HOW A JEWISH FAITH BECAME PREDOMINANTLY GENTILE

Christianity arose as a movement within the Jewish community, not in the lands of the dispersion but in the land of Israel! Its Founder [Jesus] was a Jew, and so were his disciples, who in the years following his departure from them proclaimed mostly to Jews the good news he had entrusted to them. Yet in little more than a generation after his death Christianity was recognized by the authorities of the Roman Empire as a predominantly Gentile cult. THIS IS REMARKABLE!

I’m getting a new perspective on how pivotal Acts 13 is in relation to the growth and maturity of the New Testament Church!

In chapter 6, the church – becoming overwhelmed with new believers – organized with seven stewards to assist with the ministry.  Stephen – one of the seven - rose to a much larger role and in chapters 7-8 was killed as the first martyr of the church!

In chapter 9, Saul was converted. 

In Chapters10-11, God abruptly - through visions and angels – helped Peter [the outspoken voice of the Apostles] to realize that the Gospel was intended for all people – including the Gentiles!  This essentially opened the door for Paul’s [formerly Saul] future ministry!

In chapter 13, we review the calling and sending of Barnabas and Saul. But within one chapter their mission was directed almost exclusively to Gentiles! And, Paul emerged as the key to this massive transition.

The Acts narrative can be mildly deceptive for modern-day readers. Luke’s unraveling of the story of the development of the New Testament Church is accurate, but does not make us aware of the time-frame of the events. For instance, after his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia. We know nothing of the purpose for this time. Galatians 1:18 informs us that it was three years before Paul made a trip to Jerusalem to meet with Peter! 

We know that the very significant ‘Jerusalem Council’ recorded in Acts 15, likely took place in 50 A.D. while Paul’s conversion likely took place in 34 AD – that’s sixteen years later!. By that time, James the Apostle had been killed by Herod [Acts 12:2], and James – the brother of Jesus [and author of the NT book of James] had become a significant leader in the New Testament Church.

Biblical historicist, Roland Allen singles out the decade between 47 and 57  AD:

In little more than ten years St. Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Empire: Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before 47 AD there were no Churches in these provinces; in AD 57 St. Paul could speak as if his work there was done, and could plan extensive tours into the far West without anxiety…

 To observe his tireless dedication to his mission,

1.    the first missionary journey took place between AD 46-48.

2.    The second from AD 50-52; and

3.    the third from AD 53-57 when he was arrested, imprisoned in Caesarea and sent to Rome as a result of his appeal to Caesar [AD60]. 

In Ad 63 he was released from his first Roman imprisonment. He may have made a trip to Spain in AD 64. He was imprisoned again in AD 66 and martyred in AD 67.

After this, the church was led and influenced by the remaining apostles and the MANY associates/disciples of the Apostle Paul:

·         Barnabas                               Acts 13:1

·         Silas                                       II Corinthians 1:19

·         Timothy                                  Romans 16:21

·         Apollos                                   I Corinthians 16:12

·         Philemon                               Philemon 1

·         Phoebe                                  Romans 16:1

·         Priscilla and Aquila                Romans 16:3

·         Urbanus                                 Romans 16:9

·         Clement                                 Philippians 4:3

·         Aristarchus                            Colossians 4:10-11

·         Mark                                       “

·         Justus                                    “

·         Demas                                   Philemon 24

·         Luke                                       “

·         Epaphroditus                        Philippians 2:25

·         Andronicus                           Romans 16:7

·         Junia                                      “

·         Tychicus                                Colossians 4:7

And many more…                                                                                     

[resourced from https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Pauline_Associates.htm]

The Apostle Paul’s influence in moving the church forward and into the future is inestimable!  By the end of his life, this was no longer a strictly Jewish faith!

PLUS: Remember that in 70 AD the temple was completely destroyed and the sacrificial system came to an end. The Jewish dispersion began with the fall of Jerusalem and the faith was flung to the far parts of the known world!

CAN GOOD COME FROM BAD?

After Pentecost, the New Testament Church grew so fast!

On Pentecost Sunday, Peter’s message to the crowds on the streets of Jerusalem brought 3,000 people into the fledgling church [Acts 2:41]. By 4:4, it is recorded that “There were now about five thousand in the group of believers.”

