Tag: Ministry

21st Century Ministry and 2 Corinthians (Part 2)

Don’t miss the four realities of ministry listed below.2corinthians2.gif

Every would-be minister, pastor, church planter, missionary, or church leader ought to read 2 Corinthians.

Why? In this wonderful epistle, we have the opportunity to look over Paul’s shoulder in his most autobiographical book. We can learn much about ministry by observing this apostle as speaks to these people about his ministry and his relationship with them.

Ministry is tough. Don’t let any one tell you any differently. Now admittedly, what I have just said may baffle some. Some may perceive of ministry as simply the work of a career minister. Some look at ministry as simply one more career choice. “I thought about being a doctor, a lawyer, or a CPA. In the end, I decided to be a minister. i’ve always liked public speaking and leadership.” There is something about this approach that seems to have lost any sense of a calling.   

I want to first emphasize that all believers in the body of Christ are called to ministry. We are both gifted and empowered by the Spirit for ministry. Yes, there are some who may be called to lead, preach, teach, etc. in a congregation. There are certain leadership gifts and roles within the body of Christ. Maybe we should examine our own expectations regarding these roles.

Paul describes some of his experiences in this opening chapter:

  • Suffering (1:5-6)
  • Distress (1:6)
  • Hardships (1:8)
  • Under great pressure (1:8)
  • Despaired of life (1:8)
  • Felt the sentence of death (1:9)
  • Deadly peril (1:10)

Now do these words describe every ministry? No. Yet, something is wrong when we act as if we should somehow be exempt from discomfort, difficulties, and trying times in our ministry. Some ministers respond to the difficulties of ministry by constantly griping, complaining, and talking negatively about the congregation. Or, perhaps we talk about another minister or one of the elders and demonize the person. Perhaps, some of these difficult times are actually opportunities to share in the sufferings of Christ (1:5).

Now let me suggest this to you.

As a believer, you can find great encouragement in your daily ministry as a child of God by reading 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. Are you a pastor, minister, church planter, elder, or a church leader? Pay close attention to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1.

The following are some wonderful realities about ministry:

1. God comforts us in all our troubles and in turn allows us the opportunity to treasure his character (1:3-4) After all, he is “… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort …” (1:3).

2. God ministers to us in our trouble. Consequently we are able to minister to others (4-6). He brings a new capacity for ministry into our lives.

3. God gives us the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus (1:5). What an honor!

4. God desires that we rely on him and not on ourselves in ministry (1:9). Such reliance is a proclamation of where we have set our hope (1:10).


Question

Which one of the four realities of ministry means the most to you?

  

Life on the Pedestal

We place some people on a pedestal, high above all others. pedestal.jpg

I first realized this many years ago when Charlotte and I were in the home of a young couple who lived in North Alabama. They were newly married. She was a Christian and he was not. We were in their home that evening because he wanted to ask some questions regarding Jesus, the Bible, Christian faith, etc.

At one point in this conversation, this young woman referred to her dad, who was a long time minister in our area. She said, “My dad has never done anything wrong.” I then asked her to explain what she meant by that. She went on to say, “I have never known my dad to say or do anything that was wrong. He never mentioned that he struggled with anything. He never apologized for anything. I just assumed for all of these years that he was perfect.”

Now I know her dad. He was a good man. Perfect? No.

Sometimes we put people on pedestals. Some of us place fathers, mothers, and other family members there. Many Christians place their minister or other church leaders on such a pedestal. Our expectations of such church leaders are incredible. Some feel very uncomfortable when they realize this is where they have been placed by . On the other hand, there are some people who seem to relish being there. Yet, the pedestal is a dangerous place to live.

Beware of living on a pedestal.

1. The pedestal does not invite a life of daily repentance. Instead, it can all too easily accommodate secrecy, distance, and rationalization.

2. The pedestal invites unreal expectations. While I may admire someone, to place them on a pedestal is a set-up for major disappointment.

3. The pedestal creates either delusion and arrogance (maybe I really am as great as they say I am), or loneliness (there is no one who I can talk with about my humanness).

