5 Characteristics Of Great Men

These five characteristics are evident in all great people in God’s book.

1. God is looking for men of COMPASSION, men who put relationships before results. Or people before profits.

He gives us the example of Timothy: v20 “He’s the only one who really cares about you. Everybody else is concerned only about his own affairs not about the cause of Christ.” Timothy is a man who puts relationships before results.

Many of men today are result oriented. They become so workaholic. So concern about being appreciated at work. Doing a lot of overtime, bringing so much money in the pocket as the end result. I am afraid this is true to most men these days. We are very result oriented. Not realising the dreadful effect of leaving a vacuum in the family. “Where’s Dad? He’s earning money for you. So go to bed now.” And guess what, if Dad doesn’t leave early, he’s still in bed dead tired. If not he’s so early back to work before the kids wake up. And yet we expect a close relationship with our kids.

Study shows that the growing number of homosexual is caused by influential imbalance at home. The father image is gone. And so our boys are acquiring more of femineity from Mom. Women are more relationship oriented than men, although there is also an alarming sign that there are now many absentee Moms these day. We men have to work at this. The Bible says if I have not love, I’m nothing. The greatest things in life aren’t things. Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his soul.” People last, profits don’t. People are going to last for eternity.

Profits won’t. I have found that it is very easy to get so caught up with the business of life that I forget the relationships in my life – family, friends, and things like that.

A man who’s all wrapped up in his own affair is not a Daddy. The average father spends less than two minutes a day with his children in serious conversation. How do you develop relationships like that? You can’t. How often do you hear fathers say, “I’d love to play with my kids but I don’t have time … I’d love to help out but I don’t have time … I’d love to be with them in Church but that’s the only time I have at home…I’d love to do this but I don’t have time.”

God is looking for men (and women) with compassion, who put relationship before results. Relationship with God, relationship with the family and then others! We have to balance these things. The interesting thing is that when you put people before profits it makes your business profitable.

2. God is looking for CONSISTENCY. Men who will put character before conformity. They are not afraid to be different from the trend. Being consistent means, “I don’t care what others are doing. I’m going to do the right thing.”

God is looking for people who will stand up for Him. Verse 22 tells us that Timothy has proved himself, serving with Paul in the propagation of the gospel.

Paul is saying that his character is tested. He didn’t bend to pressure. He was a man of conviction. An opinion is something you can argue about but a conviction is something you will die for. God is looking for people of conviction. There is the old saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Do people close to your life know what you stand for? If you are a Christian, do they know you are a Christian? Do your friends know that as a Christian, your Lord and Master is Jesus? Can your friends say, “that person has convictions about honouring God?” Or, the only thing they know about you is the football team you like? Are you man of conviction? That’s the kind of people who make an impact in the lives of his children and other people. When you study history, you find that the people who have made the greatest impact in the world were not the smartest people, were not the most educated people, and were not even the wealthiest people. The people who changed the world were those with the deepest convictions for good or for bad. They believed it from the depths of their hearts.

The temptation is that we tend to be half-committed to a bunch of things, rather than 100% committed to the things that really count.

Proverbs 10:9 “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. The world is interested in image. But God is interested in integrity. Image doesn’t last. It’s going to be gone overnight. Who was on the cover of Woman’s Day three weeks ago? Nobody would know! But character lasts a lifetime. It’s not image that counts. It’s character. It’s integrity. That’s the bottom line.

We must constantly be checking our life. Is my private life consistent with my public image? If it’s not then I had better change it. Am I the same person publicly and privately? This is very important because your actions affect the life of your children. Inconsistent fathers produce insecure children. Not only that, it produces an unstable marriages. Let me give you few examples:

How can a parent say to his children don’t speed when they grew up watching dad or mom speeding? How can you effectively say to you kids don’t lie when they have watch you lied many times? How can your children honour God when they grew up watching you not interested in going to church or the things of God?

3. God is looking for men of COOPERATION, men who put cooperation before competition. I believe that Apostle Paul was a spiritual superstar, the most gifted man who ever lived next to Jesus Christ Himself. Yet even he recognised that we accomplish more when we work together. My ideas are good and your ideas are good but our ideas together are great ideas. Yes, if you really want to make an impact with your life, you need to be a person of cooperation. Work together with people. Don’t be a Lone Ranger. We’re having a soul-winning clinic every Friday to equip ourselves to be able to win someone to the Lord with a lot of ease. We believe that this is the most effective way to increase our number in this church. Are you going to cooperate?

v. 25 Notice there are three terms of cooperation. In other words there are three ways we can relate to each other if we are going to make an impact with our lives. Look at Phil 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier…

Here, God expects us to develop close relationships with other believers for three reasons:

1. The church is a family. You are my brother, you are my sister. We are all related. The Bible calls other Christians “brother” more than 100 times. In this church also we call each other brother or sister and that’s a good term. It’s a term of endearment. It’s a warm term. It says we are all in a family.

When we learned that our brother, Boy Villaflores who now resides in N.Z. had to undergo a brain operation, our hearts felt the pain. And so together we rallied behind him in prayer. We also made sure they know we are praying for them. We gave them regular calls. The result? God gave us a miracle. The operation was a success despite fear that he would not make it. That’s what we do because in this church we are a family. But it only becomes your family if you choose to get involved, if you choose to develop the relationships where you have an extended family of brothers and sisters to help you when you go through the tough times.

2. Not only is the Christian life a family but also it’s a fellowship. He says, “companion in labour”- meaning, a fellow worker. We are all given the same task, the same mission. We work together, serve together.

3. And He says we are “fellow soldier”. We are all in the same army. It’s a battle out there. It’s tough. You get knocked around. The Bible says we have the same enemy – satan. And it is the duty of all of us together to support, to encourage, to defend, and to put bandages on each other when we get wounded out there in this battle.

