They Kept A Record Of Wrongs

Have you ever been asked to solve other people’s relational problems?

Sometimes you can help people, and other times once you get into a conversation you discover first-hand why they have the relational problems they have.

Sharing the Notepad

Eager to meet, this couple arrived early for their appointment. They wanted help from me in resolving their relationship problems with another couple. Wonderful! Getting help from others, even your pastor, when having relational troubles is an excellent choice.

Their problem was mainly between the wives, and all four of them had apparently met a number of times to work out their difficulties. The husband and wife in my office were deeply troubled because, in their view, they had tried everything to find resolution but were unable to get there.

Then he opened the folder. They were more than troubled, they were greatly offended. He mentioned to me that he had a list of all their interactions with the other couple, the offenses and their discussions with dates and notations. He wanted to review all three to four pages in his notepad with me, along with some biblical references.

I have never seen such a thing before. My first thought was that they were crazy—who does that?! My second thought was 1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV “[Love] keeps no record of wrongs.” I didn’t think the Apostle Paul was indicating that people would literally keep lists! The most disturbing observation however was that they didn’t seem to see anything wrong with their recording of others’ wrongs against them.

I refused to look at it or hear any of it, which baffled them. They kept insisting I examine the evidence and I kept resisting, trying to move to conversation in a more positive and productive direction to help them find better biblical resolution to their grievances. Their ire got the best of them and I just put a stop to the whole meeting.

Giving Departing Advice

Maybe I was too direct at this point, but I honestly felt very little compassion for them and was disgusted by their unbiblical approach of keeping an actual list of wrongs along with gross bitterness toward others. And this is because I loved them.

I knew both couples very well and was actually surprised that they couldn’t work out matters. Yet, I never heard a thing from the supposed offending couple. Later, when I mentioned my experience to them they seemed surprised to learn that their relationship with that couple was that bad. And they confirmed my conclusion that this other couple was emotionally unhealthy and spiritually immature.

Back to my office. They were beyond taking any counsel, but I thought it best that they hear some truth from me as their pastor before they left, and as I knew at this point, they would also leave the church.

So, I tried to gently point out to them that it seemed to me that they have had troubles with a number of other people in the congregation over the years, as well. They acknowledged it but were defensive about it. They demanded to know who and when and all the facts about each every situation—apparently I was supposed to keep such lists!

A second time I tried to help them see that they themselves were the common denominator in all my examples. Often when there were relational problems in the church, they were involved. They were confused. I further pointed out that others were able to get beyond disagreements because they didn’t keep lists. Lists will destroy the list-keepers and cause them to hate instead of love their brothers and sister, to keep grudges rather than forgive.

They were intent on leaving the church anyway, which was probably best for us all.  So I gave them some parting advice to work on their issue, because it would follow them wherever they went. It was not our church’s problem, but theirs and their future church experiences would be the same, if they didn’t face it and work on it. In fact, they could damage other churches, and continue to hurt others and themselves.

The meeting didn’t end well at the time. But, as the years have passed, I am more hopeful that it actually ended very well. It spared our church from divisive people and it has likely helped this couple heal and grow over the years. I still pray for them every time I remember this story and our uncomfortable conversation.

Spiritual Eloquence

Spiritual eloquence is not the same thing as being good at public speaking, being original with cultural insights, or being able to affect hearts with healing words.

It might include such things, but these are not necessary for spiritual eloquence and should not be confused as such, as often as they are.

Apollos: Better Than Most

God has given especially gifted individuals to His Church and for this we are especially thankful and blessed. But, there are only a few like Apollos. However, all of us are needed not just the giants.

Acts 18:24–28 ESV “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Some of us might hesitate to speak because we are not as gifted, or mimic the greats hoping to be somebody someday.  Apollos is a good example for those extra-gifted and those who look up to them. His humility stands out in being willing to be corrected by those less gifted, ordinarily gifted, and see himself as just one of the group, not really any better a Christian. Many mighty would-be Apollos types have fallen in recent years because of arrogance.

Apollos shows us the way to spiritual eloquence by his example of becoming competent and well-taught in the Scriptures and then speaking boldly out of a faith-filled fervent spirit.

