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Matt Jensen
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war on god
When I stop making war on my pride, I make war on God.
“You save a humble people,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.” (2 Samuel 22:28)
“God opposes the proud…” (1Peter 5:5)
Pride has been manifesting itself in my heart recently with selfish ambition. In addition to thinking about the ministry I am called to serve in, I drift towards thinking about my influence and platform. Ironically, the men I respect the most seem to think very little about their platform and influence and just lead and do what they are called to do with humility and self forgetfulness.
James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Convicting questions for me:
1. Am I trying to put myself “before the great” or let God exalt me at the right time?
Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.”
1 Peter 5:6 6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…”
2. Why am I so concerned about getting the credit?
“The tension between these two dangers (Acclaim for Christ vs. Craving Praise) calls for wisdom and humility. Our aim is that people would “glorify God,” not us (Matthew 5:16). On the one hand, we know that reputation matters: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). On the other hand, we know that people-pleasing reveals idolatry: “… not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Colossians 3:22).
The great issue here is our heart. We have all heard people going on and on about how they mean for God to get the glory as they do their public ministry, but it sounded hollow. The very words seemed part of the act. Yet public ministry is inevitable and good. The focus should not be on techniques of self-effacement. The focus should be on our hearts. What do we really crave? Really. Have we been broken by our sin? Are we overflowing with thankfulness for truly all the good we don’t deserve? Do we really stand in awe of Christ? Is his reputation a happy burden to us?” (DG Article)
Chinese Calvinism flourishes
“”The communist, socialist critique of traditional religion, and of Confucianism has been effective”, she says: “The youngsters think it is very cool to be Christian. Communism has removed all the obstacles for them to come to Christianity.”“
“The most conservative estimates of the new converts to Christianity is 500,000; there is a new church built every month. Calvinist Christianity has a culture of phenomenal industry. Calvin himself, in his time in Geneva, preached every day and twice on Sundays: shorthand writers at the foot of his pulpit took down 108 volumes of his sermons, though most of these have been lost and his reputation rests on the books and pamphlets that he wrote himself. In China now, this kind of Christianity is seen as forward-looking, rational, intellectually serious, and favourable to making money.
“Very soon”, said Dr Tan, “Christians will become the majority of university students … that could happen.”“
So amazing! May Jesus be worshipped in China!
Very interesting article. Also worth noting that the future of the entire nation coming to know Jesus, hugely invovles the university students.
HT: Glen Davis
Is your life too valuable to go to the hardest places?
That’s what I am asking myself after listening to Piper’s first sermon, Let the Nations Be Glad Pt. 1, from Advance 09’.
Pic from Gabriel Boone, more at Flickr.
Meet…..Me.
Meet the Staff: Matt Jensen
By: Terri Maria Amos
When did Jesus change your life?
Early in my life, Jesus was just a sort of legend, a good man, maybe God even, but I didn’t care. I gave my life to him as the real living God of my life when I was 17. God began to draw me mainly through my now wife, Amy. She went to church, so I went to church; she was interested in God, so I became interested and open to God because I was into her.
But then “all hell broke loose” in my family and I didn’t have the luxury of a “hypothetical God.” My dad became a Christian and was asking me to consider the truths of the Gospel. After processing things for a while, I still did not want to submit to the truth of the Gospel–that I was really jacked up and God’s plan for my life was different (and better) than mine. But after hearing the Gospel preached again, specifically about the cost of forgiveness of sin through the crucifixion of Jesus, I was destroyed by the weight of my sin, and given a new heart that believed he died for my sin, and was my Lord. But I didn’t understand how it exactly happened.
How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?
The biggest change in my life was conviction from the Holy Spirit. Some things changed instantly, but most things changed slowly as God led me to true repentance and transformation. To my shame, I was a really terrible boyfriend to Amy and led her into sexual sin before I was a Christian, and we struggled with finding comfort and identity in each other for a good bit after I was born again. This was the big deal when I was saved, and our relationship was one of the biggest idols in my life at that point. Praise Jesus He didn’t leave us there and continues to change us.
