It's Easter morning. My coffee seems to taste better, the birds that are singing outside my window seem more chipper and I would have to say that I feel grateful. Grateful to be alive, grateful to have been able to stand erect on two feet, able to walk and talk and I get the opportunity to sleep in a little later before getting up to write. Being able to write is a blessing beyond comprehension.
My text today is on having an unwavering commitment. So how are we to make our mission for God as strong a charge as possible? How can we be committed to His cause, which will have benefits that stand the test of time; both in our lives and in the legacy we leave behind? Let's define the words with the help of Mr. Webster, and go from there.
What is unwavering?
Webster's dictionary offers one definition:
a. continuing in a strong and steady way
What is commitment?
Webster's dictionary offers three forms for the definition of the word:
a. an agreement or pledge to do something in the future
b. something pledged
c: the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled
Unwavering is commonly used as an adverb. Commitment can be used in various forms of the English language. Adding the two together provides power.
Christ's entire walk on this earth, in the human form of Jesus, was entirely based on one final objective; making it to the cross. He was strong and steady, had an agreement between He and God to pledge his life for the sake of humanity, and as tough as the road to Golgotha became, he felt emotionally obligated and compelled to die on the cross.
Even his last words provide a classic and timeless representation of having an unwavering commitment. Jesus said in His final breath, "It is finished."
Using Jesus as the figure of the model of how we are to approach our mission for God, one question remains. How can I display an unwavering commitment in my mission; my walk with God?
Once again; not an easy question to answer. It's not an easy question to answer when we are seventeen, not at thirty, not at sixty-five and certainly not as we take our final breath.
When I think about the unwavering commitment of Jesus, I think about His grace. He spoke in parables. He fasted. He prayed in the wilderness. And eventually, He paid the ultimate price; for which all will benefit.
In Romans 12: 1-2, Paul writes "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
God's will is simple. He desires that everyone who graces this earth to have a relationship with Him. It was He who put us here. He has laid out a defined, divine purpose, for each and every one of us, before we were even born. To accomplish this, Jesus died in our place. From the Garden of Eden, to Jesus' final words on the cross, the mission was purposely and perfectly etched in stone. Jesus bore the pain and suffering for the forgiveness of our sin.
So how to we respond?
None of us will fully embody the grace with which Jesus fulfilled His mission. In my humble opinion, it is not humanly possible. But, we can have an unwavering commitment in our attempt to reach others.
Just as Paul set out to do, discipleship is a mandatory and commandment from God. We cannot be satisfied with dipping a toe in the water. We are to be immersed in our mission. This will allow us to "run the race" for Jesus. This will allow us to be successful in reaching others. We are to "ask for grace" so that we might be effective. We are not only to run the race, but finish it!
To do that requires the unwavering commitment that I am writing about today. Harnessing grace, humility, defining and applying the path with which God's divine purpose for us can and will be accomplished, is both an ironhearted and compassionate journey. But it can be completed, with the aid of Jesus as a model, the Holy Spirit and God.
How can I say this? Because Jesus' work was not unfinished when he said, "It is finished." Two old hymns come to mind that many of you know; and certainly all Christians should. Here are a few stanzas:
"Up from the grave He arose!"
-and-
"And He walks with me,
And talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own"
On Easter, we are to be reminded and remember the 3rd day. The stone was rolled away, and Jesus joined God the Father in heaven. It is there, that we are to meet Him.
So let's return to the idea of having an unwavering commitment.
Two weeks ago, our pastor placed several "prayer boards" near the congregation. Before concluding the service, we were asked to write the names of two people who we would like to see come to know and have a relationship with Jesus. One after one, we took our names to the prayer boards and pasted them until they were completely filled. A conservative estimate for this exercise included 10,000 names.
The church leaders and staff were commissioned to pray for each and every name. We as the body of the church were also commissioned to participate in this incredibly powerful exercise. Many of these names, will come to have a relationship with Christ. Some this week, some next and some years from now, but our efforts will not be without completion. They will not fail. Why? Because it is in the name of Jesus that we have humbly asked to intervene on our behalf, for those that we casually know, those we influence, those we respect and those we will pray for a lifetime. To that end, an unwavering commitment in our efforts is required.
Jesus' last words were "It is finished."
Paul's closing remarks from a Roman prison cell can be found in 2 Timothy 4: 6-8. We read, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
And further in 2 Timothy 4: 16-18. "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will [has] rescue[d] me from every evil attack and will bring me [home] safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Our efforts will not go unnoticed. Our efforts not in vein. They will not fail. God's mission will be finished.
God is omniscient. God is omnipotent. God is omnipresent.
On this Easter morning, I am reminded of my own attempt, to complete my mission, for the glory of God. I challenge you to continually define and refine your own, having an attitude to embody your own unwavering commitment.
To God be the glory, forever and ever, Amen!
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Perseverance: Part II
It seems like a belief would absolutely have to precede faith, but I see the two as working simultaneously; hand-in-hand. I hope to provide some instances, scripturally which can lay the foundation for my point. Faith requires belief; and belief, faith.
Luke, the physician, who wrote 1 of the 4 accounts of the Synoptic Gospels; a story of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is also the author of the Book of Acts. Prior to writing about Paul beginning in Acts 9, we see the following passage in Acts 6:7, bringing together the ideas of faith and belief. "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith."
Barnabas was with Paul at the beginning following his transformation and his immediate call to action to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Luke writes of Barnabas in Acts 11:24, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord."
Continuing, he recounts in Acts 11:25-27, "The Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, (Paul) and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
How can we, and how do we, put faith and belief together to become effective on our mission?
If you have never seen "the look" from one of your parents, you may not have an understanding of what I am about to write. My guess is; however, that most of us have, even if it was not from a parent in "discipline-mode."
Remember the man from Lystra? He was lame, but Paul healed him as God allowed a miracle to work through him. In Acts 14:8-10 we read, "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."
This man had faith and belief. Paul could see it in him; and he in Paul.
I have noticed something uniquely special; almost supernatural, about the eyes of the pastor at my church. Several times I have had questions about one piece of the sermon or another. Sometimes they have been about the reference to, and meaning of, the underlying foundational for the Hebrew definitions for an English word in the Bible. But each time I get my answer, what I notice most about him is the gaze that comes from his eyes as he answers my question.
These are no normal eyes. It is said that "the eyes are the window to the soul." I find this to be an excellent definitive for what I see in Pastor Bruce.
They are not eyes of discipline. While he embodies a great deal of humility, it is not that. It is not stern, not impatient, not quiet. The strength in his gaze; however, is unparalleled. There is a river that flows, directly from the soul, and that "window to the soul" can only be defined as something coming from God himself. This is incredibly hard to explain, and would have to be experienced. God's river flows through him to the parishioners with whom he speaks. Perhaps you have experienced this in another; but I promise you if you have, it was from a man that was deeply and personally connected to God.
Let's travel back to belief and faith.
Acts 26:18, as written by Luke reads "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
God wants us to have faith in Him. And he wants us to Believe!
Paul refers to Abraham in Romans 4. Recently my pastor completed a series explaining and sharing how the Gospel story really began in Genesis. Romans 4:3 says, "What does scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Abraham was told by God that he would be the "father of many nations, in verse 18." The next 2 verses as we read in Romans 4:19-21 says, "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised.
We who believe in God, can have faith in Him, and in His promises. For us to believe in this, one only needs to turn back to the beginning of the Bible to Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 31:6 promises, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
When we have an unshakeable belief in Christ, others will have no choice to see that in us. And they in turn will believe.
Try it today. Believe that the eyes are the "window to the soul." Take on the eyes of God. He is ready to make believers in others, from your belief in Him.
Luke, the physician, who wrote 1 of the 4 accounts of the Synoptic Gospels; a story of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is also the author of the Book of Acts. Prior to writing about Paul beginning in Acts 9, we see the following passage in Acts 6:7, bringing together the ideas of faith and belief. "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith."
Barnabas was with Paul at the beginning following his transformation and his immediate call to action to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Luke writes of Barnabas in Acts 11:24, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord."
Continuing, he recounts in Acts 11:25-27, "The Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, (Paul) and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
How can we, and how do we, put faith and belief together to become effective on our mission?
If you have never seen "the look" from one of your parents, you may not have an understanding of what I am about to write. My guess is; however, that most of us have, even if it was not from a parent in "discipline-mode."
Remember the man from Lystra? He was lame, but Paul healed him as God allowed a miracle to work through him. In Acts 14:8-10 we read, "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."
This man had faith and belief. Paul could see it in him; and he in Paul.
I have noticed something uniquely special; almost supernatural, about the eyes of the pastor at my church. Several times I have had questions about one piece of the sermon or another. Sometimes they have been about the reference to, and meaning of, the underlying foundational for the Hebrew definitions for an English word in the Bible. But each time I get my answer, what I notice most about him is the gaze that comes from his eyes as he answers my question.
These are no normal eyes. It is said that "the eyes are the window to the soul." I find this to be an excellent definitive for what I see in Pastor Bruce.
They are not eyes of discipline. While he embodies a great deal of humility, it is not that. It is not stern, not impatient, not quiet. The strength in his gaze; however, is unparalleled. There is a river that flows, directly from the soul, and that "window to the soul" can only be defined as something coming from God himself. This is incredibly hard to explain, and would have to be experienced. God's river flows through him to the parishioners with whom he speaks. Perhaps you have experienced this in another; but I promise you if you have, it was from a man that was deeply and personally connected to God.
Let's travel back to belief and faith.
Acts 26:18, as written by Luke reads "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
God wants us to have faith in Him. And he wants us to Believe!
Paul refers to Abraham in Romans 4. Recently my pastor completed a series explaining and sharing how the Gospel story really began in Genesis. Romans 4:3 says, "What does scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Abraham was told by God that he would be the "father of many nations, in verse 18." The next 2 verses as we read in Romans 4:19-21 says, "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised.
We who believe in God, can have faith in Him, and in His promises. For us to believe in this, one only needs to turn back to the beginning of the Bible to Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 31:6 promises, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
When we have an unshakeable belief in Christ, others will have no choice to see that in us. And they in turn will believe.
Try it today. Believe that the eyes are the "window to the soul." Take on the eyes of God. He is ready to make believers in others, from your belief in Him.
Perseverance: Part I
I like to think that I am someone who embodies a little more perseverance than others.
I have not always been that way. I see this principle, or trait that one can grow into. My high school football coach taught me a two-word phrase, "intestinal fortitude." In college, I had a football coach that had much more perseverance, as he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a disease that without any care for life or limb. The body atrophies until you lose all muscle function. I never once heard him speak negatively about his condition. I played under him for 2 years, and he passed away before I graduated in 2000. Today there is a rock that bears his name just beyond the back, right corner of our end zone.
Paul was a man than internalized and provides for us a great example of the word. Going back to the "Man on Fire" chapter, we saw that he returned to Jerusalem fourteen years later, one of the very places that he started teaching the Gentiles about Jesus, to gauge his effectiveness.
I think of perseverance as more than just continuing along a journey that you have set forth. It is a combination of belief, faith and staring opposition in the face; without doubt, not wavering from your goal. Faith + Belief + Opposition-resistance + No doubt + and unwavering commitment.
Over the next few days, I hope to deliver some scripturally-based examples, using Paul of course, that will help you redefine perseverance for yourself; gaining a strengthening in your vision and mission for the Lord, with clarity.
Paul had faith in his mission. Without having a personal understanding of the driving force; in our first example, faith, you are simply a bird that flies in the air without having a destination.
The first idea to "grab ahold of", is that God will give you faith; allowing you to be effective in your actions and purpose, when you embody faith.
Acts 18:9-11 shows us that if we remain connected to God and have faith in our mission, He will direct our path. It says, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I a with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God."
What we see here is God providing instructions. He validates Paul's actions. He tells Paul not to be afraid; that he will be free from harm. I also would like to point out what it says specifically in last part of the sentence spoken by God in verse 10, "because I have many people in this city."
