ECIPLESHIP for Passionate Christ-Followers

I’ve recently struggled with judging. When I exert judgement on others, I’m taking a position of strength and casting my “superiority” on others. We can often use the phrase “truth-telling” or “honesty” or “transparency” to justify our strong stance or expression of strong feelings. But think about it — what good comes out of judging? There are Christians littering our wake who are tattered and torn by the “honesty” we freely cast on others. Over and over and over. Don’t misunderstand me — there is a right and wrong (and not always what we’ve concluded) and there are rare times when pronouncing judgement is necessary. But we often do that to people sincerely seeking after God who fail to conform to our expectations of what that might look like.

Maybe I’m rambling, so let me simply state it this way — my new conviction today:

• Transparency is a beautiful thing when we reveal our weakness to others. It dispenses God’s amazing grace on those who need it most.
• Transparency is a destructive thing when reveal our “strength” to others. It imprisons people in the bondage of legalism.

I’m always amazed at the ways in which God uses “the weak things of the world to shame the the things that are strong.” God takes our weakness and makes it our greatest strength. We’ve been using the terminology “ministry of weakness” in our missions leadership team recently. All around the world, we see how God is using weak people to do His greatest work.

This principle is true every day in my life, too. God wants to use my weakness, vulnerability, humility, and failures for His glory. He wants to use this weakness to be the strength of my life — so much so that it becomes a lifestyle — a lifestyle of weakness.

FAITHLESSNESS is something I never want to be known for. The first generation of  freed Israelites are characterized as being faithless. Numbers 14:33 states, “…they (your children) will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the wilderness.”

What did faithlessness look like for the generation of Israelites who chose to turn away from the Promised Land?

• They did not believe that God was good — especially after their Egyptian slavery of 400 years.
• They overlooked the promises God had made to them years before, such as those to Abraham and his descendants, “I will make you a great nation” and “I will give you this land.”
• They were suspect of the miracles God had performed on their behalf (the 10 plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, water in the wilderness, etc.).
• They chose to continue life as the victims they were rather than the victors God intended to make them.
• They chose a familiar bondage over an unfamiliar freedom.
• They wouldn’t believe that they could have a life as good as what God told them they would have.
• They lived by human intuition rather than by divine guidance.

As I was jotting down this non-exaustive list, I was humbled by the fact that these “bullet points” are a part of my life way too often. How I long to live every day in the arena of faith rather than faithlessness. After all, “without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.”

God is moving in such amazing and unique ways around the world right now. Thom Wolf, with his finger on the pulse of what God is doing in the world, believes that the 21st century will be most ever like the 1st century — especially in India. Three trends stand out that led him to this conclusion:

• The ministry is given back to the common Christians, not the highly educated or social elites.
• The Holy Spirit is igniting and empowering movements way beyond human manufacturing.
• Persecution is prevalent and purifies the church to do great things for the glory of God. Persecution always makes the church stronger, by the way…

I have been fascinated by the church planting movments (CPMs) around the world. If you want to be inspired and challenged, read “Church Planting Movements” by David Garrison and “Miraculous Movements” by Jerry Trousdale. You will find that, even though as Americans our Christianity is fairly stable and consistent, many places in the world are seeing mind-blowing Holy Spirit-led multiplication of disciples and churches — the kind that have been rare in the history of the church. God is up to something. Take notice, people.

In a recent round-table discussion of denominational mission leaders, we talked about our deep desire to see God do a new thing among our churches in the U.S. too. It led to some great conversations and valuable insights. For me, the crux of the issue is the following:

• In our American Christianity, we have a knowlege-based spirituality. Learning leads to spiritual maturity in our motif of belief.
• In many places in the world, there is an obedience-based spirituality. Obedience leads to spiritual maturity–simply doing what God’s word tells us to do.

What does the Bible say? Of course, so much. However, those that were the least mature in Jesus’ eyes were the Pharisees — those that had the most knowledge and information. The Scriptures tell us that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” In contrast to this, Jesus told us that “if you love me, you will obey my commandents.”

Back to movements in the world: Movements happen where obedience rather than knowledge aquisition leads the way. This doesn’t mean information is bad, it simply means that the believers in Holy Spirit-led movements understand that obedience to what they know is essential–and they do it. In our American motif of knowledge-based spirituality, we take years to learn what we’re “supposed” to know about the Christian life…and by then we’re stale and stagnant.

