This past week in Bible Class we started studying a paper by Steve Leinberger's which was presented at the CLC Delegates Convention this summer. Steve is a member of our sister congregation in Saginaw, MI. The Paper in its entirety is pasted below...
IN LABORING TO SHARE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US
Colossians 1:29:
NKJV- “To this end I labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
NIV- “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
I. Introduction
Welcome in the name of our triune God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is my prayer that through hearing, singing, and studying today, what our Heavenly Father has already provided us in His Word, we will all become more ardent laborers in sharing the blessed gift of the Gospel.
II. Opening Hymn- 507 Spread, Oh Spread, Thou Mighty Word
The book of Colossians, from which our theme is taken, was written by Paul during the time of his first Roman imprisonment. It is considered by many to be one of the most Christ centered books in the Bible. The resounding theme of Colossians is the preeminence and sufficiency of Christ in all things. The believer is complete in Him alone and lacks nothing for his eternal salvation. It is humbling to read that while even in prison, Paul is “struggling with all his energy” to fulfill his mission for Christ. God has a mission in mind for each one of us. He has given each of us individual talents with which to accomplish our assigned missions. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-6. God will also provide us with opportunities to use these talents for the improvement of His church and the furtherance of His Gospel.
In order to help us recognize the talents that God has given to each of us, and to encourage each other to put these talents to use, we will be directing ourselves to a brief study of some of the many examples of God’s servants, ”struggling with all His energy”, as recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. These Old and New Testament biblical figures are divided into called servants, lay servants and women servants. We will be exploring the background, characteristics, and successes and failures of these individuals as we strive to learn lessons from their service that we can apply today in our own work for our Savior. These people did indeed “labor” and “struggled” for their Savior, even to the point of death. They were able to accomplish their missions not because they were superior individuals, but because of Him who “so powerfully works” in them.
Action Plan Page Introduction-
I hope you have all received a pen as you entered the room. As we begin our study I am going to put both you and that pen to work thinking and writing.
Attached to the back of your Essay booklet you will find an Action Plan page for you use. Let’s look at that page for a minute. Hopefully, as we study today you will be reminded about people who have inspired you, people you have thought to witness to, projects that need your attention at your home congregation and how you can improve your witness within your family. As the Lord directs you, for He is indeed the source of all true inspiration, take a few moments during this presentation to write down what comes to your mind. I promise I won’t mind if you take a BRIEF break from listening to do so. In fact I am praying that I see a lot of paper being shuffled and thoughts being recorded.
III. Examples of OLD TESTAMENT Servants
A. Moses-Called
Our first bible figure is Moses, himself a picture of Christ in so many ways. Moses and Jesus were both prophets. They were both endangered in infancy, gave up pursuit of earthly wealth and power, both were lawgivers and deliverers of their people and mediators between God and man.
God’s amazing plan for Moses’ life started in the bulrushes on the Nile and proceeded for 40 years through the best educational system of the world at that time in the courts of Pharaoh. Moses sinful weakness became apparent with his murder of one of the Egyptians in charge of the Hebrew slaves. God’s plan for the next 40 years of Moses life took place in the land of Midian, where Moses led a very humble life as a shepherd, away for the people he would eventually lead out of Egypt. But during this time God was preparing him spiritually and practically with an in depth knowledge of the very terrain he would lead his people through for the last 40 years of his life. Moses was a well educated, passionate, at times short tempered man, who was fiercely loyal to his people and prayed often and fervently for his people, even as Jesus our Savior did during His time here on Earth and even now does for us at the Fathers side.
Through Moses God wrote the first five books of His Holy Word. Moses met with God! Moses talked with God! God gave Moses His law written on stone tablets, which Moses so infamously threw to the ground (there’s that short temper again) in his anger over what the children of Israel had done while he was on Mt. Sinai. But through this all God “so powerfully worked” in him, forgiving Moses of his sin for the sake of the yet unborn Messiah. God loved and guided him throughout his whole life and finally, in a unique act of love for His faithful servant, personally buried Moses on a mount overlooking the promised land.
There are many powerful lessons we can learn from the story of Moses and apply to our own missions for God. Are you unsure that God’s call is really for you? God appeared to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed. Is your call not quite so “obvious”? Remember today we have the complete Bible to show us God’s will for our lives. Are we hesitant or afraid of answering God’s call? Moses was, but we need not be. But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So God said to him, “I will certainly be with you.” Exodus 3:11-12. And again Moses hesitated and said, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” Exodus 4:10-12. We can be assured that God is with us even today, and will give us the very words needed to fulfill His missions. From Moses we learn that we may be called to God’s service later in life. We may be called to serve well into our retirement years and through “His energy”, we will be equipped to succeed. We may be hesitant and lack confidence, we may have as many excuses as Moses, but God still is able to mold the heart of a willing servant to accomplish His plans.
B. Joseph-Layman
Our next Old Testament servant is Joseph. While we may all be labeled as “called” in some manner, I have taken the view of Joseph as being called to a layman’s position in the body of Christ. Joseph was not educated as Moses was. As a young boy, because of the jealousy of his brothers he was thrown into a pit and then sold into slavery in a foreign land. His new master Potiphar, soon saw the abilities and character of this young man and advanced him up to be the head of his household. Because of the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was unjustly jailed. After many years, he was released and became part of Pharaoh's staff, eventually, to be named the head of Pharaoh’s palace and finally in charge of the whole land of Egypt, second in power only to Pharaoh himself.
