Abraham, My Friend_13

Abraham, My FriendThe Making of a Praying ManChapter Three: Entering the landPassing through, going on still…Abraham is on the move. And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem. [Gen 12:6] he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent. [Gen 12:8] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. [Gen 12:9] The pattern is established; we are following the steps of the faith of our father Abraham. [Rom 4:12] Faith is often pictured as big leap into the unknown, more often it is just another step. And then another, and then another. This is the pattern observed in Hebrews By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: [Heb 11:9] Abraham is on the move; it is an integral part of his story that he never settled for what he had experienced. For many faith is a crisis-event, and many a movement with a vision becomes a monument with an epitaph. A man once had a blessed experience. He determined to hold on to it and wrote it out so as not to lose any precious part. He kept the document in his desk draw and when he was low in spirit he would re-read his ‘blessed experience’; it was a comfort to him. On occasion he read his ‘blessed experience’ to friends who were also comforted. When friends in need came to his home his instinct was to open the draw, pull out his ‘blessed experience’ and read it to his visitor. He developed quite a ministry with his ‘blessed experience’. One day he opened the drawer and pulled out a handful of confetti; his ‘blessed experience’ had been eaten by mice. It is all too easy to end up with a ‘mouse-eaten blessed experience’. The greater the experience the greater the danger; the brass serpent became a snare to Israel and they worshipped it. When I was a very young Christian friends would say ‘Have you got your Baptism yet?’ This is dangerous theology. Have you arrived? Can you tick the box? Have you had your Shechem, your Bethel? Good, now get up and press on; there’s more. There’s always more.This is one of the dangers of denominationalism. They secure a blessing at great cost to the first generation; the second generation comes along and builds a wall around it to keep it safe. Over time the preoccupation is more and more elaborate defence of the ‘blessing’. People are then excluded who will not man the defences to safeguard the ‘blessing’. God’s men and women are not settlers, they are frontiersmen. And this is no ‘five year mission to boldly go’ this is a lifetime commitment to follow where He leads. One old puritan used to pray ‘Lord, if you see me in danger of nesting, put a thorn in my nest’. Ah, you say, but aren’t there times when we need to consolidate. No, we never need to consolidate; only people who are intending to stay somewhere need to consolidate. Only people with a strategy need time to consolidate; pilgrims don’t have a strategy. People who plan for the future need time to consolidate; sojourners are one-day-at-a-time people.This is a wonderful description of David in the Acts; For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: [Acts 13:36] We only have one generation to serve; this one. We can only serve this generation by doing the will of God; nothing else will serve them. We have all the time we need to do all that we are supposed to do. When it is done, leave it alone, go to sleep! Leave it; it’s no longer your responsibility. Isn’t this ir-responsibility? No, this is His-responsibility. Listen to Paul, his life’s work is about to fall apart, as men would judge it; For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. [2 Timothy 1:12] We do well to note the emphasis here; I know whom I have believed… and he is able to guard that. My responsibility is to believe Him, the person, His responsibility is to guard that, the thing that I have done and committed to Him.Paul’s earlier advice to Timothy touches the same theme. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. [1 Tim 4:14-16]. Paul draws Timothy’s attention to the need for progress rather than achievement; thy profiting/progress. Men are fatally results orientated; God is progress orientated. He is not interested in how many boxes we can tick, but in how many steps we have taken. The word profiting/progress in the original language is prokopE; it is an interesting word with at least two derivations. The prefix pro as in prototype means before, or forwards. koptO is to strike a blow. One derivation is of a metal-smith beating a piece of metal to extend its length, the other is pioneers beating a path in front of the army. Both are powerful images. Blow by blow the master craftsman shapes the metal to his design and the watcher sees the increasing conformity of the metal to the will of the craftsman. So you who would be ‘leaders’, let the progress of the work under the master’s hand be seen. The greatest gift you can give to those who follow is for them to see the ongoing work of God in your life. We are His workmanship. [Eph 2:10] In you the heavenly Bezaleel [Ex 31:1-5] is creating His masterpiece; let men see His work and marvel. The second derivation is of a pioneer beating (koptO) a way before (pro) an army, and so furthering its advance. Step by step and blow by blow they make a way for others to follow. This links with the admonition of Hebrews ‘whose faith follow’. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. [Hebrews 13:7,8] It is not their exploits which are set before our eyes but their faith. The ‘end’ or ‘goal’ of their lives was ever increasing likeness to Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever. It is safe to follow such men. We are not to try to replicate their deeds, but we are to repeat their steps of faith.Some years ago I visited Lincoln College in Oxford, John Wesley was a tutor there and they have recreated an impression of his study. A stable door enables a visitor to lean over and be ‘in’ the study without damaging the floor boards and furniture. There is a visitors’ book too where you can list your name and add a comment. I thought for a moment and in the comments column I wrote “do it again, Lord”. I had no sooner written the words when in my spirit I heard the Lord say “I am the Origin and all my works are original, I never repeat myself”. His works will change; His character, never. How shall we behave as Abraham’s children? How shall we show the family likeness? It is not outward conformity to Abraham that the master-craftsman is creating but a inward likeness of disposition. Abraham is learning to ‘pass through’. His goal is not a geographical or spiritual map reference-point; his goal is that city whose architect and builder is God. My old preacher-friend once told me “if you can just live long enough, you will see everything… twice!” He was referring to ‘trends’ and ‘fads’ in Christianity; shepherding theology, manifested sons, end times scenarios. They come and go and come again and go again. These ‘current phases’ of Christianity can be useful in drawing our attention to long forgotten truths, but “blessed is the man or woman who learns to ‘pass through’” and doesn’t get stuck in some theme or emphasis. For the children of Abraham, balance is not found in a carefully held position but in continuing movement.As we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so let us walk in him… [Colossians 2:6] Being ready always in heart for the next step, raise your Ebenezer, and then …walk on. There is more, always more…

Excellent!In Him,Chanin

Hi Ron,For a man that taught with John Wesley, and discipled a young William Booth, you still have a remarkably keen wit about you. You said:"For the children of Abraham, balance is not found in a carefully held position but in continuing movement."I say: Ditto what Chanin said.Also, I like your new logo.I like those types and pictures of the Holy Spirit when they're pointed in the right direction.From this vantage point, the dove appears to me to be pointing at the Throne Room, and directly at the right hand of the Father. :-)Clutch :-P

Greg writes Is there a denomination in your estimate in the history of the Church that has kept the fire going or has continued to have that urgency in its life? It just seems to me that God continually has to raise up new denominations, new men of God that are tired of the 'settling' and are wanting to go on for more.I don't want to blanket-judge every denomination but I think the denomination stage of a movement is always historical. It is only when the river has begun to freeze that you can define its width and height. I see most denominations, I would exclude national state churches from this, as God's footprints. I thank God for evidence of his passing and for the faithfulness of good men and women, but then, I am a congenital nonconformist. :-P I have worked in many denominations but never 'belonged' to one. It would be a brave group who offered me a place.Does that mean that the way God works is different each time? does he repeat himself, can we look at the past revivals and workings of God amongst men and use them as a plumbline or should we just look ahead to the 'new thing' God could be doing?I think it is significant that the symbols of the Spirit and fire and wind and water. Tell me, what shape is 'fire'? or wind or water? I think I shall always recognise fire, wind and water but not by their shape, and I would strenuously resist the temptation to say 'if it isn't this shape it is not authentic'. If there is a single 'initial evidence' of the Spirit's coming in power I think I would have to go for "when He is come He will convict".your provocations and questions are never 'bothersome'. :-P It's good to talk together about these things.

Only people with a strategy need time to consolidate; pilgrims don’t have a strategy. People who plan for the future need time to consolidate; sojourners are one-day-at-a-time people.Whew! That's a relief, 5 year plan? I don't even have a plan for the next 5 minutes.Safely lost in Him.congenital nonconformistTranslation: 'A rebel with a pleasant disposition'It would be a brave group who offered me a place.Well thanks for commenting on our chivalry!Greg said:I get the sense of the pilgrim experience throughout all of your devotionals, we are constantly on the move.I was thinking something very similar yesterday as I was listening to another one of your messages Ron.Taking the idea into a ridiculous extreme;'As he was passing through, not knowing whether he was leading or following, he continued to walk as if being led unto progress, always moving, step-by-step, for he was a pilgrim.'Just practicing, they have a contest for really bad prose..hmmm, this is quite 'good'!But seriously.The one that runs like a thread and keeps grabbing my attention:Process!'A process never stands still'I better get these submitted or is that 'admitted'? :-)