As James reminds us, “For him who knows what to do and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.”

Can we change the American spirituality motif? Of course not — only God could do that. But each of us can choose to begin a movement in our own hearts…one of complete and immediate obedience to God.

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously,” Romans 12:6-8.

I’m concerned that there is a misunderstanding about leadership among Christians these days.

• Maybe our cut-throat business culture has tainted the beauty and necessity of leadership in Christ’s church.
• Maybe we’ve mustered up our humility quotient so high that leadership looks carnal.
• Maybe we’ve drifted so far from actually being biblical leaders that we don’t like to face the facts.

Whatever the case, where the leader goes, the church goes, the mission goes, the ministry goes. Almost everything falls on leadership.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m writing — discipleship and servanthood are essential, but biblical leadership only enhances discipleship and servanthood. I have seen this every time, in my experiences. The problem I see so often is that those God has called into roles of leadership fail to develop their leadership potential. By the way, this is what pastors, missionaries, leaders of ministry divisions and Christian organizations must do — lead a movement, an effort, a project. There are many gifted musicians, for instance, that are not playing music because they’ve never decided to become really good at it. So it often is with leadership. I believe that if God has called people to lead, they must lead well (Romans 12:8). That takes focus, intentionality, hard work.

Servanthood and discipleship become listless without leadership. Jesus is a great example. All Christians know about servanthood and discipleship (even though they may not all practice it very well), but very few really “get” leadership.

I am committed to being a growing leader because as the leader goes, so goes the ministry. Investment, intentionality, and hard work in this discipline are required.

“Take the responsibility seriously,” Romans 12:8

There are many very happy people in the world who do not know Jesus Christ. That’s where the following verse comes in…

“I came not to send peace, but a sword,” Matthew 10:34.

Of this, Oswald Chambers writes:

“Thousands of people are happy without God in this world. If I was happy and moral before Jesus came, why did He come? Because that kind of happiness and peace is on a wrong level; Jesus Christ came to send a sword through every peace that is not based on a personal relationship to Himself.”

And here’s the challenge we face in a society where abundance can mask need — people must realize that they were made for something more than themselves. They were made for God! Life is not all about happiness and contentment (peace), but instead a purpose and high calling (a sword).

When we get that, we’re not only happy…we’re passionate!

I’m always amazed at the church–most of the time in wonderful ways. This weekend is a case in point…

Susan and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Orlando. It was a delightful cross-cultural experience for us. I preached with an interpreter, was introduced to some new customs and ways of worship, engaged with church members of all ages, and found myself worshiping with all my heart with these amazing people. The moment we drove onto the property, we were warmly greeted and honored. We immediately felt the Spirit of God in this place oozing out of all of the people. Though we had never met these folks before, we felt like family…and they treated us like long-lost siblings. The pastor and his leaders honored us more than we deserve.

Not many people have heard of the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Orlando. They haven’t garnered any headline news, don’t have large masses of people attending, and lack the attractive facilities that we Americans often demand. But God is at work in and through this congregation. With a heart for their homeland, they have links “back home” that are impacting their nation. Even with few resources, they are partnering in an effort to train pastors in Vietnam (in some creative ways, I might add) and are supporting a halfway house in Hanoi for women coming out of prison. I was impressed with their commitment to Christ and how they’re living it out in practical and relevant ways.

This is the church! We often get the idea that the church needs to be a certain way — the American way — to be blessed by God. I was

The Youth Group

reminded again this weekend that the Church of Christ is alive and well, even in places and congregations we often overlook.

Pastor Be' and Me

“He (Jesus) will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him,” Hebrews 9:28b.

This verse convicted me as I read it this morning. The “eagerly waiting” part clearly caught my attention.

The above Scripture follows a short treatise on the complete work brought about by Jesus’ death and resurrection — that He died once-for-all. There is no-longer any need for ongoing sacrifices or restitution for sin. It is finished!

We all know that Jesus will come again, but this passage delineated the fact that He is coming to “bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.” I’m not so sure I eagerly wait for Jesus. In fact, I’m quite certain I don’t — at least not when things are going well. Know what I mean?

