A stirring reminded of the urgency of the task.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
What a Way to Start the Day
What do you say when you first wake up? Are you one of those rare persons who go into the day singing? Or are you like most of us who wake up thinking: why does that clock ring so early? We wake up worried about the mountain of work; dreading some uncomfortable part of the day; or nervous about it all.
Before he died John Newton, the man who wrote the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, famously said: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." What a statement!
Part of the power of this thought is its balance, and it is that balance we need when we start the day. When I wake up feeling pretty good and righteous, I need to be reminded of the greatness of my sin. When I wake up depressed or discouraged, I need to be reminded not of my inherent abilities but of Christ's utter sufficiency.
I cannot help but think that such a beginning would change things. Perhaps I would be more patient and kind, less critical and harsh. By God's grace let's keep these two truths close. Let us not just say them but love them, and God will slowly but steadily change us for his glory.
Before he died John Newton, the man who wrote the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, famously said: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." What a statement!
Part of the power of this thought is its balance, and it is that balance we need when we start the day. When I wake up feeling pretty good and righteous, I need to be reminded of the greatness of my sin. When I wake up depressed or discouraged, I need to be reminded not of my inherent abilities but of Christ's utter sufficiency.
I cannot help but think that such a beginning would change things. Perhaps I would be more patient and kind, less critical and harsh. By God's grace let's keep these two truths close. Let us not just say them but love them, and God will slowly but steadily change us for his glory.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Becoming a Comeback Church
It is no secret that I believe God want great things for Double Springs Baptist Church. He wants to reverse deep trends and lead us to renewal. Over the next few days (maybe even weeks) I will post a series of videos from a great book entitled Comeback Churches. Here the author, Ed Stetzer, describes the need for intentional evangelism.
Comeback Church part 2- Intentional Evangelism from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Purpose Driven: part 3
Nate Saint one of the five missionaries killed among the Auca Indians gave some insight into what made these men tick.
He writes, "As we weigh the future and seek the will of God, does it seem right that we should hazard our lives for just a few savages? As we ask ourselves this question, we realize that it is not the call of the needy thousands, rather it is the simple intimation of the prophetic Word that there shall be some from every tribe in His presence in the last day and in our hearts we feel that it is pleasing to Him that we should interest ourselves in making an opening into the Auca prison for Christ (Through Gates of Splendor, 171)."
What a picture of evangelism. Evangelism is not a mere duty that we do with much fear; rather, it is a privilege by which we make an opening in a prison of darkness for Christ.
He continued, "As we have a high old time this Christmas may we who know Christ hear the cry of the damned as they hurtle headlong into the Christless night without ever a chance . . . May God give us a new vision of His will concerning the lost and our responsibility . . . If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ (ibid).
That, my friends, is a pray worth of repetition of every Church in America. God give us a vision for the nations, and then we will know what it means to be purpose driven.
He writes, "As we weigh the future and seek the will of God, does it seem right that we should hazard our lives for just a few savages? As we ask ourselves this question, we realize that it is not the call of the needy thousands, rather it is the simple intimation of the prophetic Word that there shall be some from every tribe in His presence in the last day and in our hearts we feel that it is pleasing to Him that we should interest ourselves in making an opening into the Auca prison for Christ (Through Gates of Splendor, 171)."
What a picture of evangelism. Evangelism is not a mere duty that we do with much fear; rather, it is a privilege by which we make an opening in a prison of darkness for Christ.
He continued, "As we have a high old time this Christmas may we who know Christ hear the cry of the damned as they hurtle headlong into the Christless night without ever a chance . . . May God give us a new vision of His will concerning the lost and our responsibility . . . If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ (ibid).
That, my friends, is a pray worth of repetition of every Church in America. God give us a vision for the nations, and then we will know what it means to be purpose driven.
