Looking forward to awesome services in @crccpt & @crcstb this Sun with @Aidan_Jeffery! New series #mindset starting! Let's #fetch our world!
| Fetch Through Doing |
| Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:06 |
 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Christians in general don’t like to hear that they need to do something! It messes with our doctrine, not to mention our lives. Isn’t the church supposed to entertain me with flashing lights, cool media, goose bump music and encouraging sermons? We seem to justify our belief by misquoting scriptures such as the “heavy laden” and “finding rest” favourite (Matthew 11). There’s no doubt that we find rest and peace in Christ, but it’s not the type of rest we think. The rest Jesus refers to is the rest and peace in knowing that you have found your purpose and you know longer have to struggle and toil in the world to find meaning to your existence. I’m not advocating as Christians we don’t take a break or never rest. We should rest, even Jesus and the disciples, after a long day, escaped the crowds to rest and eat (Mark 6). What we need to understand is that Jesus said that God is glorified by us bearing much fruit (John 15) and fruit in this case is related to our purpose in the kingdom and most importantly, people’s souls. God has no expectation of us to pack up our daily existence and gather in a holy huddle in church every day. He also doesn’t expect us to stand on a soap box in some public space declaring “REPENT, THE END IS NEAR!” We make hard work of the Gospel when we do things outside of our purpose. God has a purpose for you where you are. Your mission field is where you find yourself right now – at work, in business, at university, in school, at the doctor’s office, in gym, at the mall, at the braai, in homecell, with that client, at the dinner party, wherever the world is, there is your work as a Christian. For simple dirt beings we do have a habit of complicating the uncomplicated. Jesus said go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Your world is your life as it is right now. Every creature is that funny looking bearded guy hiding behind his piercings or that tough corporate executive hiding in fear behind that cold piercing stare. It’s simple. Jesus wants you to be effective in the world, not some heaven bound recluse disconnected from reality that sits and casts judgement at a world going to hell. Wherever you are there is the Kingdom and wherever you are there is the world. You need to connect your world to the Kingdom. Live the Kingdom. For some people you will be the first bible they ever read. Jesus connected with people on a real level. He was in amongst the worst of the worst of His time. He was in the world, knowing full He well was not of it. Purpose in your heart to connect with your world and to make a difference, by being the difference. At the end of the day the only reason why we are here is to get people back into relationship with God by introducing them to Jesus Christ. As you live out your purpose you will experience the life you desire and God will add to your life more than you can think or dream. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 |