Life + Faith

Tag: Mission

  • The Gospel Impacts Conduct

    According to several scientific studies conducted about first impressions, it takes seven seconds for the human brain to create an impression about someone upon first meeting them. And in that initial meet every second is important in creating a good impression. Unfortunately, first impressions can only be made once and it is over in a matter of seconds, meaning that the short interaction can have a lasting impact. Think about where this might make an impact say in a job interview, or on a date, or even when going to church for the first time. Impressions are made quickly. And the way a person conducts themselves, even in those first brief seconds of interaction, can have a lasting impact on how they are perceived.

    In Philippians 1:27-30 Paul, the writer of this letter, presses upon his audience the importance of conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. He isn’t aware of these scientific studies about how quickly people might form opinions of others, but he is aware that the gospel impacts the conduct of a believer.

    An Exhortation

    In v27 Paul gives his first exhortation to the church in Philippi.

    v27-30 is one whole sentence in its original language but try speaking that in English and seeing how you go. And if you’re someone who enjoys knowing the technical detail of scripture then know that it is from this opening line, the opening sentence in English, that everything else hangs off. Like a wardrobe, the beginning of v27 is the bar across wardrobe and the rest is on hangers.  

    Different English translations have sought to express the exact nature of what Paul is saying here, some say, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” The one I tend to use, the CSB, says, “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

    We’re essentially hearing the same thing just in different words. Paul wants to get across the fact that as citizens of Christ’s kingdom, as the people of God, the Philippians are to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the message of Christ.

    And this is the encouragement, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, because it is through the gospel we are shaped.

    The Gospel On Repeat

    The gospel, the good news of what God has done in Christ, is of such importance for Paul that he can’t help but keep it on repeat.

    Back in the olden days when people would use CD players you would hit a button and it would allow you to repeat the song over and over. Now we have a similar button in the music app on our phones. When we enjoy a song, when we want to hear the song again and again, then we put it on repeat.

    For us as Christians we need the gospel on repeat.

    It reminds us of what God has done in Christ.

    It allows us to enjoy the good news of the gospel again and again.

    We constantly need the gospel on repeat in our lives for it to keep making an impact because if we’re honest we’re prone to forget it too.

    We don’t just accept the gospel and move on with our lives, no, we need the gospel again and again and again. We need to hear the story of the gospel, the message of the gospel, of God’s great plan of salvation for us through his Son Jesus, again and again.

    Paul recognises this and keeps reminding the church about this. Everything is founded on the gospel and the gospel impacts everything (Philippians 1:5, 8, 12, 16, and 27).

    The Gospel On Display

    The gospel shapes our conduct, our behaviour, our attitudes, and our lives will display just how central the gospel is to us.

    As Carolyn Mahaney, pastor wife and author has written,

    “Our conduct has a direct influence on how people think about the gospel. The world doesn’t judge us by our theology; the world judges us by our behaviour. People don’t necessarily want to know what we believe about the Bible. They want to see if what we believe makes a difference in our lives.”

    And CS Lewis speaks in a similar, albeit in a negative way, saying,

    “When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.”

    The gospel shapes us.

    The gospel displays us.

    And so the exhortation comes from Paul, that because we are gospel citizens, because we are gospel people, then we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.

    This post is part of an ongoing series where we dive into the themes, messages, and lessons found throughout the book of Philippians. For earlier posts please see:

  • The Advance of the Gospel: In Joy

    The book of Job in the Old Testament presents the story of a man who, despite his righteousness, is subjected to immense suffering. Job’s friends, in their misguided attempts to provide comfort, suggest that his misfortune must be due to some hidden sin. Job, in defiance, is confident that God will ultimately vindicate him, that his trials will lead to deliverance.

    This ancient narrative finds a parallel in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul draws on Job’s language of deliverance when he writes in 1:18-20 about the joy and confidence he derives from the support of the church and their prayers in the Spirit of Christ.

    Paul’s hope for deliverance is twofold: liberation from those who preach Christ with false motives and possible physical release from his imprisonment. Regardless of the specific form his deliverance might take, he is assured of his ultimate vindication.

    And so Paul is hopeful.

    His attitude hasn’t been dampened because of the circumstances he finds himself in. Rather, he is aware of what has ultimate value.

    He is not ashamed of being in chains, of being in prison. He is not ashamed of the sufferings and gossip of others. In fact, he expects to be given courage to face these challenges through Christ. Whether he is alive in body or not. Whatever situation he finds himself in he wishes to exalt Christ, to honour Christ, and in so doing the gospel will advance.

    It is an incredible conviction to have, an incredible attitude to have.

    How often might we find ourselves in hardship?

