What Can I Give Him?
What can I give Him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part:
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my heart!
Word: Christina G. Rossetti
This Christmas chorus reminds us what giving is all about. Giving starts with our willingness to give God our heart. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-14, Paul explores and instructs us in the area of giving. When I think of “giving”, at first glance I think of my financial responsibility to God. Without argument, I do believe that this is primarily what Paul was referring to, but I think there is more to it that can be applied to us today. Paul begins by reminding us of the basic agrarian principle that the harvest is directly proportionate to the amount of seed sown. Say I went out last spring and planted one tomato plant, one watermelon seed, and one morning glory seed. I should not expect to have enough tomatoes to supply the whole church, or enough watermelons for a church social, or enough morning glories to beautify my entire back yard. I don’t think I would have enough to feed my family. In order for me to produce a healthy crop, I must sow many seeds. This principle can be applied to our giving. The Lord will bless us in accordance to our giving. I will be the first to say that this is not a promise for prosperity. There are many preachers out there right now that would have you believe that if you give to their ministry, then you will be blessed beyond measure. I do not agree with their mantra. What I do believe is that as we are obedient, the Lord will supply all our needs.
Paul goes on to explain the attitude we should have when we give. When we give, our attitude should be one of willingness not of obligation. Giving should be a joy for, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). As I said at the beginning of this article, I believe that this passage can be applied to many areas in our life. When we look at our service in the church, we should give with the same attitude. Whether you are working in the nursery, singing in the choir, teaching a Sunday school class, or cleaning a bathroom, you should do it with a heart that is full of love and joy; a heart that loves to give no matter what you get in return. The reward will come. You may not see all the reward on this side of heaven, but believe me when I tell you that you will see all your reward in heaven.
I want everyone in the worship ministry of First Baptist Church Canton to have an attitude that loves to serve and give to the church body. Whenever we begin to feel like what we are doing is a chore and not a blessing, we might need to step back and recheck our priorities. Let us always seek to be cheerful givers in the worship ministry.
Giving Him my heart,
Aaron Hodges
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Be Separate
Be Separate
Last Friday, my son Wade came home from Middle School and gave me a teachable moment. Teachable moments are times out of everyday life from which we can teach and learn more about God and what He requires of us. Wade told me about a young lady who is very cute and is showing some interest in him. After I got over my 7th grader having a girl who likes him, I asked Wade a little bit about this girl. Once I found out some basic information about her, I dropped a big question on him. “Is she a believer?” He looked at me kind of funny and then said, “I don’t know Dad.” We then got to learn about what I read in 2 Corinthians 6:14 where Paul reminds us that we should “not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Paul continues in this passage to tell us that we should come out from among a non-believing world and be separate unto God.
What does being separate mean according to God’s word? This is summed up in one word: Holy. In Stephen Olford’s book, The Ways of Holiness, Olford defines holiness as the following: “Given spiritual life, holiness means the maintaining in health of that life before God and the setting apart of that life for His service alone” (p. 49.). “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not merely a suggestion, but it is a mandate from heaven. I don’t know about you, but when I think about that passage, I am a little overwhelmed. How am I, a lowly, ugly vessel like we looked at last week, able to be holy? When I start to think about this I can’t help but exclaim “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of host; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa. 6:3). I also can’t help but proclaim “Woe is me, for I am undone!” (Isa. 6:5). Mandates from heaven are never designed to overwhelm us. Whenever God demand something from us, He provides the means for us to accomplish it. In 1Cor. 1:30, Paul reminds us that “Christ…became for us...holiness.” This simply means that God makes holiness available to us through the indwelling life of Jesus Christ in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. On our own, we are unable to be holy, but “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
“Therefore, having all these promises, beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God”
2 Corinthians 7:1
With the Power of the Spirit,
Aaron Hodges
Last Friday, my son Wade came home from Middle School and gave me a teachable moment. Teachable moments are times out of everyday life from which we can teach and learn more about God and what He requires of us. Wade told me about a young lady who is very cute and is showing some interest in him. After I got over my 7th grader having a girl who likes him, I asked Wade a little bit about this girl. Once I found out some basic information about her, I dropped a big question on him. “Is she a believer?” He looked at me kind of funny and then said, “I don’t know Dad.” We then got to learn about what I read in 2 Corinthians 6:14 where Paul reminds us that we should “not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Paul continues in this passage to tell us that we should come out from among a non-believing world and be separate unto God.
What does being separate mean according to God’s word? This is summed up in one word: Holy. In Stephen Olford’s book, The Ways of Holiness, Olford defines holiness as the following: “Given spiritual life, holiness means the maintaining in health of that life before God and the setting apart of that life for His service alone” (p. 49.). “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not merely a suggestion, but it is a mandate from heaven. I don’t know about you, but when I think about that passage, I am a little overwhelmed. How am I, a lowly, ugly vessel like we looked at last week, able to be holy? When I start to think about this I can’t help but exclaim “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of host; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa. 6:3). I also can’t help but proclaim “Woe is me, for I am undone!” (Isa. 6:5). Mandates from heaven are never designed to overwhelm us. Whenever God demand something from us, He provides the means for us to accomplish it. In 1Cor. 1:30, Paul reminds us that “Christ…became for us...holiness.” This simply means that God makes holiness available to us through the indwelling life of Jesus Christ in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. On our own, we are unable to be holy, but “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
“Therefore, having all these promises, beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God”
2 Corinthians 7:1
With the Power of the Spirit,
Aaron Hodges
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Our Weakness - His Power
Our Weakness – His Power
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God.
2 Corinthians 4:7
We are called to be ministers of the New Covenant. This means that when we become Christians, we are commissioned by God to be ministers. Some people don’t understand this because they see that in churches we have “ministers” and “lay” people. I believe that the Word of God in 2 Corinthians is trying to tell us that we are all ministers. There was an old quote that said “every member a minister.” This is so true. We are all called to be “the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15).” This does not say that only the paid staff is to be the aroma; but instead, all believers are included in this command and are called to be ministers. This ministry is not an easy ministry. To some we are not a pleasant smell but instead we are a reminder of what they do not have. To others we are going to be a sweet smell reminding them of the promise they have in Christ. The gospel will be difficult for many, while to others it will be an incredible hope.
As we share this gospel outside the walls of our church building, we begin to see very quickly that we are incapable of completing the task that God has given to us on our own. This is where God shines even brighter. In chapter 4, Paul states it like this: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Cor. 4:7).” In Paul’s day, treasures were concealed in clay jars, which had little value or beauty and did not attract attention to themselves or their contents. The jars of clay in this passage represent our human unworthiness. Our total unworthiness reveals the total sufficiency of God. “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9).” When we go through trials in our lives, we can go through them and still come out victorious in the end. The testimony that this gives to a lost world speaks even greater sometimes than the words that come out of our mouths. As a minister, we need to be aware that God is always on display through us even in the times when we are faced with difficulty.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.”
2 Cor. 2:16-17
Seek to be a vessel that makes God look great!
Aaron Hodges
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God.
2 Corinthians 4:7
We are called to be ministers of the New Covenant. This means that when we become Christians, we are commissioned by God to be ministers. Some people don’t understand this because they see that in churches we have “ministers” and “lay” people. I believe that the Word of God in 2 Corinthians is trying to tell us that we are all ministers. There was an old quote that said “every member a minister.” This is so true. We are all called to be “the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15).” This does not say that only the paid staff is to be the aroma; but instead, all believers are included in this command and are called to be ministers. This ministry is not an easy ministry. To some we are not a pleasant smell but instead we are a reminder of what they do not have. To others we are going to be a sweet smell reminding them of the promise they have in Christ. The gospel will be difficult for many, while to others it will be an incredible hope.
