Christ's Church on Christ's Mission (Part 2)

(continued from previous post)

Nevertheless, my tendency is still to try to serve alone (i.e., without other people, though I wouldn't think of trying to without the Spirit). This is where a couple of dear brothers have been very helpful in showing me. It is easy for some of us to run ahead alone, rather than slowing down to make sure others are coming with us & laboring with us. I'm sure there's sin in it for me sometimes, romanticizing my situation as if I'm standing alone like a prophet of old with no support, not even from God's people. However, we are not called to labor as individuals, but as a body.

This truth should be so clear to us, which shows how insidious a blindness it is. Here are a few examples which make it so plain.

1. The Great Commission was not given to individual disciples, but to them all as a group: "When you [plural, i.e., together] go, you [pl. again] make disciples..., you [pl.] baptizing them..., you [yep, pl. again] teaching them." (Mt 28.18-20) Nor did Christ intend this merely for those Apostles, but that believers thenceforth would labor together with them to accomplish this great end.
2. Jesus taught us to pray together for his kingdom to come (Mt 6.9-13). "Our Father..., your kingdom come..." In the Lord's Prayer, all of the pronouns regarding the petitioners are "our" & "us".
3. "WE" are made ambassadors on behalf of Christ (2Co 5.18-21). Again, notice all the we's & us's.
4. When Jesus sent out his disciples to broadcast the Gospel throughout the villages in the region, he sent them in pairs (Mk 6.7).
5. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was abundantly given, all who were gathered began proclaiming together the Gospel in languages they hadn't previously known (Acts 2.4).
6. Peter didn't go alone to Cornelius' home, but with 6 others, though apparently only Peter preached (Acts 11.12).
7. When the Spirit calls missionaries from the Church in (Syrian) Antioch, he calls two, Barnabas & Paul. And then it is not they who go by themselves, but the church (or at least all of the elders) together sent them. "The Holy Spirit said, 'You [pl.] set apart for me Barn. & Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting & praying THEY [i.e., together] laid their hands on them and sent THEM [together]." (13.1-3) Both they who sent & those who were sent did so as a team.
8. Paul was rarely alone, preferring companions & co-laborers for mutual encouragement and that he might train them to advance the mission beyond his own capacity. (Acts 11.25-30; 16.16-34; 19.29; 20.33-35; Rom 16.1-9, 21-23; Php 2.25-30; 4.3; Col 4.7-14; 1Th 2.1-13; Phm 1,24) It is clear that the Apostle Paul was not a lone worker simply led by the Spirit, but part of a team together led by the Spirit, working together, praying together, and making decisions together (1Th 3.1-11), both as a group (Acts 16.9,10) & with others (15.2,3,22; 21.18-26). Sometimes they even disagreed (15.32-41); and, though splitting with Barnabas, still Paul did not go alone.
9. We enter the labors of those who precede us, and join with them in the work (Jn 4.34-38). God works through many to accomplish his work: sometimes working together (1Co 16.15-18), and sometimes consecutively (1Co 3.3-11).

Michael and Erin Pfleegor are members of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri and are preparing their family to serve in Suriname, South America. We invite you to pray for them, and consider perhaps contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net if you would like to invite The Pfleegor Family to your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, or other setting to present their ministry. 

Christ's Church on Christ's Mission - Part 1

A friend once remarked to me, when visiting after completing boot camp in the military, that the hardest lesson he had to learn was that he was no longer responsible merely for himself to make sure he had completed the tasks personally assigned to him. Now he was responsible for his whole company to make sure that they all had completed the tasks assigned to the company. He was no longer a lone man, but part of a body, working together for a common goal.

I had similar epiphanies when the Lord showed me that salvation is not all about me. Yes, I knew (in theory, at least) that our salvation is "soli Del gloria," for God's glory alone. However, I was blind to some important truths.

