ExeJesus

In seminary, we as pastors are trained to do biblical exegesis. Exegesis is the critical study of the biblical text so that we can understand the context (historical & cultural) of the passage in order to gain its relevance. Not in our 21^st century context, but in the context of when it was written.

Too often we try to make the Bible about us and how we can relate it to our lives. However, I believe God calls each of us to know him through his Word (the Bible) before we can understand how to relate it to our own lives. We must see the context from God’s perspective first and foremost!

When we read and study the gospels, we try to make it about how we can be more like Jesus. Instead, I think it is important that we first understand who Jesus was and why he came, died, and was resurrected. We should understand the context of who Christ was before we can commit to be more like him.

We need to do some exeJesus!

Paul called upon us not to miraculous signs, nor to worldly wisdom; instead we are to preach Christ crucified. Christ is the power of God:

1 Corinthians 1:21-25:

²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Let us make a commitment to learn more of who Christ was by studying him in the historical and cultural context of first century Jerusalem and learn of how he fulfilled prophecies and performed miracles in his own authority. If we learn to look at Christ as the power of God from the eyes of first century Jews & Gentiles, imagine how much greater that power will be for us as we walk in the world today.

Did You Know Jesus Prayed For You?

Although we read often of the sayings and works of Jesus throughout the Gospels, we often forget that there are things that Jesus did once and for all. Of course, the main act of his sacrifice on the cross for our sins and the sins of all mankind is one we remember. However, another act Jesus did once and for all was to pray for you:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I also pray for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” –John 17:20-23

Jesus prayed for his disciples in John 17:6-19, but beginning in verse 20 he prays for all of us who will become believers through their preaching of the gospel to all nations. As a believer in Christ, Jesus prayed for you. Notice the theme of that prayer? Jesus prayed for unity within the body of believers. It’s almost as if he knew in advance what would happen to his church once he ascended!

As a Christian believer, the one thing I’d like you to focus on living in peace with your fellow brothers and sisters. As the Apostle Paul stated in Ephesians 4:2-7:

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called – on Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Let us honor Christ’s prayer for us by being patient and humble and exhibiting grace to our fellow man. We should live as one body, under one God and Father of all. May we take Jesus’ prayer to heart and also remember that as we live out the good news of the gospel, that God will call upon us to do our part to share his good news with others. Jesus prayed for us as believers, but also prayed for those that will believe through our example as well. Be encouraged…be faithful…be thankful that Christ knew your name even before the creation of the universe and that he prayed for you to live in unity and let his Spirit shine through you in peace and humility.

Good leaders are good readers

So, you think you can be an effective leader without also constantly studying and learning? It’s so easy in a leadership position to find excuses for not being a reader:

• Too busy to read
• I read enough in college to last a lifetime
• There is nothing else I need to know to do my job effectively
• People should be learning from me, rather than me learning from others
• I’m being paid to lead, not to read
• Reading to study from others is a sign of weakness and incompetence
• I don’t have the attention span to read an entire book

When I was in the corporate world in senior management, I never read anything relating to management or business. I led from a very instinctual style using my motivational and people skills to get things done. However, as a pastor I truly believe that there is no way I could be an effective leader without being a good reader. Christian ministry is not the same environment as the secular workplace. Your leadership methods must transcend the ordinary!

But, what should church leaders read? Here are some recommendations for types of reading that will help you to grow as a good leader in Christian ministry:

• Read the Bible Daily- Without question, we must first read and know the Word of God in order to lead God’s people. Find a consistent time every day to devote to the study of God’s Word. Find a translation that helps you get the most you can out of this personal time with God.
• Read a few books on Christian leadership each year- One of the things that we are seeing is a decline in church attendance. The old ways aren’t connecting with as many people today. Even if your ministry is moving along positively at the moment, always know that things change. By reading how other leaders are doing things, it gives you a fresh perspective and a source for new ideas.
• Read the news often- We are called to share the good news of Christ to the world so we need to know what is going on outside of the church. How is the economy affecting people in our communities? What tragic events have occurred that resulted in real needs of others? What people are out there being examples of Christ that we can use to encourage our membership?
• Read blogs- With technology being so easily accessible to us, there is no excuse not to read what other leaders are posting on blogs. Blogs tend to be more personal with leaders being much more transparent when writing than they would be in a book. No matter where you are at in your ministry, there is always someone experiencing a similar situation. Through reading blogs I get great new ideas, words of encouragement, opportunities to comment and share with others, and it gives me a sense of being in a brotherhood with others—I’m not in it alone. Find an RSS reader and update blogs daily. Read what interests you; skip what doesn’t.

The key to growing and becoming an even better leader is directly related to your efforts to read the work of others and the Word of God on a consistent basis. Don’t be fooled into thinking you know it all already! Remember what is written in James 4:6: “…God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”