God works through both the Dysfunctional and Obedient:
1 Sam 1:1-20
As I looked over and over this passage this morning, I began to see a family who was dysfunctional. There is a man who is married to two women, possibly because the first could not bear children. The two women are not fond of one another, and one even pokes fun and rivals the other because of her inability to bear children. In addition to the rivalry in the home, the husband loves one wife more than the other and generously gives her double portions, while only giving regular portions to the other wife and her/his children. I am sure this does not go over well at the Elkanah house.
Hannah, the wife who couldn't bear children, is heartbroken over her condition and environment. So, she is emotionally and spiritually distraught. This seems like a story one would see on "Jewish Days of our Lives". But in this dysfunctional, messed up, hodgepodge familial, personal strife, God still works. Hannah goes to the temple to pray about her situation and vows to the Lord and cries, "If you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."
While she is praying, the priest sees her lips moving, but nothing coming out, and proceeds to believe that this woman is drunk. It may have been a common occurrence that Eli (the priest) observed back in those days, drunk women at the temple. Hannah shares with Eli that she is not drunk, but troubled in spirit and pouring our her heart and soul to the Lord. Having shared her anxiety, vexation, and troubles with Eli, he in return prays for her that "the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him."
Hannah now can go back home in peace. But before going home, she rises (along with her husband) early in the morning and worships the Lord. After arriving back at home Elkanah and Hannah know (aka "are intimate) one another, and Hannah conceives and bears a son.
The greatest truth that I or we can possibly take from this account is God's ability and power to work through sinful, broken, fragile, dysfunctional, fragmented, and imperfect people. This is great news to me. For I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am sinful, damaged, fragile, imperfect, and many times dysfunctional. But in my chaos God is the calmer and works despite who I am. But, I want us to see a few things that God works through even amidst broken, damaged, imperfect people.
God works through...
1) Elkanah's Love for Hannah
2) Hannah's Personal, Sacrificial Prayer
3) Eli's Prayer for Hannah
4) Elkanah's and Hannah's Intimacy
Despite the things they do get wrong and are broken, there are some things these people get right. Loving on those with imperfections is one. Brokenness of heart being poured out to the Lord is another. Contained with this prayer, Hannah promises to dedicate the answered prayer back to God and his glory. A third avenue God works through is the prayer people make on behalf of other people. Eli prays for Hannah and sends her on her way. Last, Hannah and Elkanah do not give up. They "know" one another. Whether or not God answers her prayer, she will still "know" her husband, and her husband will still "know" her. Through their love for one another, Hannah's prayer, Eli's prayer, and their intimacy with one another, God sovereignly works and provides Hannaha and Elkanah a healthy baby boy, who would turn out to be one of the most prominent, influential, and spiritual figures in Israelite/Old Testament history.
Remember these two truths today:
- God works through imperfect, dysfunctional people
- God works through the obedience of these imperfect, dysfunctional people
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
You Don't Have to Live on Your Own
You Don't Have to Do it On your Own
Paul writes in Colossians 1:28-29, "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Notice that Paul shares the reason for his toil, labor, and effort he puts into his daily living, ministry, and calling, which was to present everyone mature in Christ. His passion to present people mature before Christ propelled him to live the way he did. The second thing to notice about the zealous way Paul lived is whose energy he employed. It wasn't his, but Christ's. Paul writes, "For this I toil, struggling with all HIS ENERGY that he powerfully works within me."
Paul did not live in his own energy and strength, but with Christ's energy and strength. If we are going to live passionately, zealously, and fervently for Christ and his gospel, we must do so in his strength and energy in which he provides through the indwelling of the Spirit. Truth be known, the reason why many believers feel as though Christ does not live through them is because although they might believe in Christ, the purpose in their daily living is not to proclaim him, to know him, to make him known, and to surrender to his lordship/leading in every area of their life. Therefore, if this is not the main goal of a believer, why would Christ's energy, his Spirit work within us? If his "so-called" vessel is not being used and utilized for his glory and gospel, why would he work through us?
The simple truth is this: if we want Christ to live through us, and not us living our life on our own, we must make sure that our goal, motives, and desires are fixated on Christ. This truth is applied in our vocation, in our parenting, in our marriage, in our relationships, in our recreation, in our learning, and even in our errands. In each area of our life, our goal and aim must be to make him known and to sharpen and invest in others (for his glory). Although Paul has in view proclaiming and verbally making Jesus known (which is primary), proclaiming and making him known through our actions can also be applied. So, today, if you want Christ to live through you, surrender to him, to making him known, and to investing in others; and Jesus (through his Spirit) will powerfully work in you, just as he did Paul.
Paul writes in Colossians 1:28-29, "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Notice that Paul shares the reason for his toil, labor, and effort he puts into his daily living, ministry, and calling, which was to present everyone mature in Christ. His passion to present people mature before Christ propelled him to live the way he did. The second thing to notice about the zealous way Paul lived is whose energy he employed. It wasn't his, but Christ's. Paul writes, "For this I toil, struggling with all HIS ENERGY that he powerfully works within me."
Paul did not live in his own energy and strength, but with Christ's energy and strength. If we are going to live passionately, zealously, and fervently for Christ and his gospel, we must do so in his strength and energy in which he provides through the indwelling of the Spirit. Truth be known, the reason why many believers feel as though Christ does not live through them is because although they might believe in Christ, the purpose in their daily living is not to proclaim him, to know him, to make him known, and to surrender to his lordship/leading in every area of their life. Therefore, if this is not the main goal of a believer, why would Christ's energy, his Spirit work within us? If his "so-called" vessel is not being used and utilized for his glory and gospel, why would he work through us?
The simple truth is this: if we want Christ to live through us, and not us living our life on our own, we must make sure that our goal, motives, and desires are fixated on Christ. This truth is applied in our vocation, in our parenting, in our marriage, in our relationships, in our recreation, in our learning, and even in our errands. In each area of our life, our goal and aim must be to make him known and to sharpen and invest in others (for his glory). Although Paul has in view proclaiming and verbally making Jesus known (which is primary), proclaiming and making him known through our actions can also be applied. So, today, if you want Christ to live through you, surrender to him, to making him known, and to investing in others; and Jesus (through his Spirit) will powerfully work in you, just as he did Paul.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Near-Sighted, Forgetful Church Goers
Near-Sightedness and Short-term Memory in the Church:
Having been a pastor now for three years, and being in ministry overall 10 years, I have come to experience (personally) the near-sightedness and short-term memory of American Christians. What I mean by this is that people come to church, hear the word, hear the vision of the church and pastor, yet in a moment, it is as if they forget everything they heard, experienced, and been taught. Due to their near-sightedness and short-term memory their present situation, circumstances, disgruntled brother or sister effects them to the point of leaving a church (to go to another one, or leave the church altogether).
They don't remember the sermons, the notes they took, what Jesus had taught them, or the fact that following Jesus is at times overwhelmingly difficult. We will always find ourselves in precarious situations, circumstances, and around unstable people; yet we must ground, root, and anchor ourselves to the anchor of our soul, Christ, and to the truth he has imparted to us through local churches. Also, we must remember the grand narrative (God's redemptive history) that we are a part. When people begin to make it all about themselves and try to make God just part of their life, this lends itself to near-sighted and short-term memory living.
My prayer is that believers would utilize the vision that Christ is able to provide through his atonement: vision that focuses not on the present situations, circumstances, or people, but allows them to see past those things and see Christ and his glory and what would bring him pleasure and the most glory. Second, my prayer is that Christians would truly learn and devote themselves to Scripture, to the preaching of God's word, to a local church body, to understanding the vision of a local church, and truly embracing it, rather than nonchalantly coming, intermittently (maybe) taking notes, attending out of convenience, sparse commitment, and making a mockery out of what belonging to a body (a church) is suppose to be. If not, the problem experienced by one church will soon cycle at another church. This church will experience the same people succumbing to the actions of a vomiting dog, which grossly returns to its vomit.
