Be a Crazy Sower!

 

We are all familiar with the “parable of the Sower” (Matthew 13:1-9). I have heard all my life this parable coming in so many different forms and ways. The specialty of this parable is to know that Jesus took time to explain the whole parable second time to the disciples. This came in allegorical form as well us in a lay man language.  The highlight of this parable is to know that though the seeds were sown, yet all did not yield growth due to various interceptor and infiltration.

There are so many factors that probably draw the attention of the reader. Factors like where the seed fell, the factors that choked the growth, description of variable outcome and even more. But here I wish to direct all your attention to the Sower. Curtis Mitchell once shared about the Parable of the Sower emphasized on this, which said, “Don’t be a soil inspector, be a crazy Sower.” The highlight of the parable is not the spiritualization of the parable itself but the focus on the Sower, the crazy Sower who went about sowing irrespective of the ground realities. The Sower was least bothered about the quality of the field level. He sowed in almost all places.

Are you a crazy Sower? Or, are your other priorities have robbed you from the prime Job that you are called for, i.e., Sowing? Today, many instead of Sowing are busy only praying for the soul and getting involved in all the spiritual activities without actually going out to Sow. If you notice the life of Jesus you will notice He did spend lots of time in prayer which included praying all night in preparation to go out during the day to for all the activities that would primarily focus on preaching the good news in a Holistic approach (Luke 3:21-22; Mark 1:35-36; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12-13; Matt:11:25-26; John 6:1; Matt 14:23; Mark 7:31-37; Matt 7:31-37; Matt 15:36; Luke 9:18). He did not pray all night and then go to sleep during the day. Today many who say they are busy praying so much day and night miss the most important part, Sowing. Even if the sowing had to happen it happened within the four walls of the Church building, but rarely among the larger community, the Non-Christians.

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is a remarkable one.  In 17:9, the prayer says, “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours,” is a confidence for all of us. But it does not end there. In Verse 18  Jesus acknowledges his obedience to the mission that was given to Him and the passing of the mission. “As You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”.  And Paul exactly followed the same when he said in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “For I passed on to you as most important what I also received…” What is happening in Sowing? The gospel is sowed in all places. In an agricultural field there is a framework, a boundary. You don’t sow outside the boundary because it will contradict the law of agriculture. But while sowing the word, the living word which is the gospel there are no framework. You just have to have one qualification, i.e., to be a crazy Sower. Are you so long overlooking the parable of the Sower to different components mentioned in parable? It is time that we all come together and teach the people, motivate the people, inspire the people, revolutionize the people to be a Crazy Sower. Do not forget this fact which says, every minute 49 people are dying without knowing who Christ is. We are responsible. We have no other job than to sow. Keep sowing, Be a cray Sower. 

To Read the last Blog on gathering click HERE

Click here You can follow on Twitter 

Gatherer or scatterer!

 

“…anyone who does not gather with me scatters.”  Matthew 12:30

Understanding Christendom today is a little more complicated than the first Century Christians. Church denominations, culture, language, race and so many other factors have impacted the Christian perspective and the church today. Each church denomination is like an independent institution with a customised set of thoughts, duties and expectations. People are operating and existing by the culture of the Church more than the expectations and mandate of Christ. And then the “Church worshippers”, I mean the ones who think God is equal to church building has nothing to do with missions. Church obligations and being part of the church activities are in themselves the biggest mission people think they are accomplishing.  Church obligations rob people of the purpose for His mission.

The mission and purpose of Christ Jesus is becoming more and more ambiguous because of personal interpretations and the interpretations of church denominations. Majority of the Christendom are missing the purpose of Jesus coming to this earth. It is muddled up with programs, entertainments, strengthening the fellowship with each other, making a family, making church big, I mean as a building and institutionalizing it. And sadly, the purpose of Christ Jesus is missed and, in most cases, ignored blatantly. Jesus articulated his purpose so clearly which says, “For the son of man has come to seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10. If you notice, most of the parables support the purpose of Jesus coming to this earth. As individuals and Churches if we are not making it as part of our lifestyle then for sure we would continue to entertain ourselves as Christians but fail to be the disciple of Christ.  Here are few parables that also support Christ Mission and clarifies our mission on this earth,

 

• Sowing the seed and gathering the wheat (Matt 13:29),
• Impacting the flour with the leaven, (Matt 13:33), influencing the majority,
• Large net thrown in the sea to collect every kind of fish (Matt 13:47),
• parable of Lamp (Matt 5:14-16) the need to be the light and draw people,
• The Lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14) leaving the 99 to find the 1,
• The feast of the Great Banquet (Matt 22:1-14) inviting maximum people for the banquet,
• Ten talents of gold coin (Matt 25:14-30) compared to multiplying souls,
• The Lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) rejoicing over one sinner,
• The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) Father waiting for his lost son,
• The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) the pain the rich man had for his lost brothers.

