Who is Watching Out For Us?

The other night in our small group we were discussing the fallout from last summer's ELCA Lutheran Church decision to ordain homosexuals. Someone asked the question about what would happen to the clergy who went along with this decision? My mind immediately went to Ezekiel 33:1-9 (see also chapter 3).

In both Ezekiel chapter 3 and again in chapter 33 God declares that the prophet is the "watchman"--"Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel" (33:7). In chapter 33 God's word to Ezekiel makes it clear that a watchman's duty is to warn the people of the city of impending doom. Failure to do so brings their blood on his head. Faithfulness to alert them to the coming danger alleviates the watchman from guilt if the people do not heed his warning. God appointed Ezekiel as the spiritual watchman over His people. When God is pronouncing judgment upon the people because of their sin Ezekiel is to declare to them that their sin will result in punishment. If God declares to the wicked that they will die and Ezekiel neglects to warn them he is held accountable. If he warns them of coming doom and their need to turn from sin and they ignore his warning then they are held accountable.

Although the watchman responsibilities given to Ezekiel in these passages are unique to him and his relationship to Israel I think it a valid principle we can draw from these verses is that the "watchman" responsibilities extend every spiritual leader in the church today. What a sobering thought for everyone in spiritual leadership to consider, that failure on our part to alert people to their need to repent of sin will bring guilt upon us. For leaders to condone what God condemns is treacherous business that can ultimately result in people being permanently condemned. In 1Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul clearly states that "those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." The list of sins is not exhaustive here but merely illustrative, but the consequence of persisting in them is the same--condemnation. For spiritual leaders to remain silent about the sin of others will in effect condemn those who continue in sin. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that we are accountable.
It is sobering for me to ponder the necessity of lovingly exposing sin and the natural consequence of sin so that people caught in it will turn from it and live.

There is no excuse for pious, self-righteous, arrogant condescension on the part of one against another, but there is a need for loving confrontation and caution when someone is sinning against God. Only when spiritual leaders expose the sin will people know that they must turn from it and thereby avoid condemnation. What a sobering reminder for all of us in leadership.

Divine Appointments

A few weeks ago Dave Olson was leading the adult Sunday School class at church and shared from Acts 10 how God had arranged a Divine Appointment for Paul to meet Cornelius. We were challenged to keep our eyes open for divine appointments that God was setting up for us with the people we meet. These divine appointments are opportunities to share the love of Christ and the work of Christ with those we come in contact with.

Last night our family gathered in Indianola, Iowa to watch our son play football at Simpson College. After the game I was waiting for Tyler (our son) to come out of the locker room and I saw someone that I had met before and whom I knew had undergone a personal tragedy recently. I'm so grateful to the Lord for prompting me to express my sympathy and to inquire about that person's condition. My focus had shifted instantaneously from wanting to discuss football to expressing concern for this person's pain. I assure you that whatever goodness there was in my shift is to be attributed to the Holy Spirit's work. I told the person I had been praying for them and that I would continue to do so. When the person shared some of the story behind the tragedy he stated that a series of events could be attributed to a "Higher Power" and as quickly as I could interject it I stated, "I believed God is control."

Now this certainly wasn't a four point outline of the Gospel, or my personal testimony in miniature, or a well thought out evangelistic sermon--it was merely a few kind words, expressions of concern and care in the name of Christ--nothing less than a divine appointment for which I give God praise.

I'm asking the Lord for a few more divine appointments this week and for the wisdom to see them and respond appropriately.

What about you? Any divine appointments? Let us show and share the love of Christ freely. Mt. 22:39

"Informed or Transformed?"

Romans 12:2—“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
In Ministry we are in the “transforming business.” God does the transforming, we are instruments in the process. I’ve been thinking about our church's Mission Statement—“To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.” This speaks of transformation. For me the test of effectiveness in ministry is whether or not people are being transformed. So last night at our monthly board meeting I decided to challenge our leaders. If we as leaders aren't being transformed then how can we expect others to experience the transforming power of God's Word and Spirit? I asked all of us to answer the following questions (silently in their own minds).
• Am I truly being transformed into the image of Christ?
• What evidence is there in my life that I am being conformed to the image of Christ? Is there more love—not just looking out for our own special interests, but also for the interests of others, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and/or self-control? Do I exhibit a greater love for the lost? Am I giving more generously, serving more readily, responding to the Spirit’s promptings more frequently, and/or stepping out in faith more regularly? Am I spending time in God’s Word, in prayer, in meditation, etc., because I want to and need to or because I have to?
• What am I doing to be intentional about growing spiritually?
• What is there in my life personally that hinders me from growing?
• What is there in the way we are structuring ministry or doing ministry that helps people be transformed? What hinders transformation?
I’m pondering what transformation looks like for me personally and what steps I need to take to Know Christ and to Make Him Known.

Some questions for personal contemplation and some for us as leaders to think about in regard to the ministry here.

Father, help us to stay close to you and to stay focused on the goal of transformation not merely the accumulation of information.