"Faithing Out" the Ministry

No sooner had he finished astonishing Palestine with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) than Jesus was challenged to put his own “salt” and “light” on the line. A leper wanted healing. So? Well, it is one thing to teach with Pharisee-surpassing authority, but quite another to “faith it out” with conviction. Or, put another way, it is one thing to preach with power, but another thing to put it to work. At least, that is the way we might view it. The point? Those who love to preach the Sermon on the Mount do not necessarily faith it out in the face of life’s challenges—whether it’s leprosy, worry, pornography, finances or spoiled relationships. Somehow, and wholly unintentionally, we ministers allow a dichotomy to develop between the ethics of the kingdom (Sermon on Mount), and the faith-expression of that kingdom (healing the leper). We may do well in the study or visitation or in special services (weddings, funerals), and at the same time fail to make a vital life-changing connection with the world of need, sin, and despair. We may bail out hoping to find relief in the “professionals” (church growth experts, psychologists). Now, without disparaging the counseling profession—they may offer us help—we must not lose sight of the Spirit’s miraculous, amaze-us-beyond-belief powers. Unfortunately, His unpredictability, like the wind, increases our doubt instead of humbling our westernized linear-bound filter. Put simply—we don’t trust our ministries into His infinitely capable hands! We fall from being Spirit-filled to performing church, from being the “light on the hill” to settling comfortably under the protection of a bushel.

Two principles from the leper’s healing:

1) Start With Worship. “A leper came to him and knelt before him” (Matthew 8:2). There’s a lot to be said for just showing up, but far more if it be in a state of humble reverence. Jesus once rebuked the Pharisees saying, “You would not come to me that you might have life” (John 5:40). They knew Scripture but couldn’t see the Messiah right in front of them! How many of us in ministry also exhibit something of the same handicap?

2) Look for Jesus’ Solution. Jesus affirmed the leper’s faith, “I will; be clean” (v. 3). Simple enough, right? He came to Christ and found healing. There IS a confident simplicity to faith—a certain clarity. It cuts through all distractions and hindrances and insists that God’s power will freely supply our need. Jesus has urged us to call out to him confidently. After exhorting the disciples to “ask, seek, and knock,” Jesus promises that God would only give good things to them.  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13) How much more, indeed!

Practice the humility of dependence in worship, then call out confidently to God who loves to give us of His Spirit. Much of the frustrations that we ministers face, and all Christians suffer can be greatly alleviated by trusting in God to empower us. So, let’s be salt and light!