What the Church Needs; The Example of the Old Testament Saints

What The Church Needs: Example of the

Old Testament Saints

     There are many examples in Scripture of godly men fulfilling their call and glorifying God. They serve as models; albeit, they are imperfect ones. However, they can teach us many truths both by their positive and even their negative actions. We look to these men only in an effort to project their emulative characteristics back onto us, realizing all the time that they are mere men, and sinful men at that (except, of course, Christ Jesus). We can learn; we must learn from those who have gone before. We look at these men and examples of the past in order to reform the present. Ultimately, however, we must look to Christ. We know looking back throughout the Bible that Christ was active within his people. As we look back on them, we are actually focused on Christ and his work then to better our now. So, what do we need?

Old Testament saints (Hebrews 11:33-38)

     We need a saint-like ambition, faithfulness, obedience, strength, and, if necessary, the willingness to suffer and die. The Old Testament saints, what a group were they. The author of Hebrews presented these men in a heroic light attributing their success and victories to the God of their faith. They, actually, were just regular men. God made them remarkable and did great things through them, but they had faith in God. Let God be magnified.

     We love the stories in the Old Testament. The author highlights some of our favorites. Men were made mighty by an almighty God and conquered the enemy. They faced lions, raised the dead, fought for justice, and remained faithful among the faithless. They obeyed God rather than man, even when it did not make sense. These were ordinary men doing extraordinary things because of an awesome God.

     Not only did these saints do great things, some of them suffered and were killed. They were abused, mocked, hated, imprisoned, beaten, cut in half, and afflicted. All of this was for the glory and cause of God. The world did not deserve these men, but God raised them up and used them. These saints had faults; they were sinners, and yet the strength demonstrated and willingness to suffer and die far outweighed any weaknesses. They knew God and desired to obey him, even to the point of death. They trusted God and believed his promises. They looked ahead to another land; they viewed a greater place. Their faith caused them to keep their gaze on God and not on this earth.

     We need these characteristics. The modern (American) church is too comfortable. We are not willing to suffer or die for God. We do not have the faintest idea what suffering really is. We are pampered, weak, fearful, unmotivated, unloving, lacking passion and zeal, and selfish. God help us! The only thing that may wake the American church from its slumber is persecution. That is a frightful thing to say, but it is the truth. Only when we suffer loss or real affliction will the church grow, mature, trust God, and flourish.

     If history teaches us anything, it is that the persecuted church is sustained by God, made effective, used mightily, blossoms and matures in Christ, ceases to be worldly and self-absorbed, and glorifies God on earth. When the wheat is separated from the chaff, then the church resembles the true body of Christ. That may be what it takes to rid the church of counterfeits and nominal “Christians.” A little mistreatment will divide asunder those who truly love Christ from those who honor him with their lips, yet deny him with their hearts.

     When all is said and done; at the end of the day, we need God and grace! The grace of God and his holy and abiding presence is our greatest exigency. We trust that God is on his throne; we trust that everything is being worked out perfectly according to his divine will. However, we also have a responsibility to pray for grace and enter into his presence with thanksgiving. His will is being done on earth as it is in heaven, yet he has also ordained our prayers as means to achieve his ends. We seek him and his will, and we obey. We ask again and continue to search. It is realized that we need God and his grace, so we pray and seek more. We ask and thank him for his generosity.

     What do we ask for? We ask our great God for fresh manna. May God be gracious and feed us from heaven. May he raise up shepherds that will feed us (Jer. 3:15). We also ask for the Spirit to convict and transform us (Jn. 16:8; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:10). Believers ought to ask God to revive and energize his church (Ps. 51:12, 85:6; Eph. 3:16; Col. 1:9-12). Christians must ask God to do a mighty work (1 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:16-19). Pray for revival. Pray for reformation. Pray that God increase your faith. Pray that God be glorified, Christ be preeminent, and the Spirit be given in greater measure.

What The Church Needs: John

What The Church Needs: John

     There are many examples in Scripture of godly men fulfilling their call and glorifying God. They serve as models; albeit, they are imperfect ones. However, they can teach us many truths both by their positive and even their negative actions. We look to these men only in an effort to project their emulative characteristics back onto us, realizing all the time that they are mere men, and sinful men at that (except, of course, Christ Jesus). We can learn; we must learn from those who have gone before. We look at these men and examples of the past in order to reform the present. Ultimately, however, we must look to Christ. We know looking back throughout the Bible that Christ was active within his people. As we look back on them, we are actually focused on Christ and his work then to better our now. So, what do we need?

