John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Just lifting from the latter portion of the scripture provides all that we need to know: “without Him nothing…”
I suppose we could speak of other nations, their cultural preferences and practices, but this would not answer the pressing question of our day. We might reflect on the Jewish people and their customs or the church of the last century, but this too would fall short of our need. It is interesting to me how little emphasis is given to the primaries of life. What is our need? What is it that moves us; shakes us into movement? Our deficit is not more knowledge or insight. It is not a greater understanding of the Bible or spiritual warfare, though I am always in pursuit of such treasures. Our need is Action!
In a conversation, a person said, “Pastor, I am busy and I just cannot find the time to teach someone a Bible Study.” Of course they did not find much sympathy with me, but the fact is they were busy. Jobs and houses; children and the care of other things… there really was no time. However, what does this say of our priorities?
We are moving from one thing to another, often caught in a web of excessive engagements. Mary and Martha speak to the primary and secondary positions of life. Jesus looked at the lost souls of His day and said that the “harvest was great but the laborers were few.” It was an indictment of them and us. We also share in the Lord’s burden. Jesus, His mission and His heart, is what we must be after. For who can worship Him without loving what He loves?
He called us to show forth His praises. He saved us and gave us power to be a witness. He made us to sit in heavenly places, not just for our comfort but to be a light in a dark world. In a word: Souls. Can we really have Him and not share His burden? Without Him means without what He loves; without what He is: The Savior of the World. There are so many things vying for our attention it is difficult for the Church to stay focused on the Mission of Jesus Christ. The world is pressing us everyday and we are succumbing to the trappings of progress, entertainment, education, vacations, personal advancement, and media.
Are you reading this? The church is watching too much television! If we spent as much time in the prayer room as we do on the internet, we would be spiritual giants! We are keeping Jesus at the church, regulated to Sunday. Our city is dying of sin and we are looking for the next motivational word. I say… Rise up New Life… we cannot have Jesus, if we do not have His heart. Without Him, there is no power or authority. Without Him, there is no purpose. He is the object of the Church and He said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me!”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole