Willing to...Suffer (and find Joy in it)?

In my last post I looked at Willing to...Serve? pointing out that churches have many areas in which they need help and that we should do everything we do "as to the Lord". I also pointed out that when we serve, we follow Jesus example, learn humility and share God's love.

Following on from that post, this post is going to look at whether we are Willing to Suffer? This may seem a strange way to follow on but I believe it is a biblical principle. Here are a couple of scriptures to back up my point.

Jesus was a SUFFERING Servant

Isaiah prophesied before Jesus was born that he would be "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain." Isaiah 53:3.  The writer of Hebrews also says "so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood." The main purpose of Jesus walk on earth was to do the will of God, his father. For this to happen, Jesus had to suffer being rejected by men, betrayed by his disciple, having nails driven in his hand and thorns in his head as well as the incommunicable suffering of bring forsaken by his father. Jesus had immense suffering. If as Christians we believe that Christ is our perfect example then we cannot pick and choose what areas of Christ life are applicable to us. Christianity is not about "whatever suits me best and fits in with my life", but it is about saying "Jesus humbled himself to earth, suffered for me indescribable pain on the cross, for me. My only response can be to follow him and hand over to him every single area of my life". 

Very briefly, it is also worth looking at the suffering which the apostles and early christians went through in establishing the church. Many were crucified and imprisoned, stephen was stoned and some were exiled. Is it just coincidence that the people Jesus chose and commanded to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 28:19 also ended up suffering for that calling? Definitely not. We NEED to be prepared for this. Why?

We To are CALLED To Suffer

Paul in his letter to the Philippians says "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him" - Philippians 1:29. From this we can take that it is part of our calling that in following Christ, we follow him even in suffering. This doesn't mean that each of us will be crucified, the suffering may take many forms. You could suffer financially, spiritually, emotionally or even physically.

In Paul's letter to Timothy he calls him (and us) to "not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." - 2 Timothy 1:8. So there is a direct link that can be made here. If as a Christian we are ashamed of the gospel, slow to share our faith in Christ then we will have an easy life but also an ineffective one. However, if we accept the call to boldly proclaim the gospel which brought us to salvation then a bi-product of that is suffering. It will happen. So how are we to view this suffering...? 

Joy, Joy, JOY!

Let me start by saying this is so much easier said than done. To find joy in suffering requires a total dependence on God and a realisation of what awaits you at the end of this life. But yes, we are called to be joyful in our suffering.

In Colossians, Paul says "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you" -  Colossians 1:24. He also encourages us to "join with [him] in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." - 2 Timothy 1:8. Why should we be joyful in suffering? Because even in our suffering we are glorifying God and for those who glorify God, he will honour. We should also be joyful in our suffering because we know that, no matter how much people may persecute us, a greater day awaits us after this life. A day when Jesus will "wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain" - Revelation 21:4. If we can manage to look past our suffering and look to the glory that awaits us, we will be able to find joy in our trials.


Paul goes even further and tells us that we should consider the suffering we receive as a gift. In that Philippians 1:29 verse he says "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him". When we receive a gift, we enjoy it and are thankful for it and we should even treasure it.


If we can get this mindset into our heads it will make suffering so much more bearable. Always ask yourself the question "Jesus gave his life for me and suffered so much for me, am I willing to suffer for him?"


Below is a video by John Piper on suffering. This video was sent to me a month or two ago and it has really stuck with me.

Christian Life: Willing to...Serve?

OK so I thought that for a few weeks I'd blog about the christian life and do a mini series called Willing to...? I hope that it will really challenge and help you when thinking about how we walk as Christians and the attitudes that we should have towards particular areas of christian life.


Willing To Serve?
One of the most common complaints of any church pastor or leader when talking about the running of a church is that "20% of people are doing 100%" of the work".  For some people church has become a passive, one day a week experience. We turn up, sit down, listen, stand up and leave. So often people come to church looking for what they can get out of it. Church would be a much better place if every single person came into church praying "Lord help me to give to others in church today, show me where I can serve for your glory". So here are some reasons to consider when thinking why should I serve?


Jesus Was A Servant
This is the focal point when doing anything regarding service. Look at Jesus example. If there was anyone worthy of being serve it would be Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But instead, Jesus humbled himself to come to earth as a servant. He is our perfect example in all things so we are to serve "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" - Matthew 20:28. Also notice that when Jesus did serve others, he didn't always go for the service which was the most public or the "nicest" job to have. Some of the miracles he performed in secret, and he also washed the stinking, dirty, smelly feet of the disciples in John 13. Which leads to the next point....


