Despite our secular government and increasingly secular society, it is still nearly impossible to separate the United States of America from Protestant Christianity. Mind, I don't say to separate from God, because most of us certainly have been, but from the religion of Christianity itself. It is, despite our attempts to believe otherwise, a part ofthe society that founded itself here nearly five hundred years ago. We are the children of the culture of a religion that has been firmly established in mainstream society for more than fifteen hundred years.
The same is true, though for a shorter period of time, of many Islamic countries. To be sure, not all Arabs are Muslim, like not all Americans are Christian, but the influence of that religion on the Arab culture cannot be ignored. It's also true of the Hindus of South Asia, or the animist religions of Africa. People, regardless of their faith, are people. They are human beings created by God, no matter how misguided or wrong we may believe they are.
Asked by a lawyer which of God's commandments was the greatest, Jesus answered, "Love the LORD your God, with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." But, he didn't stop there.
"And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
In the 21st century, the evangelical Church has convinced itself that our purpose, our greatest mission, is fulfilling Jesus's last commandment to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. Have we perhaps missed the point? Last on the list may not mean least, but it certainly also does not mean greatest. We are, without a doubt, mandated by our Savior to reach the lost, but we seem to be putting that mission above all others in our lives.
Like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."
Even the message of the gospel is lost in the sauce when it is not presented from love. We have to remember, though, that love is not a means to an end. We do not love our neighbors so that we can share the message of Christ with them. We love them because God loves them. True, godly love will present opportunities for evangelism.
I think Glenn Packiam said it best at church this past Sunday Night: "You can't love an idea or a concept, like 'the lost' or 'missions.' You can only love the individuals that are right in front of you." If we really want to pursue God's will for our lives beyond our love for Him, we should start with the second greatest commandment, loving our neighbors, loving those who persecute us, like the good Samaritan of Jesus's story, loving without expectations of convincing them of the truth. That, after all, is not our responsibility. That's God's.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
opening your mouth
The message of the Gospel is the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection as the payment for our sin is the very truth that we cling to as believers. Ultimately, if we read the Bible closely, we realize that God desires every person to realize what His son gave us, to return from our rebellion and draw close to Him. Paul says,
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Romans 10:14)
We have a responsibility to share the love of God that we encounter every day, and the Church has wrestled with evangelical methods for centuries. From monastic isolation to military conversion, we've tried just about every strategy we can imagine. Let's look today, though, at some key ideas about evangelism, about sharing the Gospel, about sharing the love of a perfect God-man who gave up his life for a filthy, prideful, rebellious world.
In Acts 8, there is a story about a man named Philip who meets a eunuch on the road, and shares with him the gospel. We can learn a few things from Philip's story. Consider these ideas, and think about how they apply to your life.
1. Evangelism requires interest
Of the four ideas I want to talk about, this is the only one that doesn't have anything to do with you. Jesus told a parable about a man who scattered seed on the ground. Each type of ground represents a different kind of person. We need to learn that we are not responsible for the type of soil a person might be. Some people will listen eagerly to the Gospel, some skeptically, and some not at all. The eunuch that Philip encountered had some level of interest in the Scripture already:
"And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah." (Acts 8:27b-28)
2. Evangelism requires opportunity
This is a difficult part of the process for many people. After all, the question of, "when do I talk about it?" is at the forefront of our minds. Obviously, Philip had an opportunity here to speak to this man, but there some reasons why!
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is a desert place. And he rose and went." (Acts 8: 26-27a)
"And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'" (Acts 8: 29-30)
Philip was listening to the Holy Spirit, and more than that, without knowing the reason for what the Spirit asked, immediately did what he was told. The first part of finding opportunities for evangelism is listening to the Spirit of God. The second part is paying attention to what's going on around you. Notice that Philip realized what the eunuch was reading. He had his opening, his 'in' and he started asking the eunuch about it. Opportunity seized.
3. Evangelism requires knowledge
"And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.'
