Romans 8:28-30 clearly shows that every believer is called into a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul puts it; “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (8:30). If I put this in my own words, it would be that God thought of you and me before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4), called us, and then prepared us through the death of Jesus so we are totally suitable for the relationship with Him. The word “called” in this verse means to “communicate with someone who is at a distance in order to tell them to come.” That meaning is the gospel! We “who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). That word “were” is very important for us to think about, especially as we consider Romans 3:23; “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “And He [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom he desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles [messengers]) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:13–14). Here the word “called” means to come “for the purpose of a reciprocal relationship.” That is essential for being sent out on His mission. Tomorrow we will look more at this most important aspect of God’s call on you.
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There are many indications throughout Paul’s letters of his deep appreciation for the grace of God that saved him. This appreciation extended to his call as an apostle. Notice how he expresses this gratitude in Romans 1; “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations” (1:5). Though Paul uses the word “we,” the context shows that he is mainly referring to himself.
The Spirit in Paul caused him to look beyond the gift of salvation and apostleship to the purpose for his call and gifting. There is no doubt in my mind that he preached the gospel in such a way that his heart was intent on presenting it in the power of the Spirit so as persons heard the message, they would be compelled to believe and obey. The very nature of the gospel requires faith, but that faith cannot be active unless the person believing, acts upon the truth they have heard. There must be this element in our preaching the gospel. This ties in with the authority of God’s Word. As Paul closes this letter, he refers to their obedience; “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you” (16:19). There are two points to this statement that are important; 1) the believers obeyed the gospel, and 2) others observed their obedience. Is this true of us? If it is, our obedience will have a direct impact on those around us and those we proclaim the gospel to. For those of us who preach the gospel in the power of the Spirit, it brings great joy to see the hearers obey the truth they have heard. We have been taking some deacons through training at our church to see from Scripture the biblical purpose, ministry responsibility, and call they have from God to be servants in the Church. This brought to mind some of the things that Paul said about his call.
He asserts in his first letter, Galatians 1:1, that his calling was “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” That places the call on a divine platform with God’s authority. Paul was directly accountable to God for how he carried out that call. In Paul’s fourth letter, he points to being “called by the will of God” (1 Corinthians 1:1). If we realize that all of us who are in Christ have a calling from God; it is not from man, and it is the will of God which has placed in us the unique gifting that enables us to accomplish His plan and purpose, where we are and in the circumstances we are in. It is then our responsibility to fulfill our calling. God always equips and gives the exact resources we need to fulfill His call. If we feel we lack something, it is because we are not using what He gave in the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally, Paul was “called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). The first two verses mentioned above are the “How.” This verse in Romans is the “Why.” In light of Matthew 28:19, we are all “set apart for the gospel of God,” because all gifts given by the Spirit in some way equip us for making disciples. We will examine more of this subject, but may the Lord use this to help you reexamine your calling, and then live for honoring that call. “In little more than ten years, Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Roman Empire; Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before AD 47 there were no churches in these provinces; in AD 57 Paul could speak as if his work there was done, and could plan extensive tours into the far west without and anxiety that the churches which he had founded might perish because of his absence or lack of his guidance and support.
This is truly an astonishing fact. That churches should be founded so rapidly, so securely, seems almost incredible to us today considering we are accustomed to the difficulties, uncertainties, failures, and disastrous relapses of our own missionary work. Many missionaries in the last two centuries have received a larger number of converts than Paul; many have preached over a wider area than he; but none have established churches as he did. We have forgotten that such things could be. For too long we have convinced ourselves to accept it as an axiom of missionary work that converts in a new country must be submitted to a very long probation and training, extending over generations before they can be expected to be able to stand alone. Today if a man suggests that there may be something in Paul’s methods that would give such wonderful results worthy of our careful attention, and perhaps of our imitation, he is in danger of being accused of revolutionary tendencies. If we accept the authority of Scripture, this is not how it should be. We must also accept the fact that the account carefully given by Luke in Acts of planting churches in the Four Provinces should cause us to have more than a mere archaeological and historical interest. Like the rest of the Holy Scriptures it was 'written for our learning'.” Roland Allen, Missionary Methods – St. Paul’s or Ours? (page 3), (Edited for clarity). This is a continuation of the report from Jonathan and his experiences in Myanmar. Taunggyi, Shan State – The second week of my trip I had one of the largest opportunities for the gospel that I have ever experienced. I was invited to come and work with a band of 12 indigenous missionaries who are going out to plant churches in Shan State among unreached villages. Located on the border of China, Shan State has always been a source of conflict in Myanmar due to its preservation of culture and Buddhism. It also is one of the largest unreached areas in Myanmar. This group of missionaries has decided to go to unreached villages and fulfill the call of the Great Commission. We spent one week going through God’s Plan for His Disciples, learning what it looks like to be personally established in the gospel so we are able to teach others how to be established in the gospel. And then we started God’s Plan for His Church, and our prayer is that God will use His Plan in the missionary’s lives as they put into practice what they have learned. Please pray that God would establish these brothers and give them a sincere hunger to do things God’s Way and RETURN to the Scriptures in the power of the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Also, that they would value the Gospel as the “conclusion” and the “help” to reach those that have never heard of Jesus (Acts 16:9-10). We have a three-week training starting the end of June in Yangon. Putting all these events together and seeing how God is working, causes us to believe that He is preparing indigenous disciples to reach those who have never heard the gospel, not just in Myanmar, but beyond their borders. Please let us know if you are standing with us in prayer (use the Contact Page). This report comes from Jonathan who has just returned from Myanmar. Tamu, Sagaing Region – I spent the first week at an orphanage and visited two missionaries. Sagaing Region is a huge area in a strategic location of Myanmar on the border of India. The city of Tamu is in the Northwestern part of Sagaing Region and is called the “gateway to India” as it is the city situated closest to India. Why is this so important? There are still 2,311 unreached people groups in India that have not yet heard the name of Jesus and the gospel of grace. Those we were training have the opportunity to go into India and reach these indigenous people. Hopefully, God will raise up more missionaries from Mynamar and neighboring countries to go into India. The Sagaing Region is important for Myanmar and for reaching those who have never heard the gospel. Though this northern region is still rather unreached, I visited two missionaries that had just recently started spreading the gospel. In some of these villages, the government has focused funding and the building of Buddhist Pagodas to continue to propagate the idol worship of Buddha. I was so encouraged to meet the first Buddhist convert, Isaac. I also heard of three families that had recently been converted across the river. Praise God that Christ is building His Church and the gates of hell WILL NOT prevail against His work (Matthew 16:18). I also had the extreme privilege of training students at an orphanage in Tamu for the week. The goal is that the students can be trained as Church Planters and return back to their respective villages to plant churches. They were so receptive and eager to learn from Scripture. Pray for the expansion and maturity of this work. “Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12–13). This verse is often quoted and used to exhort strong believers to encourage others who seem to be going through tough times; they are weak. However, we need to carefully examine these verses to understand what the writer is saying.
