The Difference Between Son Powered and Wind Powered Life

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.   They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.   Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.   And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;  and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.   Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47 NASB)

In Acts 2, much attention in the chapter and from believers is focused on the immediate effects of their speech and the ensuing sermon of Peter.  It seems the end of the chapter gets disconnected from the noisy event of the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit.  I'd like to correct that problem.  I start by asking a very strange question:  Would you rather have the Son of God to follow, or the Holy Spirit to lead you?  See, I told you it was odd.

Hopefully, after some mental wrangling, the initial panic of heresy calms down and the decision is pondered as a "win-win" set of options.  I ask because of something at the end of Acts 2 that is amazing to me, especially as an American.  When I consider that 3,000 people from all over the world were added to 120 believers in Jerusalem, I have to wonder if the logistics of that was overwhelming to the initial 120.  We don't typically think about it, but 3,000 people needed jobs, places to live, food, all in Jerusalem.  Did Jerusalem's economy support such a surge in population?  The economy of Jerusalem at that time probably did not support such a surge easily.  As people left the festival to return home, the jobs actually decreased, not increased (although housing was more available).

So God has brought 3,000 souls to the church in one morning, most of them are from elsewhere and haven't lived in Jerusalem.  What do you do now?  The believers settled into an interesting pattern.  They continued in focusing on four things:  the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread (communion?), and prayer.  In order to meet the overwhelming needs, the people shared everything (they had all things in common).  In fact, some sold property and used the proceeds to assist in meeting these new needs. 

Where did they learn that?  What in their Scriptures told them that was the correct response to such a need?  Would you believe the laws on tithing?  In Deuteronomy 14:28-29, a use for the tithe is given that is overlooked almost universally by Jesus' followers.  I suspect that part of the teaching of the apostles included a solution based on these principles.  There are other passages that could have been used, but this one specifically addresses those among the people who did not have any land among them.  At the time those in these categories were ineligible to own land among them (at least the "alien").  So while 2/3 of the tithe went to the temple (to be used for a party by the way), the other 1/3 was used to help the needy around them.

Two reasons I don't see the response of the believers to this need as a direct effect of the noisy wind-and-fire-tongue event is that they already had "received" the Holy Spirit.  They selected their Twelfth Man before this, so the Holy Spirit was already working in them to solve issues.  It was nice to have that twelfth guy once the 3,000 showed up, that was good timing (or God-timing).  And, second, it wasn't just the 120 (i.e. the ones in the room when it happened) that were sharing.  It turns out Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, had property in the area (or maybe elsewhere) who sold it and gave the proceeds to the apostles.  They eventually nick-named him Barnabas.  I believe he was an example of the scope of the sharing. 

So what I see is a Spirit-led response to need through generosity.  It's not that they were all "gifted" with generosity, the all responded in that way.  All needs were shared, and so were all the possessions necessary to meet the needs.  In the United States, we are offended when we're told, "you didn't build that."  We take our possessions very seriously.  The fruit of our labor is ours, we worked hard for it, we did too build it!  Yet Scripture asks us, what do we have that did not come from our Master?  Sure that's not what was meant when we were told we didn't build what we have, but I have to agree that I didn't build what I have apart from my Master's provision.  So is it possible that He has provided these possessions to me so that I might have more to give to meet the needs around me?

No one has the right to ask me to give my possessions to meet needs, except my Master.  The needs around me can be met by other sources, but what about His call on me?  I can't solve the problems, meet all the needs, and make everyone happy.  But I don't think the call is to either of those things, those are the jobs of my Master.  What He wants of my is the resources He has entrusted to me so He can use them to meet those needs, solve those problems, and bring happiness to the ones in need.  I have a few loaves and some fish (I'm always happy to give up fish).  I can't solve anything.  This isn't about solving the problems, it's about the things entrusted to me by my Master being available to Him for His purposes.  Well, I think some budget adjustments may need to be made in my household.  What fun...oh wait, I'm to be a cheerful giver.  What fun!  To see what God will do is one of the most fun things there is.  I just have to hold on to that thought.

What About the Village People?

Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.  And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.  And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.  So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers.  "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left."  Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere -- this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah -- like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.  So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other.  Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.  Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.  The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.  I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.  Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you."  Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. (Genesis 13:5-18 NASB)

After returning from Egypt, the extensive amount of grazing required for both Abram and Lot was too much for the around them to support.  To solve the strife between the two sets of shepherds, Abram let Lot choose where he would go.  Looking about, Lot saw that the areas around the Jordan were more lush than the mountain and hills of Canaan.  He chose the Jordan region.

It says that Lot settled among the cities of the "valley", and specifically beside Sodom.  It also comments that even then, the men of Sodom were evil and tremendous failures to God.  As the chapters progress, it becomes clear that Lot's choice was a very bad one.

Another note is that the Canaanites and the "Perizzites", or villagers, were then in the land too.  So, this problem was affecting more than just the herdsmen, flocks, and herds of Abram and Lot.  The people who actually lived and worked the land were also affected, even if not involved in the dispute.  The villagers of Canaan watched as Lot took his things and headed for the Jordan Valley.  They witnessed what would probably not have been the solution reached by the "city-states" around them.

After Lot leaves, God speaks to Abram.  Standing on the hills around Beth-El and the "Ruins" God asks him to look around, north, south, east and west.  Not only will all this land be his but his offspring will be as numerous as the dust of the land.  This is the promise to a man with a barren wife.  God then tells him to walk around his future gift to his descendants.  He goes from Beth-El to Hebron; or from the middle of Canaan to a hill country mid way between Beth-El and the southern edge of Canaan.  There he parks himself in the trees of Mamre.  This, along with the Oak of Moreh, become favorite hang outs of Abram.  There he builds another altar to God.

Do I consider the people outside my "church" when dealing with things inside it?  What I mean by that is do I consider the "others", or just the person I'm dealing with, or just my point of view, or just what this means to my place of worship?  Even if I'm not being "selfish", am I being "kingdom minded"?  There are great promises of my Master, things He has in His mind to accomplish in my community.  He doesn't need me to do them, but if I want to be a part of what He does, I need to accept and submit to His perspective at the cost of my own.

What if I wind up with the lesser options?  What if I get less than everyone else?  What happens to my family?  What happens to my favorite songs, favorite "chair" in the worship center, and my position of respect?  What if I loose respect because I took the lower seat at the table, and was left there?  Well, as long as I don't loose my relationship with my Master.  I'm good with all the rest (or at least I should be).

Good on Purpose, in Prayer and Circumstances

Does God work all things in my life together to provide subject matter for my intercessory prayer?  I’m sure He does, but I don’t think it is limited to that.  I also believe He works all things together for good in my life as part of His will in reaching my neighborhood, my community, and so on.  I fit in this place at this time for a specific purpose of my Master.  I don’t know what it is, but I know that knowledge is coming.  Until it does, my responsibility is to be available to Him in my daily life.

Ironically, the verse does not read in Greek like I thought it would.  There isn’t something that says it is God’s plan/purpose.  That is implied by the “called” characteristic, and it is that.  The word, “called” is an adjective, not a verb.  It describes those referred to.  The verb is a participle of the verb to be.  The last phrase reads, “…, to/for the ones being called according to a plan/purpose.”  The plan and purpose refer to God’s plan or purpose only because the ones are “called”.  What Paul is doing by phrasing it in this way is keeping the reference to “all things” open to whatever God might be doing instead of some single plan He does everywhere. 