And the eunuch said to Philip, 'About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?' Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture told him the good news about Jesus." (Acts 8:31-35)
Philip knew what he was talking about. As a Jewish man, he was very familiar with the Scripture and the prophets. He had probably read that scripture a thousand times in his childhood, and was able to use his knowledge of God's word to share with the eunuch. It's important in all our enthusiasm over spiritual gifts, missions, worship, and the like, not to forget that God gave us the Bible for a reason. It's his love letter to us! We should make it a priority to fall in love with His Word and learn what it says.
4. Evangelism requires initiative
This is the last, and most important, idea. Let's return to the last verse we read:
"And Philip opened his mouth..."
No matter how interested a person might be in God, no matter how many chances we might have, no matter how much we know, unless we open our mouths and share the good news, it won't mean a thing. God has given us everything we need to bring His light and salvation to the world. We encounter so many people every single day between work, school, errands, and friends, that we have no excuses. Philip led an Ethiopian man to the saving grace of God because of one simple fact: He opened his mouth.
My challenge to you (and myself) is to look for our chances to do the same. Do not remain silent while there are those who are separated from God.
Open your mouth.
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Romans 10:14)
We have a responsibility to share the love of God that we encounter every day, and the Church has wrestled with evangelical methods for centuries. From monastic isolation to military conversion, we've tried just about every strategy we can imagine. Let's look today, though, at some key ideas about evangelism, about sharing the Gospel, about sharing the love of a perfect God-man who gave up his life for a filthy, prideful, rebellious world.
In Acts 8, there is a story about a man named Philip who meets a eunuch on the road, and shares with him the gospel. We can learn a few things from Philip's story. Consider these ideas, and think about how they apply to your life.
1. Evangelism requires interest
Of the four ideas I want to talk about, this is the only one that doesn't have anything to do with you. Jesus told a parable about a man who scattered seed on the ground. Each type of ground represents a different kind of person. We need to learn that we are not responsible for the type of soil a person might be. Some people will listen eagerly to the Gospel, some skeptically, and some not at all. The eunuch that Philip encountered had some level of interest in the Scripture already:
"And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah." (Acts 8:27b-28)
2. Evangelism requires opportunity
This is a difficult part of the process for many people. After all, the question of, "when do I talk about it?" is at the forefront of our minds. Obviously, Philip had an opportunity here to speak to this man, but there some reasons why!
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is a desert place. And he rose and went." (Acts 8: 26-27a)
"And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'" (Acts 8: 29-30)
Philip was listening to the Holy Spirit, and more than that, without knowing the reason for what the Spirit asked, immediately did what he was told. The first part of finding opportunities for evangelism is listening to the Spirit of God. The second part is paying attention to what's going on around you. Notice that Philip realized what the eunuch was reading. He had his opening, his 'in' and he started asking the eunuch about it. Opportunity seized.
3. Evangelism requires knowledge
"And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.'
And the eunuch said to Philip, 'About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?' Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture told him the good news about Jesus." (Acts 8:31-35)
Philip knew what he was talking about. As a Jewish man, he was very familiar with the Scripture and the prophets. He had probably read that scripture a thousand times in his childhood, and was able to use his knowledge of God's word to share with the eunuch. It's important in all our enthusiasm over spiritual gifts, missions, worship, and the like, not to forget that God gave us the Bible for a reason. It's his love letter to us! We should make it a priority to fall in love with His Word and learn what it says.
4. Evangelism requires initiative
This is the last, and most important, idea. Let's return to the last verse we read:
"And Philip opened his mouth..."
No matter how interested a person might be in God, no matter how many chances we might have, no matter how much we know, unless we open our mouths and share the good news, it won't mean a thing. God has given us everything we need to bring His light and salvation to the world. We encounter so many people every single day between work, school, errands, and friends, that we have no excuses. Philip led an Ethiopian man to the saving grace of God because of one simple fact: He opened his mouth.
My challenge to you (and myself) is to look for our chances to do the same. Do not remain silent while there are those who are separated from God.
