Tag: Mission

Vision and Way Stations

March 14th, 2023

March 11 of the famous devotional selections by Oswald Chambers, the namesake passage says “the only way to be obedient to the Heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God’s highest and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision… though it tarry, wait for it… we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself…” And I would add that if our vision is not “God-sized” and eternal in scope then we will often “attain it” and then stop moving forward. Our vision needs to be large enough that it stays out in front of us and keeps us moving forward.

Yes, we need “way points” that we attain along the way to the vision. At the “way points” we 1) assess our progress, 2) rest from and refuel for the struggle, 3) celebrate the achievements though we are not done, 4) reevaluate our process, and 5) move on toward the vision. “Way points” are part of the mission toward the vision, and they are measurable and attainable. Big Vision, is always “out there”.

Chambers says that sometimes we get so “practical” that we can forget the vision. Or perhaps we lay aside the vision thinking rationally, or “realistically”. We say, “we can’t do that.” So, we settle for less than the vision. Again Chambers says, “waiting for the vision that tarries is the test of our loyalty to God. It is the peril of our soul’s welfare that we get caught up in the practical work and miss the fulfillment of the vision.”

“Practical” is important but only as “way points” toward the Vision that is “CRAZY”. Leader, if you aren’t moving toward something “crazy” you probably aren’t attempting something God-sized.

Chamber’s devotion focuses on 1 verse in Acts 26 where Paul is talking to King Agrippa. He testifies about meeting Jesus. Think about this, at Paul’s revelatory encounter on the road to Damascus, he had to embrace Jesus by Faith, but also hear and wrestle with the Vision for his life. Acts 26;15 “I am Jesus” – Ok… wait… what do I do with that? And then Jesus says, “I have appeared for this purpose…” Jesus always appears for a purpose. And he tells Paul it is “to appoint you as a servant… witness… what you have seen… will see… the Gentiles… I am sending you to them to open eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, from the power of satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share… sanctified by faith in me.”

WOW – Paul is being called to embrace Jesus as Lord, Messiah, but also to expand the “family” to Gentiles. And when would this end? Well, I guess when there were no more Gentiles outside the family. “Well, that’s not practical. Let’s settle for a way point.” NO NO NO don’t settle

At our church, we embrace a vision seeking to be a “church like Heaven” as seen in Revelation 7:9 every race, tribe, color, and tongue before the throne.” When or Where does that end? In Heaven, but we are trying to reflect it on earth. What do we see? A Diverse family of Christ followers, Displaying the Glory of God unified by Love, and Telling His Marvelous Story. That story is a story of opportunity for all who believe. So, what are we doing? Loving God, One Another, and our Community. Serving God, One Another, and our Community, and seeing Transformation in our Community, in our Homes, in our Lives. But then we define some way points in the transformation process. Transformation FROM Seekers to Believers, Believers to Worshipers, Worshipers, to Disciples, Disciples to Servants and Missionaries. Well there are a lot of Way Points there, but the whole thing is a vision, a crazy vision, virtually unattainable, but we keep moving. Do we look like Heaven yet? Do we look like our Community yet?

Then is that little verse that Chambers references, v19 “I was not disobedient to the vision” Wow! Yes. Not, well that’s unrealistic. Not, well that’s hard. He didn’t say he was perfect or even whether we thought he’d complete it, but he was pursuing it. And v20 so I preached. Instead of disobeying the vision, I preached… repent… turn… do worthy works. And then he says they seized me, trying to kill me.

Oh fellow traveler, leader, journeyman, Obedience doesn’t mean EAZE. So, in order to be like Heaven, we commit to Act Like Heaven, and we seek to Look Like Heaven, then eventually and from time to time, we Feel Like Heaven, but we keep Acting Like until Faith becomes Sight.

