Author: missionspaul

The tears of acceptance
Acts 20:37 “They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.”

Paul had said his farewell speech, they had knelt and prayed and now they all with tears embrace and kiss him.
I am familiar with tears. I often have tears in my eyes when I try to share my heart of what is happening in the missions world where I spend most of my time. Tears are not far from me. I was in a meeting yesterday where a prominent leader was so enthused for the cause that he had tears in his eyes. It was a powerful moment. We all know these kinds of tears. We also know the tears of regret like when Peter denies Christ. We know the tears of sorrow at the death of a loved one like Mary Magdalene had at the garden tomb and of course Jesus himself had at the death of Lazarus.
But the tears in this verse today are the tears of acceptance of the circumstance. Paul, the leader, is leaving them. They lovingly kiss him, hold on to him and they all weep.
In what has to be the most moving scene of the Old Testament Jonathan and David are weeping together as they part company. Jonathan had shot the arrows beyond the stone that David was hiding behind indicating to him that it was not safe for him to return to his father Saul. Oh how they both had wanted the arrows to fall short that day. The arrows of acceptance are very hard to pick up once they have been fired.
The arrows of God may leave a scar in your heart. Even today you may look back to that day when God shot the arrow beyond you and you realised there was a separation in your life from something so precious. Yes you wanted to hold on so desperately, there were plenty of tears, but like David bowing to the ground in an act of submission or Paul’s leadership team, you gave way to God’s Sovereignty. You may still not fully understand why you and your loved one had to separate. But it happened. It was His eternal plan. You wonder if there were more things you could have and should have said. You may have never felt so out of control in your life. It was out of your hands. You couldn’t have prevented it even if you tried and yes, you tried. One thing you found was that Jesus was waiting for you, He was there in the wilderness that followed. He has been with you clearing your pathway, leading you in the destiny foreordained for you, leading you to become all that you can become on this earth. You go forward now with tears still often in your eyes but perhaps the pain of that day is lessening and perhaps the smile comes more regularly as you rest in Gods eternal plan.

Kneeling
Acts 20:36 “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.”

In what was a very emotional moment, Paul had said all he wanted to say and now they would pray. But first they would kneel down.
Sometimes it is just not appropriate to stand, dance and clap.
To kneel makes the person in front of you bigger and more important.
To kneel indicates you would do anything for that person.
To kneel means nothing else matters in your world but to be at their feet.
To kneel is to have nothing to give but life.
To kneel is to be desperate.
Try kneeling today.

Work hard
Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

The Gospels were never written in order to log everything Jesus said. John confirms this at the end of his gospel when he says there were many other things that have not been written. Paul quotes one of these, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is this saying of Jesus that has driven Paul forward with the hard work that he has done amongst the Ephesian Church.
It wasn’t for a salary. It wasn’t to build a ministry in order to receive in some other way. Paul knows that he is the happiest when he is working hard for those who have become weakened in this life and it is indeed hard work.

As a young person I would often try and avoid work in order to play instead. Whatever it was whether homework or piano practice I would always try and cut a corner or do things as quick as possible so I could get out of the house and have fun. I have always enjoyed fun. I think at the centre of my being ‘fun’ is the driving force of my life.
One of my first jobs was in the Valuation office in Leeds as a clerical assistant. I worked ‘flexi’ hours which meant I had a card that I clocked on and pulled the card out when I finished work. There was an allotted time of hours I had to work in a month and I could do the work pretty much at any time so long as the hours were worked. Many of the staff members worked long hours in the first 3 weeks and then in the 4th week of the month they had done all their hours so managed to have a couple of extra days off. Not me! I did the reverse. Knowing that I only needed to work the minimum 6 hours a day, I ended up having to cram in as many hours as possible at the end of every month!

