from a few Olympics back... 

Pursue  the  Prize - Do God’s Will!

Kerry Doyal

            Olympic fever is rampant again at the Doyal domain.  We not only cheer Phelps, but we watch boxing, badminton, weightlifting, gymnastics, track… Vicarious exercise goes a long way.

 

            Every Olympics I am amazed at what those incredible specimens of health will do for a medal. I guess E-bay just isn’t good enough for some people. It is incredible the years and often decades of dedication these disciplined athletes put in.

 

            With the world awash with The Games, it is a great time to revisit 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  This part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, whose city hosted the Isthmian Games, speaks of competition, self-disciple and winning the prize.  

 

            “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last;  but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  

 

            “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;  I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (NIV).  

 

            After telling about his dedication to fulfill God’s calling on his life (vs. 19-23), Paul coaches the Corinthians:  “Pursue the prize, do God’s will”.       

 

            News Flash: God has a calling on YOUR life!  He has things He wants YOU to do, ministry made just for YOU (Psalm 139;  Jeremiah 1:1-12; Romans 12:1-8)! Having saved you, the Lord wants you to walk the path of good works He laid out just for you (Ephesians 2:8-10).

 

            Pursuing the prize for Paul meant doing everything he could to convey Christ as a missionary. While we are all to share the gospel, God’s calling for your life will be different than Paul’s, mine or anyone else’s. 

 

            Fulfilling your Divinely-dealt destiny is the greatest of all races. Track with me as I use the word “prize” to help us learn from this text how we may run in such a way as to get the prize (vs. 24).

 

            Starting with the obvious - if you are going to win the prize, fulfill your calling, you must first “P” - pursue it. Knowing and desiring ain’t doing. I know I should cut my grass and even desire for it to be mowed, but those twin passions don’t scare my crab grass.

 

            Spiritual medalists pursue God’s will. Not selectively, not passively, not just occasionally.  To complete your life-mission from God, you need to move from being a spectator to a gritty participant. Winners get in the race. How are you serving God?

 

            You know at least a few things God wants from you. Do them! This is the starting blocks to running like a winner. Pursue His will for His name’s sake and the good others.

 

            To go the distance, we must “R” - ready ourselves, exercise self-discipline. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”  What are you doing to grow in grace, to strengthen your walk (Jude 20; 2 Peter 3:18)?

 

            “Strict training.” Does that describe your discipleship? Seems we have lots of casual Christians – an oxymoron. To what distractions and hindrances are you saying “no” (Hebrews 12:1, 2; Titus 2:11-15)?  The prize is awarded to those who discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:8-16).

 

            “I” - Imagining the reward is a godly motivation. The Greek Game winners were given a laurel wreath that faded in a week or so. All that effort for a Kudzu Crown!  We are promised “a crown that will last forever.”  God holds the medal ceremonies and He Himself hands out the prizes (James 1:12). I can only imagine! Can you? 

            Life lived without meaning is tragic. Running to win requires us to “Z” - zero-in on the “why,” be purposeful. “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.”   Have you forgotten the “why” of your life?

 

            Aimless activity is not rewarded. Is your life focused? Do you eliminate the good for the sake of the best – God’s will. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Proverbs 19:2 says:   It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, or to be hasty and miss the way.  Zero-in on what God wants from you.

 

            Winning athletes - “E” - enslave themselves to win. Paul said “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  What a shame to compete and yet be disqualified due to lack of discipline or cheating.  Shun the spiritual steroids of sin.

 

            God has given us a path to run to accomplish things for God's glory. Pursue His will. Ready yourself through self-discipline. Imagine your eternal reward. Zero-in on what God wants from you. Enslave yourselves to eliminate disqualification.

 

            To avoid entering heaven empty handed, go for His gold (1 Corin. 3:10-15)!  Live like a winner, run for the prize.  

Kerry 

 

“Open my eyes, that I may…”

 

“Open my eyes, that I may…”

 

Everyone wants to be able to tell the important from the trivial

- the things that really matter from the mundane,

 

We all want to be insightful, wise, discerning.

None of us want to be blind to the important things.

And rightly so.

 

Yet sadly, our best vision, ability to see and understand

often involve non-eternal matters.

 

    We can decode the financial pages of the paper, ingredients of a food product

    We can spot a run from a pass play, or a blitz verses zone coverage

    And don't even try to fool us with a marked up / marked down sale item

    Ford / Chevy, Hoover / Dirt Devil, Mac / what else is there?

 

Yet, in the things of God - the truest matters of life -

we are all but blind. 

We are truth deprived, wisdom starved, insight-less.

