Just A Delivery Guy

 

Serving in the ministry is not just about doing what we are expected to do. We show up, do the responsibilities that goes with our respective ministry. That’s great! However, it goes beyond what others see in public. It is about what our Master, Jesus Christ sees in all aspect of our lives.

Our motives, which are not always visible to human eyes matter to Jesus. Our prayer time and Bible-reading time matter more than its public and physical manifestation for our God. It is what we may call our private ministry. He requires holiness. Without it, all that we do are for nothing.

In Acts chapter 6, a man named Stephen was one of the seven people chosen to serve in the Food Ministry. Their responsibility is to make sure all receives food, especially the widows of the Hellenistic Jews.

The requirement to be part of the food ministry is well-respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3). This seems odd if you think about it.

In verse 9, it made sense. The Jews who do not believe in Jesus did not like how Stephen was performing signs and wonders. Yes, the food delivery guy was performing signs and wonders. Being full of the Spirit and wisdom, no one who tried to debate ever won against him. In their attempt to take him down, they made false accusations against him and brought him to Sanhedrin to be tried.

There, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit was with Stephen. He told the story and connection from Abraham to Jesus. He concluded with the fact that Jews have killed prophets They obeyed the law but their hearts were far from God.

Then this happened...

⁵⁴When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60 NIV

Only a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom will be able to go through what Stephen went through without wavering from the faith. He died knowing where he will go.

With this, the requirement for food ministry made more sense.

Here are what we may learn from the life of Stephen as servants of the Living God.


Be prepared for the religious opposition.
As servants of the Living God, we must know at least the basics of the faith such as

We were sinners, in need of a Savior.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 NIV

Sin’s punishment is death, but praise be to Jesus who died for our sins.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV

In Jesus, there is forgiveness of sins and salvation for all.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 NIV

⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV

¹²Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

A-B-C of Salvation
• Accept that you are a sinner.
• Believe that what Jesus did on the cross is enough.
• Confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior and Lord.


Be prepared for the world's persecution.
Be persecution-ready, not necessarily persecution-proof. This includes understanding that persecution comes with being a servant of God. The sooner we accept this, the better our perspective of a christian life will be.

If we believe the lie that being a christian means we will be accepted by everyone and/or that we will never experience persecutions and trials in life, WE ARE SETTING OURSELVES UP TO BACKSLIDING AND HATING BEING A FOLLOWER OF JESUS.

Imagine a child convinced that he will not be harmed if he throw himself to a fire. If he does, he will find out that he has been believing a lie. He might never forget the person who betrayed him by making hm believe he is that invincible. This is what it's like if we as Christians believe that everything is a bed of roses (no problems, no trials, no testing, no persecution, etc.).

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22 NIV

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12 NIV

The first century Christians rejoice when they are persecuted because of Jesus.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Acts 5:41 NIV

Be a persecution-ready servant of Jesus Christ.


Be prepared for the Master's appreciation.
The Master’s appreciation is the goal. To be prepared for it, one must be faithful.
It’s like desiring to be say, a doctor. If I want to become one, then I must take all pre-requisites from high school, then enroll in post-secondary program to become a doctor. It will not just happen without me doing what I have to do.
For us Christians, the goal is to hear Jesus saying to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” So, all that we do must count to what the Lord would call “faithful service.” The good news is that He left us a guide on how to do it. The best news is He already did the impossible and difficult part. (You know... the dying on the cross part.)

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" Matthew 25:23 NIV

Conclusion
Faithfulness separates genuine servants of the Living God from mere performers.

The genuine ones are filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, while the performers empty on the inside.

Be a faithful servant.

A Victorious Journey

 At times, victory means learning from what God allowed us to go through.

• Job learned that God is faithful during the good times. When he was blessed, he knew it was all because of God. He went through his toughest challenges, yet never waiver his faith in God, because je knew that even in rough times, God is the same - faithful.

• David learned how to lead in the wilderness while hiding for his life from King Saul. When he became king, he was a good one.

• Two very different scenarios that resulted to the same conclusion - God is faithful.

Whatever God allows to come our way, be it pleasant or not, He will give us victory if we learn to trust that no matter what happens, He remains faithful.

¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; ¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; ¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

Only Jesus can give us victory.

How do we, as followers of Jesus make sure we are aligned with His will in making our journey end in victory?

Do not just feel the pain. Learn.

¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

With all that the Apostle Paul went through, he LEARNED something very significant: "be content."

He was dragged, imprisoned, threatened, stoned, left to death, yet he LEARNED. He did so because God is with him and he remained in Him.

Let God teach you lessons in all your circumstances.

Ask: "What do you want me to learn from this experience, Lord?"

Ask that God's will be done.

Look at this. God did not prevent Daniel from being thrown into the lion's den, He protected him while he was among the lions.

Sometimes God's definition of victory and of protection is different from our perspective. Maybe He will let you get hurt, maybe He will not. Whatever his decision will be, remain in Him and stay assured that He knows what He is doing and that He is on your side.

In terms of God's discipline:

• because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:12 NIV

• No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Let us not resist God's correction and ways to make us learn but submit to His will.

Analogy.

• Am I being free if I use a microphone as a hammer? Yes, I am being free.

• Am I being free if I use a microphone as a sword? Yes, I am being free.

