A few months back (due to my sporadic writing schedule), I asked this question:
What do you think are the main responsibilities of local church pastors?
I said that this summer I would post my biblical theology of the pastoral ministry. Here we go.
Tag Archive - Matthew
We’re reading through Judges at Oak Tree Church, and I’m posting some observations from my daily readings here within a day or two after the reading. I’d love for you to join in the discussion.
Where and how
“Where you place your faith determines where you’ll spend eternity.
How you live your faith determines how you’ll spend eternity.
Don’t confuse where and how.”
I’m thinking a lot about Christian discipleship these days. I’m defining genuine or biblical discipleship (as opposed to what many people assume is discipleship) as “The process of learning to live like Christ, then actually doing it.”
“You asked for it”, follow-up 3
In November I taught a three-week series yesterday called “You Asked for It” at Oak Tree Community Church. We asked our congregation to submit questions that they wanted me to answer during the series. Their questions could be about a Bible passage they don’t understand, a Biblical topic they want more information about, or something in the culture they wonder if the Bible addresses.
However, there were several questions I couldn’t get to during the services, so I’ll post answers here over the next couple of weeks. Here’s are two for you today: Continue Reading…
Thoughts on Judges 12
We’re reading through Judges at Oak Tree Church, and I’m posting some observations from my daily readings here within a day or two after the reading. I’d love for you to join in the discussion.
Thoughts on Judges 12
Just one main thought today, but on a longer section of the story.
Jephthah led Israel for six years; then he died and was buried in his city in Gilead.
After him Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty sons. He arranged for thirty of his daughters to be married outside his extended family, and he arranged for thirty young women to be brought from outside as wives for his sons. Ibzan led Israel for seven years; then he died and was buried in Bethlehem.
After him Elon the Zebulunite led Israel for ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
After him Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite led Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel for eight years. Then Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. Judges 12:7-15 NET
This is a very basic life principle: regardless of our position, status, responsibilities, etc., each of us will die, and someone will replace us.
When it comes to Christian service, this is one reason Jesus told us all to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20) during our lives to keep his work going.
This is also one of the reasons for my personal passion for teaching people the Scriptures and the overall theme of my blog – “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB)
What did you see in these verses? What was important to you in Judges 12 that I did not see?
Thoughts on Judges 8
Note: I had some issues with my site over the weekend and lost a couple of posts. If you have already seen this, I apologize for the re-post.
We’re reading through Judges at Oak Tree Church, and I’m posting some observations from my daily readings here within a day or two after the reading. I’d love for you to join in the discussion.
Thoughts on Judges 8
The officials of Succoth said, “You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your army?” … He went up from there to Penuel and made the same request. The men of Penuel responded the same way the men of Succoth had. Judges 8:6, 8 NET
Gideon’s request and response to these city elders remind me of what Jesus told his messengers to do if their message was rejected in a city (see Matthew 10:14-15). God seems to have little patience for those who talk a good spiritual/religious game but get in the way of those actually trying to do his work.
Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” Gideon continued, “I would like to make one request. Each of you give me an earring from the plunder you have taken.” (The Midianites had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) They said, “We are happy to give you earrings.” So they spread out a garment, and each one threw an earring from his plunder onto it. The total weight of the gold earrings he requested came to seventeen hundred gold shekels. This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry, purple clothing worn by the Midianite kings, and the necklaces on the camels. Gideon used all this to make an ephod, which he put in his hometown of Ophrah. All the Israelites prostituted themselves to it by worshiping it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.
The Israelites humiliated Midian; the Midianites’ fighting spirit was broken. The land had rest for forty years during Gideon’s time. Then Jerub-Baal son of Joash went home and settled down. Gideon fathered seventy sons through his many wives. His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also gave him a son, whom he named Abimelech. Gideon son of Joash died at a very old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash located in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Judges 8:23-32 NET
Gideon did at least 5 things contrary to God’s plan that hurt him, his family, and all of Israel:
- Put on a face of false humility and spirituality that was not reflected in his actions (vs. 23)
- Took advantage of his popularity to gain great wealth at the expense of the people (vs. 24-26)
- Crossed the line between political leader/judge and spiritual leader/priest by making an ephod (a priest’s robe). Even though he didn’t accept worship directly, he led Israel and his family in false worship away God (vs. 27)
- Followed the practices of the pagan peoples around him in marrying many women (including those who didn’t worship God), thus turning his back on God’s ways for marriage and family (vs. 30)
- Set up a royal dynasty, even though he said he wouldn’t (vs. 23). He named his son “Abimelech” which means “my father is king” (vs. 31).
What did you see in these verses? What was important to you in Judges 8 that I did not see?