1. I'm not alone, but God has saved others, too; and he didn't save me merely for my own good, but that I might serve his body. Our physical hand does not serve itself alone, but feeds, protects, washes, nurses, and scratches the whole body. (In fact, it's very hard for one hand to do anything for itself; and of course it can do nothing if separated from the body.) This is Christ's community. 
2. I'm not alone, but there is a world full of my brothers & sisters (by nature) who are still under the curse; and God did not inundate me with his grace in Christ for merely my own personal blessing, but that the super-abundance of his blessing might overflow me to reach "all families of the earth" (Genesis 12.1-3). And all of this is to the end that God in Christ is known, loved & worshiped. This is Christ's mission.
3. Salvation is not Jesus-and-ME-together-forever, but Jesus-took-US-to-be-his-bride.Nevertheless, my tendency is still to try to serve alone (i.e., without other people, though I wouldn't think of trying to without the Spirit). This is where a couple of dear brothers have been very helpful in showing me. It is easy for some of us to run ahead alone, rather than slowing down to make sure others are coming with us & laboring with us. I'm sure there's sin in it for me sometimes, romanticizing my situation as if I'm standing alone like a prophet of old with no support, not even from God's people. However, we are not called to labor as individuals, but as a body.

More will be posted in Part 2 of "Christ's Church on Christ's Mission."

Michael and Erin Pfleegor are members of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri and are preparing their family to serve in Suriname, South America. We invite you to pray for them, and consider perhaps contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net if you would like to invite The Pfleegor Family to your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, or other setting to present their ministry.

“Who am I?”

1 Chronicles 29

English Standard Version (ESV)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+29&version=ESV

King David has just made his contributions to the building of the temple. He is getting ready to hand over the kingdom to his son Solomon, and also to entrust to him the building of the temple of the LORD. Then the people of Israel gave to the building of the temple. The people alone gave over 375,000 lbs of gold, 750,00 lbs of silver, 1,350,000 lbs of bronze, and 7,500,000 lbs of iron... (I did the conversion calculations) and then...

“...the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoice greatly.”

And then David prays what seems to me to be one of the most awesome and blessed prayers...

'Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is years. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. ' (Underlining added)

When I read through this, (and I would encourage you to go back and read the whole chapter of 1 Chronicles chapter 29), I was struck with the blessedness of the prayer. David is praising and worshiping and giving thanks to God. And the people of Israel or praising God and rejoicing, GREATLY!
What struck me I think was the conditions for this state of awesome prayer, rejoicing, and gladness (it seems that there are few times in the old testament where the whole of the nation of Israel is rejoicing in God this way). They were rejoicing... because they had GIVEN, to God, freely and with a WHOLE heart! And as they were rejoicing King David leads them in prayer. He leads them in a prayer of THANKSGIVING and praise because God has allowed them to give back to him what is already HIS! “But who am I? And who is my people? That we should be able thus to offer willingly?...”

I think that some of our truest communication in prayer with God come when we catch a glimpse of the truth of life. Some of my most earnest requests in prayer have come when I caught a glimpse of how truly helpless without God I am, and how truly I need him in all things. Likewise I think that some of our most genuine praise of God and thanksgiving for his care come when we recognize AND RESPOND to the fact that GOD is the OWNER of everything! AND YET he allows us to give to him. It is called worship! When we see a glimpse of who God really is we respond in worship, and it is awesome! Prayer is a part of us worshiping our great God. Even though he is the rightful owner and master of the universe he gives us a part to play in the building up of his kingdom.

I think that the times when we are most freely able to give praise and glory to God in prayer are the times when he has moved us to give what we have (what he has given to us) willingly and freely. This means the giving of our time (the Lord has given us our lives!) to our families, to proclaiming the good news to our neighbors, the giving of support to our brothers and sisters in Christ through physical help (the Lord has given us our body!) and through finances and supplies (the Lord has given us work!). This is how we give to Christ! “...as you have done unto the least of these my brothers so you have done unto me.”

