What practical steps can be implemented at the Lord's Supper to help promote humility?
Jesus was big on table manners, especially humility. His ministry was spent looking out for the needs of others. Jesus, by way of example, showed his followers what it looked like to put others before yourself. His ultimate example was of course, the cross. The Gospel of Luke bears out this fact about Jesus’ ministry. Luke 14:1-11 gives three illustrations of Jesus that are meant to convey the notion of humility. It is for emphasis that Luke provides these three examples. He wants to make a point about the importance of humility. Jesus begins by giving two similar examples that attack the Pharisaical rules of the Sabbath day (vv. 1-6). Jesus shows them by way of common sense not to exalt their religious rules over human life. Those in the kingdom of God must extend graciousness and mercy to others before imposing rules. We must be humble enough to recognize the needs of others. A third example, offered by Jesus, involves table etiquette. His point is that we should seek the “lower seats” rather than the “places of honor” (v. 10). Again, we must seek the good of others first. Jesus ends by illustrating how humility’s end is exaltation (v. 10). Jesus is not saying that people must seek to be rewarded for their humility but simply that God blesses those who bless others. This is the natural result. Humility’s end is exaltation: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (14:11). May God grant us the grace to see the needs of others before focusing on our own needs. May we heed the teachings of Christ on humility as well as his ultimate example.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
More Tables of Compassion
Are contemporary Christians consumers or distributors of God's material blessings?
A crucial element that must be discussed while studying table fellowship in the New Testament is compassion. Luke 16:19-31 presents the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This may very well be the best illustration for a discussion of compassion in the Bible. The point of the story is simple: those who are blessed must share with those less fortunate. The rich man must have ignored Lazarus given the fact that Lazarus laid at the gate of the rich man (16:20). This is the equivalent of Lazarus laying on the rich man’s front porch. There was no way that the rich man could not have noticed poor Lazarus. The text emphasizes the rich man’s chosen path of selfishness.
It is inexcusable for the rich to ignore the poor. God never intended for poor people to be among his people (Deut 15:4) but he knew the reality of life. God knows that humans often have a desire to be consumers of wealth rather than distributors of it. If not convinced by the story of the rich man and Lazarus, see Deut 15:7-11 for a convicting discussion of the proper role of wealth in the lives of God’s people.
A crucial element that must be discussed while studying table fellowship in the New Testament is compassion. Luke 16:19-31 presents the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This may very well be the best illustration for a discussion of compassion in the Bible. The point of the story is simple: those who are blessed must share with those less fortunate. The rich man must have ignored Lazarus given the fact that Lazarus laid at the gate of the rich man (16:20). This is the equivalent of Lazarus laying on the rich man’s front porch. There was no way that the rich man could not have noticed poor Lazarus. The text emphasizes the rich man’s chosen path of selfishness.
It is inexcusable for the rich to ignore the poor. God never intended for poor people to be among his people (Deut 15:4) but he knew the reality of life. God knows that humans often have a desire to be consumers of wealth rather than distributors of it. If not convinced by the story of the rich man and Lazarus, see Deut 15:7-11 for a convicting discussion of the proper role of wealth in the lives of God’s people.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tables of Compassion
How is the church compassionate? How can it improve and be more compassionate?
One element that should be present when believers gather around a table is compassion. Jesus illustrated this reality in Luke 14:12-14 (see also 2 Sam 9). As Christians, the invitation to sit at our tables must be extended to those who cannot repay us. Our tables must be open to "the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind" (Luke 14:13). As disciples of Jesus, we must learn to open our tables and our times of fellowship to those who cannot offer us anything in return. As disciples, we must sit around tables of compassion.
This illustration from Luke 14 is a depiction of our own status as we sit around Christ’s table. We sit at the royal table although we have nothing to offer the King. His table is one of compassion and he invites those who cannot repay him. God has not invited the religious elite and the powerful in society to sit at his table. He has no need for repayment. Instead, he invites those who are broken and sinful. For it is at the table of the King where we receive healing and forgiveness. And when you eat with the King you can’t help but rejoice!
One element that should be present when believers gather around a table is compassion. Jesus illustrated this reality in Luke 14:12-14 (see also 2 Sam 9). As Christians, the invitation to sit at our tables must be extended to those who cannot repay us. Our tables must be open to "the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind" (Luke 14:13). As disciples of Jesus, we must learn to open our tables and our times of fellowship to those who cannot offer us anything in return. As disciples, we must sit around tables of compassion.
This illustration from Luke 14 is a depiction of our own status as we sit around Christ’s table. We sit at the royal table although we have nothing to offer the King. His table is one of compassion and he invites those who cannot repay him. God has not invited the religious elite and the powerful in society to sit at his table. He has no need for repayment. Instead, he invites those who are broken and sinful. For it is at the table of the King where we receive healing and forgiveness. And when you eat with the King you can’t help but rejoice!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Table Fellowship
Does our current communion practice adequately convey a biblical sense of community and fellowship? Why? or Why not?
Table fellowship is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament, especially Luke/Acts. Luke, the author of both Luke and Acts, portrays picture after picture of the earliest Christians eating and rejoicing together. In the first century, eating with someone said something about who you were. Fellowship proclaimed identity. Your identity was announced to others by who you chose to eat with. Sharing a meal with someone declared to outsiders your association with those gathered around the table. Meals were eaten with those who shared a common lifestyle and the same values. Meeting around a table symbolized friendship, intimacy, and unity.
The table fellowship shared among Christians on a day-to-day basis is an extension of the grand fellowship that we share as we gather around the Lord’s Table each Sunday. The fellowship experienced as we gather around the Lord’s Table on Sunday should extend into every other day of the week. Christianity is a relationship. It is a relationship that intimately intertwines God and his people in a loving community. I cannot think of a better way to experience this community than gathering around tables for fellowship. May all our tables reflect the identity that we share in Christ.
Table fellowship is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament, especially Luke/Acts. Luke, the author of both Luke and Acts, portrays picture after picture of the earliest Christians eating and rejoicing together. In the first century, eating with someone said something about who you were. Fellowship proclaimed identity. Your identity was announced to others by who you chose to eat with. Sharing a meal with someone declared to outsiders your association with those gathered around the table. Meals were eaten with those who shared a common lifestyle and the same values. Meeting around a table symbolized friendship, intimacy, and unity.
The table fellowship shared among Christians on a day-to-day basis is an extension of the grand fellowship that we share as we gather around the Lord’s Table each Sunday. The fellowship experienced as we gather around the Lord’s Table on Sunday should extend into every other day of the week. Christianity is a relationship. It is a relationship that intimately intertwines God and his people in a loving community. I cannot think of a better way to experience this community than gathering around tables for fellowship. May all our tables reflect the identity that we share in Christ.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ministry Interns
What are the pros and cons of having a ministry intern at a church?
Sometimes churches need help. Particularly, if the church does not follow a staff-driven model, gaps begin to form even in the core ministries of the church. Bible classes are being taught by a precious few volunteers rather than being spread across many shoulders resulting in burn out. Children's ministries suffer a similar fate. Worship services limp along due to the low turn out of willing servants. Crucial ministries such as outreach and visitation get neglected. The ministry needs of a church are many but the workers are few.
Perhaps a ministry intern can help fill some of these critical gaps. Perhaps a hired hand is precisely what the church needs. Perhaps, a laborer, provided by God for the nourishment of the body, is therefore offered to the church. Perhaps, just perhaps, a hired hand is the answer to the church's prayer where we are to "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to sent out workers into his harvest field" (Matt 9:38).
Granted, the church may receive much needed benefits from hiring an intern but the intern himself/herself is served well too. Hiring an intern allows the church to extend the grace of God to a servant's life granting the experience needed for future ministry. Experience is a premium in ministry. Hiring an intern allows this boost in formal ministry experience that may otherwise be lacking. The church takes on the role of a community of mentors who shepherd, mentor, and equip a young minister. Again, it is an extension of grace into the servant's life. It is the preparation for his/her future ministry. Hiring a ministry intern is an investment in the kingdom.
The mutual benefit gained by both church and intern allow God's grace to permeate the community as each part of the body does its work (Eph 4:16).
Sometimes churches need help. Particularly, if the church does not follow a staff-driven model, gaps begin to form even in the core ministries of the church. Bible classes are being taught by a precious few volunteers rather than being spread across many shoulders resulting in burn out. Children's ministries suffer a similar fate. Worship services limp along due to the low turn out of willing servants. Crucial ministries such as outreach and visitation get neglected. The ministry needs of a church are many but the workers are few.
Perhaps a ministry intern can help fill some of these critical gaps. Perhaps a hired hand is precisely what the church needs. Perhaps, a laborer, provided by God for the nourishment of the body, is therefore offered to the church. Perhaps, just perhaps, a hired hand is the answer to the church's prayer where we are to "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to sent out workers into his harvest field" (Matt 9:38).
Granted, the church may receive much needed benefits from hiring an intern but the intern himself/herself is served well too. Hiring an intern allows the church to extend the grace of God to a servant's life granting the experience needed for future ministry. Experience is a premium in ministry. Hiring an intern allows this boost in formal ministry experience that may otherwise be lacking. The church takes on the role of a community of mentors who shepherd, mentor, and equip a young minister. Again, it is an extension of grace into the servant's life. It is the preparation for his/her future ministry. Hiring a ministry intern is an investment in the kingdom.
The mutual benefit gained by both church and intern allow God's grace to permeate the community as each part of the body does its work (Eph 4:16).
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