faithful

All Forward, Hard!

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , ,

Over the years of serving as a youth pastor, my wife, Krista, and I have taken many students down to Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, West Virginia, for what we called our Faith Fusion Trip. The purpose was to “fuse” the incoming freshmen into the senior high group through three days filled with cooperative adventure activities. While we utilized a variety of measures like a high ropes course, caving, rappelling, and paintball, the most impactful activity for accomplishing our “fusion” goal was the whitewater rafting trip down the Lower New River. It was a mentally taxing and physically demanding day that left every participant feeling exhausted, accomplished, and connected.

However, before our group could even think about navigating down the river and through its treacherous rapids, the river guides put us through an essential training course on crucial commands and rowing techniques. It was important to quickly understand, respond, and obey the commands of the guides and to do so in unison. Understanding the difference between “All forward!” and “All forward, hard!” and “Highside!” can make the difference between staying in the raft or the raft flipping and all its contents winding up in the river. Everybody in the raft is essential in serving the greater purpose of getting down the river and protecting the valuable contents inside the raft.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers that those who serve the Lord should be viewed in a particular way. By extension, they should regard themselves in the manner described in chapter 4:

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful… do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

The text defines Paul and his fellow workers as servants or “under rowers” and stewards or “caretakers” of the Gospel. What is more, every follower of Jesus is likewise to be faithful in serving and administering the Gospel. As under rowers we are to pick up the oars and dig into the waves while our Captain, the Lord Jesus, providentially directs us. And while we may not receive recognition for our efforts below deck, our Captain above will not forget our faithful labor.

Malachi 3:16-18, describes this dynamic as service springing from a person that has great reverence and high regard for God. In turn, God commends the few but faithful “who feared the LORD and esteemed His name.” He describes them as His treasured possessions, His sons, and as being distinct in their devout service. The prophet Malachi explains that these servants “spoke with one another” (v. 16) in order to encourage each other to remain faithful. He further indicates that God would record their service in a “book of remembrance” and ultimately reward them for their devotion.

The truth is, “rowing” for the Lord and for the spread of the Gospel can sometimes feel exhausting, thankless, and without demonstrative results. Also, being “below deck”, we may not see where our Captain is leading. Nevertheless, He is the Captain – the Guide who will direct us to the places in which He has providentially prepared for us to serve. His command is, “All forward, hard!”

So, are you rowing? Are you grabbing the oars of service to take the Gospel wherever God directs so that He may be made known? If not, join in! It’s worth it! And if you are, remain faithful, so you may be rewarded by hearing the Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

D-Group-Ques-November-19-2023Download
051B-11_19_23-_-all-forward-hardDownload

Finish Line

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

The Apostle Paul speaks quite frequently about running the race. He speaks of the need for commitment, stamina, and discipline (1 Cor 9:25-26), as well as the urgency to finish (2 Tim 4:7), and the aim to win the prize (Phil 3:14). But what exactly is Paul referring to when he uses the metaphor of a race?

In the simplest of terms, the “race” is the Christian life. With that in mind, it should be noted that life is a marathon, not a sprint. Since we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end, the race demands a consistent tempo and tenacious drive. As a matter of fact, Paul used the following terms to describe the race metaphor near the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

While our ultimate example for running the race is Jesus (see Heb 12:1-3), we can certainly learn from others like the Apostle Paul or faithful God-followers like Nehemiah. And even though we may have little information about the end of Nehemiah’s life, all indications are that he ran a race that included a successful finish. The first half of the book that bears his name shows him to be a man of prayer, organization, courage, care, humility, insight, and decisiveness. It concludes with the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the hanging of its gates:

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

Even casual readers of the Bible will notice that life’s race is best run by setting goals along the course. Similar to a marathon, life is filled with continual interruptions, strenuous climbs, unexpected turns, and inevitable aches and pains. The historical account of Nehemiah doesn’t conclude in chapter 6 or at the beginning of chapter 7. The completion of Jerusalem’s construction project is simply a marker indicating Nehemiah’s progress and God’s faithful guidance. With the help of Ezra, Nehemiah will have more to do in consecrating God’s people. Yet, for now he was assured of being on the right course, keeping his eyes on a good and faithful God.