Purpose Driven: Part 2
As Elizabeth Elliot contemplated widowhood for the cause of Christ, she concedes:
It was time for soul-searching, a time for counting the possible cost. Was it the thrill of adventure that drew our husbands on? No. Their letters and journals make it abundantly clear that these men did not go out as some men to out to shoot lion or climb a mountain. Their compulsion was from a different source. Each had made a personal transaction with God, recognizing that he belonged to God, first of all by creation, and secondly by redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This double claim in his life settled once and for all the question of allegiance. It was not a matter of striving to follow the example of a great Teacher. To conform to the perfect life of Jesus was impossible for a human being. To these men, Jesus Christ was God, and had actually taken upon Himself human form, in order that He might die, and, by his death, provide not only escape from the punishment which their sin merited, but also a new kind of life, eternal both in length and quality. This meant simply that Christ was to be obeyed, and more than that, that He would provide the power to obey. The point of decision had been reached. God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant (Through Gates of Splendor, 170-171)
Indeed it is. Going is not optional, for God has come to rescue us. Therefore, we must lay down our lives for others.
It was time for soul-searching, a time for counting the possible cost. Was it the thrill of adventure that drew our husbands on? No. Their letters and journals make it abundantly clear that these men did not go out as some men to out to shoot lion or climb a mountain. Their compulsion was from a different source. Each had made a personal transaction with God, recognizing that he belonged to God, first of all by creation, and secondly by redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This double claim in his life settled once and for all the question of allegiance. It was not a matter of striving to follow the example of a great Teacher. To conform to the perfect life of Jesus was impossible for a human being. To these men, Jesus Christ was God, and had actually taken upon Himself human form, in order that He might die, and, by his death, provide not only escape from the punishment which their sin merited, but also a new kind of life, eternal both in length and quality. This meant simply that Christ was to be obeyed, and more than that, that He would provide the power to obey. The point of decision had been reached. God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant (Through Gates of Splendor, 170-171)
Indeed it is. Going is not optional, for God has come to rescue us. Therefore, we must lay down our lives for others.
Purpose Driven: Part 1
No this is not a post about Rick Warren. I have nothing against him, and I recognize that God has used him. Nevertheless the purpose driven logo has become something of a standard among churches. If we are not careful we can become purpose driven about being purpose driven and all the while we miss our purpose.
Lately I have been reading the classing book Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. It is the gripping story of five missionary martyrs in the jungle of Ecuador. After weeks of preparation the men were ready to set up a beachhead in order to contact the Auca Indians--a notoriously violent tribe that was un-reached.
Just before they left, Elizabeth "reminded Jim of what we both knew it might mean if he went. 'Well, if that's the way God wants it to be,' was his calm reply. 'I am ready to die for the salvation of the Aucas.'"
With that it was settled. But that did not mean Elizabeth and the other wives stopped considering the possibility. She writes:
The other wives and I talked together one night about the possibility of becoming widows. What would we do? God gave us peace of heart, and confidence that whatever might happen, His Word would hold. We knew that "when He putteth forth His sheep, He goeth before them.' God's leading was unmistakable up to this point. Each of us knew when we married our husbands that there would never be any question about who came first--God and His work held first place in each life. It was the condition of true discipleship; it became devastatingly meaningful now (170).
Now that's purpose: a husband and wife ready to part on this earth for the salvation of savage peoples. Sometimes we would not cross the street for our neighbor's salvation. Yet purpose--true purpose--takes us wherever we must go and die if necessary for the salvation of human beings made in the image of God. When has the cost of discipleship been devastatingly meaningful to us?
Lately I have been reading the classing book Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. It is the gripping story of five missionary martyrs in the jungle of Ecuador. After weeks of preparation the men were ready to set up a beachhead in order to contact the Auca Indians--a notoriously violent tribe that was un-reached.
Just before they left, Elizabeth "reminded Jim of what we both knew it might mean if he went. 'Well, if that's the way God wants it to be,' was his calm reply. 'I am ready to die for the salvation of the Aucas.'"
With that it was settled. But that did not mean Elizabeth and the other wives stopped considering the possibility. She writes:
The other wives and I talked together one night about the possibility of becoming widows. What would we do? God gave us peace of heart, and confidence that whatever might happen, His Word would hold. We knew that "when He putteth forth His sheep, He goeth before them.' God's leading was unmistakable up to this point. Each of us knew when we married our husbands that there would never be any question about who came first--God and His work held first place in each life. It was the condition of true discipleship; it became devastatingly meaningful now (170).
