RE-TIRED-MENT!

 

Thursday, August 27, 2020

 

Special: Baptist Church Ministry Network

 

RE-TIRED-MENT!

 

Num 8:24-26

24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

KJV

 

          The only scripture I can find regarding ministry retirement is the one above but it is at least as relevant as Hebrews 10:25 and we certainly use that one often enough.

 

          Retirement! What a lovely thought on business meeting night. Well, it may not be as wonderful as you might suppose. It is downright boring at times. I should know because I am an expert. You see, I retired a full three weeks ago!

 

          If I might be serious for a moment, I know many friends who are facing the prospect of an end to ministry. Some are looking for relief and others are dreading the end. I can tell you that you will experience both. I retired from a 23-year tenure at Calvary Baptist Church in Bowie, Texas. I have many friends not only in the church but in the community. I had one man confront me in a restaurant and, in what seemed to be anger, challenged my decision to retire. This was a good man and a believer. While he did not attend my church, he groaned at the loss of my influence in the community. That is very satisfying though troubling.

 

          If you are seeking advice, I would certainly pray! Consider the impact on your congregation. What pressures will this put on your family? Lack of income is always a consideration and needs no mention here. Try to imagine ways to continue serving God.

 

          I have decided to do some pulpit supply work and, in anticipation of that, I have remarketed myself as “Minute Man Ministries.” I am still waiting for that first phone call and am considering a new name for my ministry called “The Rusty Musket.”

 

Ron Abbott
Minute Man Ministries

12249 Hulson Trail

Haslet, Texas 76052

(940) 841-2541
ron_abbott@sbcglobal.net
http://backsideofthepulpit.blogspot.com

NO FINGER POINTING ALLOWED!

 

Thursday, August 27, 2020

 

NO FINGER POINTING ALLOWED!

 

Ezek 22:30-31

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

 

           Have you ever experienced anything quite like this year? 2020 has been such a year of trouble and turmoil that it will likely become synonymous with words like trouble and difficulty.  As I write, there is a hurricane sweeping toward the northeast after making landfall near Camron, Louisiana. We in Texas got a sprinkle or two and so we know God is merciful even so. Riots continue in various places and an unseen virus has the world caged in house arrest.

 

           Some have actually speculated that it is all a judgement from an angry God. Politicians are convinced that it is the fault of the opposing party. I think they both may be right.

 

           The context of our portion of Scripture names the recipients of God’s judgment: princes (v. 25), priests (vv. 26-27), prophets (v. 28), and people (v. 29). All have failed and God is looking for someone to stand in the moral void but He finds none. The word “therefore” in verse 31 is ominous and instructive. A remedy might have eliminated judgment but now it is inevitable. It is too late. God delivers the worst of all condemnations. He gives them “their own way.”

 

Jeremiah, Baruch, and others were still there; but Jeremiah had been forbidden to pray for the people (Jeremiah 11:14), as being doomed to wrath. (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.)

 

Ezra 9:8

8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

 

Dear Lord, let us not search for a man to stand in our moral gap. Let us be that man. Let us make a difference even if we must stand alone. AMEN

THE DIVINE GUIDANCE OF UNCERTAINTY!

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

 

THE DIVINE GUIDANCE OF UNCERTAINTY!

 

Acts 16:6-10

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

 

2 Cor 2:12-13

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

 

           As we begin this morning, it seems reasonable to blend these two portions of Scripture. When we do, we see the unmistakable circumstance of uncertainty as a Divine tool for guidance. We generally think that God guides in very definite ways and in straight paths, but here we can not miss the aspect of uncertainty as part of God’s guiding plan.

 

           First, we see a definite NO from God when Paul’s troupe assayed to go into Asia and Bithynia. The Greek word for “assayed” is peirazo which indicates a plan based on mental calculations and logistics. Literally, it means “to test.” They found the doors closed.

 

           Next, we see a door opened to preach at Troas, but Paul’s spirit was restless because he did not find Titus there. We can assume that a meeting was scheduled there, and Titus failed to show up for one reason or another.

 

           Finally, Paul sees a “vision.” The Greek is horama which means “something gazed at; or a supernatural spectacle.” A man stands beckoning to Paul to come to Macedonia and help them. The language is “assuredly gathering” and the Greek for “gathering” is sumbibazo which literally means “to drive together.” The idea for us is that all the puzzle pieces now fit to make the picture clear.

 

           When God says NO our only correct response is to wait and to busy ourselves with normal and allowable duties. At the core of waiting is trusting. To force God’s hand is to shout that we do not trust Him.

 

Ps 27:14

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.