How Much Are The Nations Worth?

As I am preparing for my fourth annual trip to Southeast Asia, I am faced once again with the simple question, "How much are the nations worth to me?"  From our first service until now, missions have always been apart of our church services both in giving and intercession.    First, we supported Teisa Nicole and her work with Heidi Baker in the orphanages in Mozambique Africa.  Then by divine appointment we started to travel and train churches in both Mexico and India.  

Acts 1:8, "... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Now, we are serving in Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Northern and Southern India, and Nepal.  In total there are over 100 pastors and 250 churches that call themselves Metro Praise and use the same vision and strategy in making disciples.  Therefore, every year since we took our first mission offering and prayed for the nations, the cost of missions to me, my family, and ministry has always increased.

I meet with our six Apostolic Elders every week where we pray, do devotions together, and share ideas to make disciples of the nations through strategic church planting.  Every week I am humbled and blown away by their humility and love for God.  I am consistently challenged by their moving stories and inspired by their amazing acts of faith.

Often times I hear prayer requests like this, "Pastor Joe, please pray for one of my pastors, he is in a village where the local thugs have threatened his life and said that unless he pays them an immense amount of money, he will have to leave or they will kill him."  I have come to tears many times in our meetings because of gut wrenching stories like this.

Psalm 2:8, "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." 

I taught "Intro to Global Missions" one semester at SUM and literally each time when I brought the Apostles in to share- I along with many in the class were brought to tears and deep intercession just by hearing their stories.  All of our leaders in Southeast Asia have been threatened, physically abused, and severely persecuted for their faith.  Plus, they are constantly in dire need of finances and proper health care. 

Sometimes people ask me, "How did your church get so many churches around the world?"  Or "How much money do you have to give the pastors to get them to work with you?"  I answer both questions the same, "God brought them to us, not because of money or our size, but because they found our materials online and wanted to partner with a church in the US that truly believed in Spirit-filled evangelism and discipleship."

I write all the above to now ask this very important question, "What are the nations worth to me today?"  Are they worth my precious time and energy?  Are they worth spending all the monies I have in my bank account?  Are they worth all the monies in the church bank account?  Are the nations worth my ministry position here in Chicago?  Are they worth my life?  Are they worth my family's life?

1 John 3:16-18, "16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

I have actually heard well-intentioned pastors say, "My primary and only mission is here in Chicago.  The US is all I am concerned with.  Let God raise up local pastors in those areas to reach the lost."  I cannot even answer them back when they make those kind of statements because I know if I were to speak I would not even be able to hold back the tears.  I would be moved to weep in their presence before even being able to share the obvious Biblical reasons for a focus on world missions.

Matthew 28:19-20, "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

At this point some might think that missions and cross-cultural ministry comes natural to me, but those people don't know me very well.  All those closest to me; my parents, wife, and close friends all know that I am the worst candidate for oversea travels in the natural.  (1) I cannot sleep on planes, thus I stay up for close to 48hrs each time I travel one way to India, (2) I always suffer from severe jet lag- it usually takes me 2-3 days to get back on track each way, thus I am up all night and sick feeling during the day, (3) Plus, I dislike heat, not being in control of my surroundings, I feel like a child not being able to speak the languages, and am easily annoyed by having to do everything in large groups... (4) Bottom line: I am my weakest on the mission field. 

1 Corinthians 2:3-5, "3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power."

However, my story of "temporary discomfort" does not even compare to the missionaries of ole' or the ones serving full-time today in persecuted nations.  Stories of David Livingston, Hudson Taylor, Victor Plymire, John G. Lake, and Adoniram Judson bid me to pay a higher price for the nations than I have even paid before.  

I can imagine the Father in heaven asking the modern day American church, "Who wants the nations as an inheritance for my Son?"  One pastor quickly yells out to the Lord of the Harvest, "I'll give you 10% of my church income to missions!"  Another pastor passionately bids back, "I'll match that 10%, plus I'll raise him with two missions trips every year!"  I can then hear these generals of the faith around the throne of God boldly declare, "We offered our entire lives including our families for the nations, that is why the Father gave them to us!  How can you offer Him any less, than your best!?"

Hebrews 12:1-3, "1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

As I am wrestling with this question the powerful quote from two Moravian missionaries who sold themselves into slavery to be a witness to the slaves comes to mind, "May the lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." Here is the whole story, if you have never heard it before. 

The Moravians had learned that the secret of loving the souls of men was found in loving the Savior of men. On October 8, 1732, a Dutch ship left the Copenhagen harbor bound for the Danish West Indies. On board were the two first Moravian missionaries; John Leonard Dober, a potter, and David Nitschman, a carpenter. Both were skilled speakers and ready to sell themselves into slavery to reach the slaves of the West Indies. As the ship slipped away, they lifted up a cry that would one day become the rallying call for all Moravian missionaries, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." The Moravian's passion for souls was surpassed only by their passion for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

The closest I have ever come to this kind of sacrifice was when I was preparing to go to Pakistan for the first time.  I had been debating Muslims at the same time here in the US and one of my fellow apologist said that I should watch the "Muslim beheading videos" to be able to understand the truly wicked nature of Islam.  After watching these horrific videos I was scarred for life.  Thus, when I was getting ready to go to Pakistan I felt the Lord say, "Would you give your life for me?" 

