"I've got a Prescription . . ."
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Producer: “I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more cow bell.”
Cow BELL - SNL skit
Blue OysterCult in the studio
Solution to the problem with their music - “More Cow Bell”
The band believed the Cow Bell was overpowering, the producer wanted more cow bell.
Producer: “I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more cow bell.”
Illustrates that often we try and fix an institution with something we think works, but because we are sinners we will mess it up, It will be flawed.
The world has done this to institutions such as marriage, family, and now the church.
The church has become an institution that God has ordered and set up that man is trying to destroy. America’s system of government is being attacked and the church will not be far behind it.
Paul /Church in Galatia
Pastor/Congregation
Pastor
Pastor
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
A Pastor cares for the church
bold in pointing people to God’s truth/leads to XP
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
A Pastor is not like those who only care for appearances
making the church look good
making themselves look good
Doesn’t tickle the ears of the church members , but tells you God’s Word
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
A pastor will boast solely in the cross of Jesus Christ
Gives God all of the glory for the work done through him
not about his success or ministry
Preach and Teach Jesus, crucified - The Gospel
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
A pastor will not embolden division in the church, but unity in Christ
People are a New Creation - sanctified and growing in faith
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Seeks this in the life of the believer
He will seek to stop division
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
A pastor will receive God’s blessing of peace and mercy if he follows this rule
The rule - Gospel Centered
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
M.L. Jones - “I never find Jesus Christ changing His Gospel in order to make it suit the people. Rather, I find Him changing the people in order to make them fit into His Gospel.”
Church member
Church member
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
A church member will be open to receive the pastor’s instruction
It is God’s Word
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
A church member will not serve for appearance sake
nor will they follow men who do
They will see themselves a disciples following Jesus
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
A church member will realize their need for a savior
They will not se the pastor as the one filling that need
They will recognize their need for a pastor who preaches and teaches the gospel
This is what needs to be heard by every member
They will utilize the means of grace
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
A church member sees their pastor as a servant of Jesus Christ
not a servant of the church member
not a hired member of a staff to meet their needs
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
A church member sees themselves as a new creation
Seeking sanctification and growth
fighting apathy and stagnation
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
A church member will be blessed with peace and mercy as you obey this rule
Gospel centered
Gal 1:6-9
Conclusion
Conclusion
Symbiotic relationship between the pastor and church member in the church
Trinity - One God, three different functioning roles
Paul’s illustration of the body - various parts one organization, one mission
Acts 6:1-7
App: If we follow these, the church will be a focused and gospel centered community of believers.
Don’t trouble each other with things of the world that cause division
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Don’t bring them to the pastor
Pastor, don’t make them a priority for the congregation
Remember: We all bear the “marks of Jesus Christ” and are working together for the building up of God’s Kingdom
We re all servants of Jesus Christ, this is the commonality within a sea of differences.
Are you viewing the pastor differently than you should? Are you viewing your fellow members differently than you should?
Are we viewing and treating each other as servants of Christ?