Who's Story is it Anyway?
This lesson is a reflection of Crazy Love Chapter 2 and Transcend Chapter 2.Scriptures:
John 4:35 -Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.
James 4:12-17 -12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
From these two sections of Scripture we glean the following thoughts:
--We have work to do in the Vision of God. He has a harvest and this work can NOT wait.
Initially the James 4:12-17 verses seems to have same random thoughts within the text, but with a little digging we can see what James is communicating. His main point is verse 35. God has a plan for us and this is how we accomplish it:
We refrain from judging. Our work is loving.
We refrain from trying to make our own plans, when God has already set forth a plan.
We make sure our schedules sync with the Vision of God. Our mission is not "in addition to what we want to do", it is always in conjunction with our daily schedule.
Our time on earth is short and therefore our work must concentrate on the Vision of God.
If we decide we are in control, we are arrogant and evil.
THEREFORE, since we KNOW these things, to not DO them is sin.
If we are truly follows of Jesus, then what He says takes us to a whole new place, a new road, a narrow road. This requires, perhaps, losing our identity as a follower of consumerism, popularity, or status. Actually attending to what was important to Jesus and following His plan for our lives helps us to gain the identity of a true disciple of Christ.
After all, it is not about us, it is about Him.
Keep asking, "What's Next, Lord?" and be open to Him when He answers. (From: "My PLANS") Remember that HE wants to walk with you every step of the way. He rarely gives us detailed long-term plans because He wants us to be wholly dependent upon His leading.
He did not give detailed long-term plans to:
--Noah "build a boat"
-- Abraham "leave your home country"
--Moses "go to Pharaoh, meet Me in the wilderness"
--Disciples "come, follow me"
Why does our King not give detailed long-term plans to His followers?
If we understood exactly what Christ had in store for us, could we not go on our way without being dependent on Him moment by moment. He wants us to trust Him as He leads us each step of the way. Its not about the details, its about trusing in Him.
Francis Chan talks about making a big deal when you have a bit part in a movie. Our part in the scheme of redemption is so minute that it might be likened to being an extra in a movie with a 2-second walk-on. We dramatize our lives and often make ourselves out to be the main character. But looking at the big picture, who is this drama truly about?
When we can praise and glorify our Savior in our everyday communication, when we can EXPOSE (Transcend) others to the Light, we are exactly the type of radical that walks the narrow road.
"Understanding our journey and relationship with God can help shape how we communicate to others" (Transcend chapter 2)
If you were going to EXPOSE someone to the the thing you love and enjoy the most, how would you do it? Hand them a pamphet, a book, make them take a class on it?...Well, not initially! Initially, you would build their interest, EXPOSE them to the joy and excitement before you asked them to begin a more indepth journey.
This week we want to practice EXPOSING others to the Light, sharing our King with those who are most receptive. We have two handouts that will help you decide who you know that would be ready for this exposure. Please download and read these two handouts.
--Open2Gospel.docx
--Shoot First
RULE OF THUMB: "Oftentimes, it's only after knowing something about a person that the Holy Spirit will guide you to speak some Gospel truth that actually connects with their lives and renders them open to hear more. It's better to plant a seed that takes root than to try and ram a full-grown tree down into the soil with no prep. Even it's only something small, you have no idea what the seed will sprout into." Trust God to bring the increase!
Homework:
--Read Chapters 3 in both Crazy Love and Transcend--Ask your Study Buddies to pray with you this week in preparing your top 5 to receive the EXPOSURE to the Light
--Come up with 7 questions you need answered before you "share" in depth the Gospel with someone.
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