My highest calling

When Soo & I were about to get married, we met with the Main Pastor. We were having a nice time, til he said something about young couples these days. He said it was a shame how many men put their wives above their ministry.

I tried to understood what he meant… but maybe that is just what he meant…

I couldn’t believe it. I was dumbfounded really.

My wife & kids will always be my highest priority. They will be & are my most important relationships and my most important ministry.

As we follow Christ, there is no higher calling than to be a husband & father (wife/mother).

Of course, i am called to follow Christ above all things. And i do all to the glory of God. 

The first & most important way i do that is in how i lead & love my family.

Paul tells Timothy, first watch over your own family, then the flock.

IF an elder can’t lead his own home, how can he lead the church.

Simply, these are the people I spend the most time with and the people I can have the most influence on.

I don’t disciple my wife or kids. I do shepherd them & lead them though. I point them to Christ. I lead us in devotionals. I love them and I love on them. I make it my aim to reflect Christ

There is nothing more important.

The one with a call

When you hear the word “Calling” what do you think of?

If you’re like most, you’re thinking of a special calling and/or vocation and the rest of your life.

We think what is God’s will for my life. We want to know God’s will, and do everything to discern it. When instead of trying to know God’s will, we should be simply seeking to know God.

While I believe God has a specific call on our lives, I think we get lost in a similar vain.

There is a specific call… and there is a general call. And if we considered the general call, the specific call would be easier to discern.

When we think of being called, what do we want to hear?

Maybe- where? When? How long? What will I do? What are the benefits?

Hey when a friend calls us to hang out or go to a party for a couple hours, we ask a lot of questions.

What should I wear- is it casual, semi-casual?

How long we gonna be out? When will we come back?

What are we gonna do? What are you gonna watch?

Who’s going to be there?

So, when we’re called for a lifetime, of course we’ll have questions.

In Matthew 9:9 Jesus calls Matthew.

What does He say?

Nothing.

If you’re Matthew, what would you be thinking? What would you do?

I’d be asking questions.

My friend Jason said “I’d be thinking Who are you?”

And that’s actually the key question.

See, when I’m called to hang out, the person asking the question makes a big difference. IF I’m called by my boss to work I may not want to go in. But if it is my best friend or wife, then I want to be there.

Or when I was single, and I was invited to a party, and I found out the girl I liked was going, I would be there- no more questions needed to be answered.

Since it was Jesus that called him, Matthew left all and followed. No other questions needed to be asked.

IT was because of who Jesus was, that He followed. Not because what they were doing or going to do. Not because what they were going to accomplish. It was because of who Jesus is.

Acts 20:22-24 Takes it a step further.

Matthew doesn’t know what is going to happen. Paul knows bad things are going to happen – but He still follows, He still goes. He is willing to go and wants to go- because of who is leading Him- the Holy Spirit.

IF the Holy spirit is driving, I’m in.

Others try to stop Him, but Paul’s not staying behind if the Holy Spirit is going somewhere else.

Truth is, if my wife is going somewhere, I want to be with her. Even if it’s out shopping, I’ll go. I’ll watch terrible tv shows, because I want to be with her.

Of course I’m following the Holy Spirit, even if trouble awaits me

The thing is:

I want to manage my life. I want to know what I’ll be doing. I want to know how long it will take. I want it to be easy. I want it to be worth it. I want it to be manageable at least.

God says none of that is important- all that is important is that you follow me and you are with me where I take you.

We are called to follow Christ. 
We want to know what to do, but we don't always want to follow. The Rich young Ruler wanted to know what to do, Jesus said follow me... worry about the details later...

We need to follow Him, wherever He tells us to, whenever He tells us to and do whatever He tells us to do.

If we would follow Christ – and all of us are called to follow Christ, then His specific plan and call on your life would be easier to see.

We need to submit to Him and follow Him – even if we don’t know what will happen, or how inconvenient it will be, or even if it does look difficult.

Because of who He is.
Follow Christ.

The one in the morning

What do you think of when you wake up in the morning?

Here’s what I think of- likely in this order

1.     What time is it? Can I go back to sleep?

2.     Man, that was a crazy dream, what was I dreaming. (I want to change that dream, or I want to go back to that dream)

3.     What do I need to do today? (Or Man! I got a lot to do today). First I’ll do…this… then that…  - and I map out my day

4.     Then after considering all that I need to do, I say: “God, Help me!”

5.     I probably at that point realize I need to lean on God, ask Him what He wants me to do this day.

6.     Then I think “I’m hungry”

7.     Then I think “I have to pee”

And that’s when I usually get up.

Of course, I will notice my beautiful wife… either before all that or after all that.

May be a bit different for some of us, but our thoughts tend to drift this way.

We get caught up in our own little world.

We’re thinking of our own comforts.

We get caught up in our to do list and consumed by it.

We think about God, but quickly regress.

Our belly becomes our God. Our tasks & responsibilities and to-do list becomes our Master. Our desires & passions become our King.

We are wrapped up in our own little world. We miss out on God.

See this is a problem.

Because we are so wrapped up in our own little world, we miss the bigger picture.

We miss out on seeing the beauty and splendor and wonder and glory of God.

And we focus just on those things near to us, the things we can see. And we miss out on God’s goal for His glory throughout the whole world and God’s glory in the Nations.

Psalm 67, Psalm 96, Acts... the whole Bible really.

God’s focus is not you. His focus is His glory, His great & glorious glory that deserves to be recognized and honored.

Let’s take our eyes off ourselves and our limited world, and seek to bring glory to God in all nations.

The Thing about the Nations

What do you do when asked to share about God’s heart for the Nations?

Why talk about the Nations when there is so much here that can be done?

I looked at the Bible, and there were several places I could look. In fact it is everywhere.

I decided to look at Psalm 96

Read it and allow yourself to feel. What emotions arise? What sticks out to you?

Anything compared & contrasted?

 ¹Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
   sing to the LORD, all the earth!
²Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
   tell of his salvation from day to day.
³Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.
⁶Splendor and majesty are before him;
   strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

 ⁷Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
⁸Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

 ¹⁰Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!
   Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
   he will judge the peoples with equity."

 ¹¹Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
   let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

 ¹²let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
 ¹³before the LORD, for he comes,
   for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
   and the peoples in his faithfulness.

What emotions are evoked? What feelings arise?

 People used words like exhilleration, passion, joy, excitement, fear, awe, right.

It just feels right.

And as it goes it just seems to build- become more and more consuming.

Yeah? Do you feel it?

This is a song of worship. The Psalmist is rejoicing in God. He is enthralled with the greatness of God. And he wants to express it, and get others to join in.

I compare it to when you see an amazing hit at a football game, and you exclaim “Woah! What a hit! Did you see that? You gotta see it. Wait for the replay… oh here it is… bam! Wow!”

You know, if something is amazing we want to tell others about it. We tell people to go watch movies or read a book. IF something is really cool , we may post it on facebook. This is what we do.

This is what the Psalmist is doing. He is worshipping God. And he wants others to see the greatness of God.

Someone took my illustration further. He said “If I convince people to go to Lucas Oil field to watch a game, I don’t just want them to enter the stadium, I want them to root for the Colts”

He compares the greatness of God to the worthlessness if idols.

He desires and craves that God be worshipped. He is disgusted by the worthless things being exalted.

He worships God, b/c God is great & greatly to be praised.

It is right. God is worthy.

If someone compliments me for cooking a great meal, but in fact my wife made it- well, I may take credit, but it wouldn’t feel right. I’d want to give credit to my wife.

Giving glory to God is right- because He is worthy of it.

And the reality is: in the nations, God is not receiving the glory He deserves. HE is not getting what He truly deserves anywhere.

He is God of all. And He is so great, He deserves praise from all.

Acts 17:16 Paul is grieved by the idol worship. Greived! He wants the name of Christ to be exalted.

In Muslim Nations, they say they honor God. But they insult the name of Christ. They call him a Prophet and say they honor Him better than Christians. But they insult Him by calling Him less than God.

He is great and greatly to be praised!

John Piper said it this way:

“Missions exist because worship doesn’t”

What do you think of that?

The whole quote:

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man… Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions. It’s the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God… But worship is also the fuel of missions. Passion for God in worship precedes the offer of God in preaching… Missions begins and ends in worship.” – p.17

Missions is an act of worship.

We’re declaring what God does in the nations.

We’re not all called to go. We’re all called to be part of it.

If your worship doesn’t extend to the Nations, your worship is too small.

Here’s the thing:

God is working in the Nations.

People are coming to Christ all over the world.

This has always been part of His plan. From the time when the people were dispersed at Babel, He has had a plan to redeem.

We see it in His call to Abraham- thru him He will bless all nations.

We see it in Abraham’s new name: Father of Nations.

We see it throughout the Old Testament

We see it in the Great Commission: Go therefore into ALL nations…

Always there

Not only that, but it will happen

Revelation 7 shows us, there will be people from every tribe, tounge and nation.

Mattew 24:19. The message will be preached to the ends of the earth and then the end will come.

It’s going to happen.

And being there: well, it’s a priviledge, a blessing!

God is working and we get to be a part of it!

He is changing people, and what do we do? We watch as God amazes us.

And worship is a beautiful thing.

Worship in another language is a beautiful thing.

Worship in another culture is a beautiful thing.

We’re not all called to go. Some of us are blessed to go.

We can worship God in the Nations by going. By leaving our comfortable lives to serve the Lord. by leaving friends to follow God.

We can worship by praying for His glory in the Nations. By praying for Missionaries. By praying for the lost in different countries.

David Gap says Missionaries just go and reap the labor of those who prayed before them. Prayer is powerful & important- yea even essential.

We also are part of this work by encouraging those who are there, by supporting them.

And we worship thru giving. Giving are offerings of money toward God’s work in the world.

Still only 5-10% of all Christian workers go to the 90% most unreached people. So more people could go.

³Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.
⁸Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

 ¹⁰Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!

The Lord is worthy of glory in the Nations.

We ask why go to the Nations when there is so much here to be done. We miss it. We so limit how glorious and great God is.

We have lost focus of God’s glory and scope.

He is worthy of worship- everywhere.

If your vision, your purpose, your goals, your worship – doesn’t extend to the world- it’s too small.

The thing about being called

I have lived the last 5 years in a foreign country. And had another year previously. I plan on going back soon. And living there for some time.

When people see me upon my return to the states they say “You must really like it there.”

A long-termer warned us people would think this and say it.

It’s natural to assume that. It makes sense. Why else would I be living there?

There are several advantages: It’s cheap, the food is good, there is a small tight community.

Plus, I actually like the pace of life.

Some may like the challenge -not me so much… Or the experience – but I could care less…

This is not the reason we’re there.

I don't really like it there that much, and i don't miss the place that much now that i've been gone.

Then why am I there?

Well, it’s not because it’s easy.

It’s not because I have better friends there.

It’s not because I like to travel.

It’s about God.

See… it’s not even what you may think… I don’t particularly love the people… or even like them.

The ministry is thriving… but it’s not easy.

If it were because of the people, I wouldn’t be there.

The reality is, the longer I’m in Asia… the more I dislike it. What I used to laugh at annoys me. What I used to tolerate, grates at me. What I used to see as innocent, I see as sinful. And what used to taste good, is old. What used to be nice, is aggravating.

The longer I am there, the more I see sin, the more I experience people taking advantage of me, the more people frustrate me.

But that is why I am there… b/c these people NEED Jesus.

BUT…

The Need itself is not enough… there is need everywhere!

 But this is where God called us. This is where God wants us to be.

And we are glad to be there.

We see God at work.

We experience His power and grace and faithfulness and provision

We grow in our faith… we depend on Him.

And we enjoy His glory.

God is working around the world, amongst the nations – and we want to be part of that.

Psalm 67 fuels my passion.

May the peoples praise You oh God

Shine your face upon them.

May the peoples praise You!

As Piper states “Missions exists because worship doesn’t”

We have seen God work. We have seen lives changed. We have seen movements develop. We have been amazed.

No, it’s not easy. And it is not fun. We don’t just have compassion on the people… but we do want to see God’s glory in the Nations. And that is the place to be.

We’re there for God’s Glory.

Ultimately though, it’s God’s Call.

We go because this is where God has called us to be.

It is hard. We long for stability. We long for a home. We long for good friends.

We know Hebrews 11:13-16

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Acts: 20:22-24 is my calling verse:

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. ²⁴But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

I don’t know what will happen to me – except suffering – but I go bound by the Holy Spirit.

I don’t consider my life dear to myself, only that I may finish the course God has given me.

We want to see God’s Name Glorified.

We want to experience God’s glory.

We want to be where God wants us to be.

It’s about being where God wants us to be: for His purposes, His glory – in my life & in the world

We don’t make decision based on what we like or dislike. Not because it is easy, or because of the challenge. We don’t go b/c it is fun or an adventure, and experience or fun. We don’t go to feel good about ourselves, or simply to feel good.  We go bound by the Holy Spirit. We go to follow God. We go to honor Christ. We go to experience God’s glory. We go to worship. We’re there, because that is where God wants us to be.