The Comfort of Imperfect Messengers of a Perfect Message

Mark 9:38-40 reads,

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”

John McArthur writes in Twelve Ordinary Men,

“[The Apostles] were perfectly ordinary men in every way. Not one of them was renown for scholarship or great erudition. They had no track record as orators or theologians. In fact, they were outsiders as far as the religious establishment of Jesus’ day was concerned. They were not outstanding because of any natural talents or intellectual abilities. On the contrary, they were all too prone to mistakes, misstatements, wrong attitudes, lapses of faith and bitter failure…Yet with all their faults and character flaws – as remarkably ordinary as they were – these men carried on a ministry after Jesus’ ascension that left an indelible impact on the world.”

And yet, there is much to glean from their recorded interactions, successes and failures, as they related to Christ during his earthly ministry.

Ministry, both the highs and lows, must drive us to our knees and the pages of Scripture. This past week drove me to the passage above and to glean from the faithful expositors below.

Warren Wiersbe
“Jesus did not treat John’s statement lightly; in fact, He went on to explain the danger of causing others to stumble and therefore stop serving the Lord (Mark 9:42–50). ‘These little ones’ refers to all God’s children who follow Christ and seek to serve Him. The way believers treat others in the family of God is a serious thing, and God wants us to ‘have peace one with another’ (Mark 9:50). The disciples did not get along with each other, nor did they get along with other believers!”

Albert Barnes
“True likeness to the Savior would lead us to rejoice in all the good accomplished, by whomsoever it may be done; and to rejoice that the kingdom of Christ is advanced.”

John Calvin
“There is reason to suspect the disciples of Christ of ambition, because they are anxious to maintain their privilege and honor. For why is it that they all at once forbid a man who is unknown to them to work miracles, but because they wish to be the sole possessors of this right?”

“If the disciples had not been more devoted to their own glory than anxious and desirous to promote the glory of their Master, they would not have been offended when they saw that glory heightened and enlarged in another direction.”

16th century theologian Richard Hooker is created with saying,

“Wise men are men, and truth is truth.”

This should be of comfort to all Christ-followers: our faith lies not in imperfect messengers, historical or contemporary, but in our perfect Savior and His perfect message of Salvation found in Scripture.

The Path of Life

In the past week America has been shocked and saddened by the unexpected suicide of two high profile, immensely successful celebrities with a combined net worth approaching $200 Million Dollars, leaving behind young children.

At times such as this, our hearts are broken and ache for their loved ones, and yet we are reminded of the danger and emptiness of pursuing satisfaction apart from Christ.

As H.A. Ironside stated,

“The sluggard and the shiftless are not commended by the word of God, but rigorously condemned, and exhorted to thrift and energy. But to run to the other extreme, and to set the heart upon business and the accumulation of wealth, is equally fatal to spirituality.”

And D.L. Moody reminds us of the theology at work, stating,

“Man, like the sea, has no rest. He has had no rest since Adam fell. And there will be none for him until he returns to God again, and the light of Christ shines into his heart. Rest cannot be found in the world, and thank God, the world can’t take it from the believing heart. Sin is the cause of all the unrest. It brought toil, labor, and misery into the world.”

 

“You make known to me the path of life;
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
(Psalm 16:11)

 

Handless Jesus

Some may wonder why we, as an organization, are so passionate about prioritizing training of the church leaders in the Word of God, even, over doing the Work of God.

The story and passage below provide the answer:

The story is told of a church in Germany that was bombed during WWII. When the congregation returned they found that the roof had caved in. In the middle of church was a beautiful statue of Christ with his hands outstretched, which had been carved years before by a famous artist. The people were amazed to find that the statue remained standing; however, a beam had severed off Jesus’ hands. The parishioners hurried to a local sculptor, asking if he would be willing to replace the hands. To his credit, the artist indicated that he would do so for free. The proposal was taken to the church board. To the congregation’s surprise the board emerged from the meeting and announced that they had rejected the artist’s offer, as they felt the statue without the hands would be the greatest representation of the fact that God does His work through His people.

And how does He equip His people to do His work?