Serving Teaches Humility
One of the biggest things I have learnt when serving is humility. You come to a realisation that God doesn't need you to do his work. He could further his kingdom and receive all the glory he deserves without using us. And yet he still chooses and calls us to serve him. We should consider it a joy and a privilege that God calls us and delights in us when we humbly serve him. He has given us freedom in Christ therefore, we do not continue to live as we used to but live our lives for him and to his glory. Galatians 5:13 says "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

Serving Shares God's Love

 Jesus' commandment to his disciples was that they should "Love each other as I [Jesus] have loved you" John 15:12. One of the key ways in which we demonstrate our love for each other is through action. Whether it is, serving people tea and coffee, praying for them, giving them lifts to and from church, helping financially or even helping the older people to their seats. It's all service and it all demonstrates that we have love for each other. When we demonstrate our love for each other by serving, we demonstrate to non-Christians a glimpse of the love that Christ demonstrated in serving. It is the unmerited love of Christ that draws the lost to him.

Hopefully those points have helped in considering or reaffirming why you serve in church. However here are some common arguments on why people don't serve and some challenges to why those viewpoints are wrong.

1. There's No Point! Nobody Notices!
Correct! There are times when no-one notices the work you do. Incorrect! There is still a point. Recently in our School Of Ministry in church, my Pastor told us that if we do things to please man then we will end up disappointed because there will be those times when people don't say thank you or even criticise the work that you do. Instead you should do everything for God realising that it is him you serve. He quoted Colossians 3:23 which says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,". When we do things for God, we realise that it is him that we serve and, if we have done things to the best of our ability, God is happy with the heart that serves him.


2. The area which I want to serve in is full. There's nothing else I can do!
It is definitely true that we each have areas which we would prefer to serve in. Some people love kids work, some worship ministry and some youth work. However sometimes, we must be willing to serve in areas that we don't feel gifted in or even don't particularly enjoy. This means that maybe, for a season, you will have to scrub the toilets, put out chairs or serve tea and coffee. Remember that the church needs many people doing many things to function. Your role is not less important. Without someone to set up chairs, there would be nowhere for anyone to sit and without someone making coffee there would be no-one who could stay awake...well I wouldn't stay awake anyway! This can be a big struggle but what I've found is that by reading 1 Corinthians 12 on "one church many parts", I can realise my place in service for Christ.


3. I don't have time to serve in church! I'm too busy
We live in a world where we seem to be constantly busy, always on the go and life doesn't seem to stop. So finding time to help serve can be a difficult discipline to grasp. There are those that appear to have more time to serve than others. My challenge for you would be to really look through your schedule to see if you could make room. It may mean cutting those two hours you have in an evening to watch TV down to one hour so that you can make cakes for the Tea and Coffee ministry. It may mean not spending so long on Facebook so you can prepare a Childrens story. It may mean sacrificing the extra time in bed on a Sunday morning to turn up to church early so you can help with the set up or delaying lunch time by half an hour to help clear things up at the end of a service.


Whatever you do, find a joy in service. Realise that you are doing it for a God who sent his only Son to die for you and restore you back to God. Remember that the service you bring is but a fraction of what God deserves. Remember that when we serve God delights in it no matter how seemingly big or small the task may be. Yes glorify God whilst you scrub toilets! Yes glorify God whilst you sweep up a dirty floor! Yes glorify God even when you throw away people's left over coffee! Why? Because you are serving the King of Kings who notices every service, every person does!

5 Reasons to Read the Bible.

Recently, I've found myself having really blessed and great personal worship with God. These times always focus around the Bible. Usually I read two or three Psalms followed by an old testament chapter with commentary (currently I'm in Micah) and then a new testament chapter followed by meditation on it and then writing down my thoughts. After this I go through my prayer diary and finish off with singing some songs.


The Bible is central to the active christians faith. Tozer said that "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." But why is this the case? What's the reason to read the bible? Well there are many but here are five main points why I think it's important to read the bible.

1. A Closer Walk
The strength and standing of a christian is based on the strength of their relationship with God. To have a great relationship with someone then you must spend time with them, find out about them and find out what they are like. You need to find out what makes them happy, what disappoints them and what they expect from you. It is exactly the same with our relationship with God. He has given us all the information we need to know about him in the bible. The bible tells us that God hates sin. It also tells us in Exodus 34:14 that he is a "Jealous God", In Numbers 14:18 God is "slow to anger, abounding in love" but that he also "does not leave the guilty unpunished". God clearly tells the christian what he wants from them in my favourite verse, Micah 5:8 "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Or as a famous hymn writer said... 


