Bragging On My Ministers

If you would have asked me a week ago if I had carnality in my life I would have said no.  But after Chuck Missler's Monday night study of First Corinthians chapter 2 and 3 I have to confess.  (Only because his study questions ask us for an example of carnality in our lives.)   

It's hilarious, I see that the carnality in my life is the exact same as the carnality in the church ladies in Corinth .  They were all bragging on their Ministerswho they loved the best and thought were the greatest in the world. One would said Apollo that was the best.  Others said that Paul rules, another claims that Peter is the greatest.  The smart said "I BELONG TO THE MESSIAH." (1 Cor. 1:12c)  They were even fighting over which Pastor they followed.  ( 1 Cor. 1:11-12)  Paul had to write them and get after them.  He told them to stop.  Paul gets down to the bottom line:  therefore, as it is written, "THE PERSON WHO BOASTS MUST BOAST IN THE LORD". (1 Cor. 1:31 ISV)

So, that means I can't continue going around  bragging on my Ministers.  In my personal opinion  they are the greatest in the world.  I've been worshiping at Calvary Spokane for about 18 years.  To me, Ken Ortiz is the best Pastor in the world.  He is the Pastor Jesus has given me.  He hears from God.  Ortiz wears white robes in a spiritual sense.  Sitting under his teachings, Jesus has kept me grounded in the faith, worshiping God, taught from the Bible.

For 20 years I've been listening to Chuck Missler.  The power of the Holy Spirit moves profoundly when he speaks.  I used to tell everyone that in my personal opinion Missler is the greatest theologian in America.  Well, now that Chuck's moved to New Zealand I tell everyone he is the greatest theologian in the world.  And I think he is.

I laugh because I had to set one of his board members straight at the Coeur'd Alene conference.  I met one of the KI board members and he asked me, "How long have you been following Chuck Missler."  I gave him the obvious answer, the only  answer.  "I don't follow Chuck Missler, I follow Jesus" I told him.  He said, "Well answered."  I wanted to reply, "It's not well answered, it's the truth."  But I didn't, I didn't want to be too in his face.

I met another man at the conference that said he is a 'Misslerite".  I was shocked.   I wanted to set him straight too.  I wanted to say "Hey, we're supposed to be called Christians."  But, I didn't.  I was polite.  I probably should have said something though.

Now, I have another Pastor.  Ron Matsen, here at the resident study program in New Zealand.  He has had almost 40 years pastoring and teaching.  He and his wife are just the Pastors I needed.  Pastors who are with a person day to day.  He is also a preeminent theologian in the Evangelical Church.  To me, he is the second greatest theologian in the world, after Missler.

The other day I met the new Managing Director of KI, Louis Powell.  He is a man of great love. God has given him a powerful testimony of Jesus' love in his life.  It is an honor to meet him.  I know Jesus has good plans for him. 

But this is all bragging on my Ministers.  Fist Corinthians reveals that  I can't say I follow Matsen, or I follow Ortiz, or I follow Missler.  That's sin.  That's carnality.  They are only human beings. (1 Cor. 3:4)  I can only say, "I follow Jesus." Jesus said, "NO ONE IS GOOD, EXCEPT GOD ALONE."(Mark 10:18c)  It's only God, and Him alone who grows our faith.  God gives us His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus.  So that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 

Now, I repent.  I want to boast in the Lord and Him only.  Jesus has poured His mercy, grace and forgiveness into me and my life like a mighty river of His power.I know Jesus loves you.  He has good plans for you too.  NOW TO THE ONE  WHO CAN DO INFINITELY MORE THAN ALL WE CAN ASK OR IMAGINE ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT IS WORKING AMONG US-- TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN MESSIAH JESUS TO ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN. (Eph. 3:20,21 ISV)  I like the way the Amplified bible describes Gods great power toward us who believe.  NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO SUPERABUNDANTLY, FAR OVER AND ABOVE ALL THAT WE DARE ASK OR THINK, INFINITELY BEYOND OUR HIGHEST PRAYERS, DESIRES, THOUGHTS, HOPES OR DREAMS.  TO HIM BE GLORY. (Eph. 3:20,21 portions)