{"id":32334,"date":"2022-09-10T16:05:30","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-to-avoid-making-comparisons-in-ministry\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:05:30","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:05:30","slug":"3-ways-to-avoid-making-comparisons-in-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-to-avoid-making-comparisons-in-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways to Avoid Making Comparisons in Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
<\/div>\n

By Ryan Rice<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel so ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those were the words I uttered to my wife after leaving a function with family and friends.<\/p>\n

I hadn\u2019t offended anyone in the room or failed to show love. As I listened to all the personal accomplishments shared by those in the room, however, I sank deeper into my chair.<\/p>\n

I was comparing myself to others, and it left me feeling as if I should be accomplishing more, making a name for myself, and chasing certain accolades.<\/p>\n

Comparison is a dangerous game. In fact, it\u2019s the one game we lose every time we play.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

What We Lose When We Compare Ourselves to Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paul Tripp writes in Dangerous Calling, \u201cThe war of the pastorate is a deeply personal war. It is fought on the ground of the pastor\u2019s heart. It is a war of values, allegiances, and motivations. It is about subtle desires and foundational dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pastors, if we\u2019re not careful, we can lose our joy, focus, and true reason for being in pastoral ministry when we play the comparison game. Comparison says, \u201cGod, where You have me isn\u2019t where I need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making comparisons with others causes us to question and doubt the sovereignty and providence of God. It leaves us with the fear that we\u2019re missing out on something better.<\/p>\n

Is it any wonder Paul told a young Timothy that ministry is a war and encouraged him to fight the good fight? Paul goes on to encourage Timothy to, \u201cPay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers\u201d (1 Timothy 4:16).<\/p>\n

Instead of comparing, we\u2019re called to persevere and remember. We\u2019re to persevere in the truth of God and remember God has called us to serve and glorify Him. It\u2019s a high and holy calling.<\/p>\n

Pastor, find joy in remembering the privilege you have to serve the King of the Universe.<\/p>\n

Instead of comparing your life to those around you, look to the Word of God and Jesus for your identity, value, and worth. Instead of playing the comparison game, aim to be found faithful in the following three ways:<\/p>\n

1. Be Faithful to Christ<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Philippians 1:6 reminds us that \u201che who started a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.\u201d We must remember that He who called us is the same one keeping us.<\/p>\n

No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, the sovereign God knows about it and cares for you. Let it be said of us, as the apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:58, \u201cYour labor in the Lord is not in vain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
See also  The Group Most Likely to Still Be Missing From Your Church<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2. Be Faithful to Marriage & Family<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As pastors, we may not have great wealth or notoriety. For those of us who are married with kids, however, some of the greatest treasures we have are our wives and our children. Let it be said we\u2019ve stewarded them well.<\/p>\n

What if we\u2019re one day given the opportunity to look back and see not only our kids serving Christ, but our grandchildren too? What if our faithfulness to our wives affects entire generations within our families?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not see our marriage and children as \u2018loose change,\u2019 but see them instead as investments worth our time and focus.<\/p>\n

3. Be Faithful to Shepherd<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When was the last time you thanked God for the church you pastor? The comparison game will cause you to look down on where God currently has you and miss out on the great things God is doing right where you are.<\/em><\/p>\n

The reality of your current state\u2014even if it\u2019s not ideal\u2014doesn’t mean failure. It\u2019s simply the reality of what you\u2019re facing.<\/p>\n

If comparison has caused you to lose the joy of shepherding, remember you\u2019re simply the under-shepherd of the Chief Shepherd. Jesus calls us to abide in Him because without Him we can do nothing.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s once again ask the Lord for the joy of shepherding His sheep\u2014those that bite and those who follow joyfully.<\/p>\n

No Comparisons in Christ<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The comparison game left me with a sense of shame that didn\u2019t come from Christ. At that moment, I took my eyes off Christ and put them on the things of this world. It made it easy to forget the richness of His grace and love toward me.<\/p>\n

As I went to the Lord in prayer, however, I was reminded of the words of our Savior: \u201cSeek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness\u201d (Matthew 6:33).<\/p>\n

In Christ, there\u2019s no comparison game. Our value, worth, blessing, and identity are all found in Him. The finished work of Christ gives us rest, freedom, and no need for comparison.<\/p>\n

Jesus is enough!<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Ryan Rice, Sr.<\/h2>\n

@ryanricesr<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Ryan is husband to Sean\u00e9, father of Ryan, Jr., Brayden, Reagen, and Bailey, and has been in ministry since 2007. He\u2019s currently the lead pastor of Connect Church of Algiers in New Orleans, Louisiana, which they planted in 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n