As we spend more time and energy serving our neighbours, as our church gets bigger and our meetings, growth groups, youth group and kids ministries are better organised, we put more pressure on ourselves and one another to keep on giving to the growing beast that is “our church”.

Although often exhausting, we do what we do because we know it’s right. I know the gospel must go out. I know that my brothers and sisters need to understand the bible. I know I must be involved in making these things happen. Jesus demands it.

I don’t have pure motives.

Being involved in ministry at HBC is a great way to gain the respect of some very gifted, intelligent, popular and friendly people. Being on staff means I can sleep well at night knowing that I’m using my time in a noble way. The better I perform in my ministries, the greater the respect that comes my way. But living like that is just falling for the lie of the world. “The respect of your peers is the greatest reward you can have.”

If you ever wonder what the staff learn at their conferences and training days - in Sydney yesterday we were all taught the gospel. You know that thing you understood as you first became a Christian? Yeah well it appears that we need to be holding on to that even though we’re all big and grown up years later.

I love that it’s the gospel that teaches me how to not lie - I don’t need to fear people having negative opinions of me because God has accepted me, won’t reject me, and will hold me up in glory for all eternity. I don’t need to lie to protect another person’s opinion of me. I can tell people the truth and not need to hide anything from them!

I love that it’s the gospel that teaches me how to submit to speed limits - I don’t need to break laws to get somewhere sooner, the God who is sovereignly bringing all things into conformity with his will will get me there at the exact time that is best for me and for his plans. I can just cruise around guilt free.

I love that it’s the simple gospel, which children can understand, that shows me how to be generous with my money - Knowing that I have Jesus’ Spirit which has changed me and continues to change me so that I’ll love making sacrifices for the sake of other people and the Kingdom. I always forget that I love being generous!

Am I going to achieve perfect motives this side of Heaven? Nope. But I know where they come from.

Anyway, the gospel’s pretty mad. I’ve just got to stop forgetting it.

photo credit: kyz

Tags: gospel, Magnification

This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 6:28 pm and is filed under Magnification, Pastors thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.