Have you ever pondered the question why am I alive? Why am I here on planet earth? What's my mission? What's my life's purpose? Remember several years ago, well known preacher and writer, Rick Warren wrote a book, "Purpose Driven Life"! He discussed and reviewed for us that each one of us has a mission and a purpose of why we are on this planet.
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus stood up and read from Isaiah 61:1-2 these words, "the spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then He added, "today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus also stated His mission, His purpose in Matthew 20:28, "the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus stated His mission and knew His mission. Do you know yours? Why are we here? What's my purpose?
I believe there are 3 basic targets for our mission. These are the foundations upon which our vision, goals and purpose all rest. I believe this foundation is three fold for each of us.
1) In Mark 12:30, Jesus states, "and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength". That is we are to give Him 100 per cent of ourselves to learning as much as God as we can and to put His 1st in our lives. Matthew 6:33 states, "seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you." Mission number 1: give God our best and give Him our all.
2) Then Jesus went on in Mark 12:31 stating that the second greatest commandment is just as important as the first. "Love your neighbor as yourself". Jesus' mission: to serve not be served. He gave us the example to follow and our direction in walking with Him is to serve, not be served. We must look around us. There are people everywhere we look are need our attention, love and service. People who are hurting, lonely, depressed, filled with worry, anxiety and don't know why THEY are here on this planet. There must be a sense of urgency because the time is short. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. Let's us open our eyes to the needs of our families, neighbors and communities to "serve and not be served". Let us a leave "our holy huddles" on Sundays and be the hands and feet of Jesus everyday. Lives are waiting to be touched by each one of us which will affect all of eternity. They may be at Starbucks, the gas station, the bank, the park, next door, and maybe just maybe, even in your family.
3) Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus commanded us that as we journey in this life to make disciples of all those we meet. We call that Jesus' "Great Commission". It was given to His apostles but resonates down through the centuries to us today. Christians are only one generation away from extinction. If we don't go and tell how will they hear and know. The time is short, the days are evil and we do not know the day or hour when we will check out from this planet. "People need the Lord". My friend Arron Chambers has written a book entitled, "Eats with Sinners". Jesus hung out with those who need love and life. He rub elbows with the downcast and outcast. Arron writes about the urgency of the hour. "Jesus, with a sense of urgency, has sent us out into the harvest fields to make sure that everyone has the chance to make it safely home. We must walk our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our communities, and our homes as many times as it takes to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to safely make it off this planet. The world is sinking. The alarm is sounding. The harvest is plentiful. Let's get to work now, because it's later than it ever was." - "Eats with Sinner" by Arron Chambers - pg. 136.
Our mission, which we must accept, involves the "Great Commandment" and the "Great Commission".
As we journey through this day and everyday, may we make it a priority to serve and tell.
So, how are you, how are we, doing on the mission????
I am praying for you and your family.
Leonard
www.leonardnavarre.com
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, July 20, 2009
Go into all the world!
I have been reflecting upon an article that Boyce Mouton wrote many years ago on Matthew 9:38. After meditating a bit on this scripture, I have some comments for YOUR reflection on this verse.
“pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth laborers into his harvest…”
W. E. Vine in his “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” list 12 different Greek words all of which translate the word “send”.
In the text, Jesus asked His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to “send” forth laborers. He chose to use a form of the Greek word, “ekballo” which means “throw” and “ek” before it signifies “out”. Therefore, we gather the meaning as “to throw out”. Thayer says it signifies “an included notion more or less of violence”.
This is the word the Holy Spirit uses to describe Jesus’ actions in “casting out” the moneychangers in Matthew 21:12; the word used in describing the way that Paul and Barnabas were driven out of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50); the way that Sarah wanted Abraham to cast out Hagar (Gal. 4:30); to describe the way that Jesus was “driven” into the wilderness (Mark 1:12); the way that Rahab sent out the spies (James 2:25).
So, you might be asking, ‘what’s all the fuss about in this one word?’ Well, this then is the way that our Lord sometimes “sends” forth laborers into the harvest. He finds us so utterly complacent that it is difficult for Him to get our attention.
If we are honest with ourselves, we must say that body of Christ, the church, is very complacent now days about sharing the gospel and moving into the “fields that are white unto harvest”. The Lord Jesus, therefore, lovingly increases the pressure until He gets our attention. He makes us uncomfortable. He doesn’t share in our complacency. So, He nudges, pushes, shoves until we are so uncomfortable we must act. Ultimately we are apt to find ourselves literally “thrown out” into the harvest.
