A Supervisor From Hell

I worked at a marina in New Jersey with a few other college students.  We were all on a Summer Project with a Christian student mission organization.  Beyond earning a little income from our employment, the larger goal was to learn to be effective in evangelism at our workplaces.  

Every Day a New Challenge

We were in for a huge surprise with a supervisor who would try different things every few days to break our faith or take advantage of us.  

• He would purposefully mess up our paychecks and make a hassle out of all resolutions.  
• One of us was made to handle creosote soaked logs without protective gear and suffered chemical burns. 
• This one and another was given an unnecessary job of crawling under docks in the water to clean them.  
• We as a group would strip insulation off of boats without proper safety equipment or adequate ventilation.  
• One morning I was assigned the worthless task of pulling weeds at the entrance to this completely run down marina.  
• Another day I was sentenced to the hull of a boat to clean up a large neglected sewage spill without efficient equipment.   
• The girls who worked in the office testified to the office politics and rampant lying, deceit and immorality.  

The list continues with things like constant yelling, berating, derogatory remarks and never giving any hint of encouragement.  To top it off, he would slander us as Christian employees to his clients and colleagues, even to those from whom we would seek to get jobs after he unjustly fired some of us, or pushed us to quit. 

One of the Best Jobs Ever 

That was one of the best jobs I ever had.  Even at the time I took a strange joy in it.  Maybe this was because my livelihood didn’t depend on it, or it was short-term, or I could commiserate with fellow Christians.  Truly our sharing suffering together helped us respond spiritually and consistently so.  Many others have it much worse than we did.  I learned a lot through this experience, and the best lesson of all was the lesson of 1 Peter 2:19.

1 Peter 2:18–20 ESV “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”

He was a employer from hell, but one who was greatly utilized by heaven.

The Grace was Great

God is pleased and honored by our trusting Him while suffering unjustly in our daily jobs.  It is called “gracious” because God gives more grace as we are mindful, or conscious, of Him in faith and hope.

This is far different than simply enduring, which is natural and required of so many in similar situations.  It is not commendable to endure injustice simply because we are afraid, or have become numb to it, or feel we cannot change it, or think resisting would bring more pain, or hope for retaliation one day.  

Being “mindful of God” means being mindful of His providence, care, provision, concern and justice.  This helps us not be disrespectful, enraged, rebellious, pitiful or despairing.  It helps us to grow in our relationship with God, to pray, to receive positive changes, and to hope for glory.  

All sorts of stuff, bad stuff, goes on in the workplace these days.  Be assured, God knows it all, is concerned, is acting in wisdom and power, and will settle it all.

Another Subversion by the Gospel

Submission will sometimes involve suffering, and when it does we have the greatest example of suffering unjustly before us in Our Lord Jesus Christ.  And not only is He our adored example and worshipped God, He also grants us powerful grace in suffering to endure, to glorify God our Father.

1 Peter 2:21–25 ESV “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

It undermines evil when we do good according to the Gospel--it is dignified and without rebelliousness.  Suffering unjustly as a Christian is powerful for good in so many ways, and often does eventually lead to opening up people to thinking in new ways.

Our supervisor failed and Christ won.  After a few weeks he let most of us go probably because of shame, anger, frustration, weariness, and the like.  Better yet, those who stayed told of changes in him as they continued to witness for Christ.  He started to show respect and an unusual openness.  I hope God has saved and transformed this man whom God used to transform me.

Not Yet Who We Will Become

The sovereign plan of God to build a powerful and effective group of Apostles included failure.

Luke 22:31–34 ESV ““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.””

Jesus Predicts Our Failures

Satan demands from God the opportunity to sift all the disciples.  The evil one knows that some followers will fall, have their faith destroyed, and so be turned to chaff.  God grants him this opportunity, as He did with Job, even in regard to Peter, his prime target as the leader of the Apostles. 

Jesus decides it is best to inform them about this situation with the coming trial and failure.  But, Jesus also assures Peter that He will pray for him and that His power is stronger than Satan’s.  

Peter would deny that he even knew the Lord three times before morning.  His faith would falter under pressure, but not fail or give out completely.  Peter would return in repentance, and strengthen the others who also had faltered.

We Decry His Prophesy

Peter is taken aback by Jesus’ prediction of his failure, and rashly and boldly asserts the contrary.   It is Peter’s overconfidence that keeps him from watching out properly.  He is filled with good intentions even though he is not yet who he would become. 