Whatever God has given you to do, do it with all your might. Along the way, exhaustion will set in and interruptions agitate. Remain committed! Some stretches will seem easy and self-confidence will rear its ugly head. Remain humble! A hill will appear insurmountable and intimidating. Remain bold and trust the Lord! Loneliness will occasionally lead to carelessness. Remain watchful! Keep your eyes on Jesus who is waiting for you at the finish line!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

D-Group-Ques-PDF-August-27-2023Download
041B-8_27_23-_-finish-lineDownload

Always Faithful

Matt Otto D-Groups , , ,

Semper Fidelis, Latin for “always faithful,” has been the Marine Corps’ motto since 1883. It embodies the Corps’ values of honor, courage, and commitment. According to its public website, the “United States Marines are a family that fights together, finding individual purpose in a collective cause—the protection of our Nation and the advancement of its ideals. Side by side, we welcome obstacles and thrive on challenge. Each Marine stands as a vital part of a united force, greater than any individual, more fulfilled than ever before.”

Truly, our military veterans, current servicemen, and in particular, the Marines are another breed. When the majority seeks comfort and dodges danger, the faithful soldier heeds the call and runs to the rescue. Hence, in their promotional spots, the Marines have often been known as “The Few.” Clearly, faithfulness is hard. If it were easy, everybody would be faithful.

Similarly, faithfulness to God is costly. As people of a faithful God and children of a faithful Father, faithfulness should be a hallmark of every believer. Yet, faithfulness doesn’t simply appear out of nothing. It must be cultivated. David wrote “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (Ps 37:3). The Hebrew word translated “befriend” literally means to graze on or cultivate. As a former shepherd, David used shepherding or agricultural terms to explain the all-important connection between trusting a faithful God and responding faithfully. Therefore, faithfulness cannot be forced or willed, because it is a posture of the heart that is nourished and grown with submission to God, the Holy Spirit through spiritual habits like fasting and prayer.

Few joined Ezra’s appeal to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 8). However, those who heeded the call did so for more than rebuilding a consecrated nation. They faithfully trusted YHWH – the faithful covenant keeping God – because they longed to be near Him. That was the collective cause that convinced them to abandon their present comfort for the advancement of God’s glory.

There are very few to whom the term “faithful” is ascribed. The apostles, Peter and

Paul, mention some. So, will you be the next Silas (1 Pet 5:12), Tychicus (Eph 6:21), Epaphras (Col 1:7), or Onesimus (Col 4:9)? Will you be like the few faithful men and women who heeded the call, leaving the comforts of Babylon behind, to journey to Jerusalem? If so, let us faithfully seek Him together!

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

D-Group-Ques-Apr-16-2023Download
027-41623-always-faithfulDownload

The Pushback Against Obedience

Matt Otto D-Groups , ,

I am currently reading the classic Jules Verne novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. Growing up, my parents owned a black and white TV that provided two channels, and so I devoted my time to reading many of the classics like Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, Robinson Crusoe, and so on. That’s what I knew and enjoyed. Unfortunately, for the last two or three decades I have done very little reading of fiction. My primary reading has been devoted to historical and theological non-fiction works. However, this year I am determined to again be transported into other times and places through the creative minds of classic authors.

Which brings us back to Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. While I am only a few short chapters into the story, the adventure centers around a Victorian Era Englishman by the name of Phileas Fogg who makes a friendly, but substantial, financial wager, claiming he can circumvent the globe in 80 days. With Scotland Yard in pursuit and every minute of utmost importance, Fogg and his recently hired servant, Passepartout, must overcome various obstacles, delays, and challenges in an effort to return to London in time to win the wager and avoid ruin.

The urgency that unfolds in the fictional events described in Jules Verne’s classic grips the reader with the fervency in which Phileas Fogg tracks his journey and the determination in which he faces adversity. We can relate to Fogg’s zeal that propels him around the globe. We empathize with the desire of reaching goals and fulfilling dreams. To some degree, the events that unfold are fictional depictions of our own life, here and now. As believers, our desire is to worship God by obeying Him, making a difference for His kingdom, as well as knowing Him and making Him known. This desire to do great things is admirable, but it too demands perseverance and zeal.

As we read the events of the first few chapters of Ezra and see the adversity that rises in opposition to the obedience of God’s people, there are several truths to remember and find comfort in. First, obedience to God is always met with some form of adversity (1 Pet 5:8-9). Second, adversity or testing is a means by which God refines us, making us more like Christ (1 Pet 4:12-13). Third, God’s timing is always perfect circumstantial delays are always for our good. Even though we may rarely see the immediate resolution or product for which God allows hindrances, delays, and adversity into our life’s journey, He proves Himself faithful and can be trusted.

Isaiah 14:27 (HCSB) – “The Lord of Hosts Himself has planned it; therefore, who can stand in its way? It is His hand that is outstretched, so who can turn it back?”

D-Group-Ques-Feb-5-2023Download

Upcoming Events