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May 13, 1992...The Portland Obscrver...Page 7 I Portland Observer Scripture o f the W eef RELIGION M atthew, C hapter 7 Insight on the Word: Humility and Victory in Christian Living W ere Iniildiiui a toininiiiiiiii Ihble School in North Portland ! DEDICATION DAY nl lhe BY MICHAEL UNDSEY, Dean of North Portland Bible College The B ib le text f o r next week's Sun day School lesson is I P e te r 5 :1 -1 1 . I encourage you to read and meditate on this text d u rin g the week, even i f y o u 're not a Sunday School teacher; the mys tery o f h u m ility can o n ly be revealed thro u g h m editation on the W ord. Peter’ sF irstE pistle has been largely directed tow ard the needs o f newer believers. He has taught them the w o n der o f th e ir inheritance in the L o rd Jesus C h rist, and also the re a lity o f suffering fo r the sake o f the L o rd in this life . These tw o contrasting truths are not re a lly opposed to each other, fo r both are natural parts o f Lhe believers’ u n ity w ith C hrist. In the last chapter o f th is E pistle, Peter turned his attention to the church at large, and rem inded them o f the virtu e o f h u m ility . I t is one o f the great m ysteries o f the gospel, that h u m ility is the ke y to true greatness, and leader ship. In ancient G reek c u ltu re , the q u a lity o f "h u m ility " was reckoned a weakness, a lack o f self-confidence, a p oor s e lf image. U ndoubtedly it was Jesus h im s e lf w ho made that w o rd a virtu e , a sign o f re a lis tic se lf-a p p raisa l and subm ission to others in love. He taught us that “ w hosoever w ill be ch ie f am ong yo u , le t h im be yo u r servant” (M a tt 20:25-28). Peter sets a good exam ple o f g o d ly h u m ility . In o u r te xt he firs t appealed to the leaders o f the lo ca l churches, b u t he d id not appeal to them as th e ir superior, an “ apostle,” o r even apresiding bishop. H is basis fo r appeal (verse 1) was as a fe llo w elder, as a w itness o f C h ris t’ s sufferings, and as a h opeful saint, lo o k ing fo r C h ris t’ s return along w ith a ll G o d ’ s people. Peter used three d iffe re n t terms to describe the leaders o f the churches, terms w h ich are used today in d iffe re n t ways by various churches, though they o rig in a lly referred to the same leaders o f a ll the c h u rch e s. A s “ e ld e rs ” (presbyteroi) these leaders held a p o si tio n o f honor and trust, based on their w isdom and leadership qualities. These same elders were also “ pas to rs " (poimenes), lite ra lly “ shepherds, w ho looked after the sp iritu a l feeding o f the C h ristia n flo c k (verse 2), through preaching, adm onishing, p ra yin g and counseling the believers in th e ir care (see Eph 4 :11). These were also called the “ b ish o ps” (e p is k o p o i), lite r a lly “ overseers," w ho directed the w o rk o f m in is try w ith in each local body (see 1 T im 3 :1-7). In the course o f tim e these title s have become associated w ith d is tin c t o ffic e s o f the church, and there is re a lly n o th in g in the B ib le to preclude such a natural developm ent as the s itu ation o f the church changes. W h a t hasn’ t changed is the v ita l im portance o f g o d ly character in lead ership. The churches n a tu ra lly entrust a lo t o f a u th o rity in th e ir elders; they need that a u th o rity in order to f u lf ill th e ir G o d -g ive n role. B u tth a ta u tn o rity its e lf can become a snare o f the d e v il, liftin g up the elder in pride, causing him to expect to “ be served” rather than “ serve,” and sometim es leading him to neglect his ow n g o d ly w a lk w ith the L o rd and fa ll in to sin. H ow then should elders lead? Pe ter gave us three guidelines (verses 2- 3). The elders’ o ve rsig h t is "n o t by constraint, but w illin g ly ,” that is, he m o tiv a tio n fo r an elder, the