Ron,following on from no 13 and your reply,Your quote; "I don't want to blanket-judge every denomination but I think the denomination stage of a movement is always historical. It is only when the river has begun to freeze that you can define its width and height".Your quotes are gems and you should charge a reasonable reading rate! only kidding.It's probably not the right forum to ask this...Would you comment on your own position in your fellowship group of,In your opinionAre there new testament guidelines for a church to be or is a denomination a natural progression of a move of God.(Brother this is not a loaded question!) Wow sorry thats a long threaded questionLooking ahead & UpDerek

DelboyYour 'long threaded question' has me all tied up. :-o I'm not quite sure what you are asking.

Wouldn't it be great if we had a church that even went beyond the 'non-denominational' tag.So that if the question was asked "What's your denomination or affiliation?"We could only reply, "Huh?"Maybe that is what we are here at SermonIndex."The Church of Huh?" :-) (And if they really pressed we could use Clutch's 'denomination of Rons')I praise God for you (Ron Bailey) and your humbleness to get involved with this Ministry project. Your balance that you bring to the forums and through your devotional is amazing.. its God-given and I thank Him for every way that He is guiding and building this site. I second that opinion.I think your earlier comment Ron needs to be reversed.You are brave to have us!

I think delboy is trying to ask your personal opinion if there are specific guidelines for how a church should be based on New Testament Priciples. And is this New Testament model reflexed in a specific look i.e. specific denomination. Or rather to nullify all that he said is every revival that comes by God's standard for His Church at that given time, and their are some guidelines for how a Church looks and runs, but that changes on the moving of God (revival). Yes Thats it! bless you Greg,I was abit tired last night and had thoughts running through my mind after reading previous posts. Looking ahead & upDerek (church Huh! member)

I think delboy is trying to ask your personal opinion if there are specific guidelines for how a church should be based on New Testament Priciples. And is this New Testament model reflexed in a specific look i.e. specific denomination. Or rather to nullify all that he said is every revival that comes by God's standard for His Church at that given time, and their are some guidelines for how a Church looks and runs, but that changes on the moving of God (revival). Wow, this is an enormous topic. In the scriptures I see parameters for church life rather than a fixed blueprint. We may indeed see New Testament principles but if we try to implement them without the Spirit of the New Covenant we will find ourselves with a perfect corpse on our hands; perfect in every detail but lifeless.My passion is for church which holds to the centre in unity but is wonderfully diverse in its manifestation. For about 6 years we ran a thing in my home church here that we called The Church Life School. We invited Christian workers from (mostly) other countries to come and join us as we experienced 'church' together. We knew that we could create cassettes and booklets with lots of principles but we wanted to give folk the opportunity of just being 'church' together.I had main responisibility for the morning teaching seminars. We had, as a maximum, 10 folks around a large Victorian table and we talked and fellowshipped and asked each other questions. I think I learned more than anyone. We could have as many as 6 different nationalities and cultures and the question I forced myself to ask constantly was "what is church, and what is culture?" We had no syllabus but a ground plan of several areas we wanted to be sure to cover. "Being a member of the body, as a way of life", "the Cross, as a way of life", "waiting on God, as a way of life", "walking in the Spirit, as a way of life", "receiving the word of God, as a way of life". You will see the pattern. We were not trying to reproduce our 'church' experience in another culture but searching for the 'irreducible minimum' which would hold to the unity of the centre and still make room for the rich diversity of a God who hasn't made two blades of grass identical.The students were not visitos or even guests but full members of the 'church' and encouraged to hold themselves responsible for gifts that God had given them for us.It was a huge undertaking for the church in time and cost and we ran it for 6 months in each year. In the intervening period we sought God to know whether we should run it for the next year; it had to be birthed annually. One year we were unsure that we should continue so we stopped. Sometimes it is more difficult to stop Christian activity than to begin it. ;-) I have some of the materials still and am researching a way of putting the teaching elements of the course onto my own website. This would miss the essential element which was 'belonging' but I would still like to do it.