My biblical advice to Christians: find a church that believes in the inerrant, infallible word of God, that preaches that word, that believes in the Grand-Narrative of God's redemptive mission to reach the nations, who has a vision to reach their city and community, who desires to see people transformed by the gospel, who's not about ecclesiastical (church) games or charades, who is kingdom-minded, who will stand for truth even if it is not popular, and who is all about pleasing Christ, not man. Once you find that church, commit yourself to that truth and weather whatever situation, circumstance, soothsayers, or enchanted deceptive wolves come your way. Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ are not glorified country clubs, but are tiny brides that form the Bride of Christ. And a regaining of 20/20 vision and memory through Christ and his word and what your church has taught you, will aid in this being displayed through believers lives.
Having been a pastor now for three years, and being in ministry overall 10 years, I have come to experience (personally) the near-sightedness and short-term memory of American Christians. What I mean by this is that people come to church, hear the word, hear the vision of the church and pastor, yet in a moment, it is as if they forget everything they heard, experienced, and been taught. Due to their near-sightedness and short-term memory their present situation, circumstances, disgruntled brother or sister effects them to the point of leaving a church (to go to another one, or leave the church altogether).
They don't remember the sermons, the notes they took, what Jesus had taught them, or the fact that following Jesus is at times overwhelmingly difficult. We will always find ourselves in precarious situations, circumstances, and around unstable people; yet we must ground, root, and anchor ourselves to the anchor of our soul, Christ, and to the truth he has imparted to us through local churches. Also, we must remember the grand narrative (God's redemptive history) that we are a part. When people begin to make it all about themselves and try to make God just part of their life, this lends itself to near-sighted and short-term memory living.
My prayer is that believers would utilize the vision that Christ is able to provide through his atonement: vision that focuses not on the present situations, circumstances, or people, but allows them to see past those things and see Christ and his glory and what would bring him pleasure and the most glory. Second, my prayer is that Christians would truly learn and devote themselves to Scripture, to the preaching of God's word, to a local church body, to understanding the vision of a local church, and truly embracing it, rather than nonchalantly coming, intermittently (maybe) taking notes, attending out of convenience, sparse commitment, and making a mockery out of what belonging to a body (a church) is suppose to be. If not, the problem experienced by one church will soon cycle at another church. This church will experience the same people succumbing to the actions of a vomiting dog, which grossly returns to its vomit.
My biblical advice to Christians: find a church that believes in the inerrant, infallible word of God, that preaches that word, that believes in the Grand-Narrative of God's redemptive mission to reach the nations, who has a vision to reach their city and community, who desires to see people transformed by the gospel, who's not about ecclesiastical (church) games or charades, who is kingdom-minded, who will stand for truth even if it is not popular, and who is all about pleasing Christ, not man. Once you find that church, commit yourself to that truth and weather whatever situation, circumstance, soothsayers, or enchanted deceptive wolves come your way. Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ are not glorified country clubs, but are tiny brides that form the Bride of Christ. And a regaining of 20/20 vision and memory through Christ and his word and what your church has taught you, will aid in this being displayed through believers lives.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Is there anything wrong with numbers and desiring to reach large numbers of people
I read a blog the other day espousing that God was 'all about the numbers' (of people coming into church and getting saved), therefore churches should be all about the numbers. While I will keep the bloggers name anonymous, he represents a segment of pastors and ministry leaders who make similar statements. And they argue that God: wrote a book called "Numbers", lists numbers of genealogies, and keeps up with how many were saved throughout the book of Acts.
From the blog, the pastor writes, "Apparently God is all about the numbers. So I want to be, too. And so should you. It's unacceptable to me as a pastor that we would stop growing when the Lord wants to add to our number daily those who are being saved. And in order for that to happen, we need to track every scrap of statistical data at our disposal. We've got to make sure we're measuring ministry numbers to measure our effectiveness and enlarge the Kingdom of God. I don't want to waste a single dollar or second on a program, piece of equipment, or ministry position that isn't the best option for reaching the most people."
