Psychology (personal) = The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, a group, or an activity; Subtle tactical actions or arguments used to manipulate or influence another.
Our minds, do not have
a psychology
of their own.
The personal psychology of each individual or group must be developed!! This is accomplished though events, information, opinions and actions of others, a deliberate plan, etc.., OR a combination of all those. That psychology then becomes the controlling factor of our minds.
We have been looking at "Mind Control" from the perspective of personal holiness, our function within the Body of Christ and in particular our inter-reaction within the local body. As we have examined this subject of "Mind Control", our concentration has been on the vast subject of "Spiritual Maturity".
If we are "Spiritually Mature", our minds will be controlled by Holy Spirit as He directs our thoughts through the truths of the Word of God. THEN instead of events, opinions of others, etc. being the dominate factors in our personal psychology, we will see and respond to these factors as directed by the Word of God, administered in our lives by the Holy Spirit and our personal psychology will be developed through the "mind of Christ".
For this study, I picked 5 areas that are needed if we are to move into the realm of "Spiritual Maturity":
(1) Spiritual Understanding and Comprehension
(2) Spiritual Discernment
(3) Spiritual Perseverance
(4) Spiritual Humility
(5) Spiritual Responsibility and Commitment
We can’t take the time to review the first four. If these areas are a little fuzzy in your thinking or you missed a lesson or two, may I urge you to get the first 8 lessons and go over them again (www.oori.org). As a matter of fact, it would be good to have and review those lesson even if you do remember hearing them.
This 5th trait of "Spiritual Maturity"
will not
be a reality unless the first 4 traits are active in your life
There are some who are very "responsible" and are extremely "committed" to their job, marriage, etc. That’s GOOD and should be!!! HOWEVER, an unsaved person can be "responsible" and "committed", but such actions would in no way constitute "Spiritual Responsibility and Commitment".
Over the next few lessons, I trust we can clearly see the distinction between the human and the Spiritual concept of responsibility and commitment. Knowing that difference and living in that difference will make the difference whether this church, or any church exists as a Spiritual entity or just another religious club. That is a lot of "differences", BUT what a difference it will make when we know the reality of those differences.
Number 5 is not a trait of maturity which is more important than the other four, BUT number 5 is more visible than the other four. We could even say that the first four are a preparation for and a prerequisite to properly experiencing the fifth.
During our study, we have "pigeonholed" or segmented the subject of "Spiritual Maturity". In reality, maturity is not segments but instead a whole.
You can’t be "Spiritually Mature" without possessing the total package. There is no such thing as arriving at partial maturity, even though maturity is a process.
Therefore we must remember, as we study "Spiritual Responsibility and Commitment" that to develop #5, #1 through #4 must be active and continually in a state of development.
Because Spiritual maturity is so different from that of physical or social maturity, the Holy Spirit uses several words to describe Spiritual maturity and several terms to describe the Church in which such maturity is to be demonstrated. We can’t understand Spiritual maturity without having some understanding of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the reverse is also true. With that in mind, let’s dive in and see if we are mature, and if so, how do we use that maturity in the local church and if we are not mature, what should we do or not do.
One of the physical illustrations the Holy Spirit uses to describe the Church of Jesus Christ is that of the physical body. As the Holy Spirit presents the teaching concerning the Church of Jesus Christ through the illustration of the body, we can clearly see what is involved in the practice of Spiritual Maturity.
As with any illustration, not every aspect and detail of the physical body parallels the Church. Therefore, we must be careful to only apply the illustration of the body to the aspects of the church so designated by the Holy Spirit. It is the habit of some, who want to bring out a "proper" point, to improperly use a portion of Scripture to illustrate that point. However, that does discredit to the entire Word of God.
Ephesians 4:11 And He (Christ) Himself gave (to the Church) some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
In this passage, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, is addressing the earthly Body of Christ and especially the local body of Believers. Therefore, all the Apostle Paul states, in this passage, is directed to Believers as they serve and live within the local church. I will not mention this fact with each aspect presented. I ask that you keep this fact in mind and apply it as appropriate.
We do need to keep in mind that what is presented in this passage applies to the local church, or else there may be some confusion and we will miss much of the benefit of the passage. Without that fact clearly in mind, the reference to the "work of the ministry" mentioned in Ephesians 4:12 could be misunderstood. Even though the "work of the ministry" is a function of the total Body of Christ, in this passage the phrase "work of the ministry" is directed to the activities within the local body of Believers.
A preacher walked through a cemetery one day and saw a man desperate and distraught lying on one of the graves and pounding the sod with his clenched fists. The grave was obviously not a new one. The sod had established itself and the headstone showed signs of weathering.
As the preacher approached, he could hear the man, through his sobs, crying out..,
"Your death ruined my life! Why did you have to go and die, like that. Couldn’t you have just lived a few more years? If you had lived, my life would have been complete and I would have known joy, happiness and total fulfillment, instead of this complete misery!"
