ABRAHAM- HEART OF AN APOSTLE|Franco Lonappan

This message was preached by  Franco Lonappan (who leads One Nation church, Mumbai) at Word of Grace Church  Pune, on the 28th of April 2014 . You can listen/download to the audio by clicking here

Gen 24: 1-12

This is a story of a loving father interested in the future of his son. He is mindful, even in his old age about his son. He sent his servant to a far away land in order to find a bride for his son.

Abraham has a lonely walk with God. He had no one to encourage, admonish etc. no church, no accountability, no life groups. All he had was the spirit of God, instructing and counseling him.

He had an apostolic heart- to reach out to the nations of the world.

Q. what is the apostolic ministry?     

1.     It’s about fathering. Abraham cared for his son even at that age because he had the heart of a father. The spirit of son ship is the greatest gift from God. Not only are we forgiven, but we sit with him in the heavenly places as sons and daughters. 1 John 3:1 says- “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  

Christianity is about son ship. We were far from God and He brought us near to him. This ministry is about fathering and being fathered.

1 Corinthians 4:15- “I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.”

1 Timothy 1:18- “Timothy, my son,…”

Abraham takes risks to unlock the true potential of Isaac. They lived in Canaan, a pagan idolatrous place. But he did not compromise. The apostolic gift comes to unlock people so that they reach their full potential.

Its about looking after their sons and daughters. In this context, it must be said, that daughters are also very important in the purposes of God.

2.     It’s about relationships. Christianity is all about relationships. Our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God- to break the wall of hostility between us and God.

When Abraham said to his servant to find a suitable bride for his son, he trusted his choice. This man (Eleazor) was his servant for 65 years. The only condition he placed was that she should be a part of the promise. Abraham is saying, I value you as a gift from God and I value the gift God has given you. This servant was the one person who could have jeopardized God’s plan. This shows the trust he had upon him.

Q. Can we trust?

When we go through difficult times, we do not want to trust anyone anymore. But remember that Jesus trusts you. He trusts you with His bride. The Bible says that one of the phenomenons in the last days is that the love of many will grow cold. Do not let this be. Trust!  

Invest in relationships. The apostolic message is- love one another. If you put the law and prophets together- the message is to love one another. It’s not a difficult thing to do.

Pay attention to your family and your relationships. Children count. Let’s pay a big premium for that.

3.     The apostolic ministry recognizes peoples’ gifts and releases them. Abraham trusted others gifts and talents to see God’s plan. Gen 14:14- When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”

Abraham recognized people’s gifts and released them. They became an army.

4.     Mission: Abraham was not going to settle because he was sure that his mission will be successful. When God sent Jesus, he knew he will find His bride. And here we are- a part of the glorious bride of Christ. He says, “you will be successful”. We are here to find a bride for God’s son.

5.     The big picture- Abraham reminded himself about the vision. Look back at the faithfulness of God in your life and know that His promises will be fulfilled.

In verse 24-27- the servant bowed down and worshipped. The big picture is that we belong to a God of faithfulness. He’s given amazing promises and Abraham was holding on to those promises.

2 Corinthians 1:20- “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘yes’ in Christ.”

Lot and Abraham lived in the same time, but we see how they responded to God’s promises, how they treat their children and the legacy they leave behind.

Let’s believe in the promises of God.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

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Caring for the Church

This is a summary of a seminar taken on Caring for the Church by John Groves at TOAM 2011, Bangalore.

It’s good to have pastoral leaders. While we love to talk about the prophetic and evangelism, we need the patoral ministry. Its important in order to bring people to maturity. Pastors are caricatured into being “nice but not effective”. That’s not true. 

Pastoring is for men and women.I prefer to use the word Shepherd – the bible talks a lot about it. The Bible refers to Shepherd a lot and not “leader”. One can have a very romantic view of shepherds.

Shepherds live dangerous lives – they are strong and rough characters. He has to handle wild animals. It’s a demanding job. It’s not routine – you have to keep finding good pastures, protect them , count them in and out and know them by name. Shepherds in those days were on the edge of society and treated with contempt and seen as quirky. It’s amazing that the angles appeared to the Shepherds. This is the sort of picture of Shepherds that the Bible is referring to – not polished and professional. It requires courage and initiative. He receives criticism and sometimes treated with contempt.

But God loves the word Shepherd.  In psalm 23 he calls himself our Shepherd. The Old Testament god uses it to describe himself a lit. Those who lead his people will be like shepherds according to the Bible.

Psalm 77:70-72 “.. To be a shepherd to his people...he shepherded them with integrity of heart.”Under shepherds can be men and women –there will be different levels of Shepherds – not all are at the local level.

The big difference between us as under shepherds and God as our Shepherd is that we are not perfect.We are meant to reflect God’s Shepherding heart – but we do fail at times just like Moses, Aaron and David did. God gets angry with them but he did not rid himself of the principle of using under shepherds.

In the New testament, God comes as a man – Jesus. Jesus is the perfect man – the archetype of a Shepherd without any flaws. He is the good shepherd/Great shepherd. 1Pet4:4 he is the Chief Shepherd. He is the supreme example.

