"BUT WE KNOW HIM!" Who among us knows someone famous?.......... Actually, all of you who know Jesus should have your hands up!
I want to share about the time when Jesus was seen as just a nobody with a big head. I'm going to relate that to us, by sharing that an important part of worship is to honour one another. My title is "But we know him!", and the story comes from Mark 6:1-6.... By this time he had:- raised the little girl from the dead, delivered many, including the man at the tombs from a legion of demons, stilled the storm, preached with great wisdom and power to multitudes, healed the sick including lepers, forgiven and healed the paralytic - and, sent his disciples to do similar things.
Yet these people who knew him; knew what his job was; knew his family, - were offended at him. They asked, "Where did he get this wisdom and these mighty works?"
What does this tell us about human nature? Aren't we allowed to do anything better than those around us? Were these people correct in their estimation of what Jesus should be capable of?... Are people going to be right about you?
Where did Jesus get `his wisdom and mighty works'?..... From God, of course. And what does worship towards God have to do with honouring each other? First - because honouring each other says "God - you are a wonderful creator!" - remember the saying: `God don't make no junk'! Second; - because we also have the Spirit of God living in us. Look at Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12 (I'm not sure what could be called `greater works' than raising the dead - but perhaps it means quantity rather than quality in this instance - more people, more means to reach them via technology etc.)
So, why did Jesus' home town people put him down? A well know saying is: "Familiarity breeds contemp." Why?.. People were affronted at him - because they were flesh, because they lived by worldly principles, and because - "the devil made 'em do it". I'll explain...
Flesh? Human nature is a good way of putting this word - and part of our nature is to be proud, to want to be king of the castle. This is shown by the "tall poppy" syndrome, where we knock each other's confidence to bits; which stops us believing in ourselves, and believing that God can work through us. The sad thing is, that with God, we are all "tall poppies" to him in our different ways.
Another way it shows up is in "greasing up" to those in positions of power and glory. Really, this could be called worshipping man. We don't bow and sacrifice to idols today - well, - except for sports and screen and singing idols, - and even in church, the `man at the top' is too often idolized, and usually likes it, till it wears him out! They don't call infatuation `a crush', for nothing!
The world worships the famous, and hangs on their every word. We want to find out how they got to be so successful, what methods they used that were so perfect as to achieve the fortune, power and fame we long for. But someone has said - "Fame is a purse with holes"; Baron Edward Lytton said "Happy is the man who has never known what it is to taste of fame - to have it is a purgatory, to want it is a Hell!"
And the devil who would prefer us to never achieve anything except death, would indeed love to send us to hell, all the while mouthing mocking accusations on our lack of success.
Oh - it's human nature to want to be famous - and it's not a sin - God can use people in high positions to touch others. It's just that few of us are strong enough to separate the success from the fact that we are still frail man. Few of us could see that the dustman on the street (- or is it "waste busters" -or "sanitary officers"!), may have as much or more worth, than a famous model raking in millions. I mean - this `man' may be frail - but he's still the highest point of God's creation. To consider yourself to be better than the comman man, is to be... - what?.... Better than man?... God! - Look out for Lucifer! I've seen too many church leaders place themselves, and allow their people to place them, above "the common herd". Dangerous! No wonder so many burn out.
No, separate the man from the task. It has been said that God can do great things through humble people who are totally committed to Him. And the one he can trust is the one he can use to change the world. In Bible terms, leaders are to have servant hearts - I think, for their safety as well as everyone else's. Anyway - the only people we need to be `famous' to, are those around us who know us, that share love and care with us. If we have people we can trust, to be for us, and and trust to be for the Lord in us, that we know - whether in praise or critisism - they mean for us to grow, - we can have no greater treasure.
PART TWO
Ever compare yourself with anyone else?... Why?....(think about it!)
I had a copy of the "apple or banana" story once - it goes on about this apple that wants to be a banana because it wants everybody to like it... But some people don't like bananas - and God made him an apple... etc, etc!
There is a proverb that has been around for centuries in English. It's been used by Shakespeare, and in Spanish by the writer, Cervantes in "Don Quixote", and is also found in French, Italian and Scottish writings... "Comparisons are odious". It's like the rooster who came back from Africa with an ostrich egg and said to his brood - "It's not that I'm complaining about production - I just wanted to show you what other hens are doing." Comparing isn't fair, and it criticizes the Lord for the way He made us. The trouble is, - we limit God, the church - and ourselves. We are all so different - and there is so much to be done.
