{Sharing Your Faith Starts in the Most Unexpected Place}
Sharing your faith can be terrifying, for many reasons: you don’t know how, you don’t know why, you feel inadequate, you feel incompetent, you feel guilty because you know you’re “supposed” to, etc.
I think when we understand why sharing our faith is so important, it makes it easier for us to know how to share our faith.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Apart from Christ, people have no chance at spending eternity in heaven with the Father. They will remain far off, in broken relationship, without hope. If we don’t share, they can’t hear. If they don’t hear, they can’t believe. If they don’t believe, there’s NO hope (Romans 10).
Sharing brings hope.
So how do we offer hope??
I don’t think sharing your faith starts with knowing “5 points of Evangelism” or an index card with good questions or any other list of “how to’s”. Those are helpful along the way, but not a starting place. So where do we start? What do we do?
#1) Be Compassionate
I think the place to start when sharing your faith is a place of brokenness, a place of compassion. Sharing your faith starts with a broken heart.
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)
Jesus looked on people with compassion. He was out teaching and proclaiming the gospel . . . with compassion. He hurt as He healed. That is where sharing starts. We are to feel mercy for the lost and love them so much that we look past our fears, to offer them hope.
#2) Pray Intentionally
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:2-4)
We are to actively seek out opportunities through prayer to share Christ. The gospel is a message that must be spoken, it’s good news that must be announced! We must pray for open doors and for boldness and clarity when we speak.
#3) Live Authentically
"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)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-14)
We are to live in a way that is authentic and honest. Our lives should bring credibility to the gospel and glorify the LORD. Our lives should be what attract's people to the gospel the most.
#4) Know Your Bible
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)
We are to be people who know our bibles. The reliability of the bible, the story of redemption in the bible, places to take people to see the beautiful work of Christ and Christ crucified. We need to be fluent in our bibles to be able to explain to people what we believe.
#5) Preach it!
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7)
Share your story of how you were once foolish, disobedient, and far off. Then share the message of the gospel, the good news, that Jesus died so that we may live! Share about His forgiveness of sin and His power to redeem.
Sharing your faith is NOT always easy, but hopefully these tips will help you to reach out to others the same way Christ reached down for us.
See compassionately.
Pray intentionally.
Live authentically.
Speak knowledgeably.
Preach boldly.
Showing posts with label Inclusive Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inclusive Community. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Salty People
{My Journey Through the Sermon on the Mount}
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." (Matthew 5:13)
I have been on a journey through the Sermon on the Mount for the past 3 months. Friends, I can't chew on more than 1-2 sentences a week.
This week was no different.
What is the purpose of salt?
Why is it used?
What benefits does it have?
And why, oh, why would Jesus call us "salt of the earth"?
Here are some definitions of salt from my commentaries: flavor, preserve, season, freshen, sweeten to taste
Uses/benefits: means of purification, delays decay or physical corruption
What is the purpose of salt? Why is it used?
"Ministers are to dispense the Word, both Law and Gospel, in such a way as to express the qualities of salt. Now the properties of salt as applied to raw flesh or fresh meats are principally these: first, it will fret and bite, being of a hot and dry nature; second, it makes meat savory to our taste; third, it preserves meat from putrefaction by drawing out of it superfluous moisture.
(Pink, A.W. (2011-06-28). An Exposition of The Sermon on The Mount)
Salt . . .
Frets and bites
Makes a savory taste
Preserves
Frets and Bites
We are to be just like this to the world arounds us. Our message of Christ and Christ crucified may sting (fret/bite) a bit at first. For some, it may be offensive. It may cause pain to hear that they way they do life or understand life is wrong. It may hurt a bit to hear that Jesus is THE only way to eternal life and reconciliation with the Father. The message can be painful in the beginning. But that's okay, salt on flesh stings at first in order to disinfect and fight disease. Pain comes before purification.
Savory Taste
However, it shouldn't stop there. After the salt is poured onto the flesh, it begins to make a savory taste. We should be able to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ in a way that causes others to have a good taste in their mouth. One that leaves them craving more. We should share Truth in a way that is flavorful, delightful, and tasty. Not in a way that causes people to spit it out, but in a way that causes them to chew on it more.
Preserves
Salt helps keeps things alive longer. Salt keeps things from decay (corrupting), it can keep from harm, illness, or disease. So just as salt preserves food, we as salt of the earth are to help preserve people. We are to help people along the path of of everlasting by showing them Christ. We are to help keep others from harm, moral decay, spiritual illness or disease by pointing to Christ and His word.
