Lessons from the Journey--"But when God"

Galatians 1:1-11-17

Paul wants the Galatians to know that the things he has taught them (ie: the gospel of Jesus Christ) was not something made up by man but rather revealed to him directly by God.  The evidence of this divine message was the severe life change that was visible in the life of Paul.  Previously to this miraculous encounter he was excelling and advancing in Judaism passed all of his peers. Then one of the most fabulous transitions in all of the Bible occurs...

"But when God", this changed everything!  The passions and priorities of Paul were drastically and forever changed in an instant by his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.  

Jupiter and Palm Beachers, I see this very story occurring all over the county! "I was excelling in so many areas of my life that I found valuable 'but when God' called me to Himself I found my life taking a drastic turn from the traditions that have long controlled my family to the priorities of God."  

I can hear it as if it being said right now!  Pray that God will begin to soften the hearts of those needing to experience this transformation and discover life in Jesus Christ!

Lessons from the Journey

Acts 5:27-42

Gamaliel, gets little recognition in Christian history folk lore however he may have played a role in the coming salvations among the Jewish priests recorded in Acts 6:7.  Here was a man with some truth but not the complete truth and challenged those wanting to kill the apostles to observe them and to consider their message to see if they were from God.  As referenced earlier in 6:7 Luke states that there were a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.  In other words they found the whole truth!  

As those desiring to help others find this true salvation in Jesus Christ we need to consider who the peacemaker is in the group and allow time for them to observe us and see that in fact we are from God.  And it cannot be overlooked that it was because of persecution that the apostles were provided audience with all of the Jewish leaders.  In many cases persecution creates proximity to those whom we would never get close to in any other way!  Embrace the suffering and look for the Gamaliel's that God may use to bring good from your pain...

Lessons from the Journey--Good Soil Seeding

I don't know about you but for me there are so many people in my life that I long to see living the life that God has designed for them.  Many times, given my temperament, I attempt to tell them how they are to live and show them why it is better than the lifestyle they are currently embracing.  Unfortunately, my success rate is not really high with that approach.  My heart is in the right place but my methodology is a little weak.  So for any of you who can relate to my challenge consider the Parable of the Four Soils.  

We can all agree that the problem in the parable is not with the seed; it is good seed capable of producing a harvest.  The dilemma is with the soil and how well prepared it is for seed.  One seed fell on rocky soil, one in thin sand, another in soil occupied by thorns, and then finally the good soil.  The seed that was fortunate enough to fall in good soil produced a significant harvest; this is what we need to learn from.  Again, the truth passed along to people should never change however we can assist the seed in taking hold in someone's life by the way we prepare the individual to hear the truth.  

So for me I have been, over the last several months, making strong attempts to till, fertilize, and "de-weed" the soil that I place the seed.  Practically speaking, when I am investing in someone's life as needed my invitations to them fall into ready ears and willing hearts.  This is effective because I have showed them where my motives rest and their trust I have earned.  In other words, when my investment is significant my invitation is minimal because the soil is prepared for the truth.  So are you spending more time scattering seed or tilling, fertilizing, and de-weeding soil?  Lets learn a lesson from the Parable of the Four Soils and watch God produce a harvest.

Innovate Conference--Day 3

The conference concluded today with a huge bang.  The theme for today was church planting, which for me is comparative to a kid getting to spend a day in a huge bowl of chocolate pudding.  The morning opened with Ed Stetzer, church planter, author, and lead missiologist for LifeWay, who spoke on the value of diverse approaches to church and the visible benefits of reaching diverse people.  One of the things he said that I fully endorse is that the very methodology that is encouraged in foreign missions, learning culture to aid in the effective communication of the gospel message, is discouraged in the mission of state-side churches.  I am NOT advocating the changing of the message, simply the methods!  Methods are not timeless the message is and therefore is applicable to all generations.  The contextualization of the message has adapted throughout the generations and should not stop today for the sake of the gospel.  

Later in the morning there was a church planter panel, moderated by Ed Stetzer, geared to expose several effective associations and churches' approaches to church planting.  The men on the panel were Brian Bloye (West Ridge Church), Elmer Towns (Liberty University), Jamie George (Journey Ecclesia), Billy Hornsby (Association of Related Churches), and Matt Fry (C3 Church).  Only time will tell how many churches will be planted and consequently people will be reached for Christ by exposing so many existing church pastors to church planting!

The conference ended with our Center for Ministry Training board meeting.  These pastors and their churches make a significant financial and influential investment to the practical wing of Liberty University and Seminary.  We had a great lunch and our director Dr. Dave Earley was able to celebrate many wonderful things that God had done over the last calendar year.  Thank you to all of our board members for their commitment to invest in the next generation of world changers!  If you would be interested in connecting with the Liberty Center for Ministry Training we would love to hear from you.  Just follow this link.  

Power of Purpose

I had the privilege of baptizing an incredible young man on Sunday.  In his story, Glen said that he found his need to get saved because of the great needs he saw all around him.  He was moved by the incredibly large amounts of unreached people groups in India and other parts of the world.  He was also moved by the lethargy (my word) he saw in America towards Jesus.  He wants to do something about reaching all these unreached all over the globe who have yet to hear the name of Jesus.  [This was the most powerful part of the story to me]  Glen said to me before walking into the baptistry, "before I could help them I needed to be helped and that is why I needed to get saved."  My take on it was that he knew the truth but it wasn't until he saw that God could give him a purpose that the truth mattered.  He had to be helped so that he could really help others.  In other words, it was the others, the unreached people of the world, that God used to reach Glen!!  How beautiful?  Truly God's ways are higher than our ways...

Lessons from the Journey

Evangelism should be the natural outflow of worship.  I was challenged by this thought most recently as I watched on TV the Hillsong Conference from Sydney, Australia.  The speaker was Mike Pilavachi from the UK and spoke with great conviction and clarity.  If you are anything like me, evangelism does not naturally flow out of you.  

We both know that is no excuse to not intentionally pass along the hope we have found in Jesus Christ.  Pilavachi's point was that worship is a worthy expression of a love relationship and the first evangelistic message given by the church was communicated by Peter in response to questions raised by the worship of the church.  I found this to be a revolutionary thought!  The Holy Spirit so inhabits the praises of His people that the lost are drawn to the "explosive power of a greater affection".  He went on to say that worship that does not lead out into evangelism becomes self-indulgence.  What a great challenge!  

God help me be so enamored by You that my display of love (worship) draws others to curiosity about the Object of my affection...