Always Prepared!

It seems to me that life for the American Christian has gotten both more complicated and more “cutting edge” over the past decade.  There was a time in the not so distant past when the average believer in Jesus could safely assume that if the person in front of him in line at the grocery story was not a Christian, at least she had heard the Gospel of Jesus and had received some kind of opportunity to respond. Further in many cities in mid-America, people could assume that others had a church membership somewhere … and even if they weren’t active, could in some sense be called “a Christian.”  This made life easier for Christians because it meant that we didn’t have to be concerned with evangelism, with communicating our faith to non-believers.  As long as pastors in the community did that every Sunday, pretty much everyone was covered and Christians could engage in mission by giving dollars for international work.

Of course, even in the heyday of the American church in the 50’s, there were still opportunities for local evangelism as there have always been non-Christians in every community.  Still, it didn’t seem like a pressing priority.  How things have changed!  Now even in Eau Claire, we wouldn’t be surprised to have a Hindu move in next door, a complete secularist working in the next office, a New Age adherent checking us out in the store, and a skeptic as an exercise partner.  This has complicated our lives as there are now many perspectives for us to learn; and at the same, it has put us on the cutting edge of world missions as the US is now the third largest mission field in the world (following China and India).

In this “new world” which in many ways is like the “old world” of the first century, the Apostle Peter gives us a major challenge:  “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 3:15 (NIV)]  I believe that “always being prepared” involves two important elements:  first of all, that we are able to communicate the basics of the story of Jesus and his love for us.  We need to be able to relate why it was so important for Jesus to come to this earth (our sin) and the impact of his death and resurrection (giving us freedom, forgiveness, and life with God).  Secondly, we are better prepared the more we know how others are thinking about God and life.  This kind of preparation involves asking questions, listening, and learning.   While we don’t have to become an expert in every religion and philosophy, the more we know, the better prepared we will be to speak of Jesus in an insightful and relevant way.

You’re probably thinking, “All this sounds like a lot of work!”  You’d be right … it’s part of loving others enough that we want to be able to engage them in conversation with a better appreciation as to where they’re coming from.  It is part of showing them respect even as we are trying to influence them with the Gospel of Jesus.

– Pastor Mark

Chapters for October 26 – Novmeber 1

• Acts 2
• Acts 17
• Acts 26
• Romans 5

Well, my family and I are 4 days into the beans and rice challenge.  It’s not that bad, really, save for the amount of time I’ve spent cooking rice for 3 meals a day.  But I’m the kind of person who likes a challenge.  The kids need frequent reminding about why it is we’re doing this – they’re sick of rice.  Ben doesn’t say much about it.  I think he indulges in work – candy dishes on coworkers’ desks and so forth.  OK, I admit, a former client brought muffins in to my work the other day, and I ate one.  Hey, it was free!

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about our whole “Love Eau Claire” initiative.  I have to say it’s really not hard for me to commit to doing something good, when it’s got a parameter.  Eat beans and rice for 5 days to save money for Feed My People – no problem.  Go out and clean up someone’s yard one Saturday afternoon - no problem.  Help serve dinner at Community Table twice a year – no problem.  But what does this really say about me?  That I’m willing to give a little time a few days a year?  Don’t get me wrong, I really believe in the things Peace does to serve our community.  But what about the other 357 days a year?  What am I doing to love my neighbor on those days?

God calls us to love our neighbor.  Luke 10:27  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  God calls us to be kind to our neighbor, not matter what!  1 Peter 3:8 ‘…all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate & humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.’

So, I’m reminded that loving my neighbor is not just in the occassional efforts I commit to a few times a year, but in the acts of kindness I have the opportunity to commit every day.  It’s letting the person with just two items go ahead of me in the checkout, even though they just rolled their eyes at my full cart of groceries; it’s helping the elderly gentleman pick up the box of donuts he dropped on the pavement; it’s smiling at the the owly looking lady walking down the sidewalk towards me; it’s lending an extra hand to the overwhelmed nurse at work, even though she snapped at me yesterday; it’s smiling and waving ‘that’s OK’ to the guy who just cut me off with his car; it’s commending my coworker on the excellent job she did dealing with a client.  The list could go on and on.  All moments that I could let slip by, frown at, ignore.  But then I would not be loving my neighbor, would I?  I’d like to say that I always take the high road, but I don’t.  I’d like to say that I take advantage of opportunities to be kind, but I don’t.  And when I don’t, I’m not letting other’s see Christ through me.

So, in the coming weeks, I challenge you to commit to Peace’s “Love Eau Claire” initiatives.  But well beyond that, commit to  ’love your neighbor,’ in everything that you do, in every moment of every day.

Jen Priem

Bible Chapters for October 19-25

• Luke 10
• Acts 14
• Acts 18
• I Peter 3

The Sign of Jonah

What did Jesus mean by the sign of Jonah?

