Blind Spot
As I talk with men and women across the USA, I find most of them deeply desiring to be discipling folks so that churches will emerge out of their efforts. I believe this is one of the better ways to begin new works for the Kingdom of God - inviting people to follow Jesus and walk with them as they learn to become dependent on Christ. This seems to start new Christians with the understanding that they are able to connect with Jesus themselves through prayer, Bible reading and study, worship and sharing their new found faith with their friends.
So the folks across the USA that I have been talking with have this desire to see people come to Jesus and to see them emerge into healthy, strong and reproductive churches. But there is a huge problem that almost everyone of them is faced with. Most seem to not be able to find 'people of peace' or others who may be interested in discovering spiritual truth about Jesus. When I press deeper through conversation and questions, I begin to find out that they are missing a huge step in the process. I'm wondering if my experience of seeing many with the same blind spot that you too might have this same desire (to make disciples) and the same blind spot that my friends have.
Now all of these people have been infected with the 10:2b virus, which is simply setting your phone to go off at 10:02 a.m. or p.m. or both, and then praying what Jesus told us to pray in Luke 10:2b. Jesus said "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." We certainly all know of the problem. Not too many folks are coming to know Jesus in our country these days and it bothers us. These men and women are praying daily for the harvest to realized and for God to send out workers and raise up more workers for the fields that are so white. But they are not seeing this happen. What is their blind spot?
These friends of mine not only have this grand desire to see people come to know Jesus and churches emerge, but they are actually hanging out with people who are not yet connected to Jesus. Some are joining bowling leagues, others are drinking way more coffee than they should at their local coffee pub, some are involved in the local PTA and others are soccer parents attending every practice, game and photo shoot but the harvest is not yet being realized.
The blindspot can be found in Matthew 10:11-12. Here is what those verses says;
"And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting." Matt. 10:11-12
Did you catch the blind spot that my friends currently have? My friends are 'entering the villages' and cities around them. They are hanging out with people who need Jesus. They are even 'staying' with their new friends, in some cases for years. My friends are even giving their greeting and love to the folks they are hanging out with. But yet there is a blind spot and it is a single word. The word is 'inquire'.
My friends are not inquiring with spiritual questions, conversations or comments. It is like they are just waiting for heaven to open and angels to descend upon their not yet Jesus loving friends with fireworks etc. My friends are waiting for them to talk first or something. Jesus, however, puts the initiation upon you and I. We must be inquiring with spiritual emphasis. When we do this, we'll find out who is interested in pursuing a conversation and who is not.
My friend, Neil Cole, says that when you speak about Jesus (when you turn on the light), you'll quickly notice who are the moths and who are the cockroaches. The moths will flutter to the light. They are interested in knowing and seeing more. The cockroaches on the other hand, run from the light. They love darkness. I've been telling my friends that their desire to see people come to know Jesus is spot on. Now they need to open their mouths (turn on the light).
Some are still working on that part so next week I'll blog some notes about the truth that the Scriptures teach us regarding sharing our faith. I think you'll be amazed, encouraged and free to share more often. By the way, when you share more often (cast more seeds), you'll end up seeing people respond to the light (you'll find the moths). Remember, it takes an abundant amount of sowing seed for their to be an abundant harvest (2 Cor. 9:6).
I hope this was helpful to you. Please comment or ask questions is you are so inclined!
So the folks across the USA that I have been talking with have this desire to see people come to Jesus and to see them emerge into healthy, strong and reproductive churches. But there is a huge problem that almost everyone of them is faced with. Most seem to not be able to find 'people of peace' or others who may be interested in discovering spiritual truth about Jesus. When I press deeper through conversation and questions, I begin to find out that they are missing a huge step in the process. I'm wondering if my experience of seeing many with the same blind spot that you too might have this same desire (to make disciples) and the same blind spot that my friends have.
Now all of these people have been infected with the 10:2b virus, which is simply setting your phone to go off at 10:02 a.m. or p.m. or both, and then praying what Jesus told us to pray in Luke 10:2b. Jesus said "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." We certainly all know of the problem. Not too many folks are coming to know Jesus in our country these days and it bothers us. These men and women are praying daily for the harvest to realized and for God to send out workers and raise up more workers for the fields that are so white. But they are not seeing this happen. What is their blind spot?
These friends of mine not only have this grand desire to see people come to know Jesus and churches emerge, but they are actually hanging out with people who are not yet connected to Jesus. Some are joining bowling leagues, others are drinking way more coffee than they should at their local coffee pub, some are involved in the local PTA and others are soccer parents attending every practice, game and photo shoot but the harvest is not yet being realized.
The blindspot can be found in Matthew 10:11-12. Here is what those verses says;
"And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting." Matt. 10:11-12
Did you catch the blind spot that my friends currently have? My friends are 'entering the villages' and cities around them. They are hanging out with people who need Jesus. They are even 'staying' with their new friends, in some cases for years. My friends are even giving their greeting and love to the folks they are hanging out with. But yet there is a blind spot and it is a single word. The word is 'inquire'.
My friends are not inquiring with spiritual questions, conversations or comments. It is like they are just waiting for heaven to open and angels to descend upon their not yet Jesus loving friends with fireworks etc. My friends are waiting for them to talk first or something. Jesus, however, puts the initiation upon you and I. We must be inquiring with spiritual emphasis. When we do this, we'll find out who is interested in pursuing a conversation and who is not.
My friend, Neil Cole, says that when you speak about Jesus (when you turn on the light), you'll quickly notice who are the moths and who are the cockroaches. The moths will flutter to the light. They are interested in knowing and seeing more. The cockroaches on the other hand, run from the light. They love darkness. I've been telling my friends that their desire to see people come to know Jesus is spot on. Now they need to open their mouths (turn on the light).
Some are still working on that part so next week I'll blog some notes about the truth that the Scriptures teach us regarding sharing our faith. I think you'll be amazed, encouraged and free to share more often. By the way, when you share more often (cast more seeds), you'll end up seeing people respond to the light (you'll find the moths). Remember, it takes an abundant amount of sowing seed for their to be an abundant harvest (2 Cor. 9:6).
I hope this was helpful to you. Please comment or ask questions is you are so inclined!
Ed- I appreciate the idea of inquiring. I believe it is essential.
ReplyDeleteLet's chat more!
Zach