What Matters In Ministry

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

WHAT MATTERS IN MINISTRY 

"For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:8-11) 

 Walk-Line: The key phrase I want to focus on in our text is: "the affection of Jesus Christ." I want us to answer the question: What is involved in "the affection of Jesus Christ." What and who did Jesus love? What mattered the most to Him? As the apostle Paul writes to the Christians at Philippii, he says "I long for you with the affection of Jesus Christ." Just as Jesus loved these people at Philippi, so Paul loved them too. What matters the most in ministry? It is a love for God, and a love for one another. Having that desire to minister to the needs of those around us, even those who intend to harm us, and persecute us. Yes, we are to abound in knowledge, discernment, approving of excellent things, sincerity, and the fruits of righteousness. But most of all, which all of this can be bound together in that greatest gift, which is the virtue of love. 

What matters most in ministry, 

Is not to excel in the pursuit of self, 

but to excel in knowledge and discernment, sincerity, 

approving the excellent things, the fruit of righteousness. 

But above all we are to excel, in the affection of Jesus. 

A deep desire of love, and ministry to all. 

___g/Patterson 

 Photo: CharlVera - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License  www.pixabay.com 

 The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.

The Blessing Of Burdens

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

THE BLESSING OF BURDENS 

 "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." 

(Psalm 34:17-20) 

 Walk-Line: David writes in this Psalm: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous" Why is that? Why do we, as God's people have to go through afflictions? You would think that God would keep us from experiencing any kind of trouble, any kind of rejection and sorrow. James writes: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4) Problems produce patience, and patience produces a perfect work in us. A maturity that is perfect, complete, lacking in nothing. 

Why must we go through testings and trials? 

Why must burdens come our way? 

It is God's way of strengthening us, 

As we grow in our maturity each day. ___g/Patterson 

 Photo: Counselling - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.

Unto Christ, Not Unto Men

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

UNTO CHRIST, NOT UNTO MEN 

 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24) 

 Walk-Line: One of the things we forget as Christians is that Jesus Christ is to be Lord of our lives. Not just Savior, but Lord. In all aspects of our lives, the Lord Jesus is to honored and obeyed. In our relationships with others, we are to treat people as the Lord would have us to. We are not be slothful, or apathetic in our work, and in our dealings with people. But we are to "work at it with all your heart." And with those we have a problem with, we are to show love, and concern, when the tendency is to fight, and get back at those who hurt us in some way. Remember, our inheritance, our reward is from the Lord, and not from men. 

 Remember As God's people, 

 That we are called to be. 

 In whatever we do, we are to do it heartily. 

 It is "unto Christ", and "not unto men", 

 that we receive our reward. 

 An inheritance kept for us in heaven, 

a promise from God above! 

 ___g/Patterson 

 Photo: StartupStockPhotos - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www. pixabay.com 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

2024 All Rights Reserved.

A Formula For Prayer

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

A FORMULA FOR PRAYER 

 "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and thr glory forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9-13) 

Walk-Line: Yesterday, our associate pastor gave an excellent message on prayer. 

He presented an acronym on the word PRAY, that outlined from the Lord's Prayer, a formula for how we should pray. 

1. P - Praise (vv.9-10) 

2. R - Repent (v.12) 

3. A - Ask (v.11) 

4. Y - Yield (v.13) 

 He brought out concerning the importance of our communication with God. How will we know what God's will is for our lives, if we fail to communicate with Him. Let us not be like the husband who was criticized by his wife for never listening to her. His response was: "What did you say?" 

Prayer is vital for a relationship with God. 

It keeps us in tune with His will for us. 

We will not drift away in the ways of the world, 

When we constantly pray, and in His Word, we trust. 

 ___g/Patterson 

 Photo: waldryano - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.

Greater Works

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

GREATER WORKS 

 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:12-18) 

Walk-Line: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) Jesus said these words to the man who was lowered from the roof to be healed by Him. He didn't say right away, "because of your faith, you will be healed." Jesus said: "Son, your sins are forgiven." The greatest miracle is that of restoration from sin. And the greatest work of our Savior, and of the church, is the work of restoring man-kind from the destruction and destiny of sin, which is spiritual death. As Christians, we are to join Jesus is His great work of "Seeking and saving those who are lost." (Luke 19:10) 

Greater works we will do, 

as Jesus has gone to the Father. 

He will help us to reach the lost. 

And bring them to Him, and no other. ___g/Patterson 

 Photo: Stine86Engel - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.

A Focus On The Good

 

"What Is Good "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9) 

Walk-Line: How can we stop from looking at, thinking of, and acting on the wrong things in life? How can we we keep from being distracted, and pre-occupied with the things of the world? It is a Christian discipline to focus on the things that Paul mentions here in our text. The key word that he uses to accomplish this steadfact focus, is the word "practice." Whatever you have learned or received from me, or seen in me--put into practice." As they say" "Practice makes perfect." And this practice will lead to a consistent peace. GP 

The things of this world allure us every day. 

They tempt and try us, 

until they have us in their sway. 

But the practice of the good things, 

that God has for us to enjoy, 

Will bring to us a peace with God, 

and a peace in within ourselves, 

that will not go away. ___g/Patterson 

 Photo: PublicDomain Pictures - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License. www.pixabay.com 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.

Easter Thankfulness

 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 

Pastor Gary Patterson 

EASTER THANKFULNESS 

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," (Ephesians 5:20) 

Walk-Line: Yesterday, we focused on the eternal hope we have, because of the resurrection of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have a great deal to be thankful for. And as our photo caption points out, "There is always , always, always something to give thanks for." We can give thanks for the burdens we face, as we journey through this life. Our Lord Jesus, is using them to help us to be stronger, and better. Through these trials, He is showing his power, to help us get through every storm we face. Yes, in this, and everything, we can give thanks! GP 

The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope. 

Not just in a future before us today. 

But in the burdens, and trials in the present, 

His power and strength are on display. 

g/Patterson 

Photo: Facebook - Created From The Hart - Rhonda Buryne 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.