Jesus: The Spirit for All of Us

But, many protest they don’t know what to say or how to say it, that they don’t know enough, and that they fear arguments they cannot answer. These reasonings reveal a decided identification with human preparations and standards of eloquence. It is not spiritual thinking.

Luke 21:13–15 ESV “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” 

Acts 4:13 ESV “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 6:10 ESV “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

Jesus Himself provides His followers with the wisdom needed at the time it is needed through His Spirit that indwells them. Spending time with Jesus Christ is what fills up our minds with wisdom and grants a fuller measure of His Spirit. 

Spiritual eloquence comes from Jesus Christ. Be with Jesus a lot, even more than that. And then get out and try it. Rely on the Spirit of Jesus and prove His promise true.

Paul: Not Often Out of His League

We might still find ourselves in situations that way beyond our abilities, humanly speaking. The level of sophistication from the opposition is intimidating, and so even going in the Spirit we tremble. 

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 ESV “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

This is all the more reason to stay close to the clear message of Christ, and rely on His strength, His Spirit and His purposes with that audience. This is spiritual eloquence.

Besides, who and what are we really going after? Isn’t it the salvation and maturity of those He has prepared, not trying to conquer the fierce opposition with our intellect or creativity?

Being afraid to speak for Christ and the Gospel is a matter of spiritual warfare, the evil one assaulting the spiritual gifts Christ has given to the Church. The devil and our flesh induce us to measure with human standards and encourage our rising doubts and fears. 

Spiritual eloquence is not about speaking exceptionally well, impressing others or moving people emotionally. It is simply speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes from time spent with Christ and in His Word.

Maybe you just need to speak and see what happens.

Don’t Think About How Far They Must Come

Sometimes we give up on sharing the Gospel before we even start. 

We can discourage ourselves when we mull over how much people need to know in order to come to Christ.  We overwhelm ourselves when we contemplate all their beliefs that have to change and how they need to completely reorient their lives.

Why would they even listen?!  Why would they ever want to believe?!

Give People the Opportunity to Hear

This type of reasoning is one of our problems in sharing the Gospel.  We think through it too much.  We come up with a whole bunch of scenarios that includes their religious backgrounds, lifestyle and objections.  In fact, we might find ourselves coming up with more reasons not to believe than others have probably ever thought of themselves!

I remember some of my early experiences with evangelism walking onto a beach full of fun or entering a crowded cafeteria and thinking to myself “I don’t think anyone is going to be interested.”  But every time the Lord led me to people who were interested, often very interested.  They didn’t all come to Christ, but many wanted to talk, argue or share their opinions, and were thankful for the opportunity.

Even last year I was sitting in an airport in south Asia next to a Muslim man.  We both had about six hours before our next flight and we were both exhausted.  I didn’t want to talk about the Gospel, thinking I am too tired for this and he doesn’t look like the type who would be interested anyway.  Then, only two minutes into our polite greetings he asked me directly about Jesus Christ.  So we joined our tables and discussed Bible passages he was troubled about for the next four hours.

I still need to remind myself to just share the message.  Stop overthinking it and be prayerful.  Follow where the Holy Spirit takes the conversation.  This is basic faithfulness in evangelism.  

Give People the Opportunity to Believe

Whether it seems people are ready or not, ask them to put their trust in Christ.  And then wait for their response.  If we don’t think they are ready we don’t ask.  But, just ask.  The worst they can say is “no” and this only means, “not now.”  So, that means that the day might be coming when they will say “yes.”

Asking outright impresses upon people the urgency of Gospel consideration.  Let’s them know it is not a nebulous concept to trust in Christ.  Explain it.  Always issue a general call, for you never know when God will issue His irresistible internal special call for salvation.

Sharing the Gospel does not have to be time consuming either, which is often another concern of ours.  It is okay to only cover what you have time for.  You can talk more later, or connect them with others, with resources or nearby churches.

Romans 10:13–14 ESV “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

There is More than One Goal

It helps to remember that the ultimate goal is not the only goal.  Perhaps it would be better to think about what might be the next reasonable step for the people with whom you are sharing.

Evangelism becomes relaxing when you can simply enjoy people for who they are as people created in God’s image and share in their lives.  Maybe they want help overcoming a certain objection that has been bothering them.  Maybe they need to meet and enjoy conversation with a genuine Christian.  Maybe they have to unburden themselves with hurt or pain.  Maybe it is time for them to open up about sin struggles in their lives.

There are likely many smaller goals along the way to salvation that must be met.  And what we often consider the goal—“being saved”—is really not the ultimate goal anyway.  Instead, it is entrance into an eternal life with the ultimate goal of knowing and enjoying God.   As Jesus said in John 17:3 ESV “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Encouragement in evangelism comes when we enjoy the process and our assigned roles in it.

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 ESV “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

Themes For The Lord's Supper

In our weakness we tend toward ritualism, remaining unmoved at the greatness of what we are celebrating.  We forget rather than remember.

The Main Texts

The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s cross and resurrection.  A great variety of Christian traditions are used in celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  There are four main Scripture texts used, three from the Gospel accounts (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22) and one from 1 Corinthians 11.  For example:

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.””

Each of us likely uses a standard form for the ritual, including its elements and procedures.  And we likely add our words of explanation and words of instruction.  Often we will emphasize certain aspects of Christ’s death and resurrection.  

These explanations can be very helpful and worthwhile for our congregations.  Further elaborations would encourage people even more, and lead them into better worship.

Expansive Themes

While articulating the basic message of the Lord’s Supper, we might want to expand upon an additional theme.  Draw out further applications of our redemption in Christ.

Here are some sample themes I have used over the years.  It is especially advantageous when the theme matches the preaching for the day.

Communion with Christ, fellowship with one another, remembrance of the Gospel, mercy, judgment, Christ our Savior, the return of Christ, remembering the cross, the blessed man, grace, good works, joyful worshippers, forgiveness of sin, missions, love of God in Christ, justifying faith, Day of the Lord, discipleship, union with Christ, the glory of it all, Passover, watchfulness, closeness to God, blood of the New Covenant, a unique people, Gentile inclusion in the history of redemption, person of Jesus, deliverance, Jesus is Lord, love of God, cross-centered spirituality, calling and commission, the Servant of God, living as Christ’s people, purposefulness, healing, called out ones, dependent faith, honoring Jesus Christ, Christ as King, resolve to serve God, wisdom of God’s plan, soul satisfaction, covenant love of Father and Son, gift of Holy Spirit, belonging to Christ, confession, life, goodness, provision for mission, sacred community, humanity of Christ, generosity, humility, wisdom for life, sufferings and glories of Christ, Christian society, defeat of the devil, sin taken away, believing Jesus, the perfect man, common salvation, boasting in Christ, triumphant in Christ, renewal, virtues of Christ, Christian virtues, privileged children of God, rebirth, Christ’s leading His faithful, bread of life, and Jesus Christ’s mission.

There are endless glories to highlight and relevancies to apply.  How much more could be expanded and expounded for the benefit of God’s people!?

It Only Takes Two Questions To Renew Your Marriage

How can you use the New Year’s Eve celebration to revitalize your marriage for the next year?  Early in our marriage we established a tradition of spending some time together that evening answering two questions.

Encourage Your Spouse

Think about it:  Where have you seen God at work in your husband or wife?  Be thankful to God for His powerful grace. We would each answer this question about the other person, speaking encouragement into their soul.

“What have I seen God do in and through you this past year?”

Maybe it was an area of personal growth, or learning more about God in order to know Him better and worship and serve Him better.  Maybe it was suffer through a trial, or an injustice, or supporting someone who did.  Or, it could be that your husband or wife needs to hear just how influential and inspiring they have been to so many people.

There is one rule:  whoever is sharing must not give even a hint of displeasure or correction, or try to change the other.  This is because the Bible is clear in 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Be Open with Your Spouse

Think about it:  Where has God been working on you?  What part of your life do you need to surrender to Him and His will?  You do know the answers to these questions.  We would each answer this question for ourself and then tell the other person.

“What do I hope and expect God to do in and through me this next year?”

Here again there is one rule:  Be vulnerable before your spouse and humble in front of God.  Also, this is not the time to comment on what is shared with you by your husband or wife in their openness.  Just be willing to pray and support.  There will be faltering progress in the coming year, but it will be forward progress nonetheless.

Pray Together

Do it together:  thank God for His grace in your lives.  Thank Him for His mercy on two sinners in a struggling relationship, as well.  Thank Him for making you patient, forgiving and hopeful toward one another.

Such an activity, whether it occurs on New Year’s Eve or not, is part of the experience of being soul-mates, true soul-mates for life.  Your love for one another, when empowered by God’s love, will give you a most amazing marriage; and it will get better with the years as your commitment to one another and God’s purposes in your lives deepens.  Praise be to Him for His glorious gift of marriage!!!

Four Lackluster Church People

Romans 6 is one of the most common passages of Scripture used in teaching about Christian baptism.  These verses reach far beyond baptism and teach about our new life in Christ.

Romans 6:4–7 ESV “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”

Our union with Christ is a mysterious and powerful personal relationship.  And it is through this union that we receive all the benefits of our salvation and new life.  

Difficult Spiritual Counseling

After reading Romans 6 it is puzzling to find church people lacking in spiritual vitality.  How would you counsel each of the following friends of yours?  What questions might you ask to lead them to consider their relationship with Jesus Christ?

1. A professing believer for 30 years, who is a pleasant and morally good person, but one without much visible Christian growth.  What is going on here?
2. A professing believer who continues to live in certain sins, and appears unconcerned about this, or only mildly bothered.  Why should they be concerned?
3. A person who wants to believe in Jesus Christ, but doesn't want too much of a changed life.  What are they missing?
4. A person who wants a changed life, but does not want to believe in Jesus Christ.  How much change can they expect?

Don’t Inspire Them, Rather Instruct Them

It is a mistake to attempt to inspire these people to perform like better Christians.  But this is often the approach taken in preaching at them and counseling with them.  They themselves often expect to hear this, and may even comply in hope that something good may happen.

We can’t counsel or convince people into union with Christ.  God alone does this.  And this teaching is exactly what we need to make known to them.  1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV “And because of him you are in [have a relationship with, united with] Christ Jesus.”

We don’t want to frustrate and confuse people about their relationship with Christ.  We want them to make their own comparison of their lives with the experience Scripture describes for a true Christian.  Let them think and wrestle with their souls before God.

While we wait, and probably have many more Gospel conversations with them, we pray for God to give His grace.  As it has been our experience described in 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The Lawyer Who Converted Himself

Tired from a good day of ministry, I was ready to return to my hotel room. “But we have one more meeting,” my national partner protested.  It was past midnight and I was wondering why this couldn’t wait until tomorrow when everyone would be more alert for the conversation.

Coffee at 1:00 AM, Really!?

She informed me that this man just finished his work and had been anticipating a meeting with someone that night who might know the answers to his questions about Christianity.  He had already asked many people many questions in his quest and was close to believing she said.

My friend prevailed upon me and I went to this coffee shop in Asia about 1:00 a.m. to meet with David, a lawyer.  There ended up being four of us--two women (national partners) and two men (a lawyer friend of theirs and me).

Keep the Coffee Coming

He spoke no English, and I didn’t speak his language.  Translation in the middle of the night is no easy task for anyone involved, especially translators.  Coffee helps everyone.  This translation barrier seemed to disappear quickly as he was so excited to meet and talk, and he was used to translation in his line of work.  

It wasn’t long before I found myself enjoying this new friendship.  We had a lot in common being about the same age, having children similar ages and both challenged by our life-stage issues, though from different cultural perspectives.

Well into the second pot of coffee, David shared some of his marriage problems with me and how they had led him to ask questions regarding the ultimate meaning of life.  We talked some about the practicalities of marriage and family.  But it was obvious he wanted to talk more about God, the universal human condition and the value of religion and philosophy.

Coffee as a Gospel Partner 

It was time for a third pot of the strong black coffee.  God was working on his mind and pushing him to consider the claims of Jesus Christ.  He had been in a few conversations earlier with my national ministry partner and her newly believing friend, who was the one who had originally shared with this man and set up this meeting.

