This article was adapted from a sermon by Andy Constable, associate pastor of Niddrie Community Church (Edinburgh).
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- The Christian march is a battle.
- The department is difficult.
- Leadership is a grueling job.
- The Apostle Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 11:28.
- After recalling a complete list of sufferings he endured:.
“In addition to external things, there is what weighs on me daily, the concern of all the churches. “
Paul felt the daily pressure of his ministry. He felt the burden of taking care of the churches.
As we read this, many of us feel the same burden
Some of us are church implementers and feel the weight and responsibility to lead a people. We thought, “What have I done, bringing this or that person to my team?”Or: “What have I done to get into this church-setting nonsense?”Perhaps some of us are starting out, and as we look forward to the next task, we’re worried about that. We feel that we do not want to sadden the Lord. Sometimes we feel that we do not know what we are doing, so how are we going to establish a church or shepherd God’s flock?Are we doing the right thing even though we’re in the apartment?
Maybe you’re not a church implanter. Maybe you are a shepherd, maybe you simply feel the burden of simply being a Christian, you know that the Lord saved you and you know that the gospel is true, but you find the Christian path complicated, you discover that the joy you had at first is difficult to maintain. You feel that emotion has become anxiety. You feel tired, anxious and overwhelmed. Everything seems to be very hard work.
The Bible doesn’t know these emotions. Jesus did not ignore these emotions, in times of difficulty we must go to him so that our soul may be encouraged, let us see what he has to say.
1) Jesus promises us that He is the resurrection and the life
First, I want us to know that Jesus promises us that He is resurrection and life.
? I am the resurrection and the life. Everyone who believes in me, even if he dies, will live; And all who live and believe in me will not die forever?(John 11:25-26).
The gospel is 100% true, and how do we know that the gospel is true?For Christ rose from the dead. Jesus died for our sins, and Jesus really rose from the dead. Jesus is now submissive and reigns in glory. Jesus is alive.
We often stop and look at our lives and think, “What am I doing as a Christian?What do I do when I receive almost nothing as an assistant?What do I do as a leader who constantly receives complaints?What do I do if I am ostracized by my family and friends. Well, when do we have our little self-pity party?We must remember that Jesus really rose from the dead and that everything we went through is worth it, it doesn’t seem like that!)
Listen to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15. 58 after telling the church that Jesus’ resurrection is true.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, stand firm, firm and always abundant in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your work is not in vain. “
Paul wants us to know that the sacrifices we make when we leave friends, family, and even the house, because of the gospel, are worth it; He wants us to stay strong, because Jesus is alive and will reward those who are faithful to Him. What could drive people to leave a comfortable life to become pastors or church implementers?Why would people leave the United States to come to the UK and work on the periphery?Why would an Englishman go to Scotland to be ridiculed?It must be because Jesus is alive! Jesus changes lives, Jesus called us to this. Cheer up, my brethren, that your work is not in vain, Jesus is resurrection and life.
2) Jesus promises to build his church, no matter what
Second, Jesus promises to build his church, no matter what. Matthew 16:18 says:
“I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. “
Jesus will do this job. Yes, he’ll use us. Yes, we have a responsibility to share the gospel. Yes, we are called to be faithful. But Jesus is ultimately responsible for the construction of His church. He cares more about our people than we care about, because he gave his life for them!
This promise is not a possibility. Perhaps Jesus builds his church, on the contrary, it is a perfect promise. We must remember this when we deal with the king’s affairs. Church implanters often feel the pressure of a world that expects us to do good. Many of us start from scratch and others may have central/initiation groups/of any kind that don’t. exactly inspire confidence at all levels. We wonder how we’re going to make something happen?But here is the truth that we must constantly remember: it is Jesus who will build the building and not us.
There are others among us who have a little more confidence, who believe that they will come to this periphery or this city for Jesus, have a complex of saviors and think that it is all up to them, but guess what?Jesus can do his job without us.
Remember, God is not calling us for results, but for FIDELITY. We currently have some different plantations in Scotland. All at different stages of development. Some have received many greetings. Some have only seen a few, some have developed a base/initiation/strong group of all kinds, some have only a handful of firm people. All leaders, without exception, will be tempted to take a provocative look at each other’s crops and make comparisons. I’m doing something wrong here?See how we do well in relation to this group. Won? We’ll be proud or nervous. However, all God demands of us is fidelity, the results depend on Him.
God is the one who knows beforehand, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. He is sovereign in salvation from start to finish. Our job is simply to preach the gospel and leave the results to the King Jesus. We must remember that our establece. no will develop overnight. Rome was not built in a day. The kingdom of God grows slowly and silently, Jesus was clear about it with the parable of yeast and mustard seed, both of which are small things that ultimately have a great impact, so we must be patient with God’s time and trust that Jesus will build his church, no matter what.
3) Jesus promises to be with us every day
Third, remember that Jesus is always with us.
“And behold, I am with you every day until the end of the century” (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus gives this commandment to the disciples who were very concerned about the future. Their friend and savior was about to return to heaven and were tasked with making disciples of the nations. Jesus comforts them by saying, “I AM WITH YOU. ” In other words, Jesus promises to be with them every step of the way. He will never leave you or abandon you, this promise is the same for each of us!
Sometimes leadership can be a lonely experience. Sometimes the department in general can be very insulating, but here is the truth, Jesus is WITH US, supports us and will guide us.
Yes, we have been called to a great task, but we have a great Savior walking beside us. When Moses was called to go to Pharaoh, God said, “I will be with you. “When Joshua was called to lead the people to the Promised Land, God said, “I will be with you. “When the disciples were frightened by the future, because their Savior was leaving, he said, “I am with you. “
The Bible is full of heroes who didn’t know what to do!Moses didn’t want to go. Gideon was a coward, Jeremiah lamented, and Jonah ran away. Peter repudiated Jesus, but God was with them and fulfilled his purposes, the Lord does not use us because we are worthy or because we have great theological knowledge or because we are wonderful entrepreneurs (although these things help), but He does so because Jesus is with us in building his kingdom.
Suite in Part 2
By: Andy Constable. © 20 diagrams. Website: 20schemes. com. Translated with permission. Source: How to stay animated when you want to give up (1).
Original: How to stay animated when you want to surrender (part 1). © Loyal Ministry. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br. All rights reserved. Translation: Camila Rebeca Teixeira. Review: André Alosio Oliveira da Silva.