CHURCH RESOURCE MANUAL
T
Dear Baptist family. hank you so much for participating in our annual Prayer and Self Denial appeal. We don’t take your support for granted, and we deeply appreciate your partnership with us. The New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society is an expression of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. Simply put, we only exist because of you. Our purpose is to allow people and churches in our Baptist movement to reach out and impact the world for Jesus. We are committed to extending God’s Kingdom by serving the hurting, the lost, and the broken. Good things are happening! We are seeing people finding freedom in Jesus, so be encouraged! And they’re happening because of the faithful prayers and financial support of you and many others who are part of our New Zealand Baptist family. Prayer and Self Denial has two purposes: It’s about celebrating God’s heart for mission. It’s about contemplating our incredible God who seeks out and saves the lost. It’s a time to consider the roles each one of us can play to bring Good News to the world, and a time to pray intentionally for those who are serving, and for those whom we serve. It’s about raising support for the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society. We need your prayers and your giving so that we can continue our work. Everything we do—our businesses which are offering hope and freedom to many, our aid and development projects, our community and education initiatives, and our efforts to grow and encourage the Church overseas—these activities are only possible because of your support. So thank you for giving generously!
We really hope you find our resources useful! We work hard to prepare the videos, the receptacles, the handouts, and sermon tool-boxes we provide. We hope they are interesting and helpful; that they help people in your community to think about God and His mission for His Church. Our theme this year is “He waka eke noa— Everybody in one canoe with no exception.” We chose this theme because, as a family of believers, we are all in this together. And by working together, each one of us playing a part, we can welcome others into God’s family. We don’t want anyone to be left behind—no exceptions. We have a three week series that we are really excited about! Pray (Inoi) “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2) Shine (Tiaho) “Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun (Psalm 34:5) Thank (Mihi) “Everybody in one canoe with no exception.” (traditional Maori proverb) We hope these ideas and resources are a blessing to your church. On behalf of our Tranzsend Baptist workers who are serving overseas, and on behalf of the many individuals and families who are being blessed through the work of NZBMS, thank you again for your support. We are grateful. Nga mihi nui koutou. RACHEL MURRAY General Director The New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society
H
e waka eke noa—Everybody in one canoe with no exception. What a fantastic theme for this year’s Prayer and Self Denial appeal!
As a movement of Baptist churches across Aotearoa we should be extremely proud of the work we are supporting through the NZ Baptist Missionary Society. Many of us have visited our Tranzsend workers in the field and seen them in action (if you’ve not been on a trip to check out the work of NZBMS, I would encourage you to do so) and it’s exciting to see lives being changed, communities being transformed, and the Church growing, because of the people and the projects we support. We are all in this together. We are a family. There is unity in our diversity. When we take our place in God’s waka—in God’s Church— we are joining a crew of saints from around the world and from throughout history. The image of the waka reminds me of Hebrews 12: we’re surrounded by a large crowd of witnesses; we must get rid of everything that slows us down; we must be determined to run (paddle) and complete the race that is ahead. NZBMS is our denomination’s overseas mission organisation. Let’s pray for our workers who serve abroad. Let’s give, so that we can continue to express God’s love in difficult places. Let’s deny ourselves so that others may be blessed. Let’s join in with this celebration of God and his compassion for people, and recommit ourselves again to being a mission-based movement of churches. Have a great Prayer and Self Denial appeal everybody! BEN WAKEFIELD President Baptist Churches of New Zealand
T
ēnā koutou katoa, greetings to you all. I’m thrilled our NZ Baptist Missionary Society has undertaken this concept of ‘Everybody in one canoe with no exception’—‘He waka eke noa,’ for the 2016 Prayer and Self Denial annual appeal. This metaphor speaks of resilience, trust and reliance on everyone from the eldest to the children, and the experts who know what it takes to keep the waka afloat... everyone has an important role in the journey. There is a well known ‘Whakatauki’ (Māori proverb) ‘Na to rourou, na taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi’—‘with your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.’ Indeed, to help those carry on the work in global mission, from us, they need sustenance. The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand wasn’t that he did it from a basket with loafs and fish, but that his disciples hearts were transformed by the wonder of who Jesus is. And really that’s the message we support through NZBMS. Mā te Atua hei manāki. DAVID MOKO Kaihautu Baptist Māori Ministries
RECEPTACLE
SERMON TOOL-KIT
This year’s receptacle is a cardboard waka, to complement the theme of He waka eke noa—Everybody in one canoe with no exception.
For each of the three weeks we have prepared sermon materials which you may like to use. We have tried to create a “toolkit” for you, so you can pick and choose which “tool” is going to work the best for your community, whether that’s the sermon notes, the church service ideas, the ice-breakers, or the quotes.
There is a lovely story behind these wakas. They have been produced by two of our Marketplacers Freedom Businesses in Kolkata, India. The design and printing was organised through The Loyal Workshop. The threading was done by women employed at Love Calcutta Arts. Both businesses exist to offer freedom to women who have been lured or trafficked into the sex trade. These women are part of our family as well. They have been welcomed into our waka, our canoe, and we are so thrilled that they could contribute to Prayer and Self Denial by helping to make the receptacles which we are pleased to gift to you. PLEASE BE SECURITY CONSCIOUS We do not publish the surnames of our overseas workers, and we are very careful how we explain the places where our staff serve. The reason for our caution is so that we do not jeopardise any of our work, or put our staff in danger. Many of our staff are serving in difficult and hostile contexts, and we don’t want to undermine them in anyway. Please do not publish the surnames of our staff, or give specific countries or cities if we have not provided this information in our materials. If you have any questions, please contact us.
We have used the Contemporary English Version (CEV) translation of the Bible throughout our materials, unless otherwise stated. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING Thank you so much for your gift which helps fund our projects and activities! If possible, we would really appreciate if you could send us your gifts and donations by the 31st August 2016. This is when we close our financial year, and will help us to plan for the year ahead, knowing how much funding has been raised. To send your churches gift by cheque: Please make cheques out to TRANZSEND and send them to: Tranzsend PO Box 12149 Penrose Auckland 1061 To pay by internet banking: Bank Account: 02-0232-0146287-04 Particulars: FSD Code: 2016 Reference: Your church name or donor number (if known) Thank you again!