In Joseph we can again see many of the attributes of our Savior. Imagine, could you show the love and forgiveness Joseph did for his brothers when they later came to Egypt during the famine in Canaan? After Jacob had died, Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph might kill them so they went to Joseph to beg for his mercy. And Joseph wept as they begged and said to them, ”But as for you, you meant evil against me: but God meant it for good, in order to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones.” Gen 50:20-21. Through the power of Jesus love for us we are able to forgive those who may have wronged us. Joseph was a trustworthy man who remained faithful and pure through many temptations through the power of God. He was also a man gifted in matters of planning, organization and administration. While Joseph was indeed a sinner, the Bible does not give us many, if any examples of his failures.
Through his work in Egypt the ancestors of Jesus were fed through the great famine and the line of our Savior was maintained. Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim became leaders of two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph’s example is one of doing our best in whatever we are called to do, working in our jobs as if we are working directly for God. Interestingly, the Bible never records Joseph complaining or groaning during all of the many unjust trials he endured. His faith was a visible testament of the love of God, visible and discernable to all who came into contact with him. Joseph was a real salt of the Earth kind of guy.
We can also learn another very important lesson from the life of Joseph. Even though he always did his best, even though he was trustworthy and faithful, Joseph experienced setbacks in his life. As followers of Christ, in this sinful world, we will also experience setbacks. But when we experience setbacks in our mission, as we faithfully serve our Lord, the Holy Spirit will instill in us a deep satisfaction and peace that surpasses all understanding. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4. So again and again we return to the cross for strength, secure in the knowledge that God’s love is eternal, from before His creation of the world, through Joseph’s time, even until today.
C. Ruth
The story of our last Old Testament servant is a wonderful story of love, devotion, and redemption which occurred during the time of the Judges. This was a time of unfaithfulness and immorality among the children of Israel. Naomi’s husband dies, leaving her with two sons to care for her. Her sons each marry Moabite women and after a number of years they also die, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth to care for themselves. Naomi decides to return to the land of Judah and releases her daughters from any responsibility for her. All three women are greatly saddened by these events and after a tearful farewell Orpah returns to “her people and her gods,”(Ruth 1:15); but Ruth is led to stay with Naomi and her response to Naomi forms one of the most beautiful passages in Scripture. “Entreat me not to leave you, Or turn back from following you; For wherever you go , I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also, If anything but death parts but you and I. Ruth 1:16-17. God’s servant Ruth is brought to faith in the living God, forsaking her pagan heritage. God shows His love for ALL people by blessing Ruth’s faithfulness by giving her a new husband (Boaz), a son (Obed), and a privileged position in the lineage of David (she was his great-grandmother) and subsequently Jesus of Nazareth.
The book of Ruth is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament. The concept of a redeemer (goel, one who redeems) is repeated 13 times in this book with Boaz playing this part by buying back the land of Naomi as well in marrying Ruth and fathering a son to keep the family line alive. The loyalty, love and obedience Ruth shows as a gentile servant/believer of God should carry deep meaning to us since we too are gentile servant/believers. The redeeming love of the coming Savior, at work in Ruth’s heart, made her a woman of godly virtue, willing to put the needs of others before her own. Another example for our use today is how God does not differentiate between those believers of wealth and those in poverty. God loves all people equally and “so powerfully works” His Will through all people in all lands.
IV. Examples of NEW TESTAMENT Servants
A. Paul-Called
We begin our study of New Testament servants with the apostle Paul, unquestionably a called servant of Jesus. But remember from where God called this “chief of sinners” through whom He inspired so many New Testament books of the Bible to be written. Paul, whose name prior to conversion was Saul, was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. He was educated in Tarsus and later studied the Jewish “laws of our fathers” in Jerusalem under the teacher Gamaliel. Paul was a very zealous person who in his younger days led persecutions of many believers in Jesus, both men and women. In Acts 9:1 we read that “Saul was still breathing our murderous threats against the lord’s disciples.” However on the road to Damascus Jesus called Saul to a different life. “A light from heaven flashed around him and Saul fell to the ground. Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asked; Who are you Lord? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what to do.” Acts 9:3b-6. When Saul got up he found he was blind and for 3 days he did not eat or drink anything. Jesus sent the disciple Ananias to Paul in a home in Damascus. “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. Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized”. Acts 9:17-18. After spending several days with the disciples in Damascus, he immediately began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Paul remained a zealous man his whole life. But now through the gift of the Holy Spirit he was a zealous servant of the Mysteries of God. As a Jewish Pharisee, Saul was a proud man who saw himself “separate”, better than those around him. As a servant of Jesus, Paul became a humble man, thankful for the salvation worked within him. Paul became an encourager of those doing right and a rebuker of those doing wrong. He did these things by using the law of God and the Gospel of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul’s failures before his conversion are many. First and foremost because of his training as a Pharisee he believed in his ability to earn heaven through his works. He also spent his life persecuting those who believed in Jesus, even giving the approval for the stoning of Stephen. Before Paul’s conversion he was working hard to please God but he had it all wrong. Paul’s primary mission in life after his conversion was bringing the Mysteries of God (the Gospel) to us, the gentile nations. In doing so Paul planted the seed of the Holy Spirit in the souls of many believers and started many churches in the ancient world. But Paul suffered greatly for this privilege of witnessing. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 we can read of some of them- 5 times whipped, 3 times beaten with rods, 1 time even stoned, 3 times shipwrecked- spending a night and a day in the water, often away from home on missionary journeys, often imperiled by robbers, wilderness, Jews, gentiles, he was hungry, thirsty, cold, naked, imprisoned, and after all of these hardships, what occupied his daily thoughts? It was not his own sorrows and hurts that occupied his mind but rather his deep concern for the new believers and their churches. Paul was the one who was inspired to write our theme and he knew of what he wrote through happenings in his own daily life.
