by James Hunt | Jan 29, 2014
No one likes a deserter – you know, that person you thought you could count on; yet, in your greatest hour of need is nowhere to be found.
The military certainly frowns on deserters. But don’t most of us, military or not? If you’ve lived any length of time on this globe you’ve probably experienced the rancid taste of a relationship soured through disappointment. The person (Friend, relative, whatever) did not live up to your expectation of loyalty and support when you needed them most.
Paul experienced this in his ministry on multiple occasions. Acts 13:13 records one such episode. In this particular case, Paul and his ministry team were about to move on to the next place of Gospel evangelizing when one of their companions, John Mark, decided that going back to the comfort of home seemed a more attractive next move. And so, off John Mark went – back home to Jerusalem.
Paul and his team continued on and experienced some pretty severe opposition and threats as reward for their evangelizing efforts. Many were saved; however, a price was paid both emotionally and physically by Paul and Barnabbas. After some time they decided to pay a visit to Jerusalem and then on to deliver a letter from the Jerusalem Council to the church in Antioch.
When the time came for Paul and Barnabbas to move on, a sharp disagreement arose between these two ministry soldiers. Barnabbas wanted to take John Mark with them; however, Paul was settled in his conviction that this Mark was not reliable. He was a deserter and couldn’t be counted on when it really mattered. Acts 15:36-41 describes the separation of Paul and Barnabbas as they went off to do ministry with new assistants. Paul took Silas, and Barnabbas took Mark.
Around A.D.60, Paul wrote a few letters (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, for example). One of the letters Paul penned around this time was a tiny little letter to a guy named Philemon. Essentially, this letter is a personal appeal from Paul to Philemon for the latter to receive back a runaway slave named Onesimus.
Prior to receiving Christ, Onesimus had deserted Philemon, his master, and had fled to another city. Somehow Onesimus came under the Gospel preaching of Paul and was saved. Paul found Onesimus to be very useful to him – a real blessing of service was given by this runaway slave-now-brother to Paul. In describing the new and improved Onesimus, Paul employs a play on words to explain the change in this man. In the English it simply says, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.” (vs.11) Paul is asking for Philemon to show grace in receiving Onesimus back as a brother in Christ.
Fast-forward about five years. It is now around A.D.65, and Paul knows that his time on earth is about over. You can tell in this short second letter to Timothy that he is aware of his impending demise. As he ends the letter we call 2 Timothy, he talks about some who have deserted him. But then he says something astounding, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” Paul uses the same Greek word to describe his updated opinion of John Mark that he used when he recommended grace to be shown by Philemon to Onesimus, the man who had become so useful.
Onesimus and John Mark both needed grace. Paul knew Philemon needed to give grace. Perhaps Paul learned in the five years that passed since his letter to Philemon that he himself needed to give grace.
Deserters need grace. Those deserted need to learn grace. Deserters can become ministry performers, perhaps, if we will give them grace to try again. Interesting that, at the end of Paul’s life, his opinion ended up agreeing with Barnabbas’, don’t you think?
Grace wins. Grace enables. Grace gives space. Grace restores repentant deserters. Grace melts hearts once deserted. Learn grace.
by James Hunt | Jan 13, 2014
I am a pastor – a minister of the Gospel. It’s what I’ve wanted to be ever since the early 90’s when God really became the center of “my everything”. It’s okay to want it. After all, Paul says the following: “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” (1 Tim. 3:1, NASB95)
I am not alone in my heart-enflamed passion to shepherd in the local church. Nope, I have lots of friends whose hearts also beat with the same zeal. But over the years I have had many a conversation or have observed as my friends have made transitions in ministry locations. Sometimes the experiences leading up to these changes were quite difficult, and, at other times, it was simply the leading of the Lord. And so, for the benefit of those serving in ministry, and hopefully others as well, I offer the following things to consider from God’s Word:
Three Pauline Examples of Decisions Regarding Ministry Context
1. The Holy Spirit forbidding Paul to go where he first desired and redirecting him to other places of service.
“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6–10, ESV)
Application question: Is it okay to, like Paul, not be passive in our approach to seeking ministry opportunities in new locations; yet, understand that God may shut down those opportunities and re-direct us to His specific will?
2. Paul staying in an effective ministry context even though it is excruciating to do so due to opposition to the message and the threat of physical safety (2 Cor.1:8-9).
“But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Cor. 16:8-9, ESV)
Application question: Is it possible that God wants us to stay in a situation detrimental to us but beneficial for His purposes in the advancement of the Kingdom?
3. Paul moving on from a place that had an open door for gospel ministry – simply because he was not at rest in his spirit due to missing his ministry co-laborer Titus.
“When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.” (2 Cor. 2:12–13, ESV)
Application question: Is it okay sometimes to say no to a ministry opportunity simply because it doesn’t “feel right?”
May God give us wisdom, all of us, whether in ministry “officially” or not, as we make decisions regarding where and how He’d have us serve Him. And may we seek to be faithful until we hear the call to “come home” whether in death or by signal of heavenly trumpet blast.
by James Hunt | Jan 6, 2014
I entered 2013 with a resolve, based on Hebrews 10:36-39; 11:1 & 6; 12:1-13, to go forward through the entire year having a faith:
- That patiently endures
- That has hopeful confidence in the providence and goodness of God
- That strategically focuses on Jesus
I needed this to be my New Year’s resolution for 2013. After all, we had adopted in 2012, and the launch of our new family structure proved to be quite demanding, exhausting and sometimes downright excruciating.
As human beings living in a fallen world, we are not unfamiliar with pain and struggle. All of us, to be sure, are susceptible to its pressures at times along the way. Mine is not a sob story of horror to be prized above the sufferings and challenges of others, but it is my story. I am living in my skin with my emotions, etc.
