SCRIPTURE
Galatians 6.6-7: (6) One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (7) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
OBSERVATION
In the series we are in (right now at the Main Services) called “Just Asking,” one of the inquiries had to do with pastoral compensation.
“Why do pastors get paid when Jesus was willing to do the same thing for free?”
Well, the answer seems pretty straightforward from these verses: “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”
APPLICATION
Other than the biblical case for paying pastors…the danger involved in shepherding God’s people (alone) should facilitate more competitive wages (i.e. hazard pay).
Unfortunately, most pastors don’t make it long-term in ministry because of the workload, coupled with oftentimes weak compensation packages (pastors know they are storing up treasure in heaven, but a little more down here can’t hurt – ha!).
The following stats (about Pastors) are frightening…but they are very accurate!
Pretty staggering statistics…and I thank God that Crossroads doesn’t reflect this…but they are very accurate and I have seen that first hand.
PRAYER
Father, give the pastors of the world a renewed vision of what it means to give their lives to you. Help the people of God to see the importance sharing “all good things with the one who teaches.”
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 6.6-7: (6) One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (7) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
OBSERVATION
In the series we are in (right now at the Main Services) called “Just Asking,” one of the inquiries had to do with pastoral compensation.
“Why do pastors get paid when Jesus was willing to do the same thing for free?”
Well, the answer seems pretty straightforward from these verses: “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”
APPLICATION
Other than the biblical case for paying pastors…the danger involved in shepherding God’s people (alone) should facilitate more competitive wages (i.e. hazard pay).
Unfortunately, most pastors don’t make it long-term in ministry because of the workload, coupled with oftentimes weak compensation packages (pastors know they are storing up treasure in heaven, but a little more down here can’t hurt – ha!).
The following stats (about Pastors) are frightening…but they are very accurate!
Pretty staggering statistics…and I thank God that Crossroads doesn’t reflect this…but they are very accurate and I have seen that first hand.
PRAYER
Father, give the pastors of the world a renewed vision of what it means to give their lives to you. Help the people of God to see the importance sharing “all good things with the one who teaches.”
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 5.1, 12, 14:
1) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
12) I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
OBSERVATION
There is a type of person I find very interesting. It is not the person of power or prestige. The person who fascinates me the most is the “person of contradiction.”
My friend, Kyle from Canada, epitomizes this type of person to an (almost) unbelievable extreme. He was one of the most…
-caring & selfish…
-confident & self-conscious…
-spiritual & pagan…
-deep & shallow…
…humans I have ever had the privilege to know.
The Apostle Paul, in these verses, reminds me a little of Kyle.
In one verse, he commands the church in Galatia to love everyone…and then wishes he could cut off the testicles of the Judaizers. Paul is definitely a person of contradictions.
APPLICATION
In my attempts to become a consistent Christian, after reading these verses, I wonder if I might have lost a little of my passion for the things that are important to (or, even bother) God?
Maybe I need to allow passion to trump comfort and consistency more often…even if it causes a few contradictions in my life!
PRAYER
Father, disturb me…shake me up…contradict me! Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 5.1, 12, 14:
1) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
12) I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
OBSERVATION
There is a type of person I find very interesting. It is not the person of power or prestige. The person who fascinates me the most is the “person of contradiction.”
My friend, Kyle from Canada, epitomizes this type of person to an (almost) unbelievable extreme. He was one of the most…
-caring & selfish…
-confident & self-conscious…
-spiritual & pagan…
-deep & shallow…
…humans I have ever had the privilege to know.
The Apostle Paul, in these verses, reminds me a little of Kyle.
In one verse, he commands the church in Galatia to love everyone…and then wishes he could cut off the testicles of the Judaizers. Paul is definitely a person of contradictions.
APPLICATION
In my attempts to become a consistent Christian, after reading these verses, I wonder if I might have lost a little of my passion for the things that are important to (or, even bother) God?
Maybe I need to allow passion to trump comfort and consistency more often…even if it causes a few contradictions in my life!
PRAYER
Father, disturb me…shake me up…contradict me! Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 4.1-7:
1) I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,
2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
3) In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7) So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION
In this passage, Paul is recreating a whole new identity for the people of God. What he is doing in these verses is absolutely brilliant!!!
PRAYER
Father, give me the sight to see as you alone can see. Amen!
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 4.1-7:
1) I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,
2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
3) In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7) So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION
In this passage, Paul is recreating a whole new identity for the people of God. What he is doing in these verses is absolutely brilliant!!!
PRAYER
Father, give me the sight to see as you alone can see. Amen!
SCRIPTURE
Acts 28.26-28:
26) "'Go to this people, and say, ‘You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
27) For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.'
28) Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’"
OBSERVATION
From Paul’s perspective, this is the final nail in the coffin for the Jews and the Good News…but, at the same time, it is an open door of opportunity for the Gentiles.
The Book of Acts ends with a declaration that a new way has been made (a new road has been paved) into the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
I am grateful for the openness of God – that his plan included even me…GENTILE JAMES!!!
PRAYER
Thank you Father…Amen!!!
SCRIPTURE
Acts 28.26-28:
26) "'Go to this people, and say, ‘You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
27) For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.'
28) Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’"
OBSERVATION
From Paul’s perspective, this is the final nail in the coffin for the Jews and the Good News…but, at the same time, it is an open door of opportunity for the Gentiles.
The Book of Acts ends with a declaration that a new way has been made (a new road has been paved) into the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
I am grateful for the openness of God – that his plan included even me…GENTILE JAMES!!!
PRAYER
Thank you Father…Amen!!!
