For some reason, there are many who claim to follow Christ that get upset about the idea that this is the essential part of the Gospel. I’ve had several people, particularly online, argue with me endlessly over this or even refuse to make the confession of Christ as Lord. One claimed to be a teacher at his church; another claims to be an avid evangelist. And both of these claim to be reaching people for Christ.
So why is proclaiming “Jesus is Lord” such a disturbing idea for some? Paul tells us in Romans 10 that confessing Him as Lord is what saves us. And Jesus Himself tells us we will die in our sins if we do not believe He is who He claims to be – and He claimed to be Lord.
Part of it, I’m sure, is the reluctance to admit that one may have been teaching the Gospel wrongly. If you’ve been telling people one thing for several years, then you may not want to admit that you may have steered people the wrong way.
But I think there is more to it than that. Many of the people I’ve discussed this with are of the in-your-face, “turn or burn” crowd. They believe they have fulfilled their “duty” by handing out a tract. And based on what I’ve read or seen from some, they feel they have done a really good job of “evangelizing” when a “sinner” gets annoyed with them – after all, “the truth hurts”. (I still can’t find that in my bible, and everyone seems to change the subject when I ask for a verse that says that.) And they eschew any thought of charity or acts of compassion – it’s far more important to tell people about Christ than to actually show love.
In other words, their lives don’t seem to reflect Jesus’ teachings on love, compassion, and charity. But if Christ is indeed Lord, if He is exactly who He claims to be, then we have to take all of His teachings seriously. We can’t pick and choose “preach the Gospel” and ignore the parable of the sheep and the goats. We can’t claim “persecution for righteousness” and ignore the rest of Matthew 5. We can’t feel justified when “the world hates you” but decide not “love even your enemies”.
The most radical part of the Gospel is not that we are sinners and Jesus lived, died, and rose again for our sins. It is that Jesus is indeed Lord and that we need to obey everything He taught – not just the convenient parts.
(originally posted at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=21
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A missional job description?
OK, so I am trying to finish up a little blog/lesson plan on ways to "10 ways to live missionally". I'm stuck on phrasing for a way involving money (our spending being not only reflective of our heart but also something others take notice of). So I decided to google "missional living".
A large portion of the hits were on living "green" but I expected that. Other links led me to some excellent blogs (3 added to my blogroll today).
But I did not expect to find this: Missional Multiplier Job Description
Yep, a "job description" for being missional! But it gets even better. Not only has reaching out to people been programmed into a few "You must do this" items, you can move beyond this into a "Missional Multiplier" - evidently, they're the guys that have got "missional" down pat.
Admittedly, there are some good ideas in this list. But I see some issues: 1) We're not clones. To say that everyone must do exactly the same thing is silly, illogical, and unbiblical (did Paul and Peter reach people the same way?)2) If we, as Christians, create relationships with people just so we can have a spiritual conversation, then we have treated them not with love but as means to an end.There are other issues, but the primary one is reducing following Christ down to a handful of "musts".
Of course, this does come back full circle. By creating a list of ways to be missional, I could also be "programming" missional. It is our tendency to want to break everything down, to number it, to add some "musts" and "must nots" to the list. I like checklists and job descriptions. They help me know exactly what I need to be doing. But I hope I never limit anything of God to a checklist for myself or for other people. God is far bigger than any 10 ideas I could ever come up with.
I'll still finish my list of 10 ways, but they are simply suggestions for me and others. They are a starting point, something concrete to begin a life of following Christ.
(Please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)
A large portion of the hits were on living "green" but I expected that. Other links led me to some excellent blogs (3 added to my blogroll today).
But I did not expect to find this: Missional Multiplier Job Description
Yep, a "job description" for being missional! But it gets even better. Not only has reaching out to people been programmed into a few "You must do this" items, you can move beyond this into a "Missional Multiplier" - evidently, they're the guys that have got "missional" down pat.
Every student should, at the very least, be living missionally.What this looks like is -• Having intentional meals/coffee with classmates, work associates, neighborsand family initiating spiritual conversations trusting God for a Gospelopportunity.• Invite same people into the body, the church and CRU events,• Join other groups associated with a hobby, interest, or major and spendingtime to create relationships with the intent of having spiritual conversations.......
There are certain individuals that are Missional Multipliers (M&M) –• M&M’s are faithfully attempting the above missional lifestyle and alsomultiplying that lifestyle in the lives of others to raise up missionally minded students for the movement.• M&M’s disciple key students so that they are multiplying a missional lifestyle into others’ lives.• M&M’s are discipled by Staff members or other student leaders......
