Call No One Rabbi

 

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It is important not to be “important.”

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This is what Jesus said about “looking up” to those who carry titles.

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The problem with “important” people – it leads to prideful, selfish behavior, and the oppression of those that submit to them

Mat 23:1 ¶ Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Mat 23:2   Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

Mat 23:3   All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.

Mat 23:5   But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Mat 23:7   And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi

The point Jesus was making was that no one should be carrying titles around to exalt themselves over others.

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A title = entitlement. There is only one Lord, one Master, one Rabbi, one Father.

A title presumes entitlement.

We are all equal under the blood.

We have gifts and jobs to do, but not to make ourselves over others, so they have to give us special consideration.

Each believer is just as anointed as a messianic “rabbi” who works once a week on shabat, or a pastor, or a teacher, or an apostle, or an evangelist.

This is because we are all anointed by God, not just certain chosen ones.

We are all chosen.

People with titles want special honor, and rewards for who they are.

No one should be called rabbi, teacher, pastor, prophet, apostle, etc.

Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Mat 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

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Titles are for secular positions – doctor, judge, officer, president, senator, etc. not for spiritual callings.

Our callings to serve God is not to make US important to others, but to make GOD important to others.

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To take upon oneself a title is to communicate that

1. you are more important than others,

2. that you know more than they do,

3. that you stand up front, and others just sit there, and listen to you and do what you say.

4. And most of all, if you have a title, you are entitled to financial support.

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Some refer to the passage about “doing no harm to one’s anointed,” implying that some are truly chosen by God to be exalted, and put in authority, over others.

To bring them down to equality with others, is to insult God. But this is not what that passage refers to or means.

The passage about “do no harm” actually refers to the nation of Israel, not one special person or prophet. The entire nation was considered anointed, not just its leaders.

1Ch 16:22 [Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee [people of Israel] will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

Psa 105:12 When they [people of Israel] were [but] a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

Psa 105:13 When they [people of Israel] went from one nation to another, from [one] kingdom to another people;

Psa 105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

Psa 105:15 [Saying], Touch not mine anointed [people of Israel], and do my prophets no harm.

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What about the five fold ministry and the gifts of the Spirit?

These are functions, not excuses to exalt one self, command a title, and collect a salary.

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One of the most abused “gifts” in the church now is prophecy.

There are multitudes of self proclaimed prophets coming out of the woodwork.

They give out false words, or words from their minds and imaginations, or whatever they can pick up from others, or just generalized impressions, and presenting it as a “word from God.”

They learn, poorly or well, how to read people, and then use this “learned skill” to enhance their image in the church.

Stupid people fall for it, because they are so hungry and misguided that they have to have someone to look up to, that they look to man, not God for inspiration.

This is pretty disturbing.

If someone tells you that they are a prophet, then they aren’t one.

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The callings and gifts are to serve God, not make others serve the servant.

One reason I think the gospel has been so slow going forth to all the nations, is that people have been convinced that only the “important ones,” the “anointed” ones, the ones chosen to be in special roles, with special titles, are to preach the gospel.

The majority of people are expected to just sit there, be quiet, and give money.

Jesus could have returned 2000 years ago, if everyone had been active in ministry, and not submitted all the “work” to the ones with titles.

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Conclusion:

Call no one in the church

Pastor

Rabbi

Teacher

Father

Evangelist

Apostle

Prophet

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Also…….

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Do not call YOURSELF

Pastor

Rabbi

Teacher

Father

Evangelist

Apostle

Prophet

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Another title is Reverend. Why are we putting mere men on a pedestal as if they are God?

The word “Reverend” means to

: to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor

synonyms revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully.

revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling 

reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring

venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age

worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony

adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment

A reverend is inviolable? This means they are untouchable, and considered above imperfections, and should not be criticized, assaulted, as imperfect or profane:

1. Secure from violation or profanation.

2. Impregnable to assault or trespass; invincible:

With all due respect, no one is that perfect except God. We are all profane, no matter how hard we try.

Our spirits are reborn, but our bodies aren’t.

Our bodies still struggle in the flesh, and are not entitled to be “revered.”

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No one died for you except Jesus, so they do not deserve a title.

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And you have not died for anyone either, so you do not deserve a title.

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No one has paid the price for any title except Jesus.

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We are to be servants, not masters.

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Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.