We are weak in seeing the difference in

 

    Right from wrong

    Good from evil

    Truth from lies

    Important and eternal from trivial and temporal

 

Thus this prayer, and

our desperate need for divine assistance.

 

“Open my eyes,

that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

 Psalm 119:18 - ESV

 

Oh Maker of eyes,

help me to see that may see that which is significant.

Give me sight so I can have eternal insight, Your vantage point.

 

Move me past knowing to grasping,

Take me away from mere data amassing to truth testing and trusting.

Prop open my peepers so I may perceive and pursue Your precepts.

Help me to want that which is eternal - Your word, truth, Your wisdom.

 

“Open my eyes,

that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

 Psalm 119:18 - ESV

God’s Guide for His Sheep’s Caretakers

Exemplary  Elder-ing 
& Episcopal-ing  from 1 Peter 5:1-4

 

            Threatened, scattered sheep need strong, skillful shepherds of integrity. God’s flock – His church - deserves quality care and active oversight. Hirelings, mere hired-hands who flee at the sight of danger, will not provide the needed oversight God demands of His shepherds (see John 10; Ezk. 34; Jer. 23; 31 & 50). For the sake of the sheep, Peter addresses the Spiritual Fathers of the God’s sheepfold.

           

            “So I exhort the elders among you,  as a fellow elder and  a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

 

            “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [from Prov. 3:34]  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”  (1 Peter 5:1-7 - ESV).

                       

            Please Note: This passage is not just for Elders. Every believer should desire to be a godly servant-leader in the church (see 1 Tim. 3 & Tit. 1). Each disciple is to take part in the care of one another (Rom. 12:3-12 & Eph. 4:11-16).

 

Thankful for Elders,

 

Kerry 

 

God’s Guide for His Sheep’s Caretakers

Exemplary  Elder-ing  & Episcopal-ing  from 1 Peter 5:1-4

 

Pastor Peter, Shepherd Simon, is an Apostle – no small title. Yet here, he refers to himself as a fellow Elder. He encourages and exhorts the Elders, the Shepherds of these suffering, scattered sheep to stay on the job in a God-honoring way. “The going has gotten tough, don’t go away like a hireling; stay, serve and protect. God’s flock needs godly oversight. Tend the flock. Jesus, the Ultimate Shepherd, will reward your work.”

 

Shepherd-Elder’s   God-given  Titles  &  Tasks:  

Ø  Elders [Gk.: presbuteros]:  older men,  i.e. seasoned leaders of the community

Ø  Shepherds = Pastors =  “Pasturing”  (Ps. 23,  Acts 20:17-38;  Tit. 1 & 1 Tim. 3)

Ø  Overseer, “bishops” [Gk.: episkopos]. Watch over, oversight, eyes open!  

            Elder speaks of character, maturity, respectable

 

            Pastor / Shepherd, Overseer refer to task:  lead, feed, correct, protect.

 

Essential   Ministry  Motives:  “not… but…”  

Ø  Not raw duty,  forced,  out of mere obligation

Ø  Willingly,  freely (like our giving – cf. 2 Cor. 8 & 9)

 

Ø  Not out of greed:  1 Tim. 6;  Phil. 4 & 1 Cor. 9:16-18

Ø  Gladly, done out of “deep desire” (1 Tim. 3:1)

 

Ø  Not lording it over the sheep: bossy, insensitive dictators

Ø  Humble  models, patterns: 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1 & 1 Tim. 4:12

                                                                                                               

Rewards  Awaiting  Jesus’  Servants:  (cf. 1 Pet. 2:25)

Stay ready for the Chief Shepherd’s glorious return (1 Thess. 4 & 5; Mt. 25)

Unfading crowns of glory! 1 Cor. 9:25; Jms 1:12; Heb. 12:1-12 & Rev 4:4, 10

                                                                                                                                               

·         While this text is to Elders, every disciple should have their motives & live anticipating the Lord’s return & rewards. Do you serve willingly, eagerly, yet not for gain? Do you lead humbly, as a good example? Sheep need to be lead, not driven.

 

·         To see Ultimate Shepherding, chew over Ps. 23 & what that Shepherd does for His people (& Ps. 80). The Prophets spoke often of Shepherds, leaders of God’s people. Many were abusive & neglectful, providing lessons from the negative (Ezk. 34; Jer. 23; 31; 50; Is. 40:11; 63:11).  God promised His people that He would give them Shepherds after His own heart (Ezk. 34:23). 

