As Christ followers, one of the joys of that relationship is getting to share the gospel with others. Here at home, in other countries, next door...the "where" would be agreed upon by many that to the ends of the earth is as far as we should go.
But "how" exactly takes numerous diversions and there are many opinions out there on "how" best to go out and share the gospel. I don't claim to have the right answer, but I wanted to offer an observation that I think holds Truth.
Wise King Solomon thought: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV)
Is it coincidence that Jesus sent His disciples out 2x2 and we see other instances of Jesus' followers accomplishing things in twos?
Mark records "Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits." (Mark 6:7)
Luke picks up on the same detail with the 72 that get sent out after the twelve: "After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go." (Luke 10:1)
This two by two principle continued with Jesus' followers after His death.
Matthew writes "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to look at the tomb." (Matthew 28:1) Two Marys.
Luke records "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seventy miles from Jerusalem..." (Luke 24:13)
Sure, safety might have been an issue during their day, but I think it is no accident that this detail of two by two occurs quite frequently and is recorded by at least three gospel writers. Both men and women went out two by two. So what is this getting at?
I think this is a detail that Jesus wants us to recognize for ministry. Sure, going out to serve Him as an individual is good, but even better is going out with a partner in ministry. There are many more advantages to going out together and having a brother or sister to "tag-team" in gospel sharing.
As Proverbs 27:17 offers: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
1.29.2009
1.22.2009
1.16.2009
atheist bus campaign in London
A group of atheists have banded together, raised some money, and have paid for advertisements on public buses in London encouraging people to deny the existence of God.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7813812.stm
Apparently, they cite Albert Einstein in one of their ads. Which is ironic, since he held that the existence of a personal God interacting in natural events could not be refuted. Einstein held a wonderment for the laws of nature, that had to have come from somewhere. Einstein was agnostic, not atheist.
Anyways, I think the real shame in this is to be found in the Christians who caused this group of people to go forward with this campaign. Apparently, "evangelical" advertisements encouraged viewers to go to a website, where they were then told "that those who rejected God were to face an eternity of torment in hell." That may be the case, but that judgement is for God to decide, not to be used as a threat passed on by those claiming to act in Christ's interests.
Christ's kingdom is a kingdom of love, and not fear.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18 NIV)
Using fear to encourage people to come to Christ is, I think, flat wrong, and quite opposite of Jesus' example.
If we, as Christ followers, desire to share the incredible joy and Peace that Jesus brings to a life, it will positively be accomplished through a spirit of love and actions of service. Not fear. Ugh!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7813812.stm
Apparently, they cite Albert Einstein in one of their ads. Which is ironic, since he held that the existence of a personal God interacting in natural events could not be refuted. Einstein held a wonderment for the laws of nature, that had to have come from somewhere. Einstein was agnostic, not atheist.
Anyways, I think the real shame in this is to be found in the Christians who caused this group of people to go forward with this campaign. Apparently, "evangelical" advertisements encouraged viewers to go to a website, where they were then told "that those who rejected God were to face an eternity of torment in hell." That may be the case, but that judgement is for God to decide, not to be used as a threat passed on by those claiming to act in Christ's interests.
Christ's kingdom is a kingdom of love, and not fear.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18 NIV)
Using fear to encourage people to come to Christ is, I think, flat wrong, and quite opposite of Jesus' example.
If we, as Christ followers, desire to share the incredible joy and Peace that Jesus brings to a life, it will positively be accomplished through a spirit of love and actions of service. Not fear. Ugh!
1.15.2009
men or institutions? (Jesus is not an institution)
In everyday life, which do you trust more and put more faith in, human beings or institutions?
Think of a few examples.
With as great as facebook is, does it, or getting together with friends at a dinner party or for a game of frisbee, which gives you a greater community-experienced satisfaction?
I think the human element wins.
If you're trying to find a job, they say that the most effective way to do so (and I would personally agree very much) is to network via friends, family, and other contacts. Human beings. Considering your own history of actually finding jobs, which would you put more trust in, finding a job through networking, or a place like monster.com or careerbuilder.com?
Again, I think the human element wins.