You are not going to make it alone in your Christian life. The people that God uses are men and women of cooperation. WE cooperate with each other. Not only as brothers and sisters but also real friends. I cannot overemphasise the need for you to attend our small group of Bible Study every Friday, small group of Wednesday Prayer Meetings and hopefully soon a small group of Women’s. You say, I don’t need it! Look with me Judges 20:11 says “So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man. So they all got together and united as one man against the city. There’s incredible power in unity.

It is easy to snap a string but when strings are spliced together they become a rope and it can be used to pull anything. I can only do enough as a Pastor. But together we can make an impact. I cannot forget how the Filipino people united together to oust the Marcos dictatorial regime. It’s the power of unity. When God’s men are unified, when God’s women are unified, it makes incredible power and impact. If each one together would consciously bring a guest every Sunday, this church will grow in number in no time.

4. God is looking for people of COMMITMENT. That’s a value that makes one great. Men who put the cause of Christ before comfort! Back to v25 Paul says of Epaphroditus, “but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. He is your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. He was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him. This is the story where Paul was in prison in Rome. There was a church in Philippi who decided to take up an offering and send some money to pay for Paul’s bills while he was in prison. They then got a guy in the church who said he would deliver it. He was the courier and his name was Epaphroditus. This was no small errand because it’s 1280 kilometres between Rome and Phillippi. There weren’t Qantas, Virgin Blue or Spirit of Tasmania available then. There weren’t any cars. It was 1280 kilometre journey on foot. If I asked you to take an offering to Sydney on foot, you’d say, “are you nuts?” I hope now you understand what we are talking about.

Epaphroditus says, “I’m going to put the cause of Christ before personal comfort. I’ll make the 1280 kilometre journey on foot to deliver this offering to Paul.” But while he’s on the trip he catches some kind of infection. He became very ill and almost died. The other two people the Bible spoke of this illness were Lazarus and Dorcas and both died. It was a deadly disease.

Have you ever been sick away from home? All you can think is, “I want to get home!” But Epaphroditus didn’t do it, however miserable. Despite the pain, He was persistent. He didn’t turn around and go back to Phillipi. He kept on, went all the way to Rome, delivered his stuff and then eventually got back home. He was committed to finishing the task. God is not impressed with great starters. He is impressed with great finishers.

He was persistent. And the cause of Christ comes first. He put the cause of Christ before comfort. Many times, we must admit, we put comfort as a determining factor in our obedience. Most of us would live for the Lord only when it’s convenient. How many of us would go to church only as long as there’s nothing else that we want to do? Serving God costs and exhausts. God is looking for men who will pay the price.

James said, that faith by itself, if not accompanied by actions is dead. God is looking for men and women of action, of initiative, who put walking feet to faith. Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Doers of the word and active!

5. COURAGE is the fifth value. Courage to puts service before security. You take risks for God’s kingdom. We serve God and others with reckless abandonment. Phil 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: v30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. Paul says, welcome him with great joy and honour. He almost died for the work of Christ, risking or circle “not regarding his life” to send the help for me.” God honours men like that, men who risk their lives for the sake of Christ, for the cause of Christ, and who put service before security.

When I read that, I ask myself, “Is my commitment to Christ deep enough to cause me to risk anything?” I think it is. How about you? Is your commitment to Christ deep enough to risk anything? To risk your time, to risk your reputation, to risk your finances. When He tells you to do something, are you willing to take the risk?

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. v2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Take note of the word ‘present’. To present is to offer as a gift, offer – not before anyone but before God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. Don’t conform to the standard of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. He says we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. The only problem with a living sacrifice is it can crawl off the altar, or making a commitment and then you backing off it.

We come to church on Sunday and get all convicted, but by the end of the week it is all forgotten. I have to remind myself constantly that I have to present or offer my best to God because it is He whom I owe everything. Are you offering God your time? Does any of your time go to God? Are you offering God your talent? What are you presenting to God in the offering plate? Him who’s provided you all your needs, does He deserve just your extra loose coins? Or does He deserve a sacrifice? Remember God is looking for people who put service before security.

Do you love God? If your love is not costing you anything, let me put it to you, -that is not love. If you say you love your family and it is not costing you your time, patience, provision, energy and all the characters mentioned above, let me put it to you, you don’t love your family. Because love cost! When God said HE loves us HE gave HIS only begotten Son to die in the cross so that we may be reconciled to HIM. Is God telling you something today? What is it costing you to be a Christian?” That’s the mark of greatness.

Jesus said, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Look at Mark 8:35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. Only those who give their lives away for Jesus’ sake and the sake of the gospel will ever know what salvation really means. I meet so many bored, frustrated, unfulfilled men. I meet them all the time in the work that I’m in. Why is it? Why is it that there are so many unfulfilled men? It is because they don’t know what is God’s will in their lives. Worst is, they refuse to know God. They have nothing significant to live for. Life is more than just having a career or retirement. There is more to life than just career and recreation. He wants to use us in a ministry, in a way that we can make an impact with our lives.

If you read 2 Chronicles 16:9, the Lord is looking for people that He may show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward Him. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. God is looking for people to use. The greatest challenge that you will ever face in your life is the challenge to be a man of God. The greatest challenge you will ever have in your life is the challenge to live 100% sold out, for Jesus Christ to your family, to your work mates and to your friends. It’s for men of compassion and consistency and cooperation and commitment and courage. It’s not for wimps. The question is: Are you man enough to do it?

There were two ordinary guys – Timothy and Epaphroditus. Two thousand years later we are still talking about them. Millions of people have been challenged about these guys in the Bible. Why? Because they were men of value. We need to ask ourselves this question, what’s going to be the long term effect of my life, where you can answer, “I want mine to count for eternity.”

WHY SHOULD WE FOLLOW JESUS ?