I instantly began to think of my family, the ministry, and all that He had given me for the last 15 years of serving Him- and I was not able to answer.  Then I heard the Lord say, "If you would have died as a sinner, where would you have gone?"  I answered, "Hell."  He then said, "In hell would you have been like the rich man in the Bible and cried out to be released even if you were made a beggar in this life?  Would you not have pleaded with me so badly to get out of hell and be given another chance to spend eternity with me that you would have endured anything just to not be in hell forever?"  And I answered, "Yes, Lord.  In hell I would have begged for any kind of life just to have a second chance to go to heaven." 

Then I heard the Lord speak powerfully to my heart, "Then how dare you after being spared from hell and given 15 years of blessings now make those blessings I gave you a hindrance to doing my will!" 

Luke 14:25-27, "25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

The Pakistan mission trip did not happen because our visas were denied due to political tensions.  However, the lesson burned deep into my heart.  At this time I hear the Lord speaking to me again saying, "Will you go on this mission trip even if it costs you all your monies both personally and in the church?"  Therefore, please pray for me as I totally submit my will to His so that when the Lord asks me, "How much are the nations worth to you?"  I can answer, "Everything." 

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

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If you are interested in our 2012 missions trip, please visit this link and watch the video.    

The Truth About Difficult Church People!

Funny, but true, over the last 10 days every one of the five pastors I spoke with all shared a concern about a difficult person in their church- and I would make six!  Thus, I thought I would share some of my insight I have learned about "hard to handle" people in the church over the last 16 years of ministry and the Biblical advice needed for their issues.

Here at Metro Praise we love you enough to tell you the truth!  Jesus said in the John 8:31-32, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”  Therefore, if you struggle in any of these areas- hear the truth and believe it!  Jesus can set you FREE! 

 Eight Truths About Difficult People in the Church

1. Messy People Make Messes:  Simple, but true.  Many times messy people blame the church, the leadership, the children's pastor, the parking lot attendant for their messes.  However, if you track with their lives you will soon find out that they are the problem.  They have had messes in their life before the church and will continue to have messes after the church... why?  Because they are "messy." 

God's Solution to "Messy Members:" Let God clean your mess.  God will not bless your mess, but He will bless your effort to let Him clean and change you, Psalm 51.

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2. Dysfunctional Christians Love Attention but Hate Instruction:  "But I don't have enough friends at this church..." "I feel alone, no one really loves me here..."  I have heard this self pitying "cry" for attention from these kind of members only to later find out that everyone who is their "real" friend is calling them to change and live a different life.   Thus, the problem isn't with the "church's love" but rather with "their pride."  They just want people to live in their dysfunction with them and call it "love."  They forget Jesus is in the "changing people's lives business," not the "pity-patty-party business." 

God's Solution to "Pity Patters:" Get rid of your "stinkin' thinkin'!"  God loves you the way you are, but too much to let you stay that way.  Listen to the wise counsel of the church and get your life in order, Proverbs 19:20.

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3. The Needy Love You Until You Say "No:"  I have seen churches give cars to members, pay for rent and bills, write checks for groceries, place unemployed members in jobs, and even take care of children during the day for no charge and then be accused by the "needy" of not giving enough!  Needy people hop from church to church looking for the next "hangout," but run from a "hand up" because they just want an "easy ride." 

God's Solution to the "Jimmy's Who Take All You Give Me:" Stop living on "Barely-Get-Along Street next to Grumble Avenue" and get a J-O-B! Both in the Old and New Testaments there are requirements for those receiving charity.  You have to do something different to get different results, 1 Timothy 5:1-11.

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4. People Who Always Want to Talk to the Pastor Hardly Ever Talk to Jesus: I could have just preached a ten-point-hour-long-sermon with an hour-long-altar-call with 15-prayer-workers, however, they still want to talk to me "privately."  As if I as the pastor am going to say something different than what I just preached or pray something different than the trained altar workers.  Or give different advice than the lovingly-skilled-Life Group leaders.  No, the truth is people who always have to hear it from the "pastor privately" do so because they do not know how to hear it from "Jesus personally."  Nothing wrong with pastoral counsel*, but Jesus sent the "Counselor"- the Holy Spirit to be man's main source of comfort and truth.  The issue is "co-dependence on man," instead of "dependence on God."

God's Solution to the "I Just Need To Hear it From the Pastor Privately:" Grow up spiritually, put on your big boy/girl spiritual pants and hit your knees at the altar and seek, knock, and ask the Father in Jesus name for your issue first.  Then trust the godly counsel of the trained leaders in the church, Matthew 7:8.