If you go out and pursue a romantic relationship, even with as good as the 14 personality characteristics or whatever they are on match.com, which is better, interacting with that potential person in a group setting or being set-up by a friend you highly trust vs. a dating service or something like match.com? Yes, I know that some friends have no clue about your and someone else's compatability, even though they think so, but I said a "friend you highly trust."
I think humans win again, although I know this instance is quite debatable.
The point I'm getting at is: across the board in more cases than not, there's something about the human element, the human touch, that is stronger, more trustworthy, and more powerful than an institutionalized form that tries to embody the same. In business, community interaction, finding a job, pursuing a relationship, the human element is stronger than the institutionalized equivalent.
Does the same apply to Jesus vs. Christianity?
And an added consideration, the human element of Jesus being fully divine, the Lord of the universe vs. the institution of Christianity.
Back to the original question I asked at the beginning of this post.
In everyday life, which do you trust more and put more faith in, human beings or institutions?
Jesus or Christianity?
I think this one is a no brainer.
Think of a few examples.
With as great as facebook is, does it, or getting together with friends at a dinner party or for a game of frisbee, which gives you a greater community-experienced satisfaction?
I think the human element wins.
If you're trying to find a job, they say that the most effective way to do so (and I would personally agree very much) is to network via friends, family, and other contacts. Human beings. Considering your own history of actually finding jobs, which would you put more trust in, finding a job through networking, or a place like monster.com or careerbuilder.com?
Again, I think the human element wins.
If you go out and pursue a romantic relationship, even with as good as the 14 personality characteristics or whatever they are on match.com, which is better, interacting with that potential person in a group setting or being set-up by a friend you highly trust vs. a dating service or something like match.com? Yes, I know that some friends have no clue about your and someone else's compatability, even though they think so, but I said a "friend you highly trust."
I think humans win again, although I know this instance is quite debatable.
The point I'm getting at is: across the board in more cases than not, there's something about the human element, the human touch, that is stronger, more trustworthy, and more powerful than an institutionalized form that tries to embody the same. In business, community interaction, finding a job, pursuing a relationship, the human element is stronger than the institutionalized equivalent.
Does the same apply to Jesus vs. Christianity?
And an added consideration, the human element of Jesus being fully divine, the Lord of the universe vs. the institution of Christianity.
Back to the original question I asked at the beginning of this post.
In everyday life, which do you trust more and put more faith in, human beings or institutions?
Jesus or Christianity?
I think this one is a no brainer.
1.09.2009
this song rocks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdO7PQkALns
I think it's an awesome song. A good reminder that we worship Jesus for who He is. Not who we want Him to be. Or when it is convenient for us to worship Him.
He is the center.
We revolve, by incredible grace, around Him.
I think it's an awesome song. A good reminder that we worship Jesus for who He is. Not who we want Him to be. Or when it is convenient for us to worship Him.
He is the center.
We revolve, by incredible grace, around Him.
1.07.2009
we need you back Malachi
I wish the prophet Malachi would re-appear and go on a nation-wide speaking tour.
I know I could hear what he has to say.
His message is quite clear, and in my opinion, quite applicable to modern day America.
Malachi questions the motives of peoples hearts as to where their allegiances really rest. Instead of giving God our first fruits and best, we convenienty give him our leftovers, when it's convenient. This struck me hard when reading Malachi.
When we give food to a homeless man, do we pick out the leftovers from the fridge and give them away? Or should we give him the prime ribeye steak? We donate our used clothes that no longer fit us or are in fashion to Goodwill. Do we go out and buy a new sweater from the Gap and give it to someone who does not have a coat in the cold winter? When we see a sick friend, do we embrace them, hug them or encourage them? Or is it, love ya pal, but I (I,I,I) DON'T WANT to get sick, keep your distance.
I think I'm making my point. I know I'm pretty bad at giving my first and best to the Lord.
As Malachi reminds, our God is a God of justice, mercy, and love...GREAT LOVE.
It's quite selfish of me not to respond with my very best to that GREAT LOVE.
Malachi, you're the man, and your message is needed and relevant today.
I know I could hear what he has to say.
His message is quite clear, and in my opinion, quite applicable to modern day America.
