Scott got us started by asking what we thought the biggest temptations were for church leaders. Sins like hubris, apathy, greed, and power were thrown out by some members. Most of the sins were fairly subtle in nature.
Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
Henri Nouwen wrote a book -In the Name of Jesus - about three temptations for the modern Christian leader: Relevance, Popularity, and Power.
Matthew 4:1-4 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Scott asked us what “Relevance” might mean as a source of temptation for church leaders. Relevance in this case is the temptation to make a big deal of our abilities in order to trade that for credibility. Example: We make people think we’re cool so we can work in the gospel. Jesus’ temptation to turn the rocks into bread was a temptation of relevance. The church is more than a non-profit organization or charity. Society has deeper needs than those that are emotional and physical. People’s deepest need is to know Christ.
Henri Nouwen realized this temptation to be relevant when he left his professorship at an Ivy League university to work with mentally handicapped people. The people he worked with didn’t care about his resume or accomplishments. Nouwen’s work was reduced to simply giving and receiving love.
Matthew 4:5-7 - 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Nouwen called this temptation “Popularity” (or Spectacularity). “Jesus refused to be a stuntman.” He refused to wow people to prove that the gospel was true. When we do something for the community it is very important that we come in the name of Christ and not our own name.
Matthew 4:8-11 - 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Power seems to be a temptation for just about everyone on some level or another. Nouwen suggests that we need to embrace our brokenness and weakness to live out the gospel. This is a constant challenge for all of us, and at central park we want to face this challenge head on as a community.
This coming Sunday we will have a vision session focused on discovering an area in which we as a community can serve. Please be thinking and praying about this. Feel free to share some thoughts on last week’s lesson or service or community in the comments are below. We hope to see all of you there.
Announcements
- Friday, March 27, 8pm - Luke’s Drink and Desserts - Come join us for drinks and desserts. You bring the desserts and some tips. Luke will bring the beverages.
- Sunday, March 29 - Come and discuss the future of service with Central Park.
- Sunday, March 29 - It’s the deadline for singing up for the Point’s mission trip to Haiti. More information here: http://haiti09yamt.blogspot.com/
- Saturday, April 11, 10:30 - Easter Brunch at Mary’s House - Bring $5! It’ll be fun.
- May 29-31 - Central Park Camping Trip!! - Save the date.