Page 8 - Good News April 2011 paper

Continued from p. 5 choose crucifixion as a means to bring about the end
Continued from p. 5
army to go and help. This is just of His time here on earth? Why did every disciple
taking way too long! It is just not except John die a martyr's death? The power of the
happening fast enough! cross is displayed when amidst the worst of suffering,
I certainly do not try to rush God we are still able to worship God and find joy within Him
and I also understand that His because of the righteousness that we now possess.
timing is beyond us and that He But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
can never be late. But when we come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in
stagnate in missions, which is a Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
commission and order, then I say: ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Here the word witnesses
Arise Church, and come out of the means martyrs!
slumber that has held you captive Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-34) with all their
for long enough! righteousness even combined displayed nothing of
I am disappointed in Church and the “Health, Wealth, and Prosperity Gospel” that we
Ministry leaders - of which I am see enslaving the Church and believers today. Beaten
one. We have forgotten God's and imprisoned we see them still joyous. We see them
passion for the lost and that He faithful though tried and faithful though tested. We see
has appointed us to bring the them Healthy in Christ, Wealthy in Christ and
multitudes in that He may receive Prosperous in Christ! They are focused on their
all glory and praise that is due to calling! They are passionate about God's Glory and
Him. the people groups that lay ahead of them that needed
For too long missions have been to hear the Good News. They were rooted in the
put on the lower order of the day message of the cross and not the message that
and have even been removed from nothing bad could ever happen with them or that their
the priority lists of so many big house was on its way, all they needed to do, was
churches. I am a believer today just to claim it. This type of wealth has cheapened the
because of missions! And so are Church and weakened its foundations.
you! We are fighting the fight today If only we could see every pastor educating his
because of the missionaries who congregation on global missions. If only we could see
toiled before us, the apostles that denominations embracing the Great Commission with
died so that we may receive the a new eagerness and zest that sends shudders into the
Good News! depths of hell. If only each believer would educate
Not for one minute do I prioritize himself / herself on global missions and go from
the task of missions greater than passive to passionate! If only the Church would arise
the Task-Giver, namely Jesus. But and come out of her slumber and comfort!
the time has come to speak up, not IF ONLY...
against one another but against
this slumber and comfort that has
immobilized the Church for too
long now - especially in the West.
As believers and pastors we have
been engulfed by worldly sys-
tems and appointments, making
Church a business and the Pastor
a Director. We have exchanged
intercessors for Board Members
and have replaced the Missions
Fund for the Building Fund.
We should be dedicated to the love
and glory of Christ and His
'system' of which the Great
Commission is one of the most
important aspects.
The Church should be a safe
haven for the lost, a home for the
believer, the engine room for
strategizing global missions and
the sanctuary where believers can
glorify the Name of the Lord. Oh
dear friends, our outlook needs to
change!
Keep your life free from love of
money, and be content with what
you have, for He has said, "I will
never leave you nor forsake you"
(Hebrews 13:5).
I say, arise Church and come out of
your comfort zone given to you by
wealth. If your faith is based solely
on prosperity, then why did Christ