Longing for Historic Church

I just spent 5 days in the wonderful heat of Texas.  Already hot there, but still refreshing to experience a little bit of summer.  As we continue our steps back to the US this summer, I have found my thoughts reflecting often on what it means to be church.  I have seen for almost 4 years now what it means to be church in Germany, and now as we go back to a place we have been away from during those years, I find myself thinking often on church life in the US. Almost everywhere I have gone during the last 10 years, I have heard those who long for the glory of God to come again to the nations, speak in such fondness of the first church, the historic church, which was founded in Jerusalem.  We are all most likely familiar with Acts 2:42-47, where we get the first glimpses of it.  When I speak of the historic church and when I hear others speak of those pages, it seems to be done so with a reverence and care unlike other passages about the church seem to get.  Why is that? 

 They had what we all long for in church.  We want to live in those pages, do church the way they did and experience community to their depth.  They did not program this type of ministry, it is impossible to do so as it only happens when a body has a deep love for Christ and for one another and follows the Holy Spirit leading daily.  There is something in each Christ follower that either openly or secretly wants to live in this type of community.  That is why we read it with a gleam in our eye.

These words describe them:  devoted to truth and fellowship, lived in an environment of awe and authentic unity. They even sold their possessions and gave them to whoever had needs.  They met daily in a public setting and they also did life together in their neighborhoods.  They were characterized by joy and generosity, all the while praising God and finding connection with their lost community.  They were not seen as strange by those who were not believers, but enjoyed actual favor with them.  And oh, God added people to this first Christ Community through salvation daily.  That is why we read it with such longing. 

The great thing about what the "Historic Church" experienced, is that we can experience it today as well.  They did not stumble into this idea of doing church, you live it. You do church like this by loving God with all that you are and by loving our neighbors as ourselves.  You cannot program that, it is birthed in the heart where our passion for God and his church flow in freedom, both in us and from us.       

God's Design for Church

God's design is to use the church as his main way of getting his message to the world.  Knowing the reality of the Western Church, the task ahead is daunting but worth every effort.  Here is what Paul wrote about the church in Ephesians 3:7-13.

7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Here are some reflections on these great words

1.  vs. 7 - Servants are made through grace and the working of God's power.

Grace receivers through which he works his power.  That is what God wants to do in us.

2.  vs. 8 - This grace moves us to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ 

So many messages in the world today and so many messages coming out of the church.  But our message is to mine deep in the character of God and in the word of God and declare these riches in this generation.

3.  vs.9 - We are to make plain who he is to the generations.

It is to be done for everyone.  We are mystery revealers.  What fun! The message is not to be complicated but understandable and we must be relevant.  We cannot make it complicated for people to see who he is.

4. vs. 10 - We, as the people of God, are the conduit for making the story of Christ known

He is always looking for a people who will say "yes' and are willing to do whatever it takes in passion and creativity in making himself known.

5.  vs. 11-13 - Stay the course in our declaration of Jesus

No matter how much pressure to declare something other than Jesus, or whatever else may become popular.  We stay the course to speak of who God is, as revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  There is no other message. 

G.O.J. - The Geography of Jesus

I have been wanting to write on this subject for sometime now.  In our 4 years overseas, this may be the biggest truth that I have come to know and it gives me perspective wherever I go now.  It gives me security on tough days and reminds of the purpose of my life on the days that bring joy.  It is not based on circumstances, but one of understanding the presence of Jesus.  I want to discuss the topic of Geography.

Geography can be defined in several ways.  One way is simply the topographical features of an area in regard to country, mountains, rivers, cities, etc. but I want to discuss today what I have in the last couple of years labeled "the Geography of Jesus".  The Geography of Jesus is a life perspective that goes much much deeper than the geographical location of a country or the city in which we live, but the G.O.J. is a place where believers come to actually live, and it has nothing to do with physical geography, but one that has to do with spiritual geography.  

What does the G.O.J. mean?   Well the best way to define it is with the scriptural examples from which I learned it as I set them up close to my life for the purpose of examination.  I will list only a few examples and then after you read them, I will share the implications the G.O.J. has for our daily lives. 

Joseph at Potiphar's house after being sold into slavery by his brothers

Genesis 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Daniel in Babylon

Daniel 1:19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Schadrach, Meschach, and Abednego as they stand before Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon

Daniel 3: 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

David while on the run from King Saul responds this way:

Psalm 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.7 For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Paul and Silas in Philippi after being beaten and thrown into the inner part of the cell

Acts 16:25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

In each and every situation above, these people found themselves in a physical geographical place that was not their normal geographical home.  All of them had been plucked from their homeland, been forced to leave all they knew or were simply on mission with Christ.  Regardless of the reason for these God-followers, not much really changed for them.  Why?  Because where they really lived had nothing to do with physical geography, for they lived their lives in the presence of Christ.  His presence was their Geography.  So regardless of what happened to them from being in prison, on the run from a crazy King or being sent to a foreign land - where they lived did not change.  They really never left home, for home to them was the constant awareness of Jesus.  Is it our constant awareness.

