ObeyGC²: Slaying the global evil giants virally

Pun intended. The global evil giants of spiritual emptiness (lostness), self-serving leadership (which leads to all sorts of injustice and suffering), grinding poverty, pandemic diseases, and crippling ignorance are foes so large that no one has been able to defeat them. The United Nations, the United States, business, military, government, no one. By most measures we have been losing ground on all these fronts when the global situation is considered. Perhaps the brightest of these is the battle against lostness, but even though the church is growing faster than it ever has in history, it still isn’t keeping pace with population growth.

The church has not played the role it should in any of these battles. The biggest problem has been that most of the manpower in the church is sidelined for no good reason. For some reason, most of us have been led to believe that the only significant contribution which can be made in these battles is by professionals because the giants are so big and so intimidating. The fact of the matter is that all of us who pledge allegiance to God are called and equipped to be in the battle against these giants at all times. We are all “soldiers” and “priests” and “prophets” and “kings” whether or not we are professional missionaries, trainers, business gurus, doctors, or teachers. The more quickly we can spread this message and model it for others in a “viral” fashion, the more quickly we can make a difference in the epic battle against the giants. Snowflakes by themselves are fragile, but when enough of them get together they can stop traffic, close down a city, or even create an avalanche. If enough ordinary people are involved doing the simple things they can do and getting those they are helping involved as well, the faster we can win this battle.

Let’s be like Joshua and Caleb who gave the good report after spying out the land of Canaan. The other ten spies looked at the giants and the great walled cities and said Israel would be unable to take the land. Joshua and Caleb looked at their God and said, “He will surely give us the land.” The people followed the advice of the ten and had to wander in the wilderness and die for another forty years. Joshua and Caleb alone survived from their generation and they were proved right when God did give them the land forty years later when they finally had the courage to obey Him and attack the giants.

Num 13:27-28a, 30-32 ;14:1-3, 6-10a
27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.”

30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.

14:1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.

ObeyGC²: Helping people help themselves and others

The primary emphasis communicated in this summary is that of the intentionally reproductive and multiplicative nature of service characterized by ObeyGC² values. We are blessed to be a blessing. That is the upshot of the call of Abraham and the promise God made to him. We are spiritual descendants of Abraham and inherit the same calling and the same promise. This was God’s intention for the nation of Israel as well, although they did rather less well in fulfilling it. We are the spiritual Israel, adopted into God’s family. Let’s live it out.

Matt 10:7-8
7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Luke 12:48b
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

2 Tim 2:1b-3
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

ObeyGC²: Living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission

This is probably the most all-encompassing summary of ObeyGC² It makes it abundantly clear that ObeyGC² is about living a life of discipleship. The first entry in this blog addresses this foundational issue. Belief in the right things is worthless and meaningless if you aren’t living out those beliefs.

James 2:8-19
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

The world isn’t being changed by “altar calls.” ObeyGC² is an alter call.

The word “repent” actually means to change one’s mind. The idea is to turn around; change direction. At the bottom of this idea is a change from serving oneself and one’s own desires and values and give one’s allegiance instead to Christ. His values, His desires, His direction are adopted as one’s own. This can be viewed as a change from pride to an attitude of humility; from seeing oneself as king to seeing Christ as King. That means all that I am, all that I’m not, all that I have, all that I hope to be are His. It also means I actively seek what His desires for me are. The best place to find this sort of information is in the Bible. The best summary of this can probably be found in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Matt 18:1-4
18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

ObeyGC² will be carried out by little bands of ordinary radicals. Can that change the world? That’s the only way it’s ever been done!

For good or ill, this is how it has happened. The greatest example is the rag-tag bunch we refer to as Jesus’ disciples. They were certainly ordinary (until Jesus and the Holy Spirit transformed them). They were unquestionably radicals. They have changed the world beyond reckoning. We are their spiritual descendants. Let’s live up to our heritage. We have the same Lord, the same God, the same Spirit, the same Kingdom, the same purpose, the same calling, the same power. What are we waiting for?

Acts 17:6b-7
They dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”
NKJV

1 Cor 1:18-25

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

There was recently a podcast on our work posted on Engaging Missions.  It is by Bryan Entzminger.  Here is the link:

http://engagingmissions.com/curtissergeant

There was also a recent podcast on Movements.Net.  It is by Steve Addison.  Here is the link:

http://www.movements.net/2014/12/09/curtis-sergeant-on-training-workers-for-multiplication-podcast.html

The means of ObeyGC² must express the end we desire; the journey is as essential as the destination.

The end does not justify the means, especially when the end is the Kingdom of God and His glory. The message and the messenger must match. The delivery must be consistent with the message. Any type of training will be most effective when it includes a model. Being a disciple is, by definition, being a follower. We can best equip others to follow when we show them how to follow. Being a good model requires doing the right thing in the best way that can be emulated by the person you are modeling for. This is a big topic which I will come back to later…

1 Cor 11:1
11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Phil 3:17

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

1 Tim 4:12
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Col 2:6-7

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

1 John 1:5-7
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Love can build or destroy community, depending on its object. One who loves the dream of an ideal community will destroy it; one who loves those around them will build it.

Christians can be harsh, mean, judgmental, and condemning in the name of God if they view themselves as defending orthodoxy, purity, and the “right” way. Of course, orthodoxy, purity, and the “right” way are all important, but there is an appropriate spirit in which to correct people and a correct procedure to follow when making such corrections. The “Golden Rule” is a good measure here: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). We should help others improve out of a spirit of love, not vindictiveness or an accusatory stance. Most often people want to do the best possible job in serving the Lord and in following Him. Usually they simply haven’t been shown a better way.

Gal 6:1
6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Matt 11:18-19

18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

Matt 18:15-17

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

Luke 9:49-56

49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.”

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;

52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.

54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

ObeyGC² will not be attractive to everyone. The invitation to come and suffer and sacrifice and give and die is not convenient, comfortable or attractive to those who have a lot to lose or who fear risk.

Ironically, it is the people who are most satisfied now who are the least likely to get what’s worth having in the long run. This is a good way to summarize the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:2-10. Evidently, of all the temptations to cling to something that’s available now at great cost to one’s eternal welfare, money is one of the most powerful. I base this on the fact that Jesus spent so much time talking about it. There are plenty of other things and people which can short-circuit our commitment to the Lord…anything which keeps us from following Him unreservedly. Is there anything you are unwilling to sacrifice if the Lord asks you to?

Matt 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matt 19:16-24

16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

ObeyGC² doesn’t focus so much on what we are against that we forget what we are for.

This is another way of encouraging us to be people who learn to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Focus on the positive. What can we do to encourage one another to do more of what’s right? I’ve heard from several sources (so I don’t know if any of them is original) that we should seek to make at least four positive, reinforcing comments for every negative correction. This is not something I’m naturally good at. Many times I feel as if I’m doing well if I achieve a one-to-one ratio. “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” We will likely be more influential in the lives of others and in achieving significant impact in society if we learn to leverage positive reinforcement more effectively. For now, I’m determined to work towards at least a two-to-one ration of affirmations to criticisms…

John 3:17
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Heb 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.