 

Can you honestly tell what percentage of all your spirituality is contributed to reaching out to people who are in darkness? If the above is not part of your daily schedule that makes the purpose for your existence, then what else is? What is our Church teaching? Here a person Hasti Gomes shares her disappointment about her Church experience.

Analyze this statement Jesus makes which is recorded in Matthew 12:30, “Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.”. Be warned, you cannot play neutral here. It does not say that you are either gathering or not gathering, but it says that if you are not gathering then you are scattering. This is powerful and alarming. Jesus was in the business of gathering the people for the kingdom of God. Many are seen today institutionalizing the Church and busy trying to manage it and in most cases, making it an enterprise.  Church today, merely confines to edifying people for a good living. Sadly, never equipped to gather the lost people for the kingdom of God. What is your role today? You can explain and satisfy people with all that you are doing, but then if all that you are doing is not contributing to gathering, then you are scattering and working against Christ and His mission as said in Matthew 12:30. The 10 parables is just a reminder not for a story telling exercise but a call to come back to the core purpose of your existence, i.e. to be a disciple of Christ and seriously carry the gospel to the non-Christian world

 

You May read the Last Blog HERE

 

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

 

“Do something for the Lord”

 

Anytime when Christians are not living up to the standard of God’s expectations, they end up living with cheap alternatives. Religiosity will overtake and have full control of them. Today, Christians are part of Church institutions where mere visits and offerings are felt like a great service to God (Luke 18:12). And in addition, when they happen to be huge financial contributors for the Church, then the Church sees them as a great resource and a pillar of the Church. Most of the decisions of the Church are taken only with their approval. The church looks at them as a faithful dignified member of the congregation.

We are in a time, with no scarcity for counterfeits, superficialities and dilutions. Christendom is overflowing with it. Unfortunately, Churches fail to clear the heresies and mess. Week after week, sermons are delivered from the pulpit customized to suit and entertain people’s ears, and eventually lull them to Christ’s mission in all sense. Do you know what people are hearing too often? “Do something for the Lord.”. I am hearing it, since ages. The moment people are given a choice to do something for the Lord, they end up doing nothing or do whatever “they” feel like and call it service to the Lord. And most of the time this “something”, happens to be a church program that satisfies all.

Why do people downplay the Great Commission and the substitute Great Commandment (Matt 28:19; Acts 1:8)?  Was Jesus ambiguous in His Mission and in His Commission? Not at all!  It is the Churches and Christian leaders constantly in the limelight who are using the Great Commission to their benefit. And how are they successful? They just have to convince people that they are reaching the nation on their behalf and that they have to be part of the mission by committing to give offering and be relaxed from their responsibilities. And then to spiritualize it,  they are asked to pray along with paying.  A tele-evangelist, probably a millionaire, was pleading for money saying, “Your support helps us to go to the end of the world with the gospel.”.  In fact you would get to hear this from many who are in the forefront. It is possible that they are actually reaching out in big numbers, but they fail to engage the lay person towards the unfulfilled mission.

In many cases the Churches, Christian leaders and celebrities are freeing people of all the crucial mission responsibilities. The failure to the obedience to the Great Commission is because Churches in most cases have robbed the congregation members of Christ mission and purpose, and substituted with an alternative. Hardly a lay Christian has an audacity to share the gospel today. The need to present the gospel is never demanding and rarely compelling. People have no clue how to present it.

Christians are coaxed into thinking their attendance and positions in the Church by themselves are the fulfillment to Christ’s Mission. Paul in the book of Romans declares, “But not all obeyed the gospel”. Romans 10:16. And in verse 15 of the same chapter questions, “And how can they preach unless they are sent?”.  Yes, it is so true that most of the Christians are not sensitized enough or educated enough to lead a person to Christ. The other problem is most of them are never sent. I don't mean to tell you to send all people to some towns and villages but at least be informed enough to share the gospel to people under their influence. They forget that their workplace and other regular area of engagement in their daily life is a mission field. Sadly, they are misled into thinking that supporting a place 1,000 or more kilometers away from their home is a mission field.

