Coffee With The Lord

This morning I read a passage during “coffee with the Lord” that I think really expresses a healthy rationale and motivation for missions and evangelism!  It is the song David gave Asaph and his fellow Levites to sing when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem.  I’ve not included the entire song… just the part that focuses on “LETTING THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”…

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS.  Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD…  LET THE WHOLE EARTH sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  PUBLISH HIS GLORIOUS DEEDS AMONG THE NATIONS. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE AMAZING THINGS HE DOES.  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! … O NATIONS OF THE WORLD, RECOGNIZE THE LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. ²⁹ Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! … Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! TELL ALL THE NATIONS, “THE LORD REIGNS!”  Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!  Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise… Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 NLT)

This is the phrase that is still ringing in my ears after reading this passage… “LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”  We are His people, redeemed by His grace… Com’on, Let’s do it!!!

MIRACLES MOST OFTEN HAVE A COOPERATIVE ASPECT TO THEM… God’s action and activity and our part… Consider this “sip” from my Bible reading this morning – God’s part and Peter’s part:

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10 ESV)

Models, prototypes, or patterns are important. When we have one, our challenge is to follow it as closely as we can. What follows are usually not exact replicas, but they are close. When it comes to having A “HEALTHY CHURCH” OR MINISTRY, this description comes as close to a prototype as you can get!

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (From Acts 2:42-47 NLT)

Want your church to be A “HEALTHY CHURCH”? Get as close as you can within your cultural context to that model! It won’t be an exact replica, but it should come close. Pore over this Biblical description, reflect on it, identify each of the key elements and with God’s help try to implement each aspect. I could point them out for you… but that wouldn’t be inductive Bible study now would it? (And it would rob you of the joy of discovery!) Come on, do it! … then with God’s help start the process of making them a reality in your church or ministry! You’ll be glad you did!