Tag: Missions

How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World? | Part 3

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

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Why would we want to be a Disciple of Jesus?

Continuing in Matthew 10:22-39, we are motivated to be a Disciple of Jesus because

(1) Jesus is worth it.

Serving God, being in His will and His promises are greater than any comfort this world offers. Nothing will provide ultimate fulfillment but Jesus. He alone provides a restored relationship with the Father and eternal life, which are the next two motivations.

(2) We experience a restored relationship with God (32-33).

Those who stand as Jesus’ representative to the world can count on Jesus standing as their representative to the Father. It is important Jesus stand as our representative. It is crucial He acknowledge us to the Father. If He doesn’t, our relationship with the Father is not restored. Instead of experiencing peace and eternal life, we experience eternal damnation. Those, however, whom Jesus represents have a restored relationship with the Father.

(3) We experience Eternal Life (22; 39).

A restored relationship with the Father results in eternal life. Those willing to give their life to spread Jesus’ message, and those who persevere to the end, experience eternal life. God makes that promisse. Since He is the All-Sovereign, All Mighty, Ruler of the Universe, the Creator of all things, we can trust His promises.

(4) Our persecutors will be punished (26).

All those who persecute God’s people, and never repent and turn to Christ, will be punished. Nothing is hidden from God. Every action against God’s people will be accounted for. Christians will be vindicated in the end. Our message will prove to be right. Our suffering will not be in vain. God’s name will be upheld.

We should want to be Jesus Disciple because:

  • Jesus is worth it.
  • We experience a restored relationship with God.
  • We receive eternal life.
  • Our Persecutors will be punished.

Realizing all the advantages we have in Christ, facing persecution for our beliefs pale’s in comparison to what we will experience in the life to come. Putting that into perspective should help us stand in the face of persecution now, and should motivate us to go out proclaiming the gospel as Jesus’ Disciples.

Looking Forward

What do we need to know to be an effective witness as a Disciple of Jesus? I will answer that question next time.

Resource

Post adapted from my recent sermon: How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World

How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World? | Part 2

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Practical2 Comments

Cross

What can we expect when we take the gospel message to the world as a Disciple of Jesus?

Matthew 10:16-24 tells us what to expect, and it is not your best life now.

(1) We can expect to be hunted by wolves (16)

Wolves are fierce protectors of their territory. If you have ever seen the movie The Grey you know what I mean. A group of men are traveling home from working in a remote Alaskan camp. A few minutes after take off their airplane goes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Instead of waiting for rescue, they set off in search of civilization.

As they do, they realize wolves are after them. One by one each of the surviving members are picked off, until one person is left. Without knowing it, their plane crashed at the edge of a wolf pack’s territory. Every step brought them closer to the wolves’ den.

As we go out to spread the gospel, we are entering wolf territory. Jesus sends us out as sheep. Sheep are natural prey of wolves. Like these men we too are hunted.

So as we go out with the message of the gospel, we are guaranteed to attract the attention of wolves. Wolves that don’t want us in their territory. Wolves that want nothing more than to take us out because we are spreading a message they don’t like.

(2) We can expect to be punished (17-18)

In order to get rid of us, these men, these wolves will deliver us over to courts and synagogues.

Reading through church history, you find most of the disciples were persecuted, even killed at the hands of courts.

Paul, one of the churches greatest missionaries, suffered at the hands of authorities. He was held in Roman jails. Flogged numerous times. Five times he received thirty-nine lashes. Forty would have resulted in death.

The church today experiences persecution.

  • Indonesian churches are being forced to close right now.
  • 900 Christians were murdered in Nigeria for their faith in 2012.
  • 191 Christians have been arrested and detained so far this year in Eritrea.
  • In Germany, a human rights courts recently rejected hearing cases of alleged discrimination against three UK Christians. One demoted for wearing a cross necklace to work. Another disciplined for refusing to conduct a same-sex marriage. The third fired for refusing to provide relational counseling to same-sex couples.

Lest we are naive, persecution is beginning to happen in the United States. We may not be imprisoned or put to death for our beliefs, but we are consistently marginalized as our society marches toward secularism.

