I was reading Luke 10, and I have not been able to escape Jesus’ words. Jesus is instructing the disciples how to be laborers in the harvest field (vs. 2, May 19 post). In other words, he is teaching his disciples how bring people into the kingdom of heaven. He instructs them to be undistracted and singularly focused (vs. 4), to find a person who will welcome you into their home (vs. 6), and then to heal the sick and tell them the “the Kingdom of God is near you.” Demonstration then proclamation.
Recently, I have been listening to a lot of people talking about new methods of evangelism mainly revolving around the concept of finding a “person of peace” who will allow his whole community to hear the gospel. This concept is crucial and is a part of Jesus’ instruction to the disciples. However, evangelism from what I see in the Bible is not merely finding open communities and sharing the gospel with them. Evangelism or at least the type of evangelism Jesus describes here is a known call to a specific area that requires complete abandonment of worldly pursuits (“do not take a purse or bag or sandles”) and a singular focus on the mission and locale (“do not greet anyone on the way). Paul puts it like this, “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs…” (2 Tim. 2:4)
A person who has been called knows he will eventually find a man of peace because he knows God has called him to that village, town, or neighborhood. Not only that, the person will know he is carrying Christ Jesus’ very authority to cast demons out of people, heal the sick, and raise the dead because he KNOWS he has been commissioned by God to bring the KINGDOM to a specific area or people group. (Mat. 10:8, 5-6) BAM, BAM, BAM!
What is missing in so much of western evangelism today is a sense of God-ordained, specific calling and the demonstration of the Kingdom’s power and authority. The church spends millions to get people in the pews and yet is too timid or lacks the faith to leave everything, find the person of peace, and begin healing the sick.
Notice, it does not say pray for the sick. It does not say ask Jesus to heal people. It does not say ask for the “healing anointing” to come. It says: HEAL THE SICK. Wake up people!!! You – right there, yeah you – heal some sick people! It’s a command not a suggestion, not a hope, not an experiment. And, let me add that Jesus’ immediate instruction to pronounce “the kingdom of God is near you” must imply the people get healed… immediately. I mean how foolish do you look to make that statement when Grandpa Joe is still seating in the corner blind as a bat and Grandma Judy is still bent over double with back pain. Some kingdom.
Our problem (myself included) is our evangelism mainly works like this: we try to make some friends wherever we are, we tell these interested or uninterested friends about Jesus and how you need him to get to heaven, we may even offer to pray for their sickness which they may or may not get healed from, and we hope that eventually they might be interested enough to come to church with us and hear the preacher say it better then we did and then they might get saved. Meanwhile, 80% of our lifestyle looks no different than our friends. There is no sense of mission, no sense of abandonment, no strategic focus, no power, no healing… and in the end no great results.
Friends, it’s time crack open our Bibles again and start reading scripture with new eyes. It’s time to start asking questions like, “How do I heal the sick?” “How do a hear God’s voice?” “What is God’s specific calling on my life?” And, “How does Jesus tell me how to reach the lost?”
We have a long way to go but an unstoppable God. Let’s get to work.
Friday, June 20, 2008
"Wake Up People!"
This phrase just keeps kicking around in my mind for the last couple months. I think it applies to Boston. It is time to wake up the sleeping giant to the real reality. Watch the link until the end :)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
"I Know But One Way" Part I
THE WAY (Matthew 5)
The Way – a paraphrase
A person who realizes they are spiritually impoverished will be overcome with grief at their spiritual destitution and humbly seek with the desperation of a starving and parched person acceptance from God.
This person will find himself not only accepted into the kingdom of heaven and comforted but inheriting a new life on earth. They will be filled with joy and happiness at this undeserved gift of acceptance. Their natural reaction to this grace will to be merciful to others.
In response, God will continue to show them mercy cleansing them from all unrighteousness and giving them pure hearts. Newly cleansed they will see God for who he truly is and begin to act as peacemakers.
As they act as ministers of reconciliation between the rebellious sons and daughters of earth and the kingdom of heaven, some will call them who they truly are - sons of God while others will persecute them for their new way of life. In either outcome, these sons and daughters of God will celebrate their place in the kingdom of heaven.
Next Part II: "Jesus and the Way"
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Way – a paraphrase
A person who realizes they are spiritually impoverished will be overcome with grief at their spiritual destitution and humbly seek with the desperation of a starving and parched person acceptance from God.