    There is tremendous hardship in our world. We read about it every week. We see images of it that scar our minds. We don’t have to live long to experience it ourselves or know of others who experience trauma, grief, sadness, loneliness, brokenness, and other sufferings . We are after all sinners, saints, and sufferers.

    And to be quite frank, everyone has a story.

    Everyone is going through something.

    Some things may cause our hearts to strain, to question the faithfulness of God, or bring to mind doubts in God’s goodness.

    And often there are no easy answers to those questions and doubts.

    We may be left in a place of not knowing, others times we are left to the mystery of providence.

    In Philippians we see that despite the circumstances Paul the message of Christ still advances.

    Christ is still exalted through such circumstances.

    And for this he rejoices, he rejoices in Christ.

    I wonder if we’ve ever thought that in amongst carrying that pain, brokenness, and heartache within that there is the opportunity to advance the gospel in there somewhere?

    Can our pain be used in God’s power to proclaim Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that the loss of my job has really served to advance the message of Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that the cancer or chronic health issue has actually served to advance Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that our miscarriage has actually served to advance Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that my wrestle with singleness has actually served to advance Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that the car accident has actually served to advance Christ?

    Would we be able to say, that what I really want you to know brothers and sisters is that the passing of a loved one has actually served to advance Christ?

    I just wonder. I just wonder that in the hardship of life we not only are able to find the comfort of Christ for our grief and lament, but that we also find Christ will be exalted and the gospel advancing.

    And so I wonder, despite it all, whether we can rejoice in Christ?

    This post is part of an ongoing series where we dive into the themes, messages, and lessons found throughout the book of Philippians. For earlier posts please see:

  • 5 Ways To ‘Recover’ From A Short-term Mission Team

    When leaving the gym I often observe people immediately drinking their protein shakes. I’m not entirely convinced of their usefulness for an average fitness plodder like myself. However, I can understand the need for these recovery shakes to be consumed by those involved in elite sport. You see, recovery is viewed as an important part of any athletes training regime. It’s not just about preparation and training. Nor is it simply about what happens on the day of competition. Included in a holistic approach to the athlete’s growth and health is recovery.

    This is the same when it comes to short-term mission teams (an in reality most ministry programs and events).

    5 Ways To Recover From a Short-term Mission Team

    It can often be the case that recovery from these short-term experiences is severely lacking. Much time is spent in preparation and on the trip itself. However, when it comes to debrief and recovery many find themselves left alone to work out how to process such an experience.

    But recovery is so essential in these situations. Whether it is a cross-cultural short-term team, or whether it is in a place where we feel more comfortable, recovery and debrief are vital in helping us process what we’ve experienced and learnt during the adventure.

    These type of trips and teams are particularly intense for a short period of time, often with people we don’t know so well, and doing tasks and activities out of our comfort zone. With it comes culture, relational, and emotional shock because of what we see, hear, smell, and taste. Therefore, it is important to ‘recover’ and reflect from these things.

    Using the word ‘recover’ in this way is not to suggest negativity, but it is about reflecting on the experience. It is about making decisions and gaining clarity and perspective on what we learnt during our time away.

    What recovering is not is making sure we are the same person upon our return. No, we hope to be changed, we hope we provided some change to others ourselves. And this is good. The point of recovery is not to regress back to the way things were, but point forward and apply the impact of our experience into our lives.

    I’m a big believer in these short-term teams and also reflecting on these experiences. I believe anyone should go on one of these types of teams in their lifetime. They will widen our view of the world and provide tangible experiences of people and cultures that are different from us. But coming back into our own culture, with all its regular activities and people and responsibilities brings with it some difficulty. It can be a shock, it can be lonely, it can be disappointing, compared to the excitement and conversations going on in the trip. And so once it’s all over here are five things we can do to help us recover from such an experience.

    First, we can pray. 

    This seems obvious. But how often do we actually do it?

    Praying gives us the opportunity to raise up our praises and gratitude for what God has given us, particularly the experiences we have had on a short-term mission trip. We can lift up those who we have met, the activities we were involved in, and the conversations that struck us. Our prayer lives are often enhanced because of these trips because they give us greater perspective. We can thank God for that.

    But in prayer we can also lift up our questions, our struggles, and our joys. Prayer is an excellent start when seeking to recover from such a trip.

    Second, we can spend time by ourselves reflecting on significant questions. 

    Every time I have led a team I have always provided questions for each individual participant to complete once they are back home. Questions can make us think more deeply, and are helpful in making us think through our experience. There will have been joys and challenges, and we need the ability to name them. While conversations are helpful, time set apart for ourselves to think and process what we’ve done upon our return can helpful. I’d recommend doing this after 6-weeks, the 3-months, 6-months, and 12 months from your return.

