“Eldership”
I once knew a man that decided to become a fisherman. So he went to the local marina and purchased a boat. The boat was equipped with all the latest devices and gadgets that one might expect to have for the amount of money spent. Though this boat was rated among the leading boats of its kind, it was missing one thing a paddle!
The man was so excited about this new boat, he decided to go right away to the local park located on the river bank and takes his new boat for a spin. After about 20 minutes of motoring downstream, he noticed a sputter or stall in the engine. This continued as the man slowly turned up stream and began to make his way back toward the launch. Through all of the puttering a sputtering of the boat motor, it finally gave up and would not re-start. Though the destination was in sight, this man was in a situation that inexperience boaters would call “downstream without a paddle.”
One might not expect an article on eldership to start out with this tone? It might not seem that fitting until you begin to compare and make analogies. Let us say that the brand new boat is like a young congregation, fired up for God and willing to do the work! And let us say that the motor is a representation of new preacher, right out of preacher training school, and he is ready to do the work also. This new church may have all of the zeal a church needs to grow, but without a paddle or you might say “elders,” it can find downstream and heading out of control.
One of the most vital elements of the church of God is eldership! We as Christian followers of Christ must be in submission to the leading and guiding of our eldership. After all the requirements of an elder is that of great respect (1Timothy 3:1-7). And one having the qualities should be honored and respected, as men of God entrusted with the mighty task and responsibility of leading God’s people.
The next time you have the opportunity, thank the elders of your congregation for all that they do. And always remember that the eldership of the church is like that of the boat paddle. When problems occur, they are the ones to guide you safely to shore.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Re-examining Jonah
“Jonah”
What is your first thought when you think of Jonah? Maybe you think of a big fish, or maybe you think of a stormy sea, or just maybe you think of a selfish prophet. Most of us think of a selfish prophet. In fact, this is what we have been taught every since we can remember. Jonah doesn’t have a very good reputation among most believers today. And the reason for this has a lot to do with the way it has been taught for many years. At one point in time, someone’s interpretation stuck! And therefore, you have a “traditional teaching.” Now don’t take this in the wrong way, I’m not trying to rock your boat, I just want you to examine the character of Jonah for who he really was.
Was Jonah selfish? What about prideful? Allow me to explain. Jonah knew God very well and was extremely close to God, much closer than most of us have been taught. Jonah had such a tight knit relationship to God that God would ask Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message that would not come to pass! Let us examine the text; we do know from the book of Jonah that God was not going to fulfill the prophecy that he was commanding Jonah to speak (Jonah 4:2).
Why would this anger Jonah? Why would Jonah flee? Why does Jonah say, “Please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live” (4:3)? After all, he had already attempted suicide, by means of assistance, at the hands of foreign sailors (1:12). This totally destroys the traditional teaching that Jonah was running because he “hated” foreigners. If Jonah was such a “hater,” then why, during the first century, did the Jewish nation consider Jonah to be so great? Here are the words of God in the flesh; “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a “greater” than Jonah is here” (Luke 11:32).
So, why did Jonah run from God? And why did Jonah say, “That it would be better for him to die that to live?” Five letters my friend, P-R-I-D-E! Let me explain; Jonah knew his duties as a prophet of God (Deut. 18:18). And Jonah knew the way to discern a prophet sent from God and the penalty for being a false prophet (Deut. 18:20). This was a definite deal breaker for Jonah, up to this point he had a successful career as a prophet of God! Yet, in the blink of an eye, Jonah selfishly went the opposite direction when God asked him to deliver a message that he knew would not come to pass. And the lesson from all this is, we need to do what God’s word instructs us to do whether it seems like the logical thing to do or not! If God said it, we must do it!