There are no alternatives to the Great Commission. Every single person who finds Christ is commissioned to be a witness to the gospel,  preach the gospel and make disciples. Therefore, doing something for the Lord doesn’t directly or indirectly lead a person to Christ. It is a false mission. There are no ambiguities in the gospel and in the Great Commission whatsoever. Both the clergy and the laity, in other words pastors and lay people need to get this right. Can we commit our obedience to reach out?  Church, can you start sending or releasing your people for the sake of the gospel. Let's not forget, everywhere we turn we encounter people without Christ, especially in a country like ours. Therefore, our doing “something” cannot save a soul from eternal fire, but our clear message of the good news, will.

 

Click here You can follow on Twitter

When noticeable goes unnoticed!

 

We can either be the best example of Jesus in this world or a bad model of Christ’s teaching. Contradictory lifestyle is a result of superficiality and dishonest commitment towards God. When we want to follow God and at the same time satisfy our noticeable and sometimes unnoticeable selfish intentions to please the world, we end up living a life of contradiction. As we get used to it, our conscience is undisturbed, providing us with justifying reasons to hold on to that lifestyle.

In the book of Romans Chapter 2 Paul points out the contradictory behavior of the Jews and condemns them for being the reason God’s name is getting blasphemed (Romans 2:24). This is so true even today.  Beside people’s personal reason for rejecting God they give themselves valid reason to be offended by other Christians and yet live a contradictory lifestyle. Somehow we become the reasons for their offense.

Let me direct your attention to Romans 2:22, where it says,  “.. You who detest idols, do you rob temples.” Well I don’t intend to list out the contradiction concerning the Jews in this blog, but definitely want to draw all your attention to the contradictions sustained by the Christian world.  Sometimes our zeal for the Lord is so compartmentalized. Yes, you heard it right, compartmentalized. Many are upset on general evil the Bible condemns,  but overlook other evils brooding in their heart. And the sad part is that it finds approval to act on it.  Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in one of the writings states, “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of you and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every man. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

Today many Christian leaders can be so loud in their condemnation against all idolatries but still be comfortable to make Church an enterprise for a sustainable financial return. It doesn’t hurt them at all. The Mission of Christ continues to suffer because money covertly becomes a goal for the Church’s existence. The mandate of Christ in many cases has become a nice philosophy to mobilize funds and to do every other thing, beside actually reaching out to people with the good news. And Paul is right when he raises the question. It can be easy to detest the idols and still rob the church. Then in the days before Jesus the temple structure was seen as a holy sanctuary to a larger extent. But then the temple of the Lord was destroyed in 70 A.D fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus which was accused by Jesus for turning it into a business center. But today in the new testament era when God redefined the temple it culminated to a movement, a gathering, an assembly of believers coming together for a grandeur purpose. But when the grandeur purpose is robbed, we all stand condemned. Just meeting the pharisee’s legalistic requirement of not missing the Church gains importance.

Church leaders ensure that their congregation’s faithfulness is shown in the way they render their offerings and ensure that they don’t lose anyone. And the people are happy that they are fulfilling the church obligation i.e., by attending the Church and paying the tithes. Is this all the purpose of the Church? Today, by all means the purpose of reaching souls with the gospel is robbed. Just because you are pious in one activity doesn’t give you leverage of disobeying another Biblical requirement and most importantly, the Great Commission. Christians, Pastors and leaders be watchful that your Church is not robbed of its essence and the purpose and merely existing as a beautiful structure. 

In case you missed to read the last blog, "Price in the hand of the fool"  CLICK HERE

 

Click here You can follow on Twitter

Price in the hand of the fool!

       

                                                                                                    

King Solomon was a brilliant man, rhetoric in his speech, philosophical in his thoughts, logical in his analogies and raised many questions that demand extensive retrospection. One of it is this question that I thought was just brilliant. It goes like this, Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, Seeing he hath no heart to it? Proverbs 17:16. A serious question to ponder upon!  I was challenged when one of the Pastors in an open forum raised this question by asking, “how is that the many Christian scammers manage to receive funds over and over again, when someone who is honest and consciously careful, struggle to find resource for God’s work?”

The concerns grows when people witness many in Christian leadership positions call themselves as servants of God. They live with zero sense of accountability, fudging accounts, misappropriation of funds, take advantage of people for their benefit and personal amplification. And especially when the same portray as if God’s mission is in their hand, then it raises even more serious questions. If you are one among the groaners who is concerned, then I hear you dear people. I think Solomon when he raised this question had the same concern in mind. The sad thing in all of this is when the Christian world unfortunately assumes, that a person with a consistent fund flow of funds is God’s beloved candidate called to do God’s mission work in this world.

During my association with the international social agency, I used to visit many Churches and Church based organizations to monitor the program impact and fund utilization. Honestly, it would hurt so much. I would think, how one could claim being a servant of God, live so depraved using the name of Jesus, with poor accountability. I say this because the accounts would show so much of misuse, mishandling, and misappropriation of funds. Yet he would be thriving in his ministry. In such cases we are tempted to raise the pointed question of Solomon, “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a food to get wisdom..” Well, it is not only about wisdom to buy; it can be anything.

In the Bible, we notice it disturbed David too, when he saw the wicked being more wicked, and yet flourishing and he was groaning and lamenting. We find this in Psalms 94:3 where he says, “Lord how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?” I understand when it comes to the one who don’t know God and whose “god” is money, they have the best share in this world and the means don’t matter to them. But what about the ones who claim to be Christ’s servant yet all they do is mishandle and cheat for money. The sad part is they live under the false belief that God has blessed them and want them to thrive in their mission work. Hence, all the wickedness gets endorsed.

I have heard from several leaders who claim to be the great servants of God making bold claims by saying, God does not have any other alternative besides them. And that I thought was a desperate, pathetic statement I have ever heard. C S Lewis responds to this so beautifully, “God does not need you, the reason He has chosen to need you is because you need to be needed.” Kenner American French Historian said this way, "I have no fear that God's work will be kept undone, I have every fear that it will be done without me.”.

God’s work can grow best without funds too. If brevity of fund is the challenge for ineffective mission work, then technically God must be blamed for the stagnation of the gospel work, not you and me. And since it is not true, which means there is something seriously wrong. Mission work needs bold people who are ready to lay their life for the sake of the gospel. This is what is said about Barnabas and Paul in Acts 15:26, “who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”. Do not worry if you are struggling to manage funds to the bare minimum. It is not always about your accomplishment but it about your faithfulness. It would be a blessing if you don’t always get what you want. Let me end with the quote by Oscar Wilde, “In this world there are only two tragedies, one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it”. For example Solomon had harem twice the size of the temple. Do you have a price in your hand, how are you going to use it?

In case you want to check the previous blog  CLICK HERE

Click here You can follow on Twitter

Leaving 99 for 1!

 

Photo Credit Ernie Haase

In this blog domain, ‘liferedefined4god’, our constant emphasis is on the mission of the Church and individual.  The growing concern nowadays is that the focus of evangelism is becoming more a program and an activity inside the four walls of the Church. We focus so much on the Christian activity but less on Christ’s mandate given to us. Churches and individuals are becoming less effective when it comes to taking the gospel outside the four walls. People are not trained enough to provide a convincing defense of their faith to the world. Carey Nieuwhof puts it beautifully,  “Churches that become passionate about people outside their walls will be far more effective than churches that are passionate about keeping the few people they have inside their walls”. Christians and Churches tend to forget that all our activity should and must finally culminate to one activity i.e., to reach out to the people living outside our Christian circle and who have no clue about the gospel. We constantly display Christianity as a religion with a Church building, than pointing people to the cross.

By and large, the big questions in the Bible remains unanswered. Let us review few big questions that are of concern and desperation:

1. Isaiah 6:8 “..Who will I send? Who will go for us?

2. Matthew 9:37 – “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (In other words, who shall go?)

3. Romans 10:14-15 “..And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”

These age-old questions are used mostly in mission conferences for various reasons, one of which is to primarily mobilize resources for mission work. Unfortunately, it is not the resources we need but for people to go. We as Christians are either too timid or inadequate to present the good news to the desperate world. The ones who consider the questions seriously either become a pastor or a missionary. The ones who do not want to respond or comment on the above questions assume the place for them is to be faithful member of the Church and give full attendance. As Pastors and leaders does this concern us? Or are we happy we have regular crowd that gives an identity to a Church. There is no place for anyone to remain idle. Whether it is your career or a mission, reaching out with the gospel is the only priority.

If heaven is waiting to rejoice over the one lost sinner, what are we focusing on?

Church, who is your priority 99 or 1? Technically we would want to manage the 99 effectively, especially when we know we have less control over the 1. The waywardness of the one person is too insignificant for us or it is hard to convince the person to change. We want to give the gospel in a new package to the same old 99 who have received it. In the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14), Jesus emphasizes so much on the one, because that one soul matters to Him. What matters to Him should technically matter to us. Let us not forget 99 will be safe with or without you. If the 99 is not safe, then it means he/she needs seriously reconsider the salvation experience. Everyone who made a commitment to follow Christ is promised with a comforter/ counsellor who will be with him/her forever (John 16:7-8). Even in 1 John 2: 27 says, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and not a lie.” Is our 99 a real comrade for your gospel work? What are we going to do with the 99? Can we focus on the 1 and sensitize also the 99 to focus on the 1?

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

Christmas Evangelism –It's A Fishless Fishology, how true?

 

We have arrived at that time of the year where Churches and Christian organizations gear up for frenzied Christmas activities to attract their community and beneficiaries. Church buildings are prepped up with festive mood and religiosity is at its peak. Christians ardently celebrate it as a festival calling it the ‘Bada Din’ – Big Day in Hindi. It’s those of us who are regular attendees of the Church, celebrate the season for our satisfaction. But are we making any difference in this season? Also, Christian organizations make big plans for evangelism and implement programs, again to what outcomes?

Evangelism drive has become a farce of big numbers of people hearing the Gospel and giving their lives to Christ, but as Christians we fail to cringe at the fact that we flaunt numbers to impress Churches, well-wishers and donors. Do we really evangelize? As individuals, have we lead at least one person to Christ? We need to honestly ask ourselves these questions. Sadly, as Christians we have ended up with the tag line – “99 stimulate the 99 to mobilize the 99 for resources to reach nation”. But it is so far from reality because statistics of our country regarding Christians don't lie.

Jesus points out what brings immense joy in Heaven, "I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance."  Luke 15:7 CSB. What does the verse reverberate? Crowd Evangelism and crowd mobilization are sweet music to our ears, but Heaven is still patiently waiting to rejoice over the one who honestly repents and finds Jesus. Evangelism is not only a lifestyle but the willingness to walk patiently with that one person for a period of time to ensure he / she repents and becomes not only a disciple but also a disciple maker. May God stir our hearts to make a meaningful contribution in the life of one person, multiplying into many, in order to bring Great joy to heaven.

Let us see a parable that summarizes this message beautifully:

A Parable of Fishless Fishermen

Now it came to pass that there was a group of people who called themselves fishermen and lo there were many fish in the waters around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish and the fish were hungry. Week after week, month after month, year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met in meetings to talk about their call to fish, the abundance of fish and how they might go about fishing.

Year after year they carefully defined what fishing meant, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing was always the primary task of the fishermen. Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. One thing they didn’t do however. They didn’t fish. Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were built, whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. All through the years, courses were offered on the need to fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, classifying fish, and the psychological reactions of fish.

Those who taught had doctorates of fishiology but the teachers didn’t fish. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious training, many were graduated and were given fishing licenses.

After one meeting on the necessity for fishing, one young fellow left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported that he caught two outstanding fish. He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the main meetings possible to tell how he had caught the two big fish. So, he quit his fishing in order to have time to tell about his experiences to the other fishermen and also to make a movie on the big catch. He was also placed on the fishermen’s general board because of his considerable experience.

Now it’s true that many of “the fishermen” were truly sincere and really sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. After all, were they not following the master who said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Imagine how hurt some of them were when one day a person stood up and suggested that those who didn’t catch fish were really not fishermen no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct.

Is a person a fisherman if year after year he never catches fish? Is one following, if one isn’t fishing?

(Author unknown)

If we or our Church are like this fishless Fishermen, we would be deemed useless and dead weight. Are we ready to allow God to speak to us and align ourselves to the honest call for evangelism?

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

Lifestyle Evangelism!

 

Times are such that I cannot but emphasize on Evangelism and our response to the edicts of Christ, i.e., our obedience to Great Commission and Great commandment. It's  imperative that we show our fervor and aggressiveness in taking the Gospel to the world like never before. The world is in such turmoil with the pandemic and it's new variants threatening globally. Though the world leaders are trying out best solutions, the challenges outnumber. Extreme and erratic weather conditions, political unrests, Bio wars are some challenges. In all of these should the priority of the Churches alter? Absolutely not. The focus of the Churches and every Christian should remain the same, i.e., reaching out to the people dying without Christ, more precisely 49 people per minute.

It's an encouraging fact that Churches and Christian Organizations are demonstrating the Love of Christ in action by meeting the physical needs of the poor; thereby, fulfilling the demands of Great Commandment which says, “Love your neighbors as yourselves.” Mark 12:29. But the question remains as to what extent the Gospel is shared with the same enthusiasm? I fully believe social intervention does open doors to present Christ to people, but are the Christians prepared to present it effectively? Krish Dhanam underscores on obeying to His mandate, “If you practice Great Commission and share about Christ you are an irritant, and if you practice Great Commandment and talk about the love of Christ you are interesting, but if you do both Great Commission and Great Commandment together you are irresistible.”.