When I go fishing (which is not very often), I’m all in. I anticipate the jerk on my pole. I almost constantly picture the fish swimming toward my line and bait. My muscles are slightly tensed, my focus is clear, and I am ready to act when my time has come. In other words, I’m “eagerly waiting” for the fish in order to thoroughly enjoy the action that follows.

I don’t do this with Jesus so much. I don’t really anticipate. I’ve had to ask myself why…

• I love the world too much.
• I’m temporally minded rather than eternally focused
• I’m distracted
• I haven’t meditated on the awesomeness of Jesus’ return
• I don’t really think Jesus will come in my lifetime (He will, however, come in my death-time)
• I’m not as eager to be with Jesus as my words and thoughts would sometimes indicate

It seems to me that “eagerly waiting” involves emotion. Emotion cannot be faked. This human experience bubbles out of us to reveal what’s really inside of us. Emotion is one of the most authentic expressions of who we are–really. If I’m not emotionally moved by the thought of Jesus’ return, there must be something amiss inside, right?

I want to be “eagerly waiting” for Jesus every day. After all, those doing that are the target of Jesus’ return. I guess I have work to do…

The election is over. Whew! It was a long stretch.

Now we can move on and get our focus back on a few other things — some things that are more important than a presidential race. I know, I know — it’s important, we have a Christian responsibility to be vote and be involved in the political process. I believe that so much that our family stood in line for nearly 4 hours just to vote yesterday. Somehow, though, I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we Christians were as passionate for the Kingdom of God as we are for our politicians.

We’ve all heard a lot of overstatements by fellow believers…and may have even stated a few of our own:

• “This is the end of things if this election goes bad.”
• “God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gommorah if he is elected.”
• “This will be God’s judgement on America if he is our president.”

So–in this post-election morning when we awake to our President’s re-election victory–let’s be reminded of a few very important truths:

1. God has been deeply involved in this election. Isaiah 40:21-22 states, “Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God— the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!”
2. God knows what He needs to accomplish and how to get it done. Romans 11:33-34 reminds us, “How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?”
3. Consistently and sincerely pray for our President and other leaders. God calls us ”therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty,” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
4. Our true hope and ultimate focus must be Jesus. Remember John 16:33? “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

All is well. God is on the throne. We have work to do. Peace, brothers and sisters…

Santisuk English School is located in Bankok and has a 22-year history of excelling at two things: Teaching English to Thai people and loving those people in the name of Jesus.

They have had a tremendous impact on so many lives and on the community in which they live and serve.

This week, while 58 people from Santisuk were traveling in a bus on a “Bridge on the River Kwai” field trip, the driver lost control on a mountain road. Because the brakes failed to work, the full bus nearly flew over a 1000-foot drop off the side of the mountain. Instead, the driver was able to “hang on” and ram the bus into the side of the mountain. There were many injuries, but none fatal. Three of the sustained injuries are quite serious, but prognosis is quite good for full recovery for each.

In writing a letter to Santisuk for a worship service of thanksgiving tonight, I was reminded of three truths about life:

1. That our lives are fragile and temporary on this side of Heaven. Oh—what a good reminder that each of us must always be ready by giving God our all.
2. That God is good—all the time. Not only when things go well, but even in the midst of injuries, pain, loss, even death. The sovereign Lord knows the beginning, the end, and everything in between. Oh—to trust Him more.
3. That God brings good things out of difficult things. This is true, of course, when we are “called according to His purposes.” He can take the horrible accident all of you have been through and work a thousand good things out of it. I’m guessing each of you can identify several of those “good things” even in your own life already. He’s amazing!

The wreckage from the inside...

I am so grateful for our missionaries, long-term and short-term that sacrifice greatly so the gospel can be planted in the lives of lost people. Just because we “go”, however, doesn’t mean were exempt from real life in this broken world. But God is sovereign. He knows what He’s doing and cares about every one of us. He especially has His eye on those who are living in the center of His will. As the Scriptures declare, “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those  whose heart is completely His,” 2 Chronicles 16:9a.

When I see what could have happened in the Thailand mountains, when I see what God is doing in the aftermath of this trauma, when I see the pure joy and gratitude of those rescued from the bus, I get the idea that God was watching and supporting our friends from Santisuk.