Monday: Risking for Success
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
Members of Seventh-day Adventist churches have tremendous ministry potential. Many are enthusiastic about involvement in their church’s evangelism strategies, however those in leadership are sometimes reticent to let them get involved. Behind this “only professionals can do it” mind-set is the fear that church members may do or say something wrong, causing people to turn away from Christ and His church. Sadly this resistance to member involvement is so ingrained that it prevails even when people have been adequately trained for a ministry. The Holy Spirit and the promises He brings aren’t just for the leaders; they are for all who are willing to surrender in faith and submission to the Lord, to all who are willing to deny self and work for the salvation of others.
What principle taught by Jesus in Matthew 7:17-18 should allay the fears of concerned leaders? How do we distinguish between good and bad fruit, and how should the church leadership as a whole be involved in this process? Also how do we do this without judging others?
If every sound tree bears good fruit, church leaders should focus on growing sound trees. As with everything that has to do with our response to the gospel call, we must first be someone for Jesus before we can successfully do things for Him. If we give adequate attention to the leading of people into a meaningful and deepening relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will ensure that they bear the right fruit. Our part is to lead, teach, and train. God’s part is to bless their ministry. We need to trust them and God. If we give adequate attention to spiritual growth and practical skills, we can trust people to produce the right fruit of evangelistic success. Certainly, there may be an element of risk depending on the ministry undertaken and the level of training, but we must remember that even the disciples, who had the greatest Teacher ever, never won every soul to which they appealed.
Have you ever felt that your gifts and talents were not appreciated? What might be the cause? Look inside yourself and see if, perhaps, the fault might lie there with you and some of your own attitudes (pride, and so on) instead of somewhere else?
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Every member has right to evangalise to his/her society everyday. Spreading the gospel is not confined to the pulpit but every word or action made by a member should be a sermon on its own.
It is true, somebody can't be ready to rebuke a weakness they themselves have. But when we live according to how Christ expects, we shall have the ability to know people by their fruits and thereafter God will be the final party in judgement.
Shari, perhaps all judgment belongs to God and not to us. (John 5:22, Romans 14:10) If as John has written all judgment belongs to Christ, how much does that leave for us? If we do any of it then Christ really doesn't have it all does He?
Terry, that thing comes from the fact that we all need to be sanctified. For it is written: no one is righteous... Rom 3:10. Therefore, everyone needs to concentrate on their own weakness rather than paying attention on the other's weaknesses: Matthew 7:3. This also brings all people in the church at the same level. May the only thing we can do is to advise, convert and atmost correct.
I think our participation with Church and personal evangelism reflects our "connectedness" with the power source, Jesus, and being convicted and lead by the Holy Spirit. If we really want to witness for Jesus, I believe that if the Holy Spirit is central to our walk with Jesus, there really isn't anything that can stop us but ourselves. The old adage of "where their is a will, there is a way" is true in this context. The question therefore is how close are we with our walk in Jesus? Do we follow in His footsteps? How often to seek a regular "in-filling" of His power? And in spite of the many distractions of our time do we prioritize and ensure Jesus is 1st and foremost at the start and end of our day.
So my point, to be an effective witness, whether through corporate church acitivity or personal, are we connected and do we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to remain connected to be effective in His work, evangelizing the Great Good News of the Gospel?
“only professionals can do it” mind set is very much found among the leaders. This mind set has ignored many enthusiastic, committed God fearing members from involving in the ministry. When filled by the Holy spirit even humble and simple people can do greater things for Christ. "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do" John 14:12. The promise of Jesus is not only for professionals but for all those who believe in Jesus. Hope every one understand this concept. the other day I read a notice to do certain ministry minimum qualification "Masters degree in Religion" Peter James and John did not have Master's degree. They were with Christ and they believed Christ. That is simple. Let us trust John 14:12
And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” Judges 6:14. The success in the ministry does not depend on what degree you have or how professional you are in that trade. It depends on the willingness and the obedience to god's command to "go ye therefore" and totally truest that it is that the Lord Jesus sends me. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus" Acts.4:13. Be with Jesus the success is yours.
A dormant lake eventually becomes stagnant and repugnant. A flowing stream, cleanses itself through natural filtration. So it is with the Christian walk. If we are inactive, Jesus promises; “He will spew us out.” While if we take the “risk”, become active in His cause as He commissioned us to be in Matt. 28:18-20, we will become life changers for His kingdom. A Flowing stream being cleansed daily by His grace. He will then be pleased to declare us as worthy to be partakers of His glory. Let’s become Risk Takers for Jesus. He did for us.