Well done my good and faithful servant

Well done my good and faithful servant!  

This is from a parable told by Jesus in Matthew chapter 25.   After some of his servants proved trustworthy their master said "well done good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful with little, I have set you over much".    Regardless of the promise of being "set over much" something inside of me aches to hear "Well done" from God.

One thing that repels me from many Christian movements is that they tend invite people to a life disconnected from the world which we are here to serve.  My deepest desire is to be useful to God.  I want join God in bringing His Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.   I want to be engaged in bringing hope to the struggle of the world and be a constant reminder to people of the hope available in Jesus.  To serve as a conduit for God to love His lost children.  

There are programs, movements, clubs and groups that may be right, good and true, but I'm just not able to see how they are useful.  (Granted it may be my own shortcomings that are stopping me from understanding.)    They are enticing and seem to be lulling people in to a safe bubble of christian community and a spiritual experience seeking culture with no inspiration to send people out to the world and be the light of hope to a hurting world.  

With my growing understanding of who I am in Christ and the directions given to me by scripture,  I just don't see him commanding me to ensure that I have a full social calendar, lots of Christian friends and spend all of my free time with other Christians 'discerning' proper worship styles, bible interpretations and rightly classifying different theologies.   

Now, along the road and on my journey to the ends of the earth to make disciples of Jesus, I am invited to live my life in the spirit of God and along the way, I will experience fellowship, iron sharpening iron, encouragement of a church family, inspiration from sound teaching by someone who loves me.  But to dedicate my time, community, relational energy and identity to a flavor or style of safe and sheltered "christianity", is a complete waste of a great opportunity to shape eternity.    I don't think God would say that I was trustworthy with what he has given me if I am not useful with it.   The rest of that parable in Matthew 25 the servant answered:  "I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground". And the master responded "You wicked and slothful servant".

Don't get me wrong, I value community, healthy theological discussion and worshipful, potluckful christian community.  I absolutely love it!   I need it!  Without those, the journey to disciple making would be difficult, lonely and full of mistakes.    However these "cushioned" environments aren't what makes me more like Jesus.  They are where I go when I am 'afraid and go and hide what I've been trusted with in the ground'.   They don't help God reach the lost, and surely are not a light to the world. (MT 5:14)   Because unless the light is coming to the people who need it and inviting them in, the light is far off, unattainable and provides segregation and no hope whatsoever.   

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

As a Pastor, I pray that those whom I serve will not get wrapped up in the delusion of phony christianity where this is no risk, no sacrifice and no cost.   We have been given the very spirit of the God of the universe!  Jesus reminds us that He has all authority in heaven and earth and he promises to be with us until the end of the age!  So we are to go and make disciples of Jesus.  

I cannot think of any valid excuse that would preclude us from acting on that commission.  Jesus removes the barriers we would have.  "I am with you, I have the authority".  But we so easily elevate our own fears & insecurities overcome our desire to do God's will.  (It was fear that stopped the MT 25 wicked servant from stewarding well) 

 What if we thought of this like Jesus wants Peter to think of it.  

John 21:15-17 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time,“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him,“Feed my sheep.

I've said this many times.  As a father, husband, pastor, friend... I love to see people I love love people I love.    This is true with God.  Jesus says "If you love me, feed my sheep".  

This also sheds light on the great command:  When Jesus was asked, what is the greatest of all of the commands Jesus said: 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” MT 22:36-40

Jesus is telling Peter is the same thing.  If you love me, feed my sheep.  If you love me, then love those I love.   It's also the same as "putting on the mind of Christ" or asking for God to "fill you with His spirit"...  the purpose is always to love others!  All of the gifts and commands of God are designed to help us love each other better. Even the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 are all about how we can love each other better.  

I'm telling you that Bill & Ted (Excellent Adventure) were on to something with the simple mantra "Be excellent to each other".   There's beauty in that simple statement.  

CS Lewis in the Screwtape Letters says it this way:  ... how enslaved they are to the pressure of the ordinary.

We can get wrapped up in a false sense of christian living.  It's time to redefine Christianity not by how much time we spend with like minded people, but by how much time we spend with the hurting and those who need the good news of Jesus.  At the end of the day, THAT is what will make God say  "Well done my good and faithful servant".   That is what my soul I longs to hear from my loving Father.  

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Judgey judge judgerson

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV)

It is tempting to tolerate/endorse sin for the sake of acceptance and a false sense of peace.   We need to encourage each other to accept Jesus as Savior AND Lord.  Give everything to Him, even our self-justified sin. 

Paul's statement in this passage not only rings true with God's character but with the practical experience of life.   It is hateful to our brothers to watch them sin and give them to nod of acceptance rather than the sweet, loving & judging word of correction. 

This ONLY applies to those who call themselves your brother.  (Your church family).  Outside of that unity, there's no ground for judgement, because there is not a common agreement as to what the standard should be for basing a judgement.  For those outside the "family" we are to love them without judgement, just like the Christian wouldn't want a Pagan to use their standard of morality to judge him.  God judges, we love.

Stop Going To Church!

The wealthy church goer tends to sit, consume, critique and leave. It's the poor who engage, serve & grow.  It's NOT supposed the be that way! 

^{Matthew 19:16-26} 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

That last verse is the hinge on which the eternal security of the wealthy swings.  It is God's will that ALL enter his Kingdom and we are all called to be "with God".  So it's not supposed to be this way for the rich person.  

Ephesians 4:12 - to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

If you're not using your gifts and talents to be on Mission with a church, all you're doing is consuming goods and services.  STOP GOING TO CHURCH, and start living and breathing the mission of your church in community with the others in your church.  There is no such thing as "better worship, or better preaching" in the Kingdom of God.  I promise you this; you will not stand before God at the end of your life and hear the question "Did you choose to go consume the best music and preaching in town on Sundays?".  You will be standing before God and He will be looking behind you to see all of the disciples of Jesus who are following you.

I am not a gifted performer.  I am called and equipped to equip you and to be your Pastor not your performer.  At night, I dream about shepherding you in to a dangerously close relationship with Jesus Christ where you can taste His love for you and it compels you to do something completely selfless with your life.  (Like sell everything you have and give to the poor.)

For some of you, this is a literal command.  Not because the poor have need.  But because you are finding comfort in your wealth, not your God and that is stopping you from experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven right now!  

So many christians read the latest "Extreme Christianity" book about living radical lives as a true Follower of Jesus and hide behind the self righteousness of criticizing the "Church" for being so benign.  If you claim Jesus you ARE the church.  So stop critiquing sermon quality and worship quality and engage with the mission of the church.

If you are going to church and are not on mission with that church, you are consuming a valuable parking space, seat, coffee and friendship that is intended for a potential co-missionary in that church.  You're actually hurting the church by claiming Jesus and not engaging in mission. STOP GOING TO CHURCH AND START BEING THE CHURCH!

It's not time for the Church to step up and be better Christians.  It's time for Christians to step up and be a better Church!

God believes in us that we can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.  He believes in us that we can make disciples of ALL NATIONS!  He believes in us that we can bring peace in the brokenness.  He doesn't put His hope in YOU.  He puts His hope in US!  His Church!  WE can do this! He LOVES US!  But for some of us, we need to sell everything we have so we can put God in His place on the throne of our life!

Join the mission of your church!

Pastor Mike

(a thought... before you point a finger remember, if you are reading this, that means you have access to the internet, a computer or a smart phone.  That likely condemns you as in the top 2% in world wealth.)