There's nothing more awesome than watching lightning streak across the summer sky, then waiting for the ensuing crash of thunder to announce what we try to forget -- the overwhelming power and destruction of nature's forces.
Lighting strikes have been observed by man since Noah led his procession from the ark on majestic Mount Ararat. To the ancients who knew little about science, lightning spoke specifically of the unseen spiritual world around them. It was a constant reminder that mankind was part of something much larger than themselves - there was a world of unseen forces that were active, and apparently warring, in the heavens.
Certainly, when Jesus walked the earth lightning cast a strong mystical shadow on those living in Palestine. When lightning lit up the Jerusalem skies it probably reminded Jews of the judgment that God was capable of pronouncing. During violent storms parents would likely calm their children with stories of how lightning reminded everyone of God's presence and power in the heavens, and how lightning accompanied Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai. In the minds of first century believers, lightning carried a definite connection with the spiritual realm.
This background is important as we read Luke chapter 10 - the account of Jesus sending the 72 disciples to prepare villages for His ministry. When they returned and gave their ministry report, Jesus became emotional as he heard of their exploits. He illustrated (as He did most teachings) their earthly ministry activities as something akin to lightning flashing in the heavens, then in the same exchange, as Satan somehow falling amidst that lightning
In the ministry of the seventy-two, Jesus could see an escalation of the battle in the heavens -- a new onslaught against the evil spiritual world. As lightning cuts through a quiet sky, neutralizing oppositely charged cloud formations, the ministry of the disciples was likewise piercing through the devil's dark strongholds on earth. Satan's deception of the nations was being attacked with new power and strategies.
The excitement (joy) Jesus expressed came as He witnessed how His divine plan of redemption gathered human warriors for the battle - men and women commissioned to assault evil in His name. Our mission as believers is to carry the commission given the twelve, the seventy-two, and the one hundred and twenty. As we go to war in His name armed with varied methods, strategies, and doctrinal perspectives, we will be as lightning in the dark sky... discharging and destroying a long standing evil charge in our world. As we go in His name, it is as though we carry the very awesome power of lightning in our hands.
(Luke 10:17-20)
March 26, 2006
March 19, 2006
Magnetism
I was sitting at the breakfast table with Linda (my wife) chatting about a variety of topics. Somehow we landed on the subject of effective communication from behind the pulpit. We talked at length, covering everything from preaching style to the variety of giftings. At one point one of us brought up natural charisma and the incredible power those so gifted can wield. I observed that most believers are confused about charisma, and have trouble differentiating between the natural and spiritual kind. We concluded that it must be a difficult journey for those having natural charisma - possessing the ability to move people toward virtually any goal - godly or ungodly.
That caused me to think about magnetism... It is a force field created by the presence of an A.C. voltage. If electrical conductors (wires) are configured in a certain pattern and electrical current travels through them, it will create a force field which will attract or repel most metals. That is the basic science behind electric motors - it is all about magnetism.
Christian leaders must become magnets. Leadership will not occur unless a magnetic individual creates a force field that attracts people, moving them toward the leader and a mutually accepted destination. Paul taught this in 1 Corinthians chapter eleven. He wrote,"follow me as I follow Christ." He desired people to move toward him and his vision of reaching the world.
Leadership is stepping into a room and creating a magnetic field that not only draws people to God, but to the vision given to that leader. If the person identified as leader draws people's eyes only toward God, that community of people will soon splinter and disintegrate (Proverbs 29:16). There must be the presence of a magnetic vision that keeps people focused - not on a man, but on God's mission. If leaders want their people to stay and fight alongside one another, it must be based upon a clear cause, not their care for the leader. The leader will make mistakes and mess up regularly - it will be the vision that keeps everyone battling, despite the barrage of weapons leveled against them.
Electrical magnetism requires three things: electrical conductors, an electromotive force (voltage), and a completed circuit. All three of these will vary depending on the circuit design and application. As leaders, we need to endeavor to be good conductors, use the maximum available electromotive force, and refrain from resisting the methods and strategies required for moving a community of believers.
That caused me to think about magnetism... It is a force field created by the presence of an A.C. voltage. If electrical conductors (wires) are configured in a certain pattern and electrical current travels through them, it will create a force field which will attract or repel most metals. That is the basic science behind electric motors - it is all about magnetism.
Christian leaders must become magnets. Leadership will not occur unless a magnetic individual creates a force field that attracts people, moving them toward the leader and a mutually accepted destination. Paul taught this in 1 Corinthians chapter eleven. He wrote,"follow me as I follow Christ." He desired people to move toward him and his vision of reaching the world.
