Holy Week: Humble is He

"[9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

[10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth."

HUMBLE IS HE

Today, we zoom in on the humility of the coming king— "humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The term "humble" is a distinct term of lowliness. It's a term used to describe the poor and needy of society. So, the long-anticipated king, who will usher in salvation, will come in humble lowliness. He will not come to be served; he will come to serve. Humble and riding on a donkey is he.

During this time, horses would have symbolized war and power (Isaiah 31:1-3; 1 Kings 4:26). Unlike donkeys, horses are big, fast, strong, and powerful. But this king who will save his people won't come mounted on a horse; he will come mounted on a donkey. He will come in gentle lowliness, not boastful oppression.

The humble king would come as the good shepherd who would lay his life down for his sheep. No one would take his life from him; he would willingly give it up. He is the one who possesses the authority to lay his life down on his own accord so that he might take it up again (Jn. 10:18).

The way of the Kingdom of God is one of imitating Christ.

As we engage the lost with the gospel, we do so humbly because the kingdom of God will advance not by the power of the sword but by the gentle and loving proclamation of the gospel. As we live with one another in the church, we do so humbly, gently, and peacefully because we are members of the same body. As a husband, wife, child, father, or mother, we are to humbly and selflessly place the wants and desires of one another above our own because that’s the way of God’s kingdom.

We should strive for every aspect of our lives to reflect the character of our king. Every aspect of our lives as Christians should reflect the peace and humility demonstrated in Christ. May every breath of our lives reflect the humble service that Christ has displayed to us on the cross.

PRAY

“God, you are trustworthy and good. All your paths are rooted in steadfast love and faithfulness. You lead the humble in what is right, and you teach them your way. So, please instruct this sinner in your way.”

Holy Week: Having Salvation is He

During this holy week, we will observe how the prophet Zechariah described the coming king who would save and deliver God's people. God, through Zechariah, said,

"[9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

[10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth."

HAVING SALVATION IS HE

Today, we zoom in on the second part of the statement, "Righteous and having salvation is he."

This coming king will possess salvation.

Often in the Bible, we find righteousness and salvation paired together (Isaiah 45:8; 46;13; 51:4-5). When righteousness is brought near, so too is salvation. When salvation is brought near, so too is righteousness. They're two sides to the same coin. Salvation resides only in the hands of the one who is righteous, and the Righteous One is the only one who possesses the ability to save.

This is the beautiful reality of the gospel: those who have been saved by the hands of the Righteous One have been declared righteous because they are now found in the Righteous One. Jesus came to usher in salvation for his people, and in him alone will salvation be found.

John 3:17-18 says, "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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

So, God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Through the finished work of the cross, we have been saved from the wrath of God, and we have been reconciled to God.

To some, the message of the cross is a stumbling block. To others, the message of the cross is foolish and weak. But, to those who are called, the message of the cross is a message of wisdom and power. For us, it’s a message of hope!

PRAY:

"God, a broken and contrite heart, you will not despise. So, I humbly ask that you restore to me the joy of your salvation. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Help me sing aloud of your righteousness today! O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise!"

Holy Week: Righteous is He

During this holy week, we will observe how the prophet Zechariah described the coming king who would save and deliver God's people. God, through Zechariah, said,

"[9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

[10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth."

RIGHTEOUS IS HE

Today, we zoom in on the statement, "Righteous and having salvation is he."

This coming king will live rightly before God; he will be just. Wickedness will be far from him, and his conduct and character will be correct in the sight of God. He will perfectly walk in obedience to the Father.

This is good news for you and me because Psalm 143:2 says that "no one living is righteous before God." So, if we were honest with ourselves for a moment, we must admit that we all stand guilty before God. We are all unrighteous.

So, if no one living is righteous before God, and God is a righteous judge, then how can we be declared innocent before God? What hope do we have as sinners? How can lawbreakers become law-keepers? How can the unrighteous become righteous? How can those who are stained with sin become cleansed of sin?

Well, the beauty of the gospel is that God offers us the righteousness of Christ. Through Jesus, we can be justified by faith, meaning we can be declared innocent and viewed as righteous before God. Put simply, we can be treated as one who has never sinned.

Jesus came and lived the life we could not live. He walked in perfect obedience to the Father, never once breaking the law. He is the definition of righteousness. And, in perfect obedience to the Father, he willingly marched to the cross to become a curse for you and me, taking upon himself the condemnation that we deserve. Through Jesus' death on the cross, our lawless sins are forgiven, covered, and cleansed. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

So, if your faith resides in Jesus today, remember that you are now clothed in the righteousness of God. You are not seen as a guilty sinner but as one who has never sinned.

PRAY

“God, you tell me that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So, please deliver me from the many accusations Satan will throw at me today! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!”

Imitate God as beloved children.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

TO IMITATE GOD, WE MUST WALK CLOSE TO GOD.