While I agree with the fact that God loves (unconditionally) every individual, and that the angels rejoice over one sinner who was found and repents, and that Abraham's offspring will be as numerous as the sands of the seashore, the emphasis is never on the number, but on God, his glory, and what he will accomplish. In the book of Acts where 3,000 and 5,000 were saved, the apostles never approached that day or Peter, the sermon, and desired to see scores of people come to Christ. They approached that day desiring to be faithful witnesses to God, and God blessed the fruits of their labor, and multiplied and gave increase. The other fact that biblicist must remember when reading the book of Acts is that anytime something good or miraculous happens in the church, it is not the result of the apostles or believers, but the result of the Spirit living and flowing through them.
The problem that I have with statements that teach "God is all about the numbers, therefore churches should be all about the numbers" is the simple fact that numbers can creep in a pastor's or ministry life and become an idol. If numbers is what God is about and that's what we are about, everything we do from service, to ministry, to graphics, to outreach is at the root motive about the amount of people we can reach. The object then of ministry, service, graphics, outreach, and special events become numbers/people, not the glory of God and sound orthodoxy. While I love scores of people (and would be humbled at the fact that God would allow the ministry I lead to reach many) and believe that scores amount of people will be in heaven, this is not what motivates me in the ministry--God, his love, and his calling in my life motivates me to be faithful to him in proclamation of the gospel, living out the gospel, and being an excellent kingdom citizen that lives for his glory and fame, not mine.
I do not think there is anything wrong with tracking numbers, but there are times where numbers do not measure success. Just look at Jesus in John 8. There were large crowds following him until he went all cannibal (or so they thought) on them. After his teaching, large crowds departed him leaving only the disciples. Was Jesus successful? Was he a failure? At the end of Paul's life in 2 Timothy we read a letter from a lonely man, who has been deserted by many of those who had once followed him. Was Paul unsuccessful because he had one person with him in prison? Finally, the vehicle by which Jesus would bring redemption is not the greatest avenue by which to reach scores and scores of people. If Jesus wanted to reach the most people in a humanly effective way, it would not have been through the cross. He would have chosen another way. He even prays to the Father to take this cup from him. Paul says the cross is foolishness to those who do not believe.
What does this teach us about numbers? It teaches us, the church, believers, to be faithful to the calling and commands of God and allow him to draw and reach people. He will build his church, he will build his kingdom. All throughout the Bible God's ways have never been avenues that masses would follow (and I could give example after example). Again, I am not against tracking numbers or desiring to reach a great number of people. But this doesn't determine my status and my success in God's eyes, nor is it the overarching theme that drives my ministry.
Let me just caveat all this by saying that the opposite of numbers is true as well. Many approach ministry, not with a drive and passion to reach people, therefore they have a small vision, a small church, and a dismal affect on the community. I think people and churches such as these are consumed with mediocrity, laziness, and use God as a crutch as to why they are not reaching people.
Let us not be consumed with the numbers of people, but be consumed with the glory of God. Let us love God first and have an affinity for him first and then a love and affinity for people and numbers.
From the blog, the pastor writes, "Apparently God is all about the numbers. So I want to be, too. And so should you. It's unacceptable to me as a pastor that we would stop growing when the Lord wants to add to our number daily those who are being saved. And in order for that to happen, we need to track every scrap of statistical data at our disposal. We've got to make sure we're measuring ministry numbers to measure our effectiveness and enlarge the Kingdom of God. I don't want to waste a single dollar or second on a program, piece of equipment, or ministry position that isn't the best option for reaching the most people."
While I agree with the fact that God loves (unconditionally) every individual, and that the angels rejoice over one sinner who was found and repents, and that Abraham's offspring will be as numerous as the sands of the seashore, the emphasis is never on the number, but on God, his glory, and what he will accomplish. In the book of Acts where 3,000 and 5,000 were saved, the apostles never approached that day or Peter, the sermon, and desired to see scores of people come to Christ. They approached that day desiring to be faithful witnesses to God, and God blessed the fruits of their labor, and multiplied and gave increase. The other fact that biblicist must remember when reading the book of Acts is that anytime something good or miraculous happens in the church, it is not the result of the apostles or believers, but the result of the Spirit living and flowing through them.
The problem that I have with statements that teach "God is all about the numbers, therefore churches should be all about the numbers" is the simple fact that numbers can creep in a pastor's or ministry life and become an idol. If numbers is what God is about and that's what we are about, everything we do from service, to ministry, to graphics, to outreach is at the root motive about the amount of people we can reach. The object then of ministry, service, graphics, outreach, and special events become numbers/people, not the glory of God and sound orthodoxy. While I love scores of people (and would be humbled at the fact that God would allow the ministry I lead to reach many) and believe that scores amount of people will be in heaven, this is not what motivates me in the ministry--God, his love, and his calling in my life motivates me to be faithful to him in proclamation of the gospel, living out the gospel, and being an excellent kingdom citizen that lives for his glory and fame, not mine.
I do not think there is anything wrong with tracking numbers, but there are times where numbers do not measure success. Just look at Jesus in John 8. There were large crowds following him until he went all cannibal (or so they thought) on them. After his teaching, large crowds departed him leaving only the disciples. Was Jesus successful? Was he a failure? At the end of Paul's life in 2 Timothy we read a letter from a lonely man, who has been deserted by many of those who had once followed him. Was Paul unsuccessful because he had one person with him in prison? Finally, the vehicle by which Jesus would bring redemption is not the greatest avenue by which to reach scores and scores of people. If Jesus wanted to reach the most people in a humanly effective way, it would not have been through the cross. He would have chosen another way. He even prays to the Father to take this cup from him. Paul says the cross is foolishness to those who do not believe.
What does this teach us about numbers? It teaches us, the church, believers, to be faithful to the calling and commands of God and allow him to draw and reach people. He will build his church, he will build his kingdom. All throughout the Bible God's ways have never been avenues that masses would follow (and I could give example after example). Again, I am not against tracking numbers or desiring to reach a great number of people. But this doesn't determine my status and my success in God's eyes, nor is it the overarching theme that drives my ministry.
Let me just caveat all this by saying that the opposite of numbers is true as well. Many approach ministry, not with a drive and passion to reach people, therefore they have a small vision, a small church, and a dismal affect on the community. I think people and churches such as these are consumed with mediocrity, laziness, and use God as a crutch as to why they are not reaching people.
Let us not be consumed with the numbers of people, but be consumed with the glory of God. Let us love God first and have an affinity for him first and then a love and affinity for people and numbers.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The American Church Needs a Fundamental Shift
Yesterday I talked about how the church today needs a fundamental shift in their missional thinking. Over the recent decades it is vividly clear, through the research, that the church in America is on the decline. Across denominational lines the church suffers from the disease of ineffectiveness. In a recent Pew research publication, there are only two to three denominations that saw any growth, and that growth was small. What I attempted yesterday was for our people to see that church is not about a building, an institution, a denomination, a religion, but rather, a church is about a people. This people we form finds its roots all the way back to Abraham in Genesis 12. At the core, it is not about what we do, but who we are.
This is a fundamental shift in the way American evangelicals have perceived the church. Because people view the church more as an institution, religion, and place they 'come to church'. Therefore when they 'come to church' they want something out of it, just as they want something out of their trip to the grocery store. Since this mentality is prevalent, churches build program after program for 'church' people who seek to consume some commodity, whether it be for children, students, addiction, divorce, work out room, sports program, or mother's morning out. Also, since people view the church as something they do, they see Sunday services or (now) Saturday night services as something they can check off their religious checklist. Today with the vacuum of expository, biblical, theological teaching people 'go to church' to get their philosophical blessing from the pastor. They attend so that they would feel good about themselves and about their situation. Attendance to them is like attending a counseling session with Dr. Phil. The teaching pastor will give them five ways to develop a healthy marriage, neglecting to tell the the foundation of a healthy marriage is the gospel and what Christ has done.
When the church, the people who comprise a church, begin to fundamentally shift their idea and thoughts of church from a 'place to go' to a 'people we are', the church will begin to make more of a impact of culture, society, and community. One of the first shifts that will take place once this mentality is embraced is that the church today becomes a global people on a global mission to bless all peoples. This includes those around us, in our communities, neighborhoods, and cities, not just those halfway around the world.
We find this truth in Genesis 12, with the calling of Abraham. Juxtapose to Abraham's calling is the mayhem at Babel. These people, rather than being dispersed over the earth, gathered together to build a great city and name for themselves. As they took the raw materials from the earth and cultivated them, their civilization and culture became rooted in their own purpose and glory. However, when God calls Abraham, he will make Abraham great and into a great nation. The person who would obtain the glory would be God, not man, not Abraham. Therefore, the descendants of Abraham, both biologically and spiritually speaking (Gal 3:8), would be people who would cultivate, build, worship, live, and be a blessing to others for the glory of God.
This is why I said yesterday the church must have two tracks when it comes to building and participating in society and culture making. First, we must corporately pool our resources together for the good of our society, community, and city in order to be a blessing to them. Now the blessing we are does not end with creating jobs, services, and products for the city to by, but becomes a blessing which builds a platform to gospel encounters.
The second track would include a ministry designed to teach people who are already in the culture, the marketplace, and the community (schools, politics, etc.). Here we would teach them how to be intentional and gospel-centered in the environment they work. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, NY, has a ministry called, The Gotham Project, which is an intensive training for those in the marketplace.
This is beginning to happen throughout America as well as in Britain and Australia. Where the church, the people of God, are taking a missional posture to be a blessing to the city, rather than just a blessing to their own. The church is not called to create and build little compounds and subcultures for their own, which is separated from the world. We are called to be in, but not of the world. The church is called to be around, but distinct from the world. And Abraham gives us the foundation for 'who we are', not 'what we are'. We are the people of God who have been sent on a mission to cultivate for the glory of God and bless those who cultivate and build for themselves. Hebrews 11, the author sheds light on the fact that Abraham lived the way he did because he was looking forward to the heavenly city.
Therefore, Abraham was a man who built, cultivated, and blessed in a way that manifested the heavenly city here on earth. What will the church do? Will the church today in America continue to come together, usually just with their own denomination, and build a great name, denomination, and church for themselves? Or will they stop this ecclesiastical kingdom building project and get back to the missional aspect of 'being' a people, sent in to bless other people? Will the church stop this ecclesiastical institutional dominance and once again embrace the true nature of the church, 'a people' sent on a mission? If the church or many local churches will accept this fundamental (biblical) shift, over the next years and decades I believe we will see a greater impact on the culture, society, cities, and communities. (The caveat is also, we will see greater resistance and push back. Not much really exist in America due to what Spurgeon prophetically stated: "The reason why the church has not had more impact of the world, is because the world has had too much impact on the church.".)
This is a fundamental shift in the way American evangelicals have perceived the church. Because people view the church more as an institution, religion, and place they 'come to church'. Therefore when they 'come to church' they want something out of it, just as they want something out of their trip to the grocery store. Since this mentality is prevalent, churches build program after program for 'church' people who seek to consume some commodity, whether it be for children, students, addiction, divorce, work out room, sports program, or mother's morning out. Also, since people view the church as something they do, they see Sunday services or (now) Saturday night services as something they can check off their religious checklist. Today with the vacuum of expository, biblical, theological teaching people 'go to church' to get their philosophical blessing from the pastor. They attend so that they would feel good about themselves and about their situation. Attendance to them is like attending a counseling session with Dr. Phil. The teaching pastor will give them five ways to develop a healthy marriage, neglecting to tell the the foundation of a healthy marriage is the gospel and what Christ has done.
When the church, the people who comprise a church, begin to fundamentally shift their idea and thoughts of church from a 'place to go' to a 'people we are', the church will begin to make more of a impact of culture, society, and community. One of the first shifts that will take place once this mentality is embraced is that the church today becomes a global people on a global mission to bless all peoples. This includes those around us, in our communities, neighborhoods, and cities, not just those halfway around the world.