I love / hate Proverbs 29:18 – where there is no vision the people perish – the CSB renders it without revelation, people RUN WILD, but the one who follows divine instruction will BE HAPPY … Yes

Vision Keep Us Moving toward Crazy, Unrealistic, God-sized goals – but they ARE REAL in what matters and for what Lasts. Hit the way points – rest, assess, celebrate, evaluate, and move on, until faith becomes sight!
Later – John 13:36

January 5th, 2021

There’s a word I don’t like, “Later” – Read John 13:36 –

I/We usually want what we want, NOW. That’s why we have microwaves. We’d rather have it NOW, even if it is rubbery, and less flavorful, we want it NOW, not later. But that brings up some questions

1.Who is Saying – Later?

If a parent or authority says, “Later” – If the Lord God says, “Later” – that’s the ANSWER. Or at least it SHOULD be. Jesus says to Peter, v36 “where I am going you cannot follow me NOW but LATER you will. (Emphasis mine) Remember these are the words of our Omniscient, Omnisapient, Omnibenevolent Lord. And He is saying, “Following me in THIS THING”, his death – burial – resurrection – ascension, “is NOT for NOW, but for LATER”, KJV says afterward. If the Lord says it, receive it.

If a parent, if our boss, if the Lord, says, “Later”, it is a command, it is loving, it is right.

On the contrary, if a child, a subordinate, a servant of the Lord, responds to the voice of instruction with, “no I want it NOW”, or “I’ll do that later”, that is disrespectful, distrustful, disobedience.

Then the next question

2. What Does it Mean – “Later”?

It means, you have OTHER things to do NOW. You will NOT do that now, you will do that later, because NOW you have something else to do, THIS.

What is it, NOW, we are to be doing? Well put this verse in its context. Go back to v31. Jesus says to the disciples,

NOW the Son is glorified and God is glorified

We don’t understand it all because we are little children v33. So, right NOW, we need to make the most of the opportunity we have NOW, v34 a new command I give you, LOVE ONE ANOTHER v35 by this (LOVE) everyone will know … if you love.

That is the command of the Lord, but Peter is distracted by Jesus saying in v33 that he is going somewhere, and so he’s not listening.

Oh we ARE such little children. And Peter says, “I want to go with you”, but Jesus says, “Not now, later”. And of course, little Peter says, “why can’t I follow you now, I’m committed” v37. But for Peter to follow in Death at THAT time, a) wasn’t his job and b) wouldn’t accomplish HIS task OR the Kingdom task.

So, not NOW but Later, there is something else for NOW

Brings up another question then,

3. When Is It?

When Jesus says it is best, when he deems appropriate, when everything is prepared.

Jesus is saying, “Peter, you aren’t as committed as you think” v38 “you are going to deny 3 times TONIGHT, so stick with the plan I am giving you. Let’s focus on the Loving and the Living, the glorifying me with your life, and death will come soon enough”

4. So –

v14.1 Let not your heart be troubled –

Oh isn’t that instruction beautiful in context?

“Peter, you want to do MY job, you want to go where I must go, you are Troubled about the wrong things.” And I hearken to Matthew 6:33 seek first the Kingdom of Heaven … everything else will fall into place.

Don’t be troubled – not by your coming failure – you will deny me 3 times tonight

Don’t be troubled – not by your coming struggles in service

Don’t be troubled – not in the frustrations of waiting for later

Believe in God, Believe in Me – Trust me little children

NOW – v14:2-3 – I’m preparing a place for you in Heaven, with me, by the cross, by my resurrection, after my ascension, I will return and take you there, LATER.

So, NOW – Love one another. NOW – Display my glory. NOW – Tell my story. NOW – LIVE for me. Oh child, you WILL follow me, later, after you do this, NOW.
My Convention Sermon 2019

June 18th, 2019
I attended this last week’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.

If you don’t know how SBC churches work, we do not have a hierarchy that directs local churches top down. But we are a bottom up fellowship of cooperating churches. We cooperate for Missions and Kingdom Advancement, as well as for training pastors and providing literature for church training.