What is your first thought when you think of Jonah? Maybe you think of a big fish, or maybe you think of a stormy sea, or just maybe you think of a selfish prophet. Most of us think of a selfish prophet. In fact, this is what we have been taught every since we can remember. Jonah doesn’t have a very good reputation among most believers today. And the reason for this has a lot to do with the way it has been taught for many years. At one point in time, someone’s interpretation stuck! And therefore, you have a “traditional teaching.” Now don’t take this in the wrong way, I’m not trying to rock your boat, I just want you to examine the character of Jonah for who he really was.
Was Jonah selfish? What about prideful? Allow me to explain. Jonah knew God very well and was extremely close to God, much closer than most of us have been taught. Jonah had such a tight knit relationship to God that God would ask Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message that would not come to pass! Let us examine the text; we do know from the book of Jonah that God was not going to fulfill the prophecy that he was commanding Jonah to speak (Jonah 4:2).
Why would this anger Jonah? Why would Jonah flee? Why does Jonah say, “Please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live” (4:3)? After all, he had already attempted suicide, by means of assistance, at the hands of foreign sailors (1:12). This totally destroys the traditional teaching that Jonah was running because he “hated” foreigners. If Jonah was such a “hater,” then why, during the first century, did the Jewish nation consider Jonah to be so great? Here are the words of God in the flesh; “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a “greater” than Jonah is here” (Luke 11:32).
So, why did Jonah run from God? And why did Jonah say, “That it would be better for him to die that to live?” Five letters my friend, P-R-I-D-E! Let me explain; Jonah knew his duties as a prophet of God (Deut. 18:18). And Jonah knew the way to discern a prophet sent from God and the penalty for being a false prophet (Deut. 18:20). This was a definite deal breaker for Jonah, up to this point he had a successful career as a prophet of God! Yet, in the blink of an eye, Jonah selfishly went the opposite direction when God asked him to deliver a message that he knew would not come to pass. And the lesson from all this is, we need to do what God’s word instructs us to do whether it seems like the logical thing to do or not! If God said it, we must do it!
Friday, April 2, 2010
"One Click"
I was relieved to see the "download successful" window pop up on the screen, after an intense 6 hour download procedure. In the process of shutting down to re-boot, I noticed another window with an enticing message. As I began to read, I invited my wife, Kelly to read along with me. Bearing the titled "Are You Lonely?," you can only imagine all of the fulfilling promises that came along with it. This was a scheme of the devil and he was offering me all of the kingdoms of the world, all with just "one click."
Think about it; with just "one click" I could have been on a slippery slope, sliding straight to Hell! I don't normally preach fire and brimstone, but I am here to tell you that the devil is out to spiritually destroy you and eternally separate you from God! Don't ever doubt it!
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil(Ephesians6:11NASB).If you don't have a plan for standing firm, I suggest you develop one today! If you are married, invite your wife to read along with you when this situation occurs (notice I said when). This will help to protect the covenant you have with your spouse and the covenant you have with God! This will also open the door for divine protection in your marriage! And finally this will build up a trust value that can not be obtained any other way! If you are single, you might want to look into some type of on-line accountability group, or establish some type of pact with your closest friend! Either way, don't get caught up in this battle without your armor! And remember that it only takes "one click" to accept this scheme or "one click" to decline it.
Praise Him!
Think about it; with just "one click" I could have been on a slippery slope, sliding straight to Hell! I don't normally preach fire and brimstone, but I am here to tell you that the devil is out to spiritually destroy you and eternally separate you from God! Don't ever doubt it!
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil(Ephesians6:11NASB).If you don't have a plan for standing firm, I suggest you develop one today! If you are married, invite your wife to read along with you when this situation occurs (notice I said when). This will help to protect the covenant you have with your spouse and the covenant you have with God! This will also open the door for divine protection in your marriage! And finally this will build up a trust value that can not be obtained any other way! If you are single, you might want to look into some type of on-line accountability group, or establish some type of pact with your closest friend! Either way, don't get caught up in this battle without your armor! And remember that it only takes "one click" to accept this scheme or "one click" to decline it.
Praise Him!
