Guest: Clark Wolf > Matthew 4:17

Guest Post by Clark Wolf (a freshman at BBC)

Matthew 4:17 : A Reason for Repentance

I wonder, sometimes, if it is worth it, to share the message of Jesus. If I am to persuade others to live like me, to become a follower of Christ, than it had better be all that it is made to be. Rather, I had better be all that I claim to be in Christ. I had better actually follow if I plan to lead. But there seems to be an awkward moment in spiritual relationships. A point where, no matter how much I have shared, how logically I have proved the resurrection of Christ, an initiative must take place beyond my control. The initiative which separates truth-seekers from Christ-followers. The place where we claim to have found the truth all seek. This place is repentance. Repentance, as I have understood it, is much more than pleading for forgiveness, recognizing I have no power apart from God. Surely, this is part of it but certainly not wholly. Repentance, as preached by Jesus, involves a turning around. I used to live one way, but since repentance, I have changed my ways. Can Christians say this with a straight face? Are we “new creations”, oriented around a purer reality than our nature? If we are not, persuasion has no value.

But we Christians, as a rule, do not have this principle realized in our ethics. We legalistically and stubbornly attempt to share our faith, and either wither away at the rejection we face, or make ourselves to be martyrs, glorying in the way the world hates the message we preach. But maybe the world doesn’t hate Jesus as much as we seem to think. Maybe they only reject us because we do not represent our King well.

For some reason, when Jesus taught the people he lived with, he didn’t need to speak convincingly at all:

From that time Jesus began to preach and say ‘Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand’” (Matt. 4:17, NASB).

When I looked at this verse with a new set of eyes, I began to wonder how Jesus could speak with such simplicity. The kingdom of God is here. Change your life forever. Ok…go! What can someone even do with this statement? Is the notion of the “kingdom of God” so very appealing on its own? Then I flipped to the previous page and noticed something I had forgotten about Jesus.

“…and leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zabulun and Naphtali” (Matt. 4:13, emphasis mine).

Jesus made Capernaum his home. He lived among people of the world at the very beginning of his ministry. And apparently, his life was so pure, honest, and true, that the kingdom he preached, which had manifested itself in his very lifestyle, was worth changing for. It was appealing as a candle in a dark place. The text explains this phenomenon through the fulfillment of prophesy with an ancient prophesy, then fulfilled:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—The people were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, and those who were sitting in the land and the shadow of death, upon them a great Light dawned” (v.15-16, my emphasis).

No wonder Jesus gathered so many followers from his early preaching. The people of Galilee were in the static mire of darkness, sulking in their own ruin. The life of Christ in that region awakened people to arise and experience the life of light. All Jesus had to do was to explain that the thing he was doing, which was the fulfillment of a true life in God, was called the “kingdom of God.” It makes me think of what people thought of the first person riding a bicycle. That invention must have changed the paradigm of everyone who saw the rider zipping past them, while they snobbishly whipped their carriage horses. What IS that preposterous thing you are riding? Some of the people must have muttered. Others might have had their interest peaked. What must I do to ride like that? I am sick of walking everywhere.

I believe that every human, at some time in their life is sick of walking everywhere. The thing they truly need to see is a bicycle is a motion.

I pray that when people see me live among them, they might ask, “What do you call that life you are living? Can I ride?” Maybe someday, we, like Jesus, will be able to say with complete sincerity the life we live is the kingdom of God made flesh, lived out in a real, honest human being. Maybe that is the reason for repentance people truly need.

There's Been A Transfer > Upgrades

I made the switch from Windows XP Pro to Windows Vista Ultimate x64. So far, I'm very pleased. OpenOffice (get it at OpenOffice.org) is installing now, so I should be able to get back into posting soon. Off to my Greek homework!

Service Required > Leadership

Three basic schemes of leadership ethics can be identified; either in the interest of self preservation and economic success (ethical egoism), interest in the greatest good for the greatest possible number of people (utilitarianism), or interest in others (followers) even at the sacrificial cost of damage to self reputation, success, or economic condition (altruism). The concepts of servant-leadership, affiliated or not with an external moral or religious system, can be the critical elements in distinguishing true leaders. To move beyond coercion and false successes, a leader must lead through service and contemplate the positions, opinions, strengths and weaknesses of his employees/followers. It is at this point a leader can support his subservients in a manner that will allow the entire group to truly accomplish change.