We are salt of the earth. Jesus tells us so. But not all salt stays "salty". The rest of this scripture warns that we are supposed to be the kind of salt that does not lose it's taste. If we don't remain salty, remain fresh and pure ourselves, when we offer our "salt" to others, it will do no good. It will be useless, "thrown out and trampled under feet" as Jesus said. The way we live our life can either be as a preservative for others, or it can be meaningless and thrown out.
We've all come across these kinds of people. Those who talk about the redeeming work of Jesus and yet their lives are anything but redeemed. They lose credibility, people begin to toss them aside, throw out their message, because it is not reputable. It's meaningless. They're salty people who have lost their taste. Their salt is good for nothing.
Friends, will you work hard at protecting your saltiness? Will you remain in Jesus, the ultimate Preserver, so that your salt provides others with a savory taste? Let's be people whose salt has a purpose and good flavor.
Let's be people who allow our salt to sting, savor, and save!
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." (Matthew 5:13)
I have been on a journey through the Sermon on the Mount for the past 3 months. Friends, I can't chew on more than 1-2 sentences a week.
This week was no different.
What is the purpose of salt?
Why is it used?
What benefits does it have?
And why, oh, why would Jesus call us "salt of the earth"?
Here are some definitions of salt from my commentaries: flavor, preserve, season, freshen, sweeten to taste
Uses/benefits: means of purification, delays decay or physical corruption
What is the purpose of salt? Why is it used?
"Ministers are to dispense the Word, both Law and Gospel, in such a way as to express the qualities of salt. Now the properties of salt as applied to raw flesh or fresh meats are principally these: first, it will fret and bite, being of a hot and dry nature; second, it makes meat savory to our taste; third, it preserves meat from putrefaction by drawing out of it superfluous moisture.
(Pink, A.W. (2011-06-28). An Exposition of The Sermon on The Mount)
Salt . . .
Frets and bites
Makes a savory taste
Preserves
Frets and Bites
We are to be just like this to the world arounds us. Our message of Christ and Christ crucified may sting (fret/bite) a bit at first. For some, it may be offensive. It may cause pain to hear that they way they do life or understand life is wrong. It may hurt a bit to hear that Jesus is THE only way to eternal life and reconciliation with the Father. The message can be painful in the beginning. But that's okay, salt on flesh stings at first in order to disinfect and fight disease. Pain comes before purification.
Savory Taste
However, it shouldn't stop there. After the salt is poured onto the flesh, it begins to make a savory taste. We should be able to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ in a way that causes others to have a good taste in their mouth. One that leaves them craving more. We should share Truth in a way that is flavorful, delightful, and tasty. Not in a way that causes people to spit it out, but in a way that causes them to chew on it more.
Preserves
Salt helps keeps things alive longer. Salt keeps things from decay (corrupting), it can keep from harm, illness, or disease. So just as salt preserves food, we as salt of the earth are to help preserve people. We are to help people along the path of of everlasting by showing them Christ. We are to help keep others from harm, moral decay, spiritual illness or disease by pointing to Christ and His word.
We are salt of the earth. Jesus tells us so. But not all salt stays "salty". The rest of this scripture warns that we are supposed to be the kind of salt that does not lose it's taste. If we don't remain salty, remain fresh and pure ourselves, when we offer our "salt" to others, it will do no good. It will be useless, "thrown out and trampled under feet" as Jesus said. The way we live our life can either be as a preservative for others, or it can be meaningless and thrown out.
We've all come across these kinds of people. Those who talk about the redeeming work of Jesus and yet their lives are anything but redeemed. They lose credibility, people begin to toss them aside, throw out their message, because it is not reputable. It's meaningless. They're salty people who have lost their taste. Their salt is good for nothing.
Friends, will you work hard at protecting your saltiness? Will you remain in Jesus, the ultimate Preserver, so that your salt provides others with a savory taste? Let's be people whose salt has a purpose and good flavor.
Let's be people who allow our salt to sting, savor, and save!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Blessed are the Merciful
My Journey Through the Sermon on the Mount
{Matthew 5:1-7}
We're at a turning point in our beatitudes. The first 3 beatitudes have to do with me, my heart. Looking at my position of lowliness before the Most High God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
The 4th beatitude has to do with God and His kind of life. How I will live in response to inheriting the Kingdom. Seeking His righteousness.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
The last 3 beatitudes have to do with relationships, with me and how I relate to others. Let's look at verse 7, specifically on that word "mercy".
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Once we are in Christ, we are to be merciful to others. To see them as those who are helpless and guilty. Of all the peoples in this world, we should be the most merciful for we have received the most mercy from the most loving God.