The answer is through His Word.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Ultimate Peace Treaty

The Treaty of Kadesh in 1258 BC, between the Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses and Hattusilis III, holds the distinction as the world’s first peace treaty. As I write this, some 760 years later, various peace treaties are being pursued worldwide, and yet, all pale in comparison to the ultimate peace treaty, made possible by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

This week, as I read the devotional from Joni Eareckson Tada, I was reminded of the truth of Romans 5:1-2,

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Peace Be with You by Joni Eareckson Tada

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20

The disciples were huddled together, shaking in fear for their lives — doors were locked, curtains were drawn, and lights were dimmed. Suddenly out of nowhere, Jesus appeared in the middle of the room and announced, “Peace be with you!” This was no happy-go-lucky greeting like, “Hey everybody, I’m here!” He wasn’t offering the disciples mere peace of mind by His presence. When Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” He pointed to the wounds in His hands and side for a reason.

For Jesus to gesture to His wounds was another way of saying, “Friends, look at these scars. They mean that the war is over. There is no longer any conflict between God and man. I have satisfied the Father’s wrath against you and the good news is, I am your peace treaty. These wounds in my hands and side are evidence of the price I paid for peace between you and my Father. Peace on earth and good will toward men has finally been secured through my cross. And the proof of it is, I’m here. I’m alive!”

What difference does the Prince of Peace make in your life? Jesus says in John 20:21, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The peace that Christ offers is not for our pleasure only; God is sending us to go tell the world that the war is over, the white flag is raised, the treaty has been signed and eternal peace has been secured. The proof? Simply point people to the wounds of your Savior.

May Your peace rule in my heart today, Lord God. Give me courage to tell others they can have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

All Roads lead to Genesis 3

“All roads lead to Rome!”

This saying finds its origin in the fact that in the early days of the Roman Empire all the empire’s roads emanated from the capital city, Rome. Like the spokes of a wheel, the entire transportation system radiated from the capital.

In a similar manner I feel as though EA’s poverty alleviation efforts find their origin in an understanding of Sin and The Fall, with all roads leading to Genesis Chapter 3. As I listened this week to a sermon by John MacArthur entitled “The Breadth and Depth of Sin,” I was reminded of the power and perspective available exclusively through Scripture.

Pastor MacArthur states,

“The impact of that Fall has touched every part of the universe. It is accurate to say that absolutely everything wrong in our world is because of sin…

And people who don’t believe in sin and don’t understand the Fall cannot diagnose properly the human dilemma. It is impossible to understand the world. It is impossible to understand the cosmos, the ordered world of creation. It is impossible to understand man. It is impossible to understand the disintegration of matter. It is impossible to understand the collapsing world and universe. It is impossible to understand man’s behavior if you do not understand that it is all a product of sin. And all sin in the world is a result of what happened in Genesis 3.

So, Genesis 3 as a point of origin is absolutely critical. In fact, it is arguably the most important chapter in the Bible because it explains why the rest of the Bible tells the story of redemption.”

So whether the issue at hand is racism, pornography, natural disasters or EA’s church-based poverty alleviation efforts, our methodologies must find their origins in the theology of Genesis 3, both its diagnosis of sin, leading to death, and remedy of life abundant, found exclusively in Christ Jesus.

Describing Genesis chapter 3, the late theologian A.W. Pink states,

“Here is given the divine explanation of the present debased and ruined condition of the world. Here we are shown how sin entered the world, together with its present effects and dire consequences. Here are revealed to us the subtle devices of our great enemy the devil. We are shown how we permit him to gain an advantage over us. On the other hand, it is a most blessed chapter, for it reveals the grace and mercy of God, and assures us that the head of serpent will yet be crushed by the victorious Seed of the woman (Rom. 16:20), telling us that His redeemed will also participate in Christ’s glorious triumph. Thus we see that in wrath our God from the commencement ‘remembered mercy!’”

The Honor of Obscurity

Amidst the amazing story in Acts 9 of the conversion of the Apostle Paul is an often-overlooked character, Ananias, who deserves our consideration and admiration for his obedience in adversity.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

John Pollock writes in his book The Apostle: The Life of Paul,

“Ananias the obscure (never heard of before or since) had been chosen to baptize Saul. This was to be the first example of a historical pattern that great ambassadors for Christ, however much prepared in other ways, would be brought to their vocation by unimportant agents:

– Augustine hears a child’s voice repeat, ‘Take up and read!’;

– John Wesley listens to an anonymous Moravian reading Luther;

– D. L. Moody, wrapping up shoes in a store, pauses for a few words from his Sunday school teacher;

– Charles Haddon Spurgeon, sheltering from a snowstorm, hears a workingman in a snowbound minister’s pulpit.”

