Institute of Biblical Defense

Originally posted by IBD Vice-president Matt Coombe on mjcoombe.com

I usually don’t like to talk about myself; I especially don’t like to talk about my accolades via a blog … but here goes.

We need to have the capacity to be servants! It is a great notion and fun to think about when Jesus said things like, “Let the first be last and the last first,” and other similar charges, but how often do we act on notions like this? I often get down on myself for selfishness and wish I was a greater servant. But today as I was driving to Starbucks to get some studying done a truck stalled out and became stuck in the road. Without thinking I pulled over got out in the rain and started pushing the truck. I pushed him to the near gas station and then without a word got back into my jeep and continued on my way. Helping the man was nothing of a huge effort and is really not what is crucial to such a story.

What is worth note is when I saw the man in trouble there was no deliberation or thought in my head. I saw a need and met it. True servitude is both thoughtful and mindless. If any of my readers know me, they will be shocked that I am claiming in any sense that it is good to be mindless, but allow me to continue. Thoughtful servitude makes sense. We should be intentional in how we serve and help others and even in some situations plan on how to help and serve. When I say mindless, I mean we should act in all situations as a servant. Our servitude should not come down to deliberation. We should see a need and then meet that need.

Of course this does come with caution. For example, if your friend asks for money and you give it to him and he spends that money getting booze so he can get drunk. If he asks you for money again, you should not mindlessly hand the money over, but rather realize the greater act of servitude would be to not pay for him to sin against God. Therefore, servitude is both thoughtful and mindless. If these are separated servitude becomes less powerful.

I challenge you be a servant today, use your mind to be intentional in your actions, but be mindless in your deliberation to help! Take care, and God bless!

And now for the long awaited return of Matt Coombe, the vice president of the institute of Biblical Defense, to the teaching podium. In the short talk, Mr. Coombe confronts the “faith” vs “evidence” schools of thought in the Christian community. Does your belief in God, Jesus and the Bible stand on faith, facts, reason or some combination of these.

Listen as Matt gives us his opinion and the biblical reasons for his personal stand.

You know what’s cool about being a rock star? It’s like being on permanent vacation. Whether you’re surrounded by fans and rolling in cash or traveling with your smelly crew in an undersized van, you love every minute of it. Even when no one’s listening and no one cares, you play and sing with all your heart. It’s in your nature; It’s who you are and there’s nothing else you could ever imagine doing!

God is looking for rock stars. He seeking out people whose very nature is to serve others in His name. For these service rock stars, refusing to serve is like refusing to breathe. They are disciplined to serve, not out of compulsion or duty but though humility and love.

It may sound like some fantasy (like actually becoming a famous rock star), but Matt Coombe is not daunted. During a Sunday evening service you’ll not likely forget,  he passionately and effectively covers the Spiritual Discipline of Service. Colored with wonderfully honest anecdotes, this is an entertaining and enlightening message you do not want to miss. If you’re not a service rock star, loving to serve no matter what the situation, I dare you listen. You will be moved by this stirring exhortation.