Tag Christ

Dealing with Disrespect

by roderickbarnes Uncategorized
Are you regularly being disrespected by someone? Do you want to know why? Have a seat.
The content of their heart is being made manifest. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) They are disrespectful because they are full of disrespect. The overflow or outworking of what is in their heart becomes obvious in conversation, obvious in conduct, and obvious in a continual disregard for your person.
What do you do in a situation like this? Forgive. Forgive them even as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32). (Remembering the ways I have disrespected God helps me to forgive those who disrespect me. Remembering His forgiveness helps me put their trespass in perspective. History says, when I am willing to admit it, I am not better than the person disrespecting me.) Love. Love them in high quality service that is aimed at pleasing God and promoting faith in Christ. Respect. Respect them even if they disrespect you. Do not stoop to their level or take a break from following Jesus on account of their bad behavior. And then, if God allows, respectfully and humbly remove yourself from the situation.
In church history there are examples of people that were mistreated and but still returned kindness. They were disrespected and yet remained undaunted in doing right by their assailants. Here are three of them:
  • Joseph (Genesis 50:20) – He was sold into slavery by his brothers. Later he chose to deal with them through the perspective of his purpose and God’s grace.
  • David (1 Samuel 24:3-7) – The shepherd boy was relentlessly hunted by an insecure leader. Instead of making the most of his enemy’s vulnerable moment, David extends grace based on his reverence for God. Although repeatedly disrespected, David treats Saul with dignity and respect.
  • Stephen (Acts 6-7) – This man is the first recorded martyr of the church. When he is being falsely accused and then executed, he offers forgiveness. Notice that Stephen offers forgiveness not based on perfect apologies but based on the leading of the Spirit of Christ in Him.
Doing right by people who are doing us wrong is important. Showing kindness when people are unkind is part of the calling that is on our lives (1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:44). For those of us following Jesus, this is our family heritage and the mind and manner of Christ Himself (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 27:12-14).
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.
P.S. Let no one think that the author of this post is above what is being written. My stuff stinks too. There are times when I am the person that has to repent of being disrespectful.

Christ’s Commands for the Apostles

by roderickbarnes Uncategorized

Passage: Acts 1:1–2 (NKJV)

1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen

The Commands

    • Commanded to Go (John 20:21) — There is a sending of the apostles just as there were a sending of the Son. The Son, given power and direction, obeyed the command to go. The apostles, given power and a direction, are being sent out. This sending has three chief characteristics:
      • Departure – The Son left heaven and the glory he had into relative poverty, conflict, service, and sacrifice. The apostles, likewise, left family, homes, comforts, and went into service, sacrifice, persecution, exile, and executions.
      • Directions – Jesus was not without clarity on what He was to accomplish. The Father had made it clear that He was to mentor a few, lay down his life, and then take it up again. Even so, the apostles are not without instructions. See the next to commands.
      • Destination – Jesus was sent to earth. He was sent to Capernaum, Nazareth, Samaria, and Jerusalem. He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. The apostles are sent to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and then the ends of the earth… in that order.
    • Commanded to Make Disciples (Matthew 28:19) — Jesus made disciples. And now His disciples are to make disciples unto Him. This is the command for them and to all who become His followers. In one way or another we are to participate in the mandate to make disciples.
    • Commanded to Preach (Mark 16:15; Colossians 1:23; Acts 10:42) — In every place that the disciples go they are to preach. Preach what? The message of God’s offer of forgiveness and life through faith in Christ. Notice that the disciples are not to merely make mention of the message of reconciliation. To preach is to declare with the goal of getting the hearer to make a decision and, if necessary, to change. The command is not to say the gospel; that could be done without conviction, without an earnest goal of compelling someone to commit, or confrontation. Strictly speaking it is possible to say something without an audience. Preaching cannot be performed without people to hear and the possibility of the message being received or rejected.

The Concern for Us

The commands given to the apostles were to be handed down. To who? To the disciples. That is, through them the persons that make a decision to follow Jesus were to learn what Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-19). Ultimately it means that disciples are to make disciples. We are taught what Jesus commanded so that we can teach what Jesus commanded. This raises questions that every Jesus follower should answer:

    1. Is there a willingness in me to leave behind comfort in service to Jesus?
    2. Am I being taught what Jesus commanded?
    3. Am I teaching what I was taught? Am I making disciples?