Now that's purpose: a husband and wife ready to part on this earth for the salvation of savage peoples. Sometimes we would not cross the street for our neighbor's salvation. Yet purpose--true purpose--takes us wherever we must go and die if necessary for the salvation of human beings made in the image of God. When has the cost of discipleship been devastatingly meaningful to us?
Friday, August 14, 2009
Faith Inspires
I remember sitting there for the first public information meeting about Christ's Legacy Academy--a classical Christian school that started this year. The speaker stood up and made his presentation. He explained what classical, Christian education was and why it is a good model. What was most notable, however, was what he could not say. He could not say how much tuition would be. He could not name the headmaster. He could not even give a location. But he did make it very clear that school would begin in August.
I remember leaving there with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I saw the difficulties ahead. On the other, I saw a group of people with a seeming indomitable confidence that God would make it happen.
Over the past few months I have watched God do just that. He provided a headmaster and a location. He provided a staff bent on excellence. Yes God provided but he provided through hard work. God only knows how many hours the board of directors put in this year. But all along the way they have projected a desire to be a part of something great that is contagious.
I thank God for this example. It has inspired me in many ways, and I hope to have the same influence in other's lives--by calling them to great things for God.
I remember leaving there with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I saw the difficulties ahead. On the other, I saw a group of people with a seeming indomitable confidence that God would make it happen.
Over the past few months I have watched God do just that. He provided a headmaster and a location. He provided a staff bent on excellence. Yes God provided but he provided through hard work. God only knows how many hours the board of directors put in this year. But all along the way they have projected a desire to be a part of something great that is contagious.
I thank God for this example. It has inspired me in many ways, and I hope to have the same influence in other's lives--by calling them to great things for God.
Do Not Miss the Importance of "Each One" in Ministry
My good friend Ben Finch over at Crimson and White posted a personal and thoughtful article yesterday. It is a short chronicle of his recent ministerial life, in which he moves from a full time staff position to 'secular' employment and faithful church participation. In it he gives an example of a typical conversation and notes the typical response.
This exchange highlights, I believe, one great weakness of our churches today--a misunderstanding of the nature of Christian ministry. Gradually but surely we have relegated the idea of ministry to a professional activity. That is, we pay people to do "the ministry" while the normal believer becomes a recipient. Surely, the "professional" ministry must share in the blame for this. We have not taught well or delegated often enough to others. Oftentimes we have a need to be needed that limits and weakens the church. What we need is an expanded conception of ministry that includes every believer. In the wake of this, countless believers miss the thrill of ministry that they were designed by God to enjoy.
A key text for this is 1 Peter 4:10. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's various (or manifold) grace." Peter begins by making it clear that each member of the body of Christ has received a gift of grace. The purpose of this gift is "service," which Peter considers a stewardship issue. Each one has a gift. Each one is given a gift for a reason--the privilege of service. And all of this is a matter of stewardship before God. The concept of stewardship involves faithfulness to God and it is about more than money. One reason our churches struggle is that we are bad stewards who wait for the professional to engage in ministry. All the while countless lives are unaffected by the gospel and countless Christians are unengaged. I pray that this changes today.
Thank you Ben for your candor and faithfulness. God is using you in a mighty way. Through your example I pray that many experience the thrill of ministry.
This exchange highlights, I believe, one great weakness of our churches today--a misunderstanding of the nature of Christian ministry. Gradually but surely we have relegated the idea of ministry to a professional activity. That is, we pay people to do "the ministry" while the normal believer becomes a recipient. Surely, the "professional" ministry must share in the blame for this. We have not taught well or delegated often enough to others. Oftentimes we have a need to be needed that limits and weakens the church. What we need is an expanded conception of ministry that includes every believer. In the wake of this, countless believers miss the thrill of ministry that they were designed by God to enjoy.
A key text for this is 1 Peter 4:10. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's various (or manifold) grace." Peter begins by making it clear that each member of the body of Christ has received a gift of grace. The purpose of this gift is "service," which Peter considers a stewardship issue. Each one has a gift. Each one is given a gift for a reason--the privilege of service. And all of this is a matter of stewardship before God. The concept of stewardship involves faithfulness to God and it is about more than money. One reason our churches struggle is that we are bad stewards who wait for the professional to engage in ministry. All the while countless lives are unaffected by the gospel and countless Christians are unengaged. I pray that this changes today.