 

·         Sheep have responsibilities too: to submit to their Elder’s lead (1 Tim. 5:17-22; Heb. 13:7, 17, 18). It is assumed that Elders will lead, Peter is addressing how they will do so (see Mark 10:35-45; John 13:1-13; Phil. 2:1-11). 

 

·         Pray for your leaders, they lived marked lives. Pray for young men to aspire to become servant-leaders of God’s flock (1 Tim. 3:1).   Pray that each of us would honor the Chief Shepherd. 

 

 

Kerry S. Doyal 

Superintendent of the Allegheny Dist. (EFCA) 
https://allegheny.efcadistrict.org/  

 

ALLEGHENY  DISTRICT   is  A. L. L.  in:

   A -  Aligned in and on Mission

   L -  Loving Churches, Pastors

   L -  Leading to Health and Multiplication 

Three Big Words – Three Big Thoughts

Propitiation, Atonement and Reconciliation

are three big words - not only in size,  but in importance.  Each expresses a precious truth about what Christ did and provided for us when He died on the cross for our sin.  We want to look at each word and the truth it contains so we may fully love, honor and worship our Great Savior!

Atonement – Covering our sin through sacrifice

Atonement is a payment made to remove a separation so two people can be reconciled, or reunited.  Sin had separated, or estranged, us from God.  Christ’s giving His blood (life) covered, or paid for, our sins (atoned for).  This perfect priestly offering removed us from under God’s wrath by appeasing His righteous demands (propitiation).  It also restore us to fellowship with God (reconciled us), the very ones who were once alienated from and even hostile to God and His will for our lives.  Atonement is the blood price paid to appease God’s wrath and provide ground to restore the relationship.  Study that idea in these verses:

·         Hebrew 5:1-3

·         Hebrews 9:6-14, 22

Propitiation – Pacifying God’s righteous wrath by payment

This is the least familiar word.  To propitiate is to “win the good will of, to appease.” Jesus was the “atoning sacrifice” for our sins (NIV).  Our sin not only separated us from God, it placed us under His wrath.  Not only did our offenses need to be made right, but His righteous wrath also needed to be appeased. For propitiation (satisfaction) to occur, the offending party must do or offer something to win back the good will of the one offended.  Jesus propitiated the Father for us by offering Himself as the propitiation.  He took God’s wrath for us.  Read and record what these verses say about this concept:

·         God’s wrath & our need for propitiation: Luke 18:13;  John 3:36;   Romans 1:18; 5:9

·         Christ’s propitiation: Romans 3:25-26;  Hebrews 2:17; 9:5:   1 John 2:2; 4:10

Reconciliation – Restoring the relationship between enemies

People at odds with one another need to be reconciled.  They must be brought back together into fellowship, have their relationship restored.  God did not need to be reconciled to us, because He had done nothing wrong.  However, because of our sin and resulting estrangement from Him, we needed to be reconciled to God.  Jesus has provided that for us as God’s means of reconciliation.   How do you see our need for reconciliation and Christ’s provision in these verses? 

·         Romans 5:6-11

·         2 Corinthians 5:18-21

·         Colossians 1:19-22

Wanted: Carpenter Apprentices ... Kerry S. Doyal

Wanted: Carpenter Apprentices

We all know a couple that we love one of the two and we - shall we say - struggle with the not-better half.  I am sure I have been that half for some people. That’s okay, they have some friends struggling with their spouses’ choice too. 

Many feel this way about the church. They love Jesus, but struggle with His bride. There seems to be a glaring disconnect: how did He end up with her, what was He thinking?

The church is an easy target and does much to paint bull’s-eyes on herself. Some of the attitudes and behaviors of Jesus’ chosen spouse are astounding, inexcusable. “She said and did what? And she is married to Him?”

Pick your favorite and convenient horror story. Does it involve an abusive pastor, fickle so-called friends, gossip, closed cliques, abused pastors, “those preacher’s kids”, or wrongly judged and mistreated preacher’s kids and spouses?

Maybe your church story’s main character is a hypocritical deacon, or a Holy Joe that lived like the devil? Is money involved, or improprieties of 1000 different kinds?

GUILTY! Yes, His bride should blush and tear her wedding gown in repentance over her sinfulness. But this is not news. Most of the New Testament is written to help Christ’s Bride learn to be beautiful.  The letters – epistles if you like church talk - are filled with correctives. This Fair Lady needs much learnin’ and refining.  

Jesus’ earthly father handed off a trade to his boy: carpentry. This included wood and stone construction. He learned the hard, honest trade of building. According to Matthew 16:17-18, Jesus is still doing construction:

“Jesus replied, "…And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Using those who know Him, He is erecting, correcting and perfecting a spiritual house (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2).

