Recently, a friend from afar came to visit us. She inquired about my journey to becoming a pastor. To summarize my experience, I explained that I spent six years in an organized church, where I received a salary. However, for close to twelve years now, I have been serving independently, conducting Bible studies without a salary. Instead, I trust in God for voluntary contributions. She was amazed by God’s goodness and grace.
Is it permissible for a pastor to engage in money-making ventures or be employed in secular work while also serving God? Paul addressed this question in 1 Corinthians 9:7-14.
“Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does He not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:7-14)
Jesus told a person who wanted to follow Him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)
We do not follow Jesus for material gains, but rather for forgiveness, restoration to God, and the gift of eternal life. This principle applies to everyone, including both pastors and disciples of Christ.
Jesus warns those who wish to follow Him that it won’t be easy. It’s not a bed of roses; life’s challenges will still arise. He further emphasized this by telling another potential follower, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
It’s ironic that many Christians often put Jesus or the Bible on the backseat when life’s troubles or even busyness arise. This is not a true way to follow Jesus Christ. Following Him can be summarized by the wedding vow: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
Oddly, Jesus even states, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37)
The journey of following Jesus is a narrow path with no other options. Hence, Jesus earlier in Luke 9 teaches: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
Doesn’t seem to have options there, do we? It requires a strong commitment to follow Him, regardless of the consequences or obstacles. Jesus Christ invites us, saying, “Come, follow Me,” with no qualifications or exceptions.
During our Bible study, we often come across a passage in Scripture that leads to disagreement among some participants about its applicability to everyone. Consider Christ’s directive: “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” (Mark 10:21).
Is this an isolated teaching in Scripture? It is not. Jesus, in Luke 12:33-34, teaches something similar that applies to all who wish to be His disciples: “Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)
The central message of Christ Jesus is not to demand that we sell all our possessions, but rather to emphasize that we should not love material wealth more than we love God. We need to place our hearts in the right position, as stated in Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus further explains, “No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
We should follow Jesus with full conviction and trust. Take some time to reflect on whether you can endure the journey of following Him. The cost may be high, but the reward is priceless—eternal entry into God’s kingdom. Remember that when we decide to follow Jesus Christ, we are bound by a sacred commitment, like a wedding vow.
Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!
Since June is an occasion for fathers, I am writing this letter to call on the attention of Christian fathers. Many Christian fathers are unable to minister to their families these days, perpetuating a cycle of decline. Since most Christian churches grow through birth rather than evangelism, it’s no surprise that we’re witnessing a decline in Christian leadership over time. To address this present dilemma, we must train the next generation in biblical interpretation. We should teach them how to properly explain Scripture, as people have been prioritizing communication skills over faithfulness to the content. Consequently, we see Christians adopting diverse and peculiar doctrines.
However, since the deterioration in doctrine has been occurring for decades, if not centuries, defective doctrines have become the norm. Consequently, truthful biblical teaching has become indistinguishable to most Christians.
The sanctity of the church hinges on two key aspects: right doctrine and Christian living, and these two aspects are intrinsically linked. How can we discern true Christian living if our doctrines are flawed? How can the church remain unified if each individual has their own interpretation of the church or its doctrine? Remember that Paul emphasized that true Christian unity rests on its doctrine. See Scripture below:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to walk in a manner befitting your calling. Be humble and gentle, patient, and loving towards one another. Let us strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the ONE hope that belongs to your calling. We have ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.
Grace has been given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says, “When He ascended on high, He led a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” (In saying “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and the teachers to EQUIP the saints for the work of ministry and to BUILD UP the body of Christ, the church. Until we all attain to the UNITY OF FAITH (i.e. beliefs or doctrines) and knowledge of the Son of God, we will mature into men, reaching the measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, human cunning, and deceitful schemes.” Rather than SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, we are to grow up in every way into Christ, the head of the church, from whom the whole body (i.e. the church), joined and held together by every joint, when each part works properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
Love, as defined in Scripture, encompasses, rather centers on, right doctrines. So, why has the church chosen to prioritize protecting its aesthetics over its inner self or constitution (i.e., its doctrines)? Until when will Christians continue to be pretentious, claiming that everything is well with the church?
Lies, deceptions, or prosthetics can only keep those who are indifferent, naive in Scripture, or fatally attached due to relational bonds, but not the thinking, intellectually inclined, and truth-seeking Christians. Are you truly not aware of the reasons behind the church’s failures? The church has long ceased to effectively fulfill its mandate from Christ.
If you claim ignorance, then you don’t deserve to lead the church (1Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) . However, if you are aware of the situation, your silence and indifference are harming God’s church. Let me remind everyone of Paul’s words: “If anyone destroys God’s temple (i.e., the church), God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
Each Christian is obligated to uphold the sanctity of God’s church, particularly ministers, pastors, elders, deacons, and those who claim to be reverends.
Quoting Paul’s words: “For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” (2 Corinthians 2:4)
As the saying goes, “Sharing is caring.” Let’s consider this article in the context of loving and caring for God’s church.
Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!
