In recent days I returned from a mission trip in South Asia, working with national partners in one of the least-reach areas of the world with the gospel. You can look at my first article HERE or second HERE. This is the third in the series.
Sunday service prior to preaching to these precious saints
How often do you reflect on and rehearse the Gospel? In the context we served in, there was an effective, simple, and reproducible system for sharing the Gospel. After getting to know the person/family briefly, I received permission to pray for them, and then further permission to share a story of hope from the Word of God. This story would lead to receiving permission to briefly share my personal conversion testimony and a key question (in my case), “Have you ever heard the Gospel?”
This is where it gets interesting to me. No one knew the
gospel. They had not heard. Ever. From anyone. Ever. Did I say ever?
[FULL STOP]
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who
believe (Romans 1:16). Whoever will call on the Name of the Lord shall be
saved. (Romans 10:13). But, how can they call on Him though if they have not
believed, or heard of, or if no one has told them (Romans 10:14-15 paraphrased)?
So this powerful gospel which is able to save and entrusted to us by Him who desires for all men to be saved…has never been heard…but if someone shared it, and it was heard, resulting in belief, it would change all eternity for the hearer! WOW! But that is not all that changes.
One of our team sharing with a group of people gathered to hear the Gospel
As I rehearsed the Gospel over and over again…it brought renewed
joy to my heart. We are not talking about deep theological constructs here.
I was not waxing eloquent on some apologetic approach to the resurrection in
some way that my seminary professors would be captured in awe. I was rehearsing
a short story from pictures imprinted on a sharing bracelet. Creation. Sin.
Consequence. God’s Redemptive Work. The Cross. The Empty Tomb. The invitation
to respond in repentance and belief. Eternal Hope.
As I shared, people were interested…but I was interested in how “interested” they were to hear of God’s creative, redemptive, and restorative work! As I watched God warm hearts and draw people with the gospel, I became more in love with it too!
Here’s what else: I watched all of our national partners
doing the same thing. We all shared the same message in the same basic way. In
fact, one of our sent-out families had a young daughter who rehearsed the gospel
from the bracelet for me many times during the day. This warmed my heart and
caused me to love the gospel more!
I suppose a bottled up, stuck on a shelf, seldom rehearsed story is no less powerful in its nature…but it cannot be appreciated as much until it is shared and shared and shared. [Read that again slowly and process it].
A good day of sharing for our team
Yes, I know we live in America. I know we (most of us who
would be reading this article anyway) have heard the “old, old story” many
times…but I would suggest that we would come to appreciate it more if we would
share it often, everywhere…with everyone who would give a hearing. I might even
go as far as to say—we would learn to love it more through sharing it and
watching what God does with it in the hearts of those who hear.
In my recent trip to South Asia, I was part of a team working in an unentered (by us) village. Like many of the areas where we have worked, poverty was about the only thing the people had plenty of. And hospitality. This village was marginally receptive to a visit from an American. We spent several hours from house to house sitting on the floor and discussing the gospel.
Receiving a gift of honor, hand-crafted by the people of that church as an expression of gratitude.
As I would share the stories of hope from the gospels, I would ask the questions: Have you heard this story before? Have you heard of this Jesus before? Most all stated they had never heard the story of hope, but some had heard of Jesus. At some point in the past, EV teams had entered the village from a different tribe of Christians. They had taught the people that a sign of repentance and trusting Jesus was that the women would be more plainly adorned, forsaking the wearing of jewelry (piercings and bangles). My interpreter spent the majority of the time trying to convince the villagers that we did not believe that to become a believer one would have to stop wearing jewelry. In most cases, the women refused to “believe” because they did not wish to stop wearing bangles (thin, jeweled bracelets usually worn several at a time).
Like you, I might think that is a “silly” obstacle to overcome to find peace and forgiveness. But then again, I am approaching the matter with Western eyes. I later spoke to our area partner (pastor) who explained the problem. The pastor advised that he often ran into this objection in his area and found the same results. He explained that a “widow” in these villages would not wear bangles. She would dress in a plain outfit and refuse the jeweled accessories as a sign of mourning.
A church we were privileged to share testimony with and I had the privilege to preach to on Sunday. Our national part there is doing an amazing work
So, imagine if you would…a woman in America coming to faith and being told to remove her wedding band, earrings, and any other pretty accessories. Besides the cultural stigma from her friends (you’re married but refuse to wear a ring), and the cultural assumptions by her community (she is not wearing a ring so she must be unmarried), the disrespect shown to her husband would become a stumbling block to the gospel in his life and an affront to his honor as a husband. All because of poor cultural exegesis (a study of the cultural norms) and weakly supported theology (jewelry itself is somehow worldly and ungodly).
Our team praying with gathered locals who were hearing the gospel and seeking God’s mercy
The well-intentioned (charitably speaking) efforts of this false gospel propagating group had done incredible harm to the advance of the Kingdom in these villages. They had inadvertently (again charitably speaking) erected a stumbling block to those who would hear the life-changing offer of Christ.
I am reminded of James 3:1 which reminds those who teach the things of God that we will incur a stricter judgment for influencing people to believe false assertions about Christ. I am also reminded of our Western history of the same type of things. (i.e. Skirt lengths, music, dancing, playing cards, make-up, and tattoos, just to name a few).
A goodbye photo with dear friends whose love and leadership inspires me
As I reflect on this, I am convinced that we MUST be more diligent to ensure that if we speak on behalf of our gracious Father and misrepresent the timeless and perfect message He has entrusted to us, we make ourselves accountable for the eternal damnation of untold scores of people. Their blood is, in part, on our hands.
As a messenger entrusted with a message, make sure you get
it right. We will all stand one day before Him to give an account.
I would love to hear your thoughts…particularly if you think I am embellishing or overstating my case. The conversation matters, because the gospel matters.
This is the first of several articles I will publish this week discussing my recent trip to this region. Check back daily for pictures and reflections on lessons from the trip…
Well, this question is a little weird. I know the obvious answer is because Jesus commanded us to make disciples of ALL people groups, and South Asians are part of the “ALL.” I also know that mission trips are fun experiences of fellowship and personal growth. I also know it is exciting to experience different cultures up close. These are all great reasons.
A local leader and his wife
Of course, some would say to me: We go because of the “call
of God” on our lives specifically and uniquely. If He tells you to go, you must
go! This is also a true statement that I would not argue.
However, what if there were three other reasons to go? Would you?
In recent days I had a great privilege to work with dear friends from our church in a ministry area we have been involved in for over a decade. Our church identified a People Group that was Unreached and Unengaged (meaning we had no known believers and no active disciple-making efforts among them (that we were aware of). On my trip, I wanted to see the work up close and minister alongside our network of national leaders/partners who were evangelizing, discipling, and deploying their own people to reach their nation (political entity).
one of several baptisms we celebrated
In the process of four days, our teams saw 75 professions of faith across several villages that were previous unentered. That’s right…no one had been among the villagers to tell them of Jesus. I know…because I asked them. As part of the sharing model we employed, I had the opportunity for significant dialogue (through my interpreter). In every encounter, I asked if the person had heard of Jesus and if he/she had heard the story from the Word of God that had shared with them. Without fail, the stories of hope from Scripture were foreign to the people. While some had heard the name of Jesus, all but a handful of the 150+ people we shared with were certain that this was their FIRST TIME hearing the Name of Jesus. That is really my first reason—because people have never heard of God’s Son.
Sharing with a young congregation on the significance of baptism
Second, I think someone should go because people are receptive to the Gospel. Receptivity to the gospel is not a constant everywhere. It ebbs and flows. With only a few exceptions, every person I spoke with invited us to sit for a moment and share about Jesus.
Walking to an area that is inaccessible otherwise following the monsoon season this year. Six believed in this area.
Finally, I think someone should go because it will change your love life. (Yes, I used that word to catch your attention). I mean to say, I love the South Asian people. I love the culture. I love the food. I love the strong spirit of the people and their humble presence. I love the children’s smiles and I love it when women hear the stories of God’s grace and feel valued by God…a first for many of them. I love it when men hear of the Prodigal Son and find hope for themselves. I love when families hear of my personal faith journey and realize that God is gracious. I love the hospitality of the people. I love them. Going to South Asia will change your love life!
If you’ve never been…let me encourage you to go. Take next year’s vacation and spend it in South Asia. Sit down in a front-row seat watching God do His redemptive work. Watch defeated eyes brighten with the hope of Christ. You’ll never do anything MORE significant than partnering with God in an amazing work like that.
