Despising Jesus

I have to wonder if Jesus were with us in literal flesh today if we would give him the time of day. My best guess is . . . no.

After all, as Isaiah 53 tells us he was a mere tender shoot, a suckling which most people pick off the branches, because they take away from the growth of the tree. Of course, the irony is that this one sprig, Jesus, would establish a kingdom that would grow large enough so that the birds of the air (all the nations) can find shelter in Him. See Ezekiel 17:22-23.

He was a poor carpenter from a family of no means, unlike his cousin John the Baptist, who had a priestly pedigree and a more reputable family. Thus, the baptizer often faced the questions regarding whether he was the Messiah. To Jesus they kept saying, "you are just the carpenter son of that poor family right?"

Isaiah 53:2-3 tells us: "he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows,and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faces; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

The poor fisherman disciples of Jesus, faired no better, in the book of Acts as the trained Seminary folk realized they had not been to Seminary . . . yet they were so wise and smart. This didn't add up then, just like it did not add up when the young shepherd boy was chosen to be King of Israel over those more deserving in the eyes of man.

It is likely Jesus would have been rejected in most middle class (and higher) churches. From these things we can take away some practical lessons which I take from a pastor in the 1600's named Thomas Manton:

1. God accomplished his greatest plans using the most unlikely of people and plans.
2. God shows up and delivers his people at the most unlikely of times.
3. Something with a poor and small beginning may grow up to be something glorious.

Is it any wonder then that God still chooses the weak, the poor, the outcasts of society to do the greatest kingdom work. Let us take from this both encouragement for weak selves and a warning about how we look at others in the kingdom of God. It may very well be that Jesus would fit in better with the local Rescue mission crowd than the church folk. No wonder Isaiah implies that not many believe the gospel message that is proclaimed about Him.

Orissa, India Bound

On January 30th we are heading to Orissa, India, site of recent persecution against Christians. We ask for your prayers of protection and effective power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's will for the two weeks we will be there. We will have opportunity to visit with persecuted pastors in this region and be involved in training of believers who are going to stand for Christ in the villages and cities of this State.

If you want to contribute to this trip or give a gift to the persecuted churches in this area please let us know.

Mission Work From Hell

Matthew 23:15 is intriguing and a stark warning to all of us who are engaged in gospel ministry. It says:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."

I think of this as I prepare to travel across the oceans and lands to serve the Lord in various places. This reminds me that it is not enough to see people "make a decision" for Christ. The key is what happens "when he becomes one?" The responsibility is to make real disciples who will bear fruit for God in the real world.

It is no good to boast in how many people are "saved" or how many people come to our church or any other such non-sense. This passage and others like it are certain proof that there are sons and daughters of hell who sit in the pews of churches each week.

Let's make sure of two things. First, am I a modern day hypocritical Pharisee? Second, have I lost the real focus of authentic disciple making, being content to see people commit to a sham religion, never growing into little Christ's? Something to think about.

Upcoming Trips Revised

Our upcoming trips for the first quarter of 2009 are as follows below. If you wish to go or donate towards these trips let us know:

1. India: working among those persecuted in Orissa. Jan 30-Feb 13. Cost $2500 per person.

2. Scotland: Construction and ministry at Overtoun House in Dumbarton. March 4-15. Cost $1800 per person

3. Fuga Island, Philippines and Laoaog City, Philippines: Evangelism, Church planting, dicscipleship: April 9-23. Cost $2500 per person.

We are asking the Lord to provide funds for ministry expenses for each of these trips. Pray along with us for:

1. Effective ministry
2. Protection
3. The right people to sign up for these trips
4. Needed funds and resources