Honor Roll

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 

– 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Several years ago, a well-known beverage company launched a series of TV and radio commercials titled Great American Heroes. Each ad recognized those faceless individuals who labor diligently behind the scenes to support the American lifestyle. And what made the commercials memorable were their over-the-top scripts and theme music, which saluted the accomplishments of such working-class heroes as Mr. Backyard Bug-Zapper Inventor, Mr. Jelly Donut Filler, and Mr. Driving Range Ball Picker-Upper.

“Without you, Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker, our teams would be in sixth or seventh place,” proclaimed the announcer.

Although these advertisements were absurd, their celebrations of the Average Joe were in many ways on the mark — at least when it comes to Jesus. For example, society tends to idolize sports stars, musicians, actors, and even politicians. And there are times when firefighters, police officers, or others are lauded (and deservedly so) for their bravery and heroics. But Christ tells us that Biblical reality is quite the opposite. From God’s perspective, “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

The world defines success as doing what it takes to reach the top … and then stay there. And in many cases, it contends that the ends (success and fame) justify the means. But for Christ-followers, that road to success is nothing but a dead end. There’s nothing wrong with succeeding in business or making lots of money. The trouble comes when wealth, fame, and power become the focus of our lives. Rather than worshipping and living our lives for the Creator, we risk worshipping a flawed creation that eventually falls apart. A more Christ-centered approach is to descend the world’s ladder of greatness in favor of authentic humility and servant leadership. 

Maybe we’ll never get the limelight from a TV commercial like Mr. King of the Karaoke Mike or Mr. Souvenir Snow Globe Maker. But when we put our faith in Jesus and ask him to use us to help build his kingdom and do his will, we’ll one day receive the incredible honor of hearing these high words of praise:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. With you I am well pleased.”

Discipline to Win

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 

– 1 Timothy 4:8

The Super Bowl is one of the world’s most-watched sporting events. And what does it take to play in it? Excluding the preseason games and playoffs, the 2024-25 NFL schedule covers 272 matchups involving 18 weeks of hard-hitting competition. Moreover, a date to The Big Game calls for intense discipline with countless hours of on-field practice, classroom study, and game-tape review.

Tom Brady understands how discipline and perseverance separate champions from the runners-up. Love him or loath him, Brady — who won seven Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. And throughout his career he followed an intense, year-round training regimen involving diet and exercise, plus an ongoing focus on football fundamentals. Brady took nothing for granted, and he conditioned himself to expect the unexpected on the field:

“You push your body to the limits, but you have to train your body to deal with the limits,” he explained. “If you don't play to win don't play at all.”

The Bible also endorses the value of discipline and training. For Christ-followers like you and me, that means developing and using our God-given gifts and talents to make a positive difference in our community and throughout the world. For example, we’re called to explain the basis of our faith to anyone who asks us. But how can we answer questions from a neighbor or co-worker if we don’t set aside time each day to read the Scriptures to know what we’re talking about? Disciplined bible study is also a great way to grow closer to God by developing the ability to listen for His voice. Moreover, it helps us to discern right from wrong when faced by those modern-day scenarios that are so rarely black or white. 

In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul uses the sport of long distance running to illustrate the value of spiritual discipline:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Whether it’s crossing the finish line or the goal line, it takes a disciplined regimen to win the race or make it to the Super Bowl. Likewise, it takes discipline and endurance for Christ-followers to become the faith-driven champions God wants them to be: 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship,” we read in Romans 12. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Follow the Leader

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”

– 1 Timothy 3:1

Imagine that it’s nighttime, and it’s raining so hard that you can barely see over your car’s hood. The fog and mist have rolled in. And you can’t risk slowing down or pulling over to the roadside. It’s a multi-vehicle accident just waiting to happen.

So, what do you do to make it safely to your destination? 

When it’s raining cats and dogs, sometimes the best move is a serious game of Follow the Leader. That means following the dim red taillights of the vehicle ahead of you and matching the driver’s every turn. When he taps his brakes, you do, too. And if he bears right, you don’t ask questions. That’s because you know he can see what’s up ahead. Things could get dangerous if you try to make it on your own. So ultimately, it’s a matter of trust.