I know this has been a rambling of thoughts. I am sorry. But I encourage you to go back and read chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles again. See for yourself the joy of the people and of King David. Read for yourself the prayer and thanks of King David, and his request for the Lord's care. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for what he has allowed you to give back to him, and ask him to teach you how to give with a whole heart, willingly, that you may be able to rejoice greatly in the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

The above article was submitted by Billy Jackson (billy.jackson@psalm67missions.net). Billy has served as Missions Intern for Psalm 67 Missions Network providing leadership and oversight to short-term missions and assisting with the overall direction of PS67MN. Billy is currently preparing to serve at Rio Grande Bible Institute to learn the Spanish Language and to serve as a member of thier staff.

Training

During our most recent Psalm 67 Mission Meetings, we discussed the three major categories of the mission and work of the organization. These three categories include: training, sending, and partnering. We would like for you to be familiar with these areas as well! In order to understand the "training" category, we would like for first call your attention to the Scripture.

"...what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)

I would like to make a few observations about this text. Paul's instructions to Timothy were very clear.

"What You have Heard"
What Timothy "heard" from Paul was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elsewhere Paul specifically condemns anyone who would preach any other news or message. (Galatians 1:9). Paul was unashamed of this message as he proclaimed it in the "presence of many witnesses."

"Entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach to others."
Paul's instruction to Timothy was not to "grow his own ministry" rather it was to be teaching other faithful men who are able to teach others. There is a real intentionality here to not preach the Word of Truth, but to labor in the raising up of others to not only teach the Truth, but would teach others to teach others in teaching others and so on. In fact, if you are a believer in Christ, your heritage can be traced back to this. Since others were charged with this starting when Christ commissioned His first disciples, you and I have received the Gospel.

What is implied
Though it may not say it specifically in this verse, it is clear that this "training" is to be done in the context of the authority of the local congregation. This may be very controversial to say in a day like ours. We should have a desire to be the kind of congregation that is properly training faithful men who can then train others to do the same. Sadly we are very dependent on others outside our local congregation to accomplish this.

How this relates
Psalm 67 Missions Network is under the authority of the local congregation. We desire to work in, through, and under the authority of local congregations, for the sake of TRAINING others in the same way Paul mentioned to Timothy.

We prayerfully and by God's grace seek to do this by connecting others with training that can be completed under the guidance of their own Pastor or another receiving congregation. We desire to train others in cross-cultural ministries by placing them with Pastors and Teachers that can disciple them in the process of entrusting the Gospel to faithful men that they might become teachers of others.

That His Saving Way might be known among the nations,


Aaron


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Pray earnestly to The Lord of the Harvest

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38 ESV)

As I was reading this passage this morning, the following thoughts came to mind:

First, The Lord said to His disciples "pray earnestly to The Lord of the harvest." He is telling them to do this because "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." The Lord is saying the same thing to his people today. The "mission field" for lack of a better term, is full of those who do not believe and yet in many places, the laborers are very, very few. Interesting enough, The Lord could have then set forth a discipleship plan for his disciples on how to "make disciple-makers." Instead what we have recorded here is pointed "pray earnestly to The Lord of the Harvest." Now, do not mistake me. I know that in Matthew 28 Christ tells his disciples to make disciples and I am in no way discounting the task of "making disciple-makers." What I desire to communicate this morning is the first and most important task in disciple-making. The call is clear for you and for me. We MUST PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST!

Second, notice that the harvest is "the Lords." The passage says "pray earnestly to The Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS HARVEST." (emphasis added). Though there is a very real "stirring of our emotions" and personal involvement in the task of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, we must never forget that the harvest belongs to The Lord. Results are God's business, we must pray. We must sow by speaking the word, we must have compassion on others, as The Lord had compassion, we must hold the rope (financially) for those whom The Lord of Harvest is sending to His field, but we begin to lose sight and bring in corruption when we have taken our sight off the fact that this is the Lord's business, His harvest, and His mission, not ours.

In light of this, would your please pray to The Lord of the Harvest that He might send laborers into his harvest? Yes, we would ask you to also pray about becoming a monthly financial partner with us in this task, but we ask that this would only come through a glad heart that is motivated to do so by praying to The Lord to send out His laborers to His harvest.

Praying with you, that the Lord's way may be known in all the earth, that His salvation be made known among all Nations!

Aaron


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