"The merciful extend mercy to others, thus demonstrating God’s mercy which has been extended to them." (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mt 5:1–12). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
"Mercifulness, then, is a gracious disposition toward our fellow creatures and fellow Christians. It is a spirit of kindness and benevolence which sympathizes with the sufferings of the afflicted, so that we weep with those that weep." (Pink, A.W. (2011-06-28). An Exposition of The Sermon on The Mount (Kindle Locations 508-509). Unknown. Kindle Edition.)
Remember Jesus response to the people? "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
He was not frustrated that others did not understand. He was not angered that they were not perfect. He didn't picket their nightclubs or yell hateful things. He didn't look down his nose at them, he didn't turn them away, shun them, or isolate from them. He saw them and had compassion.
Or as my wise teacher once said, He recognized "They were not the enemy, they were victims of the enemy." We are to extend mercy, to show grace and compassion, for others. We are to offer Christ and pray that they receive relationship with the Father of Mercy.
As an act of gratitude for receiving mercy from our sovereign LORD, we are to share that mercy with others. It is the only response for being saturated in this gift of mercy . . . pouring it out onto others.
"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
{Matthew 5:1-7}
We're at a turning point in our beatitudes. The first 3 beatitudes have to do with me, my heart. Looking at my position of lowliness before the Most High God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
The 4th beatitude has to do with God and His kind of life. How I will live in response to inheriting the Kingdom. Seeking His righteousness.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
The last 3 beatitudes have to do with relationships, with me and how I relate to others. Let's look at verse 7, specifically on that word "mercy".
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Once we are in Christ, we are to be merciful to others. To see them as those who are helpless and guilty. Of all the peoples in this world, we should be the most merciful for we have received the most mercy from the most loving God.
"The merciful extend mercy to others, thus demonstrating God’s mercy which has been extended to them." (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mt 5:1–12). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
"Mercifulness, then, is a gracious disposition toward our fellow creatures and fellow Christians. It is a spirit of kindness and benevolence which sympathizes with the sufferings of the afflicted, so that we weep with those that weep." (Pink, A.W. (2011-06-28). An Exposition of The Sermon on The Mount (Kindle Locations 508-509). Unknown. Kindle Edition.)
Remember Jesus response to the people? "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
He was not frustrated that others did not understand. He was not angered that they were not perfect. He didn't picket their nightclubs or yell hateful things. He didn't look down his nose at them, he didn't turn them away, shun them, or isolate from them. He saw them and had compassion.
Or as my wise teacher once said, He recognized "They were not the enemy, they were victims of the enemy." We are to extend mercy, to show grace and compassion, for others. We are to offer Christ and pray that they receive relationship with the Father of Mercy.
As an act of gratitude for receiving mercy from our sovereign LORD, we are to share that mercy with others. It is the only response for being saturated in this gift of mercy . . . pouring it out onto others.
"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Beautiful Feet
“As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Romans 10:15)
How often do we gather with others to talk about the gospel? Study the gospel? Learn how to share the gospel? How often do we get our feet dirty, walk outside, and share the gospel?
What good is it to know all about the gospel and never share it? Can we really KNOW the gospel without making Him KNOWN? If we truly know the gospel and have experienced God’s redeeming love, we can’t help but share the good news.
As we passionately pursue God, we should passionately pursue opportunities to share the good news. Sharing the simple truth: He died that we might live. Sharing our story of how we were grafted in. Inviting others to share in our Kingdom inheritance.
Our feet are beautiful when we go. Go and share. Go and make disciples. In your front yard. In the lunch room. At the dinner table.
Walk across. Enter in. Name Him where He hasn’t been named. Get your feet dirty. Beautiful.
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38)
How often do we gather with others to talk about the gospel? Study the gospel? Learn how to share the gospel? How often do we get our feet dirty, walk outside, and share the gospel?
What good is it to know all about the gospel and never share it? Can we really KNOW the gospel without making Him KNOWN? If we truly know the gospel and have experienced God’s redeeming love, we can’t help but share the good news.
As we passionately pursue God, we should passionately pursue opportunities to share the good news. Sharing the simple truth: He died that we might live. Sharing our story of how we were grafted in. Inviting others to share in our Kingdom inheritance.
Our feet are beautiful when we go. Go and share. Go and make disciples. In your front yard. In the lunch room. At the dinner table.
Walk across. Enter in. Name Him where He hasn’t been named. Get your feet dirty. Beautiful.
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Burdened
My head is spinning and my heart is broken. After today’s message, I have felt like I’ve been pulled in 2 extremes. On one hand, I am so thankful to be redeemed, thankful that the LORD called me out of darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved Son. On the other, I have not stopped thinking about all of those around me who have yet to put their faith in Christ.
