The Feelings of the Servant

There are no wrong feelings! Just like a soar throat. It is the reason / the heart / the mindset / the attitude / the expectations behind the feeling that may or may not be wrong. All feelings should be acknowledged and taken seriously. “why am I feeling the way I feel right now?”

Some of the Feelings of St. Paul (1) Joy & Delight 2Cor. 6:10, 2:3, 1:24 Joy & Delight 2Cor. 6:10, 2:3, 1:24 –10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. –3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. –24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. Do I have Joy? Do I have Joy? Is it my goal to instill that joy in my Sunday School Student? Is it my goal to instill that joy in my Sunday School Student?

Some of the Feelings of St. Paul (2) Tears and sorrows 2Cor. 2:4, 7:9-10 Tears and sorrows 2Cor. 2:4, 7:9-10 –4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. –9 NOW I rejoice, (meaning he was miserable before then and something made him rejoice) not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Have I experienced God’s abundant love for me? Have I experienced God’s abundant love for me? If I did, do I have that abundant love for my Sunday School students like St. Paul did? If I did, do I have that abundant love for my Sunday School students like St. Paul did? Do I ache over a student who has not yet experienced that love & am I “uncomfortable” until I help him/her get there? Do I ache over a student who has not yet experienced that love & am I “uncomfortable” until I help him/her get there?

Some of the Feelings of St. Paul (3) Fear and humility 2Cor. 12:20-21 Fear and humility 2Cor. 12:20-21 –20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. Do I feel fear / concern for the many opportunities of sin that are available to my Sunday School student? Do I feel fear / concern for the many opportunities of sin that are available to my Sunday School student? Do I warn the students about them often when giving a lesson or corresponding (phone, , visitation)? Do I warn the students about them often when giving a lesson or corresponding (phone, , visitation)?

Some of the Feelings of St. Paul (4) Unconditional love 2Cor. 12:15-16 Unconditional love 2Cor. 12:15-16 –5 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! Am I willing to be “spent” or inconvenienced for my Sunday School Students’ souls? Am I willing to be “spent” or inconvenienced for my Sunday School Students’ souls? Priorities: Their salvation more than their loving him back, but cunning. Priorities: Their salvation more than their loving him back, but cunning.

Some of the Feelings of St. Paul (5) Not having dominion but rather fellow workers with wide open hearts 2Cor. 1:24, 6:11 Not having dominion but rather fellow workers with wide open hearts 2Cor. 1:24, 6:11 –24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. –11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. Do my Sunday School Students feel that I talk down to them or that I also am working on my salvation? And working on yours with mine Do my Sunday School Students feel that I talk down to them or that I also am working on my salvation? And working on yours with mine Do they know that my heart is always wide open for them at any time they need me? Do they know that my heart is always wide open for them at any time they need me?

Since feelings are not wrong, let’s question the reasons behind them Happy after a visitation Happy after a visitation –He got to vent and share / Felt the church cares about him deeply –got one off the list / I’m his favorite / I’m good Irritation, annoyance, frustration Irritation, annoyance, frustration –Don’t pay attention / dislike them because of talking –Behave in a way unbecoming a child of God / do I (like St. Paul) pray for them daily; with tears; trying to figure out a way to reach their heart; love them unconditionally anyway?

Since feelings are not wrong, let’s question the reasons behind them Concern regarding a lesson Concern regarding a lesson –Did they take something from it that will affect how they live their daily life or that will affect how they perceive God? –Or am I concerned that the students liked / enjoyed my lesson? As time passes by… Zeal or lackadaisical? As time passes by… Zeal or lackadaisical? –Do I still have that zeal and excitement of serving; co-laboring with the Lord; being an instrument / tool in His hand? –Or do I have a "been there, done that" attitude. If it's the later, then my reason / motivation for serving is not the right one. –Talents: Money vs. children Papa’s story Papa’s story

Glory be to God Forever, Amen.