Among the many benefits of serving the local church, as a member of Empowering Action, is the opportunity to interact with modern-day Ananias’, whose obedience, often in obscurity and affliction, produce “fruit that lasts” for the Kingdom. Often their hearts reflect the words of the Psalmist,

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Psalm 119:71-72)

The Tipping Point of Palm Sunday

Luke 19:29-31 states,

“As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Tipping Point, Point of No Return, Watershed Moment, Life-Altering Event.

As we look back on Holy Week on this Easter Monday, it is helpful to recognize the critical moment that occurred on Palm Sunday, which set in motion Christ’s path to His all-sufficient sacrificial death and resurrection.

On Palm Sunday Jesus sent two followers to bring a colt on which he would sit for his entrance into Jerusalem. By this intentional symbolic action, Christ clearly communicated his kingship to the expectant crowds of Passover pilgrims by fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9:

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

   Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

   righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

   on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Note the insight of Andreas Köstenberger and Justin Taylor in their book The Final Days of Jesus,

“Up to this point in Jesus’s ministry, he could still have managed to live a long, happy, peaceful life, but his actions on Sunday set in motion a series of events that could result only in either his overthrow of the Romans and the current religious establishment—or his brutal death. He has crossed the point of no return; there would be no turning back. Caesar could allow no rival kings.”

The rugged cross, empty tomb, ascension and intercession today on our behalf all have their origins in Christ’s willingness to cross the threshold of mounting the colt that Sunday so many years ago.

What tipping points will we encounter, as followers of Christ, that begin a domino effect of Kingdom Impact, as we live no longer for ourselves “but for Him who died and was raised again our behalf?” (2 Cor. 5:15)

The Essential Equilibrium of Ministry

Danger exists when ministries fail to maintain the critical balance of faithful conviction to their beliefs and ambition in their ministry behavior.

It was William Carey who encouraged us to avoid complacency in ministry, by “Expecting great things FROM God; attempting great things FOR God.”

And yet equally devastating is when our ambition for ministry breadth leads us to abandon our core convictions of doctrinal depth.

As these two stalwarts of the faith caution,

“There are hours when the Church must say NO to those who should ask communion with her, in the doing of her work, upon the basis of compromise.”
– G. Campbell Morgan

“We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.”
– A. W. Tozer

Please pray for the leadership of Empowering Action, in order that we might maintain this critical balance of being both faithful to our beliefs yet ambitious in our behavior.

And that we might embody this appeal of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Philippi,

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27)

Welcome Claudia

Having served in the Abundant Life Program for a number of years, I am particularly excited to welcome Claudia Rodríguez to our EA family, as our new Abundant Life Assistant.

Claudia started in the Abundant Life Program trial with her church in 2014. Then she was the delegate of the pastor in Cycle 1 (2015) doing the full implementation of the program for the first time. Last year, during Cycle 7 she worked as the Abundant Life – Santo Domingo area facilitator for 17 churches, doing an incredible job. She was coaching pastors and trainers to successfully implement the program. At the same time, she was volunteering with us, helping us follow-up with the 25 churches of Cycle 7. She also helped us to celebrate Cycle 7 Graduation and prepare Cycle 8 training: a ton of work! Now she’s learning English in a 9-month government program, while she assists us in the office.

She’s a hard worker and a tireless woman, with a great disposition to learn and to serve her Savior.

Please join us in welcoming her!

– Diana Manfredi

Reflections on a Day with Joni and Friends

It is a great privilege to work alongside ministries such as Joni and Friends. They had a team in the Dominican Republic this week with their Wheels for the World program, which is an outreach to the community, offering wheelchairs to those in need. Some of the recipients of the wheelchairs were from one of our partnering churches. Joni and Friends not only offers wheelchairs for the people’s physical needs, but everyone who receives a chair and their family receives the gospel message for the spiritual needs as well.

During the distribution, as I looked around the room, I saw a true picture of what a church is, and it made me think of Luke 14.

Luke 14:12-14
“Then He turned to his host. ‘When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,’ he said, ‘Don’t invite your friends, brothers, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back and that will be your reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.’”

Luke 14:21
“The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and ally’s of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’”

I know the Bible says our reward awaits us in heaven, but ministering to those who have disabilities sure feels like a reward, because I receive much more than I give.

I see people:

-walking by faith,
-trusting God,
-loving unconditionally,
-living with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding,

all the while dealing with great hardship, and disabilities for themselves, a child or parent.

And when you say hello or ask how they are, the response is

“Glory to God!” or “God is Good!”

2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”

Gloria a Dios!!
Mary Anne O’Malley
Empowering Action