’s bring glory and honor to His name together.
Find more devotionals from men of God around the world at bcwe.org.
Josh Ewing, missionary to Indonesia talks about the mission field, and encourages others to take the gospel message to the whole world! Listen as Pastor Gardner and Bro. Josh Ewing share their burden to reach the world with the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Biblical ministry is not to just tell someone about Jesus, get them to pray a prayer, join the church, and/or attend the church. Our heart should be to work with them until Christ be formed in them. Every Christian is a new creature. If they are saved Christ is in them but they need love and Bible training to help them live out who is in them.
Lies will rob them of their spiritual freedom and joy. Sin and living after the old life will steal from them.
Get involved in being discipled or discipling. Learn the first things of God. Learn to live out what God has done in you.
2Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
Missionaries are often seen as a nuisance when they come to our church. We feel like they come and take money from us and our ministries in our local church to take it away to another church. From this verse you will see that this is nothing new.
Paul is talking to the church. He explains to them the way he was able to do the ministry among them. He had money coming from other churches.
Giving money to missionaries to get the gospel around the world is not a new concept. It was taking place right here in this verse.
That causes me to ask you, Are you giving to get the gospel around the world? Would you rather that the missionaries quit robbing our church so that we could have more things for ourselves? Have you learned that it is God’s plan for our church to get the gospel to the world?
One of our chief purposes is to fund world evangelism as a church. If you are not giving extravagantly I hope you will begin now.
Check out bcwe.org for more articles about world evangelism!
Josh Ewing, missionary to Indonesia talks about the mission field, and encourages others to take the gospel message to the whole world! Listen as Pastor Gardner and Bro. Josh Ewing share their burden to reach the world with the gospel of Christ.
2Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
Amazingly the fact that these people were so used of God to get the work done through giving was the grace of God. All that we do of any value has to do with Him and His power working in us. These people will give great offerings. They will give more than they can afford to give. They will give joyfully. They will give from a heart of love.
Easily we can look at them and think how great they are but the truth is that it was God’s grace doing the work all along. I am amazed how God works in our lives.
I want God to give me grace to be a good, humble servant of His. I want God in His grace to use me to preach His Word and take His gospel to the world. He is God and I love HIm and want to be His servant.
When we think we see someone doing something great for God it would do us well to remember that it is the grace, unmerited favor of God, doing it in and through them. ‘
Since grace is undeserved we could ask for it. Since it isn’t the power and ability of the person we could ask God to use us. Since it is His grace and we are saved and kept by His grace we can expect His grace to continue to do great and wonderful things in our lives.
Josh Ewing, missionary to Indonesia talks about the mission field, and encourages others to take the gospel message to the whole world! Listen as Pastor Gardner and Bro. Josh Ewing share their burden to reach the world with the gospel of Christ.
