Just D.E.W. it!
(PROCLAIMING THE VISION OF OUR CHURCH)
Psalms 133 January 7, 2001
Every church needs a vision of its mission. Without vision any person or organization will die. In addition to knowing our vision (mission), we also set goals - or checkpoints - that help us keep on course.
Our primary mission as a church (or individually) must certainly include pleasing God, developing our potential as fully as He gives us grace to accomplish. The writer of Psalm 133 expresses this thought:
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the DEW of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."
The idea of having the blessing of the Lord, poured-down upon us like some precious, healing ointment is O.K. with me! Consider the dew (D.E.W.) of our mission – it should be considered in the same spirit as the commercial that featured basketball star Michael Jordan, Just Do It! When it comes to our mission, we ought to be concerned with the D.E.W. Discovery…Encouragement…Worship!
Discovery
HELPING PEOPLE FIND THE EXCITING NEW LIFE JESUS OFFERS.
Biblical foundation: Matthew 28:18
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus told His disciples that He had received all authority, or power. The word speaks of jurisdiction, ability and rule. Of course He was pointing to the very power that raised Him from the dead.
The life of Jesus, including his death on the cross, and the resurrection on that first Easter morning, are the reason for His authority. Jesus has authority over death, life, and everything inbetween.
Most of us don’t know much about REAL authority. Most of us would say that “authority” and “power” are the same thing. There is a difference. Power has no direction – only the sheer force of energy. Authority implies control, a specific direction.
The biblical foundation of the authority of Jesus is simply that He is (and always was) God! Because of His authority, He has given to each of us the responsibility (and blessing) of sharing the announcement of this discovery with the world. That is a specific direction – a goal to accomplish.
And He accomplishes it in true authoritative fashion – thru His followers. When William Carey began thinking of going to India as a pioneer missionary, his father pointed out to him that he possessed no academic qualifications that would fit him for such a task. But Carey answered, "I can plod."
How true it is that God accomplishes mighty things for his kingdom through those who are willing to persevere, who are willing to plod faithfully through one difficulty after another in the power of the Spirit. Are you willing to be a plodder for Jesus, helping someone discover the new life?
Jesus said, "Go," literally meaning, as you continually go - make disciples. Our mission includes sharing the good news. The natural question is always "WHY?" Why are Evangelicals always harping about witnessing?
There is the story of a chaplain in the Civil War, who was ministering to a group of Confederate soldiers. The troops were trying to push a wagon out of a mud
hole, where it was stuck. The soldiers were wet and tired, and up to their knees in mud. Standing nearby, the chaplain asked one of the soldiers, "Do you know Jesus as your saviour?" Without looking up the soldier replied, "This ain’t no time for riddles, Reverend. I’m stuck in the mud."
The reason we want to help people discover the new life in Jesus is because the world really is stuck in the mud. And the new life Jesus offers is exciting, and higher, and brighter. It’s not just "pie in the sky, by and by." It’s real, and it’s now, and it’s great!
The early Methodist evangelist, George Whitefield, won thousands to Christ. But he had his opponents. Charles Chauncey was pastor of the First Church in Boston. Chauncey objected to the idea of instantaneous conversion, and the evangelistic excitement Whitefield’s ministry generated. On the evangelist’s return from England, the two met.
Chauncey said, "So you have returned, have you?"
"Yes," replied Whitefield, "in the service of the Lord."
"I’m sorry top hear it," Chauncey said bluntly.
"So is the devil," retorted Whitefield.
Our goal for making the devil sorry about our mission ought to be seeing at least one person discover the joy of new life in Christ every week.
Encouragement
SHARING PRACTICAL AND POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S COMMON PROBLEMS. Biblical foundation: Luke 22:32 (KJV)
32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
We all know that Peter failed Jesus miserably. In this scripture we find that Jesus knew it would happen. Jesus didn’t "write-off" the fisherman as unworthy, He prayed for him to learn an invaluable lesson, and do better. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith might not fail him. The word means "to be eclipsed."
Jesus’ words burned deep into Peter’s memory. It may have been that the only thing that kept Peter from winding-up like Judas, was the encouragement he remembered from this exchange.
When our faith is strong, we must remember to strengthen others. That is the nature of encouragement. Encouragement motivates us. Like the loaded station wagon that pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. The boys then rushed off to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. A nearby camper marveled to the youngsters’ father: "That, sir, is some display of teamwork." The father replied, "I have a system. No one goes to the bathroom until the camp is set up.
This church must be on mission to be an encouragement, not only to the christian community, but to the whole world. We must learn to strengthen our brethren.
Our goal to keep on mission, is to grow in grace, and in numbers. I would see a day when our seats are filled here, and the offering is double what we need to operate. Then we could send half of our income around the world in missions. That is encouragement!
Worship
CELEBRATING AND GROWING STRONG IN GOD’S PRESENCE.
Biblical foundation: John 4:23 (KJV)
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
There have been a multitude of people to describe WHAT worship is; We need to understand the results of what worship DOES.
Genuine worship causes the people of God to be a celebrating people. We should call this hour "Worship Celebration" in our church.
I love celebrations. Sure, they’re noisy and can be tiring and a lot of work. But it is a sad, boring life without celebration. The cartoon "Snuffy Smith" always depicts the simple truths. Lowezy (the hillbilly wife) is tossing baby "Tater" in the air. They’re having a great time.
In the following (final) frame, she is putting Tater down, while calling back to Snuffy, Jughaid, and a host of others, who are standing in line, "NEXT!"
Folks, a whole hurting world is in need of the kind of celebration that worship can provide.
Celebrating the presence of God has an effect of cleansing. And when we are cleansed we become strong. We need that. God’s people are not perfect people. We have just decided to worship a perfect God.
The goal of this church should be to have a great celebration each and every time we open the doors. That will keep us on mission. It will keep the love of God fresh on us.
When I was a child I attempted often to convince my mother that having had a bath last month was quite sufficient. Why did she want me to be a "clean fanatic?" Having a priority of worship is like bathing regularly. The reality is that the worth of worship is what God has the opportunity to do in each of us while we’re sitting still long enough to hear His voice.
Eugene Peterson put it in a way that makes the point:
"In prayer, we are aware that God is in action and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, he will call us into the action. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts."
Psalm 40 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Consideration
The D.E.W. of life for this church is our mission of DISCOVERY, ENCOURAGEMENT, and WORSHIP.
Those are lofty ideals, with high goals....
A celebrative worship experience each time we open the doors..
An encouraging growth that will someday see us give half of our money to mission causes around the world...
and a commitment to seeking out people so they may discover the great new life in Jesus.
The consideration here today is just as lofty....
How will I be involved in this?
Allow me to invite you to be involved as Charlotte Elliot did. Charlotte lived in Brighton, England in 1834. She was an invalid. When her family held a bazaar to raise money to build a school, she could only watch from afar. One night, she lay sleeplessly agonizing over her helplessness. She knew she wanted to help....she just didn’t think she had anything to offer. In some way God communicated to her that it wasn’t anything Charlotte could DO that He wanted...It was Charlotte. And so, rejoicing, she penned these words:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come."
Charlotte Elliot had nothing to offer the Lord...except herself. And God accepts that! And in exchange
He gives
discovery of a great life....He gives
encouragement for the tough times...and He takes
the sincerity of your heart, and the praise of your lips as celebrative worship, and grows you strong in the things that really count!
Come to Him that way, DONT BE AFRAID...JUST DO IT!