Weekends > Recouperation

I just finished class... barely alive. I found "Hebrews" interesting, but my eyes decided to continuously clamp down, shutting out the world. I resisted this compulsion by drawing a car in my notes. Tomorrow morning I will be headed home- after the first full night of sleep in almost a month.

For now, it's homework, food, and Lowe's until 12ish. In other news, the dorm to the left of my room window has grown nice green grass on their front lawn- our dorm is graced with dirt and rocks.

The Grass is Always Greener in Front of the Other Dorm.

A Head of the Group > Team Leadership

>> in response to Peter Northouse's Leadership.

Organizations are increasingly leaning toward team-based work and planning units. Following in the steps of athletic teams, businesses and not-for-profits are realizing the value of multiple persons contributing to a single purpose. As a consequence of this trend, there is an increasing need for team leaders. Secondarily, models are necessary by which to measure standards of successful teams. This implies a desire for the education or betterment of current team leaders, resulting in competent team leadership, and more effective teams at length. Peter Northouse identifies one set of standards- eight criteria- identified via survey and observation as common among successful teams. These criteria have also been incorporated into a complex model allowing for the charting of deficiencies in group dynamics and leadership. If a group undergoes self review, through answering questions generated from the eight criteria, that group can identify an individual member's proficiencies and deficiencies as well as that individual's commentary on the group's effectiveness as a whole. A team leader may use the team leadership model provided by Hughes, Ginnett, and Curphey to identify areas of group dynamics that need improvement- areas involving structure, motivations, rewards, communication, freedom to be creative, etc.

These leadership models may or may not apply to every team-based organization. The Church of Christ is, by definition, a very different organization entirely. As such, it sometimes adheres to seemingly illogical leadership structures. The concept of a church as a team is evident in the biblical analogy of body, yet as a team of many more members than is typical in business, methodologies must also change. Although easily fitting the shadow of an organization, the church is more complex- an organism.

Group dynamics within some organizations are prescribed by God (family, church). In these circumstances, elements of the team leadership model must be considered concrete and immovable- thus if a group is not successful, the other elements in the model must move around these biblically appointed structures and authority designations.

Group success is not guaranteed at all times because of a great leader. Christ was a great leader, yet by Northouse's standards of effective teams and team excellence, Christ and his followers would have been at many times considered failures. (Mind that their organization has enjoyed prominence throughout history, and as believers we consider Christ's installment eternal.) The main point is that success is judged by different standards- in most groups, fulfilling the intent and commands of scripture is enough to guarantee some blessing. The team leadership model can only contribute to that success if it aides in the pursuit of scriptural exhortations. If the model encourages growth beyond clear biblical imperatives, yet does not contradict the biblical whole... more power to you.

God Is > So Good

Thank you for praying for me- God's constant intervention and help is so obvious! My classwork is as difficult as ever, but somehow God is allowing me to complete assignments on time. I have grown much closer to many of my professors this year, and our discussions outside of class have been extremely profitable.

I am really savoring my time working at Lowe's. I love the people there, and I am heartbroken that they haven't allowed Christ to save them yet. Only the Holy Spirit can bring them out of their emptiness. My school bill for this semester should be payed off by the end of the month. This is very important, because I will be taking the better portion of October off from Lowe's to concentrate on Little Women: the Musical. I've found a few hours to get to the park this week- walk off some stress and talk with a few good friends. Praise God for the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ! He knows when I need encouragement most- one morning when I was really feeling exhausted, and I had homework to complete before class, I received a letter in the mail from a dear lady at FBC Perkasie- with a scripture that lifted my spirits and reminded me that I should never be without Christ's joy! Only God could have planned the arrival of that letter!

My role as John Brooke in Little Women: The Broadway Musical is finally feeling a bit more comfortable. I had my first voice lesson this week, and I learned so much in an hour! My church, New Life Baptist in downtown Scranton, is growing at an unbelievable pace. Our prayer meetings Wednesday night have been exciting and encouraging times. I have been praying with a group of five or six guys, and we can see God working to shape us all into the men he wants us to be. Gabe is still in search of a job, but several restaurants seem interested in hiring him as a server. Gabe and I are going to be visiting home this weekend for a little R&R, despite the homework we'll be bringing with us. In the coming week I would very much appreciate if you would pray with me on a few specifics:

• My co-workers have displayed interest in my Christianity- please pray God will draw them to Himself

• Pray for continued health and energy, and the preservation of my voice (to sing)

• Wisdom in scheduling and time management

• Wisdom in finding the woman God desires for me

• Counseling and mentoring the younger men in the dorm

• Pray that my time with God will be personal and passionate, not academic or habitual

• Praise God for the passion he has given New Life Baptist, and please pray for the salvation of the city of Scranton (74,000 people!)

• Please pray for my personal holiness- that I will continue to strive for righteousness and rely on Christ in all circumstances!

• Pray that Gabe will find a good job

Thank you so much for your support, especially through prayer! Praise God for His work in our lives and His mercy in our failures!

Help Me... I'm Drinking > Caffeine

These are the busiest weeks of my life. I am enrolled in nine classes, and each professor seems to think theirs is my only course. Every day I read about 120 pages out of several books, and write one or two papers. This workload alone is forcing my complete dependence on God, but my schedule includes more than classes. I am still working at Lowe's Hardware in Dickson City (about ten minutes from BBC here in Clarks Summit). I work evenings, usually getting home near midnight. This is allowing me to keep up on my loan payments and pay my car insurance, but allows for little else... don't bother asking about girls.

dating is too expensive right now!

As it is my senior year, I wanted to try something completely different and challenge myself in areas I am uncomfortable in, so I tried out for the school musical. I am John Brooke in Little Women: The Broadway Musical. Practices are Monday nights and Wednesdays- squeezed between class, and prayer meeting.

My younger brother Gabe and I have been attending New Life Baptist Church in downtown Scranton, and I am really enjoying the opportunities to meet new people and contribute to that fast-growing and passionate family. Having my brother as a room mate has been great. Gabe is very understanding of when I need to get things done and when I need to sleep. He is really maturing quickly, and already taking a leadership role on campus. Thank God for family, and especially best friends! I do long to be with the rest of my family at home, but I know God's will is for me to be here at BBC.

It is obvious that I have friends and family praying for me- God is providing in so many ways. He keeps me sane and consistently blesses me despite my busy schedule. So, thank you for praying. In the coming week I would very much appreciate if you would pray with me on a few specifics:

• Some of my co-workers are becoming interested in spiritual things. Pray God will open hearts and minds and draw them to Himself.
  

• Pray for continued health and energy, and the preservation of my voice (to sing)

• Wisdom in scheduling and time management

• Counseling and mentoring the younger men in the dorm

• Pray that my time with God will be personal and passionate, not academic or habitual

• Praise God with me for my new church family, and please pray that we will be genuine in our desire to see the people of Scranton join Christ's family

• Please pray for my personal holiness- that I will continue to strive for righteousness and rely on Christ in all circumstances!

• Pray for my brother's continued adjustment to college life

• I am considering taking a job with the school that would allow me to work primarily weekends and during the summer. This would be a great relief physically, and would be an opportunity to serve other Christians, but would remove many opportunities to reach people for Christ- for now I am only praying that God would prepare me for the position if He desires- no decision needs to be made for a few weeks, so I'll keep you posted.

Thank you so much for your support, especially through prayer!

Psychodynamic Sociology > Leadership

I have been reading Peter Northouse's Leadership. His published works are not declaratively Christian, but being a man in pursuit of truth (scientific or absolute), he offers much insight into leadership processes that can be supported biblically. Here is my summary/brainstorm of his work on psychodynamic sociological developmental processes (gained personality) and how it affects leadership.

