Morning Vespers

9 am Vespers – Andy

Prayer

Andy has a little black book. Half contains encouragement verses. He reads it to gain courage for ministry. The other half is verses on pride and temptation etc.

Luke 17:12-16 12 And as He entered a certain village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; 13 and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 And when He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And it came about that as they were going, they were cleansed. 15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, 16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

This passage has knocked Andy down at times.

Thoughts from the group about the passage:
Andy: Luke 7 and Ezekiel 16 provide background for God’s mercy to us as seen in Luke 19. Luke 9 is an argument of who is the greatest. In each of these, abject poverty of spirit characterizes those who know God. The Samaritan has absolute gratitude. This leper has been forgiven and cleaned by the savior. Andy sees himself as that leper and he wants to start ministry from the floor, on his face in gratitude.

If that were your paradigm for ministry, how would you run with it?

What are the challenges of ministry?

Ellis: At one point the lepers were all the same, and then they were all healed. Only one recognized he had to turn back, alone, because Jesus had changed his life. Ellis always keeps a visual picture of where Christ has brought him from.

Andy had a board member resign yesterday. He looks at this passage as an opportunity for encouragement in the face of the trials of ministry.

Andy was part of a coalition that had heated anger and disunity. Andy hardened his heart toward a former mentor who opposed him. Everyone could see the bitterness in his life. Andy had forgotten the lesson of the leper. “When I’ve forgotten that I’ve been healed, when I get up and forget where I’ve come from, I get bitter and angry.”

Break into groups of 4

How does this passage change how we lead?

Group 1
Ellis: Sees himself as a leader who is humble and thankful because he is not equipped. Phill 4:3 is the landmark verse. Even if he was equipped he would still have to lean on Jesus. Everything must be put at the feet of the Lord so that God will work.

Daniel: He can get bitter when people don’t come together in unity. But Daniel can get to task oriented to appreciate people and be pastoral. This passage reminds us to thank the Lord for everything that happens and have poverty of Spirit. This passage challenges Daniel to be a more appreciative leader.

Dan: When God works there will be many who won’t recognize it. True worshippers must persevere even though 9 out of 10 will not be grateful to God when God changes and heals the city.

Jan: The one who came back was a foreigner and an outcast. Jesus tells us how he has a heart for the outcasts. The 9 may have told others, but only one returned to the source of healing to give thanks. Luke 17:20-21 20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Who was it that left the 99 and went for the outcast.

Group 2
Brad: Our group began to confess. Why?

Hans Peter: I am so focused on what I need to do that I don’t celebrate what God has done for me. I’m always unsatisfied with my ministry and the church in Berlin. I want to be thankful and celebrate what God has done.

Ellis: Before I became a pastor I used to sit in the pew and celebrate. But when you become the main piece of the puzzle you get so engrossed in the business and needs of the church that you don’t give thanks anymore. I need to take time to celebrate. Times like this meeting are a reminder to celebrate. I’ve got brothers in Germany and Norway who have the same heart as I do. I’ve got another in Beijing and I can’t even spell Beijing. I’ve got to celebrate. Look at all these brothers who need to say thank you.

Dan: Gratitude is connected to faith. If we are always unsatisfied we are lacking faith.

Daniel: After many years in ministry I started trusting and relying on myself. That’s a real danger.

Jerry: I’m in danger. Do I feel ambivalent or indifferent? I’m really ambivalent. There’s a part of me that feels drawn to what I’m doing and a part that’s not interested. I’m happy for each of you but I don’t feel what you’re feeling. I don’t feel a lack of faith.

Group 3
Eric: Go show yourself to the high priest. The one longed for more than religion. The 9 did the right thing but lost the heart and spontaneity. As leaders we can be faithful to the systems and roles but not have our heart in it. He healed the 9 but only one was made well. Only one had a soul of faith. Giving thanks.

Axel: The 9 may have thought the one was mad. Why doesn’t he fulfill the Jewish ritual. We need to do the crazy things and share a heart of gratitude.

Dan: Gratitude is a practical connection between head and heart.

Daniel: Some say the Gospel will solve your physical problems. But only one of the 9 received the Gospel. In street ministry there are many that want to have physical needs met but a few who truly receive the Gospel.

What was the difference between us and that leper?

Stacy: we see the transforming power. It’s easy to get bogged down. But if you are face down, then you have a sense of hope that God wants to break through and transform us and our cities. We have hope.

Dan: Those who give the most hope lead.

Andy: everyday in my city there is a prevailing sense of hopelessness. This can suck our energy out.

Jan: There’s a reason for our hope, the kingdom is in our midst.

Bryan: God loved us while we were yet lepers he loved us and cleansed us. We must love the foreigner.

Eric: the one that came back got the affirmation of Jesus. Jesus affirms their relationship. We have to ministry from our deficiencies.

Andy: we must refuse to share in God’s glory. People tend to elevate you and make little God’s of us. We must refuse to take God’s glory from him.

Shawn: Every day it’s a journey of laying our lives down. Asking to be further cleansed.

Summary:
All of what we said and the content of this passage will make us better leaders; tender, wise, humble, compassionate.

Close in Prayer.