  • In Manhattan, churches can no longer use public schools as places of worship.
  • The media continues to blast Christians for their beliefs, especially when it comes to same-sex marriage. We saw that with Tim Tebow and Louie Giglio recently.

We may not face intense persecution in the States, but persecution exists. Disciples of Jesus can expect it to occur.

(3) We can expect our own families to turn against us (21)

Jesus expects families to be divided in their loyalty to Him. Just because a father comes to Christ doesn’t mean his son or daughter will, and vice versa. Just because a sibling proclaims Christ doesn’t mean the others will. So in our families we can expect divided loyalty to Christ.

Divided loyalty may lead to persecution. Jesus speaks of family members handing each other over to be put to death. In some parts of the world this occurs today. Especially, in regions where Christianity is despised. Family members are disowned for professing Christ. In some cases, their life is sought by their own family because they are seen as an enemy.

So as we spread the gospel, we can expect our own family members to turn on us.

(4) We can expect to be hated and criticized (22)

When I lived in Fort Worth, I would talk to this one guy fairly often at the coffee shop. He was an atheist. If our conversation steered clear of Christianity, he was pleasant. As soon as we started talking about Christianity, however, a distinct change took place. Anger and hatred shone through in his tone and facial expressions. He hated Christ and those who followed Him, and it showed.

Hatred for Christ is not just reserved for coffee shop atheists. Listen to certain radio programs or read certain newspapers and you will find a hatred for Christianity exists in the media and larger culture.

It is only natural we be hated and criticized.

In Matthew 10:24-25, Jesus tells us we are not above Him. He is our Master. Our Leader. Our Savior. If people hated Him and criticized Him, they will hate and criticize us. If they rejected and killed Him, they will do the same to us. It has nothing to do with our likableness or personality. Rather, it has everything to do with what we believe.

The gospel is offensive.

It tells us we are all sinners. Corrupt, broken, rebels who need to be fixed. Fixing we can’t do on our own. We can’t remove our own sin. No amount of good works, or sacrifices will do. We can do nothing to reconcile our own relationship with God.

Thankfully, we have Jesus. He is the only one who reconcile our relationship with God. He does so through the cross.

Until we admit we are sinners, repent and turn from that sin, admit Jesus is our Savior, we remain enemies of God. Until we recognize He took the punishment we deserve. Until we admit those things, our relationship with God remains broken. We face His punishment, His Wrath for all eternity.

That message is offensive. Not only are we telling people they are sinners, who are corrupt and broken. We are also claiming Jesus is the only way to a restored relationship with God. Nothing else will do it. No amount of works. Nor any other religious belief. Jesus is the only way to a restored relationship with God and eternal life. Those who don’t believe in Jesus experience eternal punishment in hell.

Because our message is offensive, people hate us, which is what we can expect as Jesus’ Disciples.

Summary

Jesus’ Disciples can expect:

  • (1) To be hunted by wolves
  • (2) To be delivered over for punishment
  • (3) To have their own families turn against them
  • (4) And to be hated and criticized.

After reviewing a list like this, no one can accuse Jesus of sugarcoating what His disciples should expect as they go out with the gospel. He doesn’t attempt to deceive anyone. He shoots us straight. He tells us the cost.

Looking Forward

Who is ready to sign up to be Jesus’ disciple? Who is ready to have wolves hunt them? Who is ready to have their families turn on them? Who is ready to be hated and criticized? Who is ready to be persecuted? Doesn’t seem too appealing. Why would we want to be a Disciple of Jesus? I will answer that question next time.

Resource

Post adapted from my recent sermon: How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World

How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World? | Part 1

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

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Have you ever been sold on something that is too good to be true?

When I was first looking for a job out of college, I interviewed with several sales organizations. Like any new grad exploring a career in sales, the allure of making a lot of money quickly and easily captured me.

One company I interviewed with sold me on their process. They promised to set all my meetings for me with customers who were interested and qualified. All I had to do was show up and close the deal. Sounds good, but there were several red flags. Red flags that should have alerted me to the fact it wasn’t going to be as easy as they made it out to be.

The recruiter wouldn’t tell me much about the position. He just wanted me to attend the interview, which wasn’t an interview. It was their chance to sell me on a commission only position. The sales man did a great job because everyone in attendance was not only offered the job, but we all took it. A new pack of naive sales associates were ready to strike it rich.

Right then and there, I should have realized this job wasn’t as easy as they made it out to be, but I had to learn the hard way. A month later, no sales, a hundred dollars spent on gas, hundreds of miles traveled to worthless meetings with customers who were not interested or pre qualified, I threw in the towel. I realized everything they told me was a half truth. It had to be because no one would take the job. Deception was the trick up their sleeve.

Not so with Jesus. He doesn’t deceive His Disciples. He doesn’t sugar coat their mission. Jesus shoots them straight. He tells them exactly what to expect. He paints a picture of what will happen. The picture Jesus paints is not only reserved for the Twelve but for us as well.

Over the next three posts, we will take a look at Jesus’ painting. I’ll do that by answering three questions:

  • (1) What can we expect when we take the gospel message to the world as a Disciple of Jesus?
  • (2) Why would we want to be a Disciple of Jesus?
  • (3) What do we need to know in order to be an effective witness as a Disciple of Jesus?

Looking Forward

Next time, I answer the first question: What can we expect when we take the gospel message to the world as a Disciple of Jesus?

Resource

Post adapted from my recent sermon: How Jesus’ Disciples Will Be Treated By The World

What Does Our Mission Involve?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Evangelism, Practical1 Comment

On Mission

To understand what our mission as Jesus’ disciples involves, we must look to Jesus’ mission. As His disciples, His mission is our mission. In other words, those Jesus reached out to are the same ones we are to reach out to.

After Jesus finishes preaching His Sermon on the Mount, He comes down and heals several different groups of people. The miracles He performs not only informs us of Jesus’ authority, but also His mission.

Who Does Jesus Heal?

In Matthew 8:1-17, Jesus healed a leper, the Centurion’s servant, a woman, those possessed by demons, and those who had all kinds of sicknesses.

Lepers were outcasts, Centurions were Gentiles, and woman were considered second-class citizen’s. Jesus miracles then tell us we are to go to the outcasts, the nations, and those society considers unworthy. Not only are we to reach out to these groups, but we are to go to the spiritually oppressed. In other words, we are to go to all people’s.

What Are We To Proclaim?

Matthew quotes Isaiah in verse 17:

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

In order to understand Matthew’s use of Isaiah, we must realize disease, sickness, and spiritual oppression plagues us because of The Fall.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they plunged the entire human race into a corrupt world. Jesus’ death on the cross not only pays the penalty for our individual sins, but His sacrifice reconciles the world and brings about the restoration of all things.

Jesus’ death on the cross absorbed the sin bound up with our suffering.

If this is true, why do we still have sin and sickness?

It’s because we live in the already/not yet. Jesus’ earthly ministry and death inaugurates the kingdom, but sin will not be completely killed until He comes again.

Even though we still face the effects of sin, because Jesus took our illnesses and bore our diseases on the cross, we look forward to a time of perfection.

Conclusion

Since Jesus’ mission includes the restoration of all people’s, our mission as Jesus disciples should as well. We are to go to the outcasts, the nations, the second-class citizens, the spiritual oppressed, we are to go to all people’s.

We are to care for and share the gospel with them. We are to point all to the hope that is to come. The restoration of all things in Jesus Christ.

Questions for Reflection

  1. How are you reaching out to those Jesus calls us to be on mission to?
  2. What are some practical ways you would suggest to reach all kinds of people?

Resources

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Post adapted from my recent sermon, Jesus’ Mission in His Miracles.

Living as a Missionary in Your Community

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Discipleship, Evangelism, Pastoral, Practical5 Comments

Coffee Shop

I have been reading Tim Chester and Steve Timmis’ book Everyday Church this last week. In chapter 2, everyday community, they explain the need to live like missionaries in our own communities. In order to live like a missionary, we must ask the questions missionaries ask.

Questions Missionaries Ask

Where?

  1. Where are the places and activities we can meet people (the missional spaces)?
  2. Where do people experience community?
  3. Are there existing social networks with which we can engage, or do we need to find ways of creating community within a neighborhood?
  4. Where should we be to have missional opportunities?

When?

