Free to serve

It was for freedom that Christ set you free (Gal 5:1). The only constraint is that you don’t use your freedom to satisfy your flesh (Gal 5:13). You are completely free to serve Christ in whatever way the Spirit leads (Gal 5:13, 16). Follow the Spirit and you’ll be so busy doing what is right that you won’t have to worry about avoiding what is wrong (Gal 5:16). What are you passionate about? What do you want to do for Christ? Do it! What opportunity for ministry do you want to explore? Go for it! What bold plan would you like to try for the kingdom? Try it! With the safety net of God’s grace beneath you, go ahead and attempt the triple back flip with a half twist. YOU ARE FREE TO SERVE.

How soon we forget

Paul was amazed that the Galatians turned away from the gospel so quickly (Gal 1:6). No sooner had he returned home than they had already been lead astray. If that was the case within months of hearing the gospel, how far off are we two thousand years later? Salvation, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, is apparently no guarantee of persistent orthodoxy. We must continually return to the simplicity and purity of the gospel (2Co 11:3). The early church had problems almost immediately (Act 6:1). Paul warned about false teachers (Act 20:29). People are rascals and ministry is messy. All we can do is to keep working against our tendency to disintegrate.

Loss of leverage

When Paul and Barnabas preached the message of the gospel polarized the people. Some wanted to worship them while others stoned them (Act 14:18-19). This new and powerful message could not be ignored. People made a distinct decision to believe or reject. When they were rejected the missionaries went on to new territory (Act 13:46). The question for our day is, “What should we do if the message is ignored?” The gospel message in our society seems innocuous and anemic. What is the problem? Is it the messengers or the audience? Since apathy is a form of rejection, should we move on to new territory?

Sincerely seeking

Cornelius genuinely feared God, prayed and gave to the poor. Because he was sincerely attempting to apply the information that he had about God, the Lord supernaturally arranged for him to hear the gospel (Act 11:14). Both Cornelius and Peter were willing to obey the Lord’s instructions through angels and the Holy Spirit. The result was Cornelius’ salvation and the opening of a broad new mission field to the Gentiles. It’s important to be sincere and sensitive in your pursuit of Christ. Seek and you will find (Mat 7:7).

The calling in the crisis

Saul was a man on a mission. God turned him around abruptly by blinding him and speaking to him. (Act 9:3-8) God has a way of using a crisis to get our attention. What if you lost your sight or hearing or the use of your limbs? Would you hear God in the crisis? C.S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” We may have a very clear direction in life and pursue it passionately, but God reserves the right to change our course. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Pro 16:9). Listen for the calling in the crisis.

Work or walk

There are enough people in the church to do the work of the church. As the early church expanded, more needs came to the surface. Practical ministries required folks to run them (Act 6:1-6). When the people brought the problem to the apostles they said, “We don’t have time for that and our primary ministry of teaching.” That may seem arrogant or callous, but if was a fact. The early Christians understood that the church was not a service to which they were entitled. Rather it was a fellowship in which everyone did their part. Our churches today have become entertainment and service oriented. Ninety percent of the people are served (or entertained) while ten percent work until they are burned out. Joining a church should mean investing in the fellowship with service and support, not merely an expectation of “being fed.” Doing your part is not an option. It is a requirement for membership.

Just another religion?

The early church grew rapidly because they had powerful, new message (Acts 4:4). The gospel has become “old news” in our culture and the church is anemic. We must rediscover the novelty of our message and its potential to change lives. We don’t need to make up a new message or concoct fake miracles to verify it. We need to preach the authentic gospel to those for whom it is new and powerful. Two venues come to mind: children and foreigners from “non-Christian” countries. These groups have not been exposed to an unapplied, adulterated gospel. Their experience with Christianity may still be unbiased. Lord, show me where to preach your word and give me opportunity!