When Someone Believes in You

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Teaching | Tags: ,

I was a little apprehensive when I knocked on the Master’s Commission door at Phoenix First Assembly.  After all, this was a program for young people, college-aged at the most.  I was then 33 years old and much older than any of those currently in the program. 

But, I knew I had a call on my life.  And I knew that in order to fulfill that call,  I needed discipling.  I wanted so much to be involved in ministry, but I didn’t know how to do it.  I wanted someone to see my potential and to recognize something in me worth developing.  I wanted someone to believe in me enough to invest in me.  I had a DREAM.

Who could teach me?  Would they teach me?  Or would they just send me on my way with a tsk tsk tsk? 

We had the best of the best right there at Phoenix First with Pastor Lloyd Zeigler and Master’s Commission.  But, was it too late for me?

My mind raced and my heart pounded as I anticipated what I would say and what the answer would be on the other side of that door.  I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and knocked.

Have you ever noticed how someone will respond to words that build them up?  You can literally see them physically respond with a straightened back and a head held high.  Words of life will change a person’s very demeanor.

After my talk with Pastor Lloyd Zeigler that day, I knew there was a future for me in ministry and that I would be fully prepared through the Master’s Commission program.  But even more important, I knew that someone I looked up to, someone I respected, someone that was a leader, believed in ME. I felt myself walking more upright, head held high. 

The rest is history!  I spent ten years in that program at Phoenix First.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of your support for someone who needs it.  There are young people all around you that need you to speak a word of encouragement, recognize a potential, and care enough about their future to invest in them.  Paul had a Timothy.  Elijah had an Elisha.  Naomi had a Ruth.  Who do you have?

If ever there was a time to sow into the lives of others, it’s now. 

There is simply nothing greater that can happen in your life (after salvation) than for someone to believe in you!

The Concept of Eternity

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in General, Teaching | Tags: ,

I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but this is one time I don’t mind sounding like a broken record.  One day, this life will be over.  Whether we go to meet Jesus, or He comes to meet us in the glorious rapture, this life, as we know it, will be over.  Then, we will live forever somewhere.  We will live forever because we are made in the image of our Father God, who is Spirit.  And so are we  a spirit that lives in a physical body  and possesses a soul (mind, will, emotions).  Though the physical body will perish, we will have a resurrected one! 

We are eternal beings, and we will live forever.  Doesn’t that sound absolutely astonishing?  In the natural realm, we see life as being born, living 70 or 80 years, and dying (end of story).  But that’s not the end of the story!  The story goes on forever. 

But we are created with our own free will – to make a decision in this life – of where we will spend eternity.  Yet, many put the emphasis on this life only and get trapped by its many alluring pleasures, or should I say the pursuit of its pleasures. 

Oh how foolish we are!  And how great was the plan of our enemy, satan, to make everything in this life so enticing and so all-consuming!  He tried the same thing with Jesus, our Redeemer.  “Look over here, Jesus… I’ll give you everything you see if you just worship me”…to which Jesus replied “get behind me, satan!”  Would to God that we could do the same when satan comes with his temptations to entice us to focus on this life only.

The Bible says that if it was this life only in which we had hope, we would be miserable.  But God knew that, and that’s why he made a way for us to have everlasting life through Jesus. 

Today is the day of salvation!  Today is the day you can make that decision to give your life, your very short life, here on this earth to God so that you can have eternal life with Him in heaven.

Pray this prayer with me:

“God, I know that I have sinned against you and I am deserving of punishment. But Jesus took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I turn from my sinful life now and with your help, I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – and for the gift of eternal life in Heaven! Amen!”

Forgiveness 101

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in General, Teaching | Tags:

Forgiveness is a hefty topic and there is a great deal written about it and a plethora of different opinions.  Whatever a person has a mind to do, they will probably find enough documentation, pro and con, to do it.  If someone wants to hang on to unforgiveness, they will find a way to support their intention.  And vice-versa.  If one has a heart to forgive, they will find a way to do it, even when it seems impossible.