  1. What are the patterns and timescales of our neighborhood (the missional rhythms)?
  2. When are the times we can connect with people (the missional moments)?
  3. How do people organize their time?
  4. What cultural experiences and celebrations do people value? How might these be used as bridges to the gospel?
  5. When should we be available to have missional opportunities?

What?

  1. What are people’s fears, hopes, and hurts?
  2. What gospel stories are told in the neighborhood?
    • What gives people identity (creation)?
    • How do they account for wrong in the world (fall)?
    • What is their solution (redemption)?
    • What are their hopes (consummation)?
  3. What are the barrier beliefs or assumptions that cause people to dismiss the gospel?
  4. What sins will the gospel first confront and heal?
  5. In what ways are people self-righteous?
  6. What is the good news for people in this neighborhood?
  7. What will church look like for people in this neighborhood?

Conclusion

Reaching our communities with the gospel, means we need to know our neighborhoods, it’s people, and their stories, values, worldview, and culture. Asking these questions will help us to know and understand our communities better. It’s going to take some work, but it is worth it in order to reach our cities, communities, and neighborhoods. So let’s get to work answering these questions and living like missionaries in our own backyards.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you believe it is important we live as missionaries in our own neighborhoods? Why or why not?

Resources

Timmis & Chester, Everyday Church, 42-43.

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God’s Heart for the Nations

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals, Evangelism4 Comments

Did God’s plan for Israel fail resulting in Him creating another plan that included the nations? Let me say right off I believe the answer is no.

God’s Plan Has Always Included the Nations

Even though the Old Testament is primarily focused on the nation of Israel, we see a glimpse of God’s desire to save all nations. Resulting in His mission as always being focused on, and including, the nations.

Since God’s mission has always been focused on the nations, we, as God’s ambassadors, are to take up His mission to reach all peoples with the gospel.

With that in mind, let’s look at some key verses that I believe shows God’s heart for the nations.

Key Verses Showing God’s Heart for the Nations

Genesis 12:1-3

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God tells Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed in Him. He then is the source of blessing. From him comes the Messianic seed, Jesus, who is the Christ. It is Jesus who will bring redemption to all nations and all peoples (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:17; Matt. 1; Acts 3:26).

In Psalm 22:27-28, we are told that the Lord will rule over all nations and all nations will worship Him. Granted some will bow down unwillingly, but many will bow down willingly to God as their Lord and Savior.

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.

In Psalm 67, the Psalmist prays that God would bless the nation of Israel, so that His blessing on them would cause all the nations to know He is the one true God and worship Him.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!

In Isaiah 56:3,6-7, the foreigner is not kept from joining Himself to the Lord. Rather, he will be brought into God’s holy mountain. His  sacrifices will be accepted, and he will experience the joy of the Lord.

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say,
“The LORD will surely separate me from his people”;
and let not the eunuch say,
“Behold, I am a dry tree.”

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.”

In Zechariah 2:10-11, we are told that many nations will join themselves to the Lord.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

So then, after reading the verses above, we are not surprised at what Paul writes in Ephesians 3:1-6

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

As well as we are not surprised that in Galatians 3:28-29, Paul tells us that all those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved, and that all those who believe in Jesus by faith are Abraham’s offspring.

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Conclusion

The nations were not an afterthought. The Gentiles were not God’s Plan B. He has always had a concern for the nations. His desire has always been for them to experience salvation.

While Israel is God’s special people, experiencing special privileges, they are not God’s only people. Rather, they were the way in which God deemed right to bring salvation to all peoples. In short, Israel was God’s first ambassadors. They were how God manifested Himself to the nations. They were God’s light to the world.

Through God working in Israel the gospel has been made known to the Gentiles. As well as the gospel has been believed by the Gentiles because they were also foreordained to be God’s people.

So then, God has always had a heart for the nations. It has always been His plan to bring salvation to both Jews and Gentiles alike.

Application

Now that we know God’s mission, we are to take up His mission. We are to be His ambassadors, bringing the message of the gospel to all nations, so that all nations will experience salvation.

Questions for Reflection

  1. How are you doing at being a light for God where you work, live, and play?
  2. If we took our mission seriously, do you believe there would be more people reached with the gospel?
  3. Are you allowing the world’s comforts to stop you from sharing the gospel with others?

Resource

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