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Na te mea i tahuri mai tona taringa ki ahau, mo reira ka inoi tonu ahau ki a ia i ahau e ora ana Psalm 116:2
(New Living Translation)
MESSAGE Because God bends down to listen, how then should we pray? What should we pray about? Prayer is the engine that drives mission. Let’s be encouraged to pray, and speak out/cry out for the lost, the broken, and the hurting in our world.
VIDEO This video is about encouraging people to pray. We interviewed children and asked them to share their thoughts on prayer, believing that God loves to hear child-like, from-the-heart, prayers. We hope folk in your church family are encouraged by the answers and insights the children provide. The video features children who are part of our Baptist family in New Zealand, and also children in Bangladesh, who are part of our student sponsorship programme, supported by New Zealand Baptists.
HANDOUT Our handout this week is a conch shell. Just as the Israelites would use a Shofar (ram’s horn) to raise their voices to God, and as an instrument of spiritual warfare, many cultures across the Pacific use the conch shell as a call to worship, and to communicate with the Almighty. We hope this handout will remind us that God wants us his people to call out to Him. We are also providing a book mark with the words of Psalm 116:2 to encourage and remind people to pray.
ICE-BREAKER IDEA
CHURCH SERVICE IDEA
Prayers in the Bible quiz.
What is the first recorded prayer in the Bible? Answer: Genesis 3. The Lord walking in the Garden of Eden calls out to Adam “where are you?” and Adam replies “I was afraid and I hid from you.” This is the first recorded dialogue between God and a person. What is the shortest recorded prayer in the Bible? Answer: Matthew 14:30. “Save me Lord!” Peter, having stepped out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus, cries out as he begins to sink.
What have people in your church learnt or discovered about prayer? After watching the video and hearing what the children have to say about prayer, you could have people from your church family share their own thoughts and insights into prayer. What as God taught them about praying? Do people have stories or experiences which they are willing to share that can help encourage others to pray?
If Jesus answered all of your prayers from the last 30 days, would anything change in the world, or just your world?”
How many recorded prayers in the Bible? Answer: Approximately 650. How many recorded answers to prayer in the Bible? Answer: Approximately 450.
JOHN W. BRYSON Pastor and Author
SERMON IDEA
T
ELIJAH AND THE DROUGHT What Elijah can teach us about prayer.
he context: For three and a half years there had been a drought in Israel, and the people were afflicted by famine. The streams and brooks had dried up and King Ahab, the king of Israel, had ordered an extensive search of the land in the hope of finding water. There was no grass left to feed the animals, and the people were facing starvation.
The account of the drought is found in 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18. Jesus also speaks about Elijah and the drought in Luke chapter 4, and the authors of James refers to this event in James chapter 5.
When the famine is at its worst, God tells his prophet Elijah to present himself to King Ahab and then rain will be sent. There’s an incredible God-moment on Mount Carmel, where God sends fire from heaven, showing Himself to be the one true God. Elijah then climbs to the very top of Mount Carmel and waits for God to send the rain He promised. God keeps his promise. Rain comes, the drought ends, and the famine is over!
PRAY—BECAUSE THERE IS SUFFERING IN THE WORLD
So, what can this account teach us about prayer? Specifically, about prayer and mission?
“Lord God, why did you do such a terrible thing to this woman?” 1 Kings 17:20 Famines are truly awful. Many of us will remember the terrible images of those afflicted by the famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s. Tragic images of starving, dying children in desperate need of help.
It’s easy to read the account of the drought in 1 Kings dispassionately, but imagine what it was like for those for those who were struggling to survive. Jesus spoke about this drought and said “people everywhere were starving” (Luke 4:25). This was a painful time—a dreadful time. Jesus also said that “there were many widows in Israel, but Elijah was sent only to a widow in the town of Zarephath…” (Luke 4: 25-26). In the midst of all this suffering, Elijah—God’s faithful follower—is sent to the one. Elijah’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the widow and her son. He is invited into their home and he stays with them during the famine. God miraculously provides enough food to meet their daily needs. The widow had believed that she and her son would starve to death (1 Kings 17:12), but, instead, she experiences God’s incredible provision. It’s a wonderful God-encounter which Elijah gets to share with the widow and her son. Questions • We know that there is much suffering in our world, but, like Elijah, is God asking you to narrow your focus? Is there one person, one family, one situation He is asking you to engage with? • Would you allow God to entwine your life with somebody else’s? Imagine the Godencounters we might experience if we are willing to invest ourselves, as followers of Jesus, in the lives of those who are suffering and in need. Elijah shares in the widow’s suffering. There is a terrible moment in this story when the widow’s son falls sick and dies. Imagine the pain and confusion of this poor women, who has been experiencing God’s incredible goodness, but who now cradles her dead son in her arms (1 Kings 17:19). Imagine also what is going on in Elijah’s heart and mind as the widow confronts him in her grief and as he shares in her suffering. These are people he has grown to care for, and Elijah is distressed by this “affliction added to the afflicted.1” Elijah’s response is to challenge God in prayer. Elijah barely says anything to the 1 Matthew Henry’s commentary on 1 Kings 17.
widow—perhaps he could find no words with which to comfort her. Instead, he goes to his room and confronts God in prayer. “Lord God, why did you do such a terrible thing to this woman? She’s letting me stay here, and now you’ve let her son die.” (1 Kings 17:20) Throughout the Old Testament we discover accounts of praying-people accosting God about the injustice and suffering they see in the world around them. • The Prophet Habakkuk, confronts God about the suffering he sees around him. “Why do you make me watch such terrible injustice? Why do you allow violence, lawlessness, crime, and cruelty to spread everywhere?” (Habakkuk 1:3) • Moses confronts God in prayer after the King of Egypt cruelly increases the workload of the enslaved Israelites: “Our Lord, why have you brought so much trouble on your people? Is that why you sent me here? Ever since you told me to speak to the king, he has caused nothing but trouble for these people. And you haven’t done a thing to help.” (Exodus 5:22-23) • The author of Psalm 44 is bold in confronting God about the suffering he sees: “Wake up! Do something, Lord! Why are you sleeping? (Psalm 44:23)
You must live with people to know their problems, and live with God in order to solve them” PT FORSYTH
These are raw, honest, unguarded prayers to God. They are full of passion and pain. These are not grumbles or whinings. They are not complaints about inconveniences, or moanings about petty annoyances. Scripture is VERY clear that God HATES grumbling and bellyaching. Rather, these are heartfelt, guileless outpourings to God. They have been brought forth out of concern for the suffering of others. These are prayers which are full of
emotion, born out of grief for those that are grieving. These are prayers that are acceptable to God. Elijah prayed, passionately and boldly, because his life was entwined with that of the widows, and because he shared in her suffering. And, incredibly, God answers Elijah’s prayer. God restores life to the widow’s son. Elijah was not a beauty pageant contestant, offering up contrived, obligatory wishes that God would end world hunger. We’re not told if he prayed for the many who were suffering because of the famine in Israel. What is clear is that Elijah confronted God for the sake of one person—one grieving widow—who he was connected with and concerned for.