That means it applies to me here.  I have the unmistakable stamp of God’s direction to this place and to be settled in this place.  Now, all things will work together for good.  The last piece is that I need to permit my Master to define “good”.  Just when I thought it was going to be easy, reality settles in.  It’s not what I think is good, or good for me, at least not necessarily.  What will be produced by the working together of all things is what is good for my Master’s Kingdom.  That will be a good that will reach lives in this neighborhood and community.  I can think of nothing better.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 7

Is Obedience the Key to Usefulness to my Master?

In John 14, the “pep-talk” Jesus gives His disciples is full of rather peculiar elements.  Chambers says that Jesus never insists upon obedience, and yet Jesus says to His disciples in the same discourse referenced by Chambers that, “a new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  Is a commandment not insistence?

 

I suppose such a command is not insistence like Chambers is referring to.  He basically means that Jesus doesn’t force obedience, but allows choice regarding obedience.  It does seem rather strange that in this I have choice, in salvation not so much (am I the elect?).  Here again, I see his point, but I also believe he goes a bit far with it.  He says that my Master does not give me rules, and yet He gives me a new commandment.  True it’s not a rule in the traditional sense, but it has a few similarities.

 

What I can’t do is limit my Master to what He will accomplish, even through me.  I have seen far too often in retrospect, that my Master will accomplish something through me almost regardless of me.  I think He does this because it demonstrates how little I am needed for His work.  I’m invited, but not indispensable. That’s comforting, because of the sheer number of mistakes I make, I’d hate the stress of believing someone else’s eternity depended upon me.  So, I don’t posit my Master’s ability to reach through me on me.  What I posit on my obedience is the degree to which I participate and the degree to which I am aware of His work.

 

When my fear stops me from engaging obediently in my community, then I cut myself off from the blessings of seeing my Master work.  He still works, and will even use me from time to time, I just don’t see it except in retrospect.  I miss the blessings of joy and excitement to see my Master accomplish the miracle of redemption in the lives of people around me.  That’s a big blessing to give up just because I don’t know what might happen.

 

I hope to have a teacher meeting this afternoon, and perhaps that will provide an opportunity to engage obediently with my community in a real manner.  But there may be others.  I had a remote control helicopter crash two back yards away, which gave me the opportunity to meet some neighbors I don’t normally see.  I guess I just never know where the opportunities may come from.  Perhaps I need to fly the silly helicopter more and meet more people that way?  I’m sure there are better ways, like… wow, such a lack of creativity.  I am so dependent upon my Master, even for creative ways to meet the neighbors.  Maybe I need more coffee this morning.

 

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 2

The Commission Flanked with Power and Presence

The “Great Commission” has been used to the point it has faded into familiarity for many believers.  In some ways it has for me simply because so many have miss used it, calling themselves “Great Commission Churches” but seeming to leave out the foundation of the “sending”; that all power was given to Jesus.  It’s as if they are saying, “we have the commission, so let’s go, we got this!”  The commission is not “power” but direction, and not even complete direction.

One element of the commission discussed ad nausem is the grammatical structure. It’s a difficult structure to disentangle.  But the meaning is fairly straight forward, regardless of how the grammatical structure is understood.  It seems like a procedural command, laying out the process used to reach the world.  In Luke Jesus gave the geographical picture, here He gives the procedural.  Regardless of how the grammar is understood, one element not open for debate is the foundation that all power in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.  That much is crystal clear.

So, when I read the procedures, I see procedures that stem from the power of my Master.  It’s not my ability or talent for making disciples (or even going), but His power.  It’s not my knack for teaching or communicating that transmits what I have been taught, but the power of my Master.  And it is not my presence in the lives of others that tips the scales of their heart toward Jesus, but the powerful presence  of Jesus; right up to the completion of this age.

The power wielded by Jesus sends me out, enables all peoples to become disciples, emboldens all peoples to be baptized, opens hearts and minds to learn, and awakens souls to the presence of my Master.  I have little to do with it.  I am a spectator of the power at work around and through me.  It is and always has been Jesus saving the world; including my community.  The question is not “can He” or “will He”, but will I join Him obediently, will I submit to His sending me out into the community.  It is when I go obediently that I witness the power of my Master at work in the lives around me, and in my own.