The preacher went over to the man and placed his hand on his shoulder, and said..,
"Sir, you have my deepest sympathy and my heart bleeds with yours, as one. However, there will be a brighter tomorrow!"
The man simply buried his face deeper into the grass covered grave and wept even more violently and said..,
"NO! No! No! no… Tomorrow, nor the next day, nor the next will ever be any brighter!!"
The preacher was a little taken back and didn’t really know what to say. So…, he said..,
"Obviously this person was very near and dear to you."
The grieving man replied..,
"No, not really. I never had the privilege of meeting this person myself."
Now, the preacher was in a complete state of confusion and ask..,
"What relationship was the dearly departed to you?"
Raising his head from the sod covered grave, the man replied..,
"He was my wife’s FIRST husband. If only he had lived a few years longer, I would not be in this mess."
The moral of that story is,
this man got what he wanted,
BUT
he did not want what he got.
We all want the "perfect" church, BUT far too often, we do not want to become the "perfect" church. It’s strange, trying to find or have a perfect church becomes a problem because WE are the church.
Therefore the local church can only be as "perfect" as ALL its members are Spiritually Mature. Look around at your church. Is it that "perfect" church you expect it to be. If not, take a look at yourself in God’s mirror of Spiritual Maturity and compare your attitude and actions with the list of "5"
(1) Spiritual Understanding and Comprehension
(2) Spiritual Discernment
(3) Spiritual Perseverance
(4) Spiritual Humility
(5) Spiritual Responsibility and Commitment
Matthew 16:15 He (Christ) said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
I find building fascinating!! I just LOVE to watch someone else do it. What a thrill it would be to watch Christ build His church. If Christ builds it, it will be perfect. Right? That begs the question, "How does Christ build His church? Or who are the building contractors?"
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
The church is part of the "household of God", and is in the process of being built. According to Ephesians 2:21 , the Universal Church and the local church are being built by Believers, who are being joined together and are growing into a holy temple/habitation of God. Please note that this building is a process: "being built", "being joined" and "growing".
You see, Christ is building His Church by using Believers, ALL Believers, as the building contractors. Christ has given the instructions - the blueprints - for His Church and expects US to build according to His plan.
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
Christ, not only gave the plans, He gave warnings of what will happen to the building - the church - IF the plans are not followed.
Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
To understand BOTH the function of the local church, and the demonstration of Spiritual Maturity within that local church, we will need to do a little study of this passage and other related passages.
Ephesians 4:11 And He (Christ) Himself gave (to the Church) some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The passage starts off with 5 classifications of ministers who have been specially equipped by Christ to give instructions and leadership for this building process of His church.
1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelist
4. Pastors
5. Teachers
Certainly, the 12 Apostles were a great asset to the Church Universal, as well as the local church. However in this passage, the reference to "apostles" is not simply to the "12".
(1) Apostle = (Greek) One sent forth with a special commission and message
In the New Testament, the term "apostle" is not limited only to the "12". However, the "12" had a position and ministry within the church that NO other apostle has ever or will ever have. Nor will that position and ministry EVER be passed down to any other. The context will give us the directions needed to see if the reference is limited to the "12" or if it is the broader concept of "one sent forth with a special commission and message".
Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Andronicus and Junia were not part of the "12".)
2 Corinthians 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers (Greek =Apostles) of the churches, the glory of Christ. (The "brethren" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8:23 were not part of the "12", but are referred to here by the Greek word for Apostles. Likewise with Epaphroditus in the next passage )
Philippians 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger (Greek=Apostle) and the one who ministered to my need;
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (Here and elsewhere Christ Jesus is referred to as an Apostle, but not one of the "12")
The point we need to see, for this lesson, is that these apostles were gifted, by Christ, for a special ministry in the local church. This ministry was quite often of short duration, BUT not always. Sometimes the term apostle refers to the "12" and other times it does not. The CONTEXT will make it clear.
(2) Prophets = (Greek) Signifies one who speaks forth or openly. A proclaimer of a divine message, noted among the Greeks as an interpreter of the oracles of the gods.
In the case of the O.T. "prophets" their messages were largely the proclamation of the divine purpose of salvation and glory or punishment to be accomplished in the future. That future time was in relationship to the time the prophets made their proclamations. Many of those proclamations have, at this time, been fulfilled. However, some have not yet come to pass. Too often, we think of a prophecy as something "yet" in the future in relationship to our limited "time-zone".
The "prophesying" of the N.T. "prophets" is both the preaching of the divine counsels of grace already accomplished and the forth-telling of the purposes of God yet in the future. However, since the time of the 12 Apostles, there is NO Scriptural indication that ANY N.T. prophet will proclaim ANY new future revelation of God’s eternal plan that has not already been given in the Word of God by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Acts 15:24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ’You must be circumcised and keep the law’ -- to whom we gave no such commandment -- 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. 30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
Please notice that these N.T. prophets were sent to the local church for a definite purpose and again for a short duration.
