Living the Great Commission - What do we do and who tells us to do it?

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deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#1
Mainstream educated Christians should have noticed by now that there are two basic approaches to Christian service pointed out to us both by the Bible, ourselves, and Christian teachers. The first one is "Hold your breath and try an approach you dream up. God will guide you, bless what you're doing, and keep you alive." The other one is "Wait on God. Don't try to do anything major for God unless you have a clear leading from Him. If you can't detect His signals yet, hold tight or you will probably cause more problems for the church, wrecking your life in the process." Not surprisingly, some vaulted Christian teachers (Oswald Chambers among them) tell you to do both, while hold them both out as mutually exclusive. Who has some Godly wisdom on this question?
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,748
3,558
113
#2
Mainstream educated Christians should have noticed by now that there are two basic approaches to Christian service pointed out to us both by the Bible, ourselves, and Christian teachers. The first one is "Hold your breath and try an approach you dream up. God will guide you, bless what you're doing, and keep you alive." The other one is "Wait on God. Don't try to do anything major for God unless you have a clear leading from Him. If you can't detect His signals yet, hold tight or you will probably cause more problems for the church, wrecking your life in the process." Not surprisingly, some vaulted Christian teachers (Oswald Chambers among them) tell you to do both, while hold them both out as mutually exclusive. Who has some Godly wisdom on this question?
Wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Fast and pray, cultivate your relationship with Jesus Christ FIRST. Always keep Jesus Christ FIRST. If you’re married with children, they are your FIRST ministry.

Ministry can distract us from God. People are very needy, constant ministry can weary you.

Be sure to set boundaries so you can be refreshed often by the Holy Spirit. Time with God takes priority.

Enjoy the journey!
 

deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#3
Fine words, thanks. "Just believe and receive, and wait for God's blessing, like the holy anointing oil flowing down Aaron' s beard." That's what the Apostolic Pentacostal says. But what about educated Christians? People at Gospel-believing seminaries show us how to cultivate a relationship with Christ by understanding and making peace with Scripture, reading Christian authors who really have something to say, trying to obey God, and walking with Christ every day.
 
O

Oblio

Guest
#4
From what I can tell, the world is going to hell in a handbasket and a relatively powerless church seems to be able to do little about it.
"Oh God, have mercy, do not forget us, the people who bear Your name. We need You to move like never before. Send Your Spirit in power!"
Besides this, I got nuthin'!
 

deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#5
Amen. We need a new denomination accountable to proven leaders at fostering faith in Christ and building Christian ethics, attitudes and behaviors. Forget the festering ones we suffer now. Crud, even the so-called "independent" churches have faltered, poisoned by Trump, false nationalism, and poorly-educated believers.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,748
3,558
113
#6
No, no, no….please NO MORE DENOMINATIONS! Ughhhhh! :rolleyes:

God already has the plan…wait till you receive POWER from on high - the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Then, go and preach the good news! :love:
(y)
 
O

Oblio

Guest
#7
Like Nehemiah, building with one hand and fighting with the other!
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,748
3,558
113
#8
Fine words, thanks. "Just believe and receive, and wait for God's blessing, like the holy anointing oil flowing down Aaron' s beard." That's what the Apostolic Pentacostal says. But what about educated Christians? People at Gospel-believing seminaries show us how to cultivate a relationship with Christ by understanding and making peace with Scripture, reading Christian authors who really have something to say, trying to obey God, and walking with Christ every day.
In your quiet time, what is God saying to you? :unsure:
 

deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#9
Truth told, In my quiet times I'm too busy praying against darkness-driven people like Trump, Flynn, DeSantis, Conway, Mansion, Sinema and worst of all Putin. Back before Christmas, I grew concerned in my heart that Putin's Mongol bullying of Ukraine may well go out of control and wind up in some variety of nuclear exchange. Lately He's been telling me that I'm not fit for ministry.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,372
6,637
113
#10
Amen. We need a new denomination accountable to proven leaders at fostering faith in Christ and building Christian ethics, attitudes and behaviors. Forget the festering ones we suffer now. Crud, even the so-called "independent" churches have faltered, poisoned by Trump, false nationalism, and poorly-educated believers.
That is kind of a "broad brush" statement, is it not? Can you say with full truth that ALL the congregations you mention are guilty of your charges against them? If you have not actually visited and worshiped with each congregaiton in the world, then your comment just is not with foundation IMO.

You could say "the ones you have been to" and that would be ok.

