Who is your audience?

In Matthew 28:19-20 we are told to “make disciples of all nations.” You do understand that “all nations” means every person, everywhere, don’t you? If the United States is the extent of your vision – then you’re focused on just 5% of the world. But what about the other 95%, should we care about them? Do you think God’s cares about the 95%? You bet he does!

Before you start thinking how in the world are you going to reach the world, let me give you the answer how – technology. Right now, we live in an age where any church in North America with an internet connection can access about 650 million English-speaking web users. If you go through translators, you can access a total of 2.4 billion people who access the web worldwide. That’s 1/3 of the people on earth that you have the potential of touching for Christ.

Did you ever stop to think that perhaps, just maybe, you were placed right here, at this time and with these technologies, for just such a grand purpose? I suppose God could have saved someone like the Apostle Paul for such a time as now, but he didn’t… because God has you and me. And we understand how these technologies work. All it takes is a vision to see beyond our church, our neighborhoods, our city, even our nation. Do you want to reach the world itself? Do you want your one life to have an impact for Christ on the whole planet?

Stop limiting yourself. The world is your audience – speak to it!

Free Puppies!

Driving just on the outskirts of town, your kids shout “Stop the car!” Your foot instinctively hits the brake, hands tighten around the steering wheel, eyes check all the mirrors, mind races through a handful of scenarios. Did you hit something? Is something about to hit you? Did Johnny throw your wallet out the window? What?

“We have to go back.”

“Why?”

“Because the sign in the yard said ‘FREE PUPPIES’!”

You chuckle and say something your kids don’t fully comprehend, “The sign says they’re free, but raising a puppy is NOT free.”

When you pass through the pages of the New Testament you can’t help but see the sign: FREE SALVATION. That’s right – Salvation is FREE. The apostle Paul says it is a “free gift” (Romans 6:23). The LORD proclaims in Revelation 21:6:  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” You can’t earn it, work for it, or pay for it – it is F-R-E-E. Believe it, accept it, confess it, immerse yourself in it. Come one, come all. The free gift of God’s grace is yours for the taking. The road paved to heaven by the blood of Christ is freely laid out for all believers to travel. Salvation is free!

However, the journey of following Christ comes with a cost. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:38). The cost may be higher than you expected. You should expect hardships and sacrifices that will require perspiration and perseverance.

Yes, salvation is free. Yes, following Jesus comes with a cost. But it is so worth it!

The Importance of Studying God’s Word

I love, respect and cherish the Word of God. I am by no means a scholar, but I’d like to think that I can navigate my way around the general themes of scripture without getting lost. Although it never ceases to amaze me, when I hear a sermon or read a book, how much I still have to learn from the Bible.

The depth of wisdom, peace, and direction found in scripture blows my mind. For as many years as I’ve been reading the Bible, I should know far more than I do, but I lean on God’s grace and just keep studying.

The longer I study and the more I preach, the more I'm convinced that I’m not really that good of a person. (Hey, you’re not that good either!) Yes, God is kind and grants us gifts and abilities. God grants favor and blessing to you and me that is immeasurable. And I believe much of that comes from spending time in His Word and listening to what He has to say. You can’t overestimate the pure and raw value of time, and lots of it, in the Word. I hope you understand that there is huge power there.

Reading scripture requires you to slow down and put other things aside. I confess that don’t like that fact. Too often I find myself wanting to get the day going by checking my email and phone messages, starting my sermon prep work or any other task. But it’s a good thing to slow down, open His Word, study and reflect. And here’s the tough lesson to learn: This kind of slowing down allows you to run faster and live larger over the long haul.

Slowing down to inhale the depths of God’s truth is the X-Factor in exhaling a life in Christ that frankly you just can’t get any other way.