As we share this gospel outside the walls of our church building, we begin to see very quickly that we are incapable of completing the task that God has given to us on our own. This is where God shines even brighter. In chapter 4, Paul states it like this: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Cor. 4:7).” In Paul’s day, treasures were concealed in clay jars, which had little value or beauty and did not attract attention to themselves or their contents. The jars of clay in this passage represent our human unworthiness. Our total unworthiness reveals the total sufficiency of God. “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9).” When we go through trials in our lives, we can go through them and still come out victorious in the end. The testimony that this gives to a lost world speaks even greater sometimes than the words that come out of our mouths. As a minister, we need to be aware that God is always on display through us even in the times when we are faced with difficulty.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.”
2 Cor. 2:16-17
Seek to be a vessel that makes God look great!
Aaron Hodges
Monday, August 10, 2009
THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY
The Most Excellent Way
“And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12:31b
What is it that Paul says is “the most excellent way?” As we talked last week, we all have spiritual gifts that are used to edify and build up the Body of Christ. We are given these gifts by God, but what good are they if not used in the right way? The right way, or most excellent way, as Paul puts it, is outlined in Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. So often when we think of 1 Corinthians 13, we focus on verses 4-8. We almost always hear these verses at weddings and in messages around February 14th. This passage is very applicable to these occasions, but it is really not directed toward the love between a husband and wife. Instead, “love” in this passage, is described in order to help the listener understand the action and attitude we are to take as we exercise our spiritual gifts. Verses 13:1-3 are really convicting. Many times in ministry, I have become aware of people who were using their spiritual gifts, but at the same time, were not showing love to one another in a true Christ- like manner. Is this how God intends us to use the spiritual gifts He gives? The answer should be obvious. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13:1).” We should be continually aware of how we treat others when using our gifts so that those gifts glorify God, the One who gave them, and demonstrate Christ in us.
Later on in chapter 13 Paul points out that exercising our spiritual gifts without love is childish. My 3 year old daughter, Emmy Lou, is very precious, but she is also very selfish. Selfishness comes naturally to her. Selfishness is action without concern or love for anyone but yourself. Since she is a child, I fully expect her to act this way. As Emmy grows and becomes and adult, I will expect her to put childish ways behind her. Paul puts it this way, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me (1 Cor. 13:11).” As we in the worship ministry serve the Lord through the expressing of our gifts, we should always be mindful of love. I truly feel that we need to, above all, have love for each other as we serve the Lord. If we serve with the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13, the Lord will bless us beyond measure.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a
Seeking to demonstrate my gifts through the filter of love,
Aaron Hodges
“And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12:31b
What is it that Paul says is “the most excellent way?” As we talked last week, we all have spiritual gifts that are used to edify and build up the Body of Christ. We are given these gifts by God, but what good are they if not used in the right way? The right way, or most excellent way, as Paul puts it, is outlined in Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. So often when we think of 1 Corinthians 13, we focus on verses 4-8. We almost always hear these verses at weddings and in messages around February 14th. This passage is very applicable to these occasions, but it is really not directed toward the love between a husband and wife. Instead, “love” in this passage, is described in order to help the listener understand the action and attitude we are to take as we exercise our spiritual gifts. Verses 13:1-3 are really convicting. Many times in ministry, I have become aware of people who were using their spiritual gifts, but at the same time, were not showing love to one another in a true Christ- like manner. Is this how God intends us to use the spiritual gifts He gives? The answer should be obvious. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13:1).” We should be continually aware of how we treat others when using our gifts so that those gifts glorify God, the One who gave them, and demonstrate Christ in us.
Later on in chapter 13 Paul points out that exercising our spiritual gifts without love is childish. My 3 year old daughter, Emmy Lou, is very precious, but she is also very selfish. Selfishness comes naturally to her. Selfishness is action without concern or love for anyone but yourself. Since she is a child, I fully expect her to act this way. As Emmy grows and becomes and adult, I will expect her to put childish ways behind her. Paul puts it this way, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me (1 Cor. 13:11).” As we in the worship ministry serve the Lord through the expressing of our gifts, we should always be mindful of love. I truly feel that we need to, above all, have love for each other as we serve the Lord. If we serve with the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13, the Lord will bless us beyond measure.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a
Seeking to demonstrate my gifts through the filter of love,
Aaron Hodges
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
ONE BODY - MANY PARTS
One Body, Many Parts
All of you, who have been around me at all over the past 5 ½ weeks, know that on the last day of Vacation Bible School, I broke my pinky toe on my left foot. Over these weeks I have realized that 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 is so very true. It is in this passage that Paul compares the Body of Christ to our earthly bodies. Because of my broken toe, other parts of my body have been challenged. When I first broke it, I had no idea what kind of problems that little piece of my body was going to cause. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot (or little toe in my case) should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. (1 Cor. 12:14-15).” When I broke my toe, I could not simply say to myself that I did not need my toe. On the contrary, my toe reminded me every time I used it that it was still there whether I wanted to believe it or not. Other muscles in my foot started to hurt. My other leg began to hurt. Overall, my toe made my entire body suffer.
You may be asking, “So what does your toe have to do with me?” Later on in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul points out the reasoning and I think it applies to the church today just as much as it did to the church at Corinth. Many times as we work in the church and serve the Lord, we begin saying to ourselves, “maybe we are not as necessary as someone else or some other position.” Paul points that there is no part of the Body of Christ that is any less important as another. Paul would say that changing diapers in the nursery is just as important as teaching a Sunday school class. Without our nursery workers ministering to our children, the ministry that happens in Sunday school would become even more difficult and maybe even impossible.
We can even break down this analogy all the way to where we serve. Here in worship ministry, we all serve on an equal playing field. We all are vital and each of us depends on the other to do their part. I often hear it said, “Oh, it’s ok that I am not in choir today; they don’t necessarily need me.” That is nowhere near the truth! When you are gone it makes more of a difference than you can even imagine. There are others in your section that are depending on your talent and encouragement to go forward with the task God has given them. For example, this Sunday, when you choose to sit in the worship center rather than be in the choir loft or the orchestra, you are not fulfilling your role in this ministry that God has called you to, and you are handicapping the others serving. Make it a goal for this fall to join the worship ministry body and do your part. The body of First Baptist Canton will be ministered to by your offering.
Looking for you this week,
Aaron Hodges
All of you, who have been around me at all over the past 5 ½ weeks, know that on the last day of Vacation Bible School, I broke my pinky toe on my left foot. Over these weeks I have realized that 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 is so very true. It is in this passage that Paul compares the Body of Christ to our earthly bodies. Because of my broken toe, other parts of my body have been challenged. When I first broke it, I had no idea what kind of problems that little piece of my body was going to cause. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot (or little toe in my case) should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. (1 Cor. 12:14-15).” When I broke my toe, I could not simply say to myself that I did not need my toe. On the contrary, my toe reminded me every time I used it that it was still there whether I wanted to believe it or not. Other muscles in my foot started to hurt. My other leg began to hurt. Overall, my toe made my entire body suffer.
You may be asking, “So what does your toe have to do with me?” Later on in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul points out the reasoning and I think it applies to the church today just as much as it did to the church at Corinth. Many times as we work in the church and serve the Lord, we begin saying to ourselves, “maybe we are not as necessary as someone else or some other position.” Paul points that there is no part of the Body of Christ that is any less important as another. Paul would say that changing diapers in the nursery is just as important as teaching a Sunday school class. Without our nursery workers ministering to our children, the ministry that happens in Sunday school would become even more difficult and maybe even impossible.
We can even break down this analogy all the way to where we serve. Here in worship ministry, we all serve on an equal playing field. We all are vital and each of us depends on the other to do their part. I often hear it said, “Oh, it’s ok that I am not in choir today; they don’t necessarily need me.” That is nowhere near the truth! When you are gone it makes more of a difference than you can even imagine. There are others in your section that are depending on your talent and encouragement to go forward with the task God has given them. For example, this Sunday, when you choose to sit in the worship center rather than be in the choir loft or the orchestra, you are not fulfilling your role in this ministry that God has called you to, and you are handicapping the others serving. Make it a goal for this fall to join the worship ministry body and do your part. The body of First Baptist Canton will be ministered to by your offering.
Looking for you this week,
Aaron Hodges
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