THE THINGS WE MUST NEVER FORGET

2 Peter 1:10-15 - “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. [13] I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, [14] since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. [15] And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”

What are we doing on a Sunday like this? On the surface it would be easy to get a bit cynical - “Here they go again. They’re on their recruiting binge.” And yes, you’ll probably hear it’s good for you to be involved. That’s what serving Jesus is all about. You can’t just be a spectator. The church is a body and each part needs to do its bit.

All of this is true enough. Though it’s hard to rehash these truths without sounding like a bit of a nag. And that’s why I like these words from the Apostle Peter. He’s not nagging. He’s warning.

The warning is simple in process but deadly in effect. Here it is. Truth is easy to learn but difficult to remember. That’s the effect of sin on all our lives. Peter knows he can’t remain with these saints forever. He will soon leave this world. But the point held in common with all teachers is you only have a limited time with your student(s). O how important it is to aim for the long term effect of spiritual truth on lives!

1) GOOD LEADERS AND WORKERS KNOW TRUTH LOSES ITS GRIP ON OUR LIVES OVER TIME

People get used to what they know. God needs workers who monitor the effect of spiritual truth, not just the content. Teach with long- term goals and challenges in mind. There’s more at stake than just those brief moments on Sunday or Wednesday. Don’t aim for first base. Aim for the fences.

2) GOOD LEADERS AND WORKERS KNOW HOW QUICKLY THE DEVOTION OF OUR HEARTS CAN BE DRAWN AWAY TO SMALLER CONCERNS

Many Bible readers and teachers still don’t behave as though Biblical truth is “more to be desired than fine gold.” I need to be reminded of that every day of my life. It’s a counter-intuitive truth that you are up against every time you minister.

3) GOOD LEADERS AND WORKERS KNOW THERE’S A SINISTER POWER WORKING TO DISLODGE THEIR EFFORTS

Matthew 13:19 - “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart...”

Pray and pray again before you teach or lead. The Devil and the spirit of the age has only one goal. He has mastered it. The goal isn’t to deny the truth of Word and Church. His single method is the undervaluing of the truth declared and received.

He need to nothing else at all. With this he wins.

4) HERE IS WHAT GOOD LEADERS AND WORKERS MUST CONSTANTLY DO

Catch Peter’s heart in these explosive words. He says he wants to take these listening hearts - with all their weakness - with all their distractions - flying prayerfully in the face of all the truth- numbing tactics of the enemy - and he wants to “stir them up”(13).

What great words! Peter won’t rest until he has pressed the value of the truth deeply into their affections. He will work reminded them to sing over what they have learned!

God help us never to lose that glowing edge in all we do.