I.WE SHOULD FOLLOW JESUS BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS.

A. Jesus is God's Son.

1. Christianity is the only religion that offers the missing link between God and men.

a. 1 Timothy 2:5 - "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

2. Jesus is different. As Son of God he is one of a kind.

a. John 3:16 b. John 1:1-2, 14

3. Matthew 16:16-18 "Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."" 17- "Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18- And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." 4. John 6:63-69 ""It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64- But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65- And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father. 66- From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67- Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away? 68- But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." 69- Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.""

B. Jesus is the head of God's church.

1. Colossians 1:18 - "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." 2. Ephesians 5:23 - "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body."

C. Jesus is the only source of eternal salvation.

1. John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." 2. Acts 4:12 - "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
3. Hebrews 5:8-9 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

II. WE SHOULD FOLLOW JESUS BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US.

A. He willingly laid down his life for us because he loved us.

1. John 10:17-18 ""Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18- No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.  2. John 15:13 - "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

B. He gave His body as a sacrifice for our sins.

1. Hebrews 10:10, 14, 20- "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all....14- For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified....20- by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh," 2. Romans 3:25 - "whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness,
because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,"
3. 1 Peter 2:24 - "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed."

C. He was resurrected to give us victory over the grave.

1. Romans 4:25 - "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." 2. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20 "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19- If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20- But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

III. WE SHOULD FOLLOW JESUS BECAUSE OF WHAT HE CAN DO FOR US.

A. He can give true rest for our labors.

1. He can give rest both now and in eternity. 2. Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
3. Revelation 14:13 - "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.""

B. He can save us from our sins.

1. Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

C. He can give us the strength to overcome great obstacles.

1. Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

IV. WE SHOULD FOLLOW JESUS BECAUSE OF WHAT HE WILL DO.

A. He will come again.

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14- For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15- For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16- For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17- Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 2. Titus 2:13 - "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;"

B. He will come as Savior to those who are prepared.
 

1. Hebrews 9:27-28 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

C. But He will come as Judge.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:10

CONCLUSION: Will Jesus appear the second time as your savior, or will he judge you unworthy of eternal life. "Who will follow Jesus standing for the right, holding up his banner in the thickest fight."

READ MORE AT http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Grady_Scott/WhyFollowJesus.htm

Why Should Christians Attend Church?

Why Should Christians Attend Church?

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins For believers, there is no substitute for attending church. Besides something that pleases God, it is necessary for a believer's spiritual well-being. For shut-ins or invalids who aren't able to go to church, the ministries on radio or TV might be the only kind of fellowship or spiritual nourishment that they get. God certainly understands the circumstances of these people, and recognizes the sincerity of their hearts. However, it is a different matter for those who could attend church but are too lazy, or put other things such as entertainment and amusements before God, or who harbor bitterness or indifference toward other believers. It is important to attend church for the following reasons: (1) It is an Expression of our Love for God Going to church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God, something that is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- and it is where we can bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. The psalmist wrote, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You" (Psa. 22:22). People are often motivated toward church attendance for how it will bless themselves, however we should remember that the primary purpose of the corporate gathering is to bring "service" to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psa. 134:2). Indeed, the Lord is deserving of our time and energy to honor Him with our service of devotion. "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11). (2) It builds up our Spiritual Strength Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. Every believer knows what it is to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Paul states that Christians face a wrestling match with the Devil and his evil spiritual forces, and warns that the church must put on spiritual armor for protection, as it will take everything at our disposal to stand (Eph. 6:10-18). How important that we take every opportunity available to receive ministry and strength from God's Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). (3) It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence There is the promise of a special visitation of the Lord's presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. By implication, this means whenever "Jesus" is the object of gathered prayer, worship, praise, preaching, etc. Even though Jesus resides within the heart of every believer, he honors a gathering in his name by coming in the "midst," with his power, awareness, and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at any other time. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psa. 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). (4) It provides fellowship with other Christians Gathering together also has compounded importance to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible makes it clear that a right relationship with God requires a "vertical" and "horizontal" alignment -- that is, we must have a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It is not possible to love God and refuse to love the brethren. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Scripture warns us that unforgiveness toward others will void God's forgiveness of our own sins (Matt. 6:15). John wrote, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10). One of the most important reasons that we go to church is to practice love toward the brethren in the form of fellowship. The Bible clearly shows that if we have a right relationship with God, we have fellowship with others believers. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Keeping ourselves in love and harmony with other believers keeps us humble before God so that Christ's blood can continue to cleanse us from our sins. (5) It is an act of obedience to God Not to be forgotten, going to church is also a matter of obeying God's Word. The writer of the Hebrew epistle tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," (Heb. 10:24-26). Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). (6) It provides accountability to spiritual leadership More strong evidence that proves that we're to be a part of a church fellowship, is that we're told to submit to the authority of spiritual leaders (within the boundaries of God's Word). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). God designed this system of accountability for the progress and protection of His flock. Obviously, this really isn't possible unless we are a part of an organized fellowship which has identified elders, pastors, or leaders. It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders. (7) It combines our spiritual strength in prayer The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19). There is multiplied strength in the combined faith of God's people, and it is clear that greater spiritual gains can be realized through corporate prayer and worship. This agrees with how God has historically blessed the union of His people in battle against their enemies. "Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you" (Lev. 26:8). (8) It honors the Lord's Day The fourth commandment of the law that God gave Moses was to set aside the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to the Lord. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, the early Christians began meeting together on this day as well as with the Jewish community in the synagogues on the Sabbath. History indicates that due to the enmity of the orthodox Jews toward the Christian Jews in their midst, the Jewish Christians were eventually ostracized. And although they were no longer bound to a rigid code of laws (Gal. 3:10-11, Col. 2:16), it is believed that they came to view Sunday as a combined observance of the Sabbath and the resurrection day of Jesus (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). This day of Christian worship came to be called the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10), a day to fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, to worship, pray and study the Word together. Today, the Christian Jew or gentile, is free from the bondage of the old law. The indwelling of God's spirit has brought a new way for Christians to fulfill the desires of God through His love (Gal. 5:18, Rom. 13:8-10). However, the new covenant does not invalidate the relevance of the ten commandments as they pertained to God's wishes for His people. As much as it remains God's desire for man not to kill, steal or commit adultery, God is still very much pleased for believers to honor Him on a day reserved for Him, out of their love for Him and His people. This article (VL-169) is copyrighted © by Dale A. Robbins, 1995, and is a publication of Victorious Publications, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references were taken from The New King James Bible, © Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982. You may download this article for personal use as long as you retain credit to the author. Obtain permission before reproducing copies for any reason, by filling out our simple permission form. This writing is also available as an attractive tri-fold pamphlet, which can be downloaded for reproduction from our Online Catalog. For media reproduction rights, or to obtain quantities of this title in other formats, email us.