Isn’t that also the case for every Christ-follower — as well as the pastors, elders, and teachers who lead them? Jesus asked his disciples to follow him into storms, hostile crowds, and towns full of unbelievers. These were dangerous, scary situations. But like that lead driver on the highway, Jesus could see what was ahead. And he led those who believed in him to experience life in its fullest.

That was fine 2,000 years ago. But what does it mean to follow Christ in the 21st century?

The saying goes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And simply put, Believers should imitate Christ. That means following his example of communion with God through regular prayer, Bible reading, worship, and gathering with other believers. We can also mimic our Savior by being a friend to the weak and helpless, sharing our material blessings, and being an advocate for justice. And that barely scratches the surface.

If you’re of a certain age, maybe you wore a What Would Jesus Do (WWJD) bracelet or had the bumper sticker on your car. And it’s still the BIG question — more so now than ever considering these stormy days of social, economic, and political turmoil. Indeed, what would Jesus do? 

There’s only one way to find out. Let's follow the Leader! 

Best Laid Plans

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” — yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

– James 4:13-15

The saying goes that when we fail to plan, we plan to fail. And that’s true in so many areas of life. For example, a student has a better chance for a passing grade if they get an early start on their studies rather than cramming the night before the test. A young couple is more likely to become homeowners if they’re diligent about saving for a down payment. And taking full advantage of your employer’s 401(k) can help render a comfortable retirement.

Our plans, however, are linked closely to our priorities. For example, some people might live to travel and find adventure. Some might live for pleasure, family, or friends. And still others might seek meaning through their careers. But since there’s no shortage of life-choices, what’s the best way to plan?

“God helps those who help themselves” is a familiar phrase that seems to answer that question. What’s more, it sounds like a proverb in the Bible. But you won’t find it there. And while it’s smart to be actively engaged in those big decisions of life, this well-intentioned advice misses out on the significant ways God moves and works:

“You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God for it,” we read in the New Testament book of James. “And when you do ask he doesn’t give it to you, for you ask in quite the wrong spirit — you only want to satisfy your own desires.”

As Christ-followers, we first need to seek God’s guidance through prayer, Bible study, and the counsel of fellow Believers when it’s time to address those big decisions. Moreover, the resulting action should always be one that honors God. 

Have you planned for what’s most important in your life? Your Creator already has. So, start by seeking his will and seeing things from his perspective. Here’s how the apostle Paul admonished some of the first Christ-followers — as well as 21st-century Believers like you and me — through 1 Timothy 2:1-5:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Doing the Right Thing

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

– 2 Chronicles 31:20-21

Author C.S. Lewis defined integrity as doing what’s right when no one else is watching. But in our modern culture that teaches what’s right or wrong is no longer so black or white, it’s reassuring to know that our God is a Creator who never changes. What's more, he’s also a God of justice, and he promises to right the wrongs done against us. But he also expects his followers to seek justice along the way. As we read in James 4:17: 

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Doing the right thing often calls for bravery. And while we may never need

to use it against a powerful army on the battlefield, we might have to combat figurative opponents like injustice, crime, and discrimination. We have no hope of defeating them on our own. But we should be encouraged that God specializes in empowering average Joes and Janes to do the extraordinary against overwhelming odds.

A case in point is that David — an obscure shepherd boy and musician — once protected his nation by killing the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone from his slingshot. It was this same David who eventually became the mighty King of Israel and the one God called "a man after My own heart." Likewise, a fisherman named Peter quite literally dove into the deep end when he accepted Jesus' call to walk on water. After he began to doubt his own abilities, Peter began to sink. But Christ saved him once he called out in faith. This same hesitant follower, who would eventually deny Jesus to others three times, ultimately became a bold preacher of what the book of Acts calls The Way (the Good News about his Savior, Jesus Christ). Two books of the Bible also bear Peter's name.

As Christ-followers, these examples should help us take heart. We know that the world can be a scary place, but God doesn't expect us to solve all its problems. Instead, it's by seeking and embracing his power in faith that we can make a world of difference. And it all starts when we act with integrity to seek and do the right thing.