The psychodynamic approach to leadership suggests that an individual can change his behaviors and feelings through better understanding of his own psychological development. Several aspects of personality development have been identified, including family background (parenting, family of origin), individuation, prior relationships, dependence, counter-dependence, independence, regression, repression, and the shadow self. If one can understand his own character, by personality assessment through situation-based questions, he can essentially discern the aspects of psychosocial development that have contributed to his present personality framework. This framework, when understood, can be valuable in discerning how to interact with one's subordinates. If an incompatibility arises, counseling or workshops can allow for correction to a point of functional cooperation. The leaders in developing psychosocial analysis were Freud and Jung. The two leading personality assessment profiles are the Jungian and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

The Bible confirms some of the assumptions of a psychodynamic leadership approach. Some theoretical assumptions of the approach can not be expressly supported biblically, but are not in contrast with known biblical principles (they are biblical in as much as they are not non-biblical).

Every personality is shaped through God's refinement and introduction of various trials, life events, and background details.

James 1:3...knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance...

Family situations, a product of the Lord's will and allowance, are considered by some psychoanalysts as the most important aspect in the formation of psychosocial traits.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,And before you were born I consecrated you...

Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child...

The Bible suggests, as did Northouse, that through counseling and concentrated effort, a personality can be shaped, “improved,” or brought under control (repression) to allow for the successful interaction and functioning of a team or “leader-subordinate” environment.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you...

Ephesians 4:15
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...

1 Peter 2:13
[ Honor Authority ] Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority...

Edu-ma-cation > Ephesians 4

Educational Ministry Implications: Ephesians 4:11-16

Exposition and Explanation of the Passage:

Paul, in addressing either the church at Ephesus or the Christians in the Ephesian and surrounding areas, is concerned with the divisive spirit that has been reported to him. He is excited to make clear what had been only mystery- the work that God had done to make Gentiles fellow heirs of His Promise. When Paul then addresses the form and function of the Church as a body, comprised of stronger and weaker members, or limbs, he feels it is necessary to clarify the manner in which the more knowledgeable should bring along the less enlightened. God has, through the distribution of spiritual, or grace gifts, and through beautiful variation in the histories and conversion stories of different Christians, prepared every individual for His work in assorted and equally important ways. Paul names several categories younger Christians might erroneously consider “more powerful,” or “more important to God” prior to Paul's explanation of the Christian body illustration. These positions are, plainly not by chance, all roles of educators. Even in the first century, educators were almost by default leaders.

Christ prepared and gave to the Church body apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Paul states this as if, in his physical body analogy, Christ gave eyes, ears, nose, shoulders, and so on. These were all given for the equipping, or preparation of the saints (all Christians). This preparation is for a specific work of service- the edification of the body of Christ. This purpose is to be carried out until the point of completion, when “we all attain to the unity of the faith,” and we all possess a full knowledge of the Son of God, and every Christian is considered a “mature man”. Surely, these are lofty aspirations. The point is clear that the work is never done.

Because God has installed this system of spiritual education, and in so doing made spiritual maturation feasible, Paul calls Christians to cease from existing as spiritual children. Children are easily deceived, swayed every which way by that which may please the senses. With God's educators fulfilling their roles, all Christians are actually commanded to progress toward maturity, speaking the truth in love. The purpose of this commanded learning is, non-coincidentally, identical to the point of the teaching mentioned earlier- the building up of the body, in love.

Possible implications and applications to the educational ministry of a local church:

Paul, in his inspired writings, declares that educators have been give to the church. He does not indicate that all of the categories mentioned exist in every individual congregation but it is evident that the church as a whole includes many types of intelligible and able Christians with a capacity to teach. This leaves no church with an excuse- if education is not taking place within the church (and I am not specifying in a church building, but between its members) there can be no excuse, because God has already installed His system and provided capable teachers.

This passage specifies the goal of spiritual education- the building up of the body of Christ. As a result of this being accomplished, the entire body will mature toward Christ likeness in spiritual maturity and love. The body will also gain a better understanding of Christ's person and work.