http://www.victorious.org/whygo.htm

A CRISIS OF COMPLACENCY

From: http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/6414/4517.html

 

A CRISIS OF COMPLACENCY

by Doug Goins

In 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 Paul is dealing with a church that is full of complacent Christians. In Revelation 3:14-22 the glorified Lord Jesus addresses the same issue, speaking through the apostle John to the church in Laodicia, Turkey. He confronts them with their complacency. He says they are neither cold nor hot, they are lukewarm. They live with an illusion: They think they have become wealthy and have need of nothing. They are blind to the spiritual reality that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Paul has all the same concerns as he addresses this church in Corinth. The dictionary defines the word "complacent" as "the fact or state of being pleased with oneself, or with what one has; self-satisfaction."
I recently read Chuck Swindoll's essay Prophet Sharing in which he talked about the need for prophets in the church, people who want to take the high ground, who are excited about what God may be doing. Swindoll, in his typical way, strung together a lot of phrases that were evocative both of the prophetic viewpoint and of the complacent Christian. He placed himself in the camp of complacency. See if you find yourself anywhere here in these images:

"Always evaluating where we've been...always reacting...searching for ways to settle in and find comfort on our sofa-like surroundings...yawning...slumbering in the sleepy, warm twilight of sundown...finding a great deal of security in the mediocrity and predictability of sameness...We are like chatty, laughing tourists taking snapshots of the lowlands through rose-colored filters...enjoying today's lull...we are yesterday-dwellers...avoiding the reality of today..."

The apostle Paul is passionately concerned that his spiritual children in Corinth become realists, that they recognize their complacency and repent of it. In this series of studies on the first four chapters (Discovery Papers 4508-4517), he has been focusing on divisions in the church, on the problems of personal pride and prejudicial relationships within the church. At the heart of the complacency of the Corinthians is their belief that they are a successful, mature, interesting church. I heard of a church somewhere in the U.S. self-named the Fellowship of Excitement. The Corinthians would give themselves that name. They are satisfied with the general quality of their spiritual life together. They have settled for the illusion that they are everything God wants them to be.
In verses 8-21 Paul is going to exercise his role as an apostolic authority, confronting them for the Lord Jesus. But it's going to come from a heart of love, because he is their spiritual father, and he speaks with the passion that a father has for his children. This section provides correction for these believers. I hope it's correction for us, too. We're going to see some important insights into authentic Christian living, into what it really means to follow Jesus.

THE ILLUSION OF HAVING ARRIVED
Beginning with verse 8, Paul is going to describe the Corinthians' smug satisfaction with their condition. His irony and sarcasm are heavy, but it's their view of themselves that he is attacking:

You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and I would indeed that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

The first couple of clauses speak of the illusion that they need nothing more. The word "filled" means satiated or engorged. It has to do with eating a huge meal. They are so full they couldn't eat another bite. The second phrase speaks of material wealth. They have everything they need. The Corinthians believe that they have it all. This describes their spiritual self-appraisal. They have a strong sense of having arrived in their Christian lives. They aren't, in the words of Jesus, hungering and thirsting after righteousness. They aren't even willing to say as Paul says in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect...." They aren't willing to share their spiritual father's self-assessment.
I was thinking about how the first half of verse 8 could apply to us. We face the danger of religious arrogance, of believing ourselves to be spiritually filled and rich because we attend a Bible-teaching church, listen to Christian radio, spend money on a lot of resources at Christian book stores, and watch Christian television. Individually we can pride ourselves on knowing a lot about the Bible as fat, well-fed Christians, we can become puffed up with our own knowledge. That will evidence itself in argumentativeness when it comes to Biblical or spiritual issues; that is, the love of theological debate for its own sake. Watch out for those signs of self-satisfied spirituality and impenetrable smugness.
In the next clause in verse 8 Paul says, "...You have become kings without us...." They have the illusion that they have become sufficient in themselves. They no longer need Paul or apostolic influence. They are self-appointed kings, and they're looking down on other people from thrones of authority. They have exalted themselves to this position without any help from anybody. They're independently reigning. That has replaced any sense of community, accountability, or mutual submission. If the Corinthians needed anyone's influence, it was Paul's, but as Paul says, "You left me way behind you and below you."
The danger for us is believing that we don't need other Christians to teach us anything, becoming unwilling to allow spiritual authority to be exercised in our lives. I recently got an e-mail from a young man that included six pages of his theological observations, to which he wanted my reaction. But in the letter he was proud that he had never been to church in his life, everything he knew he had learned directly from the Bible, and he didn't really need anyone to teach him anything. That's the spirit of the church in Corinth that the apostle Paul is asking them to evaluate.
In contrast to this sense of complacency, this illusion of self-sufficiency, I was reminded of an experience that I had ten years ago at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C. I was taking a course from Dr. James Torrance, a wonderful, godly gentleman who is a systematic theologian in the Church of Scotland. He was teaching a course on the Trinity. I was so taken with his godliness and warmth and biblical perspective that I told Ray Stedman about him. Ray, then a pastor of our church, had written many books, preached all over the world, and was in his own right a tremendous Bible scholar and theologian. Ray was also teaching a course at Regent at the time. I mentioned to Ray that he would enjoy Dr. Torrance and ought to meet him. The next afternoon Ray joined me in the class and continued on for the rest of the three-week session. He sat under James Torrance, took exhaustive notes, and asked questions. I realized that even though Ray was pushing seventy, he never stopped growing and learning and submitting himself to other people.

POWER IS PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS
Let's move on to verses 9-13, where Paul contrasts the Corinthian illusions with the stark reality of his own lifestyle, which is full of weakness and humiliation. He is going to capitalize on the very things that the Corinthians disdain, because his weaknesses reflect the true nature of Christian discipleship. It's a lifestyle consistent with his own preaching of the cross of Christ. In verse 17 of this passage Paul will refer to "my ways which are in Christ Jesus." That's what he is describing here:

For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

God the Father allowed his beloved Son to be sentenced to a humiliating death. And now he is asking the apostles to follow in his Son's footsteps. To the world, the apostles-actually, all Christians-are worthless. Our ideas contribute nothing to humankind. We are deserving of death.
Paul describes his lifestyle in four ways: the phrase "a spectacle to the world," the phrase "fools for Christ's sake," a description of what it's like to suffer the way that Jesus did, and finally, the phrase "the scum of the world." This really does describe Paul's condition, and it's in direct contrast to how the Corinthians view themselves. They think they have everything in themselves. Paul knows that he has nothing in himself.
Verse 9 says that God chooses to make the apostles a spectacle or an exhibition to the world. When a Roman general won a major victory, he would lead his triumphant troops in a procession back to the city of Rome. Behind them would come in chains the king who had been conquered and his troops. These prisoners were headed for death, and as they marched through Rome the citizenry would mock and jeer at them. Then they would be led into the arena to fight wild animals and die. The apostle Paul says that we are like those men sentenced to death. James Moffett, in his translation of verse 9, says it this way: "God means us apostles to come in at the very end like doomed gladiators in the arena."
God made apostles a spectacle for our benefit. He wanted us to see how they responded to adversity, so we can learn how to fight the difficult battles we're going to face as followers of Christ. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you...'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...." (John 15:18, 20.) The point is that if we choose a life of humble discipleship, of Christ-like servanthood, if we stand for the truth of gospel, it's going to be so intimidating to the world that we're going to be in danger of death, ultimately. People under a death sentence don't get sidetracked by trivialities or secondary priorities. Paul is presenting the apostles as living with a clear view of reality. We're to have the same view: We are engaged in a life-and-death struggle if we take following Jesus Christ seriously.
In verse 10 Paul is saying that by the standards of the world he is indeed foolish, but he has already shown several times in these first four chapters that this is the only route to God's wisdom. Remember what he said in 3:18: "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise." So here he says with heavy irony, "You Corinthians with all your worldly wisdom are acting as if you are very superior. You are not willing to be declared fools by the world for the sake of Jesus Christ."
The Corinthians also have strength and weakness reversed. In fact, in God's economy strength comes out of weakness. Christ did not come as a conquering hero, he came to be crucified as a common criminal. In our suffering Savior we find the model for the Christian life. In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about the sufficiency that we find in Christ. He talks about how he has a disability, a limitation of some kind, a "thorn in the flesh" that he desperately wanted the Lord to get rid of. But Jesus told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Paul responds, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (verse 9). Again in 2 Corinthians 13:4, talking about the Lord Jesus, Paul says, "For indeed he was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God...." Jesus himself told us, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Now beginning with verse 11 the irony and sarcasm drop away, and Paul relates what it's really like to live as an apostle. Look again at his description: "...We are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate...." The long journeys that the apostles took were difficult. Travel in the first century was characterized by deprivation of every kind, lack of supplies, dangers from thieves and robbers, and illness. In verse 11 the phrase "roughly treated" refers to the beatings that a slave would get from his master. The consistent travel left the apostles without a place to call home. The apostle Paul worked hard to the point of physical exhaustion. When he wasn't supported by churches he went to work with his own hands as a tent-maker to support himself physically. Again, that would have been disturbing to the Greek church in Corinth, because Greeks looked down on manual labor. That was for slaves. And yet Paul wasn't ashamed of any sort of treatment he endured or any sort of work that was to be done for his Lord. He tells us that in the face of verbal abuse he wasn't resentful, bitter, or vindictive. I know there had to be times when he must have felt like it.
Listen to the description of his lifestyle in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. This is more specific and detailed: "...Beaten times without number [he lost track of how many], often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches."
Remember, we saw in the last message that the apostles literally considered themselves galley slaves of Jesus Christ. Their concern was humility and faithfulness. They didn't have time for resentment. They understood that they really were better off than their persecutors, and that their difficulties, losses, and weaknesses gave God the opportunity to demonstrate his power.
Look at the final humiliation of a Christ-like lifestyle at the end of verse 13: "...We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now." It's clear from the very next verse where he says, "I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you...." that he's still contrasting his lifestyle with this Corinthian complacency. They proudly see themselves as being on top, while the apostles humbly see themselves as being on the bottom. The word "scum" means filth or rubbish. It's what you sweep or scrape off of something that you're cleaning. The word "dregs" means the scrapings-off of a plate after a meal. Paul says we're garbage in the eyes of the world. That term has become common among young people; for instance, when they watch a highly-paid professional athlete make a mistake, they yell, "You're a piece of garbage!" The apostle Paul says that we're willing to live with that kind of evaluation by the world as we witness, teach, and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. He told Timothy, "...Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). The world will attempt to scour off or throw away anyone who boldly proclaims and lives out the word of God.
I've struggled this week with how to apply this. How seriously do I want to take this description of an apostolic lifestyle if I'm going to be a follower of Jesus? Is it only for the apostles, because they were super-saints and they were up to this kind of thing? I don't think so. The words of the apostle Paul must apply to any believer. At least we must be willing to allow the Lord to bring that into our lives. I wouldn't say I'm there yet. If I were facing this kind of lifestyle day in and day out, could I live it out with that kind of consistency?
The comfort and safety we have as Christians in America doesn't represent the experience of Christians in most of the world, particularly many Islamic and communist nations. What is described in this paragraph is literally true and normative for our brothers and sisters in those countries. Sometimes when those Christians come to our country and visit our churches, they're offended by our spiritual complacency, superficiality, and self-indulgent materialism.
I confess that I am much more Corinthian than apostolic in my sensitivities. We need to hear the invitation of the Lord Jesus again from the gospel of Mark: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me [the cross is about dying to our expectations]. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (8:34-37.) It brings us back to what Jim Elliott wrote in his diary: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." What Paul wants for his Corinthian family is for them to become more like the Lord Jesus in their view of reality and in their character.