Sometimes ministers who have been placed on such a pedestal find themselves living with impossible expectations. Consequently, many feel very defeated. Yet, some ministers seem to desire the pedestal. Complicating this even further, some Christians seem all too ready to place them in such a position. Perhaps it is a way of vicariously living as a Christ-follower through the minister. “I may not be doing very well in my walk with God but you ought to see my minister.”

Pedestal living can create a spirit of arrogance and entitlement. For example, the minister may live among the congregation as if he is entitled to special treatment because of the role, etc. Such a spirit of entitlement can powerfully influence a person toward making decisions that are unwise and even immoral.

Pedestal living often becomes cocoon living where one feels isolated and alone. Instead of a lifestyle marked by ongoing confession and repentance, this minister feels that he must hide and keep to himself his struggles.

We were never created to live on a pedestal nor do we do anyone any favors by placing them on one.

Questions:

What are the costs of being on a pedestal? In what ways do we place someone there? Why would someone desire to be on a pedestal?

     

21st Century Ministry and 2 Corinthians (Part 1)

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Ministry in the body of Christ may look very different from church to church, depending upon your context and setting. It may look differently in a 21st century setting than it did fifty years ago.

Nevertheless, anyone involved in any kind ministry in the body of Christ would do well to read 2 Corinthians–again and again. In particular, those of us who function in a leadership role of some kind should read this book.

Here is a sample of what you might find in 2 Corinthians regarding ministry:

  • Ministry takes place in times of weakness not just in times of strength.
  • Ministry comes through living authentically in the body of Christ not simply as a professional who keeps a safe distance from the congregation.
  • Ministry is about relying on God who raised Jesus from the dead, not on one’s self.
  • Ministry is sometimes painful, pressure-filled, and difficult. At times, very little may be happening that is encouraging or which meets the minister’s “career goals.”
  • Ministry takes place as God ministers to us and then we are able to minister to another.

Yes, more could be said, but I would like to stop for now.

For the last few months, I have spent much time with 2 Corinthians. This is a deeply personal book that is autobiographical in nature. At times, Paul seems to struggle and his life and ministry are difficult. (He describes his life as one of “… great pressure” (1:8). He even “… felt the sentence of death” (1:9). I suspect that he would be very uncomfortable with the pedestal on which some of us have placed him.

Reflecting on Paul’s words in this book has helped me as I reflect on my own ministry. Maybe this will be helpful to you as well.

Some of you will read these reflections and relate them to your ministry as a Christ-follower in the body of Christ. Each one of us has been called to ministry in the body, both gifted and energized by the Spirit.

Yet, I am also thinking right now about that person who may be designated as a leader within a church. Far too often the church approaches this role much like an organization in the marketplace. In fact, a church might even think that its future hinges on how much money it is willing to offer a potential minister. To complicate this even more, a minister may even look at ministry through the same lens, ultimately selling out to the highest bidder.

Do I think most churches and ministers think this way? No, I do not. Yet I do know there are elements of marketplace thinking that may not be that helpful as we seek to live out the kingdom of God through the church.

Churches sometimes use the language of the marketplace (hiring, firing, employment, bosses, etc.) when referring to the ministers.

Far too often these ministers use this language themselves. “Is this in your contract?” or “Are you going to apply for that preaching job?”

I wonder what kind of baggage we bring into the church when marketplace language begins to replace biblical language as we speak of ministry?

(to be continued)


Questions

I would love to hear your thoughts regarding this. What concerns do you have regarding ministry as it is sometimes approached in the 21st century?


10 Ways to Kill a Good Ministry

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Some of the finest peopIe I have known are in “full-time” ministry. I really do know some extraordinary people! These are godly people who love the Lord and take their calling to live as disciples very seriously.

Unfortunately, I have also known some people who, for whatever reason, served in “full-time” ministry and yet consistently seemed to make some very poor choices, which hurt themselves and quite often their families and their churches. Sometimes these choices killed good ministries.

The following are ten ways to kill a good ministry:

1. Make no attempt to practice what you are preaching. However, people may hear you preach and then wonder if you don’t see the contradiction in your own life.

2. Let your ego rule. In the last two weeks, I have talked with three people in three different states who were really struggling with the behavior of their ministers. In each situation, the minister seemed to be displaying much ego and pride. In each case, the minister lost much credibility with people. One woman said regarding her minister, “You know, he really has such a big ego.”

