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