A FATHER'S WARNING
Now beginning in verse 14 we hear the father's heart in these tender appeals Paul makes. He calls them to surrender to loving spiritual instruction and to adopt a fully Christ-like lifestyle. Verses 14-15:

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

Paul assures the Corinthians that though his words may seem sarcastic, he is not trying to humiliate or shame them. Eugene Petersen paraphrases that clause, "I'm not trying to make you feel rotten...." Paul is speaking as a spiritual father to his beloved children. He planted the seed of the gospel and laid the foundation for their spiritual growth. He holds a special place in their lives.
The word in verse 14 that is translated "admonish" can also be translated "warn." It's what a father does in hopes that his children will see the error of their ways and change. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament makes this comment about the word "admonish": "The word carries the idea of having a corrective influence on someone while not provoking or embittering." It implies counsel and appeal. His desire isn't to criticize and punish, but to admonish and encourage. In this appeal to follow his corrective instruction he conveys a wonderful confidence that they can change and that they will want to. There are many people who will criticize. That's what "tutors" do. They don't have a personal, relational, familial interest in you. What Paul wants is for the Corinthians to grow up more fully in the image of Jesus Christ, seeing life the way he does.
Some of us need to hear and submit to this convicting word of admonition. This challenge is loving spiritual instruction for us as well as for the Corinthians. We can repent of our complacency and allow our illusions of comfort and mediocrity and predictability to be replaced with clear-eyed reality by the Lord Jesus. Jesus made a promise in Revelation 3:18: "I advise you to buy from me...eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see."

IMITATING CHRIST
The next appeal in verses 16-17 is a call to follow consistent spiritual modeling:

I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

Again, there is gentleness here. He is not laying down apostolic orders. He uses the words "exhort," "remind," and "teach." By the way, exhortation doesn't mean using a raised voice, with a finger wagging in someone's face, saying, "You'd better shape up or else!" It literally means to call to one's side. Exhortation means putting your arm around someone's shoulder, walking along with them saying, "Would you consider this? Can we talk about this?" That's the appeal that Paul is making. He's not boxing these people in. He's giving them choice in the matter. He respects them.
What he's really asking his Corinthian children to do is to imitate not him, but "my way of life in Christ Jesus." He wants them to imitate Christ in him. He says it explicitly in 1 Corinthians 11:1: "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." In other words, "Do what I do if it matches up with the character and lifestyle of the Lord Jesus." The call to live in imitation of Christ is universal. It's not just for apostles or for the Corinthian Christians; it's for us as well. He says it's what he teaches everywhere in every church. Yes, it was the first-century circle of churches that Paul had an immediate relationship with, but the voice of the apostle, the spiritual father, speaks to us as well. We're included in the "every church" and called to imitate Christ.
Modeling our lives after those who walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ is an important part of the spiritual growth process. Spiritual fathers are very valuable. But there is only one model who will never confuse us, disappoint us, or betray our confidence in him: the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He is the only one who is absolutely, consistently, perfectly "walks his talk."
How do we learn to imitate the Lord Jesus? One way is to read the Scriptures over and over, immersing ourselves in them, because everything in the Scriptures points to him. Another way is to get comfortable talking with him, pouring out our hearts, sharing our struggles and issues, raising our questions. That's how any relationship grows. And finally, we can ask God to give us people in our lives-and we need to make this a high priority-who also want to imitate Jesus Christ. If we spend time with them, we can encourage one another in learning to live like Jesus and respond to him. If we invest ourselves in those things, we'll find that our personal relationship with him is deepened and strengthened. And the good news is, as it says in a number of places in Scripture, that he wants it more than we do. For instance, he says in John's gospel that he and the Father desire to abide with us, to be at home with us. He also says that he wants to abide in us. He wants to fill us up with his very life and express his life out through us. Jesus also says that he would love us to abide in him, to be comfortably at home in him (15:1-11).