Thank you Ben for your candor and faithfulness. God is using you in a mighty way. Through your example I pray that many experience the thrill of ministry.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
School Days Again
It's official. School has begun. Sleepy children are forced out of bed and off to school. Frazzled parents who are fresh off the rush to buy school supplies are frustrated with the sleepy children.
The beginning of school brought to mind the best book I have ever read on parenting--Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. In it he points out that behavior is not the primary problem; rather, the god-ward or godless orientation of the heart is the real issue. He reminds parents of their God-given role of authority and pushes us to embrace biblical methods and goals of communication and correction. Here is a sample of a discussion of discipline:
While it is true that disciplined children are a joy to their parents . . . as God's agents you cannot discipline for mere matters of self-interest or personal convenience. Your correction must be tied to the principles and absolutes of the Word of God. The issues of discipline are issues of character development and honoring God. It is God's non-negotiable standard that fuels correction and discipline (page 39).
If you are a parent, buy this book. If you have bought the book, read it. If you have read it, apply it. You will not regret it.
The beginning of school brought to mind the best book I have ever read on parenting--Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. In it he points out that behavior is not the primary problem; rather, the god-ward or godless orientation of the heart is the real issue. He reminds parents of their God-given role of authority and pushes us to embrace biblical methods and goals of communication and correction. Here is a sample of a discussion of discipline:
While it is true that disciplined children are a joy to their parents . . . as God's agents you cannot discipline for mere matters of self-interest or personal convenience. Your correction must be tied to the principles and absolutes of the Word of God. The issues of discipline are issues of character development and honoring God. It is God's non-negotiable standard that fuels correction and discipline (page 39).
If you are a parent, buy this book. If you have bought the book, read it. If you have read it, apply it. You will not regret it.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
What do I really need today?
Is it money? If so, when will I have enough? Is it a safe home with healthy children? I want this, but I am not always satisfied with just this. Is it esteem or success?
On and on the questions could go. The fact of the matter is that all human hearts are factories of desire. We constantly want something else, and we hope that that the next blessing or gift will satisfy our hearts.
Yet, we are made to find ultimate satisfaction in God alone. And here is the great thing: when God is the satisfaction of our hearts, the blessings get better, for they are rightly enjoyed. God is not honored when the gift trumps the giver. He is honored when the gifts lead us to praise the giver.
What I really need today is God, and through Christ I have him. Listen and let your heart be satisfied. God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer. 31:3)." "I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord (Jer. 31:14)."
On and on the questions could go. The fact of the matter is that all human hearts are factories of desire. We constantly want something else, and we hope that that the next blessing or gift will satisfy our hearts.
Yet, we are made to find ultimate satisfaction in God alone. And here is the great thing: when God is the satisfaction of our hearts, the blessings get better, for they are rightly enjoyed. God is not honored when the gift trumps the giver. He is honored when the gifts lead us to praise the giver.
What I really need today is God, and through Christ I have him. Listen and let your heart be satisfied. God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer. 31:3)." "I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord (Jer. 31:14)."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Let's Dream
Charles Spurgeon once encouraged pastors to:
Contemplate at the outset the possibility of having a church of soul-winners. Do not succumb to the usual idea that we can only gather a few useful workers, and that the rest of the community must inevitably be a dead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with that notion or it will be verified. The usual need not be the universal; better things are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high and spare no effort to reach it. Labor to gather a church alive for Jesus, every member energetic to the full, and the whole in incessant activity for the salvation of men. To this end there must be the best of preaching to feed the host into strength, continual prayers to bring down the power from on high, and the most heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal (quoted in Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 117).
Let's aim high to be alive for Jesus today!
Contemplate at the outset the possibility of having a church of soul-winners. Do not succumb to the usual idea that we can only gather a few useful workers, and that the rest of the community must inevitably be a dead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with that notion or it will be verified. The usual need not be the universal; better things are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high and spare no effort to reach it. Labor to gather a church alive for Jesus, every member energetic to the full, and the whole in incessant activity for the salvation of men. To this end there must be the best of preaching to feed the host into strength, continual prayers to bring down the power from on high, and the most heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal (quoted in Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 117).
Let's aim high to be alive for Jesus today!
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