Paul is indeed a shining example of God’s power in converting our blind and sinful hearts and of how once exposed to the gospel we can become laborers for Him who works so mightily in us. Through Paul’s life we can learn, that if our early life was outside of the Body of believers or not God pleasing in every respect, God can still work miracles in our lives and through His Word bring us to a faithful life full of service to Him. We can see how application of God’s Word in direct and loving ways can have a powerful impact on those we meet. And since Paul’s primary mission was to the gentiles, we can learn that we should be zealous supporters of our own CLC foreign mission work. This support may take the form of monetary offerings, prayers and even personally participating in our Mission Helper programs.
B. Stephen & Philip-Layman
Now as the early church grew the 12 apostles (Matthias had replaced Judas) found it difficult to perform all the general tasks required of them without neglecting their prime duty of ministering the Word. So they gathered together all of the disciples and decided that they would “choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom”, (Acts 6:3) to aide them in the administration of the early believers. Stephan and Phillip were chosen, (along with Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch) and “these men were presented to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.” Acts 6:6. These laymen did great wonders among the people and soon members of the Jewish society began to oppose them. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin where he was falsely accused of blasphemy against God and Moses. Stephen, in a wonderfully inspired and historically accurate speech (Acts 7:1 to 8:53) lays out the history of the Jewish people up to the death of John the Baptist and the recent stiff-necked behavior of the Jews that led to the betrayal and murder of the “Righteous One”-Jesus the Christ. In a fit of rage the members of the Sanhedrin seize him and take him out of the City and stone him to death. At the end of his life the love of God contained in him is shown by his statement, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60. Stephen was an early believer who labored and struggled by the help of God to proclaim the truth within Him. He endured suffering at the hands of countrymen and finally died a martyr’s death.
On the day of Stephen’s death a great persecution broke out in Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (It was during this time that Saul did some of his most vicious work in attempting to destroy the Church.) But God used this evil persecution for good, to expand the areas where the Mysteries of God were preached. The Holy Spirit moved mightily in bringing many people to faith in Jesus. One of those believers who fled Jerusalem was Philip. Philip was residing in a city in Samaria where he proclaimed the Good News of Jesus. An angel of the Lord told him to go down on the road to Gaza where he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was an important man in the Treasury of the Queen of Ethiopia, Candace. The eunuch was studying the Book of Isaiah but he did not understand it’s meaning and Philip was invited by the eunuch to explain it to him. “The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth. The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me please who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:32-40. In our illustration Philip did indeed expose the Mysteries of God, to his fellow man. And we are told of how the Holy Spirit worked the miracle of sanctification in the eunuch’s heart when the eunuch said to Phillip, “See here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Then Philip said; If you believe with all your heart you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both he and Philip went down into the water and Philip baptized him”. Acts 8:36-38.
Stephen and Philip were being good stewards of their lives of service to God when they accepted the positions given to them by the apostles. They could have said they were too busy or they had other business or family obligations but they put Jesus first in their lives. God used Stephen to directly inform the Sanhedrin of His plan for salvation. So today we laymen can be confident if God puts us into a similar position of proclaiming the truth to groups or bodies of people who error in their understanding of the Bible. While it is rare today, to die from persecution for ones faith here in our country, our fellow believers in foreign lands can take comfort in knowing that God will strengthen their faith to the point where they can endure hardships up to and even including death and remain steadfast in their faith of life eternal. In Romans 5:1-5 we read: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance (endurance); and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Philip’s witness to the eunuch shows how God can use laymen to spread the Word to foreign lands. Even today, the faith perhaps started by Philip’s witness to the eunuch, lives in the country of Ethiopia.
C. Mary & Martha
Mary and Martha were dear friends of our Savior. They were a generous family and supported Jesus during His ministry. Jesus spent many days at their home and was comforted by their love for Him. They were also the sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. While Jesus loved them both the Bible tells us they were two very different people in their approach to how they served Jesus. I even saw a book last week titled, How to be a Mary in a Martha World. To state their differences in a very simplified way- Martha worked, Mary listened; Martha worried, Mary listened; Martha worked and worried and Mary was still found to be listening at her Savior’s feet. It always seems a bit unfair to criticize Martha for working doesn’t it? After all the, work does need to get done and somebody has to do it. And wouldn’t it be great to “sit at Jesus’ feet” while somebody else did the bulk of the grunt work. The point here is that we need to prioritize our lives and make sure that we set aside ample and adequate time to both work and listen. But our first priority should always be love and reverence for our Savior. He will provide His energy which so powerfully works in me(us).
There is so much to learn from Mary and Martha. God is willing and able to use all sorts of personalities to accomplish His mission of spreading the Gospel. God gives us time, talents and treasures which through careful and prayerful consideration we are to prioritize and use to further His kingdom. We should also keep in mind that each of us has been given only so much time here on Earth during which to proclaim the glories of our Savior and we must be careful in how we use that time. In this section we can clearly see that God prefers that we put Him and His Word first as we set our schedules. Lastly, let’s not allow our eagerness to serve turn into a trap of busy, work righteousness whereby we lose the joy of serving our Savior and even endanger our soul’s salvation.
V. Hymn- 772 On Galilee’s High Mountain
VI. God’s Mission for Us in Present Times
From these examples of Biblical servants of God we can see that God uses highly educated people as well as those of minor or no formal education. He uses the old and the very young. He invites the very rich and the very poor and everyone in between to help in spreading the Gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you.” But where do we begin? How do we get started? Well hopefully you have made a few notes on your Action Plan sheet already. Writing our thoughts down on paper is a big help in beginning any mission. It can also help us to divide our mission into the following 3 areas: A. The Unchurched B. Within our own churches, and C. Within our own families. You will no doubt have many ideas of your own on how and where you can serve. Let me mention a few ideas the Lord has laid on my heart to help you get started.
A. Unchurched
Let’s start with our local community. You’ve seen the bumper sticker, Think globally, act locally, it’s not bad advice. We all have friends and coworkers who do not regularly attend a church. We can live our lives as Christian examples like Joseph. When some of these people notice the difference within us, we can do a great service for them by bringing them the Word of God as Stephen did for the early church or explaining questions they may have as Philip did for the eunuch. We can pray frequently and fervently for the Holy Spirit to move their hearts. We can write down the names of people we are led to witness to about Jesus on our Action Plan sheets.
At the global level we can pray for and financially support our Missionaries in Africa and India. We can think of how Ruth, when exposed to the one true God, left her pagan ways and became an ancestor of Jesus himself. We can work toward bringing the light of the Gospel to foreign lands and through the Word the Holy Spirit can work saving faith in the hearts of those who have never heard of their Savior. We can pray for and financially support the many mission programs of our Synod such as orphan support and seminary sponsorships through the Project Kinship, the Mission helper program, and the Mission Development Fund. These are important programs that have life saving, eternal benefits for those people touched by them. What better use of our time, talents and treasure could there possibly be? God’s view of our world is not only global but eternal. The work done by Moses thousands of years ago is just as appropriate and useful now as it was in his day. God’s Word is eternal. When we, proclaim God’s Word today, the effects of the Gospel message are eternal. It could be that generations from now, descendants of those people saved by the Holy Spirit through our work in spreading the Gospel in Africa and India today, may be sending missionaries back to our descendants in the United States.
B. Within our churches
We also have many opportunities to serve within our synod and within our local churches. Thank God for the commitment of those in attendance today as delegates and observers. There are many areas of service open to us on the different Committees and Boards. As Joseph was used by God to be the top administrator of Egypt, we are blessed with talented and faithful people who serve our Synod, struggling with all His energy, to create needed programs, balance budgets and provide the best that we have for the many people served by our Synod.
In our local churches there are also the same needs of serving on committees, boards and guilds. From mowing the grass, to painting the building, to shingling roofs, the areas available for us to serve are many. We can be teachers in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Teachers who through the Word can strengthen a child’s faith and aide the Holy Spirit in His work of equipping our young people for the spiritual battles they will be facing in this sinful world. We can use our God given talents in the choir, serving in music, planting flowers and planting seeds of the Gospel that can make our churches grow strong in the Lord. We can be Marys and Marthas. Working and listening. Putting our Savior first in all things. Joyful in the knowledge of what our Savior has already done for us and of how we will see Him in the flesh forever in Heaven.
C. Within our families-(Mary & Joseph)
And we can think the most locally of all. We can serve our families. Just think, God did not send Jesus to Earth as an adult. Jesus came as a baby and babies need parents. How would you like to have had that responsibility, to train and raise up the Savior of the world? Mary and Joseph could have come up with more excuses than Moses did, but they relied on God to give them the words and the strength to be the earthly parents of his Son. As parents today, we to are parents of God’s sons and daughters. Our children are as important to and loved as much by our Heavenly Father as Jesus was during His time on Earth. If you were Jesus’ parents would you do daily devotions with him? Of course you would. Do you do daily devotions with your own children? I pray so. There are 3 lines regarding “family” on your Action Plan sheet, I hope one of those lines contains the commitment to do daily devotions with your children. We read in Ephesians 6:4, “And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Do our children see the love of our Heavenly Father reflected onto them by our kind words and other expressions of love? As parents today our job is difficult, but by laboring, and struggling with His energy, which works so powerfully in us, we can bring up our children to fear and love Him.
As God fearing spouses we should also consider how we can be a servant to our wife or husband. As Christ served us, so we should serve one another. We read from Ephesians 5:22, ““Wives submit to your Husband as to the Lord”. And Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it”. And finally Ephesians 5:33, Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” There are many areas where I can improve as a husband and a helpmate for my wife. I can be more kind, patient, and understanding. I can listen more. My wife had several more suggestions but let me stop there. You probably have the idea by now. I will let you decide what else to put on your Action Plan sheet.
VII. Call to Action
A. Prayerfully set goals for our work
The most important word in this section’s heading is prayerfully. We do well to take all of our needs and questions to the Lord in prayer. But as Luther said, “Pray with your Bible open”. It often occurs, that we seek God’s direction through prayer, when He has already clearly shown us the path we are to take in His Word. We should be careful to not let our thoughts, desires or emotions create an “answer” to our prayers that is not in keeping with God’s biblical principles.
The second most important word is goals. Sometime we chaff a bit at setting goals for ourselves. After all, things change, and we don’t want to “count our chickens before they hatch”. But goal setting is an important part of successfully serving the Lord. Goals are the basis for our plans. A Convention without an agenda or schedule (the plan) would be hard pressed to achieve its purpose (the goals). Likewise we need to set goals for our personal mission in serving the Lord. It is very important that our goals and plans be written down. Let’s go back for a minute to our Action Plan sheet. When we write our goals down we are consciously committing ourselves to their accomplishment through the blessing and power of our Father in heaven. Have you written anything down yet? I encourage you to keep the Action Plan page with you in your pocket or purse until you arrive back home. Here at Convention, carry it with you so you are able to make notes on it, as the Spirit leads your heart during the proclamation of His Word. Lord willing you will see the red topped pen and a folded Action Plan in many people’s pockets during your the remaining days here in Eau Claire.
The last word is work. If we did this right, we will have listened like Mary, set our goals after hearing our Savior and now we are ready to work like Martha. We can keep in mind that God is right beside us to help and direct us. But we do need to work. The mission God has in mind for us is not easy. We need to gird ourselves for this mission and get after it. Whether that be something small, and maybe to others rather insignificant, or whether that be volunteering for something like a Mission Helper trip to Africa or India, everything we do in God’s name is important, as everything the members of the body do, are necessary to nourish the whole body.
B. Draw on our God given talents
God has equipped each one of us with special talents which He in His infinite wisdom is able to use for the spreading of His Gospel. Humbling isn’t it? God choose the part each of us is to fill in His mission of Salvation. “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those of gifts of administrations and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28. And God doesn’t make mistakes. Perhaps our talents are hidden by shyness or lack of training but they are still there. Pray that God reveals these talents to you and that He blesses your attempts to use them. God may be in the process of refining and strengthening our faith for the mission He has in mind for us. Perhaps God has called us to serve in an area that we just don’t understand how our talents fit. For instance, Moses couldn’t speak well, but God gave him Aaron to help him. Maybe God’s mission for you includes working alongside someone else or in a group, on a committee, or on a board, etc.
C. Rely on His Power
We have come back to our original theme. Who should we depend on? By now you all know the answer, “to this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me”. Without the direction and power of our Almighty God to direct and sustain us, our missions would be impossible to finish. But we do not need to feel burdened or defeated. God has promised often in His Word to be there when we need him most. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b.
D. Confident in the Hope within us.
As blood bought saints of the Most High God, let us all proceed from this place with the boldness and assurance of the Love of God and the commitment to labor to share what God has given to us. Let’s join with the Apostle Paul and proclaim “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. May all that we think, do and say be to the glory of our Savior Jesus and the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Amen.
VIII. Hymn- 451 Stand Up-Stand up for Jesus
Respectfully presented at the CLC Convention – June 18, 2008
By: Steven A. Leinberger
Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
Saginaw Michigan
Pastor Michael Wilke
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Action Plan Page:
Bible Verse- “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
(Jesus is the reason and source of inspiration for all God pleasing work in our lives.)
Individuals who have inspired me-
1. Jesus of Nazareth- My redeemer, my priest, my friend, my King, my God.
2._____________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________
Individuals who I will personally witness to about our Savior-
1.______________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________________
Projects or tasks I will personally attend to upon my return to my home congregation-
1._______________________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________________
Areas I will strive to improve with God’s help and direction within in my family-
1._______________________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________________
Bible Verse- “But as for me and My house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b.
Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Personal Witnessing Strategy - Session 4
PERSONAL WITNESSING STRATEGY
Session 4
FOUNDATIONAL FUNDAMENTALS
Professional athletes don’t have time to think about every movement they make. Because they’ve practiced the fundamentals of their game so much, the actions just happen when different situations arise in their game. We want this to be the case when telling others about Jesus. While the Good News of sins forgiven through Jesus is a simple message, it also has important points that we will want to communicate as a person asks for more about this Jesus guy.
Hopefully, as our relationship grows with someone we’re witnessing to, we’ll have an increasing amount of opportunities to talk about who Jesus is, why He had to die on the cross and what the events of Easter really means for modern day Christians. If we continually are in contact with God’s Word, these things will flow out from us more easily.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter
If we focus specifically on the fundamentals of the Good News we will find ourselves better prepared for communicating Jesus’ message when opportunities arise.
SEVEN FUNDAMENTALS
Keep it simple. When witnessing to others, remember that they might not be ready for the amount of detail that you are able give them. Here are seven basic statements that Michael Gibson offers to help communicate the Good News in a simple but faithful way.
#1 - GOD LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY.
The world around us doesn’t give much out for free. But God’s love for sinners comes with no strings attached. Some push God’s love away because they think God can’t really love them unless they do something to earn His love. Others push God’s love away by reasoning that if God loves everyone, than everyone will make it to heaven. God does love everyone, and has made forgiveness of sins available to everyone – in His Son. Not in Allah. Not in Buddha. Not in Gaia. In His Son.
John 3:16
1 John 5:11-13
1 Timothy 2:3-4
#2 - WE REBEL AGAINST GOD’S LOVE.
Sin is rebellion against God’s loving rule in our life. Ever since Adam and Eve all of us do it. Our sin rebellion separates us from God and invites His judgment.
Romans 3:23
Psalm 14:1-3
Ecclesiastes 7:20
#3 - WE CAN’T OVERCOME OUR OWN REBELLION.
Most if not all religions apart from Christianity are suggested methods for overcoming the badness in us and climbing upward to God. But this is make believe. Just as a human being will never jump up and touch the stars, neither can sinners overcome the sin that they are mired in.
Romans 11:35
Romans 3:20
Isaiah 6:1, 5
#4 - JESUS IS GOD’S SOLUTION TO OUR REBELLION.
God knew right from the start that sinful mankind could never get himself out of the mess of sin. So God provided the way out. God arranged for someone else to pay the punishment for man’s sin – Jesus. God’s Son made human. The God-Man.
Romans 3:23-26
Romans 1:16-17
2 Timothy 3:15
#5 - GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE BRINGS
Jesus doesn’t come to teach us how to earn forgiveness, Jesus brings us actual forgiveness. Now. Forever. Christianity doesn’t offer a ladder to heaven. In Christianity Jesus transports us into the kingdom of forgiveness and peace through no efforts of our own. In Jesus we see God’s love truly is unconditional. No strings attached.
Acts
Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:13
#6 - TRUST IN JESUS BINDS US TO HIM.
Forgiveness, life and salvation are all found in Jesus. Those who trust in Him have these. It is not our good deeds that bind us to Christ. His goodness and loving acts toward us shine like a light and draw us to Him in trust.
Romans 10:11-13
John 5:24
1 John 5:11-12
#7- GOD’S GRACE ENABLES US TO LIVE AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN WHO CAN SAY NO TO SIN.
The world often messes this one up. Most religions say we have to do good to earn God’s love. The reality is, God’s love comes to us first! God’s Son washes our sin away and makes us His children by faith. The good conduct that begins to grow afterwards is just the breathing of the living spirit that trusts in Jesus as Savior.
Titus 2:11-14
Romans 12:1-2
1 John 3:1-3
GETTING ONTO THE FIELD
- Write Gibson’s seven Gospel points on 3 x 5 cards. On the other side of the card write out a passage which you feel expresses this point well. Take the cards with you and memorize them. Make them so familiar that they’ll easily come to mind in a conversation.
- Identify events in your life that illustrate each of these fundamental points. Think about how your story might lead into one of these Gospel points. Practice how you might actually talk about this in real conversation. Practice talking around these points until you’re comfortable and natural when doing so. You are becoming equipped to reach out with your own personal experience and actually share the Good News in the context of your experience with Jesus. Now that’s exciting!
Referenced: “Out of the Bleachers and Onto the Field” by Michael E. Gibson
Personal Witnessing Strategy - Session 3
PERSONAL WITNESSING STRATEGY
Session 3
MAKING CONTACT
Maybe you’ve seen a big “home-run” hitter step up to the plate at a softball game. This guy knows he can hit a home-run and wants one right now. Here comes the pitch. Here comes the swing. A big step, a big swooping swipe, the crack of the bat – and a high fly ball to end the inning.
The homerun is glorious, but the game winning hitters are the ones who come out every night just to make contact. In fact, that’s the best method for hitting homeruns – just make good solid contact. Eventually, one will find the fence.
In witnessing the same is true. Our great God hasn’t asked us to hit a homerun every time, He just wants us to make contact!
A pastor was giving a talk on witnessing and was asked, “What should I say?” He replied, “Something!” He was right! Effective witnessing can’t be done if we don’t put the Word of God into play. To use the baseball comparison: Where should I hit it? Somewhere! Make contact! Speak of your great God and Savior!
CONTACT AT THE CROSS POINTS
Mark 5:18-20
When the experience of a believer overlaps with the experience of a non-Christian an opportunity is present to speak of what God has done for us and how He has had mercy on us.
Sometimes a cross point zips past like a fastball down the middle of the plate. We miss it because we aren’t paying attention. Part of seeing cross points is being conscious that they may be coming, and listening for them.
Acts 17:22-23
In
LISTEN! LISTEN! LISTEN!
If we want to share Jesus with other people we need to first listen to them. Then we can understand what aspect of the Good News we might start with and how to do that. Each situation is different because each person’s experience in life is different. There isn’t one polished sentence or paragraph that a Christian can just rattle off in every witnessing opportunity. We have to listen before we can speak with specific purpose and direction.
A SILLY CROSS POINT
In his book, Gibson tells a story about a little green dot. He would place a little green dot on his watch to remind himself to be in God’s Word every day. One day a the local grocery store a clerk noticed the dot. She asked him what it was. He told her, “It’s something I use as a reminder. When I see it, I ask myself if I’ve spent time with the Lord today in Bible study and prayer.”
Looking confused, the clerk said, “Oh... Your total is $7.32”.
But the next time he went through her line, she noticed the dot had changed color. It was red now. She asked why. He responded, “If I don’t change the color it loses impact.”
She said, “Did it work today, did you remember?”
“Remember?”
“Your time with, you know, …God.”
“Yeah, I did; I had a great time.”
“Oh. Your total is $3.21.”
It was a silly dot. It was a simple exchange. It was a little conversation, but it was the beginning of a relationship.
“As we have our little talks (remember, I’m in the quick-check line), I try to remember previous conversations so that I can ask questions about her well-being in hopes of providing an opportunity to encourage her, to promise to pray for her, to speak to her about the Lord. I’m not doing anything special, just trying to make contact. And as I listen to her, I begin to get a feel for who she is and how she might respond to parts of my story” (Gibson 44).
JOURNAL YOUR EXPERIENCE
People are valuable. They are precious souls fashioned by God Almighty and bought back from sin by the unimaginable suffering of God’s Son. Take the time to listen to their thoughts, their worries, their story. Take it further. Take a moment to write down some of the things you hear in a journal. Take it even further. Review that journal and actually pray for these people that you may have an opportunity to reach out to.
GETTING ONTO THE FIELD
- In an earlier session you made a list of unsaved family and friends. Write down the names of 1-3 of those individuals on which to focus your witnessing efforts.
- List some “cross points” that you have in common with each person. Ponder how God might use these common experiences to provide a contemporary context in which the Good News of Jesus can be shared.
- Continually pray for the people on your list.
Referenced: “Out of the Bleachers and Onto the Field” by Michael E. Gibson
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Personal Witnessing Strategy - Session 2
PERSONAL WITNESSING STRATEGY
Session 2
PREPARATION FOR WITNESSING IS CRUCIAL
Preparation is key in sports. No matter what sport you’re interested in preparing for the event is absolutely necessary if you’re going to succeed. The marathon runner has to train his body to maintain a good pace for such a long time. The baseball player needs to prepare his mind for each play so he knows what to do if the ball is hit to him, and what to do if it isn’t. Witnessing is not different. Preparation is absolutely key.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
God wants all people to be saved by coming to know and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. If this is really true, and we know it is because it says so in God’s inspired Word, than it must be true that God is working to for this to happen! He is actively preparing people to come to faith. So how does God do this?
GOD DOES THE PREPARATION
First He prepares those who already know Him by building them up in faith in Christ and knowledge of God’s Word. In Sunday worship God repeatedly assures us that it is true, we have been saved from our sins by Christ’s sacrifice. The inheritance of heaven is ours because we are God’s children through faith in God’s Son. Through worship and study together with fellow Christians and alone, we are built up in God’s Word, knowing His grace and His will better.
Secondly God prepares Christians by giving them experiences that can serve as doorways to share the Gospel. Some of these experiences are ones that others have had. Others that don’t yet know Christ as their Great God and Savior. Some of these experiences are ones that other haven’t had.
Thirdly God prepares those who we might share Christ with. God does this in many ways that we never know. The people we talk to about Jesus, or about God, or about worship, or the Bible or any other area of our life in Christ – those people may have already heard about Christ from other Christians. Those people may have been prepared to understand our sharing of Christ by the experiences that we have in common with them. They may be prepared by the experiences we have had, that they haven’t!
When our experiences and the experiences of an unchurched person overlap, there is a potential opportunity to share Jesus with them in some way.
GOD’S PREPARING IN THE BIBLE
The fact that God prepares things in advance in order to have them happen is undeniable on the basis of God’s Word.
Genesis 37-50
If you study these chapters of Genesis you will see God setting up events in order to bring
Proverbs 16:9
Proverbs 16:33
Or think about the event of history that God directed in the life of His Son. The fact that Caesar called for a census might seem like just another act of a high ranking (and unbelieving) Roman ruler. But think about this: Caesar’s call for a census paved the way for Jesus to be born in
Or speaking of paving, think about how the huge
Proverbs 21:1
When we are in the Word, we repeatedly see that God is at work in all the events around us. This truth can help us to relax in our witnessing. Not get lazy, but relax, not stressing out about it but being confident that God will accomplish His will of saving sinners through His power.
ORDINARY PEOPLE WITH AN EXTRODINARY MESSAGE
Romans 10:14
1 Corinthians 1:21-25
God, in all his wisdom and power has chosen to bring the message of salvation through Christ to unchurched people through the simple message spoken by ordinary Christians. That’s us.
So God prepares us for this event. And we are wise to prepare for this event also. The marathoner runs. The person planning wishing to retire someday saves. And the members of God’s team of Christian witnesses… do what?
“…the way an awful lot of people go about witnessing. They have no idea where to begin, where they are, or where they are going. Allow me to point us in the right direction. Intentionally build relationships with unchurched people. Whether we are talking about living or witnessing, it works best to have a plan. Step 1 of any workable witnessing plan is this: develop friendships with some non-Christians. When we do that, the Lord will do the preparation work to provide the experiences that open the door for sharing our faith” (Gibson 32).
PRAY
During the time you set aside for prayer, ask the Lord to bring the names of people you know to mind, people that you might share Christ with. 1) Write these names down. Maybe you have a physical prayer list. You might also start a witnessing journal, it can be a very a useful and encouraging tool. 2) Pray for actual chances to share your faith experiences with them. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom when you speak. Pray and boldness not to pass up the opportunities God give you.
LIMIT YOUR FOCUS
You ain’t the apostle Paul, so limit your major focus to two or three on your list. Don’t stop praying for the others, if the opportunity arises, speak up! But concentrate your care on a few at a time. Mass conversions have happened, but the majority of people come to know Christ in a smaller setting.
BE REAL
Friends listen to what each other say. If your sharing Christ happens in the context of a friendship, chances are the people you witness to will pay attention to what you say instead of just thinking you’re a religious kook trying to claim so brownie points with God by pulling them into a church.
“Here is an important thing to remember: this is not a contrived friendship. I am not building a relationship just so I can share Jesus with him. He is my friend. I like him. I want to spend time with him and have him in my home. And, since I enjoy being with him, I also want him to be with me in heaven” (Gibson 34).
GETTING ONTO THE FIELD
- Think back over your life and your experience with Christ. What events have been really important chapters in your life? How did God use these to direct you toward Christ? Which of these stories might be particularly useful to communicate the Good News of Jesus to someone else?
- Write down the names of people who you know, who need to know Christ. Pick someone from that list that you want to share Christ with. Pray to God that you might be prepared to do so. Pray to God that you might see the opportunity when it arises. Commit yourself to praying for this person. Remember that God is with you in this, and will flex His power by His Holy Spirit and His mighty Word when the time is right. If you keep a journal you’ll be able to look back at God’s Work later. I wouldn’t be surprised, if His preparation becomes clear in unique and powerful ways.