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
I did not grow up in church, but believed in “God” and “truth” all of my life. It never made sense to me that “all religions are right”. But I never put much thought into it more than that. I remember going to Jewish temple with my best friend in Jr.High and feeling like it was all so “cool”. Hearing them speak in Hebrew and read the Torah just felt so “religious”. In high school I went with Santino’s family to church and listened to the preacher talk about asking Jesus into your heart, and I did! I wanted that sense of closeness to the LORD, I truly did. I remember feeling a little closeness and even read the bible a bit. The feeling was there, I think I “put my faith in Christ”, but it soon died out.
“Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:5-6)
When I entered college, for no other reason but it was “fun”, I started drinking and partying. I was on a fast track to destruction and alcoholism. It wasn’t until the sudden death of my father that it all came to a screeching halt. I was faced with serious questions about life, death, and God before I had planned to have those questions.
The next 3 years were so difficult for me. As I started to seek out truth about God, life, and death, I started to realize that the way I was living didn’t add up to what I was learning and believing. This is when I started to understand that “believing in God” and living for Him was completely different.
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (James 2:19)
I came to a place in my life where I had to match my actions with what I believe. Little did I know, this process I was experiencing was being sanctified, taking off my old way of living, and walking in the light.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (John 3:3)
As I started to draw closer to the LORD and further away from “partying”, I started to experience a lot of pain in realizing how much was changing. Relationships I had were starting to drift, friends that I loved dearly told me it was fine for me to be “born again” but that drinking was just too much fun, they couldn’t give it up. I was pursuing Christ and His Kingdom, only to lose so much of the worldly treasures I had at the time.
"For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (1 Peter 4:3-4)
My heart began to break as many around me watched the change within in me, and yet still pursued ways of the world. My heart was broken again today thinking of so many friends and family members that I love who have rejected Christ. It is the rest of this passage that sends me to my knees in prayer for them. They will be judged, they will give an account for their life.
Today, I have not stopped thinking about Jonah and his message to the people of Nineveh, to repent and be saved or in 40 days they will face judgment. I was weeping in church thinking about how many of my friends and loved ones have yet to repent and put their faith in Christ. It has overwhelmed me thinking about the fact that they live daily with Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit; they miss out on life and life abundant, and will face a literal hell if they continue to reject Christ. I can’t rest with this kind of pain in my heart. I hope and pray they will begin to ask questions like I did in my place of brokenness; they will begin to evaluate their life and pursue Christ and His kingdom over self and ways of this world.
For all of us . . . because the time is near . . . let us repent, turn from our ways, and pursue Him. Let us stop suppressing the Truth and living a life apart from Him. He is our only Hope, our only Refuge, our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
I did not grow up in church, but believed in “God” and “truth” all of my life. It never made sense to me that “all religions are right”. But I never put much thought into it more than that. I remember going to Jewish temple with my best friend in Jr.High and feeling like it was all so “cool”. Hearing them speak in Hebrew and read the Torah just felt so “religious”. In high school I went with Santino’s family to church and listened to the preacher talk about asking Jesus into your heart, and I did! I wanted that sense of closeness to the LORD, I truly did. I remember feeling a little closeness and even read the bible a bit. The feeling was there, I think I “put my faith in Christ”, but it soon died out.
“Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:5-6)
When I entered college, for no other reason but it was “fun”, I started drinking and partying. I was on a fast track to destruction and alcoholism. It wasn’t until the sudden death of my father that it all came to a screeching halt. I was faced with serious questions about life, death, and God before I had planned to have those questions.
The next 3 years were so difficult for me. As I started to seek out truth about God, life, and death, I started to realize that the way I was living didn’t add up to what I was learning and believing. This is when I started to understand that “believing in God” and living for Him was completely different.
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (James 2:19)
I came to a place in my life where I had to match my actions with what I believe. Little did I know, this process I was experiencing was being sanctified, taking off my old way of living, and walking in the light.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (John 3:3)
As I started to draw closer to the LORD and further away from “partying”, I started to experience a lot of pain in realizing how much was changing. Relationships I had were starting to drift, friends that I loved dearly told me it was fine for me to be “born again” but that drinking was just too much fun, they couldn’t give it up. I was pursuing Christ and His Kingdom, only to lose so much of the worldly treasures I had at the time.
"For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (1 Peter 4:3-4)
My heart began to break as many around me watched the change within in me, and yet still pursued ways of the world. My heart was broken again today thinking of so many friends and family members that I love who have rejected Christ. It is the rest of this passage that sends me to my knees in prayer for them. They will be judged, they will give an account for their life.
Today, I have not stopped thinking about Jonah and his message to the people of Nineveh, to repent and be saved or in 40 days they will face judgment. I was weeping in church thinking about how many of my friends and loved ones have yet to repent and put their faith in Christ. It has overwhelmed me thinking about the fact that they live daily with Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit; they miss out on life and life abundant, and will face a literal hell if they continue to reject Christ. I can’t rest with this kind of pain in my heart. I hope and pray they will begin to ask questions like I did in my place of brokenness; they will begin to evaluate their life and pursue Christ and His kingdom over self and ways of this world.
For all of us . . . because the time is near . . . let us repent, turn from our ways, and pursue Him. Let us stop suppressing the Truth and living a life apart from Him. He is our only Hope, our only Refuge, our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Service and Submission
Twice in the last week I have received the same lesson from God. The first time it came from an article titled “Tyranny of the Urgent” by Charles E. Hummel in our bible study for life group (from the Navigators Colossians 2:7 series on discipleship-“Growing Strong in God’s Family”). To summarize, this article was about how we “let the urgent things crowd out the important”. I’ll just list some of the things I underlined:
“Yet Jesus’ life was never feverish; he had time for people. He spent hours talking to the Samaritan women, yet when his brothers wanted him to go to Judea he replied ‘my time has not yet come’.”
“He prayerfully waited for his Father’s instructions and the strength to follow them. He discerned the Father’s will day by day in a life of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful waiting for God’s instructions freed Him from the tyranny of the urgent. It gave him a sense of direction, set a steady pace, and enabled Him to do every task God assigned.”
“It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack . . . these come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstance.”
“Frenetic service for God can become an escape from God. If a Christian is too busy to stop, take spiritual inventory, and received his assignments from God, he becomes a slave to the tyranny of the urgent. He may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant to himself and others, but he will not finish the work the work God has for him to do.”
The second time, this same lesson came from a devotional I read this morning by Oswald Chambers. http://utmost.org/my-utmost-for-his-highest/
“We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we are to Him, not what we do for Him.”
“Our Lord’s primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people— the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father.”
I can easily overwhelm myself with service and shepherding. So many times I have come to the LORD with a list of people my heart longs for to be saved and freed from sin, Satan, and death. I have asked the LORD how I could possibly shepherd and evangelize all of these people. To which He responds, you don’t have to “save” all of these people. You just need to be an instrument for me to work through. I will save, just obey me when I ask. I love the message in both of these articles/devotionals. Jesus’ served and guided others, but submitted first to the will of the Father. He did only what His father asked and that is where His sufficiency came from.
Are you there? Feeling overwhelmed? Burdened for the needs of others? Not knowing where to start/stop? I’m there. I thank God that I can come to Him in prayer for discernment, wisdom, and peace about my part. My job is simply to listen and obey . . .
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
“Yet Jesus’ life was never feverish; he had time for people. He spent hours talking to the Samaritan women, yet when his brothers wanted him to go to Judea he replied ‘my time has not yet come’.”
“He prayerfully waited for his Father’s instructions and the strength to follow them. He discerned the Father’s will day by day in a life of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful waiting for God’s instructions freed Him from the tyranny of the urgent. It gave him a sense of direction, set a steady pace, and enabled Him to do every task God assigned.”
“It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack . . . these come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstance.”
“Frenetic service for God can become an escape from God. If a Christian is too busy to stop, take spiritual inventory, and received his assignments from God, he becomes a slave to the tyranny of the urgent. He may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant to himself and others, but he will not finish the work the work God has for him to do.”
The second time, this same lesson came from a devotional I read this morning by Oswald Chambers. http://utmost.org/my-utmost-for-his-highest/
“We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we are to Him, not what we do for Him.”
“Our Lord’s primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people— the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father.”
I can easily overwhelm myself with service and shepherding. So many times I have come to the LORD with a list of people my heart longs for to be saved and freed from sin, Satan, and death. I have asked the LORD how I could possibly shepherd and evangelize all of these people. To which He responds, you don’t have to “save” all of these people. You just need to be an instrument for me to work through. I will save, just obey me when I ask. I love the message in both of these articles/devotionals. Jesus’ served and guided others, but submitted first to the will of the Father. He did only what His father asked and that is where His sufficiency came from.
Are you there? Feeling overwhelmed? Burdened for the needs of others? Not knowing where to start/stop? I’m there. I thank God that I can come to Him in prayer for discernment, wisdom, and peace about my part. My job is simply to listen and obey . . .
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
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