Admittedly, there are some good ideas in this list. But I see some issues: 1) We're not clones. To say that everyone must do exactly the same thing is silly, illogical, and unbiblical (did Paul and Peter reach people the same way?)2) If we, as Christians, create relationships with people just so we can have a spiritual conversation, then we have treated them not with love but as means to an end.There are other issues, but the primary one is reducing following Christ down to a handful of "musts".
Of course, this does come back full circle. By creating a list of ways to be missional, I could also be "programming" missional. It is our tendency to want to break everything down, to number it, to add some "musts" and "must nots" to the list. I like checklists and job descriptions. They help me know exactly what I need to be doing. But I hope I never limit anything of God to a checklist for myself or for other people. God is far bigger than any 10 ideas I could ever come up with.
I'll still finish my list of 10 ways, but they are simply suggestions for me and others. They are a starting point, something concrete to begin a life of following Christ.
(Please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)
Come join the party...
As I read the Gospels, I've noticed that there were a couple things that made the scribes and pharisees angry with Jesus. The first, and most obvious, was His claims of deity. But another is the fact that He opened heaven/eternal life up to more than just the religious. He opened it up to whoever would come, even those that the Jews would have nothing to do with.
The issue of Christ's deity is not a big deal within the Church today. Even religions/churches most christians would reject recognize Christ's deity. But the issue of who gets in and who doesn't.... talk about stirring up a hornet's nest!
A recent discussion on one forum highlighted this. Someone wrote about a party in heaven, and that everyone was invited. But a pharisee showed up, clipboard in hand, to make sure that everyone who showed up was indeed invited. The keys to the kingdom were in her hands, as far as she was concerned, and she would make sure the riff-raff stayed out. How dare someone say everyone was welcome!
I posted an analogy of Jesus sneaking people past the pharisees and in the back door. Isn't this what Christianity is? We couldn't keep the Law (and get on the invitation list), so Jesus found a way to get us into the party anyway. Yet this analogy drew fire - even from a poster I respect.
Why is it so many people are more concerned with keeping the riff-raff out than with helping them get into the party?
The good news is that not only is there a party planned for us, it has already begun. But the bad news is that your invitation got lost somewhere and you'll never get past security (religion) at the front door. Don't feel too bad; I lost my invitation as well.
But Jesus is more than happy to sneak you into the party. Just follow Him in through the back door. It's a great party; it's a shame so many are missing it because they insist on checking names at the door.
(please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)
The issue of Christ's deity is not a big deal within the Church today. Even religions/churches most christians would reject recognize Christ's deity. But the issue of who gets in and who doesn't.... talk about stirring up a hornet's nest!
A recent discussion on one forum highlighted this. Someone wrote about a party in heaven, and that everyone was invited. But a pharisee showed up, clipboard in hand, to make sure that everyone who showed up was indeed invited. The keys to the kingdom were in her hands, as far as she was concerned, and she would make sure the riff-raff stayed out. How dare someone say everyone was welcome!
I posted an analogy of Jesus sneaking people past the pharisees and in the back door. Isn't this what Christianity is? We couldn't keep the Law (and get on the invitation list), so Jesus found a way to get us into the party anyway. Yet this analogy drew fire - even from a poster I respect.
Why is it so many people are more concerned with keeping the riff-raff out than with helping them get into the party?
The good news is that not only is there a party planned for us, it has already begun. But the bad news is that your invitation got lost somewhere and you'll never get past security (religion) at the front door. Don't feel too bad; I lost my invitation as well.
But Jesus is more than happy to sneak you into the party. Just follow Him in through the back door. It's a great party; it's a shame so many are missing it because they insist on checking names at the door.
(please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Making the Most
The Book of Acts contains our best examples of biblical evangelism. It starts in Acts 2, where a large crowd was drawn by the activity of the Holy Spirit and Peter took the opportunity to tell them about Christ. And throughout the book we read that the apostles were accompanied by signs and miracles (the work of the Spirit) and that people listened to them because of this. The Spirit is still at work today, though the signs and miracles are less flashy today. Don’t get me wrong; I believe there is still supernatural physical healing. But I believe that we can see the Spirit at work everyday in the casting out of the demons of addiction or in the healing of a broken person. And those outside the Body of Christ do pay attention when they see these kinds of miracles – it is up to us to make the most of the opportunity to tell people the Gospel of Christ.
There are 2 examples of evangelism in the Book of Acts that have always stood out to me. Both involve less supernatural circumstances but definitely involved a believer making the most of an opportunity to speak.
