Previous chapter A lesson in wisdom
The main thing here then (in 1 Kings 4) is that wisdom is marked by order. Wisdom is concerned not only with justice and truth but also with very practical matters. It is marked by efficiency and organisation. It is systematic, methodical. It avoids chaos and waste. Solomon’s kingdom was undoubtedly a great one. Part of its secret (and this is true of any great empire of any sort) was organisation.
Now the applications for us are many. Let me highlight just four obvious ones to focus on.
1. Prayer and Bible Study
One of the marks of a Christian is that he prays. In order to do that we must develop a prayerful spirit. We also need to set aside specific times to pray as individuals and with others. This involves organisation. The same can be said of studying the Bible. If you wait for a quiet moment, it may never come. Similarly, if you plan for daily times with the Bible and have no plan for reading through the Scriptures systematically then you will make little progress. There is a lot of help available in this area but planning is vital.
One of the marks of a Christian is that he prays. In order to do that we must develop a prayerful spirit. We also need to set aside specific times to pray as individuals and with others. This involves organisation. The same can be said of studying the Bible. If you wait for a quiet moment, it may never come. Similarly, if you plan for daily times with the Bible and have no plan for reading through the Scriptures systematically then you will make little progress. There is a lot of help available in this area but planning is vital.
2. Daily work or study
Now in some cases things are regimented for you, such as on a factory assembly line or in a primary school. In many other situations you have a certain amount of flexibility, for example as a housewife, a farmer, a taxi driver, a freelancer or a pastor. Most callings involve a mixture of regimentation and flexibility. In every case it is important that you plan your time. Wisdom says that a certain number of things need to be done or could be done but there is only a certain amount of time and somehow, allowing for interruptions and so on, we must find a way of working hard and working well for God’s glory. Similar applications could be made to the way you arrange things in your house or your weekly time-table. God is a God of order.
Now in some cases things are regimented for you, such as on a factory assembly line or in a primary school. In many other situations you have a certain amount of flexibility, for example as a housewife, a farmer, a taxi driver, a freelancer or a pastor. Most callings involve a mixture of regimentation and flexibility. In every case it is important that you plan your time. Wisdom says that a certain number of things need to be done or could be done but there is only a certain amount of time and somehow, allowing for interruptions and so on, we must find a way of working hard and working well for God’s glory. Similar applications could be made to the way you arrange things in your house or your weekly time-table. God is a God of order.
3. Church life
This needs order too. The Lord’s Day is most important. It is best to meet morning and afternoon or evening as it will help people to keep the whole day to the Lord. The timings should be chosen to suit the maximum number. Usually spending all day together is not a good idea as there are other things to be done (such as family time, sick visiting, reading, getting in touch with relatives elsewhere, evangelism), although it can be attempted occasionally. The services should not be overlong as some cannot sit for lengthy periods. The Lord’s Supper must be celebrated regularly. A midweek meeting is a good idea in most situations. Whether to have a combined study and prayer meeting or separate meetings will vary. Extra meetings for women, children and other groups can be useful. It is best to follow a regularly weekly pattern that people can easily understand. Church members’ meetings ought to be organised too, whatever our ecclesiology.
This needs order too. The Lord’s Day is most important. It is best to meet morning and afternoon or evening as it will help people to keep the whole day to the Lord. The timings should be chosen to suit the maximum number. Usually spending all day together is not a good idea as there are other things to be done (such as family time, sick visiting, reading, getting in touch with relatives elsewhere, evangelism), although it can be attempted occasionally. The services should not be overlong as some cannot sit for lengthy periods. The Lord’s Supper must be celebrated regularly. A midweek meeting is a good idea in most situations. Whether to have a combined study and prayer meeting or separate meetings will vary. Extra meetings for women, children and other groups can be useful. It is best to follow a regularly weekly pattern that people can easily understand. Church members’ meetings ought to be organised too, whatever our ecclesiology.
4. Preaching
The same principles apply here. Preachers ought to try and put things in some sort of order. Some preachers mistakenly avoid them but the words ‘firstly, secondly, etc’ in a sermon can be a tremendous help to a congregation. It ought to be easy to follow. Systematic preaching through Bible subjects and topics is also to be commended. Something similar could probably be said about other aspects of the Christian ministry such as prayer and pastoralia.
No comments:
Post a Comment