Do you remember in the book of Acts how the Lord God used this strategy in moving the body of Jesus Christ, the church, out from Jerusalem into the world? In Acts 1, Jesus commanded them to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth”. Acts 1:8
So, after about 10 years of the Christians just hanging around Jerusalem, God turned up the pressure. In Acts 7, Stephen is stoned. In Acts 8:1 it says, “a great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.” (NLT)
So, if we find ourselves very complacent, satisfied and stagnant, then be ready for some action some, on purpose pressure, from the Lord of the Harvest. He is ready, able and willing to “send” forth laborers into His harvest…WITH PRESSURE AND ON PURPOSE!
I am praying for you.
“pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth laborers into his harvest…”
W. E. Vine in his “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” list 12 different Greek words all of which translate the word “send”.
In the text, Jesus asked His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to “send” forth laborers. He chose to use a form of the Greek word, “ekballo” which means “throw” and “ek” before it signifies “out”. Therefore, we gather the meaning as “to throw out”. Thayer says it signifies “an included notion more or less of violence”.
This is the word the Holy Spirit uses to describe Jesus’ actions in “casting out” the moneychangers in Matthew 21:12; the word used in describing the way that Paul and Barnabas were driven out of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50); the way that Sarah wanted Abraham to cast out Hagar (Gal. 4:30); to describe the way that Jesus was “driven” into the wilderness (Mark 1:12); the way that Rahab sent out the spies (James 2:25).
So, you might be asking, ‘what’s all the fuss about in this one word?’ Well, this then is the way that our Lord sometimes “sends” forth laborers into the harvest. He finds us so utterly complacent that it is difficult for Him to get our attention.
If we are honest with ourselves, we must say that body of Christ, the church, is very complacent now days about sharing the gospel and moving into the “fields that are white unto harvest”. The Lord Jesus, therefore, lovingly increases the pressure until He gets our attention. He makes us uncomfortable. He doesn’t share in our complacency. So, He nudges, pushes, shoves until we are so uncomfortable we must act. Ultimately we are apt to find ourselves literally “thrown out” into the harvest.
Do you remember in the book of Acts how the Lord God used this strategy in moving the body of Jesus Christ, the church, out from Jerusalem into the world? In Acts 1, Jesus commanded them to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth”. Acts 1:8
So, after about 10 years of the Christians just hanging around Jerusalem, God turned up the pressure. In Acts 7, Stephen is stoned. In Acts 8:1 it says, “a great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.” (NLT)
So, if we find ourselves very complacent, satisfied and stagnant, then be ready for some action some, on purpose pressure, from the Lord of the Harvest. He is ready, able and willing to “send” forth laborers into His harvest…WITH PRESSURE AND ON PURPOSE!
I am praying for you.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Invite others to Jesus!
His name was "Andrehas" in the Greek. It means "manly". When we first see him in the New Testament he is being called by Jesus in Matthew 4:18. In Matthew 10:2 he is listed as one of the twelve. However, it is in John's gospel record that we see "Andrehas" usefulness and he provides an example to us. It's in the gospel of John that we learn more about Andrew.
First, in John 1:40-42, "one of the two who heard Jesus speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He (Andrew) first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, 'we have found the Messiah'...he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus."
WOW! Praise the Lord. Here is an individual who sees, hears and experiences the Messiah who is not just content to have the touch of the Master on his own life but wants to share it with others. He immediately thinks of his brother, Simon, and wants to tell him the good news. Andrew goes out of his way to find and invite his brother, Simon, to come and see for himself what Andrew found, the Messiah. Can we learn anything from this event? I hope so.
Secondly, we find Andrew again in John 6:1-9. Here we see a great gathering of 5000 men not counting the women and children present to hear the words of Jesus. They become concerned because the people look weak in need of food. But, as they talk amongst themselves, they realize just how much food would be needed to feed such a crowd. Guess who steps up? Yep, here he is again. "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother said to Him, 'there is a lad here...' Andrew, again, is bringing another one to Jesus. A small boy this time.
The third time we Andrew in John is chapter 12 verses 20 thru 33. A group of foreigners who were preparing for worship sought to see Jesus. Who steps up? You guessed it. It is Andrew, AGAIN. Along with Philip, Andrew is mentioned as one who leads these foreigners to the Master.
In these three examples Andrew is shown as the one who is concerned about OTHERS. He is concerned about his relatives, little children and even foreigners. We can learn valuable lessons from "Andrehas", the manly one.