Leadership is stepping into a room and creating a magnetic field that not only draws people to God, but to the vision given to that leader. If the person identified as leader draws people's eyes only toward God, that community of people will soon splinter and disintegrate (Proverbs 29:16). There must be the presence of a magnetic vision that keeps people focused - not on a man, but on God's mission. If leaders want their people to stay and fight alongside one another, it must be based upon a clear cause, not their care for the leader. The leader will make mistakes and mess up regularly - it will be the vision that keeps everyone battling, despite the barrage of weapons leveled against them.
Electrical magnetism requires three things: electrical conductors, an electromotive force (voltage), and a completed circuit. All three of these will vary depending on the circuit design and application. As leaders, we need to endeavor to be good conductors, use the maximum available electromotive force, and refrain from resisting the methods and strategies required for moving a community of believers.
March 15, 2006
Methods Matter
For a multitude of rational and well-intentioned reasons, church leaders have often chosen to approach missions with little regard for the biblical pattern provided within scripture. If New Testament principles were adopted and applied today, bringing closure to the Great Commission would truly be within the reach of this generation; the power and results would more closely parallel the pages of Acts.
Questions begging for attention ask: Do conventional “missionary” endeavors and projects supported by evangelical churches around the world compare with the methods and principles set forth in scripture? How does the fruit of contemporary missionary work (considering financial and human investment) compare with that in the first three centuries? The answers to such questions may be discussed and debated in academic circles, but seldom do church missions boards and leaders busy themselves with resolving the conflicts raised by their methodology. Consequently, money, energy, and people are too often invested in ill-advised and unproductive missions ventures.
Church leaders pat themselves on the back as they tally up the thousands of dollars given to the many misguided projects. It would be humorous (if unsaved people were not in the balance) to listen as church leaders measure their missions efforts in terms of dollars spent rather than kingdom results. Would it not be imprudent for a business to measure success in “dollars invested” rather than return on the dollar? Could we say it is often true for cross-cultural ministry as well?
Over the centuries God has unquestionably honored the vision and commitment of those called to foreign lands and people. Great exploits have been accomplished by men and women who sacrificed families and fortunes for the sake of winning pagan people isolated from the gospel message. The excellent work by Ruth Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, provides a biographical history of those God used to reshape the world. With awe and gratefulness we stand upon their shoulders to see and understand God’s revelation for this generation, the generation of missionaries that may actually usher in the second coming of Jesus.
Over the last half-century, a multitude of men and women have been called by God to rethink the entire scope of mission theology and strategy. The voices of men such as Donald McGavern, Melvin Hodges, Ralph Winter, Don Richardson, and Peter Wagner have clearly impacted the process and methods of missionaries worldwide.
Let’s continue to identify and embrace new wineskins along with our new wine. The old days are gone and the future is here – days that demand powerful, strategic, and relevant messengers of the Kingdom.
Questions begging for attention ask: Do conventional “missionary” endeavors and projects supported by evangelical churches around the world compare with the methods and principles set forth in scripture? How does the fruit of contemporary missionary work (considering financial and human investment) compare with that in the first three centuries? The answers to such questions may be discussed and debated in academic circles, but seldom do church missions boards and leaders busy themselves with resolving the conflicts raised by their methodology. Consequently, money, energy, and people are too often invested in ill-advised and unproductive missions ventures.
Church leaders pat themselves on the back as they tally up the thousands of dollars given to the many misguided projects. It would be humorous (if unsaved people were not in the balance) to listen as church leaders measure their missions efforts in terms of dollars spent rather than kingdom results. Would it not be imprudent for a business to measure success in “dollars invested” rather than return on the dollar? Could we say it is often true for cross-cultural ministry as well?
Over the centuries God has unquestionably honored the vision and commitment of those called to foreign lands and people. Great exploits have been accomplished by men and women who sacrificed families and fortunes for the sake of winning pagan people isolated from the gospel message. The excellent work by Ruth Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, provides a biographical history of those God used to reshape the world. With awe and gratefulness we stand upon their shoulders to see and understand God’s revelation for this generation, the generation of missionaries that may actually usher in the second coming of Jesus.
Over the last half-century, a multitude of men and women have been called by God to rethink the entire scope of mission theology and strategy. The voices of men such as Donald McGavern, Melvin Hodges, Ralph Winter, Don Richardson, and Peter Wagner have clearly impacted the process and methods of missionaries worldwide.
Let’s continue to identify and embrace new wineskins along with our new wine. The old days are gone and the future is here – days that demand powerful, strategic, and relevant messengers of the Kingdom.
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