Revival for witnessing

As I read through the Sabbath School lesson this week I was asking myself “how seriously do we want the revival?”  the word is used and abused, mostly for personal gain.  Biblical concept of “revival” is about putting on Christ (Col 3:10; Gal 3:27), being born anew, being revived by the Spirit for a new life (Rom 8:11).  Revival is about receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is not for selfish use, but to be witnesses.

Do you want a revival?  Do you want to be a witness?  These are synonymous!  The ancient Biblical Greek word for witness was “martyros” from which our English word martyr is derived. Followers of Jesus were martyrs for the sake of witness. Followers of Jesus began their day with a prayer “Lord Jesus, what is my cross today?”

I want you to think of the Cross of Jesus.  In the words of apostle Paul “I die daily” (1 Cor 15:31).  On the cross our self dies, success dies, leadership abilities die.  OUR strength – nailed to the cross, OUR desires – nailed to the same cross!  OUR weaknesses – nailed to the cross.  We sing “I love to tell the story...”  What stories do we love to tell?  Mostly stories about our success, about our happiness, about our deeds....Is that really the witness???

I love to tell the story...of Jesus and His love.  Revival by the Spirit brings us to the cross, where we see the right perspective, where things of this world grow dim, where burdens and anxieties of materialism are tossed away.  At the cross we are invited to die to self.

Leonard Sweet, a theological poet, in his reflection on being the follower, has a chapter entitled “from ‘show me the money’ to ‘count the cost.’  He asks a question of how many would pay attention to a call “sell your dream house and follow me [Jesus] into this lower-income neighbourhood.”  Most western Christians would never dream that God may ask such a thing.  He challenges modern Christian to be cross-bearers, and not cross-wearers.  In our Adventist culture of simplicity, modesty, born from the holiness movement of 19^th century, we do not wear jewelry, even if it’s shaped as a cross.  But do we carry the cross of Jesus? Do we witness?  Do we go where Jesus goes?

We don’t take over Jesus’ ministry now that he is gone.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit He is still here, being sent, going, in His Body, the Church being Christ to the world. Witnessing we are called to is not an abstract stories telling about doctrinal statements, it’s more that carrying His words.  Witnessing is being Christ to the world around us, it is to embody His life in us, and show His face.

Be revived for such a witness, for Christ to be formed in you!   

VBS evangelism – taking things seriously!

Last Wednesday night sister Lo Richards led the Prayer meeting with a special emphasis on praying for the upcoming VBS program.  The few nights before we talked at the Board meeting about our evangelism planning, and what is very obvious to all, is that we cannot and should not see a single event at the end of the year as THE evangelism.  The real evangelism is happening everyday as we meet and mingle with people.

The text chosen by sister Richards was taken from 2^nd Corinthians 2:14-17.  The metaphor of being “God’s perfume” – in Christ God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. 

Our presence is evangelism! Holy Spirit’s work in us produces Christ’s presence, and, according to Apostle Paul, people could “smell it” and it turns them to consider Jesus.  No need for gimmicks, mass media advertisement, PR campaigns, or any other stressful deeds to produce an event we call “evangelism.”  As we go about daily lives meeting people, serving people, just being Christians, they would notice THE WAY to God in us.

Starting tonight volunteers will set up and continue through Sunday preparing to serve kids.  Monday-Friday night scores of children from the community would pour into our church to learn about Bible, about Jesus.  Pray for all involved to experience true evangelism.  By the way – the theme this year is “Spiritual Warfare!”

10 “stations” are designated on this “way of VBS,” please pray for each this week:

1.      Registration team – first faces kids and parents meet.

2.      4 teams and their leaders, who will organize kids into groups.

3.      Praise Team

4.      Audio-Visual support team

5.      Drama team

6.      Bible Story

7.      Food & snacks team

8.      Games

9.      Crafts

10.  Graduation service – at which we connect with parents

And the follow up after the program is over, inviting kids to Adventurers and Children’s church.

Let’s take seriously this opportunity to present God to children!

Send to serve....social justice!!!

With this blog I am following up on the question raised last Sabbath.  Worship service sends us into mission.  Do we know where and for what we are sent? Has last Sabbath’s church service and time of worship sent you to go somewhere this past week?  Did you get engaged in the mission this past week? 

