Charles "Mask" Lewis
Charles Lewis, aka, Mask had a vision that I think some in the church could learn from. He had a vision, he had goals, but his passion and dreams were greater than himself. His desire for success wasn't just for himself, it was to see mixed martial arts prosper as a sport and to help open doors for mma fighters. His vision, his passion was bigger than himself. He accepted the fact that he played a role in something greater than himself and success could not be measured by what he did or did not accomplish.
Whether it is an issue of pride or an issue of control, sometimes the church can get its focus off of the message and place it on the number of people hearing the message. The focus becomes on the service rather than serving. The focus is on the volume and performance of the message and not the message. The church wants to reach millions, the church wants to advance the Kingdom of God, but on its own terms. The focus is on the pulpit, on the title or the status and not on the message or the journey. Quickly, a "program" or group is disbanded because of the lack of numbers or "results" without consideration of what Holy Spirit may be doing.
I see it in individuals as well. People that want to share Jesus with millions but they don't want to share Jesus with their neighbor, coworker or the grocery store clerk they see throughout the week. The thinking is that their calling, their message, their Gifts are so amazing, so anointed, it must be shared with the world but the time can't be made to share with those around them. That person knows they are called to preach, but only from the pulpit and not at the workplace. They know they are an apostle, but they are only willing to be sent out by the church leadership and not by Jesus. They know they are to be a pastor, but don't feel qualified unless they have the title before their name.
Too many times believers base their success upon the immediate results and forget what Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 4:5. Too many times believers are not willing to concede their own vision for Holy Spirit's vision. Too many times people are not willing to accept where Jesus has placed them in the Church. While some are trying to reach the world for Jesus, they overlook the people Jesus has brought into their lives for His purpose. The person that may get overlooked by someone focused upon their own "ministry" could be the one to reach millions.
The gifts and the calling are irrevocable and God will use anyone and wants to see everyone saved. It is possible for us to limit God by limiting how He can use us for His good work. It is possible to limit the work Christ can do, by limiting how, when and where we are willing to serve Him. We have to be willing to be used by Jesus according to His will, wanting others to succeed in their ministry.
Charles Lewis, aka, Mask had a vision that I think some in the church could learn from. He had a vision, he had goals, but his passion and dreams were greater than himself. His desire for success wasn't just for himself, it was to see mixed martial arts prosper as a sport and to help open doors for mma fighters. His vision, his passion was bigger than himself. He accepted the fact that he played a role in something greater than himself and success could not be measured by what he did or did not accomplish.
Whether it is an issue of pride or an issue of control, sometimes the church can get its focus off of the message and place it on the number of people hearing the message. The focus becomes on the service rather than serving. The focus is on the volume and performance of the message and not the message. The church wants to reach millions, the church wants to advance the Kingdom of God, but on its own terms. The focus is on the pulpit, on the title or the status and not on the message or the journey. Quickly, a "program" or group is disbanded because of the lack of numbers or "results" without consideration of what Holy Spirit may be doing.
I see it in individuals as well. People that want to share Jesus with millions but they don't want to share Jesus with their neighbor, coworker or the grocery store clerk they see throughout the week. The thinking is that their calling, their message, their Gifts are so amazing, so anointed, it must be shared with the world but the time can't be made to share with those around them. That person knows they are called to preach, but only from the pulpit and not at the workplace. They know they are an apostle, but they are only willing to be sent out by the church leadership and not by Jesus. They know they are to be a pastor, but don't feel qualified unless they have the title before their name.
Too many times believers base their success upon the immediate results and forget what Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 4:5. Too many times believers are not willing to concede their own vision for Holy Spirit's vision. Too many times people are not willing to accept where Jesus has placed them in the Church. While some are trying to reach the world for Jesus, they overlook the people Jesus has brought into their lives for His purpose. The person that may get overlooked by someone focused upon their own "ministry" could be the one to reach millions.
The gifts and the calling are irrevocable and God will use anyone and wants to see everyone saved. It is possible for us to limit God by limiting how He can use us for His good work. It is possible to limit the work Christ can do, by limiting how, when and where we are willing to serve Him. We have to be willing to be used by Jesus according to His will, wanting others to succeed in their ministry.
When it comes to the Kingdom of God, does it really matter who delivers the Good Word or how the Gospel is preached? Does it matter what title we have, where we minister or who we minister to as long as Jesus is glorified?
It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:7-9
1 Corinthians 3:7-9
3 comments:
Great blog! Seek first the Kingdom of God and get to to work letting God worry about the message.
Excellent message, Dave.
You make several really good points. I'm so grateful that God's not a "numbers guy", but that He cares about the individual. May we be people who hear His voice and follow His ways rather than our agendas.
That video was a great example! Better than some serons I've heard.
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