    Some questions you might like to consider are:

    • What did I learn about myself during my time away?
    • What did I learn about God and what it means to follow him as a disciple of Christ?
    • What did I learn about the people, the church, and the Christian community in the places I visited?
    • What did I learn about how culture impacts the way people live and understand the world?
    • How has my faith been impacted because of this experience? Have I learnt more about my own Christian calling through this trip?

    What other questions might you add? 

    Third, we can spend time with the people we went with. 

    A meeting 4-6 weeks after the end of the trip is helpful to rekindle thought and relationship with those who went on the trip. If your group is from different geographical areas, then a video chat session would be another way to do this.

    The reason for a team gathering soon after returning is because it helps us share stories. It provides an opportunity to share what has made a lasting impact. And it helps to know you’re not the only one going through the same challenges and struggles in coming home.

    You generally form a strong bond with the people you go away with. Sometimes it doesn’t go well, and that means there might be other ways debrief and recovery needs to occur. But, most of the time, meeting up and telling the stories of the trip; what it’s like to be home and the hopes for the future, will be an encouraging way to wrap up the team experience.

    Fourth, we can make sure we tell the stories with others. 

    It is in the ability to tell the story of what has gone on during your time away that helps you become clearer in what you learnt, what God seems to be saying to you, and what the impact of the trip had upon you.

    If you have gone with a team through your church then the opportunity to talk about your experience in a service, in a small group, or with a circle of friends is perfect. This helps you share what you’ve been up to, but also encourages others around you. Sometimes the reactions we receive from others is somewhat of a surprise, but it is important to remember that they can’t visualise or understand many of the things you went through. This is why sharing the stories is important, for you and for others.

    I remember coming back from one short-term team, having spent a few weeks overseas with people I didn’t know too well. I had to talk it out with my colleagues and my wife, just to recover from what I’d experienced while away. Funnily enough, it wasn’t the cultural aspects, nor the project we were involved in, that caused the most anxiety. It was the team members I was with, and how they responded to various situations they were put in!

    Sharing the stories and talking it out with safe friends and people is important in re-adjusting to ‘normal’ life.

    Fifth, we can set some goals for the future.

    As you have worked through these things it is also worth writing down things you’d like to accomplish off the back of this trip.

    If we don’t set goals from the trip then it will just become another exciting experience that we’ve been on, perhaps a bit of travel to remember sometime in the future. Yet, if we believe God is working in us and through us, to grow us to be more like him and in his Christlike character, then it is worth pondering what life might look like having had this experience.

    These goals don’t have to be world dominating. They could be three simple changes you’d like to make in your own life or faith. It could be one particular resolution you’d like to make because of what you’ve seen and heard. These goals could be anything from giving money to the projects you were involved in, praying for the place you visited, or become more involved in your church’s mission team. The goals and resolutions can be endless. However, sometimes it is better to set goals which are achievable. A goal that is personal, a goal that is faith-orientated, and a goal that is for the service of others.

    With these in mind we can have confidence that this experience will last a lifetime.

  • A Sent People – Part 5: Being Part of the Answer

    This is part five of a 5-part devotional series based on Luke 10:1-12 (See part one and two and three and four) It includes the reading of Scripture, considering its teaching, asking questions of ourselves for reflection, and applying it in practical ways. Enjoy.

    Part 5: Being Part of The Answer

    Passage: Luke 10

    After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”

    A Sent People - Part 5_ Being Part of the Answer

    Consider:

    One of the problems we can see from the passage, and in throughout this series, is that there aren’t enough followers being harvesters in the field.

    Rather than being part of the problem, we are to be part of the answer.

    We are the ones who have been sent by Jesus to share his Good News to the people of the world. In connection with the previous posts we are involved in the wider story of God. Today, we continue to be God’s messengers. We are his workers in his harvest field, seeking to share the Good News with the people who need to hear it. And while there will be judgement on those who reject God that is not ours to take part in. We are here to be part of what God is doing in the world. It is the message of the Gospel that provides hope for the world and true salvation for those who accept it.

    If we aren’t being followers of Jesus who are taking part in the harvest then we are being part of this problem, are we not? How do we become part of the solution? It is by intentionally living lives that are witnessing to our faith and to Jesus’ impact in our lives. It is by not merely walking through life believing that we know the Good News and leaving it to rot. It is through becoming one of the workers.

    As we’ve seen, there is a cost to this. It may mean giving up or leaving behind things that we consider precious. We need to let go of stuff, as Jesus talks about to his followers. That which binds us down or stops us moving forward is a hindrance to working in the harvest field.

    As we intentionally go about focusing on being a solution in the Kingdom of God we are to seek out those who are friendly to us and the message of the Good News. There are people of peace who we can connect with, begin building relationships with, and who open up their lives for us just as we do so for them. What we need to do here is to open our eyes to the people God has placed in our lives and see where God is already at work.