In the N.T – local church leaders are described as Shepherds. Twice when local church leaders are described in an interesting way 1Pet5:1-3, Acts 20:17, 28. Local leaders are also describes using three terms for the same people – Elders, overseer, and Shepherd. Elder – spiritual maturity and experience. Overseer – manages things well and leads. Shepherds – gifting of God, he has His  heart attitude. Eph 4: Pastors is one of the gifts.

The risen Lord Jesus gives gifts – how does shepherding come? Like all gifts, as you do what comes into your hands – as you show an interest and concern for people, people will recognize the gift in you.

It comes out of being what god made you to be and serving others. That is what we do – serve the leaders and the people. Let God do the promoting. You do what you have to do – that’s all.

WHAT DO WE DO AS SHEPHERDS

There are 6 aspects of biblical shepherding.

1.       Prophetic – It has a prophetic element. You will not always hear this. The Old Testament prophets were shepherds. They confronted sin, warned of consequences of sin. They pointed the way, restored and brought renewal. They proclaimed God’s truth, rebuked, challenged and confronted the people. Jesus shows this element – he challenges religious bigotry and legalism. He challenges the disciples for their lack of faith. He asks penetrating questions. Confronts the hypocrisy and sin.

New Testament is full of care for the people but carrying a prophetic element of exhorting, comforting, confronting and challenging sin.

This is very important – our words will challenge and confront people. It will ask penetrating questions and thought provoking questions. We are accountable to God – we should never be aggressive but don’t avoid the difficult challenges. This may not fit the modern world. There is a strong individualism, emphasis on personal choice, political correctness is important, you can’t criticize an opinion. However we cannot avoid the physical element of confrontation. We cannot avoid that what we sow, we reap We must tell people what God thinks about certain things, we should teach taking responsibility, teach repentance and seeking forgiveness. We should emphasize the corporate aspect of our faith. “Modern pastoral care has too much consolation and too little confrontation". Although we must love we must not be afraid to confront. This is one on one and in groups.

2.Provision – A good shepherd is concerned that people are well fed. This is a major part. You should take your Bible with you when you visit people. This is the food – it carries its own authority. Sometimes people are eating “junk food” and will listen/read nonsense and we should be able to explain why that is not good. It’s important to understand that God’s truth changes people. If we get people to understand what (1Cor60 has done for us it will be life changing. Paul draws attention to their relationship with Christ in order to confront sin. This is called task theology – putting theology and truth into pasturing. This is a good way. A lot of people are in a mess because they do not believe the truth – they believe the lies of the culture or about themselves. They need to know “who am I in Christ”

3.      Priestly – we don’t have priests. That’s Old Testament. In the New Testament we are all priests. But there is a priestly element to a Shepherd – he intercedes for the people he cares for. He prayers for the, He stands before god for the people. The only high priest we need is Jesus but there is a priestly element in what we so. We pray for the people we look after, we receiver things from God for them pictures, words etc. We work at reconciling them to God. We help them to understand that Jesus reconciles them to God.

4. Physical – concern for the whole person – spiritual and physical. All through the Bible it shows he is the Lord who heals you. Jesus healed a lot demonstrates God’s heart for our well being. Real Shepherd’s care will be concerned for people’s health, marriage, children, jobs etc. It’s clear in John 5:14-15. They will pray for the sick, bring deliverance for the demonized. The church has always been on the fore front of leading social reform and practical care, education, hospitals, prison ministry etc. It’s part of the King of God. Its works out in any context. It’s the Shepherd’s heart.  You will try and help them be better workers, employers, etc etc.

5.Protection- This is truer of a church leader but true for all leaders. Acts 20:28-30. There are two types of attack that come on the sheep, external i.e the wolves come in and Internal i.e division n the church. A good shepherd will try and protect them from both i.e false ideas and teachings, demonic. But he ensures peace and unity between the people. If you are a local church Shepherd these are major responsibilities we shoulder.

6.      6.Purpose – the flock need leading. They took the flock somewhere. We need to lead the people with what God gives them. Don’t be too democratic – we need to lead.

7.      We need to give vision and direction. They need guidance about where you want to take them. We do not lord it over them or micro manage but we give leadership and vision through the Word of God and our own faith, what we’ve heard from God, our own example . We also need to explain things so that the understand what you are doing. People want to follow and do what s right but we need to communicate. It’s a lot easier if they can see what you are seeing. It makes it easier. Rom 8:12 – use the gift diligently i.e with a lot of care and effort. It’s not a lay man’s gift. Biblical leadership is hard work.

8.      One of the ways you lead is by example – we must live with purpose and direction if we are asking others to do that. Explain some of your weaknesses ( sensibly). When you are leading, lead from a place of relationships as much as possible. There should be friendship. Keep yourself in the grace and love of God. Be motivated by grace and out of what you know what Jesus has done for you. Legalism is motivating out of a sense of duty, fear and to show what I am. You might slip into that but try and keep yourself fresh in your won motivation. When you are shepherds and care for the needy – don’t forget the strong sheep. Keep the mature Christian informed, inspired and involved.

Leadership from the life of Jesus Part 3:The challenge of leadership. By Peter Brooks.

 This is a summary of a sermon preached by Peter Brooks at TOAM 2011,India.

Leading and helping people are a challenge. We see Jesus restoring people. We see the grace of God. We see the charge of leadership to feed the people.

 TEXT: John 21:18-25

There are three challenges of leadership that I want to talk about ad they also apply to Christian life.

1.     1. Challenge of going where you don’t want to go. Jesus outlines Peter’s future. History tells us that 8 apostles died as martyrs; 2 were crucified i.e. Peter and Andrew. Leadership will take you to death on a cross. In a conference you can say yes to all kinds of things – but the challenge is when the rubber hits the road. Jesus knew what it was to die on a cross.

There are times you have to do things you do not want to do or places you do not want to go.

Peter would not let Jesus wash his feet and then comes a stage in his life where he needed to be dressed. Maturity is allowing God to dress us. Will we allow god to take us places where we do not want to go.

2.     2.  Challenge of remaining undistracted by others: Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs. “What is that to you?” You do what God wants you to do. Keep your eyes on Jesus. “Be a voice not an echo”. Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Doesn’t mean you are independent but just follow Jesus and what he tells you to do.

3.       To seek His glory only! How do we do this?  “Not my will, but yours be done”. Peter went from swearing curses upon him self to being willing to die for the church. The Christian life is a journey of transformation.

2Cor 3:18 we are being changed to be more like Him. We are self centered creatures – we want praise, glory, affirmation and admiration all for ourselves. The Devil wanted this and he was cast out for it. Be Jesus centered. Let the passion of you life be about bringing glory to Jesus. You won’t lose anything by doing this. Jesus is so gracious- he says “bring your fish”. Jesus did not need the disciples fish to cook breakfast for them. He was already cooking some.

Living for his glory on this earth will allow you to enjoy the spoils of heaven.

1Peter 5:4 When Jesus appears you will receive a crown of glory that will never fade. God is going to reward us for catching “his “fish”. We have one short life to live and eternity to celebrate.

Keep being filled with the Holy Spirit and you will be able to face these 3 challenges. The call is still “Follow me”.

LEADERSHIP FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS Part 1- PETER BROOKS

 This is a summary of a preaching by Peter Brooks at Together On A Mission at Begaluru,Oct 2011.

 Text :John 21

Remember one thing – Jesus will never disappoint you. Others will and you will disappoint others. But, not Jesus.

If you came back from the dead, what would you do? How would you announce your return? Jesus did not come back in great fanfare. He came back quietly and cooked breakfast for the disciples.

I am going to be doing to be discussing the 1) Core of leadership. 2) The charge of leadership and  3) The Challenge of leadership in three sessions.

THE CORE OF LEADERSHIP

Have you ever blown it as a Christian? Have you been a bad witness? We’ve all gone through this. Peter is about to be one of the key apostolic leaders – what is Jesus’ interaction with him? What would you do with the person who is your key leader and he lets you down? In a very critical and crucial moment in Jesus’ life Peter lets Jesus down by denying him.

But when Jesus rose from the dead, in Mark 16:7  he says go and tell the disciples “.. and, Peter”. When God called your name it’s going to change things for you. Jesus did not have to reinstate Peter like the sub heading in our bibles say- Jesus was  always for him.

We need to know the grace of God in leadership because it:

1)      It keeps you humble and hopeful – the scourge of many leaders is pride – we think more of our selves than we should. Phil 2 reminds us that our attitude should be like Christ. We are saved because he loves us. It is easy to stay humble when you have a lot to be humble about. Don’t lord it over people. God has entrusted people to you and me. God entrusts me with HIS family. Grace underlines that no one is outside the love of God.

Grace maintains our hope for others and for us. He who began a good work will complete it.

2)      Loving and laughing – do you get tired out with people? We get frustrated but we can still keep loving people. Don’t you think we as leaders frustrate god at times? Leadership is all about loving people – that may mean loving them, rebuking them, correcting them, crying with them. Prov 7:22 When was the last time you laughed? Don’t take yourself too seriously.

3)      Filled and fighting – To lead like Jesus we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Its not easy being a leader. It’s a fight for people’s souls and their maturity. Col 1:28-29- to this I end I labour. Paul struggled for this.

 1Thes3:7-8 “Since you are standing firm in the Lord”. Our goal is to help people stand firm in the Lord. Keeping them in love with God, keeping them married, keeping them from ship wreck. Grace keeps us.

Don’t give up the fight. Jesus prayed for them and for them  to get through. He is interceding for us.

4)      Relational and Real : God wants a relationship with us. His actions are radical. As leaders we need to demonstrate that heart. 1Thes 2: 6-8, 11-12. Paul was gentle as a mother. Don’t be professional, but be a shepherd. Be relational.

5)       Forgiving and free- -I have been forgiven much. God has wiped the slate clean. We all get hurt but the grace of God helps us to forgive. Keep short accounts. Be free, Be free to be yourself.