Friday, March 26, 2010
"I have a Golden Ticket"
My favorite scene in the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," is the part where Charlie discovers a golden ticket inside his Wonka Chocolate Bar. What a discovery, this entitled him along with a parent or guardian a chance to actually tour the Wonka Chocolate Factory, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Upon this discovery, Charlie runs home, opens the door and begins screaming "I have the last Golden Ticket, I have the last Golden Ticket." The only one who could be his guardian was grandpa Joe, who had been bed-ridden for 20 years. Now that is just down right nasty! Don't get me wrong, some people have no other choice due to physical disabilities, but this old dude was just laid up in bed, with a bad attitude, smoking on a pipe! Anyway, Charlie explained why he was excited, then asked his grandpa Joe to accompany him on this journey. The old bum, for the first time in 20 years, had a ray of hope. He then got out of bed, and began to dance, sing and party down, all because of a "Golden Ticket."
Let's face it, all of us lived just exactly like grandpa Joe before life in Christ (not literally but spiritually). Just a bunch of spiritually dead bums with no hope and no reason to get up and dance. Our lives were nasty, cluttered with sin, until the blood of Christ washed those sins away. As Christians, His blood continues to cleanse us if we continue to follow Him.
Do you have a "Golden Ticket?" Do you have a ray of hope? Or, are you just laying in bed, with a bad attitude, smoking on a pipe? Come on people, get up and dance! We as Christians have the best reason in the world to be excited about our hope! Life everlasting! WOW!!! What are we doing? Sing and dance about the hope you have in Christ Jesus! For now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed(Romans 13:11NASB).
I urge you to boldly tell someone about your hope! Not just your hope, but your conversion story! Tell someone today about how you were delivered from a life of sin! I don't care who you are, if you have this hope, then you have a story of how you got it!!! So today on your way to work, school, the store, etc; Pray to God asking Him to open your eyes so that you may see an opportunity to witness to a lost soul. Don't be discourage if the opportunity does not present itself right away, be persistent in your prayers for this to happen and God will provide.
Let's face it, all of us lived just exactly like grandpa Joe before life in Christ (not literally but spiritually). Just a bunch of spiritually dead bums with no hope and no reason to get up and dance. Our lives were nasty, cluttered with sin, until the blood of Christ washed those sins away. As Christians, His blood continues to cleanse us if we continue to follow Him.
Do you have a "Golden Ticket?" Do you have a ray of hope? Or, are you just laying in bed, with a bad attitude, smoking on a pipe? Come on people, get up and dance! We as Christians have the best reason in the world to be excited about our hope! Life everlasting! WOW!!! What are we doing? Sing and dance about the hope you have in Christ Jesus! For now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed(Romans 13:11NASB).
I urge you to boldly tell someone about your hope! Not just your hope, but your conversion story! Tell someone today about how you were delivered from a life of sin! I don't care who you are, if you have this hope, then you have a story of how you got it!!! So today on your way to work, school, the store, etc; Pray to God asking Him to open your eyes so that you may see an opportunity to witness to a lost soul. Don't be discourage if the opportunity does not present itself right away, be persistent in your prayers for this to happen and God will provide.
Friday, March 19, 2010
"New Life"
Just the other day a brother from back home called me. There was a bit of small talk at first and then the conversation opened up full throttle. It was like I was there with him. Every word out of his mouth was a praise to God! We both were shouting praises to our Lord. Wow! I needed that.It gave me "new life" to know that he was standing firm in the Lord.
This conversation got me to thinking about the church at Thessalonica. The apostle Paul was stressin' out, wandering how the Thessalonians were doing in their walk with the Lord. Paul knew that the brothers and sisters there were under heavy persecution, and it was bothering him to point of wrestlessness. So he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage them. After a short mission trip, Timothy returned to Paul with great news! And we read about this in 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 "We have been greatly encouraged, dear brothers, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us "new life" to know that you are standing firm in the Lord."