[All quotes from the New Century Version, unless otherwise noted]

By Acts 5:14, “More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to the group of believers.” Acts 6:1 reports: “The number of followers was growing.”  Six verses later it reads: “The word of God was continuing to spread. The group of followers in Jerusalem increased, and a great number of the Jewish priests believed and obeyed.”

WOW! PTL!

Apparently, the new church was operating feeding programs for those who were struggling. In this process, some conflict arose:

The Greek-speaking followers had an argument with the other followers.

[Seemingly] The Greek-speaking widows were not getting

their share of the food that was given out every day. [6:1]

The Apostles – clearly being overwhelmed – delegated seven godly men to oversee this ministry so that they could focus on prayer and the teaching of the Word. [6:4]

One of these men was Stephen – who was described as “(a man with great faith and full of the Holy Spirit). [6:5]

Stephen apparently had a special anointing from God, for just a few verses later, we read:

Stephen was richly blessed by God who gave him the power to do great miracles and signs

among the people [6:8].

Maybe we ought to read that again! 

This guy who was chosen to assist in the daily distribution of food is suddenly – almost immediately – empowered by God to do great miracles?

It’s noteworthy to observe that the other six men chosen to help with the daily distribution of food ARE NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN IN THE BIBLE! However, the lengthy six and seventh chapters are ALL ABOUT STEPHEN!

Stephen was heavily opposed by “people from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. They all came and argued with him” [6:9]. He was essentially arrested and brought before the high priest! A conspiracy of lies was concocted against him. As this injustice unfolded, “All the people in the meeting were watching Stephen closely and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel [6:15].

When questioned by the high priest, Stephen lectured the entire group on the history of Israel! It was a lengthy message! As his message progressed, he eventually accused his listeners by saying:

You stubborn people!

You have not given your hearts to God, nor will you listen to Him!

You are always against what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you,

just as your ancestors were… [7:51]

 

When the leaders heard this, they became furious.

They were so mad they were grinding their teeth at Stephen.

 

But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.

He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right side.[7:54-55]

The angry mob was stirred up to such an extent that they hauled Stephen out of the city and began to stone him to death. As they did so, Stephen prayed:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” [7:59-60]

Then, he died!

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Why would God bless and empower a man so richly, and then abandon him to a brutal and painful, public death?

This man had quickly acquired a ministry that nearly paralleled that of the apostles themselves! He clearly had SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Why not rescue him? Why not use him for godly purposes?

Dare we question GOD?

He is omniscient [knows all], omnipotent [all powerful], and omni-present [everywhere at all times]!

Who are we to question His wisdom?

BESIDES:

In the incidental details of Stephen’s story, we discover something that is quite powerful!

Acts 7:58 tells us that “those who told lies against Stephen left their coats with a young man named Saul.” Acts 8:1 reports that “Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was good.”

Who is this Saul?

He is a highly motivated, extremely well-educated, aggressive Pharisee who is eager to make a name for himself! He quickly begins to persecute Christians in Jerusalem. His persecution was SO INTENSE that many began to flee Jerusalem! This sounds bad but as these people fled, they carried the gospel in every direction that they went! The result was amazing influence and growth for the Kingdom movement in all of Jerusalem’s surrounding areas!

God was seeing all of this! You must read Acts 9 to capture the power of Saul’s conversion!

Saul was not content to just persecute Christians in Jerusalem! He asked the high priest for permission to go to Damascus and arrest Christians there as well! It was as he drew near to Damascus that God intervened in his life! 😊

God overwhelmed this enemy of the faith and – in doing so – confirmed that this was His choice as Judas’ replacement! This Saul – renamed Paul – was to become the greatest church-planter that the world has ever known!

It’s unstated, but how much did Stephen’s inspiring death impact this young man who held the coats of his killers? How did it affect Saul to hear Stephen – with his dying breath – forgive those who were throwing the stones? This incident has been referred to as THE SEED OF FAITH SOWN IN A FIELD OF HATE!

Kind and Loving God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Stephen - his obedience, his submission, his humility, his influence and his outspokenness! His example inspires us!

And thank You for Saul-Paul! What an outstanding leader and example!

These two lives are uniquely intertwined, even though they probably didn't even know one another! 

You are the Master Weaver!

We must learn to trust You more!

What are You currently weaving in our lives today?

Help us to tune in so that we can fit in with Your plans!

FOR THE KINGDOM'S SAKE.

