Now that’s an unthinkable idea. That was the exact purpose for which Jesus came. Why would he choose to depart from his purpose? Maybe that question itself is invalid.
When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed a very disturbing prayer: “Father, may this cup pass from me (Matthew 26:36-44). He repeated this prayer three times but each time, he differed to the father’s will.
I am struck with two thoughts regarding this prayer. First, could Jesus have had another will apart from his Father’s will? That would be contradictory to the divine Trinity. But since humanity and divinity were merged in Jesus, this apparent contradiction would be possible.
Second, if Jesus were to choose not to die on the cross, all of humanity would have been eternally lost. We all would have been eternally lost. We all would have been eternally doomed without the option of receiving forgiveness of sin and and an eternity in heaven.
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Trail of Failures
I hate failures. It never feels right and it leaves a bitter taste within me. Time may remove that from within me, but sometimes it seems like it will be with me forever.
For some of the church plant failures, I was deeply involved. Either I was a catalyst that inspired the plant, or I performed some of the major functions and took responsibility for those things.
But for one of those failed church plants, I was the lead pastor. For five years, the investment was tremendous. Long hours of work each day supported my family and put food on our table. With the remaining time, we made our best effort to reach out to everyone and anyone who cared to listen. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.
I have made attempts to understand why it failed. But I’ve got very little answers for the many questions that begin with “why.” But I need to accept these failures as a reality. In the ultimate Sovereignty of God, there is some explanation that is beyond my current grasp.
Read the entire series: Why do some church plants fail?- Trail of failures
- Persist in the process
- Stick to your values
- Continually share the Good News
- Seek out training
- Find fellowship
- Become a voracious reader
- Ask questions
- Leave a trail of influences
- Learn from criticism
- Learn from your mistakes
- Constantly raise up leaders
13. Be in it for the long run
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Obedience is difficult when you are used to having your own way. Your way becomes so valuable that there is no other possibility but your own way. Those who value their own way to such an extreme level will struggle to obey.
But when you suffer, your values become altered. Pain and agony will change your perspectives. The perspectives that you held so strongly will surely be questioned as you go through suffering.
Thus suffering can make people more obedient and flexible. Their perspectives will be much broader. Their values will have more depth.
The Bible says Jesus learned obedience through suffering (Heb 5:8). It’s not clear why Jesus would need to learn obedience. It is difficult for human minds to comprehend the convergence of divinity and humanity in Jesus.
But suffering alone does not teach obedience. Pain causes one to be more flexible. Agony gives depth to an individual. Such a person has values that are altered, never to be the same again.
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It sure seems like a setup. A definite setup for failure. But if the option for failure didn’t exist, there wouldn’t be any victory either.
God wants to love people and be loved by them in a real and genuine way. People must have the freedom to reject God in order for them to love and accept him. if they did not have the freedom to reject God then their love would not be genuine.
Without the freedom to make any choice they desire, they would not be human. They would be robots performing their duties according to commands and inputs from another. As humans, God wanted us to have the free will to choose or to reject his commands.
That tree in the middle of the garden had to be there for Adam and Eve to be human. It gave them the option to disobey and reject God. Only then could they obey, accept, and love God genuinely from their hearts.
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No, Can’t be done. It’s so difficult. The two concepts are at two ends of the spectrum: Deeply and loosely. If the love is deep, it can’t be loosely held. If the connection is loosely held, the love can’t be deep.
In the story of the prodigal son, the father allowed his son to leave the home without much conflict (Luke 15:11-32). in spite of the fact that this son dishonored the father and his entire family, he was allowed to leave the home with the inheritance. The father could have rightfully and legally blocked this entire effort, but he didn’t.
Yet there is no doubt that the father loved his son deeply. When he returned from his time away, he was welcomed with open arms and without any reservations. He loved his son deeply but his grip on him wasn’t too tight. It was loose enough to allow him freedom to explore, fall, fail, and to return.
Yes. It can be done. We can love deeply and hold loosely.
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These are people who return the work unfinished with some excuses. “Too complicated.” “Don’t know how to do this.” “Nobody’s interested.”
I gave it to you because I’m confident you can finish it. You have the skills, stamina, and the relational equity to be able to successfully bring it to completion.
So what’s the problem? Fear? Fear of failure, opposition, ridicule or the negative response of others? Or, is it just plain insecurity?
Take the task you’re given and clarify all the details first. Then plunge into it with full force. Come back to me anytime with questions or request for help. then go back and get it done before time.
Whatever you do, don’t push it back to me. I’m not interested in Volleyball.
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“What if they make mistakes?” This is one of the greatest fears of those who attempt to empower others. If you empower without holding people accountable, then you have reason to fear failure.
Accountability can come in various forms. It can be done more effectively by creating a culture of accountability. Though a weekly review meeting, every assignment and expectation can be reviewed in a non-threatening manner as part of a group. (For some this can be threatening, but it can be made easier by the group).
The more formal means would be through a planned quarterly or annual review done by the primary leader. Possibly a combination of the two methods would be ideal.
Without accountability, fear rules. But clear consistent, and affirming accountability is key to empowering others.
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Why be different? Why be common? Why be normal?
Some people live differently. The difference is clearly seen in their perspective, focus, purpose and behaviour. Of all these, behaviour is most visible. Their behaviour makes them stand out above all these.
God made it clear to the people of Israel that they were not to do as they do in the land of Egypt, nor in the land of Canaan. Their statutes and rules were different from that of Israel’s God Yahweh. If a person keeps the statues of God they will live by them. Their lives will be characterised by God’s statutes.
Living with a Biblical framework will cause you to be different and uncommon. Some may see it as abnormal. The question is: Do you have enough guts to live out what you value?
God says live it all you will live..
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So we make no distinction between age, gender, race, financial status, etc. yes everyone gets to play. We do our best to remove barriers and limitations. We allow everyone to be involved and do the works of the kingdom.
Now what about a sinful lifestyle? God forgives sins and we must forgive. But what about persistent unrepentant sin? We must persistently forgive and accept the sinner just as Jesus did.
But we see that Jesus made a clear distinction as to who are truly his disciples. He said that the only ones who make it into his kingdom are the ones who do the will of the father (Matt 7: 21). Then he also demanded that they take up their own cross (Matt 16:24). They must be willing to die for the cause of Christ. So we have obedience to the Father with a life and death commitment.
How about saying that every disciple gets to play?
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A teachable moment opens the mind and heart. Their need, pain, or their wants cause an openness that otherwise would not be there. Once they are open, they are receptive, and willing to change.
People also experience teachable seasons. These are broader periods of time that may last from months to years. These larger periods are also caused by needs, but of greater magnitude than the needs which cause a teachable moment.
Don’t be in a hurry. Wait for a teachable moment. It’s even better if it’s a teachable season. Till then, stay connected and be generous.
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