Are we encouraged to hear the great news of our brothers in Chirst, who are growing in their faith? If we are not, we should be! This conversation I had the other day was a breath of fresh air, or as Paul put it "new life." I urge you to get in touch with someone that you have labored in the Lord with in the past, and just see how they are doing. You can never tell what the Lord might have in store. Either way this will be an opportunity for encouragement.
God-Speed bro,
Lyle K. Sinkey
This conversation got me to thinking about the church at Thessalonica. The apostle Paul was stressin' out, wandering how the Thessalonians were doing in their walk with the Lord. Paul knew that the brothers and sisters there were under heavy persecution, and it was bothering him to point of wrestlessness. So he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage them. After a short mission trip, Timothy returned to Paul with great news! And we read about this in 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 "We have been greatly encouraged, dear brothers, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us "new life" to know that you are standing firm in the Lord."
Are we encouraged to hear the great news of our brothers in Chirst, who are growing in their faith? If we are not, we should be! This conversation I had the other day was a breath of fresh air, or as Paul put it "new life." I urge you to get in touch with someone that you have labored in the Lord with in the past, and just see how they are doing. You can never tell what the Lord might have in store. Either way this will be an opportunity for encouragement.
God-Speed bro,
Lyle K. Sinkey
Friday, March 12, 2010
"Faithful to the End"
Do you trust God as much as you did when you first believed? Or has your faith seemed to weaken as the pressures of life continue to stack up against you? Accepting what Christ did at Calvary does not eliminate the trials we face in this life; Infact they seem to get worst!
Be strong and courageous my brother! We serve a great and awesome God who keeps His promises with those who love and obey Him! We read in God's word that if we remain faithful to the end, and trust Him just as firmly as we did when we first believed, it is then that we will share in all that belongs to Christ(Hebrews 3:14).If you did'nt know, He owns it all!
Don't allow sin to decieve you! This type of thinking will turn you away from the living God! I urge you to think of the time when you first believed, and ask yourself this simple question; Do I trust God as firmly as I did back then? The answer will come quickly, infact it is already there. Only you can choose what to do with it.
Be strong and courageous my brother! We serve a great and awesome God who keeps His promises with those who love and obey Him! We read in God's word that if we remain faithful to the end, and trust Him just as firmly as we did when we first believed, it is then that we will share in all that belongs to Christ(Hebrews 3:14).If you did'nt know, He owns it all!
Don't allow sin to decieve you! This type of thinking will turn you away from the living God! I urge you to think of the time when you first believed, and ask yourself this simple question; Do I trust God as firmly as I did back then? The answer will come quickly, infact it is already there. Only you can choose what to do with it.
"Praying the Passage"
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord(Psalm 40:1-3 NLT).
Thank you Almighty God for hearing my cries! How your mighty hand has lifted me out of the pit of despair. Thank you for the steady ground that I now walk on. The path that leads to you! O Lord how I love to sing the songs of praise that you have given me! Thank you for loving a sinner like me! Let my life be a reflection of you and your love, so that others will see, and put their trust in you. IN CHRIST NAME, AMEN
This is an example of "praying the Passage." The next time your are looking for a new way of studying scripture, pick out your favorite verse or verses and try "praying the passage." This will absolutely, without a doubt, jump start your daily walk with God and ignite your personal study path.
IN HIS NAME,
LKS
Posted by Lyle Sinkey at 3:25 AM 1 comments
Thank you Almighty God for hearing my cries! How your mighty hand has lifted me out of the pit of despair. Thank you for the steady ground that I now walk on. The path that leads to you! O Lord how I love to sing the songs of praise that you have given me! Thank you for loving a sinner like me! Let my life be a reflection of you and your love, so that others will see, and put their trust in you. IN CHRIST NAME, AMEN
This is an example of "praying the Passage." The next time your are looking for a new way of studying scripture, pick out your favorite verse or verses and try "praying the passage." This will absolutely, without a doubt, jump start your daily walk with God and ignite your personal study path.
IN HIS NAME,
LKS
Posted by Lyle Sinkey at 3:25 AM 1 comments
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