John (1 John 4:1-12)

     We need a John-like adoration for Christ, the deep theology that accompanies it, a loving spirit, and fervor to assure and warn. The apostle John was a loving and uncompromising man. He loved the sheep, and he fed them. His epistles contain a steady diet of doctrine and practice. John would shout into the heavens as he described Christ, his work, and his love, but then he would navigate the ravines of sin and false teachers. He was balanced. With the stroke of his pen, he could teach the deepest theology and also apply it with the greatest care and ease.

     John knew God, and he knew man. It was this knowledge that led him to write warnings to his fold. He loved the sheep, so he alerted them to antichrists. The apostle exhorted believers to not believe every spirit, to test them, to watch for false prophets, to examine themselves, to be discerning. This was in the context of love. John loved these believers; he protected them from dangers that they may not or could not see. That is love. It may not be popular; it may be “judgmental,” but with the proper motives and the right spirit, it is loving and very necessary.

      John adored Christ. As a result, he loved Christ's church. Because of this love, John wrote about God's love and urged the people of God to love each other. Even this was saturated in deep theology with practical implications. God demonstrated his love by sending his Son to atone for sin and appease his wrath. This love was then being perfected in John's audience (and of course, in us). John taught these believers about God and applied the truth to their lives. He assured them of God's love and salvation and warned them of idols and counterfeits. Why? Because he was sent? Yes, but it goes beyond that. Because it was his job? Partly, but not quite. Because he loved them? Yes, John loved Christ and Christ's body. He loved the church. He loved the individuals that made up the church. John loved people. And this love, this passionate desire within him, this drove him to preach and teach God's truth.

      John loved God, he loved Christ, he loved the sheep, and he loved God's truth enough to proclaim it. That is what is needed today—theology saturated in the love of God applied to the object of God's love-his bride. Where are the preachers and teachers and leaders that will lovingly proclaim God's truth? Where are they? Who will warn the sheep? Who will assure them and bandage their wounds? Who will lovingly guide them over the rocks to fresh pasture? Where are the leaders that are willing to love the sheep enough to give them fresh water in Christ's abundant stream?

     Where are the preachers who actually have a passion for the word of God, theology, and people? Not merely theology, not just preaching, but a genuine love and burning concern for people. Theology minus love is simply knowledge. Demons possess this. Satan is a theologian, but he is destitute of love. Preaching minus love is dead rhetoric, but proclamation overcome with the love of Christ is alive and blazing. It burns; it scorches everything in its path. It is theology on fire. Oh, it's hot, it is recognizable and unquestionably epic. Entire cities may be engulfed in minutes. Whole continents set ablaze for the glory of God—how wonderful! What a thought.

     And what is left in the charred remains? What’s left is a new life in Christ. This life desires growth. People who are alive in Christ love him and want more of him. They love his word, his people, his work, his body, his creation, his mission, his teaching, his home, his Father. Their hearts are on fire for him. Not for what he can offer, what he has promised, or for what is to come. They simply love him. There is a white-hot passion for God and his glory in Christ.

     Pastors, look at John. Yes, he was sinful. Yes, he was just a man, but he was a redeemed man. The love of God transformed him and enabled him to proclaim that love to unloving and unlovable people. He loved God and doctrine. He also loved people enough to teach God's truth unadulterated. This included the difficult subjects. This meant that he might offend someone, but he loved God, his word, and his people, so he did not compromise. He loved God and pleasing him more than he feared man and what they may do. We need more men and leaders with this gumption.

What The Church Needs: Paul

What The Church Needs: Paul

     There are many examples in Scripture of godly men fulfilling their call and glorifying God. They serve as models; albeit, they are imperfect ones. However, they can teach us many truths both by their positive and even their negative actions. We look to these men only in an effort to project their emulative characteristics back onto us, realizing all the time that they are mere men, and sinful men at that (except, of course, Christ Jesus). We can learn; we must learn from those who have gone before. We look at these men and examples of the past in order to reform the present. Ultimately, however, we must look to Christ. We know looking back throughout the Bible that Christ was active within his people. As we look back on them, we are actually focused on Christ and his work then to better our now. So, what do we need?