I had always marveled at how they seemed to flourish no matter the circumstances or settings that they found themselves in.  Obviously it was not easy for them, but they still thrived.  They had gotten to that rare place that few of us ever get to or live in - They knew that no matter what came or happened, nothing could touch who they really were and where they lived.  In his presence, nothing could touch them, nor can it touch us.  This was their secret and can be ours.  It was why Paul and Silas could sing hymns after being stripped, beaten, and fastened in stocks.  Though their bodies were in the bottom of that stench filled inner part of the prison, Paul and Silas were somewhere else in Spirit.   They were living where they always lived - in the presence of Jesus.  They were already some place deeper, further, and more beautiful.  I wonder how much of the prison they really saw or smelled?

 

How do get to live there?  You get there by having no other passion but knowing the depth of the glory of God.  It is the only constant we can trust in.  I have to ask this question of me:

Which kind of geography will I choose to live in?  A city or the conscious presence of Jesus.

Spiritual Leadership 3 - The Effects of the Fullness of Christ

Well... here is part 3 in our look at Spiritual Leadership found in Ephesians 4:11-16.  Today I will finish up with what happens in the local church, when the fullness of Christ is alive in the midst of the ministry of the church.  (Read yesterday's blog for full details).  But first, here is a reminder of what good equipping can bring.

Just think of it for a moment - What would it be like if together we were  "attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (vs. 13b) as a community of Christ followers.  Can you picture what that would look like?  Can you imagine how fun that would be to be walking with others as we are "attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ?  Read that again - "the whole measure of the fullness of Christ"!!  According to Paul in these verses, when the leadership equips the body for ministry and has this as the goal, the local body moves in ministry deeper in real unity into the fullness of Christ.  This is not some "pie in the sky" thought, but it can truly be a reality.  I want to live with others in this pursuit and walk in this kind of depth in community.  Why not as this is Christ's design for his body - his design and it is what he longs for us to experience.  Do we want to experience it?   We can do church where it is all based in tradition, going through the motions, and faking our authenticity by playing church. That is an option that sadly, to many of us embrace, and it is not the way that we can reach the whole measure of Christ's fullness. Do we want the whole measure?  Or what is it that we actually want?

Living in the freedom of his fullness results in these things:

1.  We will no longer live as children (vs. 14a)

His description of what happens to spiritual infants is that they have no foundation that brings any kind of security in their lives. Without spiritual maturity, then people will be tossed back and forth following all kinds of teaching that is labeled "Christianity", but it is not.  This teaching is done by "Posers" who claim to know God, but those leaders are in it for their self gain.  Again, God want us to become mature in Christ and that will come from living our faith for him in obedience.

2.  We will embrace solid doctrine (vs. 14b)

Knowing the truth means that we are not swayed even by the slickest speaker or manipulator.  The direct opposite of being tossed to and fro is that we stand firm in the midst of the waves and winds of bad doctrine and embrace the true truths of the scripture. 

3.  We will speak the truth in love (vs. 15)

A sure sign of the spiritual maturity of our lives and in the life of the church is the depth in which "we speak the truth in love", not in anger or in pretense.  Speaking the truth in love in community shows that we are growing up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  Because we love one another, we speak the truth to one another, but it is always to be done in love.  

4. We will live in a healthy functioning church (vs. 16)

Paul summarizes here what this healthiness looks like.

a. Everyone feels joined and held together - There is a support system

b. The growth of the church is built up by the love for God and for one another

c. Each part does their part in ministry.

The local body does not just rely on the "paid" staff, but each person owns the ministry of their local body.

To live in a body of believers like this is an amazing thing. Not so easy to build and develop,

but worth every effort to build and live this kind of church life described.

      

Spiritual Leadership 2 - What Equipping Brings...

Yesterday I began the process of writing about the reality of what authentic spiritual leadership looks like according to Ephesians 4:11-16.  Here is the quick review:  (1) Jesus alone gives spiritual leadership to people (2)  The church is to be led by Spiritual/Godly Leaders (3) Leaders are to be Equippers  (4) Leaders value the giftings of the Saints  (5) Leaders know that the goal is building maturity. These serve as the foundation of authentic spiritual leadership and they must be present.  When they are not present then the church will not move forward in the most effective way. When they are present, then everyone can experience an ownership and togetherness in ministry that thrusts the body forward where there is city community influence.  So when the leadership understands that equipping the saints for ministry and will lead the body to Christlike maturity, then here is what happens naturally with this kind of focus.  It is what Paul writes in verse 12 & 13 of Ephesians 4.