Malachi questions the motives of peoples hearts as to where their allegiances really rest. Instead of giving God our first fruits and best, we convenienty give him our leftovers, when it's convenient. This struck me hard when reading Malachi.
When we give food to a homeless man, do we pick out the leftovers from the fridge and give them away? Or should we give him the prime ribeye steak? We donate our used clothes that no longer fit us or are in fashion to Goodwill. Do we go out and buy a new sweater from the Gap and give it to someone who does not have a coat in the cold winter? When we see a sick friend, do we embrace them, hug them or encourage them? Or is it, love ya pal, but I (I,I,I) DON'T WANT to get sick, keep your distance.
I think I'm making my point. I know I'm pretty bad at giving my first and best to the Lord.
As Malachi reminds, our God is a God of justice, mercy, and love...GREAT LOVE.
It's quite selfish of me not to respond with my very best to that GREAT LOVE.
Malachi, you're the man, and your message is needed and relevant today.
1.03.2009
ding! -- the Lord's will
I had a pretty significant "ah-ha!" moment reading through a devotional (Utmost for His highest - Jan 2) yesterday morning and wanted to share it.
So here are my thoughts, and I'll start by using an analogy of marriage to present my case.
So as a marriage grows deeper and more intimate, it's many times the man and wife get to a point where they "know what the other is thinking" or easily understand why the other is upset. Growing in such a relationship is a matter of being in the presence of each other for both quality and quantity amounts of time. A husband and wife at this level of relationship don't sit around asking each other questions to reconcile and become closer. "Hey honey, um, did you just get mad again because I left the toilet seat up?" "Well dear, I didn't say I love you when you left for work today, did that somewhat bother you?" "Through thought osmosis, I'm expressing I adore you, but I really felt I didn't need to say it, is that cool?"
Don't get me wrong, questions are part of growing closer, but the intimacy, I think, really comes from spending quality time together where man and wife can soak in who each other are and what they're about as well as an outflow component of doing life together, so that man and wife can see how each other apply their passions and deeply held priorities to the world.
So here's how it hit me clearly.
My tendency with the Lord is to constantly ask "Lord, Lord, what is your will for me today or this month?" "Should I be doing this?" "Should I be initiating this relationship or trying to do this or that?" "Oh Lord, please show me a sign somehow in the amazing ways you work..." I ask and ponder these questions, but I now really don't think that's the best way for me to discern Christ's will.
My realization was this: I will find out much more what the Lord's will for my life is by coming to Jesus' feet to spend intimate time with Him, not asking Him questions about what our relationship looks like or should look like or what His will is in this or that. As I spend more time with Him, I'll know good and well what He desires.
So here are my thoughts, and I'll start by using an analogy of marriage to present my case.
So as a marriage grows deeper and more intimate, it's many times the man and wife get to a point where they "know what the other is thinking" or easily understand why the other is upset. Growing in such a relationship is a matter of being in the presence of each other for both quality and quantity amounts of time. A husband and wife at this level of relationship don't sit around asking each other questions to reconcile and become closer. "Hey honey, um, did you just get mad again because I left the toilet seat up?" "Well dear, I didn't say I love you when you left for work today, did that somewhat bother you?" "Through thought osmosis, I'm expressing I adore you, but I really felt I didn't need to say it, is that cool?"
Don't get me wrong, questions are part of growing closer, but the intimacy, I think, really comes from spending quality time together where man and wife can soak in who each other are and what they're about as well as an outflow component of doing life together, so that man and wife can see how each other apply their passions and deeply held priorities to the world.
So here's how it hit me clearly.
My tendency with the Lord is to constantly ask "Lord, Lord, what is your will for me today or this month?" "Should I be doing this?" "Should I be initiating this relationship or trying to do this or that?" "Oh Lord, please show me a sign somehow in the amazing ways you work..." I ask and ponder these questions, but I now really don't think that's the best way for me to discern Christ's will.
My realization was this: I will find out much more what the Lord's will for my life is by coming to Jesus' feet to spend intimate time with Him, not asking Him questions about what our relationship looks like or should look like or what His will is in this or that. As I spend more time with Him, I'll know good and well what He desires.
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