We addressed some hard realities this week in an historic fashion. yes the SBC was initially formed in 1845 over two primary issues, Missions, and the right to support or allow slavery. One is great, one is not.

This week we addressed racial discrimination and sexual abuse in our churches that is often ignored, or swept under the carpet. While the Convention cannot control a church, now we have processes in place to not allow them to be a part of our fellowship and also beginning a better process to train and equip our churches to protect themselves and their community and provide a safe place for worship and advancement of the gospel.

As I returned from the convention last week, I prepared to Report to my church about our convention. I gave a detailed summary of our meeting, regarding missions, ministry, as well as these issues we faced. And then I gave MY Annual Convention Sermon. That is what I wanted to say to my church in light of what I had seen and heard during the week.

While I won’t give you my full report, I will give you the basics of the message I closed with. The reality of racial discrimination in our culture, and sexual abuse in society that creeps into the church as well is evidence of the ongoing spiritual battle in which we live. So, I took us to a passage we know, but often not in context. Let’s look at it quickly.

1 Peter 5:6-11

Jesus said that satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)

So, here Peter says, in this world we must:

1. Be Vigilant and Alert v8

Your Adversary, the devil …

It literally means one who opposes in court with slanderous accusations.

We ARE under attack. satan loves only himself. He hates man because we are the Image-Bearers of God, and he attacks.

A. How?

Prowling, Roaring, Looking, Devouring

Oh, don’t miss something, satan is a counterfeit. He wanted to be a god and was kicked out of Heaven. He is NOT THE LION … Jesus is The LION, but satan prowls, roars, looks to devour, LIKE a lion.

“Prowl” is a picture of the Greek philosophers of Peter’s day. satan walks about, seems to have the answers. But he hides with intent to destroy.

He “roars”. Why? To frighten the flock, to run them, and then to attack the young, the old, and the weak.

But we do not believe in the “survival of the fittest”. We believe in the strong protecting the weak, standing with them, for them. We believe the wise will be ready and aware and protect those who the counterfeit lion seeks to devour.

   B. Who?

Who then is he attacking, and who must we protect?

The Church – The bride of Christ, the light of the world

The Pastor – God’s messenger, the stars in Christ’s hand

The People – the sheep of his pasture, the apple of his eye, the object of his sacrifice.

All of these have received the redemption. satan cannot get their soul but will ruin their lives if he can.

But also …

The LOST – they are condemned already, and destined for Hell and he wants to destroy their souls.

He wants to abuse the young so they will turn their backs on God.

He wants to attack the fringe, the minorities, image-bearers, and make them feel marginalized by the church, and so then believe that they are marginalized by God.

He is on the prowl, So, we must …

2. Be Resilient and Resistant v9

So, as satan attacks … we … the strong … need to NOT be distracted

Be “sober-minded” or “self-controlled”.

The idea is not to allow our emotions or desires to be out of control. i.e. “take captive every thought and make it obedience to truth”

Be vigilant, alert, awake, we cannot fall asleep church, because evil does not sleep.

RESIST HIM – This is in the Imperative, meaning we are commanded to because we MIGHT NOT, yet we must.

A. How?

–       Humble Yourself

Only two ways pride takes over here. 1) I’m too good for this or 2) I’m too strong to get attacked … Both of those thought are prideful lies.

I have news for us … Humility IS Coming either under the “counterfeit lion”, or The Lion of Judah’s Tribe”.

v6 Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand

Humble yourself under God’s hand, patient for HIS Exaltation, or Humbled under satan’s attack and swallowed or devoured.

Then

–       Cast Your Cares on Judah’s Lion.

The roaring counterfeit lion makes us fearful, and falsely placed fear causes bad decisions that destroy lives. So, take your concerns, to Jesus. Give them to him. Let go of them. CAST Them.

If you haven’t been on your knees with your “concerns”, then you shouldn’t be sharing them with somebody else. If you start a conversation with a hushed “I’m afraid that …” you are fearful, Cast your cares on HIM, dont gossip, don’t Post it on Facebook, don’t Tweet it, Cast it on Jesus.

