Update #2
Sabbatical
Hi guys,
My week started off great, worshiping and fellowshipping as a church family. I was very blessed to have the first Lord's Day of my sabbatical with you all. And hearing Dr. Warren preach Colossians 1:1-8 affirmed in my heart what I already knew. You're in great hands for the next four months. Hearing about the gospel's expressions in the famous Pauline triplet--faith, love, and hope (though often thought of in a different order)--as linked in the past, present, and future tenses of our salvation, my heart was blessed and encouraged.
My reading goal this week was Michael Reeves' book Authentic Ministry. He is president and professor at Union School of Theology, seeking to prepare men for pastoral ministry. This book is the product of talks he's given to address their heart preparation, to complement the more technical preparations of the classroom. I think they'd be just as profitable for anyone in any kind of ministry. After all, heart issues are universal issues. Shepherds are also sheep. Our hearts are the same as anyone else's. So, as he covers the subjects of delighting in God, boasting only in the cross, praying boldly, relishing humility, esteeming friendships, growing through suffering, loving the church, being a theologian, and running the race, he does so in a way that would help all of us seeking to minister in various roles. I've come to believe that I should probably read anything Reeves writes. I've been helped by all of his titles I've read so far.
Of particular help to me was Reeves' chapter on prayer. In it, he cites a John Newton hymn.
You are coming to a King--
Large petitions with you bring.
For his grace and pow'r are such,
None can ever ask too much.
I read these words twice in two days, in Reeves and in Begg's daily devotional. That's probably more than coincidence, but providence, right? Also, in that same two day period, Janna and I sat down with Pastor Gregg Heisch and his wife Heidi. We had a wonderful time hearing what God's taught them and how God's used them. It stirred my heart to bring "large petitions with" me when I come to the King on behalf of Calvary. I wrote in my journal that I had a strong impression that God was leading me "to long for, pray for, and believe God for great things at Calvary." Then I thought of William Carey's famous, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God," which Reeves also cites later in his book.
Now, maybe I need to dig down a bit deeper into what is meant by "great things," or "large petitions." It seems to me that some folks think that faith, or that asking big, means asking for the thing that seems least likely to happen. That's probably not true. I guess it depends on how we think. It depends on how renewed our minds are by the Word of God. For example, if I'm praying for someone with a terminal diagnosis, is the larger petition that he would be healed OR that whether by life or by death Christ would be magnified in his body? Is the larger petition for 15 more years of life OR for rejoicing in suffering? Maybe Hezekiah wishes he'd prayed for the latter.
And when it comes to church, what might it look like to pray large petitions and to expect great things? Maybe Ephesians 3 would be helpful. Remember that the prayer and the chapter end with Paul's doxology to the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or think. And what is that linked to in the text? Bigger attendance? Larger offerings? Building programs? Read the whole prayer, but the ultimate goal is that the church would be filled with all the fullness of God. What does that mean? I think Paul is praying for them to be prepared for obedience in all of the matters that follow in Ephesians 4-6: unified and loving and serving church members, personal growth into more and more Christlikeness, godly and happy marriages, faithful parenting and responsive children, Christlike employees and bosses, and victory in spiritual warfare. For this we should long and pray and believe. These are large petitions, but we can never ask too much.
The Lord willing, Janna and I worship tomorrow with the Celebration Community Church. Then we'll move to a new spot in Florida for the next several days. I'll try to tackle at least the first half of Knowing Sin by Mark Jones this week.
Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.
By His Grace & For His Glory,
Jeff Tague
