And when these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.
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March 20, 2008:Traditions | Just a few more weary days and then... I'll fly away... And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. |
| December 29, 2007:New Year's 2008 | ||
| November 3, 2007:How To Be Successful in Christian Ministry | ||
| October 23, 2007:Salmon |
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| The Church's Edge William H. Haller |
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Did you ever want to be a part of something that was on the cutting edge? It seems like every Christian I have met lately wants to go to a church that is on the cutting edge. Nobody wants to be a part of an old stodgy church - they all want the latest and greatest music, wild instruments, dramatic presentations, special effects, the wow stuff. All orderly worship of God is pleasing to Him, regardless of the format. His only concern is that the worship that is given be from the heart and not be something that would lead others to worship Him from other than their hearts.
In another sense, every Christian study group, every Christian church, every Christian denomination, all Christian churches in a city, state, or country, and all Christian churches around the world have a cutting edge. Some small groups may be the equivalent to small axes - where there are many members actually on the cutting edge, and others behind them praying for them and supporting their work. Individual ministries like missionaries may be likened to small arrow heads where they are the sharp cutting point, and others radiate away from them continuing the edge. Those praying for them and supporting them with prayer and supplies back home form the body of the arrow head supporting the point. Most churches fit in this category with varying sizes of arrow heads. Larger collections of churches are likened to spear points with the same outline. Each church's cutting edge fits along the cutting edge of the spear somewhere. Their bodies help to give weight to the spear and make it effective.
The Christian church has many problems today. At a local level, some of our cutting edges have been dulled and need the Master to sharpen them again. Other edges have holes where some portions of their cutting edges should be, and for one reason or another, a member of their body or some other Christian that God has called to fill that spot isn't filling it. Other cutting edges are nice and sharp, but the bodies behind them are weak, leaving them ineffectual. Here are some brief diagrams to show my point.
/xxxx /xxxxx The safety arrow. It doesn't affect you (xxxxxx very much to be around it. It doesn't \xxxxx ever make a point. \xxxx
/xxxx
xxxx An incomplete arrow. It has a great point.
<xxxxxx It will touch you, but once touched, the
\xxxxx arrow will never penetrate because other
x parts of the cutting edge aren't there.
/x x The lightweight arrow. It has a great / xx x cutting edge, but the body behind it is <x x x not heavy enough to let the sharp edge \x xx penetrate to the quick. It just cuts \ x your skin and then falls - you heal up and go on about your business.
The other problem, which you will just have to visualize since I can't illustrate it without 3-D, is that when many churches come together in a denomination or many denominations come together to form Christianity, we don't end up forming the spear point that God wants. What we end up being is more like a sea urchin, with all of our churches spear points going out in a slightly different direction. It makes a great defensive weapon if anyone tries to step on us, but a very poor offensive weapon. If God tries to throw us, one churches' spear point may start to prick the skin of the target, but all of the other churches spear points get in the way of the one making the mark and the spear just ends up bouncing off. Satan laughs... God cries...
Pray. Pray for each part of the cutting edge. This could include the pastor, associate pastors, music directors, teachers, elders, cell group leaders, anyone whose primary focus is on ministering to the body or evangelizing the world - those actually on the real cutting edge of your group.
Pray. Pray for each member of the body as God brings them to your mind. Satan is out to destroy or blunt the cutting edge and the body through any means possible. We pray for people who are sick. Also pray for people to not get sick in the first place. We pray for those who find themselves out of work. Also pray for people who have jobs in the first place. Pray for all members of the body of Christ whether they appear to the outside world to have it made or whether they are going through a rough place. Everyone doesn't have to pray for everyone all the time, but you should be praying for at least a few others that you know routinely and especially if God lays someone on your heart.
Pray. Pray for those on the cutting edge or forming part of the greater Christian body that you don't know. Persecution is rampant in many portions of the world. Christians everywhere need your prayer.
