GOOD NEWS APPOINTMENTS

The Good News Appointments are probably my favorite type of appointment that God arranges for me. This is when you are given an opportunity or God has arranged an appointment for you to bring a bit of Him verbally into a situation. The appointment may be to speak a word of truth, to tell a part of how God is working in your life,to interject his name, or even to invite a person into life in Christ. Peter, in his letter, says that we need to always be ready.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Ready for the Good News Appointments God is preparing for us. I had one of these appointments this past week at the desk of the motel I was staying at. I was in conversation with the young woman behind the counter and began to ask if she were involved in a church or spiritual things. She answered in a way many people do. She mentioned involvement in a church but not really active or engaged. I casually mentioned that the great thing about Jesus is that more than going to church, He wants us to know how much he loves us and wants the best for us. It was simple. It was true. And it was Good News.

She didn’t kneel down and receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior. But Good News was planted; and she and I were blessed. Look for these Good News opportunities. And, by the way, notice how Peter describes us doing this: gentleness and respect. It will make for a much better and more enjoyable appointment if you remember his words of guidance.

Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul

The Awfulness of the Flood -- not like in the Children's Story

The story is incredible, faith stirring, and it is horrendous. I am referring to the story in Genesis about Noah and the flood. The people have turned their hearts away from relationship with God so much so that every inclination of their heart is contrary to God’s heart. And he determines that he will wipe all of mankind off the face of the earth with a flood.

I don’t think I can fully imagine what that judgment must have been like. I don’t really want to. But I cannot avoid the reality that God’s judgment, when released, is exacting, holy, right, and awe filled and from my human perspective, horrendous. The flood took everyone. It took everyone, but one family. I am a grace oriented person, mostly because I am a recipient of grace. The idea of judgment bothers me. As I pondered this event it brought tears to my eyes. It began with thoughts about those I know who live outside of relationship with Jesus Christ.

I do believe there will be a coming judgment. I don't like the thought of it. My imagination creates an absolutely horrendous picture of the flood. I wonder if, in this act of judgment, whether God was merciful and wiped people out instantaneously, but that is not the way it plays in my head. In my mind the flood and the terror for those who were being taken by the waters is horrendous. Maybe you can imagine the reaction of people as the waters rose. Did they seek higher ground? Did they swim? Did they try to hold one another? Did they try to convince Noah to let them in and to save them? Did Noah and his family hear? It is almost too much to consider; which is possibly why the Scriptures tell us nothing about those who are deluged in the judgment of God. But the Scriptures do teach us about the man, Noah and the God that saved him.

The Scriptures teach us that Noah found favor with God. Noah lived in such a way that those around him knew he “walked with God.” He had faith. And God spared him. In the midst of God’s all consuming judgment we see the evidence of his wonderful grace floating in a boat. The boat was protecting a man and his family who trusted Him enough to act on what they had been told.

One day again, judgment will come. Never again will it come in the form of a flood, but come it will and as I observe the world turning their hearts away from relationship with God, come it must. And that makes my heart ache, for us and for those who do not know Jesus Christ yet. 2 Peter reminds us:

They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8,9)

He will not wait forever to bring judgment, but thankfully he is patient. He is patient with those who know Him. We have much to do as we learn to live for him and advance his kingdom into our own hearts and into the hearts of many who do not yet know the love of our Lord. I am thankful for the patience of God! "Father, thank you for being a God of patience. Give us the strength and desire to spread the message of your grace and love, the Good News of Your Son Jesus Christ. Help us to be salt and light!"

Your partner in the gospel,

Pastor Paul

The Hope of the World

I recently found a quotation that captivated me. Spurgeon (1834-92) was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. He frequently preached the Good News of Jesus to audiences of more than 10,000 people. He has been called the Prince of Preachers. The quotation is about the Church and speaks much to the necessity for the Church to be impacting our culture.

And let the entire body of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ–instead of looking to societies for evangelization, or to commerce, or to governments– remember that she is the sole saviour of the world. As Christ was the world’s hope, so is the Church the world’s hope, and she must take up the charge as if there were not another.

I agree with Spurgeon. I have heard Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church state it this way:

The local Church is the hope of the World.

The Church, the bride of Christ, is called and charged to bring the hope and love of Jesus Christ to the World that Jesus Himself says that He loves (John 3:16). It may be nice, and maybe on some issues necessary (ie: abortion), to have the government and as Spurgeon refers to "commerce and societies" to partner with us. But in the end the call to feed the hungry, to give hope to the poor, to care for the orphans and widows, to address the issues of oppression, of bondage, of social ills like AIDS, abortion, and Human Trafficking to mention a few is the charge to the body of Christ. We cannot depend on the government to have the heart of Jesus Christ nor to truly be able to bring hope to our social ills.

I must confess that much of my life as a Pastor has been primarily about pasturing the local church that I have been a part of and of personal evangelism. I believe this is my spiritual gifting. But over the last several years, I have been convicted and challenged that a significant part of my maturity and the discipleship of God’s people must include engagement in the lives of the “lost and the least” of the world. We must do this not only from an evangelistic perspective, but also to address with compassion and justice the needs of those around us.

I am being challenged that true discipleship cannot be merely knowledge (although it must include knowledge) nor just personal life issues. Any plan for maturing believers in Christ must include leading followers to be engaged in the lives others. To be engaged with an evangelistic heart with those who do not know Jesus yet. And leading them to be engaged with a “loving people as they are in Jesus’ name” heart that serves people with compassion and seeks justice for people in the name of Christ.

Discipleship, of course, is following Jesus. To follow Jesus will certainly lead us to become a friend of the “tax collectors and ‘sinners’” of our day. Following Jesus will lead us to bringing good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and to release the oppressed (Luke 4:18).
“Jesus, expand my heart.”
Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul

P.S. This post is not meant to take us off the hook in our need to be politically astute and aware. We certainly don't want a government that would be working "against" the Church or the causes that the Church is called by God to address.