Eventually, he would become as strong as he initially asserted.  He would go to prison and die a good death in the Lord.  We read about this in Acts 5 and 12; and according to tradition Peter’s boldness would lead to him being crucified upside down.

We Gain a Stronger Faith 

This passage is a warning and a promise to those in leadership, the specially targeted ones.  We must always be alert, knowing ourselves, not being overconfident about our faith.  And yet, it is through our temporary failures of faith that we come to know the true measure of our strength and our weakness.

Similar to Peter and the others, it is after returning that we find ourselves having been strengthened by the power Jesus promised.  We are ready to resist the next round and level of temptations as we move forward in the Mission.  Even more importantly, we have been strengthened to the point that are able to assist our brothers and sisters in recovering from their failures.

Be confident even in the midst of failure.  God’s power will rescue you and place you in an even better position.  Perhaps, this is the best way to fail, “for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Make Sure You Buy A Sword

Luke summarizes five mission tours in his Gospel account.  The first four are:  (1) Jesus on mission alone (4:43); (2) Jesus on mission with the Twelve, some other disciples, and supporting and ministering women (8:1-3); (3) the Twelve by themselves on a limited mission tour (9:1-6); and (4) the Seventy-Two on a larger mission tour (10:1-16).  

The Mission Changed On The Fifth Tour 

Luke 22:35–38 ESV “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.””

Jesus reminds His disciples about their previous mission campaigns.  On those circuit missions, they were told not to make any special preparations, being under a strict training in the early days.  During those times God provided everything they needed for their lives and mission.  This served as a great first lesson of total dependence upon God, and total focus on the Mission.  Such vulnerability would strengthen them for their future works of mission.

But, the fifth tour would be the Final Tour, namely the Tour of the World to take the Gospel to every people group!  

ESV Luke 24:46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Full Preparations Are Necessary For The Final Mission

Their new mission as the commissioned Apostles leading the Mission of the Church would be much greater.  The honor and glory would be greater, and so would be the hostilities, and so they were to be fully prepared.  They were to make full provision, whatever would be needed:  money and supplies, and they were to make sure they got a sword.  

The sword is singled out as important and as symbolic because the future will be filled with terrible hostilities.  Jesus is speaking beyond the literal in a metaphor for making sure they are fully prepared spiritually.  The sword symbolizes all the spiritual warfare that they would encounter and battle through in the future. 

They did not understand.  They were happy to have two swords; but this would not enough to help physically, even less so spiritually.  Jesus’ reply is simply “that is enough of that.”  Obviously, Jesus was not advocating that His Apostles take up arms against their enemies.

They needed to be fully prepared spiritually, by prayer and faith.  Such important preparations they had yet to make, as would be shown that very night in the Garden of Gethsemane.  There they failed--by using a real sword, by sleeping instead of praying, and then by fleeing in fear.  

Later in the Book of Acts Luke would show how they learned the lesson and as a result led the Church into being bold, prayerful and willingly suffering like Jesus Himself.  This is why Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12 in reference to Himself as the Suffering Servant.  This would be His destiny, the purpose for His coming.  And if He was treated as a criminal, so would the Apostles be treated, and all the Church . . . and eventually even us.

Be Prepared For Persecutions

This is a call to war by Jesus.  It is a spiritual war, not a real war, not even primarily a cultural war.  We must be ready to fight with spiritual weapons and suffer in the body for the Gospel and the Kingdom.  

We are to speak truth, live out righteousness, and always be ready with the Gospel.  We should meet every situation with faith and confidence from our salvation.  We must pray all the time about everything and so stay alert and persevere to the very end.

Our Apostle Paul would teach and model for us the same thing, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

Jesus calls His Church to wage a spiritual war and He promises us victory and glory in the end.  So, go buy a sword if you don’t have one.  Get prepared for the spiritual battle, and then get into the spiritual battle and charge ahead in prayer and proclamation!

Ten Characteristics Of Truly Penitent Prayer

How does a Christian recover from great sin, even all lesser sins?

Surely, each situation is going to have a variety of unique factors to consider.  Our sin can be simple, but also relatively complex necessitating thoughtful spiritual strategies.

Our Ever Present Need

Since our hearts and minds can be deceitful, and because we can be deceived so easily by the world and the devil, we need to ask, “What does truly penitent prayer that finds mercy with God look like?”

You may not be in a position of great sinfulness today, but it is likely that you have been in the past to some degree, or that some brother or sister will need your help, or that you will soon encounter temptations and falter or fail, or that you need renewal in your appreciation of the Gospel of Christ, or that you might just need to recognize that some lesser sins need some attention.

