Servant Team Retreat - 2003. If you’re strong in grace, you can be challenged to a higher level of...

Servant Team Retreat - 2003Servant Team Retreat - 2003

If you’re strong in grace, If you’re strong in grace, you can be challenged you can be challenged

to a higher level of to a higher level of excellence.excellence.

Servant Team Retreat - 2003Servant Team Retreat - 2003The Christian Worker as SoldierThe Christian Worker as Soldier

No one has ever No one has ever figured out figured out

how to win a war without how to win a war without suffering hardshipsuffering hardship

““Suffer hardship with me, as a good Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”soldier of Christ Jesus.”


- Satanic oppression, accusation, Satanic oppression, accusation, intimidation, etc.intimidation, etc.- Disciplining hardened sinnersDisciplining hardened sinners- Anguish in your marriage & with Anguish in your marriage & with

your childrenyour children- Weariness from putting out extra Weariness from putting out extra

in an already busy schedulein an already busy schedule



- Heart-breaking ministry Heart-breaking ministry reversals & disappointmentsreversals & disappointments- Betrayal by trusted fellow-Betrayal by trusted fellow-

workers & friendsworkers & friends- Abuse to your car & home Abuse to your car & home

(especially student workers)(especially student workers)- Relational sacrifice in order to Relational sacrifice in order to

plantplant



SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:- Remembering that we are Remembering that we are alwaysalways

at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns““Therefore, since Christ suffered in his Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude . . .”same attitude . . .”

1 Peter 4:11 Peter 4:1



at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns““We can We can expectexpect to become physically to become physically tired in the midst of the battle for our tired in the midst of the battle for our King and Lord; King and Lord; we should not expect we should not expect all of life to be a vacationall of life to be a vacation . . . The more . . . The more the Holy Spirit works, the more (we) the Holy Spirit works, the more (we) will be used in the battle, and the more will be used in the battle, and the more they are used, the more there will be they are used, the more there will be personal cost and tiredness . . .personal cost and tiredness . . .



at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns““. . . People often cry out for the work . . . People often cry out for the work of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that when the Holy Spirit works, there is when the Holy Spirit works, there is alwaysalways tremendous cost to the people of tremendous cost to the people of God—weariness and tears and battles.”God—weariness and tears and battles.”Francis A. Schaeffer, Francis A. Schaeffer, No Little People No Little People (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1974), pp. 23,72.1974), pp. 23,72.



at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns

Which kind of life Which kind of life do you do you expectexpect::

Smooth sailing with Smooth sailing with occasional storms,occasional storms,

OR a battle with OR a battle with occasional refueling?occasional refueling?



at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns

JOHN WESLEY: JOHN WESLEY: “No nestling this side of “No nestling this side of

eternity!”eternity!”



at war until Christ returnsat war until Christ returns““Therefore, since Christ suffered in his Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude . . .”same attitude . . .”

1 Peter 4:11 Peter 4:1


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:- Regarding our sufferings for Regarding our sufferings for

Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““So they went on their way from the So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name.”suffer shame for his name.”

Acts 5:41Acts 5:41



Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““Now I rejoice in my sufferings for Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of his body (which is share on behalf of his body (which is the church) in filling up that which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

Colossians 1:24Colossians 1:24



Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““For to you it has been granted for For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Christ’s sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.”him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Philippians 1:29Philippians 1:29



Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““There are some Christians who There are some Christians who endure suffering, but they have no endure suffering, but they have no conception of the preciousness of the conception of the preciousness of the suffering that is their lot. They go suffering that is their lot. They go through it without any sense of through it without any sense of gratitude to the Lord and only hope for gratitude to the Lord and only hope for the day that they will be delivered out the day that they will be delivered out of it . . . of it . . .



Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““They do not heartily accept affliction, They do not heartily accept affliction, but regard it as something deplorable but regard it as something deplorable that has to be endured. Their attitude that has to be endured. Their attitude betrays the fact that they lack the mind betrays the fact that they lack the mind to suffer . . . The question is not: How to suffer . . . The question is not: How much suffering have you been through? much suffering have you been through? But: To what extent have you rejoiced But: To what extent have you rejoiced in the suffering? . . . in the suffering? . . .



Christ as a privilegeChrist as a privilege““. . . Have you ever heard him ask you: . . . Have you ever heard him ask you: What are you serving me for? . . . If this What are you serving me for? . . . If this question is not deliberately settled, your question is not deliberately settled, your weakness will be found out one day, weakness will be found out one day, and in that day you will give way to and in that day you will give way to self-pity . . .”self-pity . . .”Watchman Nee, Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Worker The Normal Christian Worker (Fort Washington, (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, 1971), pp. 92,96.Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, 1971), pp. 92,96.


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:- Seeing Satan’s attacks as his Seeing Satan’s attacks as his

“backhanded compliment”“backhanded compliment”““. . . to the degree that you share the . . . to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing . . . If you are reviled for the name of . . . If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”you.”

1 Peter 4:13,141 Peter 4:13,14


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:- Remaining at our postsRemaining at our posts

““Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in complete the work you have received in the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17)the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17)


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:- Remaining at our postsRemaining at our posts

““Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in complete the work you have received in the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17)the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17)

““But you, be sober in all things, But you, be sober in all things, endure endure hardshiphardship, do the work of an evangelist, , do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministryfulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5).” (2 Timothy 4:5)


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:

Machismo & Machismo & self-confidence are self-confidence are

inadequate & inadequate & will lead to our undoing!will lead to our undoing!


SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SUFFERING HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER INVOLVES:SOLDIER INVOLVES:

Fear & weakness Fear & weakness need not disqualify us, need not disqualify us,

as long as we as long as we put one foot in front of put one foot in front of

the other, relying on the other, relying on God’s grace to God’s grace to

strengthen us . . .strengthen us . . .


““THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS USJESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS US- He has gone before us as our He has gone before us as our

exampleexample““. . . For consider him who has endured . . . For consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against such hostility by sinners against himself, himself, so that you may not grow so that you may not grow weary and lose heartweary and lose heart.”.”

Hebrews 12:1-3Hebrews 12:1-3


““THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS USJESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS US- He will personally encourage us He will personally encourage us

in the midst of the battlein the midst of the battle““(God) comforts us in all our affliction (God) comforts us in all our affliction . . . For just as the sufferings of Christ . . . For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”comfort is abundant through Christ.”

2 Corinthians 1:4,52 Corinthians 1:4,5


““THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS USJESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS US- He gives us the camaraderie of He gives us the camaraderie of

fellow-soldiersfellow-soldiers““Paul . . . to Philemon our beloved Paul . . . to Philemon our beloved brother & fellow worker, & to Apphia brother & fellow worker, & to Apphia our sister, & to Archippus our fellow our sister, & to Archippus our fellow soldier . . . For I have come to have soldier . . . For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love . . .”much joy and comfort in your love . . .”

Philemon 1:1,2,7Philemon 1:1,2,7


““THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS USJESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS US- He assures us that we are on the He assures us that we are on the

winning sidewinning side““. . . upon this rock I will build my . . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower (withstand) it.”not overpower (withstand) it.”

Matthew 16:18Matthew 16:18


““THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS USJESUS” THAT STRENGTHENS US- He assures us that we are on the He assures us that we are on the

winning sidewinning side““(We are) fellow heirs with Christ, if (We are) fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him in order that indeed we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”revealed to us.”

Romans 8:17,18Romans 8:17,18


The issue is not The issue is not involvementinvolvement, but , but entanglemententanglement - -

allowing these things to allowing these things to usurp first place in usurp first place in

our focus & affectionsour focus & affections

““No soldier in active service No soldier in active service entanglesentangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”him as a soldier.”


Consider the Consider the difference between difference between

active duty & active duty & the reserves . . .the reserves . . .

““No soldier in active service entangles No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”him as a soldier.”


Jesus has called his Jesus has called his entire church entire church

into active duty - into active duty - but most of the but most of the

American church is American church is in the reserves!in the reserves!



Does the ethos of your Does the ethos of your home group promote home group promote

“active service” “active service” or does it confirm or does it confirm

“reservism?”“reservism?”



HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE THIS HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE THIS ETHOS IN OUR HOME GROUPS?ETHOS IN OUR HOME GROUPS?- Model it in our own livesModel it in our own lives

Are you entangled?Are you entangled?““Reflect on what I am saying, for the Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”Lord will give you insight into all this.”

2 Timothy 2:72 Timothy 2:7



Do you normally Do you normally thrive off of a ministry thrive off of a ministry

lifestyle, or is it normally lifestyle, or is it normally a burdensome duty?a burdensome duty?



What bothers you more - What bothers you more - missing out on your missing out on your

favorite hobby, favorite hobby, or your home group’s or your home group’s

disunity, weak outreach, disunity, weak outreach, etc.?etc.?



Where are you investing Where are you investing more time & thought & more time & thought &

energy - developing energy - developing workers, or improving workers, or improving

your house?your house?



What excites you most What excites you most about your kids - about your kids -

their academic &/or their academic &/or sports achievements, sports achievements, or their interest in the or their interest in the

things of God?things of God?



Is your financial givingIs your financial giving(& your excitement (& your excitement

about it) growing, or about it) growing, or lagging behind other lagging behind other

purchases?purchases?



Do you deplore the Do you deplore the “reservist” mentality “reservist” mentality

as much as you deplore as much as you deplore other “commission” other “commission”

sins?sins?



Do you have Do you have short-term & long-term short-term & long-term

spiritual goals?spiritual goals?



Do you have an Do you have an increasing awareness increasing awareness

that your life is not your that your life is not your own, that you will give own, that you will give

an account, & that life is an account, & that life is short?short?


HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE THIS HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE THIS ETHOS IN OUR HOME GROUPS?ETHOS IN OUR HOME GROUPS?- Model it in our own livesModel it in our own lives- Challenge our people to embrace Challenge our people to embrace

this way of lifethis way of life““You are witnesses, and so is God, how You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers . . . we behaved toward you believers . . .



this way of lifethis way of life““. . . just as you know how we were . . . just as you know how we were exhortingexhorting and and encouragingencouraging and and imploringimploring each one of you . . . so that each one of you . . . so that you may walk in a manner worthy of you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his own the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thess. 2:12,13)kingdom and glory.” (1 Thess. 2:12,13)



this way of lifethis way of life- Help them become Help them become

“disentangled”“disentangled”

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