Original: October 29, 2007
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12
Yesterday we celebrated Easter and had what had to be the largest Sunday of attendance in our church’s 100-year history at nearly 2300 people! It was a huge victory especially as my mind reflected on a less than exciting meeting in October of 2007 when a declining economy forced us to lay off seven people from their jobs, all of them friends.
In a leadership meeting later that month our pastor told 150 leaders in our church that, “Last week was the hardest week in my ministry career.” However, with this new “leaner and meaner” staff we were forced to launch a volunteer campaign like never before. That coupled with some other key events got us moving in the right direction again.
We actually added a 12:30 service and filled it with 700 people, many of whom volunteered to leave their usual seat and service (no small miracle) to make room for others! We couldn’t have done Easter and we cannot do church without faithful volunteers who have be called and obedient to God.
Today’s passage reminds me of three key ingredients when it comes to serving the King.
First, God will strengthen those He calls. Paul acknowledged that it was Jesus, “who has given me strength”. I am reminded of my own calling to preach and how I used to drop any college courses that required public speaking. God has been faithful to strengthen my speaking skills and help me overcome my fears over a quarter of a century. I have learned that God will always, yes I said always, gift the call. A man’s first response to God’s leading must be obedience and he must trust God for the results. Often times the outpouring of giftedness arrives subsequent to our obedience and trust. Follow His call and He will (always) supply you with the gifts passion and abilities you need.
Second, God calls those who He considers “faithful” to Him and His word. To recruit faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2) when over 70% who rob God with their finances is futility since their stewardship proves them “unfaithful”. A great rule in ministry is to never chase people who do not want to be chased. Never force people into obedience. Never push or manipulate someone to go where they do not want to go. Refuse to help those who refuse help, even though they may be verbally asking for it. In other words, do not recruit any warm body, or the first person who will say “Yes”, simply because they have a pulse!
Lastly, if we know God will give me “strength”, and I show myself “faithful”, then God will bless me by “appointing me to His service”.
This is vitally important because God is not desperate even though sometimes as church leaders we make Him out to be. Here is a shocker for you: God does not need you but allows you to be a part of something bigger than you-His plan. God invites those who are faithful to join Him in His worldwide plan of redemption! The men must lead the way in God’s redemptive plan.
Are you serving? Why are you serving?
What a wonderful privilege it is to be called by the Creator of the universe to help fulfill His world wide plan of redemption.