The word for imitator (mimētēs) means to follow. It's the act of copying the behavior of another. This teaches us that a central element of the Christian faith is copying God, doing as He does.

But, to imitate God, we must be close to God. You cannot imitate God from afar. Our mannerisms will only begin to resemble those we're closest to. So, the longer you walk with God, the more you should begin to live like God.

To walk like God, we must know how God walks. To serve like God, we need to know how God serves. To forgive as God forgives, we need to know how God forgives. To love as God loves, we need to know how God loves.

TO IMITATE GOD, WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL.

Godly imitation doesn't happen by chance. Jesus says, "If anyone were to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." You don't accidentally follow someone. You don't stumble into living a life of godliness; it takes calculated intentionality. It takes devout study. It takes you fixing your eyes on God and studying His Word closely.

Psalm 119 says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." So, if you desire to honor the Lord with your life, you must guard your life with God's word.

God has given us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness. So, immerse yourself in the Bible. Meditate on the Scriptures. Write them on your heart. Get to know God deeply and personally by studying the Bible daily. Bible study isn't a moral obligation that you have to do to receive salvation; it's an opportunity to get to know God on a deeper level.

OUT OF LOVE, WE IMITATE LOVE.

We are to "be imitators of God, as beloved children." The word "beloved" is the exact word used by the Father in reference to Jesus in Matthew 3— "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This phrase speaks of divine love, a favorite love, a love of priority and importance.

Interestingly, when you look at the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John), this term is used only in reference to Christ. But, for the rest of the New Testament, it’s a term used in reference to other Christians, those in Christ.

So, in the same way that the Father looked at His Divine Son (Jesus), he now looks at you and me. God is a good Father who loves his children deeply. If you are in Christ, God looks at you with total, divine pleasure. There is nothing you can do or say to make God love you any more than he already does. You are an adopted and beloved child of God, and nothing will ever change this.

This truth should fundamentally impact how we view and treat one another within the church. If you flip through the rest of the New Testament, you will discover Christians referring to other Christians as "beloved brothers." So, we are not tolerated neighbors; we are beloved siblings. How God loves us should shape how we love one another. There should be a deep love for our brothers and sisters within the family of God that is not found anywhere else.

WE IMITATE CHRIST’S SACRIFICIAL LOVE.

God is love; it's fundamental to who he is. But, we can't fully understand the depth of God's love until we first understand the cost of the cross. To understand God's love, we must understand his holiness and justice. God is so holy, righteous, and good that the Bible says he cannot sin. God is so just that he has to and will punish sin.

We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, we all deserve to pay the debt for our sins. We are all liable for God's punishment, deserving of his wrath.

But the beauty of the gospel is that Jesus willingly marched to the cross to take upon himself the punishment we rightfully deserve. Jesus' work on the cross is the ultimate display of sacrificial love because he willingly died in our place. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus took upon himself the condemnation that we rightfully deserve so that we might be forgiven and free. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He was pierced for our transgression, crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was placed upon him. By his wounds, we can be healed.

God is calling us to love one another with this same radical and sacrificial love. We are to love as Christ has loved us!

PRAY TODAY: Lord, help me not wander from you and your commandments!

“How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes!

With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth.

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.”

God cares about your words.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.”

WORDS ARE POWERFUL.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up….”

Our words are so much more than air flowing past our vocal cords. They are powerful instruments that can lead to death or life. They can be poison, or they can be medicine. They can tear down, or they can build up. They can cause pain, or they can bring healing.

There are no morally neutral words. So, as Christians, we must seek to use our words for good, not evil. Our goal must be to build up those around us through the words we speak.

WORDS ARE REVEALING.

Jesus says, "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." So, our words are powerful instruments capable of revealing the state of our hearts. They directly reflect what's inside of us. Our hearts and tongues are never at odds with one another; they work hand in hand.

The words we speak reveal to those around us who we are as a person. They reveal who we belong to. Those who belong to God's kingdom will seek to use their words to build others up, and those who belong to the kingdom of this world will use their words to tear others down.

So, which kingdom do your words show you belong to: God's kingdom or the kingdom of this world?

RIGHT WORDS MATTER

We often dress for the occasion. We don't wear to a wedding what we would wear to a gym, and we don't wear at home what we would wear at work. Although a tuxedo is nice, it's not appropriate to wear in the office.

The same is true with our words. There’s a time to speak, and there’s a time to be quiet. There are things to say, and there are things not to say. The words we speak should “fit the occasion.”

Proverbs 15:28 says, "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." So, we should carefully consider our words, striving to speak appropriate words that fit the occasion.

We should consider our hearts and motives, asking, "Why do I want to say what I'm about to say?" We should consider our words, asking, "Are my words correct, true, and seasoned with grace?" We should consider the person we're speaking to, asking, "Will my response here be helpful?"

