Heart Problems

“No matter how fit you are for your age or how many vitamin supplements you take when your heart stops working, your life ends.”

Although physical heart problems claim victims each year across our country, there are heart problems of another kind we must consider.

The heart is critically important in the spiritual sense. The church and especially the pulpit that God blesses has to have a unique kind of heart.

1 Cor. 3:10-The doctrine of the gospel chiefly entrusted to Paul.

“No one had deeper insight into the gospel and the mystery of divine grace then Paul, who went from being a Jewish zealot who persecuted believers, to being the greatest ambassador for Jesus the world has ever known.”

Two very important aspects of Paul’s phenomenal ministry are often analyzed: his message and his method.

Paul’s Message

“The message Paul preached is essential to our understanding of him. His main focus was always the gospel, or good news about Jesus Christ.”

Paul saw his calling as a priestly duty. Considering himself as one performing the sacred function (sanctifying and making acceptable) by the preaching of the gospel. Dedicating many unto the service of God, by whom the Holy Spirit was being poured out upon thus sanctifying and rendering them acceptable to God. Romans 15:14-18. Isaiah 66:20.

“Paul, unlike Moses, was not a preacher of merely the law of God. The apostle certainly used the holy commandments in his message, but it was only to prepare the minds and hearts of his audience for the message of Christ.”

Paul wasn’t ashamed to proclaim the promise of salvation and a new life through Jesus. Romans 1:16-17. Isaiah 28:16.

Paul understood what most didn’t (John 1:17) therefore he didn’t ask those listening to make promises to do better or to make commitments to turn over a new leaf, knowing these vows are characteristic of the law of Moses, not the gospel of Jesus Christ. They needed, and so do we, the liberating power of the Holy Spirit.

“The church that God blesses is a Jesus church.”

A church that:

1. Recognizes that Jesus is the only answer to the needs of the human heart.
2. Proclaims the good news concerning salvation, not merely the law of God that can convict of sin.
3. A congregation that is excited about the Lord Jesus.
4. Provides proof of the dynamic power that is experienced when people repent of sin and put their faith in Christ.

Paul’s Method

“The method of Paul is revealed through  his movements and ministry as traced through the book of Acts and his letters. The odd thing about this subject is that Paul knew little about methodology as we use the term.”

Paul was:

1. Spirit-led from start to finish.
2. Depended on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for what he was doing and going to do next.
3. His ministry was characterized more by divine anointing than by clever methodology. “What he did then for Paul he will do for us as we yield our hearts to Him and learn to listen.”
4. Paul’s plans to evangelize in certain areas were always subject to the Holy Spirit’s intervention and leading (Acts 16:6-10).

We must be Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, always depending upon, remain sensitive to Holy Spirit, characterized by the dynamic power of our Lord, careful to guard against being mechanical followers with manmade formulas, and have God take us by the hand and guide us. Paul in childlike fashion obeyed the Holy Spirit of the LORD God Almighty in His promptings in both doing and not doing.

“The people God blesses believe their bibles.”

Paul’s Motivation

“I am convinced that Paul’s motivation (or heart) is the most over-looked and least-taught aspect of his ministry to the people.”

The kind of gospel proclamation that cuts to the heart of the matter. 1 Thess. 2:4-6. A sacred and serious task, deeply desiring God’s approval.

Paul’s motivation wasn’t:

1. Flattery using clever oratory.
2. Money or material things.
3. Fame.
4. Receiving accolades.

What was Paul’s motivation? 1 Thess. 2:6-8.

From Saul to Paul,” what a radical picture of a minister these words present to our modern minds!”

He was gentle as that of a mother nurturing a child at her breast with care and genuineness even though he was very accustomed to much suffering and persecution, difficulty with every turn and step. A message in Thessalonica not from intellect but one of fervent love deeply and overwhelmingly concerned with the welfare and well-being of the people.

When God blesses the pulpit and the church, selfishness and “comfort zone” religion are replaced by sacrificial love for God and others.

1 Thess. 2:17-19. Paul was at great emotional strain to be apart from the Thessalonians because of his intense love for them. What kind of relationships do we have with each other and others?

They were his great hope, joy, and crown when Jesus would return again to the earth. Trophies of grace presented to Christ.

Trophies of grace- “Nothing but the flesh-and –blood trophies of God’s grace will shine on through eternity. The church God blesses keeps its focus on this one thing- the people for whom Christ died and their progress in the faith.”

“This is why Paul made tremendous sacrifices and took great personal risks. It was because he was head over heels in love with God’s people.”

1 Thess. 3:6-8. Having to know the spiritual condition of the people and being able to endure all kinds of distress and persecution with joy because they were standing firm. (The building).

“A lack of motivation to sacrifice for others is what holds many ministries and churches from being greatly used of the Lord. Possibly the greatest spiritual deception we can fall into is to think we really love the Lord, while having little concern for His people.”

“Biblical truth is memorized by the mind, emotions are occasionally stirred by the things of God, but it doesn’t go deep enough to transform our motive for living. Only the Holy Spirit’s power can save us from the terrible plight of a self-centered, comfort zone lifestyle, while we sing hymns about Christ who gave His life on Calvary. Unless damage-serious damage- is done to our self-life, religion like that becomes nothing more than a charade. The acid test of spiritual growth is love, and love always means living for others.”

Philippians 2:19-21. May we have the mind of Christ remembering the model of Paul and the love and concern he had for others.

“Let us pray that God will raise up pastors, congregations, Sunday schools, and choirs that are motivated by the same kind of love the apostle Paul had which only comes from our Father, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit.”  Our God is mighty to save.”

Thank You Lord!

Thank you Grace Church of the Nazarene!