We find this truth in Genesis 12, with the calling of Abraham. Juxtapose to Abraham's calling is the mayhem at Babel. These people, rather than being dispersed over the earth, gathered together to build a great city and name for themselves. As they took the raw materials from the earth and cultivated them, their civilization and culture became rooted in their own purpose and glory. However, when God calls Abraham, he will make Abraham great and into a great nation. The person who would obtain the glory would be God, not man, not Abraham. Therefore, the descendants of Abraham, both biologically and spiritually speaking (Gal 3:8), would be people who would cultivate, build, worship, live, and be a blessing to others for the glory of God.
This is why I said yesterday the church must have two tracks when it comes to building and participating in society and culture making. First, we must corporately pool our resources together for the good of our society, community, and city in order to be a blessing to them. Now the blessing we are does not end with creating jobs, services, and products for the city to by, but becomes a blessing which builds a platform to gospel encounters.
The second track would include a ministry designed to teach people who are already in the culture, the marketplace, and the community (schools, politics, etc.). Here we would teach them how to be intentional and gospel-centered in the environment they work. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, NY, has a ministry called, The Gotham Project, which is an intensive training for those in the marketplace.
This is beginning to happen throughout America as well as in Britain and Australia. Where the church, the people of God, are taking a missional posture to be a blessing to the city, rather than just a blessing to their own. The church is not called to create and build little compounds and subcultures for their own, which is separated from the world. We are called to be in, but not of the world. The church is called to be around, but distinct from the world. And Abraham gives us the foundation for 'who we are', not 'what we are'. We are the people of God who have been sent on a mission to cultivate for the glory of God and bless those who cultivate and build for themselves. Hebrews 11, the author sheds light on the fact that Abraham lived the way he did because he was looking forward to the heavenly city.
Therefore, Abraham was a man who built, cultivated, and blessed in a way that manifested the heavenly city here on earth. What will the church do? Will the church today in America continue to come together, usually just with their own denomination, and build a great name, denomination, and church for themselves? Or will they stop this ecclesiastical kingdom building project and get back to the missional aspect of 'being' a people, sent in to bless other people? Will the church stop this ecclesiastical institutional dominance and once again embrace the true nature of the church, 'a people' sent on a mission? If the church or many local churches will accept this fundamental (biblical) shift, over the next years and decades I believe we will see a greater impact on the culture, society, cities, and communities. (The caveat is also, we will see greater resistance and push back. Not much really exist in America due to what Spurgeon prophetically stated: "The reason why the church has not had more impact of the world, is because the world has had too much impact on the church.".)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Would Gamaliel Believe Today?
I wonder if Gamaliel ever became a believer? Or, if he were alive today would he believe?
I pose this question given the fact Gamaliel states to those who wanted to kill the apostles for their witness, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing....So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
Later in the book of Acts, people in Thessalonica claim that this movement of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was 'turning the world upside down'. Over 2000 years later the movement still moves forward, not being able to be thwarted by man. Therefore, would Gamaliel, a skeptic, a religious Jewish nonbeliever, claim this Jesus, God, given the fact no one has ever been able to stop it? The religious zealots were not able to stop it. Saul, one of the religious zealots was completely transformed by this movement that he became its biggest proponent. The Roman Empire was not able to stop it. In fact, this movement became so influential it became the religious banner of the Empire. A corrupt church couldn't stop it. Communist governments cannot stop it. Islamic Jihadist cannot stop it. I believe Gamaliel, knowing what he knew then, and seeing what had transpired and what has transpired over the two millennia, would have become a believer. Whether or not he ever received the gospel and surrendered to the Lord, we are not privy too, but others can learn from his statement. Look at what this wise religious leader said and look at what has transpired since then. Either this movement was extremely lucky and had great successful leaders, or this movement has the God of the universe behind it, sovereignly guiding it, and leading it to its final destination, which is the consummation of the kingdom of God.