We had spent this whole week in Spanish town, Northern Ontario, serving, helping a local congregation.  I read through the book of Isaiah for personal reflection and revival.  What impresses me is that Isaiah “sending” was not for church liturgy, services, gatherings, seminars, training, rituals...  Prophet Isaiah may not have been the most popular speaker in his time.  He was certainly not a celebrity, as his message was “Thus Says the Lord!  I hate your church services, I cannot stand your worship rituals” (Isaiah 1:11-15)

The “sending” that Isaiah was passionate about was the lifestyle of God’s people, the social justice of taking care of people.  The “lifestyle” - what comes to mind when you hear this word, “lifestyle”?  For many the term came to mean how we dress, not having studs in our ears, or tattoos in visible places; for others, “lifestyle” means giving up meat, for some putting cheese in “sin” category, for others “lifestyle” means being vegan, or fitness, or ..... and the list may go on. There are “Lifestyle management” companies which provide personal assistance and concierge services to cater to all areas of an individual´s life ranging from family to professional matters.   The new trend is “life coach” profession.  Yet, for our worship to be acceptable before God, it is not about how we appear on Sabbath, but about taking care of oppressed.

Isaiah’s concern was the lifestyle of service, lifestyle of caring for people, lifestyle of restoring social justice.  Righteousness to Isaiah meant not solemn assemblies, or rituals.  Righteousness = Justice.

We all, at different times in our lives, memorized Isaiah 1:18 - “come let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow, red as crimson – white as wool”  Now consider the context!!!  The very next verse, 19 invites to obedience.  Later words “send me” of Isaiah 6 are response to this call for obedience.  When you leave worship is not about emotional high and hype of “we had church today!” feel good, but it is about leaving the assembly to do something in changing injustice around you. 

Another prophet, a contemporary of Isaiah, Amos, gives a vivid metaphor “let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (5:24).  Imagine the waterfall – Niagara!  Or the recent flooding in Alberta!  Not just doing something once a month for a few hours, at the Ark Aid, or community service – but letting your life be a waterfall of social care, your presence to be like a river of blessings for powerless, weak; flooding those around you with loving kindness, care and remedy for people pain.

As you sit in worship today, having praised, prayed, being forgiven. Hearing God’s word, are you moved by God’s Spirit to go and establish justice where it is absent?  Are there weak and marginalized people you know that you could make a difference for?  God sends you to serve.

True worship liberates!

My attention was attracted this week by an article entitled "The Effects of Liberating Worship: 'Here I Am. Send Me!' with a link to a Pedrito Maynard-Reid's closing presentation at the 2013 Andrews University Music and Worship Conference.  I just had to listen, because it resonated with what I always want to communicate with churches I serve – the reason we come to worship is that the Word of God would move us into mission.  We come to worship to be reminded that our mission is to bring others to worship God.

Our worship is not about us, but about God.  We do not worship our accomplishments but the Great God who blesses us.  We do not celebrate our inclusiveness, but the God of Love who is welcoming to all.  We do not showcase our talents, but offer our best praise to the Awesome God.

Isaiah 6 has been the model for liturgy.  It starts with adoration of God, moves into confession and admission of our sins and need for God, followed by receiving forgiveness “your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” The ancient Hebrew concept/word for message/oracle was same as “burden.”   To have an oracle, was to have a burden (Malachi 1:1).  When a person is burdened by sin, guilt, doubt, blame – one cannot bear God’s burden, cannot hear God’s oracle!  That’s why first sins are to be forgiven, and liberation from guilt and doubt is to be received. This liberation from guilt prepares worshippers to hear the proclamation of the Word.  Do you hear the Word of God in worship, or are you plagued by your guilt, doubts, anxiety, worries?

When we receive the Word, unhindered by our burdens, then it produces the dedication “Here am I, send me!”  Isaiah’s  vision is a descriptive paradigm of all worship.  Notice that success of church worship is not the responsibility of the pastor, or the praise leader, or the prayer leader.  These have all their role and place.  Our praise and music leads all participants to focus on God, to adore God’s majesty and greatness, to see the true God enthroned.  Our Praise time has to move your attention from the world to the heavenly Sanctuary where angels bow down.  You!  Join the praise!  Adore the Lord God Almighty with all your being, your heart, mind and strength!

Our prayer leaders invite you to confess, to lay down your burdens, to receive forgiveness and freedom.  Pour your heart in prayer, let the Holy Spirit search your inner thoughts and let go of all entanglements.  Be free!  Receive by faith God’s forgiveness and justification.

The preacher delivers the word for you!  Hear the word!  Pay attention! So the Spirit can move you into mission.  At every ordination service we sing “So send I you!”  Here’s the question I want you to ponder “Send where and for what?”  Do we know where and for what we are sent?  I’ve heart from some of you, and had seen some responding in prayer of recommitment after the sermon.  Many have felt and responded to the appeal of change. Yet, not many are on the personal mission. 

When you leave the time of corporate worship, are you engaged in the mission?  Has today’s worship moved you to respond “Here I am, send me?”  Thing about your mission as a response to today’s worship!