12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So building on yesterday's foundation, here is what equipping the saints for ministry and having the goal of maturity will bring:

1.  The people of God lead out in ministry (vs 12)

This is Ministry that is not just happening among the staff, but it happening among the whole body of believers. It happens when people are taught who Jesus is and what it means to walk with him.  They then in turn long to serve and invest their gifts both in the church and in their community.  Ministry happens naturally, but if one misses the foundation of equipping, then one misses out in seeing the people lead out in effective ministry.

2.  The Body of Christ is built up (vs. 12)

Look at that closely.  When people are serving effectively, then the natural result is that the body is built up.  Jesus is honored and people see the greatness of his glory when the local body of Christ is built up and is strong.  

3.  Moves the Body toward Unity of Faith and the Knowledge of Jesus (vs. 13a)

Look at the progression closely of the first two points until this new point.  The leaders know that the goal is maturity and equipping and they pursue it passionately.  This naturally leads to the more of the body doing ministry where people are coming to know Christ, marriages are being healed and an obedience flows out of their hearts. This in turn builds the local body of Christ to be strong, have community influence, and where it is clear that Jesus is alive in the midst of the people.  Then, when that is going on, people want more and more of the power of living in his presence and it moves the body toward a unity and a depth of knowing Jesus that they have never known. 

4.  Moves the Body to the fullness of Christ (vs. 13b)

There is a passion for the glory of Christ that moves a body of believers to want everything that Jesus truly is.  If this pursuit of this ever stops, then some serious soul searching needs to be done.  This is the ultimate pursuit of the local church - Jesus!!!  Jesus is our pursuit and this pursuit drives everything and is the ultimate foundation for our desire to equip the saints for effective ministry.  

I want to be somewhere, among believers who want to be lost in the fullness of who Jesus is and where we see people being totally changed by the manifest presence of God in their midst.  God is always looking for a people who will say "yes" to him no matter the cost.  When he finds these kind of people, to them he comes and grants their very desire - More and more of Him.

Do you long for something like this?

Until tomorrow for part 3 (last part)...What the effects of the fullness of Christ bring.

Spiritual Leadership-Part 1

Over the next several days, I will write 3 separate blogs about what Paul says about spiritual leadership.  They will come from a close examination of Paul's words in Ephesians 4.  Here is the whole text as I begin today.

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I want to deal with just verses 11-12 today and how Paul describes spiritual leadership.  

1.  Jesus gives spiritual leadership to people (vs. 11)

True spiritual leadership is something that is given by Jesus when our life has displayed godliness and humility.  There is spiritual leadership that is self-seeking and focused only on the attention and what they can get out of it, but that is not God inspired leadership.  It is clear that Jesus alone gives spiritual leadership and it is not given lightly.  Jesus elevates leaders who have shown to be passionate for his name and live a life of humility.

2. The church is designed to be led by Godly Leaders (vs. 11) 

These are the terms that Paul uses here and they are all biblical, church terms: apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.  These are spiritual positions.  The church is not to be led by CEO's and Executives but by people of godliness and humility who have been called out by God and given the role of leadership in the church. 

3.  Spiritual leaders are to be equippers (vs. 12) 

They lead with the understanding that they are to help equip people to do ministry and to help them as they follow Christ.  That is the job.  So, when someone steps into a ministry role in a mission organisation or in a church, they step into it to help equip people for the purpose of ministry.  The task of taking the Gospel forward in the world is not just left to those in leadership or who are paid to do the work, but the task is for all the members.  It is the job of the ministers though, to work hard at equipping people for ministry.  Taking the gospel forward cannot happen if the equipping task is ignored. All you will end up having is a church full of consumer minded Christians who think the ministers are there to entertain and make them feel better.  It is the task of the minister to equip those people to do the same that he or she is doing - Equipping the Saints.

4.  Spiritual leaders value the gifts of the Saints (vs. 12)

The members of the church, if followers of Christ, all have spiritual gifts designed to help the church and to take the Gospel of Christ forward.  As leaders we have no other choice but to help people learn, develop, and use the spiritual gifts God has given them.  We have to value what God has done in each person and this responsibility cannot be ignored.  Do we value the gifts of the Saints?

5.  Spiritual leaders know the goal is building maturity

The goal is to see believers walk with Christ in authenticity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the aim in leading people.

These 5 things set the foundation for the next 2 days.  When these 4 are not done, then the church never will move toward the potential it has locally and globally.  We "full-timers" need to rethink how we lead and see that it comes more in line with what is outlined here.

Until tomorrow.....for part 2

 

Communicators of the Gospel

E.M. Bounds wrote these words in his book, The Preacher and Prayer, page 48.

"We need a generation of preachers who seek God and seek him early, who give freshness and dew of effort to God, and secure in return the freshness and fullness of his power that he may be as the dew to them, full of gladness and strength, through all the heat and labor of the day.  Our laziness after God is our crying sin."