Among the things Jesus is doing in heaven, at the top of His list is shepherding His sheep: finding the lost ones, healing the hurt, separating those fighting, and protecting, providing for and using all of them. Have you read Psalm 23 or John 10 lately?  

In our fair city literally built around churches – Church Circle – if you cannot find one church to connect with, guess who might be the issue? With over 200 to shop from – which is what we consumer Christians do – if not one suites your taste – how convenient. 

Yes, I know they ask for money, dress and talk funny, have hard pews, boring sermons and imperfect leaders (come visit my church if you need Exhibit A). Also agreed is that not everyone there is as sincere as you are (“hypocrites” is such a tired excuse). True too that some people use it as a social club. 

Your point?  Can the church “do church” better? No doubt. So?  If Jesus says He is in love with His bride – He did die for her – then who are we to demand perfection this side of heaven? That is one of the promises of heaven – a pure, spotless, wrinkle-free Bride (Ephesians 5:25-33).

Yes, you got hurt one time, or several times. Tell it to Jesus who let his future bride nail Him to a cross.

Yes, speak prophetically to her of her sins, but not merely pathetically of her in your bitterness.

Do Vols fans give up because a few fans behave poorly?  Some do every week without fail. As one wit said: did you give up eating because Mom once burned the biscuits?  Can you say potluck casseroles?  But I digress.

Here is a hot secret: If you trash talk my wife, tell me you hate her, we are going to have issues.  She is mine, I am hers, we are one. To try to separate us, to get me to side with you to impress me is worse than dumb, that may prove painful.  

Ask a policeman the most dangerous calls they receive: domestics. If they get between sparring spouses, they risk creating a powerful tag team. Ask Jesus if you can disrespect and dismiss His bride?  Don’t get Him started. 

Which church or pastor do you owe a thank you note for providing you with a cheap excuse to give up on church?

Jesus the Carpenter is still building: creating, enlarging and putting finishing touches on His church.  Rumors of His bride’s death are greatly exaggerated.  Hell’s gates may look stronger and seem more daunting, but not to Him.

Christ has not given up on His church and neither must we.  It is not an option. To stay outside the church is in some real ways to stay away from Jesus.  Selective accountability is a dangerous place to be. All pride is (1 Peter 5). 

Jesus is forming and fortifying Himself a people. He is using and empowering those who know Him – confess Him in truth. Build with Him! (Matt. 16:13-23; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24, 25; Acts 2:42). If I dare: Any old jackass can kick down a barn.

Get on His winning team! Christ’s church – His called-out ones - cannot be stopped  (1 Peter 2:4-8; Romans 8). When we keep Christ as the chief cornerstone, building on Him, look out, hell. 

Sanctify them by the truth

Your kindness, your keen mind, your laugh, sense of humor… 

But, enough about me…

What sets you apart, gives you distinction, what makes you "you"?  

How about for the Christian?

What makes us distinct from those who do not know or follow Christ?  Love, purity, being forgiven & forgivers... the list could go on & on.  (Hopefully, it would not merely be a list of what we do NOT do.)

At the base of our distinction would be Jesus' word:  His truth, teachings, guidance and leading for life.  Having and holding to His truth sets us apart, sanctifies us.

On the eve of His crucifixion, He prayed for His followers, including later ones – us.

Hear part of His passionate pleas for us, found in John 17:14-19:

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." (NIV)

Summarizing:

q  He gave us His word & the world hated us, like it did Him. 

q  Why?  Because He is not of this world, His values vary from theirs, like ours should too. 

q  We need spiritual protection as we engage as His foreign agents. 

q  His truth makes us distinct, sanctifies us and leads to more Christ likeness. 

q  This is essential, as we have been sent to this truth-rejecting, Christ-killing world.

There is no end to the implications of how having His word makes us different – the truth about Jesus, His Father, life, God's will. . .

Jesus Word – His truth – not only makes us distinct, it makes us despised.  We don't "go along to get along".  A different Drummer sets our pace & leads us to walk out of step with the world.  We can not applaud things they do, reward things they value.  This more than ticks them off – it makes them murderously mad.  Ask our brothers & sisters in India, China, Burma, N. Korea or Cuba.

Over the entrance to the library where I attended Bible College are these words:  "Thy Word is Truth".  Since it is truest Truth with a capital "T" – we need to let this Truth fully define us, sanctify us.

When His truth is grasped and guides our life, HE will set us apart and make us useful ambassadors in a world filled with falsehood and folly.

Let His truth define you more fully today – no matter the cost.

John 17:9   “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (ESV)