In the last decade or more, the call for discipleship has become the norm for many Christian congregations. This has become the trend in the hope of increasing their numbers, which they believe is the byproduct of successful discipleship program.
The Bible spoke of the disciples of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14), the disciples of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:15-16), some claims to be disciples of Moses (John 9:28), but in our modern context, it is about being a disciple of Jesus Christ, which rightly should be, for that is the call of the Bible.
The Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defined “disciple” to be a learner, one who follows one’s teaching. Though a disciple was not only a pupil but an adherent, hence they are spoken of an imitators of their teacher – see John 8:31-32.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
See also John 15:7-8.
If you abide in Me [Jesus Christ], and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified [that is, if you abide by Jesus Christ and His words], that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.
In other words, a disciple of Jesus is someone who adheres to the Words of Christ; that is, to live by the teachings and Words of the Lord, which, make no mistake, should be the proper understanding and application of discipleship. So there is a cost or discipline in discipleship; see Matthew 16:24-28.
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Jesus Christ clearly demands full surrender to Him. Anyone wanting to follow Him or be His disciple, see verse 24: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Confronted by Matthew 16:24, I often hear people ask this question: “What does it mean to deny oneself and carry his cross, then follow Jesus?”
To answer that question, we must first consider what it meant for Jesus to carry His cross. He spoke of His impending death – see Matthew 16:21-23 – which was the background for Matthew 16:24.
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:21-23)
Matthew 16:24-28 therefore was a teaching of Christ for the disciples to emulate, contrasting the attempt of Peter wanting to prevent the impending death of Jesus via crucifixion. So we see Jesus in Matthew 16:25 saying “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Of course, Jesus wasn’t asking His disciples to commit themselves to death for no reason. Rather, Jesus was teaching them to emulate Him; He was obedient to the will of God the Father even to the point of death. See Philippians 2:5-8; the apostle Paul said:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Hence, Jesus went on telling His disciples to be obedient to the will of God, contradicting the words of Peter. See Matthew 16:22 “And Peter took Him [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.‘”
See also Matthew 16:26-28.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. (Matthew 16:26-28)
Peter actually meant well, not wanting Jesus to die, yet it was not the will of Jesus but of the Father that by His death and resurrection those who believe in Him might have eternal life; see John 3:16.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
In Matthew 16:27, Jesus spoke about His Return and coming judgment that would occur within the lifetime of His disciples; see Matthew 16:28 “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Hence, it make no sense for any of them to preserve their life at the cost of losing eternity with Jesus Christ, see Matthew 16:25-26.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul.
Now having understood Jesus’ words to the disciple, we come right back to His opening statement to His disciples; see Matthew 16:24.
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Jesus called the twelve disciples for a specific mission; see Matthew 10:1-7, 16-23.
And He [Jesus] called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
The twelve disciples were to witness about Jesus Christ and tell people about the coming kingdom of heaven. And once again, Jesus assured His disciples that His Return would be in their lifetime (Matt. 10:23). So in spite of the impending dangers to their lives, they ought to continue and be obedient to their call. So once again, see Matthew 16:21-28.
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save His life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Since the twelve disciples were no longer around, then Jesus Christ must have already returned contrary to the traditional believe and teaching. If not, then Jesus failed in His promise, and the disciples were taken for a ride, which of course I do not agree. So how are we to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus?
See 1 Peter 4:1-2.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
To be a disciple of Jesus then is to live henceforth according to the will of God, no longer according to the former ways of human passions. The apostle Paul teaching the same explained in Romans 6:3-4.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
The Christian baptism is not for membership of a local congregation; rather it’s a declaration of death – dying to our old self, therefore, having a transformed life. And it’s not simply a declaration but a reality that the Christian person must live by, for Jesus Christ died a real death. For only then may we truly experience the resurrected life of the Risen Lord and have an eternal life with Him. So Paul, in Romans 6:5-11, continued on saying:
For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The Christian walk is never easy, so often said, but there is no Christian to speak of unless he/she have been transformed – just like the butterfly coming out of its cocoon. The caterpillar stops eating, hangs upside down from a twig or leaf, and spins itself a silky cocoon or molts into a shiny chrysalis, looking like it has dried up and died. Yet, within its protective casing, the caterpillar radically transforms its body, eventually emerging as a butterfly.
Scripture said,“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him.” That is the very essence of discipleship – living a life of faith in Christ Jesus and adhering to His teaching and Words. Indeed, just as Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me (Matthew 16:24),” hence, we too, wanting to be disciples of Jesus Christ, ought to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and die to our former passions, then follow Him.
Now, if we have truly died to our former passions, following Jesus would no longer be burdensome but a joyful journey, always thankful to God for His unmerited and bountiful grace, living a life of faith in Christ alone.
A blessed New Year to everyone! Thanking God for my first blog of the year. Let us continue our walk with the Lord, by unlearning tradition and relearning Scripture. To better understand our visitation, you may want to read my previous blogs “The Dilemma of Tradition” and “Scripture vs. Tradition”.
Shalom!
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Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture 