“You look like a down and outer, I must witness to you.” (p. 2 of discussion on missions)

In my previous post, I laid the ground work for this discussion. I mentioned the why and how of missions, more specifically the Great Commission. The final point to be discussed concerns is who we witness to.

I mentioned in the previous discussion the idea that some look at passing out tracts as completing the Great Commission. If that is the case then I have personally helped three people in the last two weeks do their part in completing the Great Commission. One guy handed me a tract while I was downtown for lunch. This actually stunned me. I had never received a tract before. “Oh well!” I thought. “I’m sure everyone has to receive one of these in life.” About a half a week later,

“Here, could you please read this? I am trying to complete the Great Commission.”

Why do we witness to other people? What is involved in the spreading of the gospel? Whom do we target in the work of missions? These are a few questions that I have been pondering the last couple of weeks. A series of events has kept these thoughts before me for some time. So, I would like to take the opportunity now to dig in and answer these questions.

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Words and Music by Stuart Townend
©1995 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music

 

 

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

Obeying Like An Unworthy Servant

We live in a world full of sinful people. I do not remember when this concept first became clear to me, but I do know that there are sinners all around me. The only distinguishing mark for some of these sinners is that they have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. Oh yes! Their redemption will change them and they will grow to become more and more like Christ but they are still sinners. This means that we must learn how to deal with these sinners. There is no greater lesson to learn than the lesson of forgiveness.

A Time To Be Silent

I know that far too often I want to add my two cents worth to any conversation that I come across. As a matter of fact, some of my friends know that I can struggle mightily with knowing when to shut up. When these times come, I am often reminded of what wise Solomon once instructed in Ecclesiastes 5:2:

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (ESV)

Glory in the Cross

There is one theme that has been absolutely gripping me this week and it is the glory of the cross of Christ. When I contemplate exactly how much Christ endured on the cross, it produces within me a sense of utter shame and unworthiness. I cannot understand how a great and just God could be so loving that He would send His only Son to die for me so that I might be redeemed. It astonishes me to think if I only committed one sin in my entire life Christ would still have suffered on the cross. I am completely unworthy of a God who loves that much.

To Avert from Men God’s Wrath

Hymn Text by John Huss, martyred in 1415

 

To avert from men God’s wrath,

Jesus suffered in our stead;

By an ignominious death

He a full atonement made;

And by His most precious blood

Brought us, sinners, nigh to God.

The Grace of Giving

Just about a year ago, my pastor preached an amazing message on this subject. I had never thought of my giving as an act of grace. In the context of what was going on at our church the message was immensely practical. Our church was planning for the annual Thankskgiving offering and how it would be spent. It seemed odd to me that he would be preaching in late spring about an offering that would not happen until the fall. Yet, as he preached the Word I could not help but sense the immediate application to my own life. My own giving was rather sporadic. This application seemed to satisfy my thinking that I was in need of change. But as the message moved on, Pastor Brooks stretched the application to all of life. It was then that I realized why this message was so pressing on me. In my life, I had a tendency to view only my monetary giving as something to dedicate to the Lord. There I was a senior in a Christian college, headed for church work, and I had never come to terms with the fact that ALL of my life was a gift to God; therefore, ALL of life needed to be daily (and even moment by moment within the day) offered to God and secondarily given in service to others.

This week as I have been working at camp, I have been in the midst of a personal struggle. I know that God is in charge. I know that He wants the best for my life. I even know that He wants me to be doing His will for my life.

Calm Before the Storm

Well, staff training week is over. This has been one intense week. The counselors are ready to go. The opperational staff is looking great. I am quite nervous about being on the program staff. Ironically, the games are one of my biggest sources of anxiety. I am a sports guy and this is uncharted territory for me to be uptight about any type of sports.

Other than that, I am feeling better about this summer as a program staff man. I know that this is what God wants for me to be doing this summer. I also know that He is in complete control. So, I will continue to do my part in His plan for me and also continue to depend on Him. If you want more on this line of thinking read Bridges chapter on dependence and dilligence in Discipline of Grace.

Until next time.

Phase Two is Working

For any of you out there thinking, "Hmmm, that name sounds familiar." the answer is a resounding "YES!!!!" I am the one and only chipappa of chipappa.blogspot.com. Opening this snazy new blog is phase two of revamping the site. Please hold on as all sorts of creative genious will be coming out in the next few days/weeks.