Paul never indicates any required methodology, but he does, as previously mentioned, indicate the goals of education within the church. Should not every church congregation design their purpose statements in accord with those provided by the Holy Spirit here? Paul does not indicate the setting of this education, but he samples who might be doing the primary teaching- those roles mentioned in verse 11. This list may not be comprehensive, but it is an excellent place to start. Paul does not indicate what is taught, but he lists the results of the application of the material. Thus we may as Christian educators work backwards to discern our curriculum. If Paul says our students are to become more knowledgeable in the person and character and work of Christ, we may find it helpful to teach concerning Christ's person and character and work. If our students are to become more loving, let us teach concerning love, perhaps with Christ's example.

Paul never indicates who is to be taught by whom except in stating that the entire body is called to learn and grow towards unity, thus our edifying education must be to the entire body. All Christians are called to learn, and thus all Christians are commanded to take part int the process of Christian education.

Personal Implications:

I am especially encouraged and challenged personally because the occupation I feel God has called be to pursue is listed in the roles of primary educators. Thus I am called to fulfill the educational work of the unification of the body. To teach these things, I feel I must be more adept in them myself. Thus I fulfill the role of learner and teacher, even presently.

I am encouraged by the lack of restriction on context of education. I feel more adequate in education in various situations rather than behind a pulpit alone.

I am especially encouraged in Paul's provision of content for Christian education- I am spurred on to learn in the same areas we are to teach each other. I love the body of Christ, so how can I not encourage that same body toward unity? I love Christ my savior and friend, so how can I not express the beauty of His person to all those I meet? Quite plainly, Paul has described Christian education on a manner that makes it both easy and exciting. All involved are blessed, and Christ is honored throughout the process by all parties!

committed the crime, yet innocent > James 4

Application is infinitely harder than interpretation. As a Christian, my life is no longer of flesh, but of spirit- I have been regenerated.

"...However, you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." -Rom.8.9

Yet, prone to wander, Lord I feel it! God has implanted within me His very Spirit, and yet I long to find satisfaction appart from Him- yes even through dissobedience! I find joy in my perverse rebellion?!

Examples: Pete and myself found it entirely enjoyable to run a redlight at the lonely hour of 1:00 AM. No one saw it- nobody was hurt, right? Why is it wrong?

Some may not like my answer- it is wrong because

• God saw
• God was hurt
• My conscience was convicted

James 4:17So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.

So, even in questionable situations, if it feels wrong to me, it is in actuallity wrong for me. So that's my confession- I'm not going to list all my sins, but running a red light is a little less embarrassing to use as an illustration than some of the other sins I committed this week (aka today). This all to lead us into James 4

7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Being subject to God is a process, and requires continual effort and committment. It includes submitting our desires, attitudes, actions, and thoughts. James commands us to BE SUBJECT, so we know it is possible to do just that.

8Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

The result of sin is death. Death is separation from God. If we sin (are separated) we can not be near to God (not separated). Understanding our error and confessing sin (to God) allows for reunification, and growth in relation to God.

9[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

Am I truly grieved over my sin? Sometimes sins seem trivial... have I become comfortabe with sin? Am I desensitized?

10Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

That's a rather encouraging promise, eh? Thinking about my sin for only a few minutes is an efficient way to humble myself.

11[My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it].

12One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?

In relation to my red-light-running story... although I may deem something sin, (bad analogy- breaking the law is a black and white issue) unless I can help a brother get out of sin, it is not my job to condemn- the law and scriptures have already condemned the sinner. I should instead share (or remind) of Christ's redemption, and the provision of His Spirit...

20Let him know that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

ear food

Sometimes I am just so HUNGRY for God's Word, His FELLOWSHIP, yet I have other tasks to complete before sitting down to read. At times like these I thank the Lord for AudioBooks- and the free audio bibles available online.

Try chillin' out with the links provided to the right...

• READ JESUS
• HEAR JESUS
• iPod JESUS?

Welcome, Self!

I intend to us this blog as a journal of my growth- spiritually and personally. The title is encouragement to myself and you- may our words be His, our thoughts be His, our writings be true to Him.

Hebrews 2:12 (the Psalmist and Christ, and now myself) 'I will proclaim Your name to My brothers, in the middle of the crowd I will sing Your praise.'