My Job – Be a good model of faith
‘As is the shepherd, so are the sheep’
Over time, communities will take on some of the qualities of their leaders. That may be through self-selection, whereby newcomers join a community based on a leader’s characteristics; or from the ongoing effect of a leader’s strengths leading to particular things being focused on more in a church.
What is a must for every Christian leader is consistent obedience to Christ.
Will you strive to live according to the teaching of Christ, so that you and your family may be good examples to the flock of Christ? (AAPB)
Just last week as we finished Hebrews, we were exhorted to follow and imitate faithful leaders:
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)
Paul also goes so far as to call the Corinthian church to imitate him when it comes to putting the needs of others before himself:
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Please pray therefore that it is obedience to the teaching of Christ which I and my family excel in, that what he wills grows in our church, over and above ourselves. May our lives lift Christ up, and encourage you to do the same.
– SAM PURSELL
Coming up this Sunday 23rd February 2020
This Sunday we begin our new series titled ‘Jesus Is’ as Sam preaches on the topic ‘Jesus is for Friends of God’ from Luke 1:1-4.
Our services will be looking a slightly bit different from this week, and we will have a special segment called ‘Kids’ Talk’ at our morning service to enable the active participation of the children in the service.
As always, come along and visit us at 9.30am or 5pm at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, or if you can’t make it in person, jump online at www.oakflats.tv to watch a livestream of our services.
My Job – Grow in personal Faith
Christian leaders work to boost the faith of others. So, it is vital that every leader throughout the church is being conformed to Christ more and more each day.
This is the fourth promise in my commencement of ministry at Oak Flats:
Will you be diligent in prayer, and in the reading of the scriptures, undertaking studies that help to a fuller knowledge of them, and turning aside from the pursuit of studies for self-indulgence and worldly gain? (AAPB)
This year and next I will be attending training through the Centre for Ministry Development with a cohort of new rectors as my own professional development. Please pray that this will benefit me in my leadership and also the church.
But more important than professional development is spiritual development. We know in Acts 6:4 that the tasks of the church were allocated to different people, so that the 12 apostles could focus their attention on spiritual development:
“[We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Through these two things hearts, minds and lives are shaped for Christ. So, ministers must grow in their own prayer and understanding the word and devote their time to growing others in them.
When writing to Timothy, we know that Paul, even to the end of his life and ministry was devoted to study and growth in understanding and communicating the scriptures:
“When you come, bring… my scrolls, especially the parchments.”
(2 Timothy 4:13)
And his command to Timothy:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15)
Please pray for me that I will grow in these things, and also come and speak to me about how I may grow you and others in the church in lively faith in God through the word and prayer. It is my job!
– SAM PURSELL
Coming up this Sunday 16th February 2020
This Sunday we conclude our series looking at Hebrews with Sam speaking on the topic ‘Holy Lives‘, from Hebrews 12:1-25.
It’s also the right time for us to recognise many of the needs of our missionaries, so we’ll have a special report about what’s been happening in the lives of our partners in global, word ministry.
So, please come and join us at either 9.30am or 5pm. Or if you can’t make it in person, jump online to www.oakflats.tv and watch our live stream.
See you at 9.30am or 5pm this Sunday, God willing!
My Job – Contend for the Faith
The third promise of my ministry duties is to work against false teaching in the church.
Will you be ready to drive away all false and strange doctrines that are contrary to God’s word; and to this end both publicly and privately to warn and encourage all within your care, both the sick and the well, as often as the occasion demands? (AAPB)
Just recently bishops in the Church of England presented a paper on marriage, which largely affirmed Biblical and historical Christian teaching on marriage. To some this was a great thing, for despite much wavering, marriage as a lifelong union between a man and woman was being affirmed. To others who desire for the church to be more like the British culture however, this was met with outrage.
Surprisingly (to some), shortly afterwards, many bishops began to communicate their sadness at the letter which they had been a part of drafting and signing off from! The problem occurs when a Christian leader (1) wants to be seen to affirm Christian teaching, while their real agenda is against it, or (2) they are truly for correct teaching but have no desire to confront false teaching within the church.
Jude writes:
3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 3-4)
We always want to talk first and foremost about the salvation we share. But to keep that clear and secure, we must also be willing to contend against false teaching and teachers in all situations.
– SAM PURSELL