5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Those receiving the charge may be sitting and wondering how on earth you are ever going to do this. It is heavy. Every time I hear the vows, I am overwhelmed. I am under almost the exact same vows (with a little difference). Our elders are under the same exact vows (with a little difference). And every time I hear them, I feel that weightiness, that heaviness, that glory of those vows. And you might ask yourself,
How in the world am I supposed to do this?Look at the text again. Peter says,Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies(1 Peter 4:11b). God supplies the strength! No one in this room is asking you to do something on your own strength. Just like this congregation does not expect me to stand in this pulpit from week to week on my own strength and do my work. And the same with our ruling elders – they are not doing their work on their own strength; they are doing it on the strength that God gives. We must remember that. We must remember, as hands are laid on these men and as they are set apart to the service of the church, that God will equip with strength.And when you feel weak (and you will), and when it seems as though you can't do another thing (and the time will come), and when it seems like the burden of mercy is too great (and it will be), know that God supplies strength. James reminds us to ask for wisdom from God, for He gives liberally (James 1:5). Ask for strength as well – strength to perform your calling.1
Nathan Eshelman
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.