money docs become “ filth y ,” o r d e filin g . It blurs the v is io n , upsets the p rio ritie s , and leads in to a ll kinds o f sins (see the w a rn in g in 1 T im 6 :10). Instead, the rig h t m o tiva tio n comes fro m a “ eager ness to serve” (verse 2, N 1V) fo r the g lo ry o f G od, meeting the needs o f o u r fe llo w human beings. Elders also need to be good m anag ers o f G o d ’ s people, but not acting lik e kings. Peter warned elders not to rule “ as being lords over G o d ’ s heritage, but being ensamples [exam ples] to the flo c k .” W e ’ ve a ll heard that you can catch more flie s w ith honey than w ith vinegar, that persuasion is better than force. B u t somehow church leaders can become so enamored w ith their G od- given a u th o rity that they behave as lords themselves. Some o f the tra d i tions and ritu a ls in o u r churches re in force this m istaken image o f leader ship. Peter to ld the elders to lead by exam ple, n o t to d rive G o d ’ s special, chosen people w ith a stick. T h in k about the g o d ly pastors you have know n, the ones you have mos t respec ted and loved. D id they c o n tin u a lly y e ll at their people, or condemn them , o r order them around? O r d id they m odel a g o d ly life , w ith genuine h u m ility , and encourage people to fo llo w th e ir lead? 1 kn o w the la tte r k in d o f C h ristia n leader has often been a great encouragement to me, and has b ro u g h t me along to a deeper w a lk w ith even realize it. The best w ay to be an encouragement to ou r pastors is to liv e in harm ony w ith each other. Peter said a lo t about submission and harm ony in this letter (1 Pet 2:13,18; 3:1,7,8; 4:7- 9). Because o f the great persecutions o f in the fa ith , kn o w in g that the same a fflic tio n s are accom plished in your brethren that are in the w o rld ” (verse 9). L e t me share some suggestions fo r de ve lo p in g a w in n in g attitude— through This event will b e p a c e d s o that p articipan ts U’lff be able to a tten d the C ru sa d e Praise Gathering a t the Coliseum N orth P ortlan d Bible College F or Inform aU on. call 2 8 8 -2 9 1 9 . o r 2 8 7 -0 8 8 5 Jesus Loves You! A lle n T e m p le h u m ility ! (1) T h in k about how m uch G od loves the people around you, even the ones w h o don’ t seem very lovable. (2) Recognize the w o n d erfu l g ifts G od has given to others, and be thankful CME CL u rch ftfl/m 34:3 4236 NE Eighth Avenue (corner of 8lti t Skidmore) Portland, Oregon 97211 fo r them. (3 ) C ount up a ll the people w ho have gone out o f th e ir way to do special things fo r you, over the years o r re (503) 287-0261 cently. (4) Take stock o f your ow n G od- Phillip S. Nokon Pastor discern his w ill fo r the congregation as a w hole. Then he can lead w ith c o n fi large “ Yea, a ll o f yo u be subject one to another, and be clothed w ith h u m ility : fo r G od resisteth the proud, and giveth love and equality. (5) F in a lly , recognize the plan G od has fo r yo u r life (verse 10), and grace to the hum ble” (verse 5; Prov rem em ber that everything he allow s you to go through is leading you tow ard the goal o f C h ris llik e character. Go fo r W hen m oney becomes the Praise and Prayer, Special Music Tour. Refreshments w eak-hearted, and lead some astray. The solution: “ resist him , stedfast given a b ilitie s. L o o k fo r ways to serve someone today, and do it in a s p irit o f m in d ." Hrlef Remark*: Rev. N athan Bartu-ll. NPBC Board Chair Rev. Fred Wilson. Development Chair. NPBC Jo h n Rogers, Assistant to the Mayor Representatives from die A.M.A. M ultnom ah School of Uie Bible 8). I f Satan can cause C hristians to slander each other, o r b icke r and quar rel, or underm ine th e ir leaders, then he can ru in th e ir testim ony, discourage the th e ir people. Peter to ld the church at 3:34; James 4:6). Sometimes we “ saints” stress our leaders