RESPONDING TO CORRECTION
In verses 18-21 there is a call to accept the correction of spiritual discipline:

Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Paul concludes these appeals with healthy confrontation. Again, he is trying to strip away all the illusions. He wants the Corinthians to see reality, and he says he will give complacently arrogant words no attention because they contain no spiritual power. The contrast is between words and deeds. Eugene Petersen paraphrases verse 20 this way: "God's way is not a matter of mere talk, it's an empowered life." That's what Paul is going to be looking for-the power of the Spirit of God at work in the lives of these Corinthian Christians.
The Corinthians do have a choice to make. They know Paul's desires as their spiritual father, his apostolic expectations. But he's going to let them decide. He's going to let them be grown-up children, in a sense.
Paul's concern for the Corinthians is exactly the same concern that he expresses for his children in the faith in the church of Colossae, for whom he prays that power will be evidenced in them. We tend to think of power as something supernatural, tingling up and down the spine, miraculous signs and wonders, things that rattle and hum. But listen to how Paul defines the power of God to the Christians at Colossae: "...We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience...." (1:9-11.) The power of God expresses itself very practically in our lives. It's about bearing fruit in ministry, about being patient in all things-powerfully patient! It's about being steadfast, which means faithful, or hanging in there when it's tough. It means knowing more about the Lord, being fuller of him, more willing to submit to him and follow his will as we understand what that is.
Paul does mention this issue of spiritual discipline, the "rod" that he may have to bring to them. That is basically introducing us to the next two chapters, in which he is going to deal with issues that need severe discipline: sexual immorality in the church and Christians' suing each other in court.
Paul's appeal here is very wise, because there is no real spiritual growth until each of us personally, volitionally responds to the correction of the word of God. The Lord Jesus desires that each one of us be fully alive, vital, and truly effective for him. He wants to destroy our complacency. He wants to change our illusion of having arrived and of needing nothing more. He wants to replace our sense of self-sufficiency with his own sufficiency. The Lord Jesus desires white-hot, passionate intimacy with us, not just lukewarm congeniality, or being on pleasant speaking terms with him. He wants us to passionately be in love with him. The apostle Paul has appealed to us with great sensitivity, clarity, and gentleness. The Lord Jesus is equally gentle in his appeal in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Jesus says, "Let's have a meal together. I would love that sort of intimacy with you."
Below is a prayer from the famous devotional classic The Imitation of Christ written by Thomas a Kempis in the early part of the fifteenth century. Thomas a Kempis was a German Augustinian monk. The major spiritual contribution of his entire life was copying the Bible in Latin four different times. But he is much more famous for his poetry and hymns and devotional writing, which are all focused on this issue of intimacy with Jesus Christ. The Imitation of Christ is like a manual to help us go deep into the heart of God. It's a call to repentance, brokenness, willingness to live out apostolic humiliation and see it as from the Lord. See if at any point you can make this your prayer:

"Thou, O God, Who gives grace to the humble, do something also for the proud man. Make me humble and obedient; take from me the spirit of pride and haughtiness, ambition, and self-flattery, confidence and gaiety. Teach me to think well and to expound all things fairly of my brother, to love his worthiness, to delight in his praises, to excuse his errors, to give thanks for his graces, to rejoice in all the good that he receives, and ever to believe and speak better things of him than of myself.
O teach me to love to be concealed and little esteemed; let me be truly humbled and heartily ashamed of my sin and folly. Teach me to bear reproaches evenly, for I have deserved them; to refuse all honors done unto me, for I have not deserved them; to return all to Thee, for it is Thine alone."

Notes:
1. Barnhart, C.L. & R.K. Barnhart, Eds. The World Book Dictionary. Chicago, IL: World Book Inc.
2. Swindoll, Charles. Come Before Winter, Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1985, p. 178.
3. Moffatt, James, The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. New York: Harper & Brothers (no copyright), p. 48.
4. Peterson, Eugene. The Message. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1993, p. 343.
5. Kittel, Gerhard (Ed.). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 4). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967, p. 1021.
6. Peterson, ibid.

Proverb 1:32“…and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.”

Extracted from http://christianpf.com/complacency-of-fools-shall-destroy-them/


Proverbs 1:32

“…and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.”

I was doing a little bit of studying on this verse and I looked up the definition of complacent. Webster’s definition surprised me – the first definition was “self-satisfied” and the third was “unconcerned”.
I had never thought of this verse in this way. I had always just assumed complacent meant lazy. These definitions of the word shine a new light on it for me. When I think of someone who is self-satisfied, I think of someone who has accomplished something. A truly lazy person probably wouldn’t have much to be self-satisfied with, but what I am getting from this verse is that even if we have had accomplishments in the past, we can not rest on our laurels.

All roads lead to Rome

It reminds me of how Rome fell. It wasn’t because they were lazy – I am sure a lot of energy was spent becoming the powerhouse of the world that they were. But, they fell (some historians argue) because they became self-satisfied or complacent.

What does this mean for me?

I am always amazed at how quickly we can adapt to situations. You know the old story that a frog will jump out of a pot of boiling water, but will keep swimming if you increase the heat slowly? I am keeping my eyes open for the areas in my life where complacency may be setting in. I often find that if I am getting a bit too comfortable in an area, I might need to step it up a bit.

The complacency of fools

by Bob on January 3, 2009

Overcoming Complacency

Dangers of Complacency

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

Are you comfortable in your life? Have you reached a point where things seem to be going along well, where you think you've done enough and can afford to slack off a little? This passage in Isaiah 32 highlights the dangers of complacency. What a blessing righteous and just government is, verse 1. It brings peace and security verse 2. Ultimately, this will only come about when Jesus reigns. His kingdom will be one of perfect righteousness. Those who have been blind will see the truth clearly. Those who hear will actually listen, verse 3. They will discern the truth, verse 4. There are those today who have already come to this point, because they have accepted the truth and responded to Jesus. Is this a picture of you and me when we read God's Word? Do we see the truth? Do we hear what God is saying to us?

When Jesus rules, people will not be deceived any longer. God's ways will be upheld. The rogue, who currently deceives so much of our world, will be uncovered for what he is - evil, verse 7. His weapons are slander, lies and wicked schemes. We only have to look at our current world situation to see evidence of that. As believers, we know where they all come from - 'the father of lies,' John 8:44. In contrast the noble man's plans are noble.