Look around. There are folks in your sphere of influence who are searching, longing, maybe even hurting who are looking for "the promised one". The one who can bring hope, healing and strength. The ONLY one who can bring SALVATION.
May I encourage you to take up the cause of Jesus Christ, just like Andrew. Let's take the message of love, hope and salvation to the world. Allow it to begin TODAY and let it begin with US.
I am praying for you and your family,
First, in John 1:40-42, "one of the two who heard Jesus speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He (Andrew) first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, 'we have found the Messiah'...he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus."
WOW! Praise the Lord. Here is an individual who sees, hears and experiences the Messiah who is not just content to have the touch of the Master on his own life but wants to share it with others. He immediately thinks of his brother, Simon, and wants to tell him the good news. Andrew goes out of his way to find and invite his brother, Simon, to come and see for himself what Andrew found, the Messiah. Can we learn anything from this event? I hope so.
Secondly, we find Andrew again in John 6:1-9. Here we see a great gathering of 5000 men not counting the women and children present to hear the words of Jesus. They become concerned because the people look weak in need of food. But, as they talk amongst themselves, they realize just how much food would be needed to feed such a crowd. Guess who steps up? Yep, here he is again. "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother said to Him, 'there is a lad here...' Andrew, again, is bringing another one to Jesus. A small boy this time.
The third time we Andrew in John is chapter 12 verses 20 thru 33. A group of foreigners who were preparing for worship sought to see Jesus. Who steps up? You guessed it. It is Andrew, AGAIN. Along with Philip, Andrew is mentioned as one who leads these foreigners to the Master.
In these three examples Andrew is shown as the one who is concerned about OTHERS. He is concerned about his relatives, little children and even foreigners. We can learn valuable lessons from "Andrehas", the manly one.
Look around. There are folks in your sphere of influence who are searching, longing, maybe even hurting who are looking for "the promised one". The one who can bring hope, healing and strength. The ONLY one who can bring SALVATION.
May I encourage you to take up the cause of Jesus Christ, just like Andrew. Let's take the message of love, hope and salvation to the world. Allow it to begin TODAY and let it begin with US.
I am praying for you and your family,
Sunday, April 26, 2009
YOU are the Salt of the Earth!
I am indebted to two men in my life who have shaped most of my thinking on loving others from whatever sect you may have come. Also for helping me recognize that we are not the only passengers on the "gospel ship" with our particular brand or label of Christianity. God has children in all groups of which many I do not know but would love to meet.
The two men of whom I speak are W. Carl Ketcherside and Boyce Mouton plus throw in a sounding board in Tom Tucker and "whalla" - my views. The following article is adapted from a conversation I had with and printed article given by W. Carl Ketcherside. I am praying that it helps to get us "out of the salt shaker" of which an entire book has been written.
YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Matthew 5:13
Salt is not something which you try to become in Jesus Christ. It is what your ARE in Jesus Christ. Here are a few characteristics of salt which should provide some insights into the nature of discipleship and followship for each of us who claim to be believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
1. Salt was so very precious during the days of Jesus. It was so valuable that Roman soldiers received salt as a portion of their wages. Hence, our word "salary" literally means, "payment in salt". To this day we say of someone who does not rise to the mark or measure up as one who "is not worth their salt". The fact that Jesus referred to His disciples as "salt" is a strong indication of how precious and valuable they were to Him and to influencing the world.
2. Salt was the best preservative known during the time of Jesus Christ. Sometimes when a corpse was transported a long distance, it was packed in salt, not ice. When a covenant or contract was to be implemented between two parties, they ate salt together to seal the contract. The covenant God made with Israel in the old Testament required that salt accompany every cereal offering. (See Lev. 2:13)
3. Salt was a purifying agent in the days of Jesus. It was believed to possess antiseptic qualities and when a soldier was wounded, the hole in the flesh was often stuffed full of salt to prevent infection. It was used by Elisha to purify a spring of water (II Kings 2:22). This make it very eye opening for us to consider our influence as Christians in this society which is infected by sin.
4. Salt increases the taste or the flavor of food. All of us have eaten attractively prepared food in which the cook forgot to add the salt. The "gourmet" meal taste flat and uninspired. So we feel compassion on the folks who have to be on a "salt free" diet. We could also say that life without the Christian influence is flat.