(3) Evangelist = (Greek) An announcer of good news in contrast to an interpreter of the oracles of God
Acts 21:8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Phillip was AN evangelist and his job seemed to be mostly itinerant. Timothy’s primary job was not to evangelize, BUT none the less, in his ministry of pastor & teacher there were times when he needed to fulfill the ministry of an evangelist. There is much more that needs to be studied concerning this subject, but for this lesson, I believe this will get the point across.
(4) Pastor = (Greek) A shepherd; One who tends the flock (not merely one who feeds them).
Pastors guide, as well as feed the flock. 1Peter 5:1-2 , "tend the flock. . . exercising the oversight". This involves tender care and vigilant superintendence.
Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (Greek=Pastor) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
1 Peter 5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
The pastorate is more of a long term ministry, not so much itinerate or temporary as the evangelist.
(5) Teacher = (Greek) One who puts Biblical information in an orderly form, interprets and imparts that information as well as superintends the learning of it.
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher (Greek=Evangelist) and an apostle -- I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying -- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Notice the references to the three different areas of responsibility given to Paul. Each different, yet overlapping in one person.
James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Those who dissect the facts of the Word of God, put them in an orderly manner then proclaim those truths and superintend the learning of the same are not always pastorally inclined. However, a pastor MUST also be a teacher. There are times, though rare, when ALL five of these ministries are found in one person for a special ministry and time.
Ephesians 4:11 And He (Christ) Himself gave (to the Church) some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Please note!! The passage says that Christ gave SOME to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Christ gave SOME…, not all believers fit into the category of this "Gift Package" from Christ.
Herein lies one of the greatest problems of the local church. There are always those who want and try to be a part of that "some" given by Christ, even though Christ has given them a different position in the body.
Most Believers are not a part of these "some", referred to in this passage and given by Christ to the church.
When a person who is not one of the "some" tries to become something they are not.., it is a demonstration of their Spiritual immaturity and it damages the function of the entire body.
NOT being a part of these "some" does not make a Believer of less value or of less importance. However, being a part of these "some" brings a greater responsibility, as seen in James 3:1 referred to earlier in this lesson and coming up again shortly.
Please refresh your thinking on the first four traits of "Spiritual Maturity", and especially #4
1. Spiritual Understanding and Comprehension
2. Spiritual Discernment
3. Spiritual Perseverance
4. Spiritual Humility
Spiritual humility is
not
a groveling, self-despising spirit,
it is a right estimate of ourselves,
as
God sees us.
Following is a list of a few of the reasons members of the "body" want to be something that Christ has not equipped them to be..:
1. A lack of humility in seeing themselves as God sees them
2. A lack of understanding of how the body functions
3. A jealousy for false honor
4. Etc.
James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
One of the main reasons a person, who is NOT a part of the "gift package" given by Christ to the Church, wants to assume the position of a (master) teacher is to be in a place of prominence and power. Prominence or position in the Body of Christ, simply for the sake of human recognition or honor, is a dangerous thing BOTH to the one seeking such recognition and the local church.
The purpose for Christ giving these five categories of gifted ministers was to bring Believers in the Body of Christ to..,
1. A Unity of faith and knowledge
2. A Maturity, which is the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ
3. A Stability of doctrinal belief
4. Speaking the truth in love
5. Growing up (maturing) in ALL things (in so doing, we grow up into Christ our head)
The Gifted Ministers will do their proper thing, and the members of the Body will do their proper thing WHEN the launching-pad for such service is the "Unity of faith and knowledge" of the entire Body—NOT personal benefit or selfish honor.
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
The highest calling any Believer can have is to faithfully function in their God given position within the Body. One of the greatest mistakes a Believer can make is to try to gain a position God gave to someone else. We can gain the greatest eternal rewards for service and only gain those rewards when we serve where and in the position God has placed us.
We are to bloom
where
we are planted
Listen to these words of a taxicab driver…:
Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, and tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, some ennoble me, others make me laugh and sometimes make me weep. However, none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night.
Responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town, I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers or someone who had just had a fight with a lover or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory in the industrial part of town.
When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, then drive away.
But I have seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always go to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.
"Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her late 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.
The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag to the car?" she asked. I took the bag and then turned to assist her. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It’s nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."
"Oh, you’re such a good boy", she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It’s not the shortest way," I quickly answered.
"Oh, I don’t mind," she said. "I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice."
I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don’t have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don’t have very long."
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.
She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of the sun creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I’m tired. Let’s go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were concerned and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I replied.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded and almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you!"
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
I don’t think I’ve done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. However, great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider as small insignificant moments.
THAT’S SO VERY TRUE IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST!!!!
God’s greatest position
is not
man’s highest honor,
BUT
is simply
selfless service
right where we are.
© Clyde White, Austin TX, 2006
oori.org
(Scripture Text NKJ unless stated)
(Many illustrations from sermoncentral.com)