This person will find himself not only accepted into the kingdom of heaven and comforted but inheriting a new life on earth. They will be filled with joy and happiness at this undeserved gift of acceptance. Their natural reaction to this grace will to be merciful to others.
In response, God will continue to show them mercy cleansing them from all unrighteousness and giving them pure hearts. Newly cleansed they will see God for who he truly is and begin to act as peacemakers.
As they act as ministers of reconciliation between the rebellious sons and daughters of earth and the kingdom of heaven, some will call them who they truly are - sons of God while others will persecute them for their new way of life. In either outcome, these sons and daughters of God will celebrate their place in the kingdom of heaven.
Next Part II: "Jesus and the Way"
Monday, May 19, 2008
Evidence that Demands a Verdict
Matthew 9:35-38
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV vs. 36-38)
Jesus “making a circuit of all the towns and villages… teaching in their meeting places, reporting kingdom news, and healing their diseased bodies, healing their bruised and hurt lives…” (Msg vs. 35) looked into this sea of battered peoples' lives and his heart broke. The image is of a people harassed by the ravenous wolves of Satan’s minions. Helpless against the lies of the enemy and the power of sin. Like sheep without a shepherd not knowing where to go or how to get there. Jesus is so moved at the overwhelming need that he stops his relentless ministry to the people and turns to the disciples and commands them to pray.
I imagine the disciples puzzled looks. Pray? Pray for what? Are you not the answer to our prayers' Jesus? Are you not leading the most dynamic and anointed ministry we have ever seen? Are you not the one ushering in the kingdom of heaven to earth? Are you not the answer to visions of all our prophets?
Can Jesus really be so overwhelmed by the incredible need he sees before him that he must stop to enlist the prayers of his chosen friends and sent-ones? Is it possible that the Lord seeks for partners in his task of “ever making intercession?” (Heb. 7:25)
The answer is YES! The Son of man having so deeply immersed himself in the sea of humanity suddenly surfaces to proclaim golden fields of wheat so heavy with fruitful seeds that there is a risk that the very seeds will break the stalk and the harvest will be lost. Time is of the essence! The harvest season will not last forever. The Son of God cannot accomplish the work alone.
What is needed? More workers, and not just workers, but workers who have been commissioned, empowered, and sent by the LORD of the harvest. How will these workers be released? By the sons of men earnestly asking, beseeching God for more laborers.
Oh that we would respond to the Lord’s cry! Oh that our knees would become calloused and our floor boards worn! Oh that our hearts would break for what breaks HIS? Oh that we too could see the harvest? Open our eyes Lord Jesus!
Come friends get, “On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (Msg)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV vs. 36-38)
Jesus “making a circuit of all the towns and villages… teaching in their meeting places, reporting kingdom news, and healing their diseased bodies, healing their bruised and hurt lives…” (Msg vs. 35) looked into this sea of battered peoples' lives and his heart broke. The image is of a people harassed by the ravenous wolves of Satan’s minions. Helpless against the lies of the enemy and the power of sin. Like sheep without a shepherd not knowing where to go or how to get there. Jesus is so moved at the overwhelming need that he stops his relentless ministry to the people and turns to the disciples and commands them to pray.
I imagine the disciples puzzled looks. Pray? Pray for what? Are you not the answer to our prayers' Jesus? Are you not leading the most dynamic and anointed ministry we have ever seen? Are you not the one ushering in the kingdom of heaven to earth? Are you not the answer to visions of all our prophets?
Can Jesus really be so overwhelmed by the incredible need he sees before him that he must stop to enlist the prayers of his chosen friends and sent-ones? Is it possible that the Lord seeks for partners in his task of “ever making intercession?” (Heb. 7:25)
The answer is YES! The Son of man having so deeply immersed himself in the sea of humanity suddenly surfaces to proclaim golden fields of wheat so heavy with fruitful seeds that there is a risk that the very seeds will break the stalk and the harvest will be lost. Time is of the essence! The harvest season will not last forever. The Son of God cannot accomplish the work alone.
What is needed? More workers, and not just workers, but workers who have been commissioned, empowered, and sent by the LORD of the harvest. How will these workers be released? By the sons of men earnestly asking, beseeching God for more laborers.
Oh that we would respond to the Lord’s cry! Oh that our knees would become calloused and our floor boards worn! Oh that our hearts would break for what breaks HIS? Oh that we too could see the harvest? Open our eyes Lord Jesus!