It would be my first Pastorate, in the Lake District, in farming country, where I would be introduced to having to work hard. The farmers in my church all rose early, even when it was still dark and they worked hard and long hours in all types of weather. In the early days I would leave the curtains open in the lounge so that in the morning when the farmers passed by they would see that their Pastor was awake, though I was still having dreams from God horizontally. But gradually I learnt the benefits of hard work. I learnt that to grow a church it takes hard work, to love others is hard work and more importantly I was created for this and work could be fun!
If you looked at my work today you wouldn’t believe how much I have changed. I work long hours, I am always up early and I give 100% into all that I do. I have learnt the importance of hard work.

The created order involved work and this had nothing to do with salary. It was God’s good intention that Adam should work. God worked the creation and then rested from that work. Today you will be perhaps a student or an employee or a full time parent or the one who stays to work at keeping the home, maybe you are a volunteer or a retired person helping others and you have 24 hours to do the most amazing thing and that is to work hard for the good of others. Like Adam you can take care of your domain, you can keep it together, you can make it a happy place and a healthy one for others. You can bring life but it will take hard work.
You will perhaps work with others who don’t want to be there! They will ask ‘Why am I here? What am I doing this for? Is there any point?’ Don’t let this rub off on to you. Be different. See things as God sees them. Your work matters to Him. You can add value. You can work as God would work. You can work for Him.
You may work with someone who is the opposite of work. But don’t become like them. Proverbs 18:9 says, “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Lazy people ruin but you are different, you are building something for someone. But it also builds into you the purpose for life, you were created to work, to give, to add and how intrinsically satisfying is it when that involves those who need your help?!

So today, work hard, give of your best, add value, but never lose the sense of fun! It is still there in my life. It is still the driving force. I find ways to make sure my work brings the enjoyment to me and to others.

Ministry finances part 2

Acts 20:34 “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.”

Chemists, taxi drivers, farmers, shop-keepers, teachers, fishermen, carpenters and musicians. This is the list that I have just reeled off quickly from memory of the jobs that the National heads of Elim Global have as they lead thousands of churches across the world. They need jobs in order to have the money for their families but also for their ministries.
They do not rely on hand-outs and they do not beg from the other nations.
There are beggars in this world but they do not work, they do not use their hands to supply their own needs. It wouldn’t be as bad if they totally relied on God who supplies all our needs, they don’t. They rely on others to give. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not get a begging letter. I am often left wondering how instead of giving a fish I can give a fishing-net and teach them to fish.
I know some Pastors in the UK who are bi-vocational and as a result their churches are thriving because they can use finances for evangelism. In fact John works for me 2 days a week and the rest of the time he is leading a growing church. Some are Pastors on teams and it means the Church has the benefit of extra leadership gifts simply because of the bi-vocational model.
Before my time at bible college many years ago I heard how in the ‘old days’ they would teach car mechanics in the college! What a great idea! The apostle Paul had the skill of tent-making. Maybe we do need more Pastors with a skill of mechanics or tent-making or perhaps as with one of our National heads when he commissions his church planters they are given a wheelbarrow or some supplies to start a craft or soap-making business?
Paul paid his own way in ministry and not only of himself but of others too. It is an interesting and sometimes uncomfortable thought for those of us who are paid by the ‘Church’.

Ministry finances
Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

The first Sunday in July, 1992, I received my first salary for being a Pastor. It was full of change within a bank money bag and it came to £95 exactly, once the copper coins had been counted. I was so grateful. I did suggest that from then on we should move to a banking system for further payments.
Those early years of ministry for me were exciting ones as I trusted God for the finances that I needed for the family. One thing I have always done is given at least 10% of my income to God through the Church.

