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Author: jeffclawson
I'm the campus pastor at Piedmont International University piedmontu.edu, husband to Laura and father to Bethanie. I'm a pastor, preacher, speaker and writer of all things pertaining to Jesus.
The Unlimited Gospel
Difficulty in ministry and even difficulty in declaring the Gospel does not indicate what God is doing with your labor or with His Gospel.
When Paul goes to Thessalonica (Acts 17), initially, both Jews and Gentiles respond favorably to the Gospel. Paul reasons in the synagogue and proves that the Messiah must have suffered and died, a concept lost to the Jewish people in their religion. Many people, Luke records, come to the faith in Jesus.
But, like usual for Paul and those who labored with him, jealousy with the religious group who worried that they would lose their power and influence began. Paul will be swiftly run out of town and left to wonder if the Thessalonican people will continue in the Gospel and whether the church will grow. Paul does not get to return to find out. These folks are so vicious they even follow Paul to Berea and try to disrupt the delivery of the Gospel there. Unable to go to Thessalonica himself, Paul sends Timothy to see what has become of the Christians and the church there.
This is where we get to see the incredible power of the Gospel of Christ. Against all odds, not only does the Gospel continue in the hearts and lives of those who heard and responded to it, but the church in Thessalonica becomes arguably the greatest church founded by Paul. As Paul writes to the church he tells them, even a little bit to his surprise, what he’s heard about them:
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9)
Wow! Can you imagine being Paul and hearing Timothy’s account of what he found when he went to visit the Thessalonian church?!
This leads me to two conclusions:
First, the Gospel is not limited, in any way, by external circumstances. The Gospel is that powerful!
Secondly, whether you’re in vocational ministry or a volunteer, if you find yourself leading and ministering in times and places of difficulty, remember this: your labor for the Gospel is producing more than you would ever dream. Sometimes you don’t get to see it but the Gospel is still producing. It’s that powerful!
God’s at work, always at work, even when you can’t see it. Whether your a leader or volunteer in your church remember this, God’s ability is wrapped up in His Gospel not in our ability. Just declare and live the Gospel, give your life away and watch God do things that will glorify Him that will surpass anything you ever dreamed!
God’s Work
I preached a sermon yesterday from Psalm 96 celebrating the works of God. In this song of celebration I made a list of works that are found in the Bible. This list just scratches the surface of what God is doing, but remember this, God is doing a work and in His plan that work includes you. Let that be your song!
Here’s the list that I found just scanning my mind, heart and the pages of my Bible. Feel free to add to this list. I’d love to hear the work God is doing in your life today:
He’s our refuge, strength ever present help in the time of trouble (Ps. 46:1)
He’s faithful, even when we are faithless (2 Tim. 2:13)
He’s in the process of making all things new, including me. (Rev. 21:5)
He makes all things good for those who love Him. (Rom. 8:28)
He makes this present suffering pale in comparison to the glory that will be revealed (Rom. 8:18)
He causes us to be more than conquerers through Him (Rom. 8:37)
His gives gifts and a calling that is irrevocable. (Rom. 11:29)
He give us reason to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)
He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57)
He has given us hope to have good courage. (2 Cor. 5:6)
He has called us His workmanship (masterpiece) (Eph. 2:10)
He is making us into a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
He’s made it possible for us to be filled with the knowledge of His will. (Col. 1:9)
He cancelled the record of debt against us and nailed it to the cross. (Col. 2:14)
He delivers those who are subject to the lifelong slavery of fear and death. (Heb. 2:15)
He’s a help to those who are tempted. (Heb. 2:18)
He give full assurance of hope until the end. (Heb. 6:11)
He has promised an eternal inheritance and given full assurance of faith. (Heb. 9:15; 10:22)
He will bring a complete end to sorrow, pain, tears and death! (Rev. 21:4)
He invites everyone who will hear to drink freely from the living water and never thirst again. (Rev. 22:17)
Let the song of your life resonate in your world today. God is doing a work and His work means all the difference!