So, how did I do with the implementation of my 2013-year’s resolution described above? Well, I guess it depends on how you evaluate it. If I were to take one of the moments of crisis and use that as an indicator of success or failure, I may just chalk 2013 up to a complete loss; however, I don’t think that is accurate.
As a whole, God has enabled my faith to endure. When situations have knocked me back in my faith, God has reminded me that He really IS providentially working and that He really DOES have the good of my family in His intentions. When I have been distracted by pain The Spirit has gently used people, Scripture, and sometimes a combination of both, to re-focus my attention on Jesus.
Perhaps I am asking the wrong question. Maybe I should not evaluate how I did; rather, give praise to God for how HE did – how HE sustained my faith. All glory to God for His grace!
Now, as I enter 2014 I do so with a focus provided to me from a dear friend, a focus found in Hebrews 13:20-21, ESV
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am looking forward to a new year of serving Jesus with increased confidence and faith.
by James Hunt | Dec 11, 2013
There are times when our expectations of Jesus don’t correspond to what He will actually do. Mary and Martha, two of Jesus’ dearest friends, certainly experienced this reality first hand. They expected Jesus to come running and heal their brother when he was gravely ill; however, Jesus stayed away until Lazarus was dead and buried. But let’s back the story up a bit.
We first encounter Mary and Martha in the home. You probably know the story. Martha has invited Jesus over to have a meal, and she is busily rushing about, doing all the work of preparation. Meanwhile, her sister Mary is resting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him as He teaches. Jesus gently corrects Martha when she voices exasperation. He then goes on to commend Mary’s choice as being the better decision (Luke 10:38-42). Apparently Martha was a “doer” and Mary was more of a “learner” – at least on this occasion.
But time has passed. The relationship between Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus has deepened so that when the sisters send word for Jesus on the occasion of their brothers’ illness, they are both very surprised when Jesus stays away.
He could have come; but for some reason He did not. When word comes to the sisters that Jesus is finally on His way, only Martha goes to meet Jesus. One of the first things she voices to Jesus is the frustration that if He had been there, her brother would not have died.
Mary says the same thing to Jesus a bit later on. How confusing and difficult it is when Jesus disappoints, and we can’t understand why!
Perhaps this is part of the reason Mary stayed at home initially, and only Martha went to meet Jesus. Maybe it wasn’t just grief that kept Mary home. Maybe it was also her disappointment with Jesus.
He could have come and healed her brother; but He didn’t. How disappointing! Jesus didn’t show till after Lazarus was dead and buried in the tomb. He didn’t arrive until four days had passed since the burial. Such confusion and sadness due to loss: Loss of a loved one, as well as the loss of realized expectation concerning Jesus.
Have you ever been disappointed with Jesus? Has He ever acted in ways you just don’t understand? The holidays can resurface such disappointments sometimes. Maybe illness has robbed you of a relationship with someone you love. Worse yet, maybe disappointment has robbed you of your expectation concerning who Jesus is, and what He will do for you.
The story ends on a high note, as Jesus calls forth Lazarus from the tomb raising him from the dead. Grief is turned to joy as the Author of life puts on display a hint of the future Kingdom when all things are made right, loss is recovered, grief is gone and nothing but reunion and joy remains.
Of course, your story, our stories in this life may not end in such splendor. We may have to wait for that final day for reunion and ultimate joy to occur. Life in this age is raw and edgy, and sometimes has more sorrows than we think Jesus should allow. Thankfully, this is not all there is. Whether Jesus shows up and does what you expect Him to do – or not – will you still go to Him and serve Him?
In the first part of John 12 (vss.1-3), we see Mary interacting with Jesus again. This time she is taking a very expensive bottle of perfume, pouring it on Jesus’ feet and drying His feet with her hair. Obviously, this is an act of love and devotion that bears witness to a restored faith and a grateful heart. Would you do that for Jesus if He were here? Maybe He is here – maybe in the least of these.
One way to relieve the depth of sorrows in our own hearts is by turning our attention to the relief of the sorrows of others. Is there someone you can serve or comfort in Jesus’ name this holiday season? Maybe you have space in your home and in your heart to take in a child from the local OKDHS shelter for a night or two on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That would be a moment of relief for that child, as well as a blessing to your family.
For more information, please contact James Hunt at jhunt@councilroad.org or 405.503.4092.
by James Hunt | Nov 20, 2013
Back in his boxing heyday, Muhammad Ali used to tout himself as “The Greatest.” I have been around pastors who say the same thing about their own ministries, albeit more subtly, of course.
As Jesus neared the week of passion that would culminate in His death on the cross, he shared with His inner band of 12 that, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31, ESV).
How do His faithful respond? By arguing along the way over who will be the greatest. Imagine that. Jesus has just delivered the most personal news and the most dramatic news that will affect all of humanity, and the disciples are so self-enamored that they have a cockfight over who will have more honor in the Kingdom.
I love Jesus’ answer to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (9:35).
The text goes on to say that Jesus picked up a little kid and held him in His arms and then turned to His disciples and made the application: “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” (9:37).
I find it interesting that Jesus connects the “servant of all” instruction with the “receives one such child” comment. Perhaps one of the greatest ways to be more like Jesus is by simply being willing to lay down self-desire at the feet of a child who has been battered, neglected and wounded. Who knows? Maybe if we do, the scars we see may resemble ones made on a Roman cross.
I wonder if there is a greater fellowship to be had with Jesus when we take Jesus’ words at face value and actually assume He meant them literally. Maybe there really is a “receiving of Jesus” that happens when we receive a child in His name. Just thoughts to consider.