In Paul's case, we know about the denial from the people in his sphere of influence regarding his transformation. The polar-opposite change in his belief in the goodness of Jesus Christ as our savior was immediate. We also know that in many cities there were mobs of people, banded together, to harm him. They wanted Paul dead. But the Lord would not allow this to happen, as he had already placed in motion Paul's steps, and would guide him as he spoke to the people and built the foundation for the early church.
We see Paul speak about perseverance to the elders in Ephesus. In Acts 20:20-24, Paul speaks. "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying the good news of God's grace."
Having faith in the Holy Spirit and the Lord our God is extremely powerful. I often pray, as I heard James Walker of New Morgan Hill Baptist Church (Lake Hills Life, today) say each Sunday before preaching, "Surround me with the Holy Spirit. Place a hedge of protection around me. Send the devil into confusion that he may not come at me or my family in any way." There is power in that prayer, with a divine certainty.
But let's get back to our first component of perseverance, that being faith for a minute.
Perseverance requires faith within a divine purpose. I also believe that it requires humility.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he writes in chapter 2:5-8 "In your relationships with one another. have the same mindset of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!
This passage is shared as verses being representative of servant-leadership. To become like Jesus, and imitating his value of purpose-driven leadership, we must submit to humility.
Just last week in church, my dear friend and pastor Scott Burgess spoke about having strength in what God allows us to endure; hardships we will undoubtedly face as Christians. Matthew provides an example in chapter 11:28-30. It says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn fro me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
So we have got humility.
Now; faith in our divine purpose.
The best example of Paul's divine purpose, which we have already examined in this text, is in Philippians. In Philippians 3:7-9, Paul writes "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
So we see that perseverance first requires humility. Not passivity, not a defeatist or second-place ideal, but quiet strength. Faith in your divine purpose is the second component.
Over the next few days, we will examine the pieces of belief, resistance in opposition that would derail our mission, continuing to act without doubt and having an unwavering commitment to "running the race" that you are commanded to do to gain people for the Kingdom of God.
I have not always been that way. I see this principle, or trait that one can grow into. My high school football coach taught me a two-word phrase, "intestinal fortitude." In college, I had a football coach that had much more perseverance, as he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a disease that without any care for life or limb. The body atrophies until you lose all muscle function. I never once heard him speak negatively about his condition. I played under him for 2 years, and he passed away before I graduated in 2000. Today there is a rock that bears his name just beyond the back, right corner of our end zone.
Paul was a man than internalized and provides for us a great example of the word. Going back to the "Man on Fire" chapter, we saw that he returned to Jerusalem fourteen years later, one of the very places that he started teaching the Gentiles about Jesus, to gauge his effectiveness.
I think of perseverance as more than just continuing along a journey that you have set forth. It is a combination of belief, faith and staring opposition in the face; without doubt, not wavering from your goal. Faith + Belief + Opposition-resistance + No doubt + and unwavering commitment.
Over the next few days, I hope to deliver some scripturally-based examples, using Paul of course, that will help you redefine perseverance for yourself; gaining a strengthening in your vision and mission for the Lord, with clarity.
Paul had faith in his mission. Without having a personal understanding of the driving force; in our first example, faith, you are simply a bird that flies in the air without having a destination.
The first idea to "grab ahold of", is that God will give you faith; allowing you to be effective in your actions and purpose, when you embody faith.
Acts 18:9-11 shows us that if we remain connected to God and have faith in our mission, He will direct our path. It says, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I a with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God."
What we see here is God providing instructions. He validates Paul's actions. He tells Paul not to be afraid; that he will be free from harm. I also would like to point out what it says specifically in last part of the sentence spoken by God in verse 10, "because I have many people in this city."
In Paul's case, we know about the denial from the people in his sphere of influence regarding his transformation. The polar-opposite change in his belief in the goodness of Jesus Christ as our savior was immediate. We also know that in many cities there were mobs of people, banded together, to harm him. They wanted Paul dead. But the Lord would not allow this to happen, as he had already placed in motion Paul's steps, and would guide him as he spoke to the people and built the foundation for the early church.
We see Paul speak about perseverance to the elders in Ephesus. In Acts 20:20-24, Paul speaks. "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying the good news of God's grace."
Having faith in the Holy Spirit and the Lord our God is extremely powerful. I often pray, as I heard James Walker of New Morgan Hill Baptist Church (Lake Hills Life, today) say each Sunday before preaching, "Surround me with the Holy Spirit. Place a hedge of protection around me. Send the devil into confusion that he may not come at me or my family in any way." There is power in that prayer, with a divine certainty.
But let's get back to our first component of perseverance, that being faith for a minute.
Perseverance requires faith within a divine purpose. I also believe that it requires humility.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he writes in chapter 2:5-8 "In your relationships with one another. have the same mindset of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!
This passage is shared as verses being representative of servant-leadership. To become like Jesus, and imitating his value of purpose-driven leadership, we must submit to humility.
Just last week in church, my dear friend and pastor Scott Burgess spoke about having strength in what God allows us to endure; hardships we will undoubtedly face as Christians. Matthew provides an example in chapter 11:28-30. It says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn fro me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
So we have got humility.
Now; faith in our divine purpose.
The best example of Paul's divine purpose, which we have already examined in this text, is in Philippians. In Philippians 3:7-9, Paul writes "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
So we see that perseverance first requires humility. Not passivity, not a defeatist or second-place ideal, but quiet strength. Faith in your divine purpose is the second component.
Over the next few days, we will examine the pieces of belief, resistance in opposition that would derail our mission, continuing to act without doubt and having an unwavering commitment to "running the race" that you are commanded to do to gain people for the Kingdom of God.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Man on Fire: Wrap-Up
If we as Christians could use just 10 percent of the fire inside of us that Paul had for the people of his time, there would not be a single aborigine in the jungle or the ruler of any nation who would not know Jesus Christ. Plain and simple.
I wanted to highlight Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel on purpose. Paul had to see the light; literally, to be awakened. Most of us will not experience such a drastic circumstance, but should that not make us even more blessed?