January 17th 1980 at 10.35am was my claim to fame. I was 14 years of age and my whole Grammar school were watching a BBC programme called ‘The Sally Ann’. It was about my brother Neil having made a commitment to fully embrace The Salvation Army promises. (I knew he would never fulfil his promises as he actually stated on the programme that his vision for life was to be a millionaire which we are all still waiting for him to become).
http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1980-01-17
Here is what the link says: “10.35 Scene: The Sally Ann
When they sign their ‘ Articles of War’ Salvation Army soldiers promise never to drink, smoke or gamble. Young Salvationists LESLEY DENT and NEIL HUDSON say what the Army means to them today. Produced by JOHN CHAPPLE”
Anyway back to my claim to fame on the said programme. It is probably about 10 seconds worth of me doing a mathematical equation of my pocket money divided by a tenth so that I could give the amount to God. With the use of real life coins my script was “75 pence divided by 10 is 7.5 pence to God”. My Maths teacher was very impressed. The school pupils thought it was hilarious, all 500 of them.

I am sure we have all read about the financial lifestyle of John Wesley:
In 1731 Wesley began to limit his expenses so he would have more money to give to the poor. He records that one year his income was £30, and his living expenses £28, so he had £2 to give away. The next year, his income doubled, but he still lived on £28 and gave £32 away. In the third year, his income jumped to £90; again he lived on £28, giving £62 away. The fourth year, he made £120, lived again on £28, and gave £92 to the poor.

Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, America’s 8th largest Church lives on 10 percent of his income and donates the rest to charity. “I drive a 12-year-old Ford, have lived in the same house for the last 22 years, bought my watch at Wal-Mart, and I don’t own a boat or a jet.”.
I am not trying to link myself with John Wesley or Rick Warren! But I have understood the need to put God first in my finances from an early age. I have also understood all my life that the desire of riches and material things is not conducive to a life of ministry.

Paul is saying to the Ephesian elders: “I had no desire for anyone’s silver or gold or [expensive] clothes” (Amplified).

Jesus said he had no place to lay his head. We all want an open heaven. Out of that open heaven we want everything we can possibly get, a blessing of finance, promotion, this and that. When Jesus experienced an open heaven as he was standing in the Jordan being baptised he received a bird. We all want to be like Jesus but maybe if all we got was a bird perhaps we would be disappointed!

I am concerned today when I see Pastors with a desire for riches. It just doesn’t sit comfortably. It looks ugly. I don’t want to see Pastors poor but I don’t want Pastors longing and desiring anything other than God.

Today let us surrender our all to Jesus, including our finances.

Five words

Acts 20: 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Someone, somewhere, will read these 5 words and if they go ahead and do it then it will lift a very heavy burden from their lives.
These 5 words are a reminder that you are not the One, you are not the fixer, you are not superman/superwoman!
These 5 words remind you who indeed is in charge and who is ultimately responsible.
You already know you have limitations and God is omnipotent, but doing these 5 words confirms this truth and sets you free to be who you are.
Those who have a high work ethic and who take their responsibilities seriously and with due diligence find these 5 words very difficult.
The 5 words should be applied to both people and circumstances.
Here are the 5 words, read them and then do it.
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HAND (IT/THEM) OVER TO GOD!

Endeavour

Acts 20:31 “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

For 3 years Paul was on high alert, he never rested from doing all he could to protect the church. Last night I watched a documentary on television of a house being built just down the road from my office. The house was built on the side of a hill. The architect and the builders were not only thinking of its design and appearance. They factored in to their plans its protection from several possible dangers. In fact at the start of the project, several builders refused to build it because of the complications.
If you could describe your life as a house, how are you building it so that it will last?
You may be reading this and you may feel your best years of building are over. That may be true, but so long as you are here, you are still building your life or wasting it. So, are you thinking of how to protect what you have built?
A few days ago I saw on social media a brief clip of Joel Osteen’s sermon post hurricane in his church in Texas. In the clip he explained how in 2001 when the church bought the building it had a reputation for flooding so they installed a flood defence all around the building. Wise move.
It would seem Paul with the Ephesians is only stating a value in his life: ‘Guard what you have built’. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

So how do we protect our lives? Here are 6 things we definitely need to build with from the sayings of Paul.
1. Through prayer:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
2. With the help of the Holy Spirit:
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14
3. Desire the peace of God:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
4. Take responsibility for your life:
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 1 Timothy 6:20
5. Be careful who you associate with:
(Referring to a man called Alexander) … You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 2 Timothy 4:15
6. The finishing line is Jesus:
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

These are the kind of things Paul would be warning us in taking care of our lives.
The house on the ‘Grand Designs’ programme last night was appropriately named ‘Endeavour’!
Let your endeavour be to build a life that doesn’t collapse, that is not robbed of purpose by an enemy and whose structure is continually resting on God. Be on your guard.