If I can help you or resource you…or just sit and answer
questions and concerns over coffee (or Skype), you only need to ask. Shoot me a
note from my contact page or through the church where I am privileged to serve.
Recently, I had a discussion with a friend in church about strongholds
in the journey of discipleship. I shared how generosity was a personal
stronghold for years and how the guilt and shame seemed to increase by layers
every week during the offering. Once I made the decision to give a tenth
(tithe) of my income to the Lord through my church, my worship suddenly
changed! God taught me about His sufficiency, taught me to trust Him, and
showed me what I could be part of by simply being obedient to the teachings of
Scripture.
Another area that the majority of Christians struggle with
is the Lord’s command to “make disciples.” Many substitute “disciple-making”
with church attendance, serving in a church program, or teaching a church
curriculum; however, there is no way to ignore the command. A “disciple-maker”
(Christian) cannot NOT make disciples. Not every Christian is called to serve
overseas or serve in vocational ministry through a local church, but EVERY
Christian is instructed to make disciples.
Many Christians deal with the same layers of guilt and shame
over making disciples that I did over generosity. What if though…they were one
decision from releasing the guilt and finding joy? …just as I did with the
sin relating to my lack of generosity? How can a person find freedom and joy
and encouragement in this area of the disciple-maker’s life? Please allow me
suggest three things to do in response to your decision to change:
Identify WHO. This isn’t complicated. It
is simply someone you know that you have not shared the gospel with and
have not heard their unique story of how they became a believer. Begin voicing
a prayer to the Lord daily, “Lord, grant me the opportunity to share the gospel
with ____.”
Learn HOW. There are dozens of good ways to share. At Englewood (the church I serve) we promote and use the 3 Circlesapproach. I have used many approaches through the years. I like this one for a number of reasons, among which is the fact that it feels the least awkward when getting started.
Rehearse WHAT. Write out your own story of conversion (testimony). Share it with a friend, your Connect Group leader, a pastor, or your neighbor’s dog. Listen to how the Gospel is rehearsed in weekly worship services. Practice sharing the Gospel using the 3 Circles approach with your spouse, your children, or a friend. Make it so familiar that you can do it in your sleep.
If this is an area that you would love to experience joy in, join me for the upcoming Focus Group on Becoming Conversational with the Gospel, beginning October 9. I would love to be part of your journey to victory.
What a cool (figuratively speaking of course) day with our church family at Englewood Baptist Church yesterday. With Summer coming to a close, we celebrated together with our Second Annual Tailgate Party on September 8, 2019. It was, as you might expect, “Eastern NC” HOTTTT!
One of the highlights of this special gathering is the opportunity to celebrate baptisms outside on the field together. Twenty-one people went “public” with their faith yesterday! I don’t say that to make much of Englewood or to create a comparison trap based on numbers; rather, each “number” had a story. We had young and old, white, black and brown, confident and timid…people from varying backgrounds…all step into the baptismal waters with a singular intent: To Make Much of Jesus!
I love baptisms for two primary reasons.:
First, it is a beautiful picture of the Kingdom and the heart of our King Jesus. No matter one’s background, age, politics, race, or any other cultural identity…all are welcome and all are ONE in the Kingdom.
Second, I love the stories of adversity. We had a man whom I had the privilege to lead to Christ days before brain surgery several months back…who came with his wife to be baptized yesterday. We had another man who only weeks ago had major neck surgery step forward to go public. Another church member who is a passionate evangelist and is extremely active in missions confessed that she had her baptism out of order and God convicted her. With tears, she went into the waters and came up from the waters beaming…knowing that she was now fully obedient! Another child with a terrible fear of water due to a trauma clung to my neck as she was baptized. This day was so important to her she was willing to face a terrible fear for no other reason than to make Jesus famous!
Reflecting on the privileges of the day, I was reminded that not everyone treats this precious ordinance with such significance. Just know though…Jesus did and does. When we obey Him, trust Him, follow Him and honor Him, the Gospel itself shouts from the waters of the baptismal pool… “Jesus Christ is Lord of all!”
I wonder how many others would say that they are absolutely certain that they have honored him in the same way as these precious twenty-one people did yesterday? If you cannot but want to, I would love the privilege to help you GO PUBLIC with your allegiance to the King of kings!
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