Paul (2 Timothy 3:10-4:8)

We need a Paul-like passion for preaching and teaching the glorious gospel of Christ, studying the scriptures, and preparing the next generation for serving God and the church. If Paul had one thing, it was passion. His heart beat for God; Paul was zealous for the glory of Christ. His life was inflamed by the love of the Spirit. Paul was passionate about God, doctrine, practice, life, preaching, faith, evangelism, missions, discipleship, teaching, worship, fellowship, good works, church planting, bible study, and even death.

     We are well aware of Paul, his academics, theological acumen, etc. He was used mightily by God, but something remarkable about Paul needs our attention. His life and labors were poured into others. He cared for and prepared the next generation of believers for God's work. He did not merely preach, go on a few mission trips, start a couple of churches, and then die. No, Paul worked for the future. Paul made disciples. He multiplied himself. God's work carried on after Paul.

     How blessed was Timothy? He not only knew Paul, but Paul poured his life into the young man. Timothy was taught and mentored by the apostle Paul. He received counsel, advice, practical teaching, doctrine, and encouragement from his friend.

     What are we doing for the next generation? Do we seek to mentor and disciple believers? Do we make time for others? Are we encouraging the preaching and teaching of sound doctrine in an age of people with itching ears? Do we use Scripture to reprove? Correct and train? Is our ministry characterized by the competent equipping of men in order that they perform good works all for the glory of God? Do ministers teach young men how to read the Bible? If someone has a desire to preach, do they shepherd him?

     We have a responsibility to the next generation. Our generation stands on the shoulders of giants that had come before. Who will the next generation stand on? There are some weak shoulders and backs. Oh, that God would strengthen us and awaken us to the fact that we do not serve ourselves. We do what we do for others, and so many of these others may be yet to come.

What The Church Needs: Peter

What The Church Needs: Peter

     There are many examples in Scripture of godly men fulfilling their call and glorifying God. They serve as models; albeit, they are imperfect ones. However, they can teach us many truths both by their positive and even their negative actions. We look to these men only in an effort to project their emulative characteristics back onto us, realizing all the time that they are mere men, and sinful men at that (except, of course, Christ Jesus). We can learn; we must learn from those who have gone before. We look at these men and examples of the past in order to reform the present. Ultimately, however, we must look to Christ. We know looking back throughout the Bible that Christ was active within his people. As we look back on them, we are actually focused on Christ and his work then to better our now. So, what do we need?

Peter (Acts 3:12-26)

We need a Peter-like boldness, repentance, and proclamation saturated with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter was far from being perfect. In fact, before the resurrection of Christ, there is not much about him worth emulating. Christ changed that; he changed him. A glimpse with the risen Savior changes everything. Peter did not just have a glimpse; he had days and weeks with the Lord of Glory. The early chapters in the book of Acts reflect this. Peter is a changed man. The man who previously denied the Savior began to preach him openly. The man who exhibited cowardice was transformed and grew bold in his mission.

     Peter serves as an example to the church today. He was an egregious sinner (not unlike us). He denied knowing the God Man. He repented, Christ restored him, and then he was commissioned and sent to preach the gospel. Thousands were converted at the preaching of Peter. God was gracious in forgiving and using him. We need to ask ourselves if our lives are characterized by repentance and godly sorrow for sin. Leaders need to pray for broken and contrite hearts. Beg God for repentance. Ask him for conviction.

      Not only was Peter repentant, but he was bold as well. When Peter preached, he proclaimed the truth. He condemned men of their sins. He was honest and confronted the people in his hearing with the reality of their iniquity. Early in Acts, he told his listeners that they crucified God's servant, Jesus (Acts 3:13). Peter certainly did not hold back; he did not believe in sugar-coating the gospel message. He put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the guilty. Peter spoke of God glorifying himself through the life and atoning death of Jesus (Acts 3:13). He mentioned how they rejected Jesus and asked for a murderer in his place (Acts 3:14). Repentance was urged upon the audience; they were told to turn from their sin and return to God (Acts 3:19). Peter was bold, forthright, honest, and truthful. These traits are not very common in pulpits today. Where are the preachers that will call sin by its name, exhort their people to repent, not be fearful, and preach Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and his coming again? These traits are not very common in the pews either. Where are the believers who live repentantly before the Lord and share their faith? Where are the Christians whose lives reflect being with the Lord? Where indeed. Have mercy on us, oh Lord!