Today's readings are Judges 16.4-30 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Judges+16.4-30 ), Galatians 4.12-31 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gal.+4.12-31 ), and Judges 17.1-21.25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Judges+17.1-21.25 ).
Consider the prevailing American view of ministry for a moment. Develop a ministry plan, find a location in which we wish to promote the Gospel, do a demographic analysis to find out what kind of church people are looking for, what will thrive in the community. Gather a leadership team of already committed Christians, a big enough leadership team that people in most parts of the world and through most of history would consider that to be an established church. Start having exploratory services, then finally launch yourself as a church when you have enough interested people.
This is not what happened in Paul's time. Why, we might not even think he had a "call" to proclaim the Gospel to the Galatians. He ministered Christ to them because of his illness. Apparently something happened, we don't know what, causing Paul to end up somewhere in Galatia needing some time to recover from a malady. While recovering, Paul did what any Christian would be expected to do. He talked about Jesus. God used his illness and temporary detainment in Galatia to plant a church.
So what are we going to do next time we are somewhere and have opportunity to talk with people? Maybe the Lord will use us to plant a church. Maybe not. But I pray that our talk and our actions will be talk and actions hat exalt Christ above all things.
No comments:
Post a Comment