I’m often amazed when I hear other Christians talk about forgiveness as if it is an option.  That’s not what God’s Word says!  Forgiveness is a foundational, fundamental instruction in Christianity. 

Forgiveness is about humility.  It’s about knowing that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory.

Forgiveness is about mercy.   It’s about knowing that you, yourself, are a sinner and that had God not had mercy on you, you would be headed for an eternity in hell. 

Forgiveness is about the law of love.  God so loved the world (YOU!) that He gave His Only Begotten Son!  Why?  So that you could be forgiven.

It’s about knowing that if you do not forgive, your Father in Heaven will not forgive you.  Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

You see, if you’re asking the question “do I HAVE TO forgive” this person?” then your heart isn’t where it should be in the first place – because out of the heart, the mouth speaks.  (Luke 6:25)  When your heart is right, even when things may seem very difficult, you will want to do as Jesus did when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”   

Forgiveness is not however, acknowledging that what the offender did was right or that you accept what they did.  But it is giving up the pursuit of retribution.

I remember when I first read “I Was Wrong,”  the book Jim wrote when he got out of prison.  I was stunned at the level of forgiveness that Jim had exhibited towards his persecutors.  He completely and thoroughly forgave every single act of malice, every reviling word, and every betrayal.  I didn’t know how in the world he could do it. 

But you see, Jim knew what the Word said and he set his heart in agreement with it.  When you purpose in your heart (your spirit) to do something; your soul will follow (your mind, your will, and your emotions).

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

I need my trespasses forgiven, don’t you?  I need all the grace, mercy and love that I can get – so I have to be willing to give it!  That’s why I will purpose in my heart to forgive – and trust my Lord to make that a reality in my words and in my behaviors.  When I meet Jesus on the other side, I want my hands clean and my heart pure. 

Amen?

A Message for Those Who Were Hurt in the Church

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in General, Healing | Tags: ,

I grew up in church.  I went to services several times a week, always attended special campmeetings and revivals, and went to all the Summer youth camps.  I could have been the poster child for Sunday School. 

I don’t remember exactly when it started, but I can recall beginning to really take notice of how people in the church behaved.  I’m talking about people of all ages, some young, some old.  And I have to tell you that what I saw was not pretty.  In fact, some of it was downright revolting.  I became disillusioned with all the hypocrisy I saw.  And the worst part about it was that I felt judged by some of these people!  It really hurt to feel judged by people I couldn’t respect.

Well, as a lot of teenagers do, I used that knowledge as an excuse to rebel.  I rebelled against all types of authority; my parents, school, and especially the church.  I wanted nothing to do with ‘those people’.  I thought “if this is the way the church acts, then I don’t want to be a part of it.”  I lived off that philosophy and it served me well in my rebellious life.  I used it for an excuse to turn away from God too.  Now I could do whatever I chose and didn’t have to consider the way I was raised… so I thought. 

Years and years went by with my life going from bad to worse.  Most of you know my story –  many years of drugs, physical abuse, abortion, and infidelity brought me to a place of emptiness like I’ve never known. 

From time to time during the rebellious years, I had heard the Lord’s voice saying “Lori, I’m here, I love you, Come home!”  It was true that if you train up a child in the way they should go, when they are older they will not depart from it!

So, it was on Easter Sunday, 1989 that I decided it was time to go home. But, going back to Jesus, for me, meant going back to church, and I have to tell you that I was scared to death to go back to church.  I remembered those people from long ago that I considered hypocrites and I was terrified that I would be rejected. 

But, guess what?  Not even one person said one negative thing to me about my past.  They embraced me and received me with open arms!  I had nothing but love showered on me from my church, and I was back where I belonged!

Today, I feel like there are so many out there that are afraid to come back to Jesus because of negative experiences with people in the church.  They want Jesus, but don’t trust ‘church people’.  Don’t be afraid.  Jesus wants you to come home today.  People may let you down from time to time, but Jesus never will.  Don’t let what people may do or not do keep you from God!  Give him you heart and come home.  Forgive those who hurt you and come home!