AMEN!

YOU READ MY JOURNAL? 😱

It occurred to me this morning as I read one of David’s psalms, that it would be very similar to someone finding our personal journal and reading it. 

The concept of keeping a diary is embedded in many cultures. What an amazing treasure are the endearing words of Anne Frank!  This image of a young girl [they seem more prone to diary-keeping than boys] confiding her deepest thoughts and observations into a diary and then keeping it hidden for fear of discovery is commonplace. 

But many have practiced this art form through the centuries, and continue to do so to this day. 

There is something that resides within many of us that yearns for expression.  To think the thoughts or hold the moments in our memories is not enough.  There is a compulsion to write it down, perhaps for future reflection or just for memory’s sake. 

Certainly David never dreamed that people would be reading his deepest thoughts and prayers three thousand years later!!!! 

Clearly, some of his writings came from younger years when his occupation was guarding his father’s sheep.  We also know that he was skilled to play various stringed instruments, so it isn’t difficult to imagine him playing and singing his songs for an audience of One!  It’s likely that Psalms 1 and 23 were created during this early period. 

Take a minute to think about the dynamic impact that Psalm 23 has had on multiple millions of readers over the centuries.  Its words offer us instruction, assurance, comfort and hope!  Many have committed it to memory because of its impact on their lives!

Later – as a young man – David was recommended to King Saul as a source of peaceful reflection to minister to his episodes of depression and rage.  This demonstration of music therapy clearly had an extremely positive impact on Saul – so much so that he kept David close as an available resource! 

Many have declared the benefits of having these many psalms of David.  In these writings, he expressed a massive variety of emotions before God.  He praises, honors, expresses joy, celebrates and worships.  However, we also find him:

• Crying out for help
• Raging against his enemies
• Manifesting despair
• Emoting anger
• Mourning his sinfulness
• Creatively expressing his devotion to God
• Calling down God’s justice on those who do evil

So many have found comfort and courage in David’s psalms!  The Holy Spirit conveniently located them in the very middle of our Bibles so that if we open it halfway, we are likely to be in the middle of the psalms! 

This is the book from which pastors and liturgists draw most of their ‘Calls to Worship’ and ‘Responsive Readings’. 

We admire David’s wisdom in expressing himself so openly and candidly throughout his life! He has given us a literary treasure of untold wealth! 

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Have you discovered the value of writing or recording your thoughts, concerns, joys, sorrows, prayers and feelings? 

Word processing and storage systems have taken this practice to new levels. Although some may still utilize books and journals for these purposes, many have opted for more contemporary methods.

I recently was privileged to teach – for a series of weeks – a women’s Bible study group. In one of the lessons, I shared a very personal practice that I have adapted over the years.

I frequently type out prayers in the early morning hours of my day. These are VERY PRIVATE prayers that are only between me and God! I confess my sins and call on Him for help in reforming me. I spare no details. It’s raw. I am painfully open and honest with Him. Remarkably, it’s a healing process for me. It helps me to remember how corrupt and dependent on His grace I am!

----------------------------- And when my devotional time is over, I delete the document!

 

You see, I’m not much different from the young girl who hides her diary so that no one will discover her secret thoughts and desires. 

I am not proud of the ways that I fail my Savior. I had such high spiritual expectations as a young man entering the ministry. Back in that day, we held our ministers in high esteem. I was one of the youngest pastors in the Pittsburgh Conference. I tried to be fully supportive. I attended all the prescribed conference meetings.  At one of those meetings, an older, mature pastor gave a presentation on the topic of ‘eradication’.  It was a belief that existed in Free Methodism [and other ‘holiness’ groups] that taught that there were two works of grace for the believer.

The first work of grace was salvation. This was accepting Christ as our Savior!

The second work of grace was called sanctification. [Some would later define this in charismatic terms as being a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.]  At the time of this teaching, we were taught that after one walked with God for a period of time, He simply eradicates [deletes] our sinful nature. 

I recall a very popular evangelist who held a revival in my home church.  While preaching on this theme, he declared publicly that he had not sinned in over ten years! I was a young teen at this time and remember thinking that he was teaching something untrue. I felt the same way as a young pastor sitting under the tutelage of one of our senior leaders. 

You see, my experience parallels that of David’s. I cleanse myself daily, yet find it difficult to remain clean all day.  Just as I wash my hands before supper, I find that I must repeatedly wash my mind and soul before God! 

