Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Remember, Release, Return

“Next time you’re tempted to turn your ambition loose, I give you three words. First, remember. Remember. Remember the lifestyle of the people of the kingdom. Remember Jesus’ words, ‘It is not so among us.’ Second, release. Release the controls to God. Release the importance of your reputation. It was Wooden who said this, ‘Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.’ Most folks will think you’re better than you are. Do your best to correct them. Closer they get to you, the more they’ll realize you’re not that great. A few people are, but they would never be the ones to say so. So release that. Third, return. Return to the priorities of Jesus to serve and to give.”

Walk Humbly with God

“Walk humbly with your God regardless of how much you learn and how greatly you’ll be used. Walk humbly with your God regardless of how well you become known or however greatly the Lord blesses. Walk humbly with Him. The world has a different counsel. When you’re attacked, retaliate. Don’t do that. When you’re criticized, defend. Don’t do that. When you’re skilled and gifted, claw and climb your way to the top. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. You don’t need an agent. God will find you.”

Unassuming Greatness

“David wasn’t busy about making himself known when that giant roamed the slopes of the Valley of Elah. God found him. When he slew the giant, it’s wonderful, he didn’t quickly go downtown looking for crowns. He went right back with his father’s sheep. Unassuming greatness. When others seem equally capable and competent, the world says, compete. Don’t do that. That’s what the world does.”

Not So, in the Family of God

“In the rank and file of the military and the corporate world and the political world, there is a definite, clearly defined chain of command. There are generals, and there are colonels, and there are majors, and there are captains, and there are lieutenants, and there are sergeants, and there are corporals. It’s like that in the military world. There are CEOs and COOs and CFOs. In the political world, there are Presidents, and Vice Presidents, and cabinet members, and it works that way. It’s all part of the organizational plan. However, the Greek, with great emphasis, begins the next verse, ‘Not so is it among you.’ Not so. It doesn’t work like that in the family of God. There is no status or rank. There is no power play for gaining a position.”

For Those He Chooses

“Greatness doesn’t come necessarily to the brightest and the best, to those with the highest IQ, or those most gifted linguistically, or most capable on their feet. It’s a character quality, and the Father preserves and reserves that particular position for those He chooses.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your fingertips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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