If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer. Intercession is a way of loving others.” ERICA DAWSON
Questions • What are you passionate about? What grieves you? Will you be bold and pour your heart out to God? • As a church family, how are we engaging in the pain and suffering of this world? Is there a particular situation, or are there particular people who we, as a community, are stirred to pray for? • As a movement of New Zealand Baptists, will we pray in support of our NZBMS workers who are offering hope and freedom to many people and communities who are suffering? Their needs are far greater than what is in our earthly power to fix. But we can pray!
PRAY—BECAUSE OF OUR HOPE IN A COMPASSIONATE GOD. “Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”1 Kings 17:20 Famines are truly awful. Yet God had specific reasons for allowing drought and famine to afflict the people of Israel. In 1 Kings 16:30 we read about King Ahab— the King of Israel—that he “did more things to disobey the LORD than any king before him.” The worst thing he did was to popularise the worship of Baal in Israel. He built a temple for the worship of Baal (1 Kings 16:32). He allowed his wife, Jezebel, to hunt down and kill God’s prophets (1 Kings 18: 3-4), while, at the same time, bringing 450 prophets of Baal into Israel and giving them royal treatment (1 Kings 18:19). God was disgusted by the worship of Baal. It was not only a rejection of Him; Baal worship was cruel and savage, and utterly offensive to God’s heart and character. It included human sacrifice, with young, innocent children being offered as burnt offerings.2 It was an evil religion, that coerced people to worship a false deity in terrible ways, and it was entirely repugnant to God. The followers of Baal believed that their god was in charge of the weather and the rain. It was Baal who made the harvest fruitful.3 The prophets of Baal would have encouraged the Israelites to worship Baal so he would provide them with rain and good harvests. God sees his prophets being killed. He sees King Ahab corrupting His chosen people—deluding them—by encouraging them to worship a false deity. God sees a cruel religion spreading through Israel, as a temple to Baal is built, and as Baal’s prophets rise to power. He sees His people wavering between two opinions. Should we follow the LORD God, or should we follow Baal? (1 Kings 18:21) 2 Jeremiah 19:5. Howard E. Vos, “An Introduction To Bible Archaeology” Howard E. Vos 3 The Stories of Elijah and Elisha as Polemics Against Baal Worship. Leah Bronner
Never stop praying, especially for others.” EPHESIANS 6:18
He sees his people begin to turn to this false weather god to provide the rain for their land, putting their trust in another. So God stops the rain. If the people of Israel are going to look to Baal to provide for them, then God is going to make it absolutely clear that they are putting their trust in the wrong deity. God allows the land to fall into drought for three and a half years. Our GREAT hope as Christians is that God is loving and compassionate. This story is not about punishment but about redemption. We place our hope in a God who tells us that He is compassionate and abounding in love. We place our hope in a God who is grieved by human suffering and who is powerful enough to do something about it. We place our hope in a God who desires to redeem and restore us—to bring people back to Him— rather than to condemn or punish us. If this is not true, then our Christian faith is a terrible deception.
Consider these scriptures which are good news for all of us. “God doesn’t take our lives. Instead, he figures out ways of bringing us back when we run away.” (2nd Samuel 14:14) “The Lord said: It isn’t too late. You can still return to me with all your heart… I am merciful, kind, and caring. I don’t easily lose my temper, and I don’t like to punish.” (Joel 2: 12-13) “Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.” (Isaiah 55: 6-7) Trusting that God would be true to His word, Elijah prays for the people of Israel. At this point, Elijah is not asking God to send rain. He is not asking that God will end the drought. His primary concern is that the people of Israel will know that the Lord is God, and that their hearts will be turned back to Him.
“Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 17:20 Praying for others—appealing to God’s compassion—these are prayers that are acceptable to God. Questions • Are you holding onto this great hope that our God is full of love and compassion? What does that mean for you, your family, and those you love and care for? • Do you trust His promises that He wants to restore people to himself. That He “figures out ways” to bring us back to Him? • Who are the people in your life who you will pray for, asking that God will turn their hearts to Him? • As a church family, who are the people we can commit to praying for, so they will know that the LORD is God? • Our Baptist overseas workers serve in many communities that are broken and hurting because people have turned away from God. Will we pray alongside our workers, appealing to God that He will turn hearts back to Him?
PRAY—SO WE ARE ALIGNED WITH THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD. “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 1 Kings 18:41 On top of Mt Carmel, in front of Elijah, King Ahab, and people of Israel, God sends fire from heaven. It’s an awe-inspiring Godmoment; a definitive response to the people’s question “who is the real God”. The Israelites fall prostrate on the ground. Renouncing Baal they cry out “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). God has made a powerful statement which turns His people’s hearts back to Him. Elijah and his servant then climb to the very top of Mt Carmel, and Elijah tells his servant to “go and look toward the sea…” (1 Kings 18: 43). Six times the servant comes back
and tells Elijah that he can’t see anything. Then, at last, the servant spots a small cloud rising from the ocean. We read that soon “the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, [and] a heavy rain started falling…” (1 Kings 18: 45). The promised rain arrives and the drought is broken! It’s important to note how Elijah prayed, as he waited for the rains to come. On top of Mt Carmel, as his servant searched the sky for evidence of the coming rain, we read that Elijah “bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.” (1 Kings 18:42) Perhaps Elijah, with his head bowed, quietly spoke to God. Perhaps he remained silent. This account does not tell us one way or another. What we see however is a man waiting humbly and patiently. So confident that rain is coming that he instructs his servant, seven times, to keep looking, even though the sky is empty. And then, when one small cloud appears above the ocean, he takes it as confirmation that his prayers have been answered.