The going, the discipling, the baptizing, the teaching all enables me to behold that Jesus is with me all the way; that it is Him at work all throughout.  Without His power and presence there would be very little of the discipling, baptizing, teaching and no witnessing of the power of my Master.  It can’t be about me, my church, my pastor, or my small group.  It must be about my Master and stem from my connection to Him; that my name is written in the book of life.

So, when the Great Commission is again pulled out and examined, let me start with the power of my Master, and end with His presence.  The stuff in the middle is encompassed in those two things.  Very little else is important.  Jesus is Master and King, let me be the servant introducing others to an audience with Him, bowing out and shutting the door, allowing them to speak together in peace.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 27

Everything to Everyone to Reach Someone

One of the things that my ministry buddy, Paul, said that sort of troubles me is that he became all to everyone so that he might rescue some.  I just have a problem with being so flexible with my personality.  I don’t take it to the extreme that our culture is pushing for, being true to yourself and all that.  But on the other hand, bowing to every whim is not cool either.

It’s when I read the preceding verses that it begins to make more sense.  To the Jews he became a Jew to win Jews, he became as one under the law of Moses to win those under the law of Moses, to those not under the law of Moses, as one not under the law of Moses but under Christ to win those not under the law of Moses, and to the weak he became weak to win the weak.  I get that.  He identified with anyone in any condition so that he could lead them from there to his Master.  It didn’t take flexibility of personality, it took humility.

When I was most disenchanted with church-people during my time in ministry, it was easy to reach people who were disenchanted with church people.  They were everywhere.  When I agreed with their assessment of church, they were shocked, but that position got through their defenses and I was able to talk about my Master instead of my fellow frail human creatures.  It worked then accidentally, but it works in all walks of human life.  In fact, it is one of those things that makes me skilled at sales, being able to identify with my customers regardless of size of firm or walk of life.

The main reason I don’t do this with people I meet around me day in and day out is pride and fear.  I don’t know what I’m proud of necessarily, nor do I really know what I’m afraid of.  Perhaps being bullied as a kid by people who were something like the people around me?  Perhaps, but probably not, at least not when I think about it more.  My pride is more understandable, but even less acceptable.  I used to tell people that whatever they saw in me that was good and noble was my Master, and whatever was ugly and bad was really me.  That’s a pretty good summary.

I have no reason to fear, nor a reason to be proud.  What do I have that I have not been given by my Master?  So what do I have that need to fear losing?  And what do I have that I can be proud of personally?  In all things I should point to my Master and bow out of the way.  How hard can it be?  Well, it seems that it can be very hard for me.

I live among people in various walks of life and degree of problems.  Well, I live in a “walk of life” with corresponding problems.  I have trouble with my daughter, who doesn’t have trouble with their emerging teen?  I have trouble with my wife who is very emotional after the loss of her beloved aunt.  Well, yeah!  Hello! It’s called grief and is a very real and necessary part of life!  So far it sounds pretty normal as opposed to exceptional.  And where do I find what I need to face these elements of my life?  Prayer.  So why would I be prideful again?

Why not identify with those out of a job?  I’ve been there, scrambling to find something so I can put food on my family’s table.  Why not identify with those without a home?  I’ve been there too, living with relatives until God provided.  Why not identify with those without hope?  I’ve been there when my Master crushed my expectations of Him and took my unborn child.  It’s not like my Master has brought me on a different path than everyone else.  It has been through addiction, through loss, through gain, and through freedom.

Why I fight identifying with those around me in order to rescue some of them is really incomprehensible.  I hope to have a small group in my area to try and reach some.  It would be helpful to identify with some of them first.  That might make it easier for them to come to any small group.  I guess I know what I need to do in response to this entry today. 

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 25