If you aren't going to church - for whatever good reason - start going. Be there whenever God wants you to be there. That may be only Sunday Mornings or Sundays and Sunday Evenings, or more nights. Go however frequently God impresses you to go. Some go whenever church is open. Others have commitments or other duties which prevent that. One thing is sure - if you don't want to be there in the first place, God will have a much tougher time doing any work in you. Going only out of a sense of duty doesn't help the body much at all.
Along these lines, listen to God to tell you what arrow you are supposed to be a part of. Part of the problem today is that people want instant gratification. If they don't get it at church A, they run to church B that they have heard from other people is the place to be (or be seen at). You need to listen to God, go where He directs you, and stay there until He tells you to move on.
Regardless of where you go, you probably won't find perfection, and if it is perfect for you, it probably isn't perfect for the person seated next to you. You need to understand that and stop looking for perfection. No relationship is going to be 100% perfect. You, me, and everyone around us, are in a constant process of trying to come nearer to what God expects for us and to do it a greater percentage of the time. When people go from church to church, many churches end up as ineffective as lightweight arrows, because people never really get established anywhere. There are no people who can be depended upon whether in time of crisis or just normal day to day operations.
Arrows and spears do their work at the hand of another. By themselves, they simply stand in the quiver and wait. When shot from a bow or thrown, they do their work as needed. Be sure that God is guiding your cutting edge.
Satan is doing his best to blunt the cutting edges of the body. Be sure that you aren't helping him along. Build up other Christian churches - whether they are members of your denomination or not. Build up their leaders. If there is nothing nice you can honestly say about them, say nothing at all. If you have been hurt, you may find it hard, but do your best. Put Satan to shame and pray for those who have hurt you.
Did I mention pray?
A member of the church had a vision this week of a runner in the starting blocks, with the most awful face, sneering and leering. The runner wasn't going anyplace - he was just squatting there ready to run. The name of the runner was religion, and it encompassed the Earth. That is a sad commentary on Christianity today, but it is too often true.
Bind together with other churches. First, you will probably seek those of a similar denomination. That is OK. But try to spread out to encompass more churches of other denominations. Look for what is common between you rather than pointing out the differences. Examining and quibbling over differences makes us weak. Finding common ground in Christ makes us strong.
Make time as church leaders to pray and seek God's direction together.
Don't try to bite off more than you can chew. Together with other churches, find out what God is speaking to each of you about His plans for your community. You might be surprised to find out that you aren't alone in where you feel God is directing. By working together, you may be able to better serve your community than if you are working apart. One church alone is stressed to implement God's vision for a community - but churches try to do it all the time. Work together as a united front and you will be amazed at what God will do through your unity and cooperation.
Band together. Everyone can't have the best choir in town. Everyone can't have a fantastic bus ministry. Everyone isn't blessed with good teachers. Everyone won't have the same facilities. Learn to share what you have in abundance and get rid of the pride that says you have to have everything that Church A has just because Church A seems to be gaining members. God loves all worship which is from the heart, regardless of the humble surroundings.
Every church is different and will have a different character. Different people will be naturally attracted to different churches. This isn't the statistics race that everyone seems to want. God shared Christ with humanity who didn't deserve His sacrifice. He gave of Himself continually, ending with the ultimate sacrifice any man could make.
Figure out how to touch others in need through Christ. Make a difference in your community. The world won't be won by your church, but a close knit group of churches acting in concert with God's plan will make a difference in your community. You don't have to worry about the community next door - Their churches will be sufficient to meet that community's needs. If everyone pulls together for their own community, Satan will be dealt a huge blow.
Did I mention pray?
God wants his people to be united once more, and Satan and all his minions fear this. Working together, great things can be done for Christ's Kingdom as He directs. Working separately, we all go down together. Don't be like that runner in the blocks. Let "religion" as the world has perceived and applied it to Christians die today in your hearts and minds. Start afresh with what God has planned for each of you - whether you are a member of the body, or on the cutting edge, let's begin to turn Christianity around into something full of life that we can all praise God about!
Praise the Lord!