A lifestyle of Evangelism is when you are not just seen as a believer or a Pastor but one who is able to share His faith in a convincing way that wins a soul for Christ. Many are just a little better than a good Christian but failing to present the Savior to the world. It is observed, many Christians who claim to be His disciples are blissfully ignorant. They try to proclaim a heaven they can’t prove while here on earth. Lee Strobel states, “I’m all for lifestyle evangelism, but I’m also in favor of intentionality, where we seek out opportunities for spiritual conversations and are equipped to explain the gospel and why we believe it”.

Each one of us are under the obligation to present the Gospel. It makes heaven rejoice. The alarming fact is that mathematical calculations of big number does not bring glory to God but on a contrary invites His indignation on us. Luke 15:7 says, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.”. Intentional sharing of the Gospel takes time and energy in relationship building to induce honest commitment. It is doubtlessly the work of the Holy Spirit, but there are umpteen components that comprises Gospel sharing. This has been addressed in one of my previous blogs, which you can check HERE. It's appalling to observe that big organizations and Churches fall into the temptation of brandishing huge numbers of Gospel shared and people making commitment to Christ assuming heaven will be impressed, disappointingly cheating themselves.

 It is good to note how the Gospel numbers were calculated in the Bible. It was done with stunning accuracy. For example, in the case of people who were fed with seven loaves and few small fish, Matthew records four thousand men ate, besides women and children (Matthew 15:34-37). If it were to be us, we would have calculated big numbers hoping to bring glory to God. Numbers keep exchanged, duplicated, over calculated but heaven is still waiting to rejoice over one sinner making an honest confession and committing to follow Jesus. While Churches and organizations are looking for number of decisions made, Jesus is looking for disciples. We need revival. Let me close with the words of Leonard Ravenhill, "There’s no blueprint to revival. But there’s one thing that’s always there and it’s what the Apostle Paul said: “My little children, for whom I travail in birth.” For what? That you become Evangelists? That you become Missionaries? No! He says: “that CHRIST may be formed in you”!" And after Christ is formed in a person he /she cannot contain himself/herself.

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

Evangelism Model!

 

In my previous blog “Evangelism model all are looking for!”, was intended to ignite the spirit of Christendom to bring conviction in our personal responsibility in reaching out to the non-Christians. True understanding of who Christ and His salvation plan, leads to true commitment followed by the obedience to the Great Commission. One cannot choose to know God and not make Him known. Let me emphasize, the primary purpose of every human being is knowing God. Jesus in His prayer to His Father expressed these lines, “and this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”. John 17:3 NKJV. Paul soon adopts it and makes it his personal goal, “my goal is to know Him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being confirmed to his death.”. Philippians 3:10.When you truly desire to know God and making it your primary goal, it doesn't just become the end destination but creates a deep urge to make the Savior known to this sinful world.

Nothing is more urgent or important in this critical time than giving people hope in Christ and present it through the Gospel to those living in midst of sin and darkness. Evangelism is all about presenting the Gospel, the good news. But how Christendom is understanding it and how people are actually engaging in the Gospel work is a matter of discussion. Let me reiterate all that is inclusive in the Gospel considering this verse from 1 Thessalonians 1:5   “because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit.”

On the basis of the verse given above, let me list key factors that includes Gospel according to Paul:

1. Gospel (good news) in Word: “Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe  the good news.”. Mark 1:14-15. The Gospel message is informing people of God’s love, which was demonstrated on the Cross of Calvary and calling them for repentance from  their sin and accept Him as Lord and Savior of their life.

2.   Gospel in Power: "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved."1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB. The Gospel is full of power and has a capacity to break the hearts of people and transform them. The carrier of the Gospel unless truly transformed, filled with the Mission and anointing, may not be able to present the Gospel successfully.

3. Gospel in the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8 says it all, “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”. This promise is actually fulfilled in Acts 2 in the day of Pentecost. Unfortunately, people hold on to one particular theology of either talking only about the day of Pentecost or talk about the gift of speaking in tongues. But then the outcome of the Holy Spirit, which is the sharing of the Gospel and message of repentance is ignored or in most cases completely. Peter presented the Gospel with the power of Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), as a result three thousand people were added to them.

4.   Gospel is presenting oneself for the benefit of others: Paul in his book in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “We cared so much for you that we are pleased to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”. Paul ensures that he is not only available for those who are hearing the Gospel from him but offer his life for the sake of Gospel. Today, we just have time for one encounter and expect everything to happen on its own. How much are we able to dedicate ourselves for the sake of the Gospel and for the benefit of people’s soul?

I would like to end my assertion with two powerful quotes, F. Lincicome states, “God never intended His Church to be a refrigerator in which to preserve perishable piety. He intended it to be an incubator in which to hatch out converts.” And the challenge from Leonard RavenHill, “Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patient die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you DAMNED?"

