8/3/2022 0 Comments Delegated AuthorityNo matter your position in your career, you have someone above you to answer to. Even the wise business owner must answer to someone. It just so happens to be that “someone” is usually a consumer base consisting of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people. Within the church, we are ordered by the word of God to obey our leaders. In return, our leaders are held accountable for us. It is only through our obedience to our leaders that we are able to lift the burden they feel from having to guide a disobedient church. We are doing ourselves a great disservice by not obeying our leaders. After all, they are only passing along the word of God.
Questions for further thought: 1. Within your role as a Christian, when was the last time you chose not to obey the leader of your church? Are there multiple accounts of this behavior? How many times have you obeyed? 2. During your times of disobedience, are you simply ignoring the requests of your leader, or are you openly defying the commands of the Lord? Remember leaders are simply passing along His word. Challenge: After reflecting upon your times of disobedience perform the Jesus Prayer as a method of focusing your thoughts on Christ and asking for his mercy. Use any version you like. A simple method is to sit in a relaxed position, with your eyes closed, focusing on your breathing. On every breath in say, “Lord, Jesus Christ, son of the living God.” Then slowly release your breath saying, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” Repeat this several times causing the prayer to become an endless loop. Attempt to repeat the prayer 100 times or more. Once you have completed the prayer session reflect on how your thoughts may have changed.
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The church of God came at the price of his own blood - the blood that was shed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The church is the flock. Those who lead the church must keep watch over not only their flock but themselves as well. It is imperative the leaders understand they are the first line of attack for the enemy. Before a shepherd can protect his flock, he must first protect himself. For without a shepherd, the flock is left to wander aimlessly into the dangers of the enemy
Questions for further thought: 1. What would the church be like without leaders? Would it be possible to develop the same unity in the church without their hard work and dedication? 2. Leaders come to the church in many forms. What is your role within the church? You may not be a pastor, but are you a leader… a shepherd? Challenge: If you are reading this, chances are you are part of the great flock that is Hillcrest. It is not the only flock, but it is our flock. It is our family, our church. When was the last time you considered playing a bigger role within the church? Have you prayed about it? Have you listened to what God is telling you when he says "go?" Challenge yourself to take the lead on something. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work within you and help you to become a leader. 8/1/2022 0 Comments Preach the Word!God’s call to pastors is a gift to the church. Remembering the church is not a building, but rather a unification of individuals; the church is a flock of sheep in need of a shepherd. The shepherd has great demands from the flock: preach the truth, be persistent under all circumstances, and preach with conviction, warning, and appeal. As God’s speakers do his work, they are required to be patient and wait for results, as well as opposition. Not everything a pastor says is received with 100% approval. However, it is a pastor’s obligation to give an explanation and application of Bible doctrine, and not just recite Bible stories coupled with illustrations. Just as a pastor is obligated to preach and lead the flock, the church is obligated to support its pastor(s) and love upon them just as they love upon the church.
Questions for further thought: 1. We often fall short of understanding the duties God has placed upon pastors. When was the last time you simply thanked a pastor for being God’s speaker? 2. Reflect upon a time when you may have disagreed with a sermon or a conversation with a pastor. Was your disagreement based upon interpretation of scripture, or was it your own conviction and guilt? Challenge: Every year we have Pastor Appreciation Week. A week when we express our gratitude for their service, allow them the freedom to preach about anything they desire and usually prepare some sort of tasty treat. Our pastors love upon us daily. They console our failures and shortcomings, support us with joy and praise in our successes, and lend an attentive ear when we simply need to vent frustrations. The greatest show of gratitude a pastor could receive just may be following the lessons they teach. Your challenge is to devote yourself to understanding and following the lessons they teach us, just as we are called to do in scripture. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
April 2024
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