God will come to you, and I, and all of us in different ways. What God desires for us to have is a belief in Christ and a personal relationship with Him. We are also then called to "Spread the Good News;" just as Paul did, with the gifts we have and those we can harness to glorify Him to reach others.
In Part I, I shared with you the complete one-hundred and eighty degree turn that Paul made in his thinking. His once self-proclaimed attitude and display as the "Chief of Sinners" then became a man that can easily and undoubtedly better be described as a "Man on Fire," for Christ.
Ananias went to him in Damascus as he was told, placed his hands on Paul's eyes and he could see. The Bible records that something resembling scales fell from Paul's eyes. But not unlike many passages in the Bible, we see time in prayer prior to God sending leaders out to the masses on their mission. For Paul it was 3 days.
In Part II, we witness Paul take immediate action. He begins to preach in the cities, squares and synagogues. To any group that would listen, Paul shares boldly that Jesus Christ is Lord.
We also see the initial disbelief, as they recognize Paul as Saul of Tarsus; a man who had taken hostage and promised to imprison any who believed in Jesus. Despite this view from the masses, he carried out his mission which the Lord had set forth.
I note what I believe are 5 crucial steps to an effective ministry:
1) Seek counsel
2) Take immediate action; do not delay
3) He adopted his new belief with conviction, and he took action
4) He did not waiver. Paul had a personal mission to fulfill
5) Paul received power. Be confident in the realization that God will take the lead and make you successful
Continuing in Part III, I point out that you will be persecuted for your faith. You may not die; as more than 100,000 Christians on the mission field do each year, but your personal persecution will come in a variety of forms.
Paul had to "run" many times to escape death. He knew it was better to be alive. Cheating death, time after time, was necessary for him to reach the masses. Paul explains the prize for "running the race for Christ. I shared with you about the "Imperishable Crown," 1 of the 5 that can become an offering when we meet Christ to lay at His feet, as a display of our belief, and the action taken thereof, to reach people in the name of Jesus Christ. It is our job, to run a good race.
The question I presented that relates directly to 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 is, "What can I sacrifice today and this week in my mission for the Lord?"
Each of our answers differ. The important thing is to do what we are called to do with the individual gifts that we possess. Opposition is a certainty. My challenge to you is to embrace opposition, define your audience, and take immediate action to begin and end your personal mission before your journey to meet the almighty God.
In Part IV, I begin that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. This is undoubtedly and overarching thing throughout the Bible. Beginning in Genesis, we see God declare to Abraham, that a ninety-years old, that he will be the "Father of All Nations." He will even have to denounce Sarah as his wife, and lie that he is his sister, to pass by those who would harm her. Once again, we see God explain to Abraham what he is going to do. His message to Abraham is not known to others. Tis is an example of what Biblical scholars call "Theopology."
Many times God uses miracles performed by these ordinary disciples to validate that these actions or circumstance could only be valid as coming from the Lord. We still see disbelief and opposition, such as that described in Acts 14:8-11, (a miracle) and in Acts 14:15-20, disbelief, opposition and a "near death" experience for Paul. He is healed, and begins again on his journey.
Part V is about keeping a view of our vision, and taking long-term action as a display of our belief. Our personal mission for God cannot be completed in a day, two weeks, a month or even a year. It must be a process that is honed and refined and fulfilled. We must continue boldly on "our race."
God takes time in developing leaders. We see Paul return to Jerusalem, a place where he was fourteen years earlier at the beginning of his mission. For King David, his gestation period was nearly plus or minus a few; thirty years. Jesus's personal and the most important mission displayed in the Bible, took thirty-three ears; the totality of his existence on earth.
In Paul's case; his return to Jerusalem, pointed out to him in a vision, was to measure the "effectiveness" in his mission. He met with leaders to see how his early preaching's had impacted the Gentiles in Jerusalem. He had belief, commitment, conviction, desire, intestinal fortitude and took the necessary action; immediately, to reach God's people. He knew that those who came to believe would be eternally blessed.
Of particular note is my reference to Philippians 3:7-9. We should all be so lucky to be able to lay down our personal gains on earth, to obtain the gains in eternal form. Paul was willing to put it all on the line. Limb, body, wealth or no wealth, and life itself. All gains are worth losing, to gain Christ.
Finally in Part VI, we realize we have covered a lot of ground. Paul is a "Man on Fire" for God. I admit that I personally, and we as a body of Christians will struggle if we focus our aim on "winning the race" for God.
Acts 13:47 says that we are commanded to be disciples. We are not all called to be missionaries in the Congo, the Amazonian jungles, or even to the Eskimos in Antarctica. But we are all called.
Persecution is not an excuse for our mission to be derailed. Not opposition in any form; including death.
I used the "Prayer of Jabez" as only one of many that can help us to build our personal "missionary backbone." I finish by laying out a 7-step action plan.
1) Ask God to take your reigns; and be your light and your lead
2) Use the Bible as you "Guide-book" or "Workbook"
3) Pray! God will provide counsel, guidance and help you gain maturity to be effective on your mission
4) Have an "Accountability Partner"
5) Ask God to place the appropriate people as your path is defined and becomes more clear
6) Walk boldly as your path is defined over time and is revealed with clarity
7) Put in the work to mature
To sum up the parts that will make the whole would be the following: Be on Fire for God, immediately act and change and grow, know that you will face opposition and embrace it, realize that God will use what you believe are an ordinary skill-set to do extraordinary things, hone and perfect your craft for reaching God's people and finally take the 7-step action plan as your guide.
We should all be able to fulfill our mission. And in the process, if we can see us winning the race, we will be blessed beyond imagination. That, I promise you!
I wanted to highlight Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel on purpose. Paul had to see the light; literally, to be awakened. Most of us will not experience such a drastic circumstance, but should that not make us even more blessed?
God will come to you, and I, and all of us in different ways. What God desires for us to have is a belief in Christ and a personal relationship with Him. We are also then called to "Spread the Good News;" just as Paul did, with the gifts we have and those we can harness to glorify Him to reach others.
In Part I, I shared with you the complete one-hundred and eighty degree turn that Paul made in his thinking. His once self-proclaimed attitude and display as the "Chief of Sinners" then became a man that can easily and undoubtedly better be described as a "Man on Fire," for Christ.
Ananias went to him in Damascus as he was told, placed his hands on Paul's eyes and he could see. The Bible records that something resembling scales fell from Paul's eyes. But not unlike many passages in the Bible, we see time in prayer prior to God sending leaders out to the masses on their mission. For Paul it was 3 days.
In Part II, we witness Paul take immediate action. He begins to preach in the cities, squares and synagogues. To any group that would listen, Paul shares boldly that Jesus Christ is Lord.
We also see the initial disbelief, as they recognize Paul as Saul of Tarsus; a man who had taken hostage and promised to imprison any who believed in Jesus. Despite this view from the masses, he carried out his mission which the Lord had set forth.
I note what I believe are 5 crucial steps to an effective ministry:
1) Seek counsel
2) Take immediate action; do not delay
3) He adopted his new belief with conviction, and he took action
4) He did not waiver. Paul had a personal mission to fulfill
5) Paul received power. Be confident in the realization that God will take the lead and make you successful
Continuing in Part III, I point out that you will be persecuted for your faith. You may not die; as more than 100,000 Christians on the mission field do each year, but your personal persecution will come in a variety of forms.
Paul had to "run" many times to escape death. He knew it was better to be alive. Cheating death, time after time, was necessary for him to reach the masses. Paul explains the prize for "running the race for Christ. I shared with you about the "Imperishable Crown," 1 of the 5 that can become an offering when we meet Christ to lay at His feet, as a display of our belief, and the action taken thereof, to reach people in the name of Jesus Christ. It is our job, to run a good race.
The question I presented that relates directly to 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 is, "What can I sacrifice today and this week in my mission for the Lord?"
Each of our answers differ. The important thing is to do what we are called to do with the individual gifts that we possess. Opposition is a certainty. My challenge to you is to embrace opposition, define your audience, and take immediate action to begin and end your personal mission before your journey to meet the almighty God.
In Part IV, I begin that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. This is undoubtedly and overarching thing throughout the Bible. Beginning in Genesis, we see God declare to Abraham, that a ninety-years old, that he will be the "Father of All Nations." He will even have to denounce Sarah as his wife, and lie that he is his sister, to pass by those who would harm her. Once again, we see God explain to Abraham what he is going to do. His message to Abraham is not known to others. Tis is an example of what Biblical scholars call "Theopology."
Many times God uses miracles performed by these ordinary disciples to validate that these actions or circumstance could only be valid as coming from the Lord. We still see disbelief and opposition, such as that described in Acts 14:8-11, (a miracle) and in Acts 14:15-20, disbelief, opposition and a "near death" experience for Paul. He is healed, and begins again on his journey.
Part V is about keeping a view of our vision, and taking long-term action as a display of our belief. Our personal mission for God cannot be completed in a day, two weeks, a month or even a year. It must be a process that is honed and refined and fulfilled. We must continue boldly on "our race."
God takes time in developing leaders. We see Paul return to Jerusalem, a place where he was fourteen years earlier at the beginning of his mission. For King David, his gestation period was nearly plus or minus a few; thirty years. Jesus's personal and the most important mission displayed in the Bible, took thirty-three ears; the totality of his existence on earth.
In Paul's case; his return to Jerusalem, pointed out to him in a vision, was to measure the "effectiveness" in his mission. He met with leaders to see how his early preaching's had impacted the Gentiles in Jerusalem. He had belief, commitment, conviction, desire, intestinal fortitude and took the necessary action; immediately, to reach God's people. He knew that those who came to believe would be eternally blessed.
Of particular note is my reference to Philippians 3:7-9. We should all be so lucky to be able to lay down our personal gains on earth, to obtain the gains in eternal form. Paul was willing to put it all on the line. Limb, body, wealth or no wealth, and life itself. All gains are worth losing, to gain Christ.
Finally in Part VI, we realize we have covered a lot of ground. Paul is a "Man on Fire" for God. I admit that I personally, and we as a body of Christians will struggle if we focus our aim on "winning the race" for God.
Acts 13:47 says that we are commanded to be disciples. We are not all called to be missionaries in the Congo, the Amazonian jungles, or even to the Eskimos in Antarctica. But we are all called.
Persecution is not an excuse for our mission to be derailed. Not opposition in any form; including death.
I used the "Prayer of Jabez" as only one of many that can help us to build our personal "missionary backbone." I finish by laying out a 7-step action plan.
1) Ask God to take your reigns; and be your light and your lead
2) Use the Bible as you "Guide-book" or "Workbook"
3) Pray! God will provide counsel, guidance and help you gain maturity to be effective on your mission
4) Have an "Accountability Partner"
5) Ask God to place the appropriate people as your path is defined and becomes more clear
6) Walk boldly as your path is defined over time and is revealed with clarity
7) Put in the work to mature
To sum up the parts that will make the whole would be the following: Be on Fire for God, immediately act and change and grow, know that you will face opposition and embrace it, realize that God will use what you believe are an ordinary skill-set to do extraordinary things, hone and perfect your craft for reaching God's people and finally take the 7-step action plan as your guide.
We should all be able to fulfill our mission. And in the process, if we can see us winning the race, we will be blessed beyond imagination. That, I promise you!
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Man on Fire: Part VI
Having gone through the first 5 subsections of this chapter, we have witnessed Paul's "fire for God."
But what about ours?
Some of you who are reading this are without a doubt missionaries; perhaps in your hometown, but also likely in far away lands. At the end of the day, we are all required to be missionaries as part of our walk with Christ.
And each of us have a different skill-set. For some, it is singing in the choir. For others, to assist in the day care. How about leading a Sunday school class. Other religions even require that as young adults, that their parents send them out on the mission field as part of their spiritual development.
Most Christians will unabashedly and undoubtedly admit that this is an area where they struggle. Paul became an apostle, and his mission was to build churches, preach, teach, and ultimately gain one of the incontestable crowns for Jesus by bringing the message of the gospel, the "Good News," to the uncircumcised or unsaved. Not just Gentiles, but to all who would believe.
In Acts 13:47, we read, "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
In Romans 10:13-15 Paul declares, "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" "
There are numerous verses in the bible that apply to us as parishioners, and to us as missionaries in our personal mission for God.
Here are just 3 examples:
1 Chronicles 16:24 "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds to all peoples."
Nahum 1:15a "Look, there on the mountains, the feet of the one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!"
And in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." Thessalonians 2:4.
I absolutely love how my pastor ends his services each and every Sunday morning. He says, "Church, you are dismissed. You are loved and you are sent."
Paul had a mission. He did not let imprisonment stop him, he evaded threats of death, he was shunned and many times he was to be stoned. Paul was not going to let anyone or anything derail his "fire for God."
God has given us all unique gifts, and they are to be used for His glory. It is also our responsibility to mature, nurture and use those gifts.
If you are not using the blessings that God has instilled in your heart for Him, ask? "Lord, what have you given me, in your divine power, that you would have me do to reach your people?" I would make a bold claim on two accounts: 1) that He will answer, and 2) over time you will be presented with new challenges; that in the maturity of your walk, you will be asked to strengthen your faith in different and perhaps uncomfortable areas to reach people for God's kingdom.
What we need to be doing as Christians is to ask ourselves, "What can I do today to advance the kingdom of God?"
Make this a daily exercise.
The Prayer of Jabez is an excellent start. A few years back, there was an entire book on this verse with four parts in this simple prayer. It is also close to my heart. As a board member to my publisher's foundation, we pray this prayer as an opening to our meetings. It goes like this:
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Since I am focusing exclusively on the writings of Paul, I encourage you to seek out and read this book.
So what should be our action plan?
1) Ask God to lead you in your personal mission. He has divinely planned it; long before you were born, so ask Him to take the lead and give you specific instructions.
2) Use the Bible as your personal workbook. For example, on finance and financial management alone, there are over six-hundred verses alone that relate to finances and money. When you get your answer, seek out the verses that apply to you in what God has called you to do.
3) Pray for guidance. You cannot fulfill your mission alone. While God will reveal your mission to you, you will need the counsel of the Bible, first and foremost, and then go to others who are further in their maturity who can assist you.
4) Have an accountability partner. Ask a Christian who you can rely on to ask you hard and pointed questions; such as, "How did you advance in your mission today to spread the gospel so that His people can reach Him?"
5) Ask God to place people in your path. You not only want to find people in your path that you can reach, but to those who can assist.
6) Determine you war strategy and walk boldly. You are prepared with all the tools. The Bible, others, and those that God will divinely, and by no coincidence, place in your path.
7) Continue to mature. Find additional books and resources that will guide you. Chances are pretty good that someone that has gone before had a similar mission that they were called to do, for His glory.
So there you have it. 7 steps: Ask, Use the Bible as a lighthouse to direct your unique path, Pray, Be held Accountable, Ask for others to be placed divinely and directly in your path, Develop a War Strategy, Walk Boldly spreading your Mission, Mature.
Take these 7, and use every resource possible to place you in a position to reach people for the glory of God.
But what about ours?
Some of you who are reading this are without a doubt missionaries; perhaps in your hometown, but also likely in far away lands. At the end of the day, we are all required to be missionaries as part of our walk with Christ.
And each of us have a different skill-set. For some, it is singing in the choir. For others, to assist in the day care. How about leading a Sunday school class. Other religions even require that as young adults, that their parents send them out on the mission field as part of their spiritual development.
Most Christians will unabashedly and undoubtedly admit that this is an area where they struggle. Paul became an apostle, and his mission was to build churches, preach, teach, and ultimately gain one of the incontestable crowns for Jesus by bringing the message of the gospel, the "Good News," to the uncircumcised or unsaved. Not just Gentiles, but to all who would believe.
In Acts 13:47, we read, "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
In Romans 10:13-15 Paul declares, "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" "
There are numerous verses in the bible that apply to us as parishioners, and to us as missionaries in our personal mission for God.
Here are just 3 examples:
1 Chronicles 16:24 "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds to all peoples."
Nahum 1:15a "Look, there on the mountains, the feet of the one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!"
And in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." Thessalonians 2:4.
I absolutely love how my pastor ends his services each and every Sunday morning. He says, "Church, you are dismissed. You are loved and you are sent."
Paul had a mission. He did not let imprisonment stop him, he evaded threats of death, he was shunned and many times he was to be stoned. Paul was not going to let anyone or anything derail his "fire for God."
God has given us all unique gifts, and they are to be used for His glory. It is also our responsibility to mature, nurture and use those gifts.
If you are not using the blessings that God has instilled in your heart for Him, ask? "Lord, what have you given me, in your divine power, that you would have me do to reach your people?" I would make a bold claim on two accounts: 1) that He will answer, and 2) over time you will be presented with new challenges; that in the maturity of your walk, you will be asked to strengthen your faith in different and perhaps uncomfortable areas to reach people for God's kingdom.
What we need to be doing as Christians is to ask ourselves, "What can I do today to advance the kingdom of God?"
Make this a daily exercise.
The Prayer of Jabez is an excellent start. A few years back, there was an entire book on this verse with four parts in this simple prayer. It is also close to my heart. As a board member to my publisher's foundation, we pray this prayer as an opening to our meetings. It goes like this:
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Since I am focusing exclusively on the writings of Paul, I encourage you to seek out and read this book.
So what should be our action plan?
1) Ask God to lead you in your personal mission. He has divinely planned it; long before you were born, so ask Him to take the lead and give you specific instructions.
2) Use the Bible as your personal workbook. For example, on finance and financial management alone, there are over six-hundred verses alone that relate to finances and money. When you get your answer, seek out the verses that apply to you in what God has called you to do.
3) Pray for guidance. You cannot fulfill your mission alone. While God will reveal your mission to you, you will need the counsel of the Bible, first and foremost, and then go to others who are further in their maturity who can assist you.
4) Have an accountability partner. Ask a Christian who you can rely on to ask you hard and pointed questions; such as, "How did you advance in your mission today to spread the gospel so that His people can reach Him?"
5) Ask God to place people in your path. You not only want to find people in your path that you can reach, but to those who can assist.
6) Determine you war strategy and walk boldly. You are prepared with all the tools. The Bible, others, and those that God will divinely, and by no coincidence, place in your path.
7) Continue to mature. Find additional books and resources that will guide you. Chances are pretty good that someone that has gone before had a similar mission that they were called to do, for His glory.
So there you have it. 7 steps: Ask, Use the Bible as a lighthouse to direct your unique path, Pray, Be held Accountable, Ask for others to be placed divinely and directly in your path, Develop a War Strategy, Walk Boldly spreading your Mission, Mature.
Take these 7, and use every resource possible to place you in a position to reach people for the glory of God.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Man on Fire: Part V
Let's fast forward a bit to Galatians.
How many times have we gained an enormous amount of excitement for some idea or some project that we were working on, only to fizzle out and either delay, or quit all together on the thing we thought would be life-changing for ourselves and others?
Paul had a very different outlook as we see in Galatians.
Galatians is written well into Paul's ministry and we not only see his fire for Jesus, but his personal conviction for his mission strengthening. It is in his pure and unwavering "belief" in his own intestinal fortitude for his cause that we find Paul's fire.
Galatians provides an example of his commitment. We get a very clear picture of this in Galatians 2:1-2 as Paul begins by saying, "Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain."
Most of us in our careers work on "perfecting" our craft. We climb the corporate ladder. We work toward promotion after promotion. Management, not front-line employees. If we are in a partnership structure, being named as a partner is when we feel we have "arrived."
As is the case most times, there are exceptions. Research scientists provide us with an excellent example. There are those that will spend their entire careers working on a cure for a specific type of cancer. Or, how about those who will study a specific ecology, perhaps within a very remote part of the world, attempting to answer a question that has driven their hypotheses that they will stop at nothing to prove; in hopes of coming to an understanding, and thus provide meaning to their work.
Jerusalem was one of Paul's "first stops," on his personal mission to spread the gospel. And in Galatians 2:1-2, we see him return. Keep in mind that it has been fourteen years since he first "took up his sword" for Christ. We see that he has kept his commitment, not strayed from his belief or his commitment, and has returned for a divine and specific purpose.
Who does he come to? It says in verse 2 that Paul went immediately to the "esteemed leaders." I think that is something important to note. While God has time and time again used ordinary people to do extraordinary things, Paul went to the leaders.
It seems prudent to believe, although it does not say, that some of the leadership upon his return were there when Paul began his witness for Christ and the gospel story fourteen years earlier. Paul felt that it was extremely important to measure his impact. Was he running a solid race? Where was the impact, and was an impact, in fact, being made?
In Galatians 2:6-7, we see Paul's answer concerning his own "effectiveness" measure. "As for those who were held in high esteem - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism - they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the uncircumcised."
From this passage, we gather that Paul was there to retrace his steps with a purpose. Going back to verse 2, we read that Paul was there "in response to a revelation." We have all had our "a-ha" moments, but did we press on in continuation of our primary goal? Paul's was divine, but are our own revelations more often new, and then not too long afterward, fleeting?
Paul found that his message was clearly not as effective as he had hoped. He saw many turning back to their old ways.
Paul writes in Galatians 4:8-16, "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
I can see the fire in Paul's eyes as he is saying this. Belief. Conviction. Commitment. Desire. Intestinal fortitude. All of these attributes are present in the passage above. I love the representative personification in his personal belief of his mission when he writes in verse 15, stating, "if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me."
He desired that the people of Galatia not only hear his mission, his presentation of the gospel, but to take on his belief. Turn their eyes away from false prophets and gods. And if not, lend there eyes to Paul so they might have the proper perspective. Paul would help them see, and see for them if they were not able; blind to the truth of his teaching.
I think it appropriate to make a bold claim: Paul's mission as a "Man on Fire" for Christ is perhaps best represented in Philippians 3:7-9. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, "But whatever gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
We should all be so lucky, as to find something that we would forfeit all human gains in our belief in our personal mission; for Christ!
How many times have we gained an enormous amount of excitement for some idea or some project that we were working on, only to fizzle out and either delay, or quit all together on the thing we thought would be life-changing for ourselves and others?
Paul had a very different outlook as we see in Galatians.
Galatians is written well into Paul's ministry and we not only see his fire for Jesus, but his personal conviction for his mission strengthening. It is in his pure and unwavering "belief" in his own intestinal fortitude for his cause that we find Paul's fire.
Galatians provides an example of his commitment. We get a very clear picture of this in Galatians 2:1-2 as Paul begins by saying, "Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain."
Most of us in our careers work on "perfecting" our craft. We climb the corporate ladder. We work toward promotion after promotion. Management, not front-line employees. If we are in a partnership structure, being named as a partner is when we feel we have "arrived."
As is the case most times, there are exceptions. Research scientists provide us with an excellent example. There are those that will spend their entire careers working on a cure for a specific type of cancer. Or, how about those who will study a specific ecology, perhaps within a very remote part of the world, attempting to answer a question that has driven their hypotheses that they will stop at nothing to prove; in hopes of coming to an understanding, and thus provide meaning to their work.
Jerusalem was one of Paul's "first stops," on his personal mission to spread the gospel. And in Galatians 2:1-2, we see him return. Keep in mind that it has been fourteen years since he first "took up his sword" for Christ. We see that he has kept his commitment, not strayed from his belief or his commitment, and has returned for a divine and specific purpose.
Who does he come to? It says in verse 2 that Paul went immediately to the "esteemed leaders." I think that is something important to note. While God has time and time again used ordinary people to do extraordinary things, Paul went to the leaders.
It seems prudent to believe, although it does not say, that some of the leadership upon his return were there when Paul began his witness for Christ and the gospel story fourteen years earlier. Paul felt that it was extremely important to measure his impact. Was he running a solid race? Where was the impact, and was an impact, in fact, being made?
In Galatians 2:6-7, we see Paul's answer concerning his own "effectiveness" measure. "As for those who were held in high esteem - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism - they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the uncircumcised."