The cross is a proven true love, where the chains of sin have been broken and we are all set free.” UNKNOWN
Here’s a thought to consider: Who instigated the rain? Was it Elijah? By praying for rain did he move God to act? Or had God already decided to send rain and Elijah’s prayer was superfluous? If God had already made up His mind to send rain then did it really matter if Elijah prayed or not? In James 5: 17 & 18 we read: … for three and a half years [Elijah’s] prayers kept the rain from falling. But when he did pray for rain, it fell from the skies and made the crops grow.
At the beginning of the drought, Elijah himself said “there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1 Kings 17:1) These verses tell us that Elijah yielded an incredible power; that it was his prayers which held back the rains, and that it was at his word that God broke the drought. However, consider what it says in 1 Kings 18:1: “After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah; ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land.’” It’s clear in this passage that Elijah is following God’s instruction. It is God who calls Elijah to action, and it is God who has decided when the time is right to send rain. It has been God’s intention all along to break the drought.
...True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length.” CHARLES SPURGEON BAPTIST PREACHER
So, who instigated the rain? God or Elijah? This story reveals the wonderful paradox of prayer. God has a plan in motion—but He does not act unless His people pray. God is in control—but He does nothing except in response to prayer. God entrusts you and I with the responsibility of asking Him to do what He is already intent on doing! Does this mean that God is powerless unless we pray? No! But it does reveal that God’s
intention is for His people—His Church—to be in partnership with Him in what He is doing in our world. “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 1 Kings 18:41 Elijah tells King Ahab to go and eat because he hears the sound of heavy rain. At this point in the story, the sky is still empty and clear, without a single cloud in sight. There is no visible evidence to suggest rain is coming. So what sound could Elijah be hearing to make him think a deluge was on its way? Here is one possible answer: As a person of prayer, Elijah had grown to know the heart and mind of God. His hearing had become attuned to what God was doing in the unseen. God had promised rain, and even though the skies were clear, Elijah had the promise of God ringing in his ears. To quote Charles Spurgeon: “What was that sound? I know not. I do not suppose that Ahab heard it, or that anyone else, except Elijah, recognized it. The ears of true faith are very quick and keen. She hears the coming of the blessing, the footsteps of the angels as they draw near...4” Questions • Elijah was humble and patient, yet expectant, as he waited for God to send the promised rain. What is your attitude as you wait for God to answer your prayers? • Do we believe that God acts because we pray? Do we accept this incredible responsibility of praying so that His will is done, and His Kingdom will come? • As a church family, will we be patient yet expectant as we wait for God to answer our prayers? Will we watch for the small signs—the tiny clouds in the sky—and celebrate in confidence that God is delivering on His promises? • As individuals, and as a church family, do we want to be aligned with God’s purposes? Do we want our ears to be attuned to what He is doing in the unseen? If so, will we come near to God? Will we aspire to be people of prayer? 4 Charles Spurgeon: God’s answer to persistent prayer
CONCLUSION: BECAUSE HE BENDS DOWN TO LISTEN, I WILL PRAY AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH! PSALM 116:2
Prayer is the mighty engine that drives the work of mission.5
Isn’t this a beautiful picture; God bending down, coming near to us, so that He can hear us clearly when we pray. Isn’t it incredible that we can have this friendship—this privileged access—to our Creator!
We should pray—because there is suffering in the world.
And because He offers His ear to us, will we pray? We will speak to Him—will we speak with Him—as long as we have breath?
We should pray—so that our hearts and minds are attuned to purposes of God. So we can perceive Him at work in our world.
So what has Elijah taught us about praying for mission?
We should pray—because of our hope in a compassionate God.
5 A paraphrase of a quote by A.B. Simpson
Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun. Titiro ake tonu ō kanohi ki te Ariki, hei kanapu koe ōrite ki te māramatanga o te rāmata. Psalm 34:5
(New Living Translation)
MESSAGE Who helped shine God’s love into your life? Whose life will you shine into? Let’s examine our own call to mission, and the opportunities we have to “shine” into the lives of others, while remembering the people who have invested into us.
VIDEO Our video is about the ‘ripples’ you and I can create when we choose to invest ourselves in the lives of others. It’s about how far and how wide our impact can spread when we choose to get involved with those around us.
HANDOUT We have two handouts this week: A paua shell for people to keep, and a paua shell for people to give-away. The paua shell to give-away is a postcard, which people can send to someone who was influential/important in their own Christian faith. We thank our Mums on “Mother’s Day” and our Dads on “Father’s Day;” this is an opportunity to thank the people in our life who helped us encounter Jesus! We chose a paua shell as our handout because it possesses a special quality; Paua is iridescent. Sunlight on a paua causes the shell to shine with a play of bright, changing colours. It’s in the nature of paua to “shine” when it’s turned towards the sun. It just can’t help itself!
ICE-BREAKER IDEA
Six degrees of separation Six degrees of separation is the notion that you and I can be connected to anyone else in the world through just six introductions. I.e. I know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone etc. How many connections would it take you to be connected to these famous people? Who can figure it out with the least number of connections? • Richie McCaw (All Black Captain) • John Key (Prime Minister) • Hilary Barry (TV3 News Presenter) • Queen Elizabeth II (Queen)
Isn’t it amazing how closely connected we all actually are! Imagine if each one of those connecting people was introduced to Jesus? Imagine how far the “ripples” could go?!
S
CHURCH SERVICE IDEA
Celebrating the people who were influential in our Christian faith. After watching the video, why not have a handful of folk from your church family share about the people who were influential in their own Christian journeys? Let’s encourage each other by showing how an investment of time, energy, and love into a life does not go to waste. Let’s celebrate the people who have invested in us, and who have helped shine Christ’s love into our lives!