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

Looking for an Effective Evangelism Model?

 

The shift on evangelism initiatives in recent times has taken a giant leap. Last 15 years and so, I have always emphasized much on Holistic approach (Spiritual, Physical, Socio-emotional & Cognitive) not merely implicating holism on NGO’s and social projects but also in the functions of the Church. The pattern of the early church is a classic example of a holistic model, where vibrant evangelism and structural social interventions were integrated in the heart of the Church (fellowship of believers). But sadly, in the past, many Churches did not manage the perfect blend of evangelism and social interventions, though they had financial stability and in some cases inflow of foreign funds.

What is amazing to know today is after the pandemic the social intervention and evangelism drive has become, the priority for Churches and Christian Organizations. If it had been our top priority years before the pandemic, our national Christian census would have looked very different than what we see today. But hold on! Has all the social interventions and evangelism drives been intensified to ensure Gospel is shared and commitments made? Let me leave it to God, for He is the best judge of that. There are already many organizations, which solely exist for Gospel work and there are new Christian organizations, trainers, and experts who claim to have a model for evangelism. Strategies are made, numbers are derived, reports are created but at the end of the day the question we need to ask is how many were actually led to Christ and how has that impacted the Church growth?

Evangelism Model is not necessarily like one of the social models that can be completely replicated. It may or may not work at all. Why is that? Let me quote some examples from the Bible. If you look at the story of Samaritan woman whose encounter with Jesus had her life transformed and revolutionised. She rushed to apprise people of her encounter with God (John 4). The story of Apostle Paul was another revolutionary story. After he had a dramatic encounter with God (Acts 9), history was created. He swept the nations with the Gospel. Very soon, we see, he was able to create a leadership team and ministry partners who shouldered him in the Gospel work. Then in (Acts 8:1-4) we notice severe persecution broke out against the Churches in Jerusalem, all were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria, but that was not the end of the story. These people proved they were not simply a bunch of cowards. Verse 4 says, “So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.”. Did they have a model? Did all undergo a seminar on how to present Gospel? Of course not. But the driving force was their transformation after their encounter with God. The moment they experienced the gift of salvation they became revolutionaries. People who met daily in house fellowships, praying, and igniting each other were soon seen doing the work of an evangelist in adverse circumstances. Their priorities were connected with Christ's mandate - the Great Commission. This did not stop them while they were even on the run. For these people, presenting Gospel was more important than trying to protect their lives. Strategies emerged from crisis and models of its own were developed. People just adopted and moved forward.

My question is how could someone after experiencing salvation, not be revolutionised? Why is that they just become mere good standing believers and members of the Church, just about fulfilling its obligations but failing to be a witness and lead at least one person (a minimum number) to Christ, in their entire life? For that matter, sadly, many pastors of the Churches are also becoming managers of the Churches ensuring all their members remain with them all their lives. I am not saying it is wrong but how is the Great Commission becoming the Mandate of the Church? A prepared messenger leads many to Christ and impacts more life than through his prepared messages. Unfortunately, many are just satisfied by the noise of activities and evangelistic programs but failing to seriously make disciples. Let’s be careful that we do not treat evangelism and discipleship as mere terms.

If a long-standing Christian has not led one person to Christ all his life then what he/she needs is not motivation and Evangelism Model to wake the person up, but an intense dialogue to know his/her true identity in Christ and teachings to help the congregation member know what is his/her role as Christians. Evangelism is a life-style. One should be convinced of this transformed life and know how his/her career is entwined with the Purpose and Christ's mandate.

Click here  You can follow on Twitter

What is your message for Non Christians?

In recent times YouTube channels, Vimeo, social media, Podcasts and many other platforms are filled with Christian messages for Christians. There is no dearth of Christian messages to hear from your favorite platform based on your choice. I have debated on this topic in my previous posts. Every day, thousands and thousands of new videos, posts are put up by people from all over the world. We are blessed with innumerable Christian messages and Christian resources but we need to ask some serious questions before we are too excited about this fact.

In all that we hear and actively involved, how has all this impacted us? What are the outcomes? The ready answers are, that people are growing spiritually, they are getting close to the Lord. But is that all there is to it? People forget that there are two sides of Holiness for example James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”. Keeping pure and holy definitely yes, but then reaching out by your acts of kindness and gospel is not made obsolete just because we are incapacitated in many ways.

Let me draw your attention to the book of Corinthians. The apostle Paul founded the Church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the Church the apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about the Corinthians Church. They were full of pride excusing sexual immorality. Spiritual gifts were being used improperly, and there was a huge misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. Therefore, he poses this pertinent question on the ways the gifts of the Holy Spirit were used. 1 Corinthians 14:14, “what is the outcome then?”.