I pose this question given the fact Gamaliel states to those who wanted to kill the apostles for their witness, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing....So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
Later in the book of Acts, people in Thessalonica claim that this movement of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was 'turning the world upside down'. Over 2000 years later the movement still moves forward, not being able to be thwarted by man. Therefore, would Gamaliel, a skeptic, a religious Jewish nonbeliever, claim this Jesus, God, given the fact no one has ever been able to stop it? The religious zealots were not able to stop it. Saul, one of the religious zealots was completely transformed by this movement that he became its biggest proponent. The Roman Empire was not able to stop it. In fact, this movement became so influential it became the religious banner of the Empire. A corrupt church couldn't stop it. Communist governments cannot stop it. Islamic Jihadist cannot stop it. I believe Gamaliel, knowing what he knew then, and seeing what had transpired and what has transpired over the two millennia, would have become a believer. Whether or not he ever received the gospel and surrendered to the Lord, we are not privy too, but others can learn from his statement. Look at what this wise religious leader said and look at what has transpired since then. Either this movement was extremely lucky and had great successful leaders, or this movement has the God of the universe behind it, sovereignly guiding it, and leading it to its final destination, which is the consummation of the kingdom of God.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thoughts Regarding The Gospel
Acts 2:23 "this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."
The gospel is not that man killed Jesus, but that God killed his own Son, through the human responsibility of lawless men who crucified and killed Jesus. But, God had definitively planned and plotted it long before it happened. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave [delivered up, killed, and had crucified] his only son, so that whosoever believes in him will have everlasting life." This is the gospel. Not that we loved God, but that he first loved us. The gospel is not that we were looking for God and found him in Jesus, but he came looking and seeking us through Christ.
Acts 2:24, "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."
Acts 2:36, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
The gospel is that God loosed the pangs of death and provided a way for salvation for sinful man, not that man can provide his own salvation. Man can try to obtain salvation all day long as well as trying to avoid everlasting death, but he will always come up miserably short. It is impossible for man to avoid death and everlasting destruction. The gospel is that it was impossible for Christ to be held by death; therefore, receiving him, clinging to him, embracing him and his finished work on the cross makes it impossible for us to be held by death.
The gospel is that we have done nothing to deserve God's grace, but God has done it all. God delivered Jesus up (Acts 2:23), God raised him up (Acts 2:24), and God has made him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). This is the gospel. God has done everything. He has made a way even for what some would consider the most awful and rotten sinners, namely the ones who physically assaulted and crucified Christ. It is this gospel which beckons men, not to work harder, do more, perform more, but to receive what Jesus has purchased for them, as well as what the Father has provided for them. The question is: have you received, repented, embraced, clung to, surrendered, to the gospel?
The gospel is not that man killed Jesus, but that God killed his own Son, through the human responsibility of lawless men who crucified and killed Jesus. But, God had definitively planned and plotted it long before it happened. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave [delivered up, killed, and had crucified] his only son, so that whosoever believes in him will have everlasting life." This is the gospel. Not that we loved God, but that he first loved us. The gospel is not that we were looking for God and found him in Jesus, but he came looking and seeking us through Christ.
Acts 2:24, "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."
Acts 2:36, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
The gospel is that God loosed the pangs of death and provided a way for salvation for sinful man, not that man can provide his own salvation. Man can try to obtain salvation all day long as well as trying to avoid everlasting death, but he will always come up miserably short. It is impossible for man to avoid death and everlasting destruction. The gospel is that it was impossible for Christ to be held by death; therefore, receiving him, clinging to him, embracing him and his finished work on the cross makes it impossible for us to be held by death.
The gospel is that we have done nothing to deserve God's grace, but God has done it all. God delivered Jesus up (Acts 2:23), God raised him up (Acts 2:24), and God has made him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). This is the gospel. God has done everything. He has made a way even for what some would consider the most awful and rotten sinners, namely the ones who physically assaulted and crucified Christ. It is this gospel which beckons men, not to work harder, do more, perform more, but to receive what Jesus has purchased for them, as well as what the Father has provided for them. The question is: have you received, repented, embraced, clung to, surrendered, to the gospel?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)