God has a unique purpose and plan for each of us, yet somehow, we seem to waste so much time and energy fighting - to find and keep our place in the sun. But do you think Jesus, the Son doesn't know what He's doing with our lives? Maybe there's just too many people?.. Of course, there's a fair few whose sole aim in life is to eat, drink and be merry - or as someone else put it - "a good time and no hassles"... But that's just human nature - like gravity, it could keep us lying around all day, and we all have to make the effort to stand against it.
No, there's a lot to be done - and not enough people to do it. So why do we limit the church tasks to exciting up-front ministry, and everything else is boring and unimportant? Why do we limit the people who `work for the Lord', when we are all “kings and priests” for him... If we could see that - in carrying His presence around with you - you are the church, and anything, absolutely anything you do - you can do for him. Caring for yourself and for others in the love and strength of the Lord, is working for Him. It is extending His kingdom on this earth.
Yet for some reason we have the idea that to let someone do what they do well, is going to limit our opportunities in the scheme of things, and we scrap over the few public positions in the church - and sometimes someone `gets in' who doesn't have the call to it, because someone isn't doing what they should be - or someone else is ambitious and scheming.
Leadership positions are hung on to for the esteem they bring. We think they are more perfect somehow, with all the answers. Too many leaders are untouchable - a lowly member of the congregation can't give them anything they need in terms of advice or ministry. If they try - the leader can feel threatened, their secure position at the `head of the pack', the `top of the roost" is seen to be challenged. But the church doesn't live by the law of the jungle! We live by the law of love - and leaders are to be servants - upholding the church as the `big bricks' at the bottom of the heap, - not on the top, squashing the energy and creativity of the people! Fact is, giving people room and assistance to do their job will strengthen the church. This may include diagnosing and solving problems. It will mean more organisation and work for leaders at first; but it will create more workers, and more opportunities for everyone - not less. You'll have less frustration, less problems as people are able to give out, which will mean less work. Creative energy turned inward becomes destructive. Look on it as an investment, not a bore and a chore.
It's time to break the mold - to see the church as a living, growing organism with myriad parts - not a simple cell floating blindly in the womb of life.
The scripture says in Rev 1:6 and 5:10 - we are all kings and priests to God, - for each other, and for the world around us. We don't always have to be paid for what we do, we don't have to get lots of attention - but we do need recognition and honour from people you care about.
To illustrate what I mean, I want to share a couple of examples of people who perhaps aren't seen as anyone super-special. Anthony is in a unique place at his work, to reach people no-one else can. He needs some support - perhaps some training in 1-1 evangelism, he needs the encouragement of someone's interest, and some prayer support - which he can also give to others in similar situations. Mike is someone I've heard put down a little - but you have to see him on the inside. He's a big chap - but I believe in God, he's even bigger than he looks. I believe God would have him to be like one of the mighty men of old - capable of slaying eight hundred enemy with one spear. Give Mikey a place to do it, and the respect and encouragement to let loose against spiritual enemies, and you'll find your own job easier to operate in!
As for me, I guess I've always struggled. I heard someone say that the devil sends generals against people who are going to be generals... and the struggle helps them become one! Here's hoping, because I feel a bit this way. I think God has told me I'm a catalyst - something that you need to kick in the chemical reaction to make fertilizer. So I'm a changing agent, and people find change difficult. But God is into change - he's into growth. There aren't any adult sized babies - if you don't grow, you die. And growth means changing, maturing, perfecting.
So, as Jules Riding says on his Heartstrings album - "Don't let anybody tell you that you can't make a difference. They don't know what God is gonna do through you." The devil has the job of destroying your confidence and self respect. Are you going to help him? Or are you going to fight him - with the honour and respect you give to yourself, and to each one of your brothers and sisters on this good earth.... Scripture repeats eight times that God respects no-one above another. We may greater tasks, but that doesn't make us greater people.
Let's finish on this positive note. Live not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. By faith, humbly allow His grace to operate in your life, to help you live above weak and corrupted human nature, - as Peter said in 1 Pet 5:5. Honouring one another as it says in Romans 12:10. Remember 1 Cor 12:23-26 where honouring one another - especially those who normally wouldn't receive it, has the power to prevent divisions. You see the same cry from Paul in the letter to the Philippians [2:1-5]. And Jesus wonderful example of humility - and the reward follows on from this...
Our hearts should desire to bring glory to God with the work of the church - helping and encouraging each other even more as the end draws near. In such an atmosphere of love and trust will our worship to God pour forth freely, a sweet incense. Then the wonder of His presence will be felt, as God moves among us once more, to will and do His good pleasure - the maturing of His church!
Are we agreed? Then let's minister to one another - encourage someone - comfort those who have felt put down, - and exhort yourselves and each other to repentance and obedience if you have missed the mark in the past.