Having become quite the night owl over the past two weeks, I often roll into the driveway sometime after 11 pm. On my drive home, there is a particular establishment that, while dead during the daytime, seems to hold a greater appeal in the night hours. Jezebel's could be described by its customers as a "gentleman's" club. From this club, I have seen the very same car leaving on at least three separate nights. This vehicle appears to be a 1980-something buick blotched by rust spots on the side door and accentuated by one working headlight.
Sketchy.
A few years ago, when I was a freshman at Liberty University, there was a particular student who enjoyed climbing a particular tree outside of his dormitory. This guy would sit in that tree for hours reading everything from his history textbook to "Mere Christianity". Being a "reading tree", there was never a reason for him to go there after dark. At least, not until one night when he decided to get away to spend some time in prayer. After spending quality time with the Lord, he opened his eyes to realize that his position in the tree was directly adjacent to the windows of the girl's dorm across the sidewalk. Without thought or tact, he quickly fled down the tree falling to the ground in front of a group of girls. Now, obviously, this particular student, yours truly, meant well, but it sure was not taken that way.
Sketchy.
Merriam-Webster defines:
Pronunciation - ske - chee
Function - adjective
Date - 1805
1. Of the nature of a sketch: roughly outlined
2. Wanting in completeness, clearness, or substance: slight, superficial
3. Questionable, iffy
A Sunday night senior high youth Bible study aimed at studying the message of the gospel through the major junctions of the New Testament. A Monday night outreach Bible study aimed at presenting the gospel through studies in key Bible passages such as Gen 3, John 3, I Tim 6, and I John 2. A Tuesday afternoon youth Bible study aimed at digging deep into John and I Corinthians to answer some difficult questions. A Wednesday night youth leadership Bible study aimed at studying Romans in an attempt to understand Paul's systematic theology and the effect it should have, through true life transformation, on daily living.
Sketchy.
Wait. Did I get that right? "Dude, its just really sketchy that you went behind your pastor's back and started four Bible studies. This was utterly disrespectful to him." - the rebuke of a church staff member
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Jesus (Matt 28:19-20)
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." Paul's command to his disciple Timothy who parallels us as disciples, therefore a command for disciples in general. (II Timothy 4:2)
"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Paul's command to teach men who will teach other men who will teach other men who will... you get the picture, again a command that translates to our very situation today as disciples. (II Timothy 2:2)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Peter's teaching that all believers are among the priesthood now and therefore have the responsibility to join in the ministry. (I Peter 2:9)
I praise Jesus for the day when the people I shepherd go out and begin their own Bible studies on their own initiative. I am going to come alongside that leader to support him. I am going to come alongside that leader to encourage him. And I am going to come alongside that leader to offer myself as a resource to him.
The day I rebuke a Christian for starting a Bible study is the day that I have made the ministry about me.
Consider the reaction of Jesus and His disciples at hearing of others working in Jesus' name:
"John said to Him, 'Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.'
But Jesus said, 'Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.'" (Mark 9:38-41)
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