TALKING POINT
“Once the average person becomes a believer in Christ, he or she loses contact with all unbelieving friends within two years.”—Michael Patton, 2004, “Should Christian’s have Unbelieving Friends?” • Is this true of you and I? • Has becoming a Christian actually driven us away from our unchurched friends? • Are we missing out on the opportunity to be part of the lives of our non-Christian friends and family members because we are so caught up with our church friends or in church-related activities?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE “PERFECT” CHRISTIAN TO SHINE INTO SOMEONE’S LIFE!
teve Apirana is a New Zealander, and a well-known Christian musician. Before becoming a Christian, Steve spent time in prison. He was homeless for a while, living in the streets, and in the parks of Christchurch. But Steve always loved music, and he and some mates were given permission by a local church to use their facilities for band practice. It was through these practices that Steve met Andrew Thompson. In Steve’s words: “Andrew Thompson wasn’t exactly what I would have called the best Christian I had ever seen up to that point. He smoked cigarettes, he often complained about things, he showed signs of laziness and he was quite scruffy. I was guilty of these things but I wasn’t calling myself a Christian, was I? Andrew seemed to be too human to be a Christian. When I confronted him on this, he simply said ‘Steve, I know I have many faults and I don’t try to hide them but I
have a relationship with Jesus Christ that is more important to me than anything else in the world. God is still dealing with my faults and in the meantime I love Him very much and have chosen to serve Him for the rest of my life.’ Then he started sharing with me from the Scriptures and from his experience, about the love of God and suddenly I was aware that I didn’t have to clean up my act or give up this or that before I came to God. For the first time in my life, God didn’t seem that far off…” —Extract from “God is reachable—changing lives online.” Surely, this is what it means to “Keep your eyes on the Lord. You will shine like the sun!” Yes, Andrew was a smoker, a complainer, scruffy, and a little lazy. In other words, he wasn’t “perfect.” But he was keeping his eyes on the Lord. “I have a relationship with Jesus Christ that is more important to me than anything else in the world.” And God was able to use Andrew to “shine” into Steve’s life.
SERMON IDEA
D
JONATHAN AND HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH DAVID What Jonathan can teach us about “shining” God’s love into the life of others.
avid: Well-known from the story of ‘David vs Goliath;’ a shepherd boy who would one day become King of Israel.
Jonathan: A Prince of Israel, and a brave and mighty soldier; the son of the Saul, who David would replace as King. What can we learn about friendship, and shining God’s love in the life of another, by looking at Jonathan and David’s friendship?
JONATHAN GENUINELY CARED FOR DAVID “…and soon David and Jonathan became best friends. Jonathan thought as much of David as he did of himself.” 1 Samuel 18:1 David and Jonathan form their friendship immediately after David has killed Goliath. Given the circumstances, it was natural that people would want to get close to David. He had just slain a giant and the enemies of Israel had fled in terror. We read that the women of Israel were singing and dancing to songs they had made up about David (“David has killed ten thousand enemies!”). David had gone from zero to hero! He was an overnight sensation. If ancient Israel was anything like our own celebrity-obsessed society, then people would have been flocking to David, trying to get “in” with the “it” kid!
You were born with the ability to change someone’s life, don’t ever waste it.” DALE PARTRIDGE CHRISTIAN ENTREPRENEUR
But that’s not the impression we get of Jonathan. He wasn’t some star-struck fanboy; Jonathan was a respected soldier in his own right, and, what’s more, he was the
Prince of Israel. Perhaps Jonathan admired David’s courage and bravery in fighting Goliath. Perhaps he had heard David’s challenge to Goliath—“I’ve come out to fight you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful”— and was impressed with David’s devotion to God. We don’t know exactly what it was that drew Jonathan and David together, but what we do know is that “Jonathan thought as much of David as he did of himself.” This was a genuine friendship. No strings attached. No hidden motives or secret agendas.
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” THOMAS AQUINAS
Consider what Pip said in the video about her relationship with Stephen and Kristine: “There is something innate in teenagers. They can read between the lines of people who genuinely care for them and people who are just doing what they’ve got to do and are going through the motions. And I could read in them that they genuinely cared.” Questions • What kinds of friendships do we have? What kinds of friends are we? • Are our friendships merely “friendships of convenience?” That is, are we more interested in what we can “get” from our friends, than what we can “give?” Are we fair-weather friends? You can count on us when times are good, but we would rather not have to deal with your problems or your grief. Or, do we genuinely care for
our friends and think of much of them as we do of ourselves? • If we are leading a children’s ministry, a youth group, or a bible-study class, do we genuinely care about those who we lead, or are we just “going through the motions?”
JONATHAN WAS A FRIEND IN BOTH GOOD TIMES AND BAD “But Jonathan went to see David, and God helped him encourage David.” 1 Samuel 23:16 David’s popularly and his continued military success made him a threat to King Saul, Israel’s ruler. King Saul feared losing his throne to David, and so determined to have David killed. David is forced to flee for his life; Israel’s “saviour” is now a wanted man. Psalm 142 gives us some insight into how David is feeling at this point. Hiding in a cave, his world having been completely up-ended, David pours out his heart to God: “Even if you look, you won’t see anyone who cares enough to walk beside me. There is no place to hide, and no one who really cares.” Psalm 142:4 Despite being surrounded by people—we read that David was soon joined by 400 men—David feels abandoned. He feels that no one really cares. Regardless of the many acquaintances, followers, and devotes around him, what David really needs is a genuine friend. It’s at this point that Jonathan proves that he is a friend in both good times and bad. While David is still in hiding, Jonathan seeks his friend out. Jonathan goes to him and, with God’s help, encourages David. Consider the significance of what Jonathan does for his friend: • It’s Jonathan’s father who wants David dead. Jonathan is defying his own father—the King of Israel—to help his friend. • In 1 Samuel 22 we read that Saul executed 85 Priests because they
had aided David. There were terrible consequences for those who were seen to be friends with David. Despite the risk, Jonathan still went to encourage his friend. • David had hundreds of men on his side who were enemies of Saul. As Saul’s son, Jonathan might have had enemies within David’s ranks. Jonathan was walking into a volatile situation by seeking David out.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” PROVERBS 17:17 (NIV)
It is in the dark times that the light of friendship shines brightest. How do you think David reacted when, in the midst of his despair, his friend Jonathan arrives to encourage him? Given how much Jonathan was risking to come and see him, how awestruck do you think David was by the commitment of his friend? It’s worth contrasting this encounter between Jonathan and David, with that of Job and his friends.
Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer” PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV)
The Biblical story of Job is about a man who has lost everything. Just like David, Job’s world has been turned upside down. In a series of terrible calamities he loses his children, his wealth, and his health. He is a broken man, struggling to understand why God has allowed this to happen to him, and desperate for encouragement. Job has three friends who come to “comfort” him. But, instead of being comforters, they merely add to Job’s misery. Here’s what Job says about his three friends.