Come friends get, “On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (Msg)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
When Love Costs
There are affections in our lives that we love and dearly hold onto. Often time, these affections hold no similar appeal to those around us. If they were to look into our hearts, they would not understand why we get such joy and pleasure from these momentary delights. Yet, these delights drive and thrill us. Our enjoyment of them is so intense that we find them coming to the forefront of our minds more often then we would like to admit (and always at the strangest times!). We find ourselves adjusting our schedules around them. Even becoming disillusioned if not angry when we don’t have time for them.
More often than not, these affections are false loves, hidden parts of the soul that no one else knows about until they suddenly coming rumbling to the surface in an angry, accusatory mix. False loves do not sustain you; there is no lasting peace found in them. The momentary delight fades when confronted with the cool, harsh realities of life. We find ourselves unable to enjoy them in the context of community because they are selfish, inward things. We find them filling our thoughts and time and driving us from others.
Love is a costly thing. When I was a child, I read a story of a young forest princess who stole a dragon egg because of its beautiful colors. She hid it in a tree and when the beautiful baby dragon was born she daily cared for it and fed it. Until one day, it had grown so big she could not longer control it, and it turned against her almost destroying her life. In the same way, we watch false loves grow in our lives denying their power over us. Then suddenly, they rear their ugly heads surprising those around us and destroying everything in their path.
To rid ourselves of these loves comes at a great personal cost. It is not easy to let go of something that holds such sway over the seat of our affections. We find ourselves cringing at the thought of it. Can I really enjoy myself without this relationship, that job, the show, the book, the sport, the drink, the drug, the game, the idle wandering of our minds?
But when we do give them up pushing through the pain and tears of losing it, we find for the first time a strange liberating feeling pumping through our hearts. We find freedom to be a better master then false love, and we find true joy comes after mourning.
Esther 9:22
More often than not, these affections are false loves, hidden parts of the soul that no one else knows about until they suddenly coming rumbling to the surface in an angry, accusatory mix. False loves do not sustain you; there is no lasting peace found in them. The momentary delight fades when confronted with the cool, harsh realities of life. We find ourselves unable to enjoy them in the context of community because they are selfish, inward things. We find them filling our thoughts and time and driving us from others.
Love is a costly thing. When I was a child, I read a story of a young forest princess who stole a dragon egg because of its beautiful colors. She hid it in a tree and when the beautiful baby dragon was born she daily cared for it and fed it. Until one day, it had grown so big she could not longer control it, and it turned against her almost destroying her life. In the same way, we watch false loves grow in our lives denying their power over us. Then suddenly, they rear their ugly heads surprising those around us and destroying everything in their path.
To rid ourselves of these loves comes at a great personal cost. It is not easy to let go of something that holds such sway over the seat of our affections. We find ourselves cringing at the thought of it. Can I really enjoy myself without this relationship, that job, the show, the book, the sport, the drink, the drug, the game, the idle wandering of our minds?
But when we do give them up pushing through the pain and tears of losing it, we find for the first time a strange liberating feeling pumping through our hearts. We find freedom to be a better master then false love, and we find true joy comes after mourning.
Esther 9:22
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A New Generation Arising
In the midst of the winds of changing culture and shifting ideologies in the midst of rapid globalization yet increasing obscurity, a radical and subversive people are emerging. Unshakeable in faith, they beckon the many to join them in a way of life, an ancient path oft spoke of yet seldom travelled.
Assailed by doubt and persecution, they journey together in the pursuit of that which is eternally good. Confounding the wisdom of the wise, they live out a new life uncompromised by the pressures of earthly achievement or false humility. They are beautiful yet broken, weak yet brave, humble yet assured.
Dark but lovely, the light of eternity glistens on their faces as they fix their eyes on the Son. Ruined for this world, they reflect the One who changed them, gave them hope, and taught them how to love.
In Him they find healing and freedom, a reason to live. Their story begins and ends with Him, their creator, their lover, their friend.
Jesus.
Assailed by doubt and persecution, they journey together in the pursuit of that which is eternally good. Confounding the wisdom of the wise, they live out a new life uncompromised by the pressures of earthly achievement or false humility. They are beautiful yet broken, weak yet brave, humble yet assured.
Dark but lovely, the light of eternity glistens on their faces as they fix their eyes on the Son. Ruined for this world, they reflect the One who changed them, gave them hope, and taught them how to love.
In Him they find healing and freedom, a reason to live. Their story begins and ends with Him, their creator, their lover, their friend.
Jesus.
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