Excuses Part 2

(This is the continuation of a post below of my message from February 18, 2008.)


7) Engaging the World - Eventually the Twelve key followers of Christ are sent out to engage the world with their new found faith, beliefs, and power to heal the hopes and hurts of the least, the last, and the lost. We read about it in Matthew 10:5-15. It's interesting that today many people are far more willing to serve than they are to beleive. I think we live in a very cynical time, but also a time of heightened compassion. The concern I have is that cynicism will overcome compassion over time. If we do not spend our time in those first 6 steps as well, we will eventually become burnt out as we are more focused on what we get out of our service than on what we give.

Good Shepherd has also developed a tool to assure that our engagement is done according to our own particular spiritual make up. Go has equippped us to be in ministry in a way that burn out doesn't happen. S.T.E.P. is a tool that helps you discern where you fit so that you will serve with a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.

8) Continued Learning - In the next several chapters of Matthew we find Jesus engaged in ongoing teachings, miraculous healings and religious battles. We find in chapters 11-18 that Jesus is a threat to the status quo of society. If Good Shepherd people are faithful to this kind of Christ, we’ll find ourselves at cross purposes with the assumptions of society and religiosity. However, we’re on the right side. As Christians we must be ever involved in the learning process. Jesus' teachings are meant to build up the confidence of those who are hearing the message and trying to live it. His miracles are meant to confirm for us who Christ is and give us courage to know that we are serving the One from above. If we have confidence in what we have learned and now have come to believe, the battles put an exclamation point on the need for change in our world.

At this time I should point out that I have assumed something that maybe I shouldn't. Prayer, personal as well as group bible study, worship in public and private, are all exercises of the faith that must be a part of the growing Christians lifestyle. If you aren't engaged in these practices, go back to stage one and start over.


9) Profession - When a church member decides its time to unite with the ministries of Good Shepherd, they stand before the congregation and respond positively to the question, "Do you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior and put your whole trust in his Grace?" I don't doubt that everyone who answers that question with a yes, means it. However, I think that people, over time, grow in their understanding of the meaning.

In Matthew 16 Jesus finally encourages Peter, a follower from the beginning, to profess his faith. Peter blurts out "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter has some down times between this profession and his final days of ministry, but in the end he becomes one of the great followers of Christ.

10) Kingdom Living - Matthew 17-27 begins a time when Jesus is going to teach his followers about the deeper struggels in life. The demands of discipleship will be tough. We find ourselves encouraged to choose sides. To participate in Kingdom living, or to opt out. Kingdom living is marked by a life led with grace. A life evidenced by giving, sacrificing, deep and active care for others, and a sense that all you are doing is meant to help others move deeper in their faith and conviction.

11) Kingdom Dieing - I turn to two Luke passages here. Matthew doesn't highlight these two events in the same way. As Christ is dieing he experiences being spat upon, rocks being thrown, being stripped naked as soldiers gamble for his clothing, and being jeered at. Even through this he looks up to the sky and prays for his enemies, "Father forgive them. They have no idea what they're doing." Additionally, he is hanging between two thieves. One is laughing at him, the other begging for mercy. The the one who begs he states, "Today you will be with me in glory."

Jesus goes through the worst moment of his life offering grace and mercy. Kingdom dieing may be experienced long before we actually pass. It may be that we find ourselves in a moment when we feel we are dieing inside; when someone is attacking us verbally or emotionally in a way that feels like they're killing us. At a time like that, Kingdom dieing means offering grace and mercy when you feel you are dieing.

12) Kingdom Eternity - Those who die in Christ, live with Christ. Ultimately all who call on the name of Christ for their salvation will experience Kingdom Eternity. Not everyone will go through the other eleven steps prior to reaching their eternity. I would also venture to guess that not everyone goes through these steps sequentially. However, each step is a chance to review where we find ourselves in our faith and consider going deeper.