I have visited many Congregations over the years and found them to be wonderful people who are dedicated to serving God. Many of them were very involved in spreading the Gospel, and caring for those in need within their Church area.

As for being poisoned by Trump, I do not think that can be bore out as Truth. Seems to me that the liberals who deny God and detest Christians are surely far more responsible for any injuries the Church may suffer. As well, you seem to be taking an "elitest" position of judgement by saying:

false nationalism, and poorly-educated believers

I agree that there are problems within the Church body, and some of the Congregations of all Denominations, but that has been true since the founding of the Church at Jerusalem. I just do not think it wise to judge and condemn all congregations and/or the people who worship in them.

Could you explain the statement on your Profile Page about "when saved?"

You stated: ask Him

Do you not remember the moment of your salvation? That is such a great experience for any person, how could one not remember it?

(just wondering)

Welcome to CC
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,372
6,637
113
#11
Truth told, In my quiet times I'm too busy praying against darkness-driven people like Trump, Flynn, DeSantis, Conway, Mansion, Sinema and worst of all Putin. Back before Christmas, I grew concerned in my heart that Putin's Mongol bullying of Ukraine may well go out of control and wind up in some variety of nuclear exchange. Lately He's been telling me that I'm not fit for ministry.
Scripture instructs us to pray FOR these people. Is that not right?
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,671
3,238
113
#12
Mainstream educated Christians should have noticed by now that there are two basic approaches to Christian service pointed out to us both by the Bible, ourselves, and Christian teachers. The first one is "Hold your breath and try an approach you dream up. God will guide you, bless what you're doing, and keep you alive." The other one is "Wait on God. Don't try to do anything major for God unless you have a clear leading from Him. If you can't detect His signals yet, hold tight or you will probably cause more problems for the church, wrecking your life in the process." Not surprisingly, some vaulted Christian teachers (Oswald Chambers among them) tell you to do both, while hold them both out as mutually exclusive. Who has some Godly wisdom on this question?
I just act naturally; I don't try to do anything.

My objective is to follow Christ and keep my own house clean first. If the subject of religion comes up, or if someone asks me what I believe, I tell them. I let it flow naturally from the spirit man within; God will do the rest.

I believe our most important witness is our actions.
 
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
#14
Mainstream educated Christians should have noticed by now that there are two basic approaches to Christian service pointed out to us both by the Bible, ourselves, and Christian teachers. The first one is "Hold your breath and try an approach you dream up. God will guide you, bless what you're doing, and keep you alive." The other one is "Wait on God. Don't try to do anything major for God unless you have a clear leading from Him. If you can't detect His signals yet, hold tight or you will probably cause more problems for the church, wrecking your life in the process." Not surprisingly, some vaulted Christian teachers (Oswald Chambers among them) tell you to do both, while hold them both out as mutually exclusive. Who has some Godly wisdom on this question?
Intuitive approach vs. Procedural approach.

Inuitive is to "follow your gut instinct" and procedural is to "follow a recipe." An experienced baker might follow their gut when it comes to ingredient portions or bake times, and a different baker might strictly follow whatever has been printed in the recipe guide.

The new covenant can read like a recipe with qualifiers for an intuitive approach that reads something to the effect of "add this ingredient to taste" but also warns against the danger of canonically endorsing one baker's intuitive answer legalistically as the only valid response, "a pinch of yeast leavens the whole loaf."

The law is written on the heart and mind. There are some explicit commandments such as love God and love your neighbour as yourself, but they inherently contain interperative aspects such as to the question of "who is our neighbour?" through the parable of the Good Samaritan. "Here's an example" was the answer instead of a firm recipe for whomever would qualify.

"try an approach you dream up"
Biblically, God spoke through dreams, it just wasn't always fully understood by the recipient of the dream. Sometimes an interpreter was required, such as Joseph in Genesis interpreting other people's dreams including that of the Pharaoh.

We see, somewhat on the same note, that prophesies acceptable to the community are said to require a second party to record for the witness.

Dreams and intuition can be clear signals. The topic of claromancy came up in a thread a few months back (e.g. casting lots, flipping coins, etc.) with the concept that through random processes God can make His will known. Claromancy can be skewed and setup improperly. If we ask a question with two possible outcomes ("should I go left or right?") and flip a coin to try to make God's will clear, we might be excluding other possible answers (e.g. "go backwards" or "go straight" or "go left then right" or "do nothing: wait"). Likewise if we are using a process that isn't really random. Something like a fumbled coin might itself be a signal that the wrong question is being asked.