3. Take plenty of shortcuts. Don’t study, read, think. Just preach someone else’s messages. You might rationalize that you just don’t have time to prepare weekly messages. Over time, however, your messages will become thinner and thinner. Or, perhaps you simply stop preparing. I remember one minister who used to make some very dogmatic statements in his messages. One of his members told me that quite often, on the way home from church, her teen-age son would raise questions about the sermon and dispute certain points. This minister just did not prepare very well, and it showed.

4. Let your temper flair. Give people a piece of your mind. In one case a minister periodically exploded with rage at anyone who would raise questions that caused him to feel either frustrated or indignant.

5. Manipulate. Manipulate. Manipulate. Use these church members when you need to. After all you have done for them, they should be willing to stand up for you and take your side. Use them to do your dirty work. For example, talk with them about the way you are being treated by the elders or another staff member. Get them really worked up. Now subtly encourage them to speak up on your behalf. Then, you remain silent while they do your dirty work.

6. Practice disloyalty. Don’t worry about keeping a conversation in confidence. Talk about people in ways that you would never speak to them directly. Undercut your co-workers, elders, or other church members if it seems to be in your best interest.

7. Focus on the “show” not the reality. One woman described the very sick and sinful home in which she grew up. She said that her father, a minister, was a mean, angry man who would unleash his anger on his family. During the week, he would abuse his family emotionally, calling them a variety of despicable names. Then he would preach on Sunday, projecting a certain kind of image that was the polar opposite to the reality of what his children and wife had witnessed the previous week.

8. Look out for yourself instead of the kingdom of God. Always do what is in your own interest regardless of what anyone else thinks. (This kind of thinking is the total opposite of what it means to be a servant!)

9. Justify your own existence. Communicate to others just how needed and how important you are to the congregation. Do it subtly. Some people use self-deprecating humor around church members. “I’m sure this church could get a much better minister than me.” Then listen to the members chime in: “Oh no, you are great! Where would we ever find someone like you?”

10. Give yourself permission to push against the moral edges. Maybe there is someone with whom you flirt. Perhaps you give yourself permission to view pornography on the Internet. Maybe you have a certain friend that your spouse knows nothing about. You tell yourself that there is nothing wrong with this arrangement. Yet, you recently began sharing very intimate details of your life.

Questions

In what other ways have you observed people kill a good ministry? Which one of these have you witnessed? What seems to characterize the ministers who conduct themselves in a godly, honorable manner?

Three Suggestions for Facing the Future with an Unstoppable God

future_sign

On Thursday I received an interesting e-mail from someone who was advertising an educational “opportunity.” The e-mail read:

Masters degree with no effort.

GET YOUR DIPLOMA TODAY! If you are looking for a fast and effective way to get a diploma (non-accredited), this is the best way out for you. Provide us with degree you are interested in. Call us right now at . . . . Our staff will get back to you in the next few days!

Pity those poor students who have already registered for graduate school at some university where they will have to make an effort! So, apparently you can have a future where you make no effort in order to get your master’s degree. Now that is interesting!

Just the other day, as I was thinking about the future, I read these words:

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

I am very hopeful and encouraged as I think about the future. However, my hope and encouragement are not based on circumstances. Rather it is based on Jesus’ resurrection and the implications for our own lives. If we could stand on tiptoe and look into the future, we can be encouraged.  We are encouraged because Christ was raised from the dead and he will raise us as well (2 Cor. 4:14).

Of course, I am not suggesting that the future will not have moments of pain, suffering, and anguish. Life is often very, very hard. Outwardly, we sometimes go through great hardship. Outwardly, there is a sense in which we are “wasting away.”

1. Outwardly, we are aging — all of us. To complicate this, some of us have health problems and experience chronic physical pain.

2. Outwardly, we have troubles. These troubles seem to suggest that we have been disqualified from experiencing the good life.

3. Outwardly, we have broken dreams, disappointments and heartaches.

If this (the outward self) is the focus of our lives, we may have every reason to be disheartened. There are times when I have been totally focused on the outward. When this is my focus, I will generally become discouraged (if the outward is troubling) or prideful (if the outward is positive). Sometimes I think that if the problems in my life could just get solved then all would be well.

Meanwhile, God tells us that the larger reality of our lives is not what is happening outwardly but what he is doing in us inwardly. Our future is in the God of the resurrection who continues to renew us each day. Therefore, we do not lose heart. That is, we don’t have to become despondent over what we are experiencing outwardly in this life. Why? Nothing that is happening outwardly has limited, stopped or defeated what God is doing inwardly. The greatest reality in our lives is that he is renewing us every single day.

Suggestions:

1. Instead of talking about how old you are and how you are physically not what you used to be, choose to talk about the renewing work of God in your life.

2. Instead of complaining about your problems, your health, and your frustrations, choose to praise God for what he is doing in your life.

3. Instead of feeling defeated because of your broken dreams, disappointments and heartaches, choose to thank God for never being limited, stopped, or defeated in what he is doing in your life.

Question:

When do you allow your outward circumstances to defeat you? What helps you rely on God?

The Month that Has Been a Lifesaver! (A 16-Year Practice)

Time

Sixteen years ago, my family and I moved to Waco, Texas, to begin working with the Crestview church. Our children were young and were fascinated by the notion of moving. I still remember their glee when we flew into the Waco airport and were greeted by some members of what would become our new church. These people did so much to help us feel welcome. They sent us notes and cards, invited us into their homes for meals, and were very kind to our two little girls.

Yet, in spite of those kind gestures, it would be a hard move. Our prior church situation had been very, very difficult. In fact, after almost three years there, I began to wonder if I wanted to remain in “full-time ministry” any longer. I was burned out — completely. In fact, it was with some hesitation that I agreed to come work with the church in Waco. I was hesitant to trust again and experience deep disappointment all over again.

However, what happened in those early discussions regarding the possibility of our move has turned out to be highly significant to my staying there for sixteen years of ministry.

From the beginning, we (the elders of this church and I) agreed that I would be away each July. Two of these weeks are vacation. They really are vacation. I don’t do e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The remaining two weeks in July would be for study. These two weeks would be a time to prepare for messages for the following year. It would be a time to read and think without the pressure of everyday ministry responsibilities.

So for sixteen years, I have been away each July. When I return, I usually feel rejuvenated and refreshed, with new energy and perspective. I really believe the primary reason for my being at this church for that many years has been the opportunity to check out each July.

What do I do during those two weeks? I have done a variety of things. For several years, I have gone to Regent College in Vancouver, B.C. There, I am in a different culture, hearing different concerns, and have the opportunity to listen to good lectures. One year I spent the week in Memphis while another year, I spent part of a week in Birmingham. Some years, I have read heavily, covering a variety of issues. Other years I have focused on one topic or issue. Some years, I have spent much time in libraries. Other years, I did not ever enter a library.

One year I simply focused on what I was hearing from people around me. I spent lots of time in Starbucks and various other coffee shops. I made notes of most every conversation that I participated in or that I overheard. I browsed through magazines, newspapers, etc. looking for common themes and threads. During that time, I was also in the middle of preparation for a new message series on Sunday mornings. So what I heard from others connected with the preparation of these messages.

In a few days, I will return to work after another July. I remain thankful to this church that provides this opportunity for me each year. I only wish that more and more of my friends who are in a similar role had such an arrangement with their churches. I think these churches would quickly see that they are making a wise, long-term investment in their minister that benefits the congregation greatly.

(I wrote this after reading a fine post by my friend, Tim Spivey, regarding a similar rhythm that he has in his life. Please read his post here.)

Questions

Have you ever experienced anything close to burnout? What practices or habits have you built into your life that have helped to energize and provide renewal?

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Uncovering Those Self-Imposed Rules

ist2_2754837-hanging

Lately, I’ve been thinking about families who get swallowed up by the performance trap.

They seem to strive for the impossible. They are very busy people and their young children often look exhausted. You wonder when they ever enjoy just being with one another and enjoying one anothers presence.

Yet, quite often the children are involved in so many activities outside of school that the whole family is exhausted. They are constantly on the run.

This is not just about being busy. Rather, it is a view of life in which we almost fear that if we don’t collect as many different experiences as possible that we will miss something. Unfortunately, we often settle for skimming across the surface of life instead of traveling deeply. Instead of deeply experiencing life, we just skim across the top and move on to something else.