Resist satan – Because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

My goodness what would happen if we never posted anything that wasn’t full of love and sound judgment?

Then

–       Firm in the Faith

James 4:7 says submit to God, Resist the Devil, he will flee
- Fake Lions flee when the Real Lion shows up
ROAR, LION of Judah, ROAR

What is the Faith in which we stand firm? It is NOT FAITH in “faith”.

No. It is faith in the Grace of God made possible at the cross, which enables a condemned sinner to be a Justified, Sanctified, Glorified SAINT.

Firm, Solid, Unshakable

Psalm 9:9 (CSB)

⁹ The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble.

Isaiah 28:16 (CSB)

¹⁶ Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.

Unshakable in the Faith

B. Why?

Knowing the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world

The Whole Church is suffering.

We looked the other way on Slavery.

We look the other way on injustice.

We mock other parts of the church when they had allowed abuse, and then are guilty of the same.

But the whole earth is hurting, the whole church is hurting, and that hurts the Cause of Christ.

We must stand and fight for the helpless, hopeless.

… on a firm foundation, humble under our Lion …

3. Be Encouraged and Strengthened

Satan IS Attacking

Psalm 10:8–9 (CSB)

⁸ He waits in ambush near settlements; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; ⁹ he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize a victim; he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.

But v12 says RISE UP OH LORD

The Lord Fights for the Victim

Psalm 10:16–18 (CSB)

¹⁶ The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. ¹⁷ Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, ¹⁸ doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.

And you know what? The Lord Will Rise Up for the Helpless, the humble, the oppressed

Be Encouraged …

A. By Who God Is – the God of All Grace

All grace is from him, and he hasn’t run out of Grace.
- Be Strengthened
B. By What He Has Done – he has called you to Eternal Glory in Christ

From the cross, the Love of God cries out and said “I know sin, I know justice, I know injustice. I have a plan, I have a way, and it is enough for you!”

But don’t forget, the Cross isn’t the end of the story
- Be Encouraged
C. By What He Will Do … Restore … Establish … Strengthen … Support

If you are a victim of abuse, discrimination, the attacks of evil … this is not the end of the story … LOOK at the cross and see the Love and Justice of God, but Look at the Empty Tomb and see the Victory, The Life, Resurrection. See the Possibility – Resurrection Power, and Resurrection Posterity.
- Be Strengthened
D. With Eyes On Eternity – for a little while … To him be dominion FOREVER

God is a Finisher. God is a Winner …

our Lion Is the Alpha but He is the Omega.

He is the Beginning and HE is the End … and He Is Coming Soon.

In Just A Little While.

The Point of all of this is that we get caught up often fighting the wrong fights.

So, we must ask …

“If I WIN this fight, who will be in Charge, and who will get the Glory?”

If the answer is NOT God … then Let it Go, you are fighting the wrong fight.

v11 to Him be Dominion (glory) forever AMEN

1 Timothy 6:12–16 (CSB)

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

And then I challenged our People with a Conclusion of Commitments, and I challenge you in your church to do the same, in society to do the same

Conclusion
1. I Will Be One LESS Obstacle – I will not be a hindrance. I will be a peacemaker not a troublemaker, a Hope-Builder, not a Dream-Killer
2. I Will Be One MORE Servant, Warrior, Witness, Intercessor
3. I Will Seek to Win One MORE
4. Then we will be a Unified One – If we focus on The One True Enemy, the One Worthy of Glory, and the One who is Lost, we will be unified. 1 x 1 x 1=oneness
And that:

Starts Parties in Heaven

Protects the Helpless

Prevents Division

Prepares us to hear “well done”

and Propels us to a “Mission Accomplished” – “may they be one as we are one”

Tag: Mission

Vision and Way Stations

Later – John 13:36

My Convention Sermon 2019