Referenced: “Out of the Bleachers and Onto the Field” by Michael E. Gibson
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Personal Witnessing Strategy - Session 1
PERSONAL WITNESSING STRATEGY
Session 1
This series of studies on personal witnessing strategy is largely taken from the book, “Out of the Bleachers and onto the Field”, by Michael E. Gibson.
Gibson starts off by describing a cold night of watching baseball with his son at Candlestick park. Gibson’s five year old son was sitting in his father’s lap, comfortably wrapped in a warm blanket. The little boy had lost interest in the game down on the field and was instead loudly announcing the balls and strikes by watching the scoreboard.
This is a picture of the comfortable Christian. Comfortable in the warm blanket of Christ’s forgiveness. Safe sitting in the lap of God the Father. Because of the Holy Spirit’s teaching, the Christian knows the score and the count: Satan has lost, Christ has won forgiveness of sins, life and peace for sinners.
But what about those who aren’t resting in the lap of the Father? There’s only so much time before this game is over. We can’t afford to be spectators. There’s to many people at stake here. It’s time for us Christians to get out of the bleachers and onto the field. We do this by what we call, “Witnessing”.
What do you think of when you hear the word “witnessing”?
What things prevent us from telling others about Jesus?
I pray that Jesus will help us overcome all the things that prevent us from declaring Him to our friends. I pray that through our study Jesus will lead us to a written, personal witnessing plan. I pray that Jesus will give us many opportunities to speak of His love so that those we know may also know, trust, love and rejoice in Him.
JESUS’ STORY BECOMES OUR STORY
Galatians 4:4-7
Jesus became part of our losing team (the human race) so that we might win forgiveness and eternal life through Him. When we came to trust in Jesus as the person who reunited us with God, Jesus’ story became our story. From then on His life became entwined with our lives. Our every day opens a new chapter in His interaction with us.
We have been adopted into the Family of God, and the inheritance of heaven is ours. But there are others who need to experience this joy too. So, as we became members of God’s family, we also became representatives, witnesses and ambassadors for Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20
1 Peter 2:9-10
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
WITNESSING IS STORY TELLING
First Peter
“What an awesome story it is: You and I interacting with the God of all creation. It is a story of his faithfulness in the midst of our faithlessness, nothing more, nothing less!” (Gibson 17)
In the Bible we have numerous examples of people who just have to speak out after they’ve experienced God’s gracious working in their lives.
Luke 2:16-20 -The shepherds
Mark 1:40-45 -The leper
Mark
Acts
Acts 21:39, 22:3-21 -Paul
Acts 26 -Paul
These people all told what Jesus had done for them. They couldn’t help it. The shepherds weren’t instructed to do this. The leper was instructed not to! Peter and John wouldn’t dare do anything else. Paul repeatedly told his personal story of how Jesus has changed his life.
Why tell these stories? Well, they’re amazing stories of God interaction with humans! They speak of God’s love for sinners, and the forgiveness and healing He gives them through His Son.
Your story speaks of the same love, forgiveness and healing. Just as Jesus touched the life of Paul, He’s touched your life too.
“But my story isn’t as exciting as Paul’s”, you might say. That’s okay. Most people don’t come to faith in Christ through a blinding light and God speaking to them with an audible voice from heaven! Countless thousands have been gently born into the
“I came to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord in December 1956 when I was baptized as an infant. There is never a time in my life when I didn’t know Jesus to be my Savior. Oh, there were rough times along the way. I did a pretty good job trying to run away from him. But every time I turned around, there stood my heavenly Father with his arms outstretched, welcoming me back and affirming that my inheritance was still intact. You see, my story is a great example of God’s perfect faithfulness in the midst of my inconsistency. It is God taking me just as I am but not letting me stay that way.” (Gibson 23)
WHY MY STORY?
The following bullets are reasons why your personal story is an important tool when sharing Jesus with others. Evaluate each bullet as you read through them. Ask yourself, “Why does this matter?”
¨ Your story provides a contemporary context for the story of Jesus’ work of salvation.
¨ We communicate best when we’re speaking about what we know.
¨ Your story may not be movie material, but it’s real, and people can relate to real.
¨ Your friends trust you. They care about what you’ve been through. They’ll listen to what you have to say when it isn’t contrived.
¨ God has called YOU to share your faith with the people HE puts you in contact with (Acts
“I think that my simple story, with its details that make it particularly mine, of the Lord’s faithfulness in the life of a normal, everyday sinner is powerful. Why? Because most of the people I know are in the same boat. They can relate to a story like mine.
They can understand a story like yours.
So, what’s your story?” (Gibson 23)
GETTING ONTO THE FIELD
Take some time to work through the following questions. These will help you to be ready to share your story of Jesus’ interaction in your life – with others. It will be helpful to get a notebook to use as your personal witnessing journal.
- When were you born into God’s Family through the waters of Baptism? Where? By whom? Who else was there? Write down the date of your Baptism into Christ and celebrate it in some special way each year. (Galatians 3:26-29)
- Read Luke 15:11-32. Think about your history and compare it to the people of the parable. Who do you relate to most closely? How have you handled the amazing inheritance given you by your Heavenly Father?
- A co-worker of yours does not attend a church. His wife does. She encourages him to come with her, but he’s unsure what to expect and hasn’t as of yet. One day he sits down by you in the break room and asks, “My wife want me to go to church with her, but I’m not sure if I want to or not. You go to church, right? Why? What does it do for you?” How would you answer?
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