Radical Chapter 4 Review
We’ll Pay You Play
In this chapter we see this idea quickly emerging… We don’t want to go to the ends of the earth to carry the gospel, but we’ll be glad to help you do it. Do you find yourself expecting a “paid professional” to do your church work for you? We had a good look at Ephesians 4 where Paul reminds the church that leaders are given to the church to equip it so that His people may do works of service. In other words, we’re all supposed to do the work. 🙂
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
We sometimes make excuses that we’re not “gifted” in a certain area. But that doesn’t take away a responsibility from us for sharing the gospel and carrying out the great commission.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
This is a familiar text but a tremendous reminder that God doesn’t just bless us with things so we can enjoy life. He blesses us with purpose.
Genesis 12 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Over and over in the Old and New Testament we see God doing things for the glory of His name. Even in the Lord’s prayer we start with “hallowed be Thy Name.” It’s about His glory. To that end Christianity doesn’t center around me, it centers around Christ. The great truth is Jesus loves me, but it is for His father’s glory.
Part of the Plan
How can you live your life in a way to help carry the gospel to the nations? You have so much more to offer than just writing a check. We saw examples of businessmen and women who were using their resources to show mercy and compassion both at home and abroad. God has gifted us all and we don’t have the same jobs to do, but all of our jobs are part of the same plan to make sure that everyone has a chance to be reconciled to God through faith in His Son Jesus. What’s your job?