What is success? When I asked a young pastor how his year was, he answered
“we met all our financial goals.” And as I sat stunned, I saw he was more
interested in the goals, the physical goals set by his board, which he oversaw,
than taking care of the flock God had given him to shepherd. Not to the rank
and file, they expect these things to be taken care of by the church board, the
maintaining of the property, the free coffee, the bathrooms clean, and things we
take for granted. Things that need to be done, but can take supreme importance,
because they are the things we see and deal with. And they are important, but
like a dedicated priest asked in “True Confessions,” when the politics had taken
over, “aren’t we supposed to be in the work of saving souls?” To which the
Cardinal replied “don’t tell me about my duties.” But someone has too, for we
can each get led astray, and forget about the vision that God has given
us.
This Easter many will fill the pews in churches on their semi-annual church
visit. Many will come forward when asked if they want to accept Jesus, some
will, some will be overcome by emotion, some will get ridiculed at work for
doing it and too many will go on with no follow up. All the preparations, the
flowers, the cookies and coffee will be forgotten, and when a new attendance
record is set, success will have been reached and many will congratulate each
other. Caught up in the crowd, by the emotions of the moment, too many will go
unnoticed, and get lost in the shuffle. They will leave disenchanted, but will
have seen a great program, ladies dressed up, and men in suits. The church will
look good, but next week all is back to normal, except those who went forward.
Who does follow up? Who calls them to disciple? Sure we have church members to
attend to them at the church service, but where are they tomorrow? The next
day, when the emotions have worn off, and life is back to what is normal, is
their life just another invite to church? Is that evangelism? Is that
ministry? Does keeping the lights on mean we’re successful?
When I teach on Tuesday nights, we have a core group, and some who come
when they remember. My ego can be burst when the attendance is low, or boosted
when the room fills, but I have learned that whoever is there God has brought.
And that a smaller group makes it more personal. And that just because they
miss church doesn’t mean they missed God. When Jesus fed the 5000 he met a
physical need, with an underlying spiritual concept, one of God providing your
needs through Christ Jesus. Last night I was reminded, as I have been in the
past, and will be again next week, that God has a vision for me, to bring the
word in love and attitude, and to love. Not just those who attend. And by the
faithfulness I show, others are beginning to see the vision God has given them.
Pastor Pat used to remind us that “many hands make light work,” and we all are
important to God. Both corporately, at church, and individually, wherever we
are. Two people were missing last night, and I saw them in the hall when
leaving. When I told them “we missed you guys,” I got a hug, and a smile from
both. They had started their own private Bible studies, as God had led them
too. And had been so absorbed they lost track of the time. One night of me was
not enough, or maybe too much, they wanted more of the spirit, and it led them
to study together. And one man who never had written, or sings,had written a
song to Jesus, and sang it for me in the hall. And I was incredibly blessed! I
was bearing fruit! Overlooked by his absence, he was anything but absent to
God. He explained “you gave us a desire to want more, and the spirit is
providing it.” Me? “Yes, you encouraged us to seek God, to follow his spirit,
and at first we didn’t understand, but we felt led to study and now I want to
write more songs.” So I ask again, what is success?
For Ananias it was baptizing the new Christian rebel Paul, and although he
feared for his life, Paul had been a bad dude persecuting Christians, remember
him holding the coats of those who stoned Stephen, Ananias did as God showed
him. In a vision, and we know the rest about Paul. One simple task God asked
Ananias to do changed Paul’s ministry forever. We underestimate our value in
Christ, we celebrate the big holidays, but what about everyday life? Where the
action really is? The spirit is calling all of us to repent, to turn to Jesus
and be saved. But that is the beginning, not the end. And we need men and
women in the spirit to come along and disciple. The vision God gave me is
simple, to equip others to equip others. Some by actions, some teaching, some
listening, but all just following what the spirit leads me to do. Sound
familiar? Jesus loves us all, we are all called to a purpose, so be all you can
be in Christ, maybe the hardest thing you will ever do, but what should be the
simplest.
Today you may the chosen instrument God has chosen to aid a new Christian,
to come along a doubter, to sit with someone sick, or to show love. Many are
called, but few are chosen, not only to heaven, but to minister once saved.
When we see evangelism as more than inviting people to church, when we get out
and among the lost and hurting-everyone everywhere, when we follow the spirit’s
leading, we are that chosen one, the one who God says “well done my good and
faithful servant. For when you did these things to the least of them, you did
it to me.” Let the spirit lay hold of you today, forgetting the past failures,
and seeking God and what he has for you. Some teach, some will sing songs, some
will serve food. Some will clean the building, and some will just be there.
Success will be in just doing what God asks and let him deal with the rest.
Next week we will be asked where were we on Easter? My question is “where are
you now?” Salvation is just the beginning, and God has a vision just for you.
Strive to lay hold fully of what Jesus has for you. Everyday will be new and
exciting. For Ananias it was scary and exciting, and the fruits it bore were
incredible. Do what God asks, everyday, you may hear a message in church, but
see it come alive in the hall.
One Mordecai Ham led a young Billy Graham to the Lord. And look how he
changed the world. Mordecai and Ananias, two men who just did what they were
told. Now what means success to you? To God? Where he guides he will provide,
so use your education as an application of what Jesus means to you.
Resurrection power is available to all, the same spirit that was in Jesus is now
available to us. Maybe after church is really where the action is and the
ministry begins. Not ends. A word for the church, for we are the church.
Amen.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com