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Well, this has gone on long enough.  Let me close with an observation that I’ve referenced before.  It comes from the life of the great Apostle Paul.

As a younger leader trying to establish himself as an apostle of equal standing with Peter James, John and the others, Paul repeatedly identified himself in letter after letter as an apostle. He was clearly attempting to gain acceptance and authority by repeating this claim. He was indirectly emphasizing the fact that he was God’s choice as the twelfth apostle!

 

“I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…”            [Romans 1:1, I Corinthians 1:1, II Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, I Thessalonians 2:6,         I Timothy 1:1, II Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:1]

 

 

However, as Paul matured in his faith and as a leader, his proclamation exhibited a tone of significant humility:

 

I Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

 

Toward the end of his life, Paul focused on maturing younger leaders in the realization that Christ may not return during his lifetime. In writing to his young protégé, Timothy, he made a remarkable confession

 

I Timothy 2:15

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”:

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God our Father,

Jesus our Savior, and

Holy Spirit our Helper,

Thank You for Your marvelous grace!

Thank You for being SO WILLING to forgive us repeatedly!

Help us to avoid the sin of presumption and spiritual pride.

Remind us persistently that pride goes before a great fall.

Give us wisdom to see You more clearly,

To love You more dearly!

And to follow You more nearly!

AMEN

PRAY FOR THE PEACE [SALVATION] OF ISRAEL!

Romans 9 is a challenging chapter!  Here, the Apostle Paul expresses deep grief over the fact that so many Jews have not responded to the grace of God offered through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus.

It's a hard chapter to read and understand and I am inadequate to try to plumb its depths.  

My first query is that this was written by Paul in the first place!  He was the Apostle to the Gentiles!  Where is this deep concern for the Jewish people coming from.  When I say "deep concern", that's clear in verse 3:

"It may sound extreme; but I wish that I were lost, cursed and totally separated from the Anointed - if that would change the eternal destination of my brothers and sisters, my flesh and countrymen."  [All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.  Remember that the words in italics are not in the original text!]

This is nothing less than shocking!  Paul grieves so deeply for his countrymen who have neglected the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would be willing to suffer eternally if they would just wake up and turn to Christ!   

The gist of this is that even while many non-Jews [Gentiles] were turning to Christ and gaining the full acceptance by God, many Jews were still trusting in obedience to the Law to keep them in a right relationship with God.  Old Covenant Jews were rejecting the New Covenant grace!  And Paul wonders throughout this chapter how these Jews can be awakened to the all-inclusive love and grace of God? 

"Even though God desires to demonstrate His anger and to reveal His power, He has shown tremendous restraint toward those vessels of wrath that are doomed to be cracked and shattered.  And why is that?  To make the wrath of His glory known to vessels of mercy that are prepared for great beauty.  These vessels of mercy include all of us.  God has invited Jews and non-Jews, insiders and outsiders; it makes no difference."  [vs.22-24]

____________________________________ 

I am a biblically informed person, but certainly not a scholar!  However, what seems obvious to me as I read this chapter is that Paul - who had committed himself as the Apostle to the Gentiles - was still deeply concerned about the faith of his countrymen: the Jews who had failed to acknowledge faith through Jesus Christ!

As a 21st century believer, I understand the strong opinion of so many Christian leaders, churches and organizations to stand strong behind Israel!  I agree with this position!  

However, shouldn't our plea be that God would - even through the dire circumstances of the present war - awaken the Jews to the reality and necessity of a genuine faith anchored in the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins?  Hear Paul's sense of urgency!  Hear his longing for the Jews to awaken!  

I must confess that I have rarely joined Paul's passion.  I stand behind loyalty to the nation of Israel, while ignoring the fact that without Christ, the Jews will be eternally lost!  Could it be that when Psalm 122:6 exhorts us to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," it is challenging us to pray for inner peace as much as the peace between individuals and nations?

_____________________________________

Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,

Use the circumstances that have emerged since October 7th to transform the minds and hearts of the nation of Israel.  They have held stubbornly to their understanding of You through the Torah.  Speak to the hearts of these precious children of God and arouse in them a longing for a deeper certainty that can only come by acknowledging and accepting the grace that is available to all who come to You in the name of Your only Son, Jesus!  

May Israel and Jerusalem know real peace in Him!  Amen!

GENEROUS CHURCHES GROW!

As we finish out the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul – who has just spoken eloquently about contentment – issues messages of gratitude to the churches that have supported him.  He especially singles out the Philippian church for being the only one that supported him during his time in Macedonia.  They also sent him several gifts while he was at Thessalonica. 

Then, he affirms them for a gift he has just recently received from the church at Philippi – carried to him by Epaphroditus.  His comment: “I am amply supplied.”

He seems to pick his words carefully here by saying: “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”  This phrase is more important than you might think and has been exaggerated by many teachers.  THE MESSAGE paraphrases it: “Not that I’m looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.” 

Hmmm.  Generosity leads to blessing.

Then the apostle puts the capstone on his message: “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” 

Maybe you’d recognize that verse if you heard it from a more familiar version? 

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” [v.19 NASB]

Hmmm.  Generosity leads to all your needs being met by Jesus. 

_______________________________________

It pains me to confess this, but most churches are receivers, but not very efficient givers. 

________________________________________

I have two wonderful memories!

FIRST

While pastoring the Oakland Church, we discerned that God wanted us to give $100,000 to missions one year!  That was roughly twenty times what the congregation had given in a year previously!  Many thought it was IMPOSSIBLE! 

We made it a major prayer focus throughout the year!  There are too many stories that emerged for me to tell here.  But, just one:

And older member who never spoke out in a service, got up one Sunday and told us a story.  Ellen Wilson was watching the 700 Club.  Pat Robertson was praying.  In the middle of his prayer, he stopped.  After a moment of silence, he said: “There’s a church out there that is trying to raise $100,000 for missions.  God wants you to know that He’s going to do it!” 

At the end of that year, we had a special ‘watch-night’ service on December 31.  We were still $26,000 short.  The church was packed!  After a powerful worship time, we took a praise offering and exceeded our goal! 

It was during the next year that the church saw many converts and saw attendances consistently over 200!!

SECOND

At a request from the World Missions Department, I asked the Ministry Council at Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown to pray at every meeting that God would send someone (or a couple) into full time missionary service in the Free Methodist Church.  For over two years, we held hands at the close of every meeting and lifted this prayer to Almighty God!

One Wednesday evening, Corey and Connie Persing asked to talk with me.  We met at the parsonage and Corey reported: “I think we might be the answer to the Ministry Council’s prayers!”

After collaboration with the World Missions Department, it was decided that they should go to Thailand for a couple of weeks to see if they would fit into that context.  FMCC paid for that trip.

Next, it was decided that they should go as ‘interns’ for a year.  FMCC paid most of the $85,000 needed to make that happen! 

This was a breakthrough event that catalyzed a wave of new conversions and caused us to start a second Sunday service.  Attendance began to exceed 200 as a result!

NOTE:  Corey and Connie are still significant leaders of International Child Care Ministries and mission’s training in Thailand today!

 Paul taught it:  GENEROSITY LEADS TO BLESSING!

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A FINAL THOUGHT AND A QUESTION:

Final Thought:

The context of Paul’s teaching here is the local church!  That does not mean that this principal doesn’t work for individuals (or couples) – I believe it does!  However, we should note that the context is focused on local churches!

Question:

With all the books and conferences that have been presented on the topic of church growth, could the defining factor be as simple as GENEROSITY?

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Lord of the Church,

Unlock the purse strings of our churches!  Help us to see the significance of building churches in needy areas instead of building cathedrals for our comfort! 

Open our eyes to see that generosity is the key to Your heart!  If we are generous, You will meet all our needs and grow Your Kingdom as a result!

With eyes and hearts of hope, we pray.  Amen!

COACH PAUL'S CHALLENGE

Philippians 3:12-21 [The Message Bible]

When I opened my Bible this morning, I noticed this note.  Apparently somewhere along the way, Debbie had been reading it too!  I’m a blessed man to share a passion for Christ with my wife!

Today’s ten verses are so uplifting and encouraging!   I hope you’ll take the time to look them up and read them [in The Message Bible]!  Here’s my summary of what you’ll find:

FIRST

A.      Paul openly confesses that he doesn’t have it all together.  [That’s the humility that Deb was referring to in her note.] 

