“I am the good shepherd…” (John 10:11closeJohn 10:11 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (ESV) closeJohn 10:11closeJohn 10:11 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (ESV) 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (ESV) )
“Good” does not seem “good enough” for Jesus.
-We call all sorts of things, “good”; that really are mediocre / inconsequential
-How the yard looks after we cut it
-How a loaf of bread turns out
-Our attempt to paint a room
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is recorded as telling a parable about three servants who were entrusted with talents by their Master; who then went off on a trip. When the Master returned, he found that two of his servants had been diligent; one had not. To the faithful servants the Master said these words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” (Matt 25:21)
*Sometimes in ministry; we feel that we are not recognized properly for our work
-Hospital visits… marriage counseling… Confirmation… outreach… assimilation etc…
* “I have 8 years of post high school education; why I could have been a doctor!”
*Some Congregational Presidents / Head Elders / Lifetime members also suffer from pride
“We were here long before you came….”
“My Grandpa built the first outhouse…”
Next time we are tempted to feel sorry re the lack of appreciation we receive; let us remember Jesus:
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8closePhilippians 2:5-8 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV) closePhilippians 2:5-8closePhilippians 2:5-8 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV) 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV) )
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2-3closeHebrews 12:2-3 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (ESV) closeHebrews 12:2-3closeHebrews 12:2-3 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (ESV) 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (ESV) )
Jim Buckman
