What God Expects

I am hard on myself, more so than anyone else. This is probably because I think that I can do just about anything that is within reason. It does not matter what it is, whether physically or intellectually, I am sure that I can handle it. There is neither mountain too big nor problem too hard that I cannot overcome. I expect a lot from myself. The awful truth of the matter is that I let myself down far more than I would like. When this happens, I tell myself that it is because I did not put as much effort into the task at hand as I should have and that I can accomplish what I set out to do; it will just be a little harder than anticipated. Knowing this, whenever I take on a new challenge I try and make realistic goals so that I lessen the chance of failure, not that it would happen, but just in case. Now as I turn my efforts towards the work at Eagle Lake, I find myself trying to set in place new, realistic goals for myself and the church as a whole. What is it that I expect of my time here? More importantly, what does God expect of me and of this congregation?

As Gospel Minister

As a minister of God’s word, I have a great deal of responsibility put on me. I must preach the word. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2, NKJ). God has chosen preaching as His instrument for spreading the gospel (Rom. 10:14). This gospel is not of my own making, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20-2), nor do I dare and add to or take away from it (Rev. 22:18-19). The gospel that Christ preached is the only one that you will hear from the pulpit while I am behind it. This is of utmost importance, for no other gospel can bring the lost to Christ. It is my responsibility to not overstep my bounds as a preacher. I am not a “pastor” nor am I the leader of this congregation. I do not make rules but abide by the ones that are in place, and I submit myself to the eldership (Heb. 13:17). “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16).

As Church Member

As a member of this congregation, I have a great deal of responsibility put on me. I must support the work in Eagle Lake (1 Cor. 12:12-27). I need to use the abilities that I have to help this congregation grow spiritually and then numerically. God has given me certain gifts that I can use and be of benefit to the church here in Eagle Lake. I must realize that like that lazy servant of Matthew 25, if I do nothing with the abilities that I have, I cannot have hope of eternal life with God for, “faith without works is dead.” The young men must be taught to be sober-minded, that they may grow up to be preaches and elders some day, and the young women must be taught to take care of their homes and to love their husbands and children (Tit. 2:4-6). As a member here, I realize that the youth of this congregation see all that I do and, to a certain extent, will live their lives according to the example I set as I live mine. Not only do the youth look at me, but the outside world does as well and will judge the church on how I behave. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary” (Rev.2:2-3).

As Christian in This World

As a Christian in the world today, I have a great deal of responsibility put on me. I must be a shining light in the world so that others can see me and find their way safely to Christ (Mt. 5:14-15). As a Christian, I have put on Christ, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27), and in doing so I became a representative of Him. Does my life proclaim that I am a servant of Christ? Am I unmistakably a Christian? “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Mt. 23:13). Would Christ say the same things of me? Am I causing myself to be lost and others as well? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16).

Conclusion

God expects a lot from us. As members of the Lord’s church, we have a great deal of work that we are to do. There are members who are struggling and many lost in this community that need Christ more than anything else. We must do all that we can to encourage one another and to bring the lost to Christ. As for me, I still expect a great deal of myself. I do know, however, that I will be able to do very little to grow this congregation or work in the community without your help. If we work together with God, there are limitless possibilities to what we can do in Christ’s kingdom here on earth. How much does God expect from us? Everything!