It’s Not About Me – A Needed Reminder

A dear brother in Christ shared these thoughts with me earlier today and gave me permission to share them. His thoughts resounded with me as the number of celebrities seems to increase while the number of servants decreases. May God convict us all and bring us to the point where our life’s motto is “Not I, but Christ”. I trust you too will be convicted by these words.

“The mission of every theologian, of every Christian, of the church itself, is not to draw attention to ourselves, our ideas, or our achievements. Our job, like that of John the Baptist, is to point others toward the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Timothy George, ThD.

Most people in ministry that I know either preach themselves, politics, signs & wonders, and almost anything you can think of except for Christ and Him crucified. They only talk about the work on the cross maybe 1% of the time, if at all. I have been to several churches where it was never even mentioned. If your ministry is not about Jesus Christ and Him crucified, are you really a Christian Minister? Many ministries only cater to momentary, worldly issues. Isn’t our focus supposed to be on the eternal? Why are so many ministers so concerned with having titles and posting things that are meant to be about God but always have their own photo attached to it? Why do they care so much about building their brand or their “tribe” instead of leading others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or discipleship? Are they trying to create a religion of themselves? Why do so many ministries, after everything that has been done to have a Bible in the hands of every person, never use the Bible? And if they do, why do they pull verses way out of context to fit what they are trying to sell to people? For example, the one many prosperity people use 3 John 1:2.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 

Many famous ministers use this verse out of context and teach it to mean that we should all have financial prosperity and perfect health, that it is a promise of God. However, reading the verse in context, it is painfully obvious that it is only a greeting in a letter. Just like how we say in letters, “I pray that this letter finds you well.” If financial prosperity were a promise from God, then why did Paul write in 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 

“9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” 

And these were Christ’s Apostles! Paul said he has been rich and he has been poor, and through it all, he has learned that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. Out of context that would say that Paul could literally do anything because Christ gives him power. However, in context, it is that he can endure all things because Christ gives him strength. Philippians 4:10-13

“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

In other words, be content with what you have and trust in Christ. Rabbit trail ended. 

If you are to be a minister for Christ, then everything must point to Him. If you teach or preach the OT, then show how it points to Christ. If you teach or preach the NT, show how it points to Christ. In all that you do and teach, it goes to Christ. Where is the fear and awe of the almighty God who created the universe? Have so many lost the respect of our Lord? Everything is not about you. The Bible is not about you. You are not David. You are not Moses. You are not Elijah. The Bible is and has always been about only one person, the Son of God, the only Jesus Christ. The Bible is for you, but not about you. Your ministries are for the hurting, the dispossessed, and the lost, they are not about you. We are servants of Christ, in all that we do, we do for Him. To Him be all the glory, not us.