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“Where there is no vision,
the people perish,” the writer of the Old Testament book
of Proverbs declares. (Prov.29:18) Without a vision, a
sense of identity as well as a clear understanding of
their mission churches struggle and falter. Without a
vision people begin blaming each other over the plight
of the church. People will blame their pastor or church
leaders for the problems they are experiencing. Often
sides are drawn. The result of such conflict is that
the mission of the church comes to a grinding halt. The
church might even lose members; no one wants to be part
of a church where members are in strong disagreement
with each other over the direction of the church.
“Where there is no vision, the
people perish.” Churches have been developing vision
and mission statements for years. Some are right to the
point, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ,” or “to know
Jesus and make him know,” or “to live the Great
Commission.” Vision statements need to be short enough
that people can easily remember and readily repeated
it. When everyone in the congregation embraces their
vision and mission the church will continue its ministry
in a positive direction. People will naturally be drawn
to that church. People will proudly state all that
their church is doing in the community and around the
world.
According to Bill Hybels “vision is
a picture of the future that produces passion in you.”
A clear God inspired vision will produce a passion in
you—a passion that cannot be easily quenched. A
retired airplane pilot had fallen away from God during
his high school days. The path he chose for himself led
to destructive behavior. Later he surrendered his life
to Christ. Today he is a leader in his church’s high
school and college group. For many years now he opens
his home every Monday night to cook a meal for a group
of students. He claims that Monday is his best day of
the week.
A carpenter shares that while
growing up his dad was never around to care for his
family. His passion remains years later to offer free
handyman assistance to a group of single mothers in the
church. A woman went through a gut-wrenching and
humiliating divorce. During that time she had no where
to turn. Today, she heads a divorce recovery ministry
in her church. (1) “Vision is a picture of the future
that produces passion in you.” What are you passionate
about?
The Corinthian congregation was in
the midst of conflict that if not soon resolved could
destroy the church. The situation was serious. Sides
were taken. In that congregation there were some people
who were critical of the Apostle Paul while others were
supportive of him. Some might even have blamed Paul for
their present difficulties. In the midst of
disagreements we should remember that Paul’s goal was
always to build up the church and never tear it apart.
Paul experienced controversy first
hand. It seems that everywhere he went he found
himself in trouble. Whenever he spoke there were people
who were offended or upset. Paul’s devotion to Jesus
Christ found him arrested and in jail. Paul had a clear
understanding of his life mission; he was called and
commissioned by Jesus himself. He passionately
proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ everywhere he
went. With that strong sense of mission Paul traveled
throughout the ancient world sharing about Jesus and
starting churches. Nothing would stop him, not ship
wreck, not threats of physical harm, nothing! Nothing
would curve Paul’s passion.
Paul was not trying to win a
popularity contest either. He did not depend on
positive feedback from his listeners. Had he depended
on accolades from others then his ministry might well
have ended in frustration and despair. Paul kept his
focus believing in all his heart that his reward was in
heaven. The praise of others was not something that
Paul sought after. For Paul praise or blame really did
not matter. Praise and blame was the same for Paul. He
continued speaking the gospel truth boldly.
This is something that we in the
church need to embrace. We go out in Jesus’ name. There
might be times when other people do not have kind words
for us, or call us names; there may be times when we
take a stand based on our faith that is viewed as
unpopular among our peers. As long as we are speaking
the truth it really does not matter, praise and blame is
all the same.
In response to the problems the
Corinthians were experiencing Paul wanted them to
refocus on their vision and mission. Believers do not
belong to themselves but are servants of Christ. Paul
writes, “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ
and stewards of God's mysteries.” The focus of ministry
is not about us and our perceived needs but rather about
Jesus Christ. There are times, especially in the midst
of congregational difficulties, that we need to be
reminded that we are servants who serve the Lord.
Servants are both trustworthy and accountable to their
master.
We are servants of Jesus Christ.
It may be difficult to view ourselves as servants. We
live in a culture that values the movers and shakers,
those who take charge, who make a name for themselves.
Servants are frequently viewed in negative light.
Unfortunately sometimes those attitudes creep into the
church when people insist on their own way and disregard
other people’s feelings and ideas. People within the
congregation who crave power and control always do more
harm than good.
We
know our place; we are servants of Jesus Christ. Our
agenda is to do the will of the master--Jesus. With
everything we say or do we point not to ourselves but to
Jesus. What God values is our faithfulness. Listen
again to Paul’s words, “Moreover, it is required of
stewards that they be found trustworthy.” Jesus trusts
us to carry the ministry that he began to the present
and future. A question to ask ourselves is have we
lived our lives in such a way that we are trustworthy?
We
strive to do our best and need not worry what other
people think of us. Only Jesus will judge us. Since
ultimately the only person Paul will answer to is Jesus,
he need not be concerned with what other people think of
him. To Paul praise and blame really did not matter--to
him it was all the same. Paul knew in his heart that he
is a trustworthy servant. What people thought or did
not think of him is no concern to Paul. “But with me it
is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or
by any human court,” Paul writes, “I do not even judge
myself.”
Paul was quite confident in carrying out Jesus’ ministry
knowing that, “It is the Lord who judges me.” Jesus
will judge each one of us. Jesus “will bring to light
the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the
purposes of the heart.” Jesus will not be fooled by
self-promotions. We may be able to fool others but we
cannot fool Jesus. Instead of seeking status from each
other, the Corinthians and us today, should recognize
that it is the Lord who judges—that is the only
commendation that matters.
The day will come when each one of us will stand in
judgment. We are accountable to no one but God. We are
not here to win popularity contests but to live out our
faith in such a way as to glorify Jesus. Like Paul,
praise or blame really does not matter to us, it is all
the same. The business of praise and blame clearly
belongs to God.
May our God given vision propel us individually and as a
church to carry out the ministry that Jesus began. And
like Paul, may we stop at nothing.
1. Holy
Discontent, Bill Hybels, Zondervan:Grand Rapids, MI,
2007, p. 60
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