Next Thoughts on Rest

In my Blog "The Tiredness of the Copycat" I touched on the subject of rest.  I want to address another place where the subject of rest is mentioned.  In the great scene of Exodus 33 where Moses and God are speaking about the days ahead for the people of God, God says this, "The Lord replied, 'My presence will go with you and I will give you rest'."  Moses did not want to go anywhere if God was not going to be along.  Before these words from God, Moses strongly told God that it was of no use if he, in leading the people of God, went ahead with them and God was not along.  It is then where God says he will go along with them with his presence, and his presence would give them rest.

Life, whether we believe it or not, moves forward to some place.  The people of God had to continue moving toward the promise land and what a scary place it would be to move forward without the presence of God and that is why Moses begged God to go with them.  As we have come to this place in our lives where we know God is leading us forward, we have sought God for months to know what to do, where to go, and we have said to him, "We do not want to go anywhere where your presence will not be the thing leading us."  IWe have sensed his presence in the darkest of moments of this decision and we have sensed his leadership throughout.  Though we do not fully know what the days ahead hold, we know his presence is with us and going with us.

How do we know that?  Because we feel the rest of being in his presence.  The journey is never really that easy but we can experience the depth of his presence.  That is what we are doing.  His presence gives rest, contentment, and satisfaction. 

Let the Fire Come

Last weekend I was with Holden and his school during their weekend trip.  As I was walking in the small village, I came upon the Catholic church of the town and took this picture.It looks like fire is coming from heaven upon the church.  What does the church need in Germany and in America?  It needs what this picture portrays:  That the fire of God would fall from heaven upon the church.  It is a constant prayer of mine.

The Tiredness of the Copy-Cat

How does one come up with a plan for ministry?  Is it reading the latest book on church?  Is it copying what someone else has done that has been successful?  As we move to this new phase of ministry in our lives, I want to do as I have always thought I should do.  I have to hear from God myself, and not simply follow what others are doing. There is always something to learn from those who are doing effective ministry, but are we to base what we do simply on what they do?  Maybe for some, but I think we fail ourselves if we do not seek what God wants in our setting.  Learn from those who are doing it well, read the books, let's just make sure we read "The Book" before we go forward with our ministry.

How do we do that?  Jeremiah has some great words to address this.  "This is what the Lord says:  'Stand at the Crossroads and look; ask for the Ancient Paths, ask where the Good way is, and Walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you said, we will not walk in it."- Jeremiah 6:16  This passage gives me some interesting thoughts.  Let me deal first with what we are to do personally and then with how we get a "God-involved" ministry plan.  

4 things:  1.  Stand at the Crossroads - Get to the critical place of having to decide where to go and what you life is going to be about.

 2.  Look while at the Crossroads - Examine the path you must go on or will go on. We will see what is popular there and what is not and we have got to make a good decision.  

 3.  Ask where the good way is - There are many options to go down, but they are not all the path that includes the "Good Way".  This "Good Way" is "God's Way".

 4.  Walk in it - Once you know how you are to live or how you are to minister, then go down that road and do so with passion.

Look at what he says here, when we do this, "you will find rest for your souls." This makes me go "Hmm".

When I look around at the church in Germany and the church in America, I see people tired, confused and unable to find real rest in their lives.  It begs the question, why?  Could it be that we are so tired as followers of Christ because we are busy following some Spiritual list we think we have to accomplish or what some other Christian says we should do.  If that is the case, then we have not stood anywhere but in the path of someone else and we have not heard from God concerning the direction for our lives.  Are you walking in the way that God is leading you or are you walking in the path that your parents, church, job, denomination, or friends say you should walk.

Since the Christian life is not to be live alone, but in community with others, we have to ask those of us who lead ministries a question.  Have we stood at the road, looked, asked for the good path, and then walked in it or have we simply gotten on board with whatever is trendy in the world of church life?  Could it be that the reason the people we lead are so tired and unconnected to God is because we have not gotten our ministry plan from God, but from what others have heard from God for their setting.  Maybe it could be the same, but maybe not.  If this way brings rest for your soul, then maybe we who lead should get away and examine where we are leading people.  What does it say about our pursuit of God, when we rely on the latest book to give us direction?  Have we lost the ability or even desire to seek him when it is so difficult and instead have chosen to ride upon the wings of those who have sought him. 

Of course, we cannot be held responsible for all of the actions and decisions that people make, but we are responsible to make sure that we have heard from Christ and are going down a road that he has given us, not one we have gotten from someone else.  Do we want the people we lead to have rest?  It will help them if we will hear from God ourselves.  If we don't we will just lead and live the life that others are living. And that...

leads to the Tiredness of the Copy-cat life.