to the breaking po in t, and d o n ’ t Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. total defeat. B u t even i f the persecution is more subtle, it can s till turn C hristians against each other. I th in k th is is w h a t Peter meant w hen he said “ yo u r adversary the d e v il, as a roaring lio n , w a lke th about, seeking w hom he may devour” (verse m y G od. N ow I d o n ’ t w ant to be g u ilty o f p ic k in g on elders this week; w h a t’ s good fo r the leaders is also good fo r in various directions. M o st d e fin ite ly elders should rule, "n o t f o r f ilth y lucre, but o f a ready Nurth Vain -Oliver Avenue, between Alberta and I luinboldt his day, the w ay o f subm ission was p a rticu la rly im portant. Persecution often fosters argum ents and d ivisions w ith in a group, and leads to a feeling o f should lead w ith a clear conscience before G od, not sim p ly p la yin g p o litic s by do in g w hat other p o w e rfu l people in the church dictate. He m ust spend m uch tim e in prayer w ith the L o rd , to dence, despite the forces pushing him North Portland Bible College Building Site D O N ’T G IV E U P !! Guaranteed Results in 24 Hours Rev. Cooper Spiritual Reader & Advisor Are you sick suffering with bad luck? Hair falling our? loss of nature? Someone crossed you? Need help in any problem? My work is with God. Get rid of your problems. If I cannot do it, it cannot be done Readings by phone or by mail. Also lucky it! numbers. Call for appointment or directions. Community Fair Update May 23,1992 -10:30 A.M. To 2:00 P.M. M a llo ry Avenue C hristian Church, 126 N . E. A lb e rta , P ortland G ood things are happening in N orth/N ortheast P o rt land. “ Together we can get make it happen” continues to be an ongoing goal fo r the M a llo ry A venue C hristian C hurch, who is proud to host The C o m m u n ity F air on Saturday, M ay 23, 1992, fro m 10:30 A .M . to 2 :00 P .M . adm is sion is free! The p u b lic is in v ite d to come and ask questions. W e prom ise a good m ix o f representation o f c o m m u n ity re P a rticip a nts in clu d e The B la ck U nited Fund, Police Departm ent, Read ing Tree, A .M . A ., Am erican RedCross, N.E. C o a litio n , Y outh Gang Task Force, H IV /A id s , Legal A id , Urban League, Job Corps., N .E. C o m m u n ity D evelop m ent corp., H a b ita t fo r H u m a n ity, One C h u rch /O n e C h ild , M a in Stream Youth, P roject Lin ka ge , Foster Grandparents, A lb in a Y o u th O p p o rtu n ity S chool, Y W C A , and The W o rk Force Center the lis t continues to grow . Com e share your concerns and your s o u rce s to h e lp y o u and a n sw e r questions...child and to d d le r care w ill jo y in o u r com m unity. “ T ogether we can make a d iffe r be available. ence.” C hurch 3908 NE of C hrist M ALLORY AVENUE SUNDAY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am . Morning Worship MT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH 10:45 am . M en’s Training Leadership W om en’s Bible Class 5:00 pm. Has moved Sunday services to Evening Worship Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler St. (503) 284-1954 Mallory Avenue Christian Church D i s 6:00 pm. Attended nursery tor all services W ednesday prayer meeting Minister Gregory Fobbs and bible study 7:30 pm. Radio Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS 288-1092 R E S TO R IN G N E W TESTAMENT C H R ISTIAN ITY c i p l e s God's Presence promises Pouter through Jesus Christ In G ood Times and Sad Times A/lcttfieuj / "Come to me all you tuho ore weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" 9:45am 11:00am 7:30pm M allory Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (215)333-5763 FREE READING BY PHONE_________ Sunday School Morning W orship Tuesday Bible Study and Prayer Inter-racial Congregation Denise FI. Bell. Pastor 126 N.E. Riberta + Portland, OR 97211 t (503) 288-5173