GRACIOUS WORDS ARE ESSENTIAL.

As we talk, we should strive to “give grace to those who hear.”

If grace is an undeserved gift, then there will undoubtedly be moments when our hearers don't deserve kind words. But, those who have received grace should always be willing to extend grace.

Jesus willingly entered a hostile world and marched to the cross, laying his life down so that "children of wrath" might become "children of God." As recipients of this grace, we ought to be extenders of grace. We should always strive to speak uplifting words to our neighbor, whether they deserve it or not.

NEW HEARTS LEAD TO NEW WORDS.

Our words cannot change our hearts, but our hearts can change our words.

The beauty of the gospel is that, in Christ, God gives each of us a new heart. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts, transforms our hearts and minds, and replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh.

So, speaking life-giving words is a byproduct of a relationship with God. We cannot speak grace until we've first experienced grace.

God cares about your work.

"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

“LET THE THIEF NO LONGER STEAL…”

If I were a betting man, I would bet that many of us don’t identify as a thief or robber. Many of us likely limit theft to the act of holding someone up at gunpoint while wearing a mask. Therefore, we view this as a sin we’re not guilty of.

But we must understand that robbery isn't limited to holding someone up at gunpoint. A thief comes in various shapes and sizes, and none of us are exempt from fitting the mold of a thief.

The thief is someone who robs a bank, yes. But a thief is also someone who lies on their timesheet at work. The thief is someone who lies on their taxes. The thief is someone who borrows and never returns a company computer. The thief is someone who takes advantage of an ignorant customer, making them pay more than they should. The thief is someone who cheats on their homework.

Just because you've never been handcuffed doesn't mean you're not guilty of stealing. Just because you don't have a mugshot online doesn't mean you're not a thief. We've all probably got a little more thievery in us than we would like to admit.

“BUT RATHER LET HIM LABOR…”

Once the thief encounters Jesus, something should begin to happen inside their heart and mind. The thief should set down the mask and the gun, and they should roll up their sleeves and get to work.

The word for labor implies one growing weary and tired from their work. In John 4, for example, Jesus is journeying from Judea to Galilee and, weary from the labor of his journey in the hot sun, he stops in Samaria (Jn. 4:6). The word "labor" paints the picture of work being hard and difficult.

Christian workers don't take the easy way out; instead, they embrace the labor of hard work. It honors God when we honor our boss by being diligent workers. It honors God when we show up on time to our job, and it honors God when we come home tired from our job. It honors God when we put down our phones at work. It honors God when we take time to think and carefully plan how to be better employees.

“DOING HONEST WORK WITH HIS OWN HANDS…”

The word for honest here is to be good, upright, honorable, and beneficial. It's the opposite of stealing. It's a commitment to being above reproach, having nothing to hide from others when it comes to work. This tells us that God cares about how you make your money. God cares about the type of worker you are, and he cares about the kind of work you do. God delights in honest, non-deceptive work.

Proverbs 16:8 says, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." This teaches us that a full bank account is not a surefire sign of God's blessing. It's possible to make a lot of money outside of the will of God, and it's possible to not make a lot of money inside the will of God.

Honesty may be costly. It may require sacrifice. But, doing the right thing will always be worth it. It’s better to make less money doing honest work than to make a lot of money doing dishonest work.

SO THAT HE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH ANYONE IN NEED.”

Notice the transformation of motives and actions here in this one verse. The verse starts with a thief corruptly taking from his neighbor to build his own kingdom, and it ends with the thief emptying his kingdom to give to his neighbor.

A fundamental element of the Christian faith is sharing the fruits of our labor.

God hasn't blessed you with money and possessions so that you can feel safe and secure by them. He has blessed you with these things so that you can meet the needs of those around you. Christians work hard so that, with the fruit of their labor, they might better care for the needs of those around them.

CONCLUSION

It seems at times our hearts are programmed to doubt the reliability of hard, honest, and generous work. Satan himself wants honest work to appear like a death wish, and he wants theft to seem like the only way to life. But God tells us there's a better way to live!

Proverbs 10 says, "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." So, yes, doing the right thing may lead to loss. But it will never lead to despair. God will never leave you nor forsake you! God will always take care of you in your pursuit of doing what's right.

We must remember that sin never satisfies. Choosing sin over righteousness is like choosing a plate full of air over a juicy steak. After every bite, you think you will be satisfied, but you will only become more hungry. Unjust gain will never satisfy the hunger of our soul. So, may we be honest workers who are content with the fruit of righteousness.

What to do when we feel angry?

BE ANGRY AND DO NOT SIN.

Anger is overwhelming, and the person given over to anger causes many transgressions and stirs up strife. If you are a short-tempered person, your life will be marked with heartache, pain, suffering, and strife. Therefore, we ought to be “slow to anger.”

The fact that the Bible tells us to be slow to anger tells us there's undoubtedly a suitable time to become angry. In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us to "be angry and not sin."