Say this prayer with me today:

Lord, I know you are standing at the door knocking.  I am going to open that door to my heart today so that you can come in.  I’m sorry that I walked away and that I’ve been gone so long, but I miss you Jesus, I really do.  I’m sorry for not living according to your Word.  Please forgive me. I love you, Lord, and I want you in my heart.  Clean me up, Lord.  Help me to get anything out of me that is not like You.  Show me how to love again – the way You loved me and never left me.  I want to come home to you today.

Shackles of Shame

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in General, Teaching | Tags: , ,

Every so often, I feel impressed to give my testimony again.  Getting free from the shame of the past is something that people everywhere struggle with every day.  It is like being shackled to what you were, and unable to walk in the freedom of who you ARE – saved, healed and restored by the One Who suffered this shame for you so that you could be free (Isaiah 53:3, Heb 12:2).  I pray that this message of redemption and restoration touches someone’s heart today and frees them from the shackles of shame.

Many of you know my background in the 70’s and 80’s which has now become part of my testimony. I was a ‘party girl’ – living a wasted life of parties, drugs and rock ‘n roll. Enter God! When you are truly born again, God removes your appetite for such things, and then He transforms your mess into your message. You live to give Him the glory and praise for restoring your life and delivering you from a meaningless and hopeless existence and giving you purpose, passion and purity!

Yet, I will tell you outright that a religious (Pharisaical) spirit will keep you shackled with the shame of your past – when God has already set you free! I have only one reason to refer to the former things which God brought me out of into His redemptive life – to give glory to the Lord Who has the power to save, heal and deliver! Those may sound like “churchy” terms so let’s break them down.

Saved – Forgiven! Period. No more condemnation for I am in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.)

Healed – All my hurts, hang-ups and bad habits – gone! He has given me beauty for ashes. Isaiah 61:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair,
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Delivered – The Lord has now caused me to know that I can take the stick which the devil beat me with and use it on him instead! The Lord has given me an international ministry out of my testimony that will help to free others of the same shame and condemnation from which He freed me! The enemy can’t hurt me, shut me up, or sit me down with any kind of accusation ever again. I live and move and have my being in Jesus and in Him alone.

Lori is dead to what others say or think about my past; where I’ve been, what I’ve done and all the shame associated with it. As my Mom often says “It is what it is” – or in my case, I can say “it was what it was”! It is now my testimony and I am not ashamed.

Shame is much different than guilt. We feel guilty for what we do, whereas, we feel shame for who we are. I was guilty – but I’m forgiven. I am now a new creation – washed in His Blood and I’m free from shame! As an old, old hymn says “White as snow, white as snow, though my sins were as scarlet, Lord, I know, Lord, I know, that I’m clean and forgiven!”

I’m telling you – you who are reading right now at this moment – you who may have been born again for many years yet not free – there is freedom – there is deliverance – there is joy!

Don’t allow the enemy to keep you from complete restoration. Don’t give him that power. Don’t give place to shame or any tormenting spirit! Forgive others who have hurt you and forgive yourself for the harm you’ve done to your own soul. If you have asked for God’s forgiveness, accept that you have it! He will not withhold it from you as if He is waiting for you to make some sort of recompense. That’s what the Blood of Jesus did! He made restitution not only for our sin, but our shame!

In Revelations, it tells us how we overcome: by the Blood of the Lamb (saved!) and by the word of our testimony (healed and delivered)!

Be humble – yet bold in your testimony, and open your mouth and sing, pray, and declare His great salvation! Give God the Glory for the things He has done!

When Jesus met the woman at the well, He knew she had a very ‘checkered’ past. Yet the love He poured out on her that day was to save, heal and deliver her! There was, no doubt, awful things that had hurt her tremendously in her relationships with 5 former husbands! Shameful indeed! And religion would never let her forget it or be free of it! Yet, after she encountered Jesus, she ran to the city with a testimony of His love and healing and declared “he told me all that I had ever done”! His great love had delivered her of her guilt and shame!