False Leaders

Acts 20:30 “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”

Watch out. False leaders:

1. Rise from within the ranks, they are known by many and so find it easier to deceive.
2. Know the history of the Church and the people, so manipulation is easier for them.
3. Reposition themselves within their equals so as to appear higher in command and with more authority.
4. Desire leadership because of its power over people.
5. Aim to have disciples following them and not solely Christ.
6. Make their lies not look like lies so that the disciple of Christ swallows them.
7. Their ultimate vision is not Christ but themselves, they need the glory and will do what it takes to get it.

Savage wolves

Acts 20:29 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

We can feel Paul’s pain, he may indeed have tears in his eyes as he knows that after he leaves those he has spent so much time building in the faith, those he loves, they will be attacked by what he describes as savage wolves.
Jesus had said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

So what will this look like when wolves attack? Here are 5 points about a wolf attack and the connection with an attack on the Church:

1. Paul is clear it will be plural. Wolves attack in a pack.

2. It will be an organised and strategic attack. They have their own leaders, the alpha male and female who breed and who decide when to attack and eat. The attack will be talked about in private beforehand, it just doesn’t happen.

3. Paul says they will come in amongst the leadership and then attack the flock. It is an attack on how the church is led. Wolves eat meat and the larger the prey the better. They kill and eat only to survive. They have to do this. The attack on the leadership is for a just cause, it will make sense, it has to happen.

4. Paul says they will come in among them. He was leaving a church that was moving forward, he had put mission at the heart of the church. In the Revelation of John he writes of the Church at Ephesus, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” (Rev 2:2). The Ephesian Church was a hard-working and enduring Church. Wolves typically only attack a running animal. They outrun them wearing them down, burning them out. Apparently a large animal has a better chance of survival if it stands its ground. A Church that is on mission is an easier target than a Church that isn’t moving (which could be a sign that it is standing firm or dead already!).

5. Paul says the wolves will be savage. Wolves use their sharp teeth to inflict massive blood loss. They can be up to one inch in length. They have very strong jaws, they cling on to their prey and once down they just about eat everything of the animal, there is little waste, nothing is left. It is messy and it is brutal. There are many not in ministry and not in the Church today because of these attacks. These attacks are destructive and final.

The Undershepherd

Acts 20: 28” Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Paul is addressing the Ephesian leaders:

1. Put in place a programme of protection for yourself: have a regular devotional life, develop a healthy lifestyle, be stimulated mentally and emotionally, don’t burn-out, surrender your heart to God, don’t give the enemy a foothold.
2. Know you have been appointed by the Holy Spirit. It may look like man appointed you, but God did. You are where God wanted you to be, leading the Church.
3. Your role is to oversee God’s people, know what is going on in their lives, know who they are and the challenges they face, know their stories.
4. Your role is to shepherd God’s people, tend to their true needs, feed them the Word of God (preach and teach really well) and give them advice, guiding them along their journey so that they walk in step with the Spirit.
5. They are God’s people not your people, so don’t abuse them spiritually or manipulate them for your own gain.
6. It is God’s church, not your church, they are the body of Christ not just a group of people, so don’t disrespect or hurt them.
7. He bought them with His blood not your blood, they are of high value to Him, they are precious and treasured so handle with care, don’t make them bleed, He has already bled for them.
Being an undershepherd is a high calling in terms of responsibility and sacrifice but also in privilege and blessing.