Teaching with Authority

As I was reading Mark 1:22 it struck me again that Jesus taught with authority, quite unlike the teachers of religious law. How does that translate into our lives as Biblical teachers?

Studying what this meant proved to be quite revealing as a model for us to follow.

William Hendriksen's commentary distinguishes the difference between the way our Lord taught and the teachers of religious law:

1. Jesus spoke complete truth, while many of the scribes teaching was evasive.

(truth not compromised)

2. Jesus spoke to matters of great significance, matters of life, death, and the eternal while the religious leaders wasted their time often on the trivial. (relevance)

3. Jesus aroused curiosity and interest by using many illustrations. (metaphorical)

4. There was a system in Jesus' preaching. Those teaching the Talmud often rambled on and on.

(systematic, easy to follow)

5. Jesus spoke as a lover of men, deeply concerned for the listeners, while the teachers of the law lacked love and grace. ( relational )

6. Jesus' message came straight from the heart, from his inner being, while scribes were constantly borrowing from other resources. ( passionate with conviction)

What a wonderful compliment it would be if our listeners said that we taught as one who had authority?

Transformed Heart of a Leader part 4

Honesty, humility, and contemplation are 3 keys to owning the issues that God is speaking to us. While ownership and conviction are absolutely critical to transformation, there needs to be a fourth piece in place. The fourth chamber of the transformed heart is intentionality.

The inward conviction should manifest itself in outward obedience. This is when the will gets activated.

Paul tells us that, "I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches". ,

I would define intentionality as "doing life on purpose". I believe that people who live life on purpose are able to ask the right questions. Such as:

1. Why am I doing this? (motive)

2. What do I need to accomplish? (goals and objectives)

3. When can I expect to do it? (deadlines)

4. Who can help me accomplish this change or goal? (accountability)

In conclusion:

What are the four chambers of the heart? Honesty, Humility, Contemplation, and Intentionality.

All four chambers of the heart must be synchronized in order for transformation to take place. We can be honest and have good intentions but that doesn't constitute legitimate change. We can be humble and honest but without the conviction that comes through contemplation there is no change.

Leaving any one of the chambers out will not produce transformation.

So how much transformation is taking place in the lives of those you shepherd? Or for that matter, how much transformation is taking place in your life?

"Be not conformed this world but be transformed, by the renewing of your mind."

The Transformed Heart of a Leader part 3

While honesty and humility are great steps to a transformed heart the transaction is still not complete. One needs to engage a third ventricle to help complete the metamorphosis.

This third chamber of the heart is contemplation. Contemplation could be defined as, "slowing down long enough to hear what God has to say". Isaiah 46:20 says "Be still and know that I am God."

While honesty and humility are keys to transformation we may not assume that we have gone vertically to hear directly from the Lord. Often this takes time where we can listen in silence, solitude, and sensitivity to God.

Unfortunately time is a rare commodity in our culture. We prefer micro-waves to ovens and e-mail to snail mail. But as we look at the many saints of scripture, we see that great transformation took place in those solitary moments on mountain tops, deserts, and caves, sometimes lasting for days.

Until God truly speaks to us we can be more about behavioral modification than true transformation from the inside out.

So when is the last time you had what I call a "Jacob moment"? When have you spent enough time in communion with God to where you can say, "I won't let you go until you bless me"?

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. Do you truly believe that God wants to speak to you? Revelation 3:20

2. Are you so busy in your ministry that you have become a Martha instead of a Mary?

3. Have you been intentional about setting aside extended time with Lord?

Remember: The greatest gift you can give to the Body of Christ is a healthy heart.

The Heart of a Transformed Leader part 2

Real life transformation cannot happen with just one ventricle pumping. Honesty is a great start but one can be honest with God and oneself, but transformation has still not taken place. Honesty is where open heart surgery can begin.

The second ventricle that needs to be engaged is humility. If honesty represents the open heart then humility is the broken heart.

Psalm 25:6 says: He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way.

Isaiah 66:2b says: I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my

word.

The word contrite in this text means to be smitten, to be weakened or vulnerable.

Honesty without humility hinders the truth from penetrating deep into the soil of the heart.

How many times have you been honest about the truth but have refused to surrender because pride gets in the way?

Let me ask some questions to see if the ventricle of humility pumps freely in your heart.

1. What truth are you presently rationalizing?

2. Are you procrastinating about some truth that God wants you to obey?

3. When is the last time you truly have repented from sin?

4. Are you approachable and teachable?

I am reminded of Romans 12:2 where Paul tells us that we are to be continually transformed by the renewing of our mind.

This transformation cannot be complete with just honesty and humility. There are two more ventricles that need to be engaged before the transaction is fully completed.

Until next time. Keep pumping.