David and I also found out we shared similar academic interests.  We talked about a few classical philosophical questions from Plato and the Western tradition.  We talked about Nietzsche’s theories and some from other atheists.  

Don’t be impressed, in reality, we talked about what each of us could remember from our college days, nothing too deep and academic; but it was no less real and practical for our lives.  And I shared my story of coming to Christ out of atheism and self-righteousness, how I used to believe Christianity was for the weak and how I was that “superman” of Nietzsche’s. 

Then, I introduced him to a few of my favorite quotations from Augustine and the Bible.  These seemed to hold special meaning to him, though I was honestly getting very tired and sharing only what came to mind, mostly by the Holy Spirit I believe.  

Coffee and Prayer to the End 

During the quotation and question exchanges I realized my role was to ask good questions and throw out good ideas.  I couldn’t do too much more because of the language barrier.  My Christian partners knew what to do and eagerly used everything I gave them, and probably took the conversation much deeper than I could.  Honestly, I felt like all I did was drink coffee and pray a lot.

Many times during the evening my ministry partners themselves were amazed at what God was doing upon this man’s mind and soul.  We would talk on the side, smile and pray silently with delight.  David was basically answering all his own questions, reasoning from the Scripture and apologetics we gave him, to convert himself!

We all turned down the fourth pot of coffee.  At this time David announced to us that he believed in Jesus Christ.  It was that simple for him.  He got his questions answered and it all made sense to him, that this was the true revelation from heaven, salvation for him and the hope of the whole human race.  He looked satisfied and at soul-rest.

Two Lives Changed

My friend David grew in his faith and became active in his house-church community.  Last I heard, about four years ago, his wife is yet to believe and he is doing his best to love and serve her as a Christian husband.  He wants her to experience the same forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life.  

It is hard to convey the impact of that evening on all four of us.  For me personally, I have never seen the Holy Spirit so powerfully do His work on a person with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I am convinced that I was there to just watch, wonder and delight at God’s power actively saving a person.  What was obviously true that early morning is true every time we share the Gospel, even when we are given a more instrumental role in brining people to salvation in Christ.  

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 ESV “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

A Single Man With Many Descendants

He owned a Christian bookstore in an east coast resort community.  Most Christian bookstores I know are filled with books of fluff, barely able to be acknowledged as Christian.  In a resort community?!  This would be fun; so I took a look!

There was a decent biblical studies section, and virtually no Christian romance.  These were two good signs.  As I peered deeper into the shelves I discovered that whoever owned this store knew his theology and had a mission in the community.  I had to meet him.  

My Greatest Early Encourager

He was a man full of the joy of the Holy Spirit, obvious from his smile and greeting; and then confirmed with his words.  He explained his vision to reach the community with solid biblical truth, to counsel all who entered, and to serve his church.  Simply, amazing!

I was a young college student at the time serving on a summer mission project in the community.  Recently, I had been tasked as one of two student teachers for the summer.  A daunting and thrilling task.  This man encouraged me.  He came to my teaching sessions.  He always encouraged me with specifics every time, and with notes of personal impact upon him.  Never ever a word of discouragement to a young man.

He became a good friend.  I would stop by his store a couple times a week.  I would hang out with him at church.  I would ask him questions about life and ministry.  

My wife and I were engaged at the time, so we asked for his advice on this, as well.  He was a single man, and always was and would be.  God’s wisdom was spoken to us through him into our relationship.  He attended our wedding and blessed us with his presence and many more words of gracious wisdom.

A Sacrificial Visit to a Pathetic One

After the mission project I returned home.  As often happens after such spiritually intense situations, depression set in.  I called him often for advice.  I was in a really bad place.

Then, he surprised me and took time to fly out and visit me, just to spend a week encouraging me, praying with me and listening to me.  Who does this?!

I still remember that week and how much it meant to me and how it put me back on the right track.  This was a week that changed my life and gave me courage to move forward in God’s will and plan for my life.  Thank you, brother.

Twenty-Five Years Later

We kept in touch on and off.  But, last year I was traveling through his city in Ohio and decided to stop by and visit.  This is after I had grown up, grown in Christ and grown in ministry.  This is when I started to ask more important questions about him.  Who was he really?

After our dinner at a local pizza place we went back to his simple home.  I learned about his broad ministry to college students over the years, particularly young men.  He had a number a Bible studies going on in his home with the college guys from the nearby campus.  He was forming leaders.

He prayed for them all.  He followed them all, their lives, their struggles, their successes  and the joys in life.  I found out that he was praying for me all these years.  He probably doesn’t know it, but I left his house that night for my hotel room being blessed, humbled and honored from being with him.

He is currently involved in a new church plant.  He is an old man, but younger, bolder and happier than most people I know.  This is because all he cares about is knowing Christ and spreading the Gospel of Christ; and the rest of life deserves little mention.

The Choice for Unselective Impact

My life has been shaped by this man taking an interest in me, praying for me and encouraging me.  I am not so sure he is very selective in whom he chooses to impact.  He just does it to whomever God brings his way.

He is my living model of a single man who uses his gift to please the Lord by extending the Kingdom.  As our Apostle Paul says, “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:32 ESV)

When I consider the promises to Abraham of innumerable descendants of the faith in Genesis 12, 15 and 22, I actually think of my friend’s place in the larger story of God.  Here is a single man who has many descendants!  He has shared the Gospel of salvation with hundreds if not thousands of people, and discipled as many who will impact as many.

I am humbled and emboldened by my dear friend, Bill; to indiscriminately encourage others, to sacrifice whimsically, and to invest in the people God brings into my life. 

Is God Messing With You? Your Life? Your Ministry?

When we let our work define us, we set ourselves up for great heartache and confusion.  This is because changes will be coming into our lives that will shake us.  Those of us in Christian ministry are some of the most vulnerable and unprepared.  

We tend to get our identity from what we do, such as preaching or teaching, leading worship, counseling, running schools, leading organizations, conducting outreaches, doing evangelism, providing humanitarian services, et cetera.  

On top of this we tend to believe that our current ministry, or ministry location, is our life-long calling or close to it--at least for a very long time.  Rarely is this the case, however.

Three Important Distinctions

It will be helpful to distinguish between our identity, our calling and our assignment.

Identity.  This is who you are as a person, who you are to God separate from what you do and when, where or how.  Even moreso, it is who you are in Christ, because of Christ.  We must rest in Him as His own.  This is permanent, unchangeable and untouchable.

Colossians 3:3–4 ESV “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Calling.  This is what you do because God designed you this way and gave you gifts and passions to match.  This calling travels with you wherever you go.  It is your occupation in His service.  This is semi-permanent, not likely to change wildly, but it will take on new developments throughout your life.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Assignment.  This is where you serve as placed by God.  You work in a specific location for a certain employer, playing a particular role, and probably holding some kind of title.  Likely this will be temporary as God will bring about change through a variety of circumstances, people and opportunities.  So, be ready to move and be ready to stay, simultaneously.  

Luke 9:57–58 ESV “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.””

Keep them clear in your mind:  who you are, what you do and where you serve.  Even if you already knew this you can still get mixed-up and feel lost.  By prayer, ask God to remind you of His truth when you feel overwhelmed.  This is especially important when you feel like He is messing with you, your life and your ministry.

For A Better Present & Future

Differentiation leads to greater confidence in ministry because we have a stronger sense of our identity and a greater trust in God’s sovereign movements.  It also leads to greater success in ministry because we see that it is less about us and more about God.  

And it leads to a better future for everyone when the time comes for change because we know God rearranges things and we are ready to trust His wisdom.  He is deploying and re-redeploying His people so that His Mission moves forward most powerfully.

I Am Not Usually Two Hours Late, Honestly

A few years ago, in a Buddhist country, in southeast Asia, a consortium of local churches from different denominations got together and planned an intense campaign to preach widely and plant as many churches as possible in one week.  

It was my very first exposure to such an approach, and I felt honored to be part of a team brought in to help.  Actually, it was their first attempt at such an approach, as well, but their faith and zeal were strong.  The result from that week of ministry was over 300 professions of faith and five new churches planted.

Two Hours Late Was Not Too Late, Thankfully

We learned a lot from one another while ministering the Gospel together that week.  One special memory sticks out above the rest for me.  It took place in an apartment where thirty young adults had gathered secretly to hear about the message of Christianity.  This was all arranged in advance and with the specific people chosen.  My partner and I were to arrive at a certain time and speak to the people.

A phone call came in asking what happened.  Where were we.  We were supposed to be there two hours ago.  We didn’t know what happened, but there was some miscommunication.  So, we frantically headed to the location, praying for the people--that they would stay, and that they would remain open to receiving us and the message.  

When we arrived we were welcomed warmly.  All the people had stayed.  After appropriate apologies and honoring our hosts and national leaders, we began.  They were eager to hear what we had to say and wanted to get right to the topic.

Could We Squeeze The Gospel Into Just An Hour?

Most of them were disenchanted with Buddhism but did not know what to do about it.  They especially wanted to hear answers from Christians outside of their own culture, which I found interesting.

We shared the basic outline of the Gospel from the very beginning, about who God is, to what He has done, starting from Creation, on to Christ and the Cross, and clear on out to His return and the final state of glory.  We spent most of this 30 minutes or so talking about the person of Jesus Christ, which was their main interest.

This was all done through translation by a couple nationals who were also Christian workers.  We took a few questions with their help, and certainly they filled in our answers with what really needed to be said.  A few knew some English.  We finished up our presentation time with sharing our personal stories about how Jesus Christ had transformed us and our families.

After that hour, about half group decided to start following Christ.  Amazing!  God had been at work preparing them for this day, at work through others who had shared the Gospel with some of them before, at work in their lives, in their minds and their hearts.  This group of people spent another hour or so with my partner talking in more detail about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

What would we do with the others?  They obviously still had many questions, so I decided to sit with them and hear their concerns, even their objections and try my best to answer their questions.  I had no idea this would be so valuable to them.

The Two Best Questions I Have Ever Been Asked

It began, “you said that Jesus Christ was God and that he was man, so which is it?”  What a great question!  We looked at a some Scriptures and then spent time slowly talking and thinking through the two natures in the one person of Jesus Christ, and its reasonableness, yet its glorious mystery, and precisely how this is related to our salvation.  Most of them understood how this could be true; and then we had to talk some about God being Triune, which was made a little easier by starting with the person of Christ.

The big practical question on their minds was on the difference between Buddhist and Christian meditation.  This was out of my league, so I had them explain Buddhist meditation to me and tell me about their personal practices with it.  Many of them said they didn’t find it meaningful.  Picking up on their emptying concept, I said that in contrast Christian meditation is about filling our minds.

We looked at Psalm 1 together.  I had them read it aloud.  They loved it and started talking excitedly about it for a number of minutes before I could get any translation about the conversation from my national Christian friend.  I waited patiently and prayerfully as the work was being done by my national partner, and really the Word of God itself.  They understood very well, and wanted me to tell about my experience of following Psalm 1 and its results in my life.  What an amazing blessing to talk with these dear people who want to know God about knowing God!  A few more became disciples.

After two hours of this spiritual intensity, we ate a simple lunch together.  It was a joyful time being crammed together in that small apartment for half a day talking about matters of eternal significance.  We prayed with this group of new believers.  And best of all, our national partners were praising God for the results--possibly a new church!

Lessons On Partnership And Questions

While we were saying our good-byes, we were thanked for coming and sharing, of course.  But, then a number of them shared more deeply about how they felt like they had never been allowed to ask their religious questions before, or get any kind of real answers from their religious leaders.  I don’t know how accurate this was, but we affirmed that in Christianity questions are always welcome, even the most difficult questions, and that the answers are always found in the Bible.  

Then, motioning to our national partners, we affirmed that they deeply cared for them, understood their questions far better than anyone else, and wanted to continue teaching them about our Lord Jesus Christ.

That was a great day!  God showed me the joy to be had in welcoming those who have honest questions, answering them from His Scripture, and watching Him at work.  God also showed me the value of working in partnership and in teams.  There is simply no other better way.

1 Corinthians 3:5–8 ESV “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”