January 15, 2020 – Click here to listen
I had a conversation with Orlando 1st Baptist Church mega-preacher David Uth a while back and he spoke of several people in his church who had come to him complaining and bemoaning the fact that there weren’t any Christians in their workplace. I assume they wanted to be consoled, but instead Pastor David loudly exclaimed. That’s wonderful news! What a great opportunity to witness.
His remarks remind me of prison ministry. I have told many inmate-converts at prison ministry events that were trying to reconcile themselves to the fact that they were going to be in in the minority as Christians as they served out their sentences. They worried aloud about being different than the average person in prison and I optimistically exclaimed that being in prison as a Christian was like knowing where to dig for gold. Prison reminds me of the vast fields of lost souls ready for harvest that Jesus spoke about. These incarcerated men and women are in crisis mode and most have sunk so low they have nowhere to look but up. They just need an introduction to Jesus and some mentoring and the Holy Spirit can take it from there.
At this moment in time our nation is in crisis mode too. Hate, anger, fear, uncertainty, bitterness, chaos, all reign supreme. The state of our union actually reminds me of prison because you will find all of the aforementioned inside those walls too. I have observed that inmates hate people they have never even met because of their gang affiliation or the crime they committed, or the color of their skin. When you think about it, politics has divided our nation in similar fashion. If you are a Democrat you’re hated by Republicans, and if a Republican you are hated by Democrats. Liberals hate conservatives and vice versa, blacks distrust whites and whites distrust blacks etc. All of this without ever having met or sat down and discussed our lives and dreams together.
Jesus has no part in the divisive person’s mental state. It is the result of folks focusing on their hate fueled by media that makes its money on controversy and not on Jesus and the peace He gives us. All but the most radical among us intensely dislike the mood and state of our nation today. However, this dark hopeless mood is a great opportunity to witness about Jesus who offers hope, peace, joy, and love to replace the chaos.
If you encounter a Christian or non-Christian who is depressed about the state of our union, then present Jesus Christ to them. If you are discouraged then focus on Jesus and His Holy Word the Bible and remember we are missionaries in a foreign land and soon enough will leave this world and go to our permanent home in heaven.
I heard a story one time about a pastor who encountered three young boys and asked them, “Do you want to go to heaven?”
“Not me,” one said. The pastor was shocked. “You don’t want to go to heaven when you die?”
“Oh, when I die? Yeah, sure!” the boy replied. “I thought you were getting up a group to go right now!”
Most agree with this boy’s sentiment; however, it is interesting to hear what the Apostle Peter had to say about it. Writing to a group of Christians who were being slandered, falsely accused, and even physically abused because of their allegiance to Jesus, Peter explains how Christians are called to transform their suffering into service to the world.
Christ has called us to follow him in a world that does not recognize Him. We are resident aliens in this strange land, which is not yet our true home. Therefore, we are bound to experience “various trials”. Yet we are not victims of the world, but servants to the world, “a holy priesthood” as Peter puts it (1 Pet. 2:5) — bringing God’s blessings to the world.
The job of the Christian, then, is to live in this alien land, blessing it until Christ returns and restores the territory to his kingdom. Wake up to the calling you have! Begin to live with eternity in mind. Be a long-term person and not a short term one living for the here and now. Jesus lives in the hearts of those who believe, and guides them by His Spirit so that they end their journey with great heavenly wealth.
And that my friends is the winning ticket. You now have the precise location of a limitless supply of gold. Yes, it will take a little focus and effort to dig it up, but just imagine the splendor you and you compatriots will enjoy when the task is finished.
1 Tim. 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!