9.13.2006
The Paradox of Ministry - Reflections on 1 Thessalonians 2
Funny how some days in the life of a Christian are just brutal. We are on the road of trying to serve Christ as we try to love people well and they turn around and bite like an ungrateful pet. You have invested tons of time and energy into relationships and situations only to be punched in the face for your help.
Paul knew these same struggles. He had been looked down upon, insulted, and abused because of his calling to speak truth. What allowed Paul to keep going was not becasue he finally received acceptance or much less success but rather that he made sure his life and ministry were driven by the right set of motivators.
1) His Calling - Preach the Gospel (vs. 4.6)
2) His Win - Pleasing God (vs. 4)
3) His Method - Self Sacrifice (vs. 8)
4) His Reward - Investing in people & seeing Lives Change (vs. 12)
We aren't called to do anything except be faithful daily to Christ and expect Him to work. Faithfulness is the key ingredient to success. It keeps the engine clean of self-pretense, moving through the gears of proper motivation, and pursuing the goal of God's kingdom and glory. Ministry will bring with it many tough days. You have to continue to daily die to self so that Christ may reign in you. This is a tough task that doesn't end until I die but it yields the greatest reward.
Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot
down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
- Kent Keith
Paul knew these same struggles. He had been looked down upon, insulted, and abused because of his calling to speak truth. What allowed Paul to keep going was not becasue he finally received acceptance or much less success but rather that he made sure his life and ministry were driven by the right set of motivators.
1) His Calling - Preach the Gospel (vs. 4.6)
2) His Win - Pleasing God (vs. 4)
3) His Method - Self Sacrifice (vs. 8)
4) His Reward - Investing in people & seeing Lives Change (vs. 12)
We aren't called to do anything except be faithful daily to Christ and expect Him to work. Faithfulness is the key ingredient to success. It keeps the engine clean of self-pretense, moving through the gears of proper motivation, and pursuing the goal of God's kingdom and glory. Ministry will bring with it many tough days. You have to continue to daily die to self so that Christ may reign in you. This is a tough task that doesn't end until I die but it yields the greatest reward.
Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot
down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
- Kent Keith