Some of us, in our busyness, live with some self-imposed rules that are rooted in our view of performance. For example, consider these self-imposed rules:

1. “I can’t make a mistake. Why that would be terrible! Since there is the possibility that I might make a mistake in this particular project, I won’t even try. I want to succeed, and that means playing it safe.”

With such a self-imposed rule, children may never develop the courage to risk or venture into new territory. They may become overly cautious instead of seeking new adventure. They may even hesitate to trust God if there seems to be risk involved.

2. “I will go all the way or not at all. Either I become a winner, the best, an expert, or I don’t want to be involved.” Really? Do we want to take this view about everything we do? Do we not have a sense of priority? Now, perhaps, I might take this view regarding my top priorities. However, there might be lesser priorities in my life that are not worthy of this level of commitment. For example, I may choose to have a lesser commitment in the way I wash my car, clean out the garage, or make my lunch. I may not want to be that intense about everything I do.

To have this level of intensity about most everything can make it very difficult for a family to have fun. Far too often, things get too intense and overly serious and kids learn that their family is really not very fun. (Is it possible to just play a game in a family without someone getting angry or putting down another person? Can we not just laugh and have fun?)

3. “I will get it done by myself. If I want something done right, I have to do it myself.” Some people believe it is a sign of weakness to admit they need help. Such a person often lives with the fear of looking foolish, inadequate, or just not knowing what to do.

Still others with this view, are not willing to work to develop people and bring others along. For example, there are some ministers who have the idea that ministry is about doing 25 different tasks in the name of “ministry.” They don’t take the time or make the effort to equip others. As a result, the people around them never develop and grow. Meanwhile, this minister either feels like a martyr (“this is my lot in life”) or feels resentful (“I have to do all of this work while they do nothing”).

Questions:

What other self-imposed rules, related to performance, seem to exist for some people? What is the downside of such a view of life?

“She Doesn’t Know How Pretty She Is”

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I remember the Sunday morning that our friend made this statement. She was talking to Charlotte about her daughter-in-law. She beamed with admiration as she described a wonderful quality of her son’s wife. “She doesn’t know how pretty she is.”

This conversation took place one Sunday morning about a year ago when we were traveling and visiting another church. Charlotte and I were visiting with a young couple that morning who we have now been acquainted with for several years. We really like them both. They are good people and really have their heads on straight. He is a fun guy who laughs a lot but who also has a deep commitment to the Lord. She is a warm, attractive, young lady who, in conversation, has a way of really focusing on the other person. This young lady is not self-focused at all.

On this Sunday morning, Charlotte noticed that she looked especially nice in a particular dress. Charlotte complimented her on her appearance. Later, Charlotte expressed the same thought to her mother-in-law who was also a member of that church. Her mother-in-law smiled and acknowledged that her daughter-in-law did look nice. She then said, “The best thing is that she doesn’t know how pretty she is.”

Have you ever known someone who didn’t seem to realize just how effective, how impressive, or how attractive he/she really was to many others? Then, can you recall being in the presence of someone who seems quite impressed with himself or herself?

1. I know a man who did very well academically while in school. He earned the highest academic degree in his field. Unfortunately, he has a way of communicating to others that he sees himself as smarter than most people. Quite often this comes out in sarcastic humor. Whether or not he intends to communicate a feeling of superiority is not the point here. The point I am trying to make is that many others perceive him this way.

2. I once knew a woman who seemed to pride herself on her social sophistication. She saw herself as being “in the know” about so many things. She took pride in being aware of all the designer labels in women’s and men’s clothing. She took pride in what she knew about pop culture. When someone couldn’t identify a certain band or movie star, she had a way of making that person feel foolish. No graciousness here. Rather, she seemed to see these moments as opportunities to humiliate and embarrass.

3. I have known many, many ministers. Some ministers seem to forever be measuring themselves against other ministers. At times they seem to pride themselves on how well connected they are to other ministers who are highly visible, well known, etc. Meanwhile, they have a way of ignoring other ministers who would love to have a cup of coffee or in some way connect with them.

The ministers who impress me the most are those who seem to have little self-consciousness. These people don’t seem to be trying to impress or communicate that they are a cut above other ministers. In fact, I admire some of these people who don’t seem to be aware of just how impressive they really are.

Bottom Line: People who are not self-conscious do not have to constantly call attention to themselves. When we don’t have to be noticed, we are free to live for others.

What if you did not have to talk about your church as if it were the only game in town? You might be free to notice the good that other churches are doing.

What if you did not have to prove that you know more than others? You might be free to affirm another’s knowledge and insight.

What if you did not have to be noticed (in terms of your personal attractiveness)? You might be free to affirm another’s appearance.

What if you did not have to be all-knowing? You might be free to learn from others.

Perhaps the most impressive people are those who have no idea just how impressive they really are.

Question: Self-promotion or Self-less Service?

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I would like to hear what you think about this. What has been your experience?

I mentioned to you in a recent post that I am spending much time in 2 Corinthians right now. There is a fascinating section of this book that I have read a number of times. The text is 2 Corinthians 2:14-7:4. Paul is being accused by some opponents of not being the “real deal.” He responds by defending his integrity and role as an apostle and as a Christian minister. He reminds these people of the Gospel and its implications for ministry.

These opponents were apparently taking advantage of this church by promoting themselves. Meanwhile, they took Paul’s refusal to do so as a weakness. “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you” (3:1)? Also, “We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (4:5).

I know many ministers. I have witnessed many, many examples of self-less service. Away from microphones and the Sunday morning spotlight, these people give to others in ways that no one ever sees. I am not impressed with their ministry because of their speaking ability or their public gifts. Rather, it is because they live as “… servants for Jesus’ sake” (4:5).

On the other hand, I have also seen subtle and not so subtle acts of self-promotion. I cringe when the message from the minister seems to be, “I am important.” (I am not referring to a person living out an important role in the life of a church. Rather, I am referring to a self-consciousness that manages to communicate to others, “I personally am important and need to be noticed.”)

Sometimes, this same spirit is seen in the way some congregations appear to jockey with one another for position in a certain community. It almost appears that they are in a race to the finish, competing with every other church in town. Yet, is Christian ministry really supposed to be about churches competing with one another?

I am thinking through some of these concerns as I read through 2 Corinthians again and again. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and observations. What does this look like where you live? What has been your experience?

***

Questions:

What are some examples of ministers who serve in ways that reflect they are “… servants for Jesus’ sake”? How have these people impressed you?

What are some examples of subtle and not so subtle self-promotion today (not searching for names but examples of behaviors that you have seen)?

Why do some congregations seem to almost be in competition with others in their communities?

When Will Power Isn’t Enough

Stop it!

Is this the way we handle behavior issues as Christians? Is it just a matter of will power?

Yes, there are times when Jesus says to stop (John 5:14 and 6:43 are two examples).

Think about this brief interchange between Bob Newhart (longtime comedian), playing a therapist, and his patient. When I saw this video, I didn’t immediately apply it to therapy but to preaching and teaching in churches. Sometimes, preaching and teaching in churches has said “Stop it.” but never given people the power and motivation that comes with the Gospel.

I remember the first time I noticed this in Paul’s teaching in the book of Ephesians. The indicative precedes the imperative. In other words, before there is a call for these people to do something or to not do something (Stop it!), they first hear what God has been doing in this world and through the church. For example, notice how he begins the book of Ephesians (1:3-10).

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

He continues in chapters one through three speaking of all the provisions that God has blessed his people with in Christ. It is a grand picture of what God has been doing in such a powerful way through Christ. He closes chapter three by praying for the Christians in Ephesus (Ephesians 3:14-21).

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Chapters four through six are full of imperatives. Yet, these imperatives are more than Paul saying “Stop it.” Rather, he is inviting these people to live out the power of what God has done in Christ through the Spirit. The power to do the imperatives comes from the indicatives. The power to do what he commands comes from what he has already done.

To speak of the imperatives without first talking about what God has done in Christ (the indicatives) does not help anyone. In fact, it often leaves people frustrated and defeated. To say “Stop it.” outside of the power of the Spirit and the story of the Gospel leaves a person with little more than sheer will power. However, to only speak of what God has done and not deal with his desire, his command, and his instruction is to participate in an incomplete Gospel.

Have you experienced trying to change behavior by will power alone? What is the downside of relying on will power rather than God?