O for a closer walk with God
A calm and heavn'ly frame
A light that shines upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb

2. A Deeper Knowledge
Without reading the bible (the WHOLE of the bible) we will leave out characteristics of God and therefore not understand him as much as we can on earth. It is true that we will never ever fully understand God but this does not mean we become complaicant and apathetic towards knowing him. It means we should strive to know him as much as we can to please him. This can be done through the diligent and disciplined study of Gods word. David said "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" Psalm 119:11. It is worth recognising that in the bible, fear of God and knowledge go hand in hand with each other. Proverbs 2:4-6 says "and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD  and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."


3. An Effective Ministry
If you have a closer walk with God and a deeper knowledge of his Word then you will be more able in your service to others. When people come to you with problems or issues, a closeness to God and a familiarity with his word will enable you to recall scripture better and effectively and biblically help the person who seeks your advice. So often I know I've given bad advice to a brother or sister in Christ when my daily reading is suffering and I am far from God. I believe that when we are closer to God, we understand his heart more and therefore can give people better advice and support which is more in tune with Gods heart.


4. A Shining Light
When we have an effective ministry, we shine Christ much more in our lives. When we are closer to God it reflects in the living out of our daily lives. As people see this in our lives, some will despise you but some will crave after what you have. This in turn will turn people to seek after God and come to know him. Jesus calls us to be salt of the earth, a city on a hill and a shining light. He also promises that when we do this, others "may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16


6. A Constant Reminder
As a christian, the bible is a constant reminder of so many things. It reminds me that I am a sinner. Romans 3:23 tells me that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". This makes me weep, it makes me realise that even today the wrong that I have done offends God it upsets him. However, the very next verse reminds me that Christ has already paid the debt that I owed to God, so that I can have a relationship with him "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" Romans 3:24. The bible reminds me constantly of my need for Jesus. It reminds me to confess my sin to God daily and also reminds me that daily I receive forgiveness "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5. The best part is that the bible reminds me that I have a home, secured in heaven. A guaranteed citizenship on the golden shores of God's paradise, a place where peace and justice reign. A land where there "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" Revelation 21:4. Hallelujah! Praise Jesus for all he has done!


All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

10 Reasons Why You Should Go To Church - Part 2

Ok well the last post I put up has had the highest number of hits of any posts I've done so far so here is Part 2. Hope you guys enjoy!


5. To Encourage and Be Encouraged
    One of the things I always take away from being in church is the encouragement it brings! Being surrounded by fellow brothers and sisters worshipping and praying out to God as well as Gods word being explained. Its such a great time. It's also a time when, whether we realise it or not, we encourage others just by being there and also more specifically when we pray or discuss things with them.


encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5 v11


6. Unity in the Gospel
    In one single church you will have different people with different views on various topics. There will be a difference of opinion on areas such as gifts of the spirit, prophecy, music and bible versions but as each member stands and sings or prays, we show a unity in the Gospel which saved us! Paul encourage us to keep this unity


Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called - Ephesians 4 v 2-4.


7. Preparation For Heaven
       It is true that God called us and saved us as individuals, but we are also called us (plural) to be His people. We are citizens of Heaven and children of the King and when we worship in Heaven, it will be a corporate event as much as an individual event. Even though church is the faintest of shadows to what Heaven will be like, it is still a glimpse into the glory that awaits us.


After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, 
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” - Revelation 7 v 9 & 10



8. Correction and Conviction
     I know that personally, I am rubbish at rebuking and correcting myself. If I know there's a particular ongoing sin in my life, I make sure it doesn't come up in my daily reading. So often when I go to church or home group, I feel convicted of something that I need to change in my life. God uses other people in our lives to help us along the path to righteousness. This includes correction.


Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. - Proverbs 12 v 1


9. Servanthood 
    To be a servant is to have the mind of Christ. The best place we can serve is in church. There are so many different areas like meet and greet, setting up, setting down, audio-visual, worship, kids church, tea and coffee, leading a discussion group, offering lifts to those without transport along with many others. Church is a great place to serve.


He (Christ Jesus) made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant - Philippians 2 v 7


10. To Glorify God
     As much as this is the last point, it is definitely the biggest priority for us to do not only in church, but in the whole of our lives. God is a jealous God, jealous for His own glory. This does not make God wrong or sinful. He is our creator and our sustainer and he alone is worthy of all glory and all honour. No glory should go to anyone or anything else and we should reflect this when we go to church. To glorify God should be the one desire on our heart.


Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. - Exodus 34 v 14


One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. - Psalm 27 v 4


I really missed my church this week, but God obviously wanted to give me a wake-up call in learning to appreciate my church family more. I hope you've found these two posts useful in your own life. Perhaps you've been wavering in your church attendance. Maybe you've been hopping from church to church. Can I encourage you to find and settle into a good bible based, God centered, Christ focussed church quickly and, commit yourself to them as part of your life dedicated to God.


God Bless You