The Method of Missions

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... Mt. 28:19

Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go...make disciples of all the nations...” Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy... But Jesus said, in effect, “Don’t rejoice in successful service – the great
secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me.” (Lk. 10:17–20).  The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus.... the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ – “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Mt. 9:28).  Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter.  The one great challenge to us is – do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? ... – “All authority has been given to Me...Go therefore...”  Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest, 27 October.

Transforming Vision

We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds... (Rom 12:2)
         The wisdom of God is from heaven, and if we want it, we must seek the Lord together until He gives us His mind....without a heavenly agenda and perspective, we are labouring in vain.

Our focus is ...shifting from seeking revival inside the church to the exciting impact of a revived church – the transformation of the community outside the church.  When God ours out His Spirit and revives His church, and His people carry that revival fire out into their spheres of influence in the community, the lost come in contact with Jesus and the transformation of institutions begin to occur.  We must pray and purpose in our hearts to
seek His presence to fill every office, school classroom, restaurant, jail cell, nursing home, and sports arena in our communities! [p.169]

 

God is drawing His church back to intimacy with Him and challenging our ministry-based identities.  As the realization of the love of God begins to restore and transform us, our motivation shifts from being a “worker” for God to being a “lover” of God.  We move from the pressure of a performance-based mentality to a rest and contentment to be loved and then to serve out of that love.  This is bringing a tremendous sense of rest to the body of Christ – we don’t have to perform to be loved!  We are loved, therefore, we love, and that becomes our ministry expression... [p.170]

Warriors to Worshippers...!!!

A very important shift in recent years is our understanding of the role of intercession.  Many intercessors have grown weary and even wounded by an overemphasis of “warring” against the enemy.  As the message of intimacy seeps into the mind of the body of Christ we ate gratefully sitting at his feet like Mary and then interceding out of our intimate fellowship with our King.  There is certainly a reality of spiritual warfare that we are involved in, but our gaze must remain focused on Jesus.  When we worship Him, the spiritual atmosphere round us changes because the Bible says, “God inhabits the praises” of His people (Ps 22:3).  When the presence of God is manifest it displaces the kingdom of darkness. [p.170]

...wait more on the Lord.  There is a very healthy frustration in the church right now with man-made programs and methods.  As a result, we are longing for reality and a deeper connection to Jesus.  We are turning away from our busyness and preoccupations to seek
Him.  Spending time in prayer and waiting on the Lord produce humility and wisdom. He purifies our character as we spend time in His presence....be willing to wait on Him. [p.171]

God’s ways simply aren’t our ways and His thoughts aren’t our thoughts!  God is capable of understanding everything in time and history – each person’s calling and giftings, every detail of every need in the city, and the best way to work it out for everybody concerned.  Then He orchestrates His plans according to His own wisdom and timing.  We can’t understand such things, but we can be obedient to His Word and live according to His kingdom values.

True success is living a life of faithful obedience to Jesus, and
that need not be complicated.  What it lacks in complication will be made up for in passion! [p. 173]