When Jesus comes into your life and saves you, then heals you, then delivers you of shame, you will never live in silent bondage again. Be free! Free to live and to dance and to testify of Him! Give God all the glory for what He has done!

If you haven’t heard this song by Mary, Mary, please look it up and play it today!

I’ll be dancing with you.

Love,

“Shackles (Praise You)”

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
(What’cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise you
(Yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I’m gonna praise you
(What’cha gon do?)
I’m gonna praise you

In the corners of mind
I just can’t seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise you through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise you
I’m gonna praise you

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gonna lose my mind
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
Cause I can’t take it anymore

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise you
I’m gonna praise you

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise you
I’m gonna praise you
[repeat x3]

Take them off
What’cha gonna do, yeah

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise you
I’m gonna praise you

It’s Time to Hate What God Hates

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Abortion, Last Days, Lori's House | Tags: , ,

Since the prophets have prophesied that we would build Lori’s House, we are doing our best to be obedient to that direction from the Lord.  With the help of our faithful partners, we have purchased the land, drawn up the plans, and we are in the process of paving the road to the valley where this part of The Refuge will be built.

Lori’s House Conceptual Drawing

We are very serious about this place being used as a Last Days refuge.  That’s what we envisioned in the beginning and that’s our goal.  An End Times refuge takes on many characteristics, but none more important than saving innocent life.

Cindy Jacobs said that Lori’s House will be a prototype that others will copy.  Can you imagine where we could be in this country in 5 years if every church would develop their own facility for saving babies?  If they can’t do it alone, they could band together to get it done, or come and help us!  Now that’s a vision God can bless.

As Jim preaches and as we read in our Bibles and see on the news every day, we are in the Days of Revelation.  Nobody knows how far into it we are and nobody knows when Jesus will come again.  We have the signs to watch for, but we do not know the day or the hour.

I only know one thing, I know it’s time to do whatever we’re going to do for the cause of Christ.  It’s time to act in ways that God instructs and that He can bless.  And I know it’s time to hate what God hates.  Proverbs 6:16-19 lays it out for us:  “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

I’m not talking about going to the abortion clinics and picketing and yelling and screaming to show how much we hate abortion.  It’s time for the church to stand up and say “we are not going to take this anymore.”  Preachers don’t have to scream and yell about abortion being murder.  We KNOW it’s murder.

But what we can do is put our money where our mouth is.  You can’t just scream in the streets about it – you have to do something!

President Reagan once said he noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.  Now that’s a wise observation, I would say.

You can’t say “I don’t know” because you do know.  You know and God knows you know.   Proverbs 24:11,12 NCV says, “Save those who are being led to their death; rescue those who are about to be killed. If you say, “We don’t know anything about this,” God, who knows what’s in your mind, will notice.  He is watching you, and he will know. He will reward each person for what he has done.”

We are putting our money where our mouth is.  We’re taking this step and bucking the crowd and we’re not going to listen to the naysayers!  We need your help.  When you help us build Lori’s House, you will share in the reward from God who is watching us all.

We love you!

Lori

Faithfulness Leads to Favor

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days, Teaching | Tags: , , ,

I really can’t even tell you how much I respect and love Jim for the husband, father and Watchman that he is!  What Jim does isn’t a popular thing!  Warning people prophetically of the soon-coming troubles that we, as a church and as a nation, are going to face is not a welcome message.  Yet, he does it.  Why?

 Well, his accusers sometimes say it’s for profit. Fearmongering is profitable, they say.  Well, I’ll tell you how I see it: 

  • when the economy fails and people can’t buy food at any price without the Mark of the Beast
  • when the trucks stop bringing in food supplies every day because of some natural disaster  
  • when the out-of-control weather causes crop failures and grain reserves are non-existent
  • when the nation crumbles under the weight of its own debt  

When all or just one of those things occur, and my children and I and all those around us have plenty of food to eat and good water to drink – I see it as a blessing of FAITHFULNESS!  Faithfulness leads to favor!

Jim is not only getting us ready, he is getting people all over the world ready because he is faithful to preach the message of the Days of Revelation!

Why is it that people would much rather hear how things are going to turn around for the U.S. and how we are going to rebound?  You know, the babble we hear from most of the newscasters and politicians today, and ahum…  a great deal of the preachers too.  But we cannot  rely on what we hear from people – we must rely on what we hear from God in His Word!  Matthew 24 is what we can rely on!  The Revelation is what we can rely on!

Jim doesn’t preach for profit – Jim preaches because he dare not do anything else!

Jim recently preached a message on “Woe! Woe! Woe!”  One of the scriptures he uses is 1 Cor 9:16:

“Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” NIV

A lot of people have made fun of us for preparing and teaching others to prepare, but we are not worried about those who mock.  We are more concerned about having faith without works.  The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead.  We are all about hope, but hope has its roots in action.  Faith without works is dead – it’s useless.  Hope without preparation is pretty useless too.  That’s why we prepare.

We want the favor of God – and because of that, we are faithful to preach the Gospel and to help people prepare for the Times of Trouble that are coming very, very soon to this country.

Love,

Lori

Revelation Preparation

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days, Prophecy

Jim and I have ramped up our efforts to get our family prepared because we watch the news every day and we can see that the events of Revelation are happening right now, all around us! We are determined not to have to regret not having enough to feed and take care of our family when Times of Trouble come home to our little town in Missouri.

Today, you may only be hearing about the world’s violence and economic woes, or seeing the faces of famine in another country on the news, or watching as natural disasters effect other parts of the nation and the world. But rest assured, we will not always be exempt from all these things. The world you see around you today may be very different tomorrow.

Sometimes I’m amazed at the unconcerned mindsets and attitudes the majority of the people who live in this country have. It seems that no matter what is going on all around us, how much economic turmoil we hear about and see in the news, or how much chaos the world is experiencing – it seems as though people carry on with a lackadaisical attitude of que sera sera – whatever will be will be.

How can they do that? I honestly don’t get it. I’m a mother and a wife. My family is my major concern for me. I am concerned enough about the ones I love to do what I can to spare them any unnecessary pain or grief or lack in Times of Trouble.

The prophetic dreams, visions and revelation that the Lord gives his people are for a reason! We are not to ignore them! Do what you can today for your family and then rest in the fact that we are in the hands of a loving God.

As we see the events of Revelation escalating at a phenomenal rate, let’s make sure we are prepared – spiritually and physically. We still have time but we need to act NOW. The economic situation in this country and all over the world is going to make it very difficult, very soon to gather things we need for Times of Trouble. The drought and extreme weather we are having is going to make food prices unaffordable rapidly!

Get your plan going! Do something today to prepare for tomorrow!

I don’t want anyone I love to have to suffer unnecessarily, and I want to have something left over to give to others. This truly could be the Church’s finest hours if we WAKE UP, LISTEN AND PREPARE!

Love,

Lori Signature

The Impact of Tim Tebow’s Life

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Abortion | Tags: ,

Most of you know who Tim Tebow is – the quarterback for the Denver Broncos who formerly played for the Florida Gators and was the first college sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy.  Tim is a great football player, but he is an even greater Christian.  When playing for the Florida Gators, he would etch scripture into the eye paint commonly worn by football players.

In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore John 3:16 on his eye paint, and as a result, 92 million people searched “John 3:16” on Google during or shortly after the game.  Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a single way to reach that many people with the Gospel at one time.  Tim is an evangelist, and a football player after that!

But the main story of Tim Tebow’s life does not begin or end with football.  Today, Tim is involved with ministry, family and football, in that order.

You see, Tim is really a walking miracle.  Tim’s mother, Pam, was encouraged to abort Tim before he was born.

Here is Pam’s story as told in a circulated email:

Pam knows about the pain of considering abortion. More than 21 years ago, she and her husband, Bob, were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in a contaminated food or drink. She entered into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant. Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby.

 

She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. The doctors “didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue,” Pam said. While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband, “If you will give us a son, we’ll name him ‘Timothy,’ and we’ll make him a preacher.” Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and, eventually, gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987.

Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow. The University of Florida ‘s star quarterback, became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the
Heisman Trophy.

When you really stop to think about what Tim Tebow’s life has accomplished in a very short time, it’s unthinkable that he would have been aborted if his parents had not relied on their faith.  In one day, 92 million people heard the Gospel of Christ through Tim’s evangelism.  God only knows how many lives will be touched through his continued ministry.

Tim Tebow’s life stands in stark contrast to the evils of abortion.  How many Tim’s have we aborted in this country?  How many young lives have been sacrificed from fear or lack of faith?  To try and comprehend the impact of the loss of 55 million Tims is beyond my ability to bear.

But I know one thing.  Abortion is not the answer – faith in God is the answer.

In the days we are living in, it is becoming increasingly important to have the right response to the challenges that are sure to present themselves.  Fear and the other emotions can cause us to sin against God instead of responding as He would direct us.  It’s more important than ever before to know the Word of God and be able to discern His will.

While we do all we can to help save babies at Lori’s House, keep us in your prayers and remember that through one life like Tim Tebow, God can accomplish mighty things.  Each baby we save has the potential to reach millions for Christ!

On Being a Bondservant of Christ (Pt. 10)

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in General, Teaching

Part Ten

Jesus Made Himself of No Reputation

Compared to God, mere men have no reputation at all.  They are just men, and no matter how great the achievement or how lofty the accomplishment, they are still just men.  Yet they strive to be considered ‘great’ and they often are driven to accomplish mighty feats of building or business or intellectual supremacy or, quite often, acts of charity.  Why?  Often, it’s to be known and admired by others.

Jesus addresses this pride in men with the following scriptures:

Matthew 6:1 “Take care not to do your good works before men, to be seen by them; or you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 23:5 “Everything they do is done for men to see…

Acts 3:12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Consider how Jesus’ actions and behaviors contrast with the religious crowd:

  • Jesus did many miracles yet he said “don’t tell anyone”
  • He washed the feet of his disciples
  • He ate and drank with tax collectors 
  • He received the woman with a checkered past and an alabaster
  • Welcomed little children
  • He was fully God – yet He humbled Himself to be shamed, beaten, and spit upon (Isaiah 53)
    • Shameful and degrading thing to be crucified
    • Worse than a common criminal

Jesus spoke of the hypocrites that prayed so that they would be seen. “For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matt 6:5).

You can substitute anything else besides pray, whether it’s their good works, giving, spiritual gifts or preaching.  “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:6). They lived to be noticed and seen as more important than others. Speaking of the Pharisees in John 12:43 “for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

We always need to be careful of the traps of being sought after and put on a pedestal. Once pride sets in it becomes harder to return to walking in humility and letting God use you as He once may have.

A real servant is busy doing God’s work whether he is noticed or unnoticed. He doesn’t care if anyone watches him. His reward will be later.

This same mind (attitude) that Jesus had we are to have for one another- “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom 12:16). Jesus ate with the sinners, the less fortunate, and the needy. He enjoyed their company compared to the rich and important people. He purposely did not eat with the kings or leaders unless they had an open heart to listen.

Jesus made servanthood an absolute requirement for leadership. To be a servant one must let go of their own significance and be willing to serve others at their own expense. In Matthew 20:26-28: “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” This was the example He gave us in the apostles and others in the Church.  It was the example we need to live by.

Being a bondservant of Christ is a station in life that is proven through our service to His Church.  When we love as Christ loved, we will see the unredeemed through His compassionate eyes and we will love them as He did.  Jesus said “if you love me, feed my sheep.”

Serving Christ is much more than the “form” – it’s love in action and a heart attitude of humility that makes us want to be like Him – a bondservant of Christ.

On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 1
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 2
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 3
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 4
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 5
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 6
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 7
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 8
On Being a Bondservant of Christ – Part 9