It sure does bother me a great deal to see that those who called themselves, believers or Christians, seem to have so little influence upon the world in general. It seems that we are more excited about our labels and buildings than impacting and influencing our society. There is no simple answer, but it must not be forgotten that salt will do NO GOOD huddling in the shaker. And, it seems to me that a great many believers are trapped inside religious structures or as some have called them, "holy huddles". All we seem to do is huddle, call plays, but never get on the field to execute the plays. In our holy huddles we hold services rather than rendering them. We seem more intent on carrying on religious exercises while the world is tracking more and more to evil and souls are dying without Jesus Christ right at our doorstep.
In his book, "New Light for the Gospels", Clifford A. Wilson says it was a Jewish tradition that when salt became unfit for use on sacrifices, it was sprinkled on the temple steps so that priest would not slip during rainy weather. Barclay makes mention of that unfit salt was thrown on the roadways.
Jesus does not say, "if the salt has lost its strength, I shall have to try something else". We are it. There is NOTHING ELSE. It is you and me or nothing. If we fail, Jesus questions, "with what shall the earth be salted"? The answer is that it will not be. We are the last divine thrust into the world to influence, purify, and perserve our world. Jesus was the Son of God made flesh, we are flesh made children of God.
"you are the salt of the earth"
There is no plan "B".
Again I am thankful to W. Carl Ketcherside for shaping my thoughts on this text from Matthew 5:13
I am praying for you and your family,
Leonard
The two men of whom I speak are W. Carl Ketcherside and Boyce Mouton plus throw in a sounding board in Tom Tucker and "whalla" - my views. The following article is adapted from a conversation I had with and printed article given by W. Carl Ketcherside. I am praying that it helps to get us "out of the salt shaker" of which an entire book has been written.
YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Matthew 5:13
Salt is not something which you try to become in Jesus Christ. It is what your ARE in Jesus Christ. Here are a few characteristics of salt which should provide some insights into the nature of discipleship and followship for each of us who claim to be believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
1. Salt was so very precious during the days of Jesus. It was so valuable that Roman soldiers received salt as a portion of their wages. Hence, our word "salary" literally means, "payment in salt". To this day we say of someone who does not rise to the mark or measure up as one who "is not worth their salt". The fact that Jesus referred to His disciples as "salt" is a strong indication of how precious and valuable they were to Him and to influencing the world.
2. Salt was the best preservative known during the time of Jesus Christ. Sometimes when a corpse was transported a long distance, it was packed in salt, not ice. When a covenant or contract was to be implemented between two parties, they ate salt together to seal the contract. The covenant God made with Israel in the old Testament required that salt accompany every cereal offering. (See Lev. 2:13)
3. Salt was a purifying agent in the days of Jesus. It was believed to possess antiseptic qualities and when a soldier was wounded, the hole in the flesh was often stuffed full of salt to prevent infection. It was used by Elisha to purify a spring of water (II Kings 2:22). This make it very eye opening for us to consider our influence as Christians in this society which is infected by sin.
4. Salt increases the taste or the flavor of food. All of us have eaten attractively prepared food in which the cook forgot to add the salt. The "gourmet" meal taste flat and uninspired. So we feel compassion on the folks who have to be on a "salt free" diet. We could also say that life without the Christian influence is flat.
It sure does bother me a great deal to see that those who called themselves, believers or Christians, seem to have so little influence upon the world in general. It seems that we are more excited about our labels and buildings than impacting and influencing our society. There is no simple answer, but it must not be forgotten that salt will do NO GOOD huddling in the shaker. And, it seems to me that a great many believers are trapped inside religious structures or as some have called them, "holy huddles". All we seem to do is huddle, call plays, but never get on the field to execute the plays. In our holy huddles we hold services rather than rendering them. We seem more intent on carrying on religious exercises while the world is tracking more and more to evil and souls are dying without Jesus Christ right at our doorstep.
In his book, "New Light for the Gospels", Clifford A. Wilson says it was a Jewish tradition that when salt became unfit for use on sacrifices, it was sprinkled on the temple steps so that priest would not slip during rainy weather. Barclay makes mention of that unfit salt was thrown on the roadways.
Jesus does not say, "if the salt has lost its strength, I shall have to try something else". We are it. There is NOTHING ELSE. It is you and me or nothing. If we fail, Jesus questions, "with what shall the earth be salted"? The answer is that it will not be. We are the last divine thrust into the world to influence, purify, and perserve our world. Jesus was the Son of God made flesh, we are flesh made children of God.
"you are the salt of the earth"
There is no plan "B".
Again I am thankful to W. Carl Ketcherside for shaping my thoughts on this text from Matthew 5:13
I am praying for you and your family,
Leonard
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