Open your mouth.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
leading a missional life
Like every year, there are a number of people in Rubicon who are going on short term mission trips with theMILL this summer. The destinations range from India to Peru, and expectedly, they're all very excited, and they should be. Taking the opportunity to travel to another part of the world to share your time and energy with another people is a cornerstone of developing as a mature believer. And, since we here in America have so much, why should we not sacrifice to take those trips?
As we prepare for these various trips, we inevitably psych ourselves up for a fortnight of spectacular spiritual experiences, miraculous revelation, and total devotion to God and His children. There are team meetings, fundraisers, prayer, studying, and eventually, the culmination of it all, the trip itself. You will be challenged spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically while you're gone, but the energy of being around a tight-knit group of friends and fellow missionaries carries you through the experience until you return home.
And then, everything changes. Your perspective is different. The mocha you loved last month leaves a bitter taste in your mouth this week. You skip the drive-up window and pack yourself a sandwich and an apple for lunch. Somehow, even church feels a little stale, because you can longer find that same surge of God-time that you felt at worship while you were overseas. Eventually, though, you settle back into your old rhythms, but this time armed with stories of how God worked wonders for two weeks in Uzlinistania.
But you know, deep inside, something is wrong.
Missions is about a great deal more than a wild, two-week experience in a far-off place. It's about an attitude, a mindset, a lifestyle. The reason something feels off balance when we return from these amazing trips is that it is. We spend a short period of time in ultra-christian mode and then come back to the same worries and concerns that we've let consume our everyday lives for so long. But what if it didn't have to be that way?
Let's take a look at how mission trips are different from everyday life:
1) Devotion to God
- Short term mission trips are often packed with nightly crusades, team prayer meetings, spontaneous worship and intentional alone time with God. None of that is an accident. Team leaders and organizers know that for missions to succeed, God must be present, so they create opportunities for mission team members to seek Him, all day, every day while they're in the field.
2) Unity in Purpose
- One of the great things about mission trips is that you develop friendships that will last a very long time. You are forced, in most cases, to rely on a small group of your peers for support, encouragement, and prayer. But, just as importantly, everyone has the same purpose, the same goals. Your personal life ambitions are set aside for awhile and you all come together to do God's work, rather than your own.
3) Attention to People
- Mission trips are first and primarily about God, like our whole lives should be, but their intent is to share that God with real people. Mission trips are organized to meet needs. Whether that need is a new roof, a warm meal, or eternal salvation, it is a need felt by a person. The second most important commandment, right from Jesus's mouth is 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' and while you're out in the mission field, you really can't help but fall in love with the people you're with.
The reason we feel such a disconnect, coming back from missions, is that we are truly experiencing a disconnect from the way of life we walked for a short time. After all, we have responsibilities and concerns here that interfere with those things, but we'll still give God our Friday nights, and Sunday mornings. (Don't forget Rubicon on Tuesdays!)
Imagine if we lived with those same three attitudes above, even after coming back from mission trips, or before. What ways can we be more intentional about our relationship with God? How can we be more connected as a community of believers? What can we sacrifice to meet the spiritual and material needs of others?
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hears, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the LORD added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
As we prepare for these various trips, we inevitably psych ourselves up for a fortnight of spectacular spiritual experiences, miraculous revelation, and total devotion to God and His children. There are team meetings, fundraisers, prayer, studying, and eventually, the culmination of it all, the trip itself. You will be challenged spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically while you're gone, but the energy of being around a tight-knit group of friends and fellow missionaries carries you through the experience until you return home.
And then, everything changes. Your perspective is different. The mocha you loved last month leaves a bitter taste in your mouth this week. You skip the drive-up window and pack yourself a sandwich and an apple for lunch. Somehow, even church feels a little stale, because you can longer find that same surge of God-time that you felt at worship while you were overseas. Eventually, though, you settle back into your old rhythms, but this time armed with stories of how God worked wonders for two weeks in Uzlinistania.
But you know, deep inside, something is wrong.
Missions is about a great deal more than a wild, two-week experience in a far-off place. It's about an attitude, a mindset, a lifestyle. The reason something feels off balance when we return from these amazing trips is that it is. We spend a short period of time in ultra-christian mode and then come back to the same worries and concerns that we've let consume our everyday lives for so long. But what if it didn't have to be that way?
Let's take a look at how mission trips are different from everyday life:
1) Devotion to God
- Short term mission trips are often packed with nightly crusades, team prayer meetings, spontaneous worship and intentional alone time with God. None of that is an accident. Team leaders and organizers know that for missions to succeed, God must be present, so they create opportunities for mission team members to seek Him, all day, every day while they're in the field.
2) Unity in Purpose
- One of the great things about mission trips is that you develop friendships that will last a very long time. You are forced, in most cases, to rely on a small group of your peers for support, encouragement, and prayer. But, just as importantly, everyone has the same purpose, the same goals. Your personal life ambitions are set aside for awhile and you all come together to do God's work, rather than your own.
3) Attention to People
- Mission trips are first and primarily about God, like our whole lives should be, but their intent is to share that God with real people. Mission trips are organized to meet needs. Whether that need is a new roof, a warm meal, or eternal salvation, it is a need felt by a person. The second most important commandment, right from Jesus's mouth is 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' and while you're out in the mission field, you really can't help but fall in love with the people you're with.
The reason we feel such a disconnect, coming back from missions, is that we are truly experiencing a disconnect from the way of life we walked for a short time. After all, we have responsibilities and concerns here that interfere with those things, but we'll still give God our Friday nights, and Sunday mornings. (Don't forget Rubicon on Tuesdays!)
Imagine if we lived with those same three attitudes above, even after coming back from mission trips, or before. What ways can we be more intentional about our relationship with God? How can we be more connected as a community of believers? What can we sacrifice to meet the spiritual and material needs of others?
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hears, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the LORD added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
Friday, January 29, 2010
the story
In January 2005, a group of friends at New Life Church in Colorado Springs got together and decided to start a small group for college students and twenty-somethings. It was a simple concept: God and friendship. They called it, "The Spot," and it was definitely the spot to be on Tuesday nights. Every week, dozens of people would gather together to worship, talk, and just enjoy living life together. Each of the group's leaders would take a smaller group of people and lead a discussion over just about anything, from relationships and missions to pizza and coffee.
One of those groups became known as Rubicon, the river that Julius Caesar crossed that made him an outlaw in the eyes of the Roman Senate. Today Rubicon simply means, "the point of no return." And there would be no turning back from there. For the next five years, even as other groups from The Spot ran their course and eventually dissolved, Rubicon continued strong. The bonds that held the group together were strong, and their faith was passionate, their desire for God forefront in their minds.
Over the years, the group has changed from week to week. Different people's lives have intersected with Rubicon from a matter of weeks to a number of years. Now, the group is as vibrant as ever, and the passion for God remains. Even with the struggles of daily life, we're learning how to walk with God day in and day out. God shows each of us something new about ourselves, about each other, and about Him every week. We're going all in with Him, and there's no going back.
Rubicon.
We've passed the point of no return. Have you?
One of those groups became known as Rubicon, the river that Julius Caesar crossed that made him an outlaw in the eyes of the Roman Senate. Today Rubicon simply means, "the point of no return." And there would be no turning back from there. For the next five years, even as other groups from The Spot ran their course and eventually dissolved, Rubicon continued strong. The bonds that held the group together were strong, and their faith was passionate, their desire for God forefront in their minds.
Over the years, the group has changed from week to week. Different people's lives have intersected with Rubicon from a matter of weeks to a number of years. Now, the group is as vibrant as ever, and the passion for God remains. Even with the struggles of daily life, we're learning how to walk with God day in and day out. God shows each of us something new about ourselves, about each other, and about Him every week. We're going all in with Him, and there's no going back.
Rubicon.
We've passed the point of no return. Have you?
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