Isaiah then goes on to warn and chastise the worldly woman at ease, the 'complacent daughters' verse 9. Complacency is a dire disease. It is so easy to slip into a pattern of laziness and simply not care or not see the point of doing things. We must be on guard against complacency in the Christian life. We must never be content, thinking we have done enough in serving God. We must never think it won't matter if we don't read our Bible for a day. What happen is one day easily becomes two, becomes a week, a month, and before you know it, it is easier to drift along rather than get back into spending that time with God.

I had to be particularly wary of this, while my arm was in plaster. Used to writing down my responses to a bible passage and also my prayers, I found it particularly frustrating to not be able to do so. I found I was not getting as much out of my bible reading and prayer time. It would have been so much easier to pick up a novel and read it, something that didn't require any response from me. Easier to think I'd just waive the bible reading and prayer, till I could get back into my usual practice. God showed me, by then it would be too late. I needed to keep reading His Word and thinking about it. Even if I didn't feel I was getting as much out of it, my habit of daily bible reading and prayer needed to be maintained. Yes, I found it harder to keep my focus but it was better than letting bible reading and prayer slide all together, before it had a chance to become a habit and a way of life. I feel far happier now the cast is off and I can respond to God's Word and what God is teaching me each day.

God promises things will get worse before they get better, verses 12-14. Sometimes it is like that in our lives too. But then He promises, the Spirit will be poured out, 'the wilderness becomes a fertile field' and justice and righteousness will abide, bringing peace, verses 15 -17. Verse 18 describes how my husband and I feel since we have moved. God has brought us to a peaceful, relaxed area. We feel extremely blessed to live here.Now we're asking God to show us the role or roles of service He has for us in our new church and community,so we do not let complacency or idleness dominate our days.
What about you? How are you serving God right where you are? Or are you like the women of Jerusalem, complacently at ease? Remember complacency can too easily become a habit.

Taken from http://christianpf.com/how-to-be-content/

Learning how to be content

by Bob on November 3, 2009

I have always had a feeling that contentment was a critical component of having joy in life. As I have been learning this lesson on a deeper level, I have written about it (here and here). But lately I have been seeing a new angle on a few verses in Philippians 4.Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Philippians 4:11-12 (NASB)

I added a little emphasis to the parts of verses above that I have been pondering. What exactly was Paul talking about when he said he knew how to get along with humble means and prosperity?
I am sure that for him it was a bit of a challenging process to be content living in humble means. He was basically on the fast-track to become a super-Pharisee -  from what I understand they were a very materialistic bunch. Then Jesus steps in and his life is forever changed. And a few years later we see him in prison writing that we should “rejoice in the Lord always” and be content in every circumstance.

Breaking the attachment to things

The first way I look at the “know how” that Paul was referring to is more of an internal lesson that needs to be learned. It’s that things are just things. They come, they go. They don’t determine your value or worth and you can’t take them with you when you die. Paul had some of the most tremendous ups and downs. One minute he was shackled hand and foot in prison and the next he was staying in the King’s palace. He seemed to live the full spectrum of having a lot and having a little.

But, his outlook proves that he had broken his attachment to things. He didn’t consider his life a failure and quit when he frequently found himself in prison. And on the other hand, he didn’t allow more prosperous times to be his pinnacle achievement that he would hang his hat on. He had a goal to fulfill what God had called him to and the things were just peripheral, so as they came and went he learned not to care too much. He was successfully living Matthew 6:33.

Practically living with a little or a lot

In addition to the internal lesson, I am starting to suspect that there is a practical element to what he is saying as well. Could it be that Paul is also referring to the resourcefulness required when times are tight? On a practical level managing money is a lot different when you have a lot of it, than when you have a little. If Warren Buffett spent 2 hours of his work-day cutting grocery coupons to save $10 at the grocery store, it would be a pretty foolish use of his time. Those same 2 hours could probably be used to do what he does so well and make many thousands of dollars. On the other hand, if you are only making $100 a week, it might be worth spending 2 hours cutting coupons to save $10.
My wife and I both had the painful experience of living well (and spending more money than we had) and then having to be honest with ourselves by cutting our standard of living to what it really should be. It is not fun at all, but trying to live like you are “in prosperity” when you are in a season of “humble means” is a path for destruction. What I have been getting out of Phil 4:12 is that if I continue to try to live like I am rich, when I am not, then I am only deceiving myself. For me, moving from having an abundance back down to humble means was a test from God. I think he wanted to see if I would still love Him if I didn’t have a lot of stuff. So I had to make many cuts to my lifestyle. I had to go without things I had previously taken for granted. And I had to start praying and trusting God for things that were previously commonplace.
Like I said, it was a painful process. But all along I knew that it was just a season and that God had more for me. And as a result of those lessons we have gone from debt-ridden over spenders to a couple who consistently spends less than they earn, has no consumer debt, and who was able to save a down payment for their new house.

One last thing

Just to clarify, I don’t believe that contentment means settling for mediocrity. But rather it is being satisfied at whatever place in life God has us at, while trusting that He does have our interest at heart and that he does want to bless us and see us succeed. So, I am trying to learn these lessons that Paul did and be content in my present circumstances, while trusting that God is taking me from Glory to Glory.

Obeying God is for our benefit, not His

Extract from http://christianpf.com/whatever-you-put-your-hand-to-will-prosper/

Obeying God is for our benefit, not His.

Now I am not suggesting that we should just serve God to see what we can get out of the deal, but it is nice to know that He is really is looking out for our benefit!

Here are a few scriptures I found about prospering in what you do…

Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) – Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Genesis 39:3 (NASB) – Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
1 Kings 2:3 (NIV) – and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 12:7 (NASB) – “There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you.
Deuteronomy 29:9 (NASB) – So keep the words of this covenant to do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.
Joshua 1:7 (NIV) – Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

I think the next verses sum the whole prospering thing up very well…

Deuteronomy 30:8-10 (NASB) “And you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. “Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; if you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.