In Acts 17:16-34. we read of Paul’s speech in the Aeropagus. This speech is a great example of apologetics and an inspiration for many of us who would share Christ with those of other faiths. But first Paul had to be given the opportunity to speak. How did he gain this? First, he saw the situation in Athens. The people were worshipping a large number of idols and Paul’s spirit, who we can assume was in tune with the Holy Spirit, was provoked. In other words, Paul was responding to the Spirit’s promptings.Second, he talked with the people around him. The bible doesn’t tell us how long Paul spent talking with the people in the marketplace before being given the opportunity to speak in the Aeroagus, but I imagine it was weeks, if not months. It is obvious that not only was he telling people about Christ, he was also listening and learning about what they believed as well – he will use their own beliefs as his starting point for his sermon.Third, Paul is respectful towards those he was talking to. He was respectful enough that they invited him to the Aeropagus so they could hear him speak more. Paul continues to show respect when he addresses the Aeropagus. Instead of condemning them for false beliefs, he makes the observation that they are indeed very religious. And then he goes on from there to tell them of the unknown God that many are already worshipping.So we can learn 3 things from Paul on making the most – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism takes time and effort; 3) Treat others with respect.The bible tells us (vv. 32, 34) that there 3 different reactions to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel. Some scoffed, some wanted to know more, and some became believers.
In Acts 8:25-40, we read of the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip’s discussion with him. The situation begins quite differently here – the Spirit doesn’t just prompt Philip but gives him direct instructions. The similarity with Paul at the Aeropagus lies in the fact the Spirit was at work behind the scenes; neither the Athenians or the eunuch see the Spirit at work except through their interactions with believers.The situation continues quite differently as well. While Paul had weeks or months to talk, learn, and lay a groundwork, Philip has to act instantly. The Spirit tells him “Go talk to him, now!”But Philip was ready. He made the most of this chance by asking the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. Though we only have a short description of the interaction between Philip and the eunuch, it is obvious that Philip was (like Paul) treating the eunuch with respect. The eunuch was a powerful man, yet he invited Philip to come join him and talk to him more. And later, the eunuch believes in the Gospel and becomes a follower of Christ.So the three things we learn from Philip – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism requires instant action; 3) Treat others with respect.
(original post at: http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=24)
There are 2 examples of evangelism in the Book of Acts that have always stood out to me. Both involve less supernatural circumstances but definitely involved a believer making the most of an opportunity to speak.
In Acts 17:16-34. we read of Paul’s speech in the Aeropagus. This speech is a great example of apologetics and an inspiration for many of us who would share Christ with those of other faiths. But first Paul had to be given the opportunity to speak. How did he gain this? First, he saw the situation in Athens. The people were worshipping a large number of idols and Paul’s spirit, who we can assume was in tune with the Holy Spirit, was provoked. In other words, Paul was responding to the Spirit’s promptings.Second, he talked with the people around him. The bible doesn’t tell us how long Paul spent talking with the people in the marketplace before being given the opportunity to speak in the Aeroagus, but I imagine it was weeks, if not months. It is obvious that not only was he telling people about Christ, he was also listening and learning about what they believed as well – he will use their own beliefs as his starting point for his sermon.Third, Paul is respectful towards those he was talking to. He was respectful enough that they invited him to the Aeropagus so they could hear him speak more. Paul continues to show respect when he addresses the Aeropagus. Instead of condemning them for false beliefs, he makes the observation that they are indeed very religious. And then he goes on from there to tell them of the unknown God that many are already worshipping.So we can learn 3 things from Paul on making the most – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism takes time and effort; 3) Treat others with respect.The bible tells us (vv. 32, 34) that there 3 different reactions to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel. Some scoffed, some wanted to know more, and some became believers.
In Acts 8:25-40, we read of the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip’s discussion with him. The situation begins quite differently here – the Spirit doesn’t just prompt Philip but gives him direct instructions. The similarity with Paul at the Aeropagus lies in the fact the Spirit was at work behind the scenes; neither the Athenians or the eunuch see the Spirit at work except through their interactions with believers.The situation continues quite differently as well. While Paul had weeks or months to talk, learn, and lay a groundwork, Philip has to act instantly. The Spirit tells him “Go talk to him, now!”But Philip was ready. He made the most of this chance by asking the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. Though we only have a short description of the interaction between Philip and the eunuch, it is obvious that Philip was (like Paul) treating the eunuch with respect. The eunuch was a powerful man, yet he invited Philip to come join him and talk to him more. And later, the eunuch believes in the Gospel and becomes a follower of Christ.So the three things we learn from Philip – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism requires instant action; 3) Treat others with respect.
(original post at: http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=24)
Compassionate Christianity
Discussing Christ with compassion, love, and mercy. (My feeble attempts at a more missional, emerging Christianity.)
This blog will serve as a mirror for my main blog at http://compassionatechristianity.org. If you would like to comment (and hopefully you will), please do so at the main site.
This blog will serve as a mirror for my main blog at http://compassionatechristianity.org. If you would like to comment (and hopefully you will), please do so at the main site.
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