If we interpret intuition as a type of claromancy, the same shortcomings apply. We try to search our feelings for whether to go left or right but have not imagined the possible proper route as it is not consciously or near-consciously known to us. Even if a dream or intuition tries to show the correct answer, if our conscious mind is loudly asking a false dichotomy, we may not hear the answer that is being given to us. It would seemingly be important to have an open mind, a loving heart, and faith in our spirit to the possible answers and the mental 'coin fumbles' that may be telling us that we are approaching the problem incorrectly or with the wrong perspective.
 

Gardenias

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2020
2,281
1,116
113
U.S.A.
#15
Acts1:4 " And being assembled together with THEM, commanded them that they should NOT depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me". 8 But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and he shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.KJ

Luke12:12 " For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say"
 

deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#16
Scripture instructs us to pray FOR these people. Is that not right?
Yes, that is totally right, good reminder.

However, imho the following and other scriptures talk about David's reaction to deadly existential threats, such as the threats brought against Christians and people of good will by the scoundrels I referred to. I'm correct in praying against them, in addition to praying for them: Of David. "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Of David. Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away!"
 

KarynLouise

Active member
Jan 15, 2022
215
137
43
46
Arkansas
#18
Intuitive approach vs. Procedural approach.

Inuitive is to "follow your gut instinct" and procedural is to "follow a recipe." An experienced baker might follow their gut when it comes to ingredient portions or bake times, and a different baker might strictly follow whatever has been printed in the recipe guide.

The new covenant can read like a recipe with qualifiers for an intuitive approach that reads something to the effect of "add this ingredient to taste" but also warns against the danger of canonically endorsing one baker's intuitive answer legalistically as the only valid response, "a pinch of yeast leavens the whole loaf."

The law is written on the heart and mind. There are some explicit commandments such as love God and love your neighbour as yourself, but they inherently contain interperative aspects such as to the question of "who is our neighbour?" through the parable of the Good Samaritan. "Here's an example" was the answer instead of a firm recipe for whomever would qualify.



Biblically, God spoke through dreams, it just wasn't always fully understood by the recipient of the dream. Sometimes an interpreter was required, such as Joseph in Genesis interpreting other people's dreams including that of the Pharaoh.

We see, somewhat on the same note, that prophesies acceptable to the community are said to require a second party to record for the witness.

Dreams and intuition can be clear signals. The topic of claromancy came up in a thread a few months back (e.g. casting lots, flipping coins, etc.) with the concept that through random processes God can make His will known. Claromancy can be skewed and setup improperly. If we ask a question with two possible outcomes ("should I go left or right?") and flip a coin to try to make God's will clear, we might be excluding other possible answers (e.g. "go backwards" or "go straight" or "go left then right" or "do nothing: wait"). Likewise if we are using a process that isn't really random. Something like a fumbled coin might itself be a signal that the wrong question is being asked.

If we interpret intuition as a type of claromancy, the same shortcomings apply. We try to search our feelings for whether to go left or right but have not imagined the possible proper route as it is not consciously or near-consciously known to us. Even if a dream or intuition tries to show the correct answer, if our conscious mind is loudly asking a false dichotomy, we may not hear the answer that is being given to us. It would seemingly be important to have an open mind, a loving heart, and faith in our spirit to the possible answers and the mental 'coin fumbles' that may be telling us that we are approaching the problem incorrectly or with the wrong perspective.
It's also possible that either answer will work within God's will
 

deaconb

New member
Oct 30, 2021
15
1
3
#19
I just act naturally; I don't try to do anything.

My objective is to follow Christ and keep my own house clean first. If the subject of religion comes up, or if someone asks me what I believe, I tell them. I let it flow naturally from the spirit man within; God will do the rest.

I believe our most important witness is our actions.
I just act naturally; I don't try to do anything.

My objective is to follow Christ and keep my own house clean first. If the subject of religion comes up, or if someone asks me what I believe, I tell them. I let it flow naturally from the spirit man within; God will do the rest.

I believe our most important witness is our actions.
I dug two truths out of Barth. One, he believed that the resurrection is the most important thing that ever happened. Two, as such we should focus our lives on sharing the Gospel. Personally I believe (e.g. "intuition" ) that we should be clever, creative. intentional and intrepid in finding effective avenues for doing that. Creativity is a big deal with God (Francis Schaeffer's best point.) So that's what I'm going to do with the time I have left. Thanks for clarifying things for me.