BUT, he lived with a deep sense of appreciation for that day when Jesus appeared to him while he was travelling to Damascus!  This intervention is still fresh on his mind!  That was the day that everything changed! 

Do you have a day like that?  A day when Jesus made Himself real to you?  A day when you surrendered to Him and His way?  Do you appreciate the fact that He cared enough about you to pursue you and set you on a new path?  [It would be alright to stop reading right now and give Him thanks for His love for you!]

     B.      Paul goes on to share a secret of success with us:  Keep your eye on the goal and stay focused on it! 

             What is the goal?  TOTAL COMMITMENT to the Lord and His ways! 

 He says: “If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet!” [v.15 TM]

C.      Finally, Paul gives a word about determination!  “Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it” [v.16 TM].

 SECOND

Paul speaks to us just like a coach would speak to his/her team! 

     A.      Even though it is repetitive, he emphasizes staying focused on the goal!  KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE! 

B.      “Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal” [v.17 TM].  So much could be said here!  We are not in this alone!  We have many travelling companions!  We are to look after one another!  Protect one another. Warn one another.

             I’m going to curb my desire to extrapolate on this and simply say:  

It’s hard to be this engaged when we only see one another for two hours on Sunday morning! 

C.      Again, like any good coach, Paul warns us to beware of those who would distract us!

 “There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites” [vs.18-19 TM].

 Associate with all, but choose your companions carefully!

 THIRD

The prize!

A.      Although we live with our feet firmly planted on this earth, WE ARE ALREADY CITIZENS OF HEAVEN!

Never allow yourself to forget that! 

B.      While we’re engaged in the busyness of living our lives in the midst of zillions of distractions, paste this reminder into the flyleaf of your mind: “We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own”  [vs.20-21 TM].

C.      With these transformed bodies, we will be ready and able to enter the celestial city where we will live and serve His purposes for all eternity! 

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Don’t get distracted thinking you’re a citizen of the United States or earth!   What a temporary disposition!  You’re much greater than that!  You have an eternal destiny that so many ignore or are unaware of! 

The Lord Jesus wants to see you there!

Paul wants to see you there.

And so do I!  ;-)

TRANSITIONING CHURCHES

Transitioning a church is one of the hardest things in the world to do! 

Churches take on so much baggage over the years!

ü  People who have been there a long time think they have seniority and should have more ‘say’ than new people!

ü  Things typically become more regimented and therefore, predictable.

ü  Forms become more important than Spirit!

ü  The work of the church becomes more about keeping things going than doing ministry!

ü  The walls of the church become thicker and thicker, isolating church members from the lost still outside the walls!

ü  The ‘feel’ of the church becomes more like that of a club than that of a life-saving-station!

I could go on, but I’ve made my point. 

Turning this around takes courage, persistence, confrontation and perseverance!  Oh! And TIME! 

I’ve been privileged to be a part of this process several times.  It is exhausting and frustrating in the early stages, but when it FINALLY begins to take hold – it is very exciting and rewarding! 

The Apostle Paul seems to be speaking of this process in Philippians 3.  The key: “…rejoice in the Lord” [v.1 TM].

Then, he warns:

“Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it“ [vs.2-3 TM].

Paul then goes on to speak about his credentials – which were noteworthy!  He explains that these credentials are nothing to him anymore.  [It’s really worth reading in The Message Bible!] 

Instead, Paul has connected with the real thing – Jesus Christ!  Nothing else matters!  Paul now wants to “…know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it [vs.10-11 TM]. 

Fortunately, the churches that Paul founded largely took on his passion and followed his example, although he did have to revisit and correct some of their distracted ventures! 

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It’s so easy today – especially, it seems in the American church – for churches to become about budgets, boards and business instead of fulfilling the mission of Christ: seeking and saving the lost! 

Many pastors don’t have the desire, know-how, or courage to even try to awaken a church that’s become distracted from its mission.  Others genuinely try, but quickly become discouraged by the deeply-dug-in-opposition that needs to defend its power-base!  Still others are just there for the salary. 

GOD HELP US!  If John Maxwell is right, and everything rises and falls on leadership – then we need pastors who are getting it right to be able to transition dead or dying churches! 

Too many pastors today seem to have bought into the ‘pastor as CEO’ model taught so aggressively during the 90’s.  They don’t want to do the work of ministry!  They prefer to sit in their office and work on their computers.  How long does it take for us to realize that this isn’t working and the church is shrinking?    