“…why don’t you keep quiet? … If I were in your place it would be easy to criticise or to give advice. But I would offer hope and comfort instead. (Job 16: 3—5) “My friends, you think up ways to blame and torment me, saying I brought it on myself.” (Job 19: 28) “…empty, meaningless words are the comfort you offer me.” (Job 21: 34) What a contrast! On one hand we have Jonathan, who, at great personal risk, comes to encourage his friend David. He proved himself to be a true friend—a friend in good times and bad—who shines light into David’s life when he needs it the most. On the other hand we have Job’s friends. Though they came under the pretence of offering ‘comfort’ they instead choose to accuse Job about his sinfulness, give him a lecture on theology, and add to Job’s suffering by criticising him.
If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” JOHN E. LEWIS AUTHOR
Questions • Are you and I encouragers? • Are we willing to put in some effort to encourage our friends? To step out of our comfort zones, or put ourselves out, for the sake of our friends? • Will we prove ourselves to be true friends—brothers and sisters born for a time of adversity—when those around us really need us? • “…and God helped him encourage David.” Do we realise what a privilege it is to be used by God to encourage others?! Do we place ourselves in people’s lives in such a way that God can work through us? • Consider Job’s friends: Instead of being comforters or encouragers, are we guilty of lecturing or criticising? Instead of trying to raise others up, do we put them down to make ourselves feel better/more righteous?
JONATHAN WANTED GOD’S BEST FOR HIS FRIEND “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan said. “My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you’re going to be the next king of Israel...” 1 Samuel 23:17 What an incredible statement for Jonathan to make! It was Jonathan’s birth right to be the next King of Israel. He was a Prince; the next in-line to the throne. Yet, in this statement, Jonathan is saying something remarkable; ‘I don’t want what’s best for me—I want God’s best for you!’ This is what “mission” is. Wanting God’s best for others. When David was still a shepherd boy, unimportant and insignificant, God chose him to be the next King of Israel. He had a call on his life; a divine purpose to fulfil. Jonathan could have resisted this. He could have made life as difficult as possible for David, or offered David absolutely no help or support. Jonathan could have chosen to fight to be King. But, instead, Jonathan invested himself in his friend’s life. He encouraged David and became his protector. Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down (give up) our lives for our friends. In effect, this is what Jonathan does for David. He lays down his claim to Israel’s throne—he gives up a life as a King—so that his friend can have God’s best.
If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it.” MARK 8: 35
Questions • Do we want God’s best for our friends? Do we want God’s best for others?
• What are we prepared to give up—what are we willing to lay down—so that others may have God’s best? ºº ºº ºº ºº
Our time? Investing our time in people? Our energy? Being willing to inconvenience ourselves so that others benefit? Our finances? Denying ourselves so that others may be blessed? Our ambitions? Not being so focused on ourselves that we lose the opportunity to invest in people.
• If we are leaders in our church, are we willing to help build others up, so that they can realise their God-given potential? Or, are we threatened by those who might one day take over our roles and positions?
CONCLUSION: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD! YOU WILL SHINE LIKE THE SUN” PSALM 34:5 Many of our heroes in the Bible performed great and awesome miracles: Moses parted the Red Sea; Daniel survived a night in a pit of hungry lions; Joshua commanded the sun to stand still. As far as we know, Jonathan didn’t do anything that would be considered miraculous or supernatural. Yet, what he did in the ordinary, simply by being a true friend, was hugely significant. Jonathan helped shape the life of one of Israel’s greatest Kings, and blessed the man who would be a forefather of Jesus.
Keep your eyes on the Lord! Jonathan kept his eyes on the Lord. He lived a life devoted to God. Jonathan sought God’s best -– God’s will to be done—above everything else, and this shaped how he conducted himself, and how he cared for his friend. You will shine like the sun. Jonathan shone like the sun into David’s life. He encouraged David, he strengthened David, and he reassured David of God’s purposes when David’s world had been turned upside down. He was a true friend, in good times and bad, who wanted God’s best for David, even at his own expense. Consider this week’s video: The way that Pip is blessing Monika’s life is a direct result of her own life being blessed by Stephen and Kristine, and many other people. We never know how far the ripples will spread when we invest in the lives of others. Many of our Baptist overseas workers are serving in mission because of the blessing they received from people in our churches; people who shone into their lives. Be encouraged that the light you shone continues to shine far and wide! Let’s encourage each other to keep our “eyes on the Lord!” Let’s consider how we can “shine like the sun” into the lives of others. Let’s honour those who shone God’s light into our own lives.
Everybody in one canoe with no exception. He waka eke noa.
MESSAGE He Waka Eke Noa: Everybody in one canoe with no exception. As a movement of New Zealand Baptists—as children in God’s family—we are all in this together. And by working together, each one of us playing a part, we can welcome others into God’s family. We don’t want anyone to be left behind—no exceptions.
VIDEO The purpose of this video is to thank New Zealand Baptists for their partnership with NZBMS, and to show examples of how people’s giving is supporting overseas mission. We share four short messages of thanks from our team who briefly explain the work they are involved in, and offer thanks to the Baptist Churches of New Zealand for their prayerful and financial support.
HANDOUT This week’s handout is a Pikorua. This is a traditional Maori symbol which resembles the intertwining of ferns. The Pikorua represents lives being intertwined and interconnected. It is symbolic of people, tribes, and cultures, being bonded together. We chose the Pikorua as a reminder that our lives are interconnected. We are connected, not only to those who are part of our Church family, but with those whom God desires to draw to Himself.
THE WORK OF NZBMS Where your support goes!
There’s a lot that New Zealand Baptists can be proud of when we consider just how much we are accomplishing together, through our New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society. Education: We currently run two schools in South Asia, providing excellent education in a God honouring atmosphere. In South East Asia we serve communities by teaching music, and English as a second language. Freedom Businesses: NZBMS operates four freedom businesses in South Asia which offer employment to women who want to leave the sex trade. Currently we are employing over 250 women, and we are working hard to expand our activities, and create new businesses so we can offer freedom to many more vulnerable people. In addition, we are supporting efforts to combat human trafficking. We offer social support and counselling services to the women in our care, as they journey towards freedom. Our desire is for them to have “life, and have it in its fullest.�
Community Centres: We work with a community centre in East Asia, and with one that is being built in South East Asia. Through these centres we can provide counselling services, parenting and marriage courses, and host events for children and families. These centres allow us to build relationships, invest in people, and share the Good News with them.
