The following is an
article I wrote that was published in our local paper a few years ago. In a
changing world Christ followers must remain clear on two issues. The message
never changes but our methods for sharing it will change. Following Christ
means a willingness to be led - even when it means doing something differently
than you've always have.
When John Maxwell was a
young Pastor he was asked by another Minister to come to his declining church
to help them with ideas to stimulate growth. A group of leaders were assembled
and Maxwell laid out a plan to help them reach their community. When he asked
if there were any questions, an older man stood up and said, “What if we try
theses ideas, and they don’t work.” Maxwell replied, “What you’re doing now surely
isn’t working, so why not try something else!”
I’ve heard
it said that the last words of dying churches are “We’ve never done it that way
before.” When translated it means “We’re not changing!” This attitude has been
with us since Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
We see in
Exodus 17 that the Israelite community quarreling and grumbling about having no
water. They looked at all the old ways for provision, but there were no rain
clouds, no streams, no lakes, and no wells. They said that they would rather be
slaves back in Egypt. What they failed to realize is that God doesn’t always
work in ways we understand. Israel needed to (as does His church today) trust
in Him. Moses went before the people as instructed by the Lord, and struck a
rock with his staff. Water poured out from the rock, and provided for all their
needs. God is able and willing to do that for us today, but we continue to look
backwards instead of focusing on Him.
Later in
Numbers 20, the same scenario happened again. This time not only the people
were quarreling, but the leaders forgot to listen and obey God. Moses and Aaron
were told to speak to the rock, but instead Moses decided to “do it the old
way” and struck the rock with his staff. They did get water, but Moses and
Aaron were forbidden to go into the promise land because of their disobedience.
The key to God’s provision and direction is our obedience. We must keep our
focus on Him not the past.
In Numbers
21 we see the nation quarreling and complaining again. This time the Lord sent
venomous snakes that bit and killed many Israelites. The people confessed their
sins, and asked Moses to pray to God for forgiveness. He was instructed to
place a bronze snake on a pole, and anyone bitten could look at it and live.
God’s people need to do that today. We must confess our sins, ask for
forgiveness, and place our trust in the One who was lifted up on the cross;
Jesus Christ, in order to have eternal life. By focusing on the Savior we must
look forward because he is our hope and eternity.
Jesus
didn’t die for us to be comfortable, but to be convicted in sharing the Gospel
with a lost and dying world. We need to quit quarreling and complaining, and start
listening and obeying. By forsaking our preferences and being directed by His
purposes we will see many come into His kingdom. That is His heart’s desire,
and it should be ours also. Here is a novel idea - let’s do it God’s way.
Amen?
