Monday, 24 August 2009
This past Sunday, we revisited our 2009 Banner Mission. What a ride! We have touched so many people and God has used ordinary Christians to be an incredible blessing in measurable and wonderful ways. I've been in full time vocational ministry over 35 years and this is the most exciting season I have ever experienced. There is more hope for the future of the church today than ever.
At the same time I've noticed that not everyone is excited about this "reformation" that is taking place within the church. And I don't just mean CCC. This is happening world wide. There is a spirit of service that has penetrated the church that is unprecedented in my lifetime. The church is actually beginning to look like Jesus. But why is it difficult for everyone to embrace? I have tried to understand the resistance or hesitation. Even in my own life there can be resistance at times. What should we look for that could possibly rob us of experiencing this powerful reformation first hand?
1. Sometimes the greatest enemy of what is best is what is good.
By that I mean that our previous, and current, good deeds can serve as a shield to hide behind as God is trying to pull us forward. There is a huge difference between extending an occasional act of kindness or mercy as opposed to developing a servant’s heart and living to be a blessing to others. The church has been good at offering help on a periodic basis as long as it does not upset our flow of ministry and programs. That is true personally as well. "I will help you as long as I don't have to change my lifestyle." God is leading us to a new paradigm that looks and acts a lot like Jesus. In the end, religion will be the greatest enemy of change.
2. It is hard to think outward when all we have known has been self perpetuation.
The only pattern I and most of my peers have known is to build a substantial or successful church, so we can provide care for each other and hopefully be a blessing to others. We evangelize so we can add to the church and perhaps increase our level of care. Our goal has always been to help people grow and mature in Christ. There is really nothing wrong with this except the fact that it falls short of what all of us are called to do. "For God so loved the world..." Jesus said he came to serve and give His life for many. So really our goal should be to equip and train people to serve. As they serve they grow. As they serve the Kingdom of God comes. As they serve they have joy in the Holy Ghost. As they serve Jesus is revealed to a dying world.
3. It is not easy to serve others when we have needs ourself.
Can I add that it is not natural to serve others. Human nature is all about self and self preservation, self actualization and self discovery. Lots of books are written about that today. So living to help others is very counter intuitive. Self-focus resides in every beating heart so all of us will have to address that dark side within if we are to ever turn the corner. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to breathe life into our mortal bodies so we can rise up to our destiny ordained by God. We can become servants because Jesus is our example. We must become servants if we are to win the world for Jesus Christ. Satan can never duplicate a servants heart. He lacks the capacity. It goes against his very nature. That is why the Word says that every good and perfect gift is from above. There are no good gifts from the enemy.
Church, let's go all the way. Now is the time. Let's impact our world while we still have time. No more push back. No more excuses. Let's be imitators of Christ.
