Say It Out Loud – Jesus Leads Us

Say It Out Loud – Jesus Leads Us takes us back to Corinth.  The Apostle Paul is once again defending himself and his gospel ministry.

Physician’s Assistant

Listen once more to the first verse.  This, then, is how you to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Paul is specifically talking about the public ministry when he calls himself a servant of Christ.  The word servant here is not a synonym of slave as it sometimes is in the New Testament.  Think a Physician’s Assistant at a doctor’s office.  This person conducts physicals exams, can write prescriptions, even help in surgery.  A great deal of responsibility is entrusted to these folks who work under a doctor.  God has entrusted his public ministers with great authority also.  Just to review, the only difference between my public calling as your pastor and yours as a child of God is that I represent you, the members of Star of Bethlehem.  I serve on your behalf to preach sermons, administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and other ministries of this church.

Secret Society

Paul describes it by saying that I am entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.  There are movies and stories about secret societies who only exist as a rumor – who perform secret rites of worship.  These were common at college campuses.  One of the more famous secret societies is Skull and Bones at Yale University.  The group would tap underclassmen who showed leadership potential.  Some of its members include US Presidents Taft, George HW Bush, and current Secretary of State John Kerry.  That’s not Christianity, but in many ways Christianity is more hush, hush.  You and I could think up our own goofy club complete with a secret handshake over lunch today, but NO ONE could have ever imagined the secrets of the Gospel.  That God would love the world who hated him?  That Jesus would die for people who murdered him?  That I could be forgiven after what I’ve done?  Now that’s a secret worth sharing.  And this is where you come in.  I’ve told not just a handful, not just most of you, I’ve told everyone that will stand still enough to listen this fantastic secret of God’s love.  That means that YOU are also entrusted with the secret things of God.  Before you go poo-pooing this great responsibility my fellow stewards of the Gospel, have you ever considered that you are the only pastor some people have.  I’m not saying you need to pack your pulpit in your backpack or briefcase on the way to school or work, but know that your witness reflects your faith and your God.

Want to hear more?  Watch this week’s message from 1 Corinthians 4, Say It Out Loud – Jesus Leads Us.