Bill Muir
February 6, 2001
9:30 am
Should be Lived
Message Summary
After studying God's Word and faithfully serving as a missionary to impoverished mining families in England, world-renowned artist, Vincent Van Gogh ended his life tragically in suicide.
Using this poignant illustration as an introduction, Moody alumnus Bill Muir spoke passionately to future Christian leaders about three necessary transitions to maturity in the Christian faith. These growth marks, Muir asserted, could prevent a collapse similar to Van Gogh's.
Muir expounded upon James 1:1, stating that this simple verse contained a secret to growing in the faith. From James' declaration of servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ, Muir encouraged students to move from ownership to stewardship, from indifference to obedience and from control to submission.
Muir noted that James could have rightfully introduced himself as Jesus' brother or head of the Jerusalem church. However, the writer chose to identify himself as a servant. Muir said, "There's something intoxicating about first class and getting to the top of the caterpillar pillar. However, Jesus Christ says it's not about getting to the top but about getting to the bottom." The practice of serving others presents life-transforming possibilities.
Besides serving, the slave also recognizes a master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers must recognize that "Jesus loved those in pain; therefore, so should I. He prayed; therefore, so should I."
In closing, Muir encouraged students to listen to each other's stories more and engage each other kindly. He asked, "How do you finish this story? How do you end well?" The answer to this question was revealed in a poignant illustration of a dying teenager finding comfort in Psalm 23, and in the congregational singing of "Jesus Loves Me."
Student Response
Bill Muir never answered his question about finishing well, but when he led the congregation in singing "Jesus Loves Me," at the end of his message, the point of his question became clear. Deciding to serve Jesus does not constitute actually serving Him; the moment-by-moment choices I make throughout each day allow my life to reflect my love for Jesus. And each moment, I must willfully love Jesus by becoming a servant.
—Dale Harris, Junior, Pastoral Studies major