Jesus is the Question

God speaks today. He speaks in various ways including; through the Bible, His anointed vessels, and even through the heavens which declare his glory and speaks of his handiwork (Ps 19:1). The way that God speaks is also varied; often in a still small voice but also we find that God speaks in the form of a question.

When we ask questions, it is usually with the intention of obtaining information. When God asks questions however, it is not to inform Him of something He already knows but rather to help His people. From the outset of the story of man, when he sinned, though God already knew what had happened, He asks Adam the question; “Where are you?” followed by two more questions. Then another to Eve; “What is this that you have done?” The Gospels record over 300 questions that Jesus asked and which, in His divinity, He already knew the answers to. Meanwhile, He is asked only 183 questions.

Since God already knew the answers to these questions, we are left wondering why God would ask them. Of course it is for their benefit; in that they would begin to think about their behaviour. Upon consideration of their actions, they would confess which is the prerequisite for salvation and they would take responsibility for their actions/lives, which again is the primary component of repentance. Underpinning all of these reasons is the glaringly obvious principle of free will. Could it be that God asks the questions, not only because of His gentle approach to man, but so that man in exercising free will would not be coerced, intimidated or manipulated into choosing God? His questions are more like invitations to us personally to consider our lives in relationship to God. His love invites and asks questions and it’s love that responds.

Growing up, we may have been reprimanded with the statement; ‘Don’t answer the question with a question.”I am convinced however that so often the answer to thequestions in our lives are found in the questions that God asks of us. Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Matt 16:15. They had to answer this question for themselves and the outcome of which would determine the trajectory of their faith.

I am convinced that God is speaking to us all everyday. The question is what question is He asking you today?Questions that would have you consider and furnish a response.

Go Make...

What an exciting time at the Pentecostals of Sydney as we launched our 2018 theme; ‘Go Make’ and reaffirmed our vision and values. The importance of this task can not be understated since it is very easy to become distracted and deviate from the purpose and objective for the very existence of the church. It is alarming to see the level of activity in nominal Christianity and yet often still missing the most crucial part of Church.

Churches abound in good works, with giving to the needy, providing material relief and a myriad of services. While these deeds are important and occupy a part in the ministry, the unfortunate reality is that it’s often done at the expense of what Jesus called the Church to primarily do and prioritise. That is; the preaching of the good news of salvation and the discipleship of all nations to the observance of the Word.

At the other end of the spectrum, many churches have such a strong desire to reach the masses, which is to be commended, but in their great burden for this cause, they have forsaken doctrinal integrity. The demands that the Gospel places on the disciples of Jesus are left out and instead a kind of Christianity Lite is presented. This hyper grace teaching all but diminishes the need for repentance (which is an act of personal commitment and change - 2 Peter 3:9), confession (Rom 10:10), baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16), receiving the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:38, Rom 8:9) and remaining faithful in the face of trial and temptation (Mark 10:22). All of these are essential for salvation in response to the grace of God. It is His grace that makes it possible at all that we have the opportunity to make these personal decisions. I am convinced that this can only be accomplished through the method that Jesus taught and exemplified; Discipleship.

It is incumbent upon the Church to focus on our purpose and primary objective and that is; to reach as many people as we can, with the teaching of Christ. This is in fact, the great commission that Jesus committed to the Church - Matthew 28:19-20: 

Make Disciples of all nations, Baptise them, Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

This is what ‘Discipleship’ means.

So this year, let’s look at our habits, practices, church operations and ministry, and see whether what we are doing on a regular basis is fulfilling this model that Jesus gave to bring salvation to the world through the means of discipleship. 

Go……Make……Disciples