A Warrior's Destiny & Legacy

With National Police Week coming to a close, this is a great time to talk about what God has to say about our DESTINY and LEGACY as servant-leaders, husbands, fathers and warriors. That will be the topic of this Friday’s profession-relevant, tactical Bible study and fellowship meeting at Calvary Chapel Aurora. If you’re in the Denver-Metro area, we hope you will join us (see below for more details). Regardless, this ministry is very much a national and international one so I’ll post my usual RECAP in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned!

Speaking of Police Week, I’m interested in hearing feedback and receiving pics from those who were able to attend our events in DC this year. Shoot me an email at fullarmor911@yahoo.com if you want to share.

My friend and fellow law enforcement ministry leader, Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (www.tenfourministries.org), has been in Washington and recorded a short (5 minutes) message that is absolutely on target as it relates to officers and where we will spend eternity. Travis very much shares my own sense of urgency about sharing the truth of the gospel with our fellow warriors. As such, I urge you to take a few minutes to watch and listen: http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2011/05/mans-greatest-problem.html.

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MESSAGE RECAP

Last week’s study again centered on servant-leadership in law enforcement. Here’s the recap that you can adapt to your own studies:

As I prepared for this study, my time in God’s inerrant word (the Bible) again revealed that law enforcement leaders are in fact called to many of the same requirements as pastors. Speaking about pastors and leadership, Calvary Chapel Aurora Pastor Ed Taylor recently said that God never intended church leaders to be just teachers but rather that they are to be true pastors -- shepherds -- who will go out of their way to care for the “flock” entrusted to them. Just as there are sadly way too many "pastors" who are content to teach rather than lead and shepherd their flock, my biblically based belief is that the same sin issue is epidemic in law enforcement and the military (and has the same biblical solution).

Our primary text came was Philippians 2:19-24 where we see an imprisoned Paul commending his protégé Timothy to the Philippian fellowship ("church") of believers. The passage reveals that if we are truly focused on the interests of Jesus Christ then we will be better able to focus on the needs of others. If we know (*personal relationship) Whom we serve, we can better understand and appreciate that God has granted us positions of influence and power to truly serve and protect His people. Moreover, the text reveals that we’ve been called to lead with God’s kingdom in mind rather than only thinking about our own welfare, position and power. In fact, the Bible uses Greek word diakonos -- deacon -- means "servant" and has direct application to us both in law enforcement and in the church (see 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

In Luke 22, Jesus says, I am among you as one who serves. Understand that the leadership, authority and influence we have as cops is ordained and conferred on us by God (see also Romans 13:1-7) for the benefit of others.

So what are the qualities and disciplines of a godly servant-leader (peace officer)? The following are key elements of abiding in Christ (John 15) and must be seen as being progressive in nature:

Servant Leadership - Humility

A key characteristic and focus of servant leadership is humility. Why? Because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Humility is also the belief that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Servant Leadership - Seeking Him First

The beginning point for "abiding in Him" is seeking Him first in all things. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) vividly demonstrates this principle: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Servant Leadership - Loving Him Through Obedience

The next discipline of servant leadership -- "abiding in Him" -- is loving Him. The Bible makes it clear that our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience (John 14:15, 23-24; John 15:10; 1 John 5:3, etc.). If we are to be Christ-led, we must be willing to obey regardless of the cost. Obedience consists of three components: (1) timeliness (act or speak when the Lord indicates, not before and not after); (2) fullness (partial obedience is disobedience -- sin); and (3) joyfulness (not grumbling, complaining, whining, etc.).

Servant Leadership - Serving Him In All We Do

Jesus established this biblical principle with his twelve apostles in response to their concern about who would be the greatest -- He explained that the greatest must be a servant of all (Matthew 23:11). For the Christian officer, this means that as we serve the people in our care, we are also serving Jesus Himself.

Servant Leadership - Exalting Him Above All Else

Servant leadership is leading for His glory and not our own. Paul exhorts us, Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Jesus instructs us to shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify the Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Servant Leadership - A Requirement of Accountability

Servant leadership requires accountability. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul explains how the Body of Christ matures when its members "speak the truth in love" to one another. Then, in the next chapter, Paul exhorts us to be imitators of God by walking in love, putting aside immorality, learning what is pleasing to the Lord, being careful how we walk, understanding the Lord, and giving thanks for all things. He closes the final (6th) chapter of Ephesians with a key for doing this: "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." In other words, each of us has the responsibility to: (a) "walk in the light" (be vulnerable and keep nothing hidden in darkness); (b) be held accountable for our walk with Christ; and (c) hold others accountable to their walk with the Lord. In short, we should walk openly, speak the truth humbly in love, and eagerly receive that love. Thus, to practice the discipline of accountability, a Christian officer is COMMANDED to be in active fellowship with others. See also 1 John 1:7; Proverbs 27:6, 9; 1 John 1:9.


Please take the time to take this study to heart and put its principles into practice – and then watch what God will do through you to change our profession and the society we serve.
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PRAYER REQUESTS:

Prayer requests continue to come in and I urge you to go to scroll down here on our website and join us in praying for these pressing needs. I update them almost daily -- check back frequently.
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DENVER-AREA NEWS & ANNOUCEMENTS:

** Our local MEETING SCHEDULE(s) is posted here on our website (scroll down) and updated regularly. Again, don’t forget that we are NOT meeting this Thursday at Calvary South Denver in Littleton but rather at Calvary Chapel Aurora (www.calvaryaurora.org) on Friday, May 20th starting at 7 PM in Room 144. Pass the word!

** Recent events are causing many to reflect on their destination after this life ends and when/if Jesus will return for His own. Accordingly, I want to point “locals” to two great studies getting started on the Book of Revelation:

(1) Pastor Ed Taylor at Calvary Chapel Aurora is teaching through Revelation (There is NO “s” in Revelation!!) on Wednesday evenings staring at 7 PM. See www.CalvaryAurora.org for details.

(2) Pastor Sam Park at Calvary South Denver will start through Revelation at our unique, warrior-relevant Tuesday Night Dialogue (TND) services beginning next Tuesday at 7 PM. Many of our Centurion Ministry regulars attend TND as well. We also serve dinner right after the service (free to first-timers). See www.CalvaryCSD.org for details.

Yes folks – I’m actually trying to get you into a church (fellowship and relationship, not “religion”) where God’s word is taught in Spirit and truth. Moreover, I promise that you will not spontaneously combust when you walk through the doors! Bottom line is that ANY day(s) of the week can be your “Sabbath” – just come (bring the spouse and kids) and be in fellowship.


** TOP GUN POLICE MOTOR OFFICERS COMPETITION!

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver will be a sponsor at the 2011 Top Gun Police Motor Officers Competition (www.topguncops.com) on Sunday, June 5th in Lakewood. Stop by our booth and say hello – and I’ll have our “retired” Aurora PD motor on hand. This is yet another op for us to share the gospel with our brother/sister officers. Great sponsors as well and Colorado State Trooper Scott Hinshaw tells me he’ll be in attendance (he is a former competitor). Please plan on joining us.

That’s it for this week folks but, before I “let you go,” I must again ask if you are right with God today. That means being right by His standard as opposed to your own. If not, please scroll down the left side of this website to the “Are you a true Christian” links. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one (especially cops) -- repent and turn to Him today as tomorrow may very well be too late. Regardless, stay the course out there and know that I’m “here” to serve YOU in any way possible. Don’t forget to forward this newsletter to those on your email lists (easy way to share the Lord with others).