Generally, the final outcome of individuals and Churches in most cases is to obtain the spiritual gifts, example the gift of prophecy, or speaking tongues etc. and keep growing in the Lord. But here Paul makes it very clear that exercising spiritual gifts per se is not the final outcome or an end goal in itself. If you carefully read in I Corinthians 14:12 he says, “So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of Church.”. The early Church was more active in creating an impact in the lives of each other, edifying one another, stimulating one another, exhorting one another. The gifts of the Holy Spirit did not operate in isolation. We are by all means to use our gifting to draw people closer to God and to the mission Christ has given to us.

Now, how are we impacting the Non-Christian world? How are all the spiritual gifts, great worship, persistent prayer translated in taking the mission to the outside world? Let us be reminded as the Bible uses Christians to these metaphors, “You are the salt of the earth”, (Mat 5:13) “You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14) “you are the fragrance” (2 Cor 2:15). Have we forgotten that there is a mission given to us, other than to preach Gospel and attract people to Christ? Then why are so many people today unable to reach out to the Non-Christians irrespective of all their spiritual gifts? Do you see the chasm? Let us not forget that each one of us are responsible to edify Christians and remind them of Christ's mandate; the Great Commission and simultaneously spend a considerable part of our time to reach out and connect to the Non-Christian friends.

You can follow on Twitter

Presenting Gospel was never a choice but mandate- 2

I am desperate to see a revival in my time and in my generation. I am sure there are many who feel the same too. How do we make it a reality is a million-dollar question? Many parts of the world including our country. we have already heard about the sweep of the Gospel in their villages and county, but the big question remains, are we personally swept with the revival? If it is so, does it make us restless, and are we desperately reaching out with the Gospel to our Non-Christian friends and in our sphere of influence.

The Gospel is not an occasional message reserved for the Christian festive seasons but it is a daily business, do we realize that? Martin Luther states, “We need to hear the Gospel every day, because we forget it every day.”. We need to be reminded that since we have heard the Gospel it is time now, that we carry it faithfully to the people outside who have no clue as to what it means to have Christ in their life. Paul in Colossians 1:5-6 CSB Says, "…You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, *the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.”. Paul emphasizes on the effect of the Gospel. When the true Gospel invades a person, it keeps bearing fruits and grows all over the world. After your salvation experience you don't just become a good believer, you grow to an extent that people all over will get Gospel through you, in other words you become a revolutionary.  Does this describe your current status?

 It is said wherever Paul went there was a revolution, the ones who heard and responded too were revolutionaries.  In Acts 17:4 it says, “Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.”. And it is recorded that the people from outside were jealous to see how the work of the Lord was manifested and growing (Acts 17:5). The wicked men from market place formed a mob and started a riot, thus attacking Jason’s house and hurting him and the people with them. Interestingly this is how they tagged the men, Acts 17 6, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”. Wow, I think it is a compliment.

Today Christians and Christian leaders have created multiple choices around them. If they want, they respond or just shut themselves and mute from all communication if they have someone with the strong passion urging them to share gospel. It can be as simple as that. Christians don’t want to be disturbed, they don’t want to be told, they don’t want to be reminded. You ask them to pray for their cities and for their country, they will send a Big “thumbs up” and “folding hand” symbol assuring of their prayers. But are people honest to the salvation they have received? Are Christians in true sense obeying the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and being a witness for Christ (Acts 1:8). Can we seriously rise up and sweep the nation with the Gospel? May we all pray this prayer seriously, a prayer of Wesley L Duewel written on 24^th September 1964, taken from Malachi 3:1

Come suddenly again, O Lord; Your temple waits for You today.

Come in accordance to Your Word; come suddenly even while we pray.

O blessed, blessed Holy Ghost, bring the revival we need most.

Most graciously our hearts prepare for Your great work in this our day.

Help each of us to do our share; remove each hindrance from Your way.

O Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire; descend in all Your holy fire.

We need You more than we can tell; we need You more than we can say.

Our worldliness and sin dispel; come, cleanse and fill us all, we pray.

O Holy Ghost, come on us now as we in need before You bow.

We pray, Lord, light the flame once more of Holy Ghost revival fire.

Come now as in the days of yore; for You we wait with great desire.

Come suddenly upon Your own and make Your holy presence known.

Come suddenly and do much more than we can do in months and years.

We plead Your mercy o’er and o’er; we praise You that revival nears!

Come, Holy Ghost, descend today! Come suddenly on us, we pray. 

You can check the first part Here

 You can follow on Twitter