Puritan Prayers
I happened across a tweet from Jim Shaddix this morning in which he quoted from a Kindle book of prayers that were written by Puritans of the past. Here’s the one He quoted.
“May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good. Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable. May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.”
I downloaded the ebook (here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHVXDI/ref=r_soa_po_i) and here’s a few prayers that impacted me this morning. They struck me because the prayers are requesting the sufficiency of Christ in their lives. Take a look and see what you think:
“When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but in Christ I am reconciled and live; that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have ability to do all things.”
“God of my end, it is my greatest, noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee and with my rational, immortal soul; it is sweet and entertaining to look into my being when all my powers and passions are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee, when my soul longs and passionately breathes after conformity to Thee and the full enjoyment of Thee; no hours pass away with so much pleasure as those spent in communion with Thee and with my heart.”
“Thou hast produced and sustained me, supported and indulged me, saved and kept me; Thou art in every situation able to meet my needs and miseries. May I live by Thee, live for Thee, never be satisfied with my Christian progress but as I resemble Christ; and may conformity to His principles, temper, and conduct grow hourly in my life.”
Oh that the drive of my life and my prayers would reflect such a desire to see Christ as my all encompassing sufficiency, regardless of my circumstances.
After the Candles Go Out
Like most churches, we have done our best to minister during the Christmas season to anyone God put in front of us as well as declare the truth of the Gospel. Having seen many new faces over the last month I guess we can deem this past Christmas season a success. Of course, nothing would make it more of a success than if all those who have come in contact with Jesus this Christmas have been changed by Him. This is not just a goal for those who do not yet believe but also very much a goal for those already a part of the church.
So, now the candles from the Christmas Eve service our blown out and, as we speak, the Christmas decorations are being taken down. It’s time for a new year.
I imagine most people are beginning the new year with thoughts of what the year will bring, some with resolutions, some with regrets looking forward to escaping the past. I guess there’s all kinds of thoughts we can have when a new year approaches. Of course, if you are a follower of Jesus, you have the opportunity to find yourself with hope; hope that the new year can be one that brings you closer in fellowship with Christ, experiencing the life-altering influence of His Spirit and the ability to hear more when your Good Shepherd speaks. I’ve been reflecting a lot on Psalm 96 as I prepare to preach a New Years message this Sunday. I love how so many of the Psalms speak of the newness we find in God, even when we’ve known Him for a long time:
Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!(Psalm 96:1)
As a pastor, I often find my personal “hope goals” are often the same as the goals I have for our church. This year, I have one goal in particular:
This year my goal is too big to be a resolution and is probably impossible to measure. As a matter of fact, this goal is something that should be on going and should be, and have always been, the most important goal of my life since meeting Jesus Christ.
This year my goal is to make decisions, act, speak and even think (thinking is probably the most difficult) as if the only thing that matters is what Jesus thinks. Is that crazy or what?!
You see, my thinking is simple. If Jesus Christ is really the creator of the universe (See John 1:1 and Col. 1:16-17) and all of this world is really about what He’s planning and what He’s doing…and…He’s calling me to follow Him, hear His voice and live the life He’s given me, then, my crazy proposal is, I should care about what He thinks.
So, that’s my New Year’s “Hope Goal.” To live, act, move and breath as though what Jesus thinks matters. What do you think? Are you crazy enough to try this with me?
I was struck by the words of Oswald Chambers this morning, as I often am, so let me conclude with an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest:
“If we have never had the experience of taking our commonplace religious shoes off our common-place religious feet, and getting rid of all the undue familiarity with which we approach God, it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and familiar are those who have never yet been introduced to Jesus Christ. After the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenetrable darkness of realizing Who He is.”
Now that the candles are out, it time for us to live as though Christ has come and that what He thinks really matters. Read More
Forgetting Forward 