Supporting the local Church: Much of our work takes place in areas where fewer than 5% of the population are Christians. In South East Asia, our workers support and encourage local church leaders, providing mentoring, running income generation activities, and working with young believers. In East Asia, we are involved in an international congregation. In South Asia, we are involved in training village pastors, and providing theological training to local believers. Aid and Development: Our activities include community development in South Asia and livelihood initiatives to support poor farming families in Papua New Guinea. We work closely with the New Zealand Aid Programme to secure funding for our activities which are releasing people and communities from poverty. Business for People: In addition to our freedom businesses, we run other operations, and partner with other businesses, which allow us to build relationships with people and communities. These businesses include an Engineering company, a language school, and a kindergarten. Each business allows us to bless families and communities in different ways, while providing us an opportunity to be Christlike in the marketplace. Student Sponsorship: New Zealanders are currently sponsoring over 230 children in South Asia. Most of the children in our programme come from remote village communities, and have been selected for sponsorship because their families are poor and disadvantaged. Sponsorship allows a child to live at a Baptist run hostel and attend school. The children are well fed, well treated, and receive an excellent education, that can transform their lives, and the lives of their families and communities.
All this is possible because of the faithful, prayerful support of New Zealand Baptists!
SERMON IDEA THE PEOPLE REBUILD GOD’S TEMPLE
What the people who rebuilt God’s temple can teach us about synergy and perseverance.
T
he Background: God’s temple, which had been a place of worship in Israel for more than 400 years, was destroyed during the Babylonian invasion. Most of the Israelites were taken into exile by the Babylonian army, leaving God’s temple in ruins. Fifty years later, God prompts Cyrus, the new Emperor of the Babylonians, to let the people of Israel return to their homeland with a command to rebuild the temple.
The temple, however, was much more than just a fancy building. It was God’s place! The crossway between heaven and earth. Where God was always attentive, and always listening to what His people wanted to say to him (2 Chronicles 7: 15-16). It was the place where anyone could come to seek God, and He would listen from His home in heaven. It was a place for: •
What can we learn about mission—working together for God’s purposes—from the people who rebuilt God’s temple?
Those seeking forgiveness. “... answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.” (2 Chronicles 6: 21)
•
GOD’S TEMPLE—MORE THAN JUST A FANCY BUILDING
Those crying out for justice. “Listen from heaven and decide who is right.” (2 Chronicles 6:23)
•
Those in need. “Sometimes... your people will be starving... Or your people will become sick... from your home in heaven answer their prayers...” (2 Chronicles 6: 28 & 30)
•
Those who want to be part of God’s family. “Foreigners will hear about you and your mighty power... listen from your home in heaven and answer their prayers. Then everyone on earth will worship you.” (2 Chronicles 6:33)
•
Those seeking to do God’s will. “Answer your prayers from heaven and give them victory.” (2 Chronicles 6: 32 & 35)
“Listen from your home in heaven...” 2 Chronicles 6:25, 2 Chronicles 6:27, & 2 Chronicles 6:33 (CEV) God’s temple, before it was destroyed, was spectacular! King Solomon had overseen the construction of the temple, and had ensured the finest craftsmen available had the best materials to work with: gold; silver; bronze; precious stones; marble; and cedar.
I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.” JESUS: JOHN 10:16
For the people of Israel, the temple was where they knew God was present on earth. It was the place by which people could meet God and worship Him. How terrible it was that God’s temple was destroyed! And how important it was to restore the place where those seeking forgiveness, where those crying out for justice, where those who wanted to be a part of God’s family, could come near to God. What does this mean for you and me, in the context of “mission?”
Let’s consider 1 Corinthians 3:16. “All of you surely know that you are God’s temple and that His Spirit lives in you. Together you are God’s holy temple...” We—the Church—are God’s temple. Through us, God’s Kingdom is present on earth. We are supposed to be the means by which people can meet God, and worship Him. The Church is more than buildings, fancy or otherwise. The Church should be a place for: • • • • •
Those seeking forgiveness. Those crying out for justice. Those in need. Those who want to be part of God’s family. Those seeking to do God’s will.
Questions • Do we believe this? Do we truly believe that this is God’s purpose for His Church? • Do we want this? Do we want to be a church that exists for those seeking forgiveness? For those crying out for justice? For those in need? For those who want to be part of God’s family? • Together you are God’s holy temple... “ Do we ‘get’ that God wants this to be a family affair? That we are the sum of our parts? It’s not about individuals striving alone. This is about he waka eke noa; everybody in one canoe with no exception.
EACH ONE OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY! “Many people felt that the Lord God wanted them to help rebuild his temple...” Ezra 1:5 We can clearly see the different roles which different people played to help rebuild the temple: The Pray-ers: Daniel is one of the great prayer heroes in the Bible. As a young man he was taken away into exile when the Babylonians destroyed the temple. We know that he was still alive, 50 years later, when permission was given for the temple to be rebuilt. We also know that the rebuilding of the temple was an answer to his prayers! “I am your servant, Lord God, and I beg you to answer my prayers and bring honour to yourself by having pity on your temple that lies in ruins.” (Daniel 9:17) The Givers: Ezra 1:6 tells us that those who remained behind in Babylon contributed to those who returned to Israel. They “helped them by giving many things...” They made it possible for the go-ers to go! The Go-ers: More than 40,0006 people set off on the 1,500 km journey to help rebuild God’s temple. And, when they arrived in Israel, they each had different jobs to do: • There were logisticians, who organised the construction materials (Ezra 3:7) • There were leaders, responsible for making sure the temple was rebuilt correctly (Ezra 3:9) 6 Ezra 2:64
“No one is useless in the Church. We are all needed in order to build this temple. No one is secondary: ‘Ah, I am the most important one in the Church!’ No! We are all equal in the eyes of God. But, one of you might say, ‘Mr. Pope, sir, you are not equal to us.’ But I am just like each of you. We are all equal. We are all brothers and sisters.” POPE FRANCIS
• There were builders and labourers, who got stuck in with the construction work (Ezra 3:10) • There were musicians, who praised God as work got underway, offering music as the people worked. (Ezra 3:10) A definition for the word “synergy” is “two or more things working together in order to create something that is bigger or greater than the sum of their individual parts.7” This is what we can clearly see happening here: many different people doing many different things in order to create something that was greater than anyone of them. Amongst all these people, there were no doubt different preferences, personalities and attitudes. The whole of Ezra chapter 2 is a detailed list that shows the wide variety of people who returned to Israel to help rebuild the temple. There are people from different families and tribes. People from different towns and cities. People from different backgrounds (Levites, temple workers, servants of Solomon etc.). They’re a diverse assortment of people, but there was unity in their diversity! The common cause—what brought them all together—is that they “felt that the Lord God wanted them to help rebuild his temple,” (Ezra 1:5). They are united in purpose, with a clear goal in mind.
Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” 1 PETER 4:10
Questions • If the Israelites were called to rebuild God’s temple as a sign of God’s presence in our world, how might God be asking you to help build His church and reveal His presence in the world around you? • Is it only other people that God wants involved in Mission, or is there a role you can play too? 7 Yourdictionary.com
• What have you got to offer? How can YOU contribute? What skills, abilities, or giftings do you have, and where can they best be used? • A “pray-er,” a “giver,” and a “go-er:” Do any of these terms apply to you? • Look around at the people in the room with you. If God is calling “many” to “help rebuild his temple,” are you able to find a way to work in synergy with these people? Can we find unity in our diversity? • As a church—despite any differences we might have—is there a common cause/a clear goal, that, together, we can work towards which will demonstrate the presence of God’s Kingdom in our community?
WE HAVE TO PERSEVERE IF WE WANT TO SUCCEED! “Then the neighbouring people began to do everything possible to frighten the Jews and to make them stop building.” Ezra 4:4 In the Book of Ezra we see some of the problems that God’s people encountered as they tried to rebuild His temple: • The neighbouring people tried to frighten/ intimidate those doing God’s work (Ezra 4:4) • Bribes were paid to government officials to slow down the work (Ezra 4:5) • False charges and accusations against God’s people were brought to those in authority (Ezra 5:6) • Those in authority made decisions that prevented God’s work from being done (Ezra 4:21) This is the experience of many who have worked for Kingdom purposes, and it is certainly the reality for those serving in overseas mission. NZBMS workers have experienced all four of these obstacles: intimidation; bribery and corruption; having false charges and accusations being brought against them; and having those in authority hinder or stop God’s work being done. Sadly, sometimes these obstacles are enough to stop God’s good work from being done.
A new King now rules over Babylon, and he reads the charges and accusations brought against the Israelites. He sees the Israelites as a threat, and issues a command for them to stop their work (Ezra 4: 18—21) Everything comes to a halt. For 15 years, no more work is done. For the 40,000 people who have travelled such a great distance to rebuild the temple, and for those back in Babylon who have given and supported and prayed, it seems like their efforts have been in vain. Fifteen years! Can you imagine how frustrated the Israelites must have been?! What would they have thought? What would they have felt, during the 15 years when they’re stuck in limbo? • Was God really in this? • Were we actually doing what He wanted us to do?
his closest companions still don’t know who he is. As we build his Church, and extend His Kingdom, be prepared to be frustrated, bewildered, and discouraged! As we build his Church, and extend His Kingdom, be prepared to persevere!
While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” JESUS: JOHN 16:33
Questions
• Does God actually care about this work? About us?
• What discourages you about serving God? How have you been discouraged in the past?
• Have we wasted our time? Have we wasted our money and our resources for nothing?
• As a Church family—are we willing to persevere in the work we believe God has called us to do?
• Can we trust God? Is He bigger than these problems, or are these problems bigger than Him?
• Will we encourage each other, even when times get tough, or it seems like God is no longer “in” what we’re doing?
Just because God is “in” it, doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.
• In regards to our overseas workers— will we stand by them, prayerfully and financially, in difficult times? When they seem to be making little headway, or when their work is actually brought to a stop?
God never promises that obeying him is going to be easy. Throughout the Bible there are many examples of God’s people being frustrated, bewildered, and discouraged in their efforts to see His “will be done.” • Abraham had to wait 25 years between God promising him a son, and the promise being realised with the birth of Isaac. • Moses spends 40 years wandering the desert with the Israelites, and dies within sight of the Promised Land. • Even Jesus was frustrated. “I have been with you for a long time. Don’t you know who I am?” (John 14: 9) Having spent three years with his disciples, allowing them to encounter him up close and personal and witness his incredible miracles, Jesus expresses sadness that
CONCLUSION: “AND SO THE TEMPLE WAS COMPLETED AT THE COMMAND OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL.” EZRA 6:14 After 15 years, God speaks to his prophets and tells them to encourage the people to start working again on his temple (Ezra 5:1-2). Those in authority aren’t sure what to do about this, so they write a letter to King Darius—yet another new ruler over Babylon— to ask him what they should do (Ezra 5: 5-6). King Darius orders someone to search the old records, to find out if his predecessors had
given permission for the Israelites to rebuild their temple. Finally, a scroll is discovered, confirming that Emperor Cyrus had issued the Israelites with a command to rebuild the temple (Ezra 6:1-3). Because of this re-found information, Darius grants permission for the rebuilding work to resume, and promises terrible consequences to anyone who makes trouble for the people of Israel (Ezra 6: 6- 11). The people get back to work. “With great success the Jewish leaders continued working on the temple…” (Ezra 6:14). Finally, the GREAT day comes when the temple is completed. Mission accomplished! So what can we take from this story, in regards to “Mission?” •
God wants there to be a crossroads between heaven and earth. God has made a way by which people can encounter Him. A way for people in search of forgiveness, who are crying
out justice, who are in need, who want to become part of God’s family, or who desire to do God’s will. You and I—the Church—have a mission to show people “the way;” Our mission is to point people to Jesus. •
There is a role for each of us. We need pray-ers, We need givers. We need goers. We need people willing to use their skills, talents, abilities, and giftings to do the work God has for us. Will we let Him stir up our hearts, and tackle the work he calls us to?
•
Will we persevere? Will we encourage one another, working together in unity? Will we be faithful, even when times get hard? Will we commit to God’s “mission,” through thick and thin, until we can one day say “Mission Accomplished?”
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” HENRY FORD
(FOUNDER OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY)