1 Samuel 14: 6-7, Galatians 2: 11-14

Matt Summerfield

It was the American President John F Kennedy who famously said:

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for our country".

The same principle should apply to all of our relationships. Ask not what your relationships can do for you, ask what you can do for your relationships. Ask not what your church family can do for you, ask what you can do for your church family and so on.

Consider for a few moments your response to some tough questions.

• Are you someone who helps people to grow? Or are you someone who causes people to shrink?


• Are the relationships you have with people dictated by your need to get something from them OR are your relationships with people primarily about your passion to see them flourish and succeed?


• Are you a good person to be with? Do you build people up? When people have spent time with you, do they feel bigger, better, bolder and beautiful OR do they feel small, discouraged, fearful, disappointed and useless?

I want to live a life that cheers people on. I want to be someone who inspires and motivates people to grow. That they wouldn't settle for mediocrity or the status quo but they would embrace God's healing power and radical adventure for their life.

There's a great example of this in 1 Samuel 14. Jonathon is the son of King Saul. The Israelite people are being threatened by the Philistine nation, so Jonathon boldly decides to check out the enemy. We're told in verses 6-7:

'Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."'

I want to be like that armour-bearer; someone who inspires people to do great things, to be the best that they can be.

Of course from time to time this does include the need to challenge people. I want to be someone who in genuine love and compassion, has the courage to say to people...'Get over yourself and grow up'!! 'Sort yourself out'. 'Don't do that, that's going to hurt you'. 'Bad idea'!

The Apostle Paul gives an example of this in Galatians 2: 11-14 when he challenges Peter's behaviour:

"But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others."

Paul goes on to challenge Peter about his behaviour. Why? Because he wants Peter to grow, to be the best that he can be.

My challenge to you today is to consider every interaction that you have with people and honestly ask yourself the question, am I helping people become bigger or smaller? Am I helping people or hurting people? Am I building people up or blowing them up?