Wisdom of the Elders

Arlene's wisdom has helped
to guide me for 17 years.

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse."
Prov 10:31-32 NRSV

The wisdom of our elders should not be neglected. It should be listened to. It should be heard. I admit, I did not listen well when I was young. Yet, it still amazes me that so many will not listen to the wisdom learned through the life's lessons of the elders is neglected. Instead, many turn to their peers or even those who are much younger who have experienced even less than they have. I am not discounting the knowledge or the wisdom of the younger people. I am merely wondering why we would ignore what has already been proven.

Much grief would be averted if we listened to one another; especially if we listened to those who have already learned life's lessons.

May God open our ears and our hearts to hear and receive wisdom so that we might live abundant lives in righteousness.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Choose Wisely Whom You Will Follow

For Young Persons in General.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Pet. 5:5-6.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

The Small Catechism refers to 1 Peter 5:5-6 in order to remind young people of their duties.

 

"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

 

I would add verses 8 and 9 of 1 Peter 5 as part of that warning.  "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

 

Yes, by all means, in humility, listen and follow in the way your elders would teach you to go. But, when you are getting conflicting directions from elders; when one tells you to go this way and another tells you to go that way; take a good look at the fruits of the one who is trying to direct you. If their actions have led them to lives dodging the law or if they have spent time in prison or even in multiple civil suits. If in order to survive they have to con other people or steal from them, if their pride filled lives are being spent on making trouble for others and ultimately themselves, maybe it would be a good thing to listen to and follow the elder who has learned to live in peace with others and to produce fruits worthy of the family of believers and the Kingdom which has been promised you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

Choose wisely whom you will serve: one who is guided by the devil who wishes only to devour you or one who serves the living Lord who was willing to die so that you might live.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Titus 1:1 - Elders, Overseers, Council Members

Titus 1 NIV

Paul's letter to Titus ministering in Crete, will sound very much like the ones we just read to Timothy. He outlines the qualities of an elder. What Paul considered an elder would be what most of us know as council members. They are overseers who manage the household of God. They cannot be overbearing, nor quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. They are to be hospitable, loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Above all, they  hold firmly to the message as it has been taught, so that that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Not everyone should be a council member. So often, congregations, will choose the closest warm body who has the most available time and will volunteer or sometimes they will choose a prominent leader of the community or successful businessman thinking that he or she will be a great leader. There are all kinds of reasons people are called to serve on the council of elders. Above all, we must strive to ensure that they are faithful people. They are to know the truth of Jesus Christ and can and will be willing to promote the spreading of the gospel; as well as, able to correct those who would teach another gospel in order to ensure the flock that is under our care are not led astray.

It is necessary that they be powerful believers that they might be a witness to the mighty works of God in Christ Jesus. There will be, in every congregation and community, those who will stir up dissension; who will promote false doctrine. You will be able to recognize them easily. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him." (vs  16) You will find them within the congregation and community, even as weeds spring up with the wheat. (Matt 13:24-30) Continue with them in your midst; lovingly correct them and encourage them in "the way." But, do not elect them to the council of elders.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 20:13-38 The Way Is Not A Walk In The Park

Acts 20:13-38 NIV
Is it not the hope of any parent, whether physical or spiritual, that those whom we have taught will follow in The Way? To bring them up in The Way so that they too might revel in the love of Jesus to the degree that their heart's desire is to share the Good News of the Kingdom with others. The primary work of a disciples or a follower of Jesus is to make more disciples; more followers, of Jesus.

Paul has taught the people of Ephesus. He has discipled them. But, now on his way to Jerusalem to face much persecution he calls the elders of the church in Ephesus to himself. It is pretty much his permanent earthly farewell to them quite like Jesus warned his disciples of his impending death. But, Paul is not concerned for himself. His only goal is to finish the task the Lord Jesus gave to him. He has gathered the elders to encourage them to continue in The Way; shepherding the people; making disciples, when he is gone. He knows that he will in all probability be put to death; yet, his life is nothing to him compared to preaching the Kingdom through Jesus. Nothing has nor will stand in Paul's way of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

Paul faced many hardships. Those who are faithful to testifying to the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus will face hardships. The Way is really not a walk in the park. It can be most difficult. Not everyone wants to hear the truth. There will be those even among the flock who will make it most difficult for this testimony to be heard. There will be wolves in sheep's clothing to confront. There will be persecutions. But, God is with you. The Spirit of God will guide you in the way even as the Spirit led Paul.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Please remember to read the scripture of the day. Just click on the scripture link at the top of the blog.

Acts 14:21-28 Entrust the Elders to God

Acts 14:21-28 NIV


Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI

Their mission complete, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch via the very cities which their lives had been threated. In spite of the previous threats, they went to encourage the disciples in those places and to appoint elders for them in each church to carry on the ministry which had begun. These leaders of the church leave. They leave these churches after entrusting them and their elders to the Lord.

I know that it is hard for some today to believe; but, there are multitudes of smaller congregations, even house churches, without traditional clergy shepherding them. At the present time, for whatever reason, there is no other option. Some of these people and places are very remote. I have heard, at times, that congregations like this should just shut their doors since there are not enough of them to sustain a ordained Pastor to lead them. They should drive to the nearest viable congregation. That is just so totally wrong on so many levels. There are enough people in this world, to be able to grow the church (every single congregation) and not diminish it; to fill up every sanctuary; every living room. Rather than shut doors and combine congregations under one roof; what would be wrong with filling each of them up? Think it not possible? Remember, the church we know today began with 12 disciples doing mission. By the power of the Holy Spirit, it spread throughout the world. Yes, indeed, if we think the church is just about maintaining the building and the status quo; then, yes, the doors might probably need to be shut. The church is about proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom to all people. The church is about growth in the Kingdom.

So what can we do for all those small congregations who might appear to some to be dying? First of all, we can pray for them. We can trust that the elders of those congregations are in God's care and under His guidance. Do not discourage; rather, encourage them. We can visit them often to encourage them and strengthen them with the word of God so that their faith and faithfulness might grow.

May God help us to remember that the mission of the church is to reach out to all people, teaching them all that Jesus taught us and baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May God help us to remember that the Church is bigger than us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 8 - Danger! Danger!

He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’” (Ezekiel 8:12 NIV)

Ezekiel is given a vision of God's people, even His elders, bowing down and serving false idols. God is not happy!

It sure gets wearisome warning people about false idols. It's as though, the ears are closed. They cannot hear the dangers that are involved in getting goofy and all excited (idolizing) their favorite, singer, or television star, or sports figure. And, sometimes it's not a person, but, a "thing" that is worshipped. I feel like that robot on "Lost In Space," constantly having to shout "Danger! Danger!" There is great danger in putting anything or anyone before God!

I read another one of those articles about Miley Cyrus this morning. Remember, when not too long ago, parents did not have a problem with their children idolizing Miley Cyrus? Do you think they are thinking the same thing now?

Like the elders of Israel bowing at the shrines of their own idols, sooner or later what is done in darkness will come to light. Take a bit of time each day to examine and re-examine where you are putting your time and talents. Are they being used to glorify and worship the One True God or to exalt humans who, themselves, have gone astray. How in the world can they lead you, when they, themselves, have lost the way?

There is only One God! Worship only Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J