First, it is important to look at the context. · We saw that we are considered runners with witnesses surrounding us and with one objective, one goal; Jesus Christ, who is also our example (12:1-2). · We must “consider” Jesus “who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself” (12:3). · We are to appreciate the discipline of the Lord as “training…that we may share His holiness …for…it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (12:5-11). Second, the subject of this section has not changed. It is still about you, the runner, the son or daughter of the Father’s discipline. In verses 12-13, the subject is still YOU! It’s about “your drooping hands…your weak knees, and your feet.” You must lift up what is drooping, weak or disabled by remembering how Jesus strengthened Himself by a close walk with His Father. Often “knees” make us think of prayer. If your prayer life is “weak or paralyzed” by something outside your relationship with the Lord, it is time to “strengthen” that part of your spiritual walk so that you “pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). We will look at the “straight paths for your feet” tomorrow. For right now, the most important thing you could do is STOP what you are doing, REPENT of any weakness you have allowed, and RENEW your walk with the Lord in prayer. Lift those drooping hands in gratitude and use them as instruments to serve others. In speaking with persons who are going through difficult trials, I often hear them ask the question, ‘when will this end?” It is natural for us to want suffering and trials to be over so we can move on with more enjoyable things in life.
But what is God’s purpose in allowing us to pass through hard times? “For they [our human fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10–11). Notice that there is a clear purpose in discipline. This meaning of “share” is to “receive one’s part in what belongs to someone else.” This has always been God’s plan and purpose for us. Because of our tendency to place too much priority on others things, God must use discipline in our lives so our priorities change and become His. There is one more element in all this; our willingness to be trained by the discipline. That will produce the greatest gain. The word “trained” conveys the idea of “going under a vigorous routine and control intended to increase moral strength.” Very few are willing, much less want this kind of discipline. Would you really want to miss the spiritual benefits of the Father’s discipline that produces “the peaceful fruit of righteousness?” Right after seeing the portrait of Christ that keeps us from “grow(ing) weary or faint-hearted” (Hebrews 12:3), we have another strong instruction that is very important for our maturity and helps us keep our eye on the prize. Read these verses below and listen to God speaking to you. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives”” (12:5–6). Discipline of parents is usually never a pleasing thing for any child. But here we are reading about “the discipline of the Lord.” We are not to “lightly” regard His discipline. That phrase “regard lightly” means to give it “little value or look down, despise or have contempt on it.” This is often done because we fail to look at the end result of what God is doing in our lives that will ultimately bring Him glory and make our lives more fruitful. When God touches our lives with discipline over a long period of time, we often become frustrated (“weary”) and even cynical about what we are going through. What we often don’t realize is that the Lord’s love is in what He allows us to go through. The sooner we see this, the more we will sense His support and the relationship we have as a “son.” When we understand what the Lord is doing, we will be more ready to allow the discipline to have its effect in our lives. Are you experiencing the Lord’s discipline? He is building something of His character in you that can’t be seen yet. Trust Him and allow His correction to work. One of the joys I have in this ministry is encouraging others to walk closer with the Lord. There were three opportunities the Lord gave me today to invest in four different people with this objective. They all struggle with issues that are difficult, but not impossible. As I sat here at my desk praying for them, my mind was drawn to Hebrews 12. Verses 1 to 3 give us a portrait of Jesus to consider so we “may not grow weary or faint-hearted” (12:3). What are the specific things about Jesus that the writer wants us to consider? · There are many “witnesses” who have gone before us, and they exercised “faith” in the promises of God, though they did not receive the promise of Christ in their life-time (11:40). We often think that no one has gone through troubles like ours. If you think that, read chapter 11, especially verses 32 to 40. · We are able to “lay aside every weight and sin…and run with endurance the race that is set before us [as we] look to Jesus” (12:1). Freedom is only found in Jesus (Galatians 5:1). When we focus on the struggle against sin, we focus on the wrong thing. Freedom from the power of sin is never in ourselves. It is ONLY in the person of Jesus. LOOK TO HIM! · Faith for the Christian begins with Jesus and ends with Jesus, because He is the Founder or Author and He is the only one who is and will perfect our faith and bring us to glory (12:2). · As Jesus endured suffering by setting His heart on the joy that would come out of His death, so we must set our hearts on the glory we will reach after we have endured here (12:3). Will you set the eyes of your heart on Jesus? Seeing Him will give you everything needed to endure and reach the prize. |
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