Jump Start # 3879
2 Kings 16:2 “Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen year in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord his God, as his father David had done.”
I spent some time with a preacher that I had not seen in a long time. And, so often, when we preachers get together, we tell “preacher stories.” Funny things that happened. Unusual things. Troublesome times. We talked about the various places we lived and preached. We talked about our favorite places. We remembered those challenging interviews and “try outs” as we looked to move to other places.
One of the things we both experienced was often having to deal with the bad experiences the church had with a previous preacher. If the preacher had a side business and that didn’t set well with the brethren, the next preacher was drilled about not ever doing anything but preach. If the former preacher’s wife rarely had people in their home, that was a big discussion point for all the preachers who followed.
This is a valuable lesson not just for us preachers but for all of us. We leave impressions. And, sometimes we can make it harder on those who follow us because of the way we acted. A preacher who is always complaining about money, sours the brethren and can make life difficult for every preacher who follows.
In our verse today, Ahaz was trouble. He did not follow in the ways of God. He was not like his father David. Interestingly, David wasn’t Ahaz’s true father. There were generations between the two of them. But David had become the standard for all kings that followed. The bar was set high with David. The kings that followed were compared to David.
We don’t like the comparing of people. Each person has their own unique background, circumstances and experiences. Yet, right or wrong, in some areas we do compare. And, this should remind us that life doesn’t revolve around me. Someday, if this old world continues on, there will be someone talking our place and doing the work in the kingdom. Our attitudes, our conduct, our work ethic can help or hinder those who follow. Someday, there will be different names in the eldership. Someday there will be different names among the deacons. Someday there will be different faces behind the pulpit. How we do kingdom work can make all the difference for those who follow. It is good that we put that thought into how we do things.
Here are some thoughts:
First, by having a heart of a servant, and going out of our way, we illustrate that the kingdom work is more important than we are. We sacrifice time. We give up a Saturday. We stay late after services. We set the bar high about doing God’s work. This reaps benefits in the kingdom, shows the brethren the heart of what God wants and for those who follow, it demonstrates a work that is greater than us.
When we lower the bar, lower the expectations, lower the standard, then we invite laziness, substandard service and doing just the necessity. Excellence tapers off. Things fall through the cracks. Worship becomes a last thought.
Second, taking advantage of others, engaging in illegal and unethical behavior, abusing privileges undermines the morale of others and presents a selfish attitude about spiritual matters. It’s hard following a preacher who was fired for not doing his job. It’s hard serving as a shepherd when a fellow shepherd had to be removed because of ungodly behavior. There is an expectation that comes with being a leader. People do look to you and they do expect more from you. Shepherds are to be examples to be followed. But when they have allowed position to go to their heads, they become interested in power and dominating others. Kindness leaves and an atmosphere of fear fills the air. It’s hard for those who become the next shepherds. People think that you will be just like that. Suspicion abounds. And, what has happened is that the selfish shepherds ruined things for those who followed. People will talk about those selfish shepherds for decades.
Third, how does one change the course of things? I, as a preacher, have followed preachers who were fired. The first few months I heard horror stories about all the things the previous preacher had done. Give it time. Be yourself. Do the work you are supposed to do. Don’t jump on the pile of those who are blaming the former preacher, nor defend him. It’s not your battle. You set the bar high. You do your great work. This is true for those who preach and for those who lead.
This is true for Bible class teachers. A quarter ends and new teachers come in to teach. The last teachers told stories, played games and did very little teaching of the Bible. They goofed around and were not serious about what they were supposed to do. You get in there and do your job well. You teach the word of God. Nothing has to be said about the last class or the last teacher. That’s not your battle to fight. You just raise the bar high and do the best that you can.
What we do can make it easy or hard for those who follow. Do your job well.
Roger