Did Jesus only mean that he would be in the tomb for 3 days? What other sign did Jonah receive in Jonah chapter 4?

Take a guess and post….

Don’t miss this weeks message (we’ll give you the answer).

Bible Chapters for October 12-18

 

• Jonah 1
• Jonah 4
• Matthew 12
• Revelation 22

The energetic Life

We watch Paul at work in Acts 16. I think Paul gives us a picture of “right living” (righteousness). He did whatever it took to communicate the love of Christ wherever he was to whoever was there. He was relentless in his work – he went wherever he was lead. Doors were opened for him – doors were closed – but he kept on going – just like the energizer bunny! He preached to whoever would listen. And when he ran into opposition – he spoke more boldly and with greater conviction. Then when things weren’t going so well, he worshipped, gave thanks and Rejoiced. Then he would rejoice again!
Wow! And that’s just one chapter in Acts. How does a person live like that? Where does one find the energy, the strength, the passion, the love, and the joy? It seems to me it’s because he had encountered the “living Christ” and his life was clearly changed. A life that’s been touched by the “living Christ” has a new strength, a new energy – a boldness and passion that only comes from Jesus. Paul inspires me to run the race of faith with great Passion! His life encourages me to seek time with Jesus – for it is in time spent with Jesus that I find new passion for life, the energy and strength to live life with meaning and purpose. And that, my dear friends, is the source of Joy that only Christ can bring. That joy comes to us in the midst of all circumstances. For Paul – that was even in the midst of a dark prison cell where he was thrown after being flogged for his preaching the truth. For me – well, it’s finding joy in the days that are filled with God-sightings and productive work, but also, finding joy in those moments of frustration and disappointment. For when I continue to find time with the risen Christ – He will continue to fill my life with unspeakable joy and energy for life.

Where Are We Going, God?

The missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul have any number of intriguing elements … but at the top of my list from a leadership perspective is the guidance of the Holy Spirit given to Paul and his companions. One seriously mysterious example is found in Acts 16 … “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” [Acts 16:6-10 (NIV)]

This passage stimulates more questions than answers. Why would the Holy Spirit have kept Paul from preaching the Good News in the Roman province of Asia and how did the Spirit prevent him from doing so? What did Paul encounter on the border of Mysia and Bithynia (border guards?, a sci-fi like force field?, a strong impression? an audible voice? …) and how could he be sure that this was the Holy Spirit’s guidance? We would love it if Luke had provided us more details. What we know is that this period of uncertainty was settled by a vision that Paul received to head to Macedonia and further missionary adventures.

Without pretending to have the answers to the above questions, here are some observations:

1) There is the strong impression that Paul embarked on this missionary journey from Antioch with no clear missionary strategy beyond visiting the churches that were already established in Asia Minor (today’s Turkey). He didn’t know for sure where he’d be going. He knew that were many more places to go where the Gospel needs to be shared, but he would allow God to provide the itinerary. And God did!

In a similar fashion, we engage in God’s mission individually and corporately in the church without knowing ahead of time the details of God’s plan for us. We are absolutely clear as to the central purpose of the mission: make disciples for Jesus Christ. And then we go out and as I like to put it, “we try stuff” … we move in a certain direction, try particular strategies, communicate God’s love in particular ways, and look for his blessing. If we waited for absolute clarity as to God’s perfect plan for us, we’d likely become paralyzed by uncertainty. But we act, trusting that God will show us when we need to change course.

2) It is arguably easier to change the direction of a moving boat than it is one that is dead in the water. I have only limited sailing experience in small single sail boats, but I know that steering the boat in a desired direction is a lot easier when there is some wind and some forward velocity. I suspect that the same was true for the Spirit’s work in Paul’s life. As Paul was moving forward toward new opportunities in sharing the Gospel, the Spirit could direct him to those cities in which the spiritual ground was fertile … in which hearts were open.

There is a certainly a time to “wait on the Lord” for direction. But I think that God wants us to be “on the the road” of mission trusting that he will direct our forward momentum in those path which will be most fruitful for his kingdom. Staying safe and sedentary in one place (as has tended to be the reality for so many American churches) is ultimately unfaithful.

3) It is crucial that we don’t get so set on our particular direction/strategy that we fail to be sensitive to the Spirit’s guiding. Paul wanted to go to Bithynia but he continued to listen to God, open to whatever course corrections were necessary. So it is that Christians can and must be people of the Word, people of prayer, people who are seeking to discern individually and together where God is taking them. I believe that at Peace, now is a time when we especially need to be sensitive to God’s direction for us in mission and ministry.

Pastor Mark

Bible Chapters for October 5-12

Psalm 6
Psalm 142
Acts 16
Philippians 4