Pastor’s Weekly Note, January 27, 2012
As it was with Nehemiah, you will have someone who is opposed to you stepping out and trying to accomplish the vision that God has laid on your heart.
That opposition comes in many different ways. It could be subtle, it could be blatant, it could be internal, it could be external. Whatever the way, opposition will come.
Why?
Vision is about change and change disrupts people’s lives. It disrupts people’s schedules. It makes people uncomfortable.
That’s exactly what happens in Nehemiah 4 as the work continues on the wall of Jerusalem. In that chapter we’re going to see an external pressure being put on the people of Jerusalem, one that threatens the work of rebuilding the wall so much so that Nehemiah has to make some changes in how they do things so that the work stays on target.
The fact of the matter is anytime you are moving on and trying to accomplish the vision God gives you, there will be opposition, and there will be changes or modifications you will have to make in order for that vision to be realized.
It’s not the vision that changes, but the way you try to accomplish that vision will change, possibly many times, so that you can accomplish what God puts on your heart.
When I first came back to Calvary in 2004, I shared a sermon about the people crossing the Jordan and entering the land. We picked up stones and deposited them into a container to signify we would follow God wherever He wanted to lead us. Attached to that was the vision of “Going, growing, and sowing”.
When you think of it, the vision we have today of “Making disciples who make disciples” is really no different from that. Sure the wording is changed, but the idea is still the same. We’re to be connecting people to Jesus (that’s the going), building disciples who follow Jesus (that’s the sowing), and cultivating leaders who walk as Jesus (that’s the growing).
But how we are trying to accomplish that is different… we have a Community Center that is a light in a dark city. We can touch lives for Christ in ways we never imagined or could even do in the church facilities. We have family meals on Wednesday evenings that are designed for people to gather, develop relationships and have the opportunity to share Christ. We have a Keenager’s group that is comprised of almost half non-churched people who are exposed to Christ in a positive way. We have Connections between Sunday School and the Service for the express purpose of building the needed fellowship that we often don’t have time for in our hectic and chaotic week.
Different methods, same vision.
Does everything run smoothly? No. Can improvement be made? Yes. Is there criticism? You bet ya. That only means we need to continue to evaluate, improve, change, sharpen… all that. But the vision will still remain.
Perhaps the biggest question I have in all of this is: What is God laying on your heart? How does He want you involved in the vision at Calvary? Keep praying and seeking!!!
Are you ready?
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Russ
January 27, 2012 at 10:12 am
Watching the unfolding of the story of the 65 year old man and the three teens that jumped him on the local news and MSNBC, I realized more than ever how much we need to connect with our local kids and their families NOW. We need to give them more than just a safe place to hang out, but to give them the only Hope there is for all of us. This is bigger than all of us, and always has been – stories like this just bring it home. I’m in.
This is the verse of the day on Biblegateway and it is really relevant today.
“[A Fight to the Finish]And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:12-13 MSG