However, those are not the purpose of a microphone. If I use the microphone for its intended use, it will serve its purpose. People will hear me all the way to the back. If I can sing, everyone will hear and appreciate my singing voice. That's if I use my freedom by using the microphone for its intended use.

The same true to our lives. We have a purpose given by our Creator. We are free to run away from it. We are free to say, “No, I do not want it like that.” But if we submit to God our Creator and have our lives used according to His purpose, we will have the best life possible - serving our own purpose, blessing others as we ourselves are blessed, glorifying God!

In the same manner, our pain has a purpose, so let us not just feel it, let us learn from it.

Do not just hear the Word. Listen.

²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV

When the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," it means trust Him without reservations.

God’s Word is more than just a good teaching that we can agree upon. They are Living Water and Bread of Life that we need to live the best life glorifying God.

• Ephesians 6:2 - "Honor your father and mother" - listen, don't just hear.

• Ephesians 6:4 - "Do not exasperate your children" - listen, don't just hear.

²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

• Ephesians 2:8 - "We have been saved by grace"

• John 14:6 - "Jesus is the way"

We are not listening to His Word if we are still considering that we are saved by good works, or if we keep on looking for a different way to be saved.

We will be victorious if we listen to His Word.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV

Do not just verbalize the apology. Repent.

More than ashamed, be bold to come to Jesus. He will listen.

The Prodigal son, when he came to his senses, he felt sorry for himself. He felt sorry for what he has done. Then,

¹⁸"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." ²⁰So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’" Luke 15:18-21 NIV

He acted on it. He was not just sorry, he repented. He would never know what it was like being forgiven if he did not act on it, if he did not repent.

When the people listened to the preaching of Peter and the Apostles, and they realized their condition as sinners, so they asked.

³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38 NIV

Remember, it is not enough to be just sorrowful. One must repent from sins. Only then will the sinner be forgiven because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Only then will we truly experience being victorious!

Conclusion

Any experience can be victorious if we choose to remain in God and to learn from Him through it all.

Overcoming "The Good Child" Syndrome

²⁵"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” Luke 15:25‭-‬32 NIV

The Good Child Syndrome

This is not a medical term. For the sake of this post, I used this term to describe how the older brother (that is, the good son) reacted when his father threw a party for the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32)

• angry (v. 28)
• dismissive (v. 28)
• entitled (v. 29)
• jealous (v. 30)

People with "the good child" syndrome points out their own merits to justify their own pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness, making it seem like an action springing from goodness. They do right, they are obedient, they reject sins, but are ready to use these as the standard to discredit other believers.

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1‭-‬4 NIV

People with "the good child" syndrome are...

1. Fully obedient to instructions.

²⁹But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends." Luke 15:29 NIV (emphasis added)

God wants His children to be obedient.

Obedience is a good thing, but it becomes unhealthy when one expects everyone to be as obedient as he/she is.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky" Philippians 2:12‭-‬13‭, ‬15 NIV

It is unhealthy when one loses his sight on eternity over another brother or sister who is not as obedient as he is. Obedience that God requires is one that focuses on Him, not on others.

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:21‭-‬22 NIV

Be an obedient child of God, but don't use your obedience as the barometer of who God should save and not.

2. Zealously respectful to authority.

But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends." Luke 5:29 NIV (emphasis added)

It is true that God desires that we zealously love Him.

• Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37‭-‬38 NIV

However, it becomes unhealthy when our zealous love becomes more important than God Himself.

• ¹Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ²Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. ³Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” ⁴Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. ⁵He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Mark 3:1‭-‬6 NIV

They were zealous in keeping the Sabbath, even to the point of not glorifying God of the miracle that had happened. They could not celebrate what God has done because they were stuck to the idea that Jesus should have been more like them - putting their zealousness over God's work.

3. Rejects what is evil.

³⁰"But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" Luke 15:30 NIV

The older son could not celebrate the return of his lost brother because he chose to focus on the wrong things he has done.

• Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NIV

Jesus has always been clear about addressing sin, but loving the sinner.

Look at these passages.

• But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Addressing sin becomes unhealthy when we hate the sinner. As believers, we hate what is evil but we must love those whom Jesus Christ died for.

Even if we possess all these good traits of a responsible child, it will come to nothing IF it becomes more important than the saving of the lost. This is the good child syndrome.

How do we overcome "the good child syndrome"? Let us learn from the father's wisdom.

1. Be confident of your position in God.

• “ My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." Luke 15:31 NIV

• ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16‭-‬17 NIV

When you are secured of the fact that you are a child of God, nothing can move you.

2. Rejoice with what is celebrated in heaven.

• "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32 NIV

The father said, "WE had to celebrate," not "I should celebrate." He wants all of his household to celebrate the return of someone who was once lost.

In the same manner, God wants us to celebrate the return of someone who strayed away from Him.

• I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7 NIV

3. Love the ones whom Jesus died for.

Just as we are recipients of God's grace, everyone deserves a chance at that very same grace. Therefore we must love them if we are to share them the good news of salvation in Jesus.

• And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39 NIV

• Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:15‭-‬16 NIV

• Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV

Conclusion

Jesus' forgiveness is open for all. It is not up to us to decide who gets forgiven and who does not.