what does this mean? | SermonIndex

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littlebuff2 Jan 6, 2006

can someone please tell me what Jesus meant when he said: "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Sameria and to the ends of the World" judging from the people here who have so much knowledge and wisdom and are sittin around in air conditioned rooms around "free country U.S.A." i would assume that Christ loved the 'westernized' world more then the rest of the people all over the world. it shouldnt be about "being called to go" it should be about not being called to go...its a hurting world. people are dying. over 120,000 people are dying evry day without ever hearing the name "Jesus"... there is a genocide going on in sudan, and noone knows, noone cares...but Christ cares "if youve done it the least of these..."someone explain themselves honestly, please... set me straight because a life of sacrifice is apparently isnt what our purpose is... "store your treasures..."

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crsschk Jan 6, 2006

judging from the people here who have so much knowledge and wisdom and are sittin around in air conditioned rooms around "free country U.S.A." i would assume that Christ loved the 'westernized' world more then the rest of the people all over the world. Considering your short tenure here, might I suggest you try and get a feel for the site before leveling accusations. There are memebers here from all over the world and many posts on many different aspects of the faith. It might help to introduce yourself as well. It is difficult to ascertain if you are seriously asking a question or just leveling a charge.

sermonindex Jan 7, 2006

its a hurting world. people are dying. over 120,000 people are dying evry day without ever hearing the name "Jesus"... You're right, there will be people who didn't have a willingness to go, and who didn't even hear if God called them or not.Statistics have a really numbing effect on the mind, as does media... always telling the horror. We don't have an excuse, but, God has said 'Vengeance is Mine' and after one has obeyed God's promptings to 'wake up' one's fellow church members, one may have to leave them behind, sleeping, and press on in obedience to the next thing God has told one - that is you and me - to do, regardless of anyone else coming along. Better without the hindrance of those who do not have a heart for His work... better go alone with God, than not at all. Remember Romans 2? Where Paul says there are some people who never heard the gospel, who will be saved before those who heard it and didn't respond in faith?11 For there is no partiality with God.12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law13 (for not the hearers of the law [are] just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

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Graftedbranc Jan 7, 2006

it shouldnt be about "being called to go" it should be about not being called to go...It's really not about going and it's not about staying either. Our call is to the Lord Jesus Christ.The Lord is not interested in volenteers to go here or there or do this or that. The Lord is interested first in constituting Himself into us. The need is not for people to concecrate themselves to service whether here or abroad.Mary chose to sit at the Lord's feet and hear His Word. Martha on the other hand was all about service. The Lord said, "Mary has chosen the better part".Our frenetic human activity to "save the lost' has no value. It is wood, hay and stubble. What we need is to take the time to enjoy the Lord, to feed on the Lord, to hear His Word, to be infused with His Life and to be constituted with Him. Only then are we qualified to be His co-laborers in building up the body of Christ.We cannot minister to others what do do not ourselves posses. If we are devoid of the riches of Christ we cannot impart them into others.The Lord told them to go into all the world but first He told them to tarry until they be endued with Power from on High.We don't need crusaders, we need lovers of Christ who know Him, who are constituted with Him, and who live by Him. These alone are qualified to do the work of the ministry. We need a burning Love for Christ and the fire of the Spirit within us. This does not come from volenteering or "commitment". It comes from laboring to obtain the Food which does not perish. the Eternal Food of Christ who is the Bread of Life.Only by eating Christ, feeding on Christ, and experiencing Christ as our Life is our spirit made strong and only by the Spirit in our spirit can we do any service which is actually of any spiritual worth.Graftedbranch

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littlebuff2 Jan 8, 2006

its all about being faithful to Christ, and his call is to follow my footsteps, was Christ rich? then why be rich? was Christ selfish? no then why be selfish?and thats what the western church is...selfish...numb...unsensitive, and makes excuses. if you arent willing to be faithful to Christs call to give up the world and the material things in it, and spread the good news to the world, then admit it. but dont make excuses for a lack of faithfulness. not to pick on him, but Graftedbranc said that: "What we need is to take the time to enjoy the Lord, to feed on the Lord, to hear His Word, to be infused with His Life and to be constituted with Him. Only then are we qualified to be His co-laborers in building up the body of Christ."how much do you need? when are qualified, when the Master of the Universe comes down and taps you on the shoulder? is that what it would take to recognize the need? are you so blind to the pain, and suffering of mankind without the redemption of the Savior? dont you care? while you say that you need more knowledge, and to know Christ better before you serve him, in serving the world hell is taking more souls into eternity! why dont we just admit that we-as a church- are hardened? and truly stubborn. refusing to use or lives for more then self service. dont any of you care? i think the greatest llustration is in Jesus' teachings. 1. the parable of the prodigal son, the most popular parable because it shows forgiveness and that "everythings okay if your forgiven"2. the story of the rich young man who wants to serve Jesus. "i tell you the truth, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" lets here an explanation for this one...

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jimp Jan 8, 2006

hi , when we act as a critic we are saying that we have it all together and are doing far more then those we are critcal of are doing and with better attitudes and results. Jesus said that we are to judge nothing before its time. when the apostles wanted to call down fire from heaven He said that "you do not know what spirir you are of" the accuser of the brethren... or the advocate with the Father who is making intercession for us... as a former missionary I believe jerusalem is where we are (our family and close friends) samaria or judea is our community and the uttermost parts of the earth is self explained. do not go to the mission field unprepared(not knowing the language or the culture) especially do not go if you do not love the people with the love of Jesus. Jesus is not wringing His hands in fear of failure over His body for we prevail because of Him.do not fall for the trap of religion which demands activity for activities sake for abraham left ur only after being directed to so by God,noah built an ark only after being directed by God to do so... i challenge you to find anyone... moses, isiah ,gideon, david etc. who were volenteers and had any faith before God spoke the word to them, personally... that is where faith comes from. what God has told me to do in my life has been so exiting and fulfilling and i hope God will speak to you with what you are to do. jimp