*Clarification:  Our church offers free pastoral counseling, one-on-one discipleship, and weekly Life Groups.  Therefore, the above point is not stating a point against true mentorship, but rather ungodly co-dependence on man. 

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5. People Who Can Easily Walk Away From The Local Church Didn't Have a Heart For Christ's Church To Begin With: So many times in the past I found myself in meetings with members who wished to leave the church trying to convince them to stay.  However, at the end they would still leave anyway and I just wasted my time.  Therefore, I have learned to let people who wish to "send a letter" or "say good bye in the hallway" just walk away.  I will still give my final words, rebuke, correction, etc... if I have the time.  However, I don't try to talk them into staying anymore.  Jesus didn't spend the next 3hrs with the rich man trying to convince Him to stay!

God's Solution to the "Church Hopper:" Fall in love with the Body Christ.  Have respect and honor for those who labor day and night for your spiritual success.  Stop treating the church like a harlot- hopping from one to the next and treat the local Church like the Bride of Christ- with loyalty and respect, Philippians 2:21-23.

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6. Know-It-Alls Can Never Admit They Don't Know Something Because They Know-It-All: Trying to teach a "know-it-all" is like trying to remove the sharp quills from a porcupine.  Know-it-alls love to be "speck" inspectors in the church, but never see the "plank" in their own eye.  They will give the pastor verses/advice, hog the time in small groups to help the leader teach, and turn conversations back to what they know.  However, they are generally fruitless, stubborn to serve, and quick to avoid personal mentorship.    

God's Solution to the "Know-It-All:" Be quiet.  Humble yourself and learn from others.  Stop trying to teach everyone, be the servant of all and earn the place of a teacher in the local Body of Christ, 1 Peter 5:5.

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7. Rebellious People Can Never Be Alone, They Need to Divide to Justify Themselves: Rebellion and division go hand-in-hand in the church.  Rebellious people can never leave quietly, they have to have other people join with them through their gossip, hidden offense, and cowardice.  Mature Christians can "agree to disagree" and move on.  However, immature believers need to have "peers in the pew" justify their feelings.  Therefore, they are not only rebels towards the leadership of the local church, but Christ Himself who cares for the local church.     

God's Solution to the "Rebel Without a Just Cause:" Repent.  Stop making excuses for your gossip and handle your problems according to Matthew 18:15-19.  Trust your hurts and disappoints to the Lord and His Church.  You are not the Judge of the Church- Jesus is, and He loves the local Church, Romans 16:17.

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8. Lazy People Work Hard to Stay Lazy: As a pastor and Bible college professor I have watched lazy people do everything but buckle down, work hard, and be responsible.  They will hang out with their friends, stay current with facebook, and be busy bodies in the church.  However,  when they are confronted to do the work at hand, stick with their responsibilities through hardships- they give up like a rope made of sand.  Plus, they blame their lack of success on the church.  As if the church is at fault because they cannot be faithful in little to be given much!

God's Solution to the "Idle:" Make it happen- stop making excuses.  "Your momma, your daddy, your friends, your boss, your pastor, your past, your dog...." isn't to blame when Jesus lives on the inside of you (Philippians 4:13).  Your biggest enemy is the person you see in the mirror.  Own your mistakes and work hard daily to change them with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Every great person in life had to work hard consistently for what they have- you will have to do the same in Jesus name, Hebrews 6:11-13.

 Sunday Sermon on the Subject

Praying Five Minutes a Day for Five People!

 
As a disciple of Christ I love to pray for all kinds of things, however, the hardest and most rewarding time of prayer is taking time everyday to pray for the lost (also known as "intercession").  Here are some helpful points to become an effective intercession prayer warrior! 

Note: Click the verse's link to read the Scriptures online.

 Five Reasons To Pray Five Minutes a Day for Five Lost People

1. Everyday I pray for the lost I am forced to think about those I know who do not know Jesus, Romans 10:1.

2. Everyday I pray for the unsaved I am able to share the heart of Jesus- His number one goal is to see the lost saved, Matthew 9:37-38.

3. Everyday I "pray" for the lost I find myself more active to "preach" to the lost, 1 Corinthians 9:16.

4. Everyday I pray for the unsaved to get saved I think about my problems and issues less, Romans 12:10.

5. Everyday l pray for the lost I have the chance to be like Jesus and the Apostles who prayed for the lost to be saved everyday, Matthew 21:13.

 Five Ways To Pray Five Minutes a Day for Five Lost People

1. Pray with your eyes open looking at their picture and let God give you a deeper love for them, Luke 13:33-34.

2. Pray with your eyes closed and use your faith imagination to see them saved and serving God, John 4:35.

3. Pray outloud and declare the promises of God over their lives, Proverbs 11:11.

4. Pray against the devil and His stronghold over their lives in Jesus' name, Luke 22:31.

5. Pray with tears and brokenness over their sin and estranged relationship with God, Jeremiah 9:1-2.

 Great Sermon on Prayer with Powerful Prayers at the End