APOSTLE PAUL AND SAMUEL LAMB

The Apostle Paul speaks candidly about his life experiences in II Corinthians 11.  He speaks with a measure of mockery that he claims to have learned from the three-ring preachers.  He clearly can’t understand why the Corinthians have so much admiration for these rip-off artists.  Consequently, he goes on to compare himself to them.

• Do they brag about being Hebrews, Israelites, the pure race of Abraham? I’m their match.
• Are they servants of Christ? I can go one better. [Paul feels some awkwardness taking this approach.]
• I’ve worked much harder
• Been jailed more often
• Beaten up more times than I can count
• I’ve been flogged five times with the Jew’s thirty-nine lashes
• Beaten by Roman rods three times
• Pummeled with rocks once
• I’ve been shipwrecked three times
• Immersed in the open sea for a night and a day
• In hard travelling year in and year out
• I’ve had to ford rivers
• Fend off robbers
• Struggle with friends
• Struggle with foes
• I’ve been at risk in the city
• At risk in the country
• Endangered by desert sun
• Endangered by sea storm
• Betrayed by those I thought were my brothers
• I’ve known drudgery and hard labor
• Many a long and lonely night without sleep
• Many a missed meal
• Blasted by the cold
• Naked to the weather
• And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.

He continues:  If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.

Then, Paul shares one final memory:  Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretus posted guards at the city gates to arrest me?  I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life. 

I read all this and can only imagine the stories this guy could tell!  What a phenomenal life!

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I was privileged to meet such a man during one of our annual conferences while we were in China.  Our meeting was held in Guanzhou which is in extreme southern China.  This is the city where Samuel Lamb’s church met.  Our leaders had arranged a time for us to meet Pastor Lamb.  His church was on a back street and didn’t look at all like a church.  It was a large, common-looking, multi-story building.  I remember going up many passages of narrow steps to a small conference room where we sat at a large table with Pastor Lamb and a few of his leaders and caretakers. 

To bring you up-to-speed, here is an outtake about Samuel from Wikipedia:

Samuel Lamb or Lin Xiangao  (October 4, 1924 – August 3, 2013) was a Protestant pastor in Guangzhou, China. He was a leader in the Chinese house church movement and known for his resistance against the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM)

Lamb was born in a mountainous area overlooking Macau. His father, Paul Lamb, was the pastor of a small Baptist congregation. In the 1940's, Lamb worked with pastor Wang Mingdao.

Lamb was imprisoned for more than 20 years (1955–57; 1958–78) for his refusal to join the TSPM. In spite of "honey-bucket" duty at labor farms or backbreaking work in coal mines at labor camps, Lamb continued to teach.

In 1978, Lamb was released from prison and, in 1979, he restarted the church in 35 Da Ma Zhan, Guangzhou. Because the attendance grew quickly, he then moved the meetings to 15 Rong Gui Li, De Zheng Bei Road. The house church is now known as Rongguili Church, under the name Damazhan Evangelical Church. The house church continued to hold four main services each week, with an estimated attendance of four to five thousand, but was closed on October 14, 2018, and a second time on December 15, 2018.

Starting in 1979, Lamb published a series of booklets called "Voice of the Spirit"; now there are more than 200 booklets.

He died in Guangzhou in 2013, aged 88. For reasons of security and site elements, the date of the farewell ceremony was changed from August 17, 2013 to August 16, 2013, in Baiyun Hall, Yinhe park, Yinhe cemetery, Guangzhou. There were nearly 30,000 mourners in attendance.

He spoke to us in English.  He was a handsome man and very charming – even at his advanced age.  His people were clearly devoted to him and very protective.  He challenged us strongly and allowed us to ask questions.  He sent us away with bags of books and other materials.  We felt very privileged as we toured the church and saw the extremely limited conditions.

People filled the building several times every Sunday, with only a few able to be in the actual room where Pastor Lamb spoke.  His message and the worship was extended to many other rooms via a speaker system.  The pews were just benches tightly packed with very little space between. 

I will never forget this meeting!  He was indeed a modern-day Apostle whose life had impacted tens of thousands – largely because of his willingness to suffer for the Gospel! 

Raise up more like this, Lord!  We need men and women ready to suffer for the extension of Your vital message!

Here are some of the gifts he gave us: