In my previous post, I discussed a ministry model based on statements about Jesus’ activities in Scripture. There are a handful of repeated statements that summarize Jesus’ activities and these are reflected in the rest of the narratives. The thought was that those summary statements give a grouping of actions that a follower of Christ would want to emulate if we are to be growing in likeness to Him. However, in thinking about those statements more, I noticed one other detail that I think can result in a more effective model.
Continue reading “Refining the Discipleship Model”Tag: greatcommission
Freeing the Slaves
The Lord’s Prayer starts with a focus on God and His purposes. After acknowledging His holiness, the first request is for His kingdom to come and His will to be done. These days, it sometimes seems that things are actually getting darker and we yearn to know how the light can be brought forth more clearly.
Of course, the best starting point for such questions is to look at Jesus. When starting His ministry, He began by presenting a picture of what it looked like to be bringing the kingdom.
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:17-19 (ESV)
One of the things that strikes me about this passage is how it seems to point to a fundamental shift, more than just some people being provided for, liberated, healed, and set free. It seems to be about the end of the very forces that cause such suffering. He seems to be declaring the end of slavery, not just the freedom of some slaves. This would truly be an example of the kingdom coming and God’s will being done, wouldn’t it?
And in fact we have seen this happen in history. When wealthy Romans became Christians, they started providing money to establish hospitals, instead of public works projects with their names on them. This provided healing for many more people than had been available before.
A similar story exists for the establishment of organized education, allowing people to become much more able to improve their position in life. And again, when slaveholders had their eyes opened to their own involvement in the evils of slavery, that institution ended.
Note that slavery ended when the slaveholders became freed – freed from the level of greed that blinded them to the evil that they were perpetuating. So in a sense, freeing and bringing sight to the slaveholders is what really freed the slaves because that ended slavery as an institution, and that had much greater impact than even the precious task of freeing individual slaves.
There are still many places that need to be transformed in ways that go beyond mere human effort. We can do many good deeds on our own, but bringing the kingdom involves more than a lot of good deeds. We need the Spirit’s help to bring transformation of the sort described above.
Part of working in the Spirit is to see beyond the physical to spiritual realities, like Jesus did when eating with the “tax collectors and sinners” in Matthew’s house.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13 (ESV)
Like Matthew, most of the people there would have been comfortable, maybe even wealthy and influential. Jesus, however, didn’t see them as rich and comfortable, but sick and in need of a physician. Focusing on the unseen, He didn’t regard them according to the flesh.
This is a view that is often absent from Christian ministry. It’s common to quote Jesus’ comment about the rich as part of the rich young ruler episode, in which the focus is on what’s possible with human ability, and shake our heads at the hard-heartedness of such people. But it’s far less common to acknowledge the Spirit’s fruit among the rich in Acts 2 or among powerful Christians throughout history.
As a result of our focus on human ability and what’s physically seen, our actions focus on what we can do physically, allowing us to feel good for stepping out and doing good. We may talk about wanting to do more, perhaps feeling chagrined that we’re never doing enough, but we still readily accept the acclaim from the world for what we do. Jesus was also highly regarded for the things He was doing and the compassion He showed people, but He was also reviled when He was with those who didn’t need such help.
Do we feel uncomfortable with reaching out to those who don’t need our physical touch? Perhaps they just need prayer and eyes opened to God working in their lives or a word of clarity about Jesus. Is it that we’re afraid of being reviled like Jesus that we don’t deliberately pursue such opportunities?
As disciples, we are supposed to grow into greater and greater likeness of Jesus, our master. However, it’s all too easy to focus on those aspects of Jesus’ walk that we like and that agree with our theology. Who is being made in whose image as we slip into the all too comfortable place of freeing slaves while ignoring slavery?
The fact is that Jesus reached out to everyone around Him with both physical and spiritual ministry. Some individuals do the same today, yet it is common for local bodies of Christ, congregations of diverse individuals, to focus only on one area such as physical ministry. It’s as if the important thing is for the body to reflect the pastor’s interests rather than Jesus’ character.
In a sense, we’re still following the way of the rich young ruler, seeking whatever can be done with human power, rather than following the leaders in Acts and the early church in seeking what can be done by the Spirit. Of course we need to reach out to the poor, sick, and oppressed and be willing to sacrifice of ourselves to demonstrate God’s love to them. But why stop there when Jesus didn’t?
Instead, we need to recover the belief, seen throughout history, that the Spirit can work through all people regardless of their station in life, and go into the places of power to open eyes and free slaves. For when that happens we may see slavery ended instead of just freed individuals, diseases eradicated instead of just some people being cured, hunger ended instead of just some people being fed.
This is when the world will change and the kingdom will come.
Prayer for the Kingdom to Come
Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as basic instruction for praying. After recognizing God’s holiness, the first request is for His kingdom to come. Once we realize that this request should naturally come before any of our own, then it seems important to reflect on what we are really praying for in this case.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (ESV)
Very simply, this is a prayer that God’s ways would be manifested in our world. Although there is a future, final aspect to this statement, it’s clear in Jesus’ teachings that there is an immediate aspect as well, that there are ways that the kingdom of God is manifested before He returns. This is the “already but not yet” aspect of the kingdom.
Also clear in New Testament teaching is that the kingdom is manifested first in changed hearts, and that then leads to changed lives. For example, when the disciples asked about the physical realization of the kingdom in Acts 1:6, Jesus pointed them again to the need to proclaim Him, because only by accepting His salvation and lordship could the necessary first step occur.
When Jesus’ followers show changed lives that include serving and loving those around them, then the kingdom becomes manifest.
The fact that this process starts with changed hearts highlights the importance of evangelism: not just to save individuals, but to bring God’s saving power to the world through those individuals. When salvation is followed by discipleship, the impact to the world grows like a seed sprouting forth into a great tree.
Thus, although the reality of God’s kingdom is manifested in many different ways, we can start by praying that the kingdom comes in people’s hearts as they know God through Christ.
Heavenly Father, I pray that Your kingdom would come into the lives of those around me, that Your salvation would be known to them personally and that it would work out through them to the rest of the world.
Proper Motives
Jesus often taught the importance of having correct motives, the need for our hearts to be correct and not just our actions. This reinforced the Old Testament prophets who taught that even sacrificing in the temple wasn’t good if one’s heart wasn’t right. The ancient Israelites found this out when, despite their proper sacrifices, God was not blessing them because of unfaithful hearts.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit (motives). Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17 (ESV)
In these verses, we see how important it is to always check our motives, and this is no less true when speaking of Christ. It may be that God will honor words spoken to proclaim Him for the benefit of the unbelievers who hear, but if we want to truly walk in the benefits of obedience ourselves, then we need to check our own hearts.
Continue reading “Proper Motives”Prayer for Leaders
Prayer for each other is a key aspect of Christian faith, and it takes many different forms, with many different goals. One particular need is to pray for our leaders, for they determine many aspects of our lives and so need to be guided.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Paul’s direction to pray covers a wide range in both the type of prayer and for whom we are praying. However, he calls out one group in particular: our leaders, those in influential positions. We need to pray for guidance for all leaders and be thankful for good ones.
Continue reading “Prayer for Leaders”Fully Sharing the Kingdom
I have a friend who is not religious. He has plenty of experience with church but now rejects anything supernatural. He does seem to be seeking something more, often describing a great new life direction but then later finding something new. Always seeking but never finding.
Perhaps because of earlier church experiences, conventional religion now leaves him cold, and talking about God with any of the standard approaches never seems fruitful. Frankly, so much of what we do to introduce God to people, through either action or word, simply isn’t effective anymore. It’s as if a different language is needed today, especially in our increasingly secular culture.
Therefore many people, like my friend, have no real invitation to the kingdom.
This is not only a spiritual problem for those individuals, but it’s also a problem for realizing God’s kingdom in a physical way, for tangibly showing God’s love to those in need. This is because many of those most hardened to God are also most able to help those who need it. However, the prevailing self-focused secular mindset is a barrier to releasing that help. Although most people recognize the value of doing some good, Christ’s example of self-sacrificial giving is a much more powerful force.
Because of Christ’s example and the Spirit working through His people, Western society has experienced radical improvements in compassion and love since the cross.
History is full of examples of Christians impacting the culture for the kingdom. The establishment of wide-spread health care and education, the growth of science and medicine as forces for good, and the end of slavery, are all examples of Christians using their resources and influence to bring the kingdom in tangible ways.
Today, however, power and wealth are primarily seen as corrupting influences that isolate people from God, rather than resources that can be redeemed for kingdom purposes. As a result, the church’s efforts have narrowed to that which can be done with our own limited resources. Such work makes us feel good and seems helpful, but is a far cry from the transformative work of the Spirit through history.
It’s as if we are now satisfied by what we can do through human effort, even when it’s not much more than that done by secular organizations. It allows us to feel good about ourselves and have a good reputation in the community, but never really changes society. Where once Christians were a force driving the end of slavery, we now content ourselves with occasionally freeing a few slaves. It feels good, but it’s not what we were called to do.
Perhaps realizing the kingdom fully requires us to pay attention to the spiritual as well as the physical, to see people through Jesus’ eyes as well as our own eyes of flesh.
When I look at things that way, I see my friend as sick and in need of a physician. The challenge becomes introducing my friend to such a healer. This is a spiritual work that is much more dependent on God, and yet is so easy to miss. May God open our eyes to the ways that He wants to work through us to bring the kingdom in people’s hearts and lives.
Praying for Open Doors
The early disciples recognized the importance of evangelism, and prayed for boldness and effective speech, but these things are useless unless there are opportunities to use them. Paul understood this, and also recognized that we need God’s help to create the opportunities.
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – Colossians 4:3
The Spirit works in our lives in many ways and we might ask for Him to open doors in various contexts – relationships, work, health, and so on. However, evangelism is one specific place in which we definitely need God to work ahead of us. Not only do we need circumstances arranged, but there is a need for the Spirit to prepare hearts ahead of time to hear the gospel.
This isn’t to say that we don’t have a role to play, but rather that we need to start by inviting God into the effort. Or perhaps we really need to recognize that we are joining God in His work of bringing the kingdom to Earth.
For those of us who are hesitant about sharing the gospel, it may be easy to forget this step if we unconsciously hope that opportunities don’t appear. This may happen if we’re worried or uncomfortable, which is why we need God’s heart to move us and boldness to act. Note that Paul’s request is for an open door for “us” – he rarely worked alone, and partnering with other believers is a way to strengthen ourselves.
Nevertheless, even with supportive co-workers, holy motivation, and a will to act, we still need doors opened for us.
Heavenly Father, we ask that You create opportunities for the gospel to be shared with people who have open hearts.
Prayer to Have a Servant’s Heart for Sharing Christ
In order to reach others with the gospel, we need to communicate in ways that they understand. This may sound obvious, but it’s easy to stick to familiar patterns. Communicating well means conforming ourselves in some manner to what they need, rather than what we want or think. Doing this requires a heart that’s willing to be flexible.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Paul was passionate about sharing Jesus, even saying at one point “woe to me if I do not preach the gospel”. This drive led him to do whatever it takes, to the point of becoming a servant to this work such that he changed to become whatever was needed to reach others.
We may or may not need to change ourselves radically to share Christ, but we do need to be open to whatever the Spirit requires of us. Thus, whether or not we really need to change in some way, we do need to have a humble and open heart to the Spirit’s leading.
In other words, one of the most important things we need, and an important starting point, is a servant’s heart.
Heavenly Father, I humble myself before You and ask You to mold me according to Your will to share Jesus with those around me. Give me a servant’s heart to become whatever they need.
Prayer to Walk in Wisdom
There are many reasons to want to walk in wisdom, and Scripture leads us to seek it in many ways.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
In Colossians, Paul asked for prayer that God would open a door for him to declare Christ and that He would give Paul the ability to speak it clearly.
Right after that, Paul instructed the Colossians to walk wisely toward outsiders, to make the best use of time. As a follow on, he instructed them to speak graciously.
It’s interesting to note that the reason for behaving this way is so that the Colossians would know how to answer. Given the context, it’s most likely that the reference is to sharing spiritual truths. Of course, this echoes Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 3:15 about always being prepared to give a reason for our hope, but Paul brings in the importance of behavior before outsiders as part of our witness.
Considering the importance of evangelism, this should remind us that we need to take care not to quench the Spirit’s work in reaching others for Christ by being poor representatives of God’s love.
Father, open my eyes to any area where my walk before outsiders may harm the cause of the gospel. May Your Spirit live out through me such that my actions and words point to Jesus.
Prayer for Effective Speech
Prayer is important, even when God has already declared His will in a situation, especially when we are telling people about Jesus.
…keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:18b-19
Towards the end of Ephesians, Paul encouraged the church to pray for all believers. For himself, Paul asked that they would pray that he would be able to speak effectively.
This wasn’t a new idea, of course, because it was an example of praying according to God’s will as described by Jesus when He sent out the twelve. At that time, He taught that the words they spoke would be given to them by the Holy Spirit, that He would actually be speaking through them (Matthew 10:19-20).
Thus, Paul was really just reminding the church of that truth and asking them to pray that this would happen during his ministry. While God speaks through believers in many ways, this was specifically for proclaiming the good news.
Clearly, there is still a need for us to be speaking with the Spirit’s voice, so we still need to be praying this for each other.
Heavenly Father, I ask that all who are sharing the good news of Jesus’ salvation would be given words by Your Spirit, and that You would speak through me as I share Jesus with words that will speak into other’s hearts.
Exploring Antioch 