Paul speaks of being “out of his mind” for the sake of God. All of us who are on this trip know a little about being “out of our minds” for the sake of God! Last year and this year the pastors of three churches traveled between Brazil and the United States to get better acquainted and plan this mission. Then our churches raised around $25,000 US buy some baseballs, bats, gloves and a few Frisbees…pretty crazy! Then 14 people took vacation from work, purchased visas and sat in airports and airplanes for more than 12 hours so we could come to Belo and play baseball with a bunch of strangers because we think that baseball is one of the ways we can get people to listen to the message that, “The Kingdom of God is near you.” Luke 10:8. There is nothing about that which makes sense! We must be out of our minds with Paul!
So this week be prepared for the question, “Why are you doing this? Why would you spend so much money and come so far and spend so much time teaching children how to play a ball game?” The answer you should give is, “Because Christ’s love compels us.”
It is our identity in Christ – and our focus on Christ – that keeps us from just being a civic club doing volunteer work. We are a chosen, called-out and privileged people who are doing what the church does through the power of God and not our own strength.
In Christless Christianity, Michael Horton writes that the Kingdom of God is not something we do, it’s something we are receiving, not something we are building. The risen Christ did not say, “I’m leaving now, but you will take my place and extend my work by following my example.” What he said was “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [So you] go…and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold I am with you always, to the end of the age!” Matt. 28:18-20
So let’s go out and be crazy for God.
So this week be prepared for the question, “Why are you doing this? Why would you spend so much money and come so far and spend so much time teaching children how to play a ball game?” The answer you should give is, “Because Christ’s love compels us.”
It is our identity in Christ – and our focus on Christ – that keeps us from just being a civic club doing volunteer work. We are a chosen, called-out and privileged people who are doing what the church does through the power of God and not our own strength.
In Christless Christianity, Michael Horton writes that the Kingdom of God is not something we do, it’s something we are receiving, not something we are building. The risen Christ did not say, “I’m leaving now, but you will take my place and extend my work by following my example.” What he said was “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [So you] go…and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold I am with you always, to the end of the age!” Matt. 28:18-20
So let’s go out and be crazy for God.
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