If Jesus hadn’t grabbed me by the neck, I really can’t imagine what I’d be doing right now. I think I’d be a workaholic in one miserable relationship after another and banking on the things of the world for happiness.
How long have you been a member of MHC?
Two years.
When were you called to serve Jesus at MHC?
God called Amy and me in October of 2006 to move to Seattle from Florida so I could do an internship with Acts 29. The way God called me into “full-time ministry” was through Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What ministry are you currently serving in?
Currently I lead the College Mission out of the Ballard campus.
What is your biggest challenge in this ministry?
Sin…Idolatry. Sounds obvious but students have been told to fix themselves, and believe in themselves, and that’s pride. Jesus is their hope and savior, not their giftedness, girlfriend, their roommates, or their major.
The best part about ministry is that you can’t lead where you’re not willing to go. And God doesn’t let me speak to anyone about sin and repentance without showing me how jacked up I am, and how much I need the same Gospel I am preaching to students. I mentioned that college students are prideful; well so am I, so Jesus is transforming me in this as I minster, not before.
What is your greatest joy while serving in this ministry?
Seeing students “get” the Gospel and worship Jesus. He gives joy and freedom–things most college students don’t really have.
What are you looking forward to seeing God do in this ministry?
I’m looking forward to when the students involved now are equipped and seeing their friends meet Jesus, and those friends lead other people to Jesus. That’s what I’m in this for.
What do you and your wife do for fun?
Amy and I love going out to eat, and walking around the parks in Seattle; Florida’s parks weren’t so great. But, contrary to what the world tells me, I don’t have much time for hobbies, which is why I’m glad I love what I do. I tell people that I feel like I’m on permanent recess working at Mars Hill. We work super hard, but I love it.
What’s playing in your iPod right now?
I’m pretty easy to please, music-wise. I usually just start up Pandora and let it run. But Lecrae’s most recent album is pretty sick.
From the “Meet the Staff” series at the Mars Hill Ballard Blog.
TOP 10 WAYS TO BUILD UP YOUNG GUNS PT. 5
If you missed Part 1 , 2 , 3 or 4.
2. Teach them to how to do missional ministry, without compromising the Gospel.
Most leaders tend to sway towards license or legalism when it comes to missional ministry.
If a leader was developed in a slow paced, insulated church, a leader may react and become too loose when it comes to seeing the Gospel go forward in culture. This can compromise the message and preach a false Gospel that says “Christians are not changed by the Holy Spirit and love sin”.
On the other hand, if a leader has seen freedom in Christ abused, they may react and see culture as something to abstain from and isolate themselves. This leaves the people in the culture to come to them or go to hell.
The Elders at Mars Hill seek to walk this line everyday, following the example of Jesus and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When I sway one way or the other they are quick to call me back to Biblical faithfulness, without loosing any passion to see people meet Jesus. (1 Corinthians 9:19-26, Jude 3)
1. Show them Jesus is the Senior Pastor.
The Elders at Mars Hill continually point me to Jesus, especially when things aren’t working the way I think they should. When leaders aren’t stepping up, when people are unrepentantly engulfed in life altering sin, Jesus is still on the throne and is enough. As a young buck I tend to want to fix everything and wait for nothing. It’s Jesus’ church, he knows what’s up, and I need to humbly wait and work behind his lead. (1 Peter 5)
Eating Disorders
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Many students I know struggle with eating disorders. The Gospel changes everything, including the way we see food, comfort, and ourselves. This article helps put some categories to the struggle, and shows the way out.
“In this article, Ed Welch describes how easy it is, in a weight-conscious world that also uses food for comfort, to take the small steps that lead to a full blown eating disorder. He gives a road map for dealing with this difficult problem that includes understanding the thoughts and emotions that trigger destructive eating habits and then encouraging those who struggle with food addictions to take the big step of trusting God, instead of food rules and rituals.”
Get the full booklet here for cheap.
HT: Justin Taylor