From this passage, we gather that Paul was there to retrace his steps with a purpose. Going back to verse 2, we read that Paul was there "in response to a revelation." We have all had our "a-ha" moments, but did we press on in continuation of our primary goal? Paul's was divine, but are our own revelations more often new, and then not too long afterward, fleeting?
Paul found that his message was clearly not as effective as he had hoped. He saw many turning back to their old ways.
Paul writes in Galatians 4:8-16, "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
I can see the fire in Paul's eyes as he is saying this. Belief. Conviction. Commitment. Desire. Intestinal fortitude. All of these attributes are present in the passage above. I love the representative personification in his personal belief of his mission when he writes in verse 15, stating, "if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me."
He desired that the people of Galatia not only hear his mission, his presentation of the gospel, but to take on his belief. Turn their eyes away from false prophets and gods. And if not, lend there eyes to Paul so they might have the proper perspective. Paul would help them see, and see for them if they were not able; blind to the truth of his teaching.
I think it appropriate to make a bold claim: Paul's mission as a "Man on Fire" for Christ is perhaps best represented in Philippians 3:7-9. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, "But whatever gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
We should all be so lucky, as to find something that we would forfeit all human gains in our belief in our personal mission; for Christ!
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Man on Fire: Part IV
While the story of Paul's commencement as a disciple for Jesus Christ starts in Acts 9, we see two overarching themes throughout the Bible. The first is that God uses ordinary men to do extraordinary things; he stretches the faith in each, which allows them to complete the tasks that God requires to advance His kingdom. In Acts, specifically, the book provides a beginning for the early church, uses Paul as a vessel as he will write letters and plant churches in the next fourteen books, and do extraordinary things while facing huge hurdles along the way; all in faith for the glory of God in his mission to spread the gospel.
Toward the end of Acts, we see in Acts 9:31 where Paul is once again taken by believers to Caesarea and then sent to Tarsus, as the Jews were again conspiring to kill Paul.
Paul continues despite conflict everywhere he travels. Caesarea, Antioch, Seleucia, Cyprus. Most of the travel from place to place was by sailing at sea. It continues on for several chapters, with Saul joined by Barnabas. Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium. All of these places just mentioned, around the islands near Cyprus and Greece, is presented entirely in Acts 13. He was on a mission. Teaching in the synagogues and public forums, reaching the Jews and the Gentiles.
In Acts 14:5, we see both Paul and Barnabas in danger. Starting in Acts 14:4, "The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel."
During this time, God gave Paul the ability to do His work in the form of miracles. He identifies those in opposition, speaks boldly and in using miracles that the Jews and Gentiles can see with their own eyes, performs them in their presence; validating his position and unwavering belief in the good news.
In Acts 13:9-12, we see the first example. "Then Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord."
Also look at Acts 14:8-11. "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "the gods have come down to us in human form!"
Notice they shout to gods. Not God. They instead offer sacrifices to the "gods", despite seeing what Paul did in the name of the Lord.
None of these acts and the ones that follow could not have been performed without divine authority. Paul was guided and "filled" with the Holy Spirit. His mission from the Lord to spread the gospel.
More opposition. Acts 14:15-20 shows us that Paul faces disbelief, even in his preaching and urging for others to turn away from evil. "Friends, why are you doing this? We too, are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe."
It doesn't say it in verse 20, yet Paul, after being stoned to the point that the Jews thought he was dead, went back into the city and stayed until the next day before fleeing once again. Did he preach? We cannot know for sure, but despite being stoned, Paul went "back into the city." Why else would he stay? To present his position one more time, in his attempt to persuade the Jews before fleeing once again. What it does not say, is that Paul went back "into the city," to find a safe place where Barnabas could care for him before moving on. My guess - he preached once more before they left for Derbe, the next day.
At any rate, Paul was not going to waiver. His mission as a "Man on Fire," would be completed, just as Jesus completed his; saying, "It is finished."
Toward the end of Acts, we see in Acts 9:31 where Paul is once again taken by believers to Caesarea and then sent to Tarsus, as the Jews were again conspiring to kill Paul.
Paul continues despite conflict everywhere he travels. Caesarea, Antioch, Seleucia, Cyprus. Most of the travel from place to place was by sailing at sea. It continues on for several chapters, with Saul joined by Barnabas. Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium. All of these places just mentioned, around the islands near Cyprus and Greece, is presented entirely in Acts 13. He was on a mission. Teaching in the synagogues and public forums, reaching the Jews and the Gentiles.
In Acts 14:5, we see both Paul and Barnabas in danger. Starting in Acts 14:4, "The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel."
During this time, God gave Paul the ability to do His work in the form of miracles. He identifies those in opposition, speaks boldly and in using miracles that the Jews and Gentiles can see with their own eyes, performs them in their presence; validating his position and unwavering belief in the good news.
In Acts 13:9-12, we see the first example. "Then Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord."
Also look at Acts 14:8-11. "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "the gods have come down to us in human form!"
Notice they shout to gods. Not God. They instead offer sacrifices to the "gods", despite seeing what Paul did in the name of the Lord.
None of these acts and the ones that follow could not have been performed without divine authority. Paul was guided and "filled" with the Holy Spirit. His mission from the Lord to spread the gospel.
More opposition. Acts 14:15-20 shows us that Paul faces disbelief, even in his preaching and urging for others to turn away from evil. "Friends, why are you doing this? We too, are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe."
It doesn't say it in verse 20, yet Paul, after being stoned to the point that the Jews thought he was dead, went back into the city and stayed until the next day before fleeing once again. Did he preach? We cannot know for sure, but despite being stoned, Paul went "back into the city." Why else would he stay? To present his position one more time, in his attempt to persuade the Jews before fleeing once again. What it does not say, is that Paul went back "into the city," to find a safe place where Barnabas could care for him before moving on. My guess - he preached once more before they left for Derbe, the next day.
At any rate, Paul was not going to waiver. His mission as a "Man on Fire," would be completed, just as Jesus completed his; saying, "It is finished."
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