    As we speak, and as we show the love of God through the person of Jesus, we are an open people. Learning and loving along the way from our mistakes but more importantly, representing Christ as we seek to follow him authentically. It is this kind of living that helps bring people closer to the Kingdom.

    It is hard. It’s not promised as easy. There will be times when we fail and make mistakes. But what is important is that we continue to try. We attempt to do this with love and compassion of God and people.

    Ask Yourself:

    • Jesus expects his sent followers to share the message of the kingdom to the towns they go to and the people they meet. When was the last time you shared about your faith to someone else? What is stopping you from sharing something of your faith in the coming month?
    • The kingdom of God is near. How can you bring the kingdom of God to people in your community?

    Take A Step:

    1. Write out your story of faith. Find someone to share this story with in the coming month.
    2. As you pray this week, thank God for the Good News and how the kingdom of God has impacted you and your life. Pray also for those who don’t know God and ask that he can reveal himself to them.
    3. Choose to give a certain amount of money to an organisation or person that helps share the Good News to people who do not yet know Jesus. Make this a practical step this week in helping others hear the Gospel.

  • A Sent People – Part 4: The Kingdom of God Is Near

    This is part four of a 5-part devotional series based on Luke 10:1-12 (See part one and two and three) It includes the reading of Scripture, considering its teaching, asking questions of ourselves for reflection, and applying it in practical ways. Enjoy.

    Part 4: The Kingdom of God Is Near

    Passage: Luke 10:9-11

    Heal the sick who are there and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

    A Sent People - Part 4_ The Kingdom of God Is Near

    Consider:

    There are times when the people of God are not accepted. This is to be expected. At times it may be worth persevering through the dislike but at other times it’s not worth it. It’s time to move on.

    Jesus encourages those he sends to heal the sick and say to the people ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ As Luke outlines in v1, Jesus will soon be following these workers and coming by the towns and villages they minister to. What is important is the message. The message that the kingdom is coming is to be made known to the people. How they respond will consequently be judged by God in the future. The message is to be made public, but so is the recognition that they have rejected this message. God’s workers will need to discern when it is appropriate to move on to other pastures. However, they will make it known that their rejection will be public, and the message is still the message.

    But how do we show that the Kingdom of God is near? What are some practical examples that lead us to conclude that the Kingdom of God is working within others and in particular places?

    One way to see God working in our lives, or in a particular place, is to look with intentionality at the various ‘communities of practice’ that operate in your life or the life of others.

    These communities of practice are activities that naturally occur, and you may already be involved in, but become places where God can use you to share the message of the Kingdom. For example, you may be involved in a sporting club where your involvement can be a witness to others. To take it a step further you can be intentional about how you approach this activity. Rather than simply being there for the sport and fun it becomes a harvest field; where you are now one of the workers who are building authentic relationships with your teammates. There may be a person or peace there welcoming you into the club or team, and it is important to be on the lookout for a person like this. This type of intentionality is an important key in seeing the activities you do during the week as being part of being a witness as a follower of Jesus, drawing people closer to the Kingdom of God. This could also be how you understand your knitting club, your book club, your art class, your uni subjects, your school class, etc etc.

    Jesus is making it clear that he has come to bring in the kingdom of God. He is following his sent workers and as he sends them he reveals to those in his hearing that he will bring this kingdom of God to the people, households, towns and villages that these 72 go to.

    Judgement will come and for those who respond negatively to the message of Jesus, this Good News of the kingdom of God, will be found wanting. The judgement upon them will be worse than it was for Sodom in the Old Testament, where that city was destroyed because of its disobedience and active rejection of God and his ways (Genesis 19).

    Ask Yourself:

    • There are times when moving on from relationships seems to be required if the mission of God is to be fulfilled. How do you think we can discern this in the relationships we have with others?
    • God will judge those who hear the revelation of his kingdom. Whether they respond positively or negatively is not ours to judge, it is for God.
    • People will accept and reject the Good News, this message of the kingdom. What stops us from sharing the message of the kingdom to others?
    • God’s judgement will be full and forceful for those who reject him. Jesus has already said the harvest is plentiful, how can we be part of the solution? What can we be part of in order to help people from this judgement?

    Take A Step:

    1. Write down on a piece of paper who and how you will share an aspect of your relationship with Jesus to someone in the next fortnight.
    2. Pray and seek God’s guidance on which relationships in your life need to be held loosely. Seek out a mature believer for their guidance in this matter.
    3. What part of your week is most like a ‘community of practice’? How could you be more intentional about your relationships and weekly activities for the work of the Kingdom?