A Psalm Of (Ab)solution

Psalm 51 guides us through praying our prayers of confession, and encourages us:  God will have mercy upon the truly penitent believer.

     “To the choirmaster.  A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
     “1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
“7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
“13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.”

Ten Characteristics Of Truly Penitent Prayer

1. It pleads for forgiveness and cleansing and does not presume upon God’s mercy. (vv.1-2, 9)

2. It sees sin for what it is and oneself for who one really is, taking responsibility, making no excuses. (vv.3-6)

3. It does not argue with God, to whom one is accountable, but accepts full chastisement from all of His Word. (v.4)

4. It hopes in the power of God to completely forgive and to thoroughly wash clean. (vv.7-8)

5. It seeks a transformational change in one’s heart and empowerment to be more holy. (vv.10-12)

6. It longs for the return of joy in one’s life, in one’s worship, and in one’s ministry. (vv.8, 12, 13-15)

7. It does whatever it takes to get right with God and His People. (vv.16-19)

8. It looks to Jesus Christ as one’s Savior in faith and repentance yet again, and takes hold of all in Him. (vv.1-2, 7-9, 10-12, 16-17, 19)

9. It finds mercy and renewal by the Holy Spirit, the promise of all good gifts of grace. (vv.10-12)

10. It maintains a new humility and hope in walking with the Lord. (vv.16-17)

Jesus Is The Way

Psalm 51 humbles all of us before God, and it is also a very strong encouragement to us as sinners to come to Christ Jesus, and to stay close to Christ--for fullness of joy and increasing holiness.

It is so heartening to know that there is a way back to God, isn’t it?  Proverbs 28:13 states, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Stuck By An Attendance Pin--Ouch!

My first experience doing door-to-door evangelism took place about 30 years ago.  I was on a youth retreat with a parachurch ministry in the city of Minneapolis.  This was the year I had just become a Christian and I had one most memorable experience.

A Triviality Travesty

My partner and I ended up talking with a man in his late 60s.  We stood on his doorstep and asked through the crack in the door, “Sir, if you were to die tonight how certain are you that you would go to heaven?”  He asked if we were Christians, the Evangelical kind, just making sure we weren’t from a cult, he said.  

He didn’t answer our question according to our script.  Instead he told us that when he was in Sunday School in the 3rd or 4th grade he didn’t get his 100% attendance pin that he earned.  Apparently the teacher made a mistake in the records.  I was surprised that he would remember and even care about such a trivial matter.  

We pressed onward with the Gospel story and explained to him that salvation is not based on works, but on faith in Jesus Christ.  He returned to his attendance story with seriousness in his voice, being visibly upset and stating that he is an atheist.  He had been holding a grudge against God, the teacher and the church for 60 years!

Blaming God Is Cowardly

We kindly assured him that God knew the truth about his claim and that he need not worry about it any longer.  He retorted, “The church is full of hypocrites!”  We politely laughed at him and said, “Sir, how can you blame God for the actions of people?  That is not fair to God.”  We helped him see and agree that his story sounded ludicrous.

He was silent, as it started to dawn on him that he was being foolish in holding a grudge over a minor offense, and then blaming God for it for most of his life.  This moment of softening was our opportunity to describe the imperfection of all people, as sinners.  We were even able, by God’s grace, to persuade him that he wasn’t perfect either, and in fact far from God’s righteous standard. 

We simply shared the plan of salvation with him and asked him if he would like to be free of his burden of sin, and this particular pain that has plagued him his whole life.  And we told him how God desires to have a personal relationship with us that is real.

It Is Always Good To Pray

It was an intense 20-30 minutes on that doorstep.  He was thinking hard and God was working on him.  He was near tears, but not ready to trust fully in the Gospel.  That was fine we told him; and we thanked him for telling us his story.

“Can we pray for you?”  He was so happy we asked him that.  Yes, we prayed.  We prayed for some other challenges he shared with us, and we prayed for his understanding to grow, and for God to grant him faith unto salvation in Jesus Christ.

He smiled and eagerly took our materials.  We were able to pass along his contact information to a local church in his area, and describe our honest conversation with this dear man.

I don’t know how it all turned out.  One thing I am sure of though is that attendance pins may not be such a good idea, along with a host of other awards we give out to children hoping to help make them Christians.  What do such practices really say about the Gospel?  Where do such rewards lead them to put their trust other than in Christ?