So, when we feel the emotion of anger, it might be helpful for us to have a few questions to work through before we act on our anger.

QUESTION OUR ANGER.

If I'm honest, I often find myself getting angry at all of the wrong things. Unfortunately, I oftentimes get more frustrated with inconvenience than I do injustice. I'm afraid I would be more likely to get upset with my children for constantly asking me for a snack than I would with someone who stole my children's snacks. I'm often as bold as a lion when things aren't going my way and timid as a mouse when I witness true wickedness.

So, we need to first ask ourselves, "Why am I angry? And is my anger justifiable? Am I upset over an inconvenience, or am I upset over legitimate injustice?"

If we're upset over an inconvenience, we must put our anger to death. If we're upset over a legitimate injustice, then we should....

QUESTION OUR DESIRES

Let's say someone has legitimately wronged you personally. What do you want at that moment? Many of us would like to be the judge at that moment, and our sinful hearts will want to hurt, destroy, or humiliate someone who has wronged us.

So, what is your desire? Do you want your offender to experience pain and humiliation? Or do you simply want them to stop doing what is causing you or your neighbor pain?

If it's the former, we must tread carefully because the Bible is clear: vengeance belongs to the LORD, not us. If it's the latter, then (before we confront the individual or move forward in action), we should...

PONDER OUR SINFUL HEARTS.

We often hate the very thing that we're guilty of, ourselves. And we should never hate someone else's sin more than our own sin.

So, we ought to do what Jesus tells us to do in the sermon on the mount: take the log out of our own eye before dealing with the speck in our neighbors.

We should ask, "Am I guilty of the very thing I'm upset about?" If yes, we must humble ourselves before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and correction before moving forward.

Then, before we confront the issue at hand, we should...

PONDER THE GOSPEL.

We must never forget to cross. The justifiable anger you feel toward sin pales in comparison to the anger God feels. He feels indignation toward evil every day. Yet, in his steadfast love, he poured that anger out on his Son so that we (the wicked) might be free.

The cross teaches us that justifiable anger is not an excuse to set aside grace, mercy, and love.

So, preach the gospel to yourself in your anger. The good news of the cross helps us act rightly in our anger; it helps us “be angry and not sin."

After we've pondered the gospel, we should...

CONFRONT FOR THE SAKE OF HEALING.

We must be careful to not let the sun go down on our anger. As Christians, we should be slow to become angry and quick to resolve our anger.

Letting anger simmer in your heart for a long time will only lead to your demise. Therefore, we must not “let the sun go down on our anger.” In the words of John Stott, "Satan loves to lurk around angry people hoping to be able to exploit the situation to his own advantage by provoking them into hatred or violence or a breach of fellowship.’

The emotion of anger is there to drive us to action. But it's not there to drive us to sinful actions. So, as we seek to resolve our anger, addressing an offense, we do so truthfully, gracefully, and lovingly.

Discipleship: teaching others how to act, think, and feel like Jesus

We were created in the image of a communal God. Therefore, community is essential for the life of a believer. We weren’t meant to walk through life alone. We need other believers next to us, laughing and crying with us through all seasons of life.

But, we short-change community if we neglect discipleship as we go.

Jesus commands his disciples to go into the world to ‘make disciples of all nations….teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” So, we see in Jesus’ words that teaching is a fundamental element of discipleship. To be a disciple, one must be willing to learn Christ; and, to make disciples, one must be willing to teach Christ. Discipleship is teaching a Christian how to act, think, and feel like Jesus.

ACT LIKE JESUS

"You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do…”

Walk is a term used throughout the gospels to describe the act of making one's way through a town, city, or place. Paul, however, often uses this word to describe the conduct of one's life. It's a term that highlights one's lifestyle. In saying, "You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do," Paul is saying, "You must no longer live as the Gentiles do." Put simply, how we live our life as a Christian ought to be drastically different than the rest of the world.

There are things the world will endorse that we should no longer endorse. There are things the world will do that we should no longer do. There are things the world will say that we should no longer say. The language we use and the conversations we're a part of should stand out at work. How we do business, as a business owner, should be different than our competitors. How we treat our neighbors should differ from the rest of our neighborhood. How we interact with the opposite sex should be different than our partners at the gym.

To be a disciple of Jesus, we should seek to live like Jesus.

THINK LIKE JESUS

“…you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds...”

Notice the primary emphasis here is on what's on the inside, not the outside. Paul doesn't summarize the world's way as "drinking, smoking, and cussing." No, he summarizes the world as a people who are darkened in their understanding and have a hard and calloused heart toward God. This teaches us that God cares about our hearts and mind more than our actions.

In a world that obsesses with works done in the light, God cares about who we are in the dark. God cares about our thoughts, and he cares about our desires. So, to live like Jesus, we ought to seek to think like Jesus. We must immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, learning about Jesus. And we must seek to “take every thought captive” and strive to be “renewed in the spirit of our minds.”

To be a disciple of Jesus, we ought to pray, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD."

FEEL LIKE JESUS

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.”

Back when COVID was running rampant through our world, one common effect of having the virus was a change of taste or smell. Things that we once loved, we no longer love. Things we once craved, we no longer crave. Avid coffee lovers soon couldn't stand the thought of coffee. No one could explain why or how. All they knew was the virus changed their desires.

The same should be true of the Christian life. Something changed within us when we learned Christ and placed our faith and trust in him. Our thoughts and desires are transformed. Maybe not instantly, but over time, our desires begin to change. Things we once craved no longer sound appealing. Things our hearts once longed for don't quite have the same hold on us as they once did.

In Christ, we are a new creation with new desires. Gone are the days of living for ourselves. Now we long for the taste of obedience to Jesus.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Healthy disciples make disciples. So, what does discipleship look like in your life? And how can you better steward your time and resources for the sake of discipleship?

Holy Spirit, please show us where our actions, thoughts, or desires do not align with your will. Please give us the strength to put sin to death and walk in righteousness. Please open up doors in our lives where we can teach others what it means to follow Jesus daily.

HEALTHY CHRISTIAN PRACTICES (Ephesians 4:12-16)

"[12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A SERVING CHURCH.

Christ has given gifts to the church for "equipping the saints for the work of ministry."

" Saints" is a general term that describes the entire church, and 'ministry' is a term used to describe the action of attending to the needs of another. This teaches us that we're all ministers. Every member of the church is called to ministry, and ministry is humble service, tending to each other's needs. Proper church culture is one of humble service. The heartbeat of the church should be lowly and humble Christ-like service and love. Each of us is called to empty our tanks, using our gifts to serve one another selflessly.

A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A UNITED CHURCH.

“….for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God….”

Here, we find a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, we have already been made one in Christ. We have been adopted into the family of God, grafted into the people of God, members of the body of Christ. But, on the other hand, we are responsible for working toward unity. Unity is something received, but it is also maintained (v.3) and attained (v.13).

The unity we seek to maintain is a unity that revolves around knowing Jesus. Jesus is the glue that holds the church together. The moment we abandon knowing Jesus is the moment Christian unity comes out of reach. The moment we forsake learning about Jesus is the moment fractures will begin to creep into the body of Christ.

What unites the church ought to be the same thing that has ignited the church. What has ignited the church? Individuals coming to know Jesus. So, what unites the church? Individuals knowing Jesus.

Jesus is what holds us together.

A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A MATURE CHURCH.

".…to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and from by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

There are cultural and doctrinal currents ripping throughout our society today. There is an abundance of false doctrines that sound compelling and will easily pull young Christians away from Christ. There are many false teachers who— like Satan himself— have intentions to confuse, trick, and deceive the church.

So, we need to grow and mature in our faith so that we can begin to recognize and discern what is true or not. As we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we mature as believers. And as we mature, we will become rooted and grounded in truth. We want to be a mature church full of men and women who can stand firm together against the currents seeking to pull us away from Christ.

A HEALTHY CHURCH MATURES TOGETHER.

For the church to mature corporately, it must be filled with individuals maturing personally. As we grow, we grow together. As we mature, we mature together. Christian maturity ought to coincide with Christian unity. The more we grow in our walk with Jesus, the closer we should grow with one another.

Immaturity will push us away from one another; maturity will push us closer to one another. You show me a mature church, and I will show you a united church. You show me a united church, and I will show you a mature church.

A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A LOVING CHURCH

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

The more we grow in a knowledge of Christ, the more we ought to love like Christ. The more we embrace truth, the more we ought to ooze out love. Yes, part of Christian maturity is understanding, embracing, and proclaiming truth. But truly mature Christians will proclaim the truth in love. The mark of a mature believer is love, and the mark of a mature church is love. Christian love is the blood flow to a healthy church. Without it, we will quickly die.

What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina, or "Divine Reading" is an ancient way of praying the Holy Scriptures. It finds its roots all the way back to the church fathers in the 1st-3rd centuries. There are 4 steps to this prayer practice:

  • Read

  • Reflect

  • Respond

  • Rest

Let’s walk through each step.

Read.

Find a passage of Scripture that is particularly practical and resonates with you Some suggestions are: the words of Jesus from the Gospels, a Psalm, or a Proverb.

Reflect.

This isn't a time to break out the commentary or Greek-Hebrew translations. However, be thoughtful about the passage. Ask the Spirit to maybe give you a word association that reflects the core message of the passage. Just think about it for a time.

Respond (pray)

Now make this passage your prayer! This is why it is helpful for it to be already a practical passage. If it is the words of Jesus, pray them. If it is a Psalm or a Proverb, pray them! Maybe even sing them! St. Augustine says "Singing is praying twice."

Rest (meditate)

Now meditate on this passage for however long you wish. Repeat it over and over again, slowly. Let the truth of this passage of scripture wash over you. Close in a prayer of Thanksgiving.

The point here is for the spirit to write the words of scripture on your heart. It is not enough for us to just know the scriptures inte lectua ly (see the pharisees). We must let it become deeply indweled in us so that when we walk through our day, our heart overflows with the scriptures and we become "doers" of the word.

Jesus, the good shepherd.

“So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. And I took two staffs, one I named Favor, the other I named Union. And I tended the sheep. In one month I destroyed the three shepherds. But I became impatient with them, and they also detested me.”

— Zechariah 11:7-8

The good shepherd is kind to his sheep.

Because of his love for his sheep, he actively seeks their good— healing the maimed and nourishing the healthy. He isalways for your good and never for your demise.

The good shepherd unites his flock.

There is one flock and one shepherd. When his sheep move, they move together. Together they follow the voice of the one they belong to. To stay close to the good shepherd is to stay close to the flock.

The good shepherd protects his sheep.

He cares for his sheep. He doesn't flee in the face of trouble; he stands strong when he sees the wolves coming. He leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one that has gone astray. His love for you is so deep that he willingly laid his life down to save you.

Four signs of a corrupt leader.

“Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished, and those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, I have become rich,’ and their own shepherds have no pity on them.”

— Zechariah 11:5

Corrupt leaders see people as a means to an end.

They are willing to oppress and slaughter those under their care as long as it ultimately profits them in the end. There's no remorse in their hearts; they only care about themselves, their reputation, or their gain.

Corrupt leaders think they're above the law.

When trouble arises, they will do whatever it takes to escape without a scratch. They will hand out favors so they can cash in on them later. They will shout loud to strike fear into the heart of their accuser. Wit and flattery are their friends, and they're a master of words. No sin is too great for them to escape.

Corrupt leaders worship money.

In the eyes of the wicked, profit is the ultimate sign of God's blessing. They are willing to profit off wickedness and celebrate it as a gift from the LORD. It doesn't matter how they turn a profit as long as their bank account is full.

Corrupt leaders are indifferent toward their flock.

They shrug their shoulders at the pain and suffering of their flock. Their hearts are calloused, and they simply don't care anymore. Where they likely started with good intentions, somewhere along the line, they started going into the field for the paycheck.

How to disciple your children

LOVE JESUS.

Discipleship is not a lifeless duty but an action inspired by love. All discipleship first flows out of love for God. You will never teach your children to love a God that you do not love yourself. Discipleship is a byproduct of love.

FOLLOW JESUS.

All good teachers are first good students. You cannot teach your child something you are foreign to yourself. So, to make disciples, you must first be a disciple. Discipleship is inviting your child to follow the God you joyfully follow yourself.

PRIORITIZE DISCIPLESHIP.

Discipleship is too essential to get the leftovers of our lives. Jesus calls us to "seek first the Kingdom of God." So, do an audit of your time, money, and resources. What do they tell you about your priorities?

LEVERAGE EVERY MOMENT.

Discipleship can occur in the mundane and the ordinary just as much as it can in the planned and the organized. Discipleship can certainly take place on Sunday mornings during corporate worship. But it can also occur on Tuesday afternoon on the way to soccer practice or gymnastics.

LEVERAGE YOUR FLAWS.

Just as much as discipleship can occur in the mundane and the formal, it can happen in the mess. Because of the cross, even your failures can be an opportunity to teach your child about God. When you blow it as a parent, you can apologize, repent, and ask for forgiveness. Then you can point them to the cross, teaching them about the grace and mercy of God that you both desperately need.

LEVERAGE THE CHURCH.

One of the beauties of the gospel is that you're now an adopted child of God, a member of God's holy family. Therefore, you don't have to wade the waters of discipleship alone. Together as the family of God, we can commit ourselves to teaching the next generation what it means to love and follow Jesus.

SEEK WISE COUNSEL.

Are you walking through a difficult situation with your child today? You are not the first to experience such difficulties. There is nothing new under the sun. So, lean into your brothers and sisters who are willing to give you advice that is saturated in the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of the world.

PRAY AND REST.

As followers of Jesus, we give our lives to discipleship. We exhaust ourselves daily to cultivate a gospel harvest in our children's lives. We plant seeds, and we water. But, at the end of the day, we know that God is the one who gives the growth. So, we humble ourselves before the LORD, asking him to grow our children up into men and women who love and follow Jesus.

What is Children’s Ministry?

What is Children’s Ministry?!?

A LOT of fun! That’s what it is!!! I fell in love with Children’s Ministry well over a decade ago because it’s just so exciting and so rewarding!

It has definitely changed and evolved over the years. Some of you reading this are before the generation where Children’s Church started. Or maybe, you have those Sunday School teachers who hold a special place in your heart when you think of church as a child.

I have Miss Norma, who knew my biggest passion in 1st grade was being the one to move the characters on the felt board. To this day, I vividly remember moving Moses through the parted waters (aka...two pieces of blue felt in the shape of an “L” turned upside down and outward to look like the water).

She probably remembers me for informing her that “my mama says when your forehead makes those lines when you’re thinking, it’s because you’re getting old.” From the mouths of babes!!!

Children are spoken of all throughout Scripture.

Psalm 127:3 says,

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward/gift.”

When we receive a gift, we should appreciate and cherish both the gift and the giver. In my heart, if the Lord declares something to be a gift, then I should absolutely treat it as such. Even if sometimes I’m clueless on what to do with it (insert that moment the amazing labor and delivery nurse, who has been holding your hand the last few days, loads you in the car and sends you home with a newborn!!!).

Speaking of babies, which we have quite a few at Harbor, there’s not much sweeter than to show them they are loved during their time in the nursery on Sunday mornings. As a new parent, I can say, witnessing other people love your baby blesses your heart more than I could have ever imagined. What a beautiful way to minister to the parents with new babies!

Another time scripture speaks of children is a familiar verse in Matthew 19:14. Here Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

As vividly as I remember moving those felt pieces, I remember Miss Norma teaching on this verse through a Precious Moments picture Bible.

I saw it. I heard it. I got it. I worried about the men standing by with big bushy eyebrows mean-mugging. Then Miss Norma brought our attention to the image of Jesus. Sitting, surrounded by children, and he was SMILING!

I grew up surrounded by educators. My mom taught in the same Inner City Public School for 38 years. I remember her always saying, “Every moment is a teaching moment.” I see that in this story of Jesus. Jesus wanted the children, these gifts from the Father, around him because he wanted to teach them and love them.

By all means, if Jesus stops to invest in and love children, then shouldn’t I do the same?!?

Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

If I had to pick a life verse, this would be one of them. I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various entities and ministries of all sizes over the last 15 years.

I will never forget the day that I was in an auditorium with a couple of hundred kids during a school chapel service teaching the story of Jonah.

The Lord (in His goodness, knowing I was growing a little weary) let me see a little boy probably seven years old a few rows back. At that moment, his eyes lit up, and he yelled, “FOR REAL???”

The Lord showed me something I was taking for granted. I had been given the opportunity to introduce the Bible, full of awe and wonder of our Creator, to children and with that came such a precious gift (there’s that word again) and opportunity to tell them about Jesus and the life that He gives and that it really is ABUNDANT!

Just like the excitement to introduce someone to Jesus is not limited to conversations with children, Children’s Ministry, of course, does not stop with the kids! It goes way beyond that to minister to the parents, the grandparents, the school teachers.

As we read from one of our pastors last month, Family Discipleship is one of the core beliefs of our church. Our goal is never just to have something for the kids to do, but to use that time to intentionally teach and invest in the children of our church, which will also invest in their families.

Last year, I’ll never forget when we could not have Children’s Church, our 2.5-year-old foster child was with us in service. She was sprawled out on the floor of the YMCA aerobics room, coloring. Ryan was preaching about the Fruit of the Spirit, and after about the 17th time of him saying the word “fruit,” she told us she needed her fruit bar out of her bag.

That may not seem like much, but she heard the words being said, she related it, and on the way home, we got to talk about the “fruit” he was talking about, in a way she could understand.

So now, since she has gone home, we pray every time she eats a fruit bar, she thinks about the “fruit of the Spirit.”

All that to say, I pray that whether our kids are in a designated Children’s Ministry room, in the service with the adults, or in the backyard playing with you, they hear it, they get it, and WE get to tell them of the goodness of the Lord!

What is Family Discipleship?

"4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." 

Our mission statement as a church is, "By the power of the Holy Spirit, we exist to glorify God by making disciples of all nations."

Often, whenever we hear the words discipleship, we think outward, not inward. We believe discipleship is something we do outside the walls of our home, not inside our home. 

But, we must understand that it would be foolish to invest all of our time, effort, and resources to reach the lost outside our homes while neglecting the lost within our homes. 

As parents, we have to understand that one of our most excellent calls in life is to disciple our children. Your children are important. Therefore, it is good to prioritize your time and energy into discipling your family.

WHAT IS FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP? 

Now, family discipleship is a fancy term that we don't often define. So, when we throw around the words family discipleship, we mean this:

"The family of God partnering with and equipping parents/guardians to help build in their children an authentic faith in Jesus." 

As the church, we want to equip and disciple families for family discipleship. We want to be a [F]amily that helps our [f]amilies be a beacon of hope and life. Family discipleship is the family of God coming together to pray for, teach, train, and show both our parents and our kids what it means to love Jesus.

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP IS A BYPRODUCT OF LOVE.

"4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Before we ever see a call to teach our children about God, we find a call to love God personally. This tells us that you cannot teach your children to love a God that you do not love yourself. You can't teach your children about obedience while walking in disobedience.

One of the best things you can do for your children is to love God more than your children. As fathers, we ought to long to show our sons and daughters what a man who loves God looks like. As mothers, we ought to long to show our sons and daughters what a woman who loves God looks like.

True discipleship flows out of love for God. It's a byproduct of love.

And if discipleship is a byproduct of love, then that means that discipleship shouldn't be a burden that we tote around joylessly. Sure there will be nights where you would rather not read the Bible with your kids. But, that ought not to be the norm.

Because we love God, our greatest desire is for God to be glorified through our lives. Therefore, we commit ourselves to teach our children about him. Teaching our children about the Lord is an action that is done out of love for the Lord. 

Before we teach our children about God with our words, we teach them with our actions. We first teach our children how to love God by loving God in front of them.

Words are vital. We must teach our kids about God's word. But, our actions will likely leave more of a lasting impact in our children's lives than our words ever will. 

So, if your relationship with the Lord is dry or nonexistent, then step one of family discipleship is to go to the Lord and allow him to breathe life into your dry bones. Family discipleship first starts with a love for God.

YOU MUST BE A DISCIPLE BEFORE YOU MAKE DISCIPLES.

"6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children…."

We are to teach our kids that which is on our hearts. We are to teach our kids the very thing that we rejoice in, delight in, meditate on, and cling to personally. Before we see a call to teach, we see a call to study.

So, to make disciples, we must first be a disciple. To be a teacher, you must first be a student. We can't teach our kids something we are foreign to ourselves. 

The Psalmist describes God's Word as something sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. The Bible ought to be something we feast on daily. 

So, in teaching our kids about God's Word, we're not inviting them to join a meal that we despise ourselves. We're welcoming them into a delicious feast at the master's table. We are to teach diligently to our children the same commands that are written on our hearts.

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH

 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." 

But, what does this look like logistically for us? How and where do we do disciple our children?

Well, we are to use every opportunity to teach and disciple our children.

"You shall talk of them when you sit in your house…." So, when you get home from work, and you get on the floor to play legos with your son, that's an opportunity to talk about the Lord. When your daughter is painting your toenails, that's an opportunity to talk about Jesus.

"When you walk by the way…" When you go to Walmart or Target, that's an opportunity to talk about the Lord.

"When you lie down…" When it's time to go nite nite, and you're putting your children to bed, that's an opportunity to talk about the Lord.

"When you rise…" When you wake up and are eating Mini-Wheats,  that's an opportunity to talk about the Lord.

"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." We are to leverage every aspect of our lives to teaching and showing our children about God's commandments and his goodness.

Discipleship can occur in the mundane and the ordinary just as much as it can in the planned and the organized. Discipleship can occur on Tuesday afternoon on the way to soccer practice, just as much as it can on Sunday mornings.

Parents, you have been called and commissioned by God to teach your children what it means to love and serve Jesus. And to do this well, you need a plan and structure. But, discipleship doesn't always have to be planned and structured.

You don't always have to have your Bible's open to teach them about Jesus. The beauty of having God's Word written on your heart is that you can teach your kids anywhere and everywhere.

LEVERAGE YOUR FAILURES

If you're like me, you're not a perfect parent. You and I will fail our kids, and at times we will fail miserably. But, because of God's mercy, even our failures are an opportunity to teach our children about God.

When we blow it as parents, we can apologize, repent, asking for forgiveness, and then point our kids to the cross, teaching them about God's grace and mercy.

Just as much as discipleship can occur in the mundane and the formal, it can happen in the mess. Therefore, we ought to use every opportunity to point our children to Jesus.

One of the beauties of the gospel is that our heart of stone has become a heart of flesh. Our heart that once hated God has been transformed into a heart that now loves God. Now that we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we want everyone else to taste and see that he's good, as well!

There ought to be nothing that we want more for our children than for them to have a relationship with Jesus. More than we want them to succeed in sports, we want them to know and love Jesus. More than we want them to succeed in school, we want them to know and love Jesus. More than we want them to get married to a good guy or girl, we want them to know and love Jesus. More than we want them to enjoy a good job and good health, we want them to know and love Jesus.

We desire to equip one another to go home and disciple our children, raise strong disciples of Jesus, young men, and women who love the Lord THEIR GOD with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their might. 

The children of Harbor Community Church are essential, and their parent's role in their lives is vital.

But so is the role of the church. Together as the church, we have the responsibility to pray for these little ones. As the church, we must come alongside our parents and hold them accountable to God's Word, praying they will love God wholeheartedly. And together, as the church, we have a responsibility to come alongside the parents in this room and help them teach and train up their little ones.