Becoming a Missional Family

I was recently asked to write an article for a magazine.  The Subject was raising a missional family.  Here are a few of my thoughts...

Missional.  It is a word that is being overused, and often misunderstood.   Missional, is a word that has a verity of meanings and people use it often without knowing exactly what it means, let alone how to live it out.

Honestly, as I write this article on, “How to involve your children in missions”  I find myself staring at a wordless document.  I ask myself, “Why?”  I mean, for over the past decade I have been very involved in mission work around the world.  Preaching the gospel on almost every continent  has taught me many things.  The main thing I have learned from my experiences is this:  Missional is less about what I do as a follower of Jesus Christ and more about who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ!  

What  I hope to convey to anyone who reads this is simple and at the same time I think profound:  “missions”  or being missional at its core comes from the church or family receiving the mission of Jesus  and living that out every day and in every way possible.

In the same manner that Christ was sent, He now has sent us {See John 17}.   We are to have the same mission and purpose as our Lord.  To seek and to save with a godly compassion those who are perishing without Jesus Christ.

As parents it is important that not only we ourselves do this, but that we pass it on to our children.  I have 7 children ranging from 19 to 3 months.  So you can imagine the busy demands upon my family.  Three of my children have surrendered to the call to be missionaries, all of them  {with the exception of my 3 month old} have been on mission projects.  

But more than going on projects let me say it again:   The key to passing on a missional heritage is living it out daily.   I wish I could give you: “Three easy steps to a missional family…”   I know that is what we want these days.  However, it is not that easy.  

I think the writer of  Deuteronomy 6:4-9  said it well:   “4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”  {New International Version (NIV)}

Many times, I find that parents strive to correct only the hand of the child.  What we as Christian parents must do it to seek to correct the heart of our children.   When we only concern our time and efforts correcting the hand of the child, we show that we are more worried about WHAT they do.  But,  if we could only learn to focus on the level of their hearts we would then concern ourselves with WHO they are.  I believe that who they are and who they become is far more important than what they do.  

As a parent we must stop and ask ourselves “who am I?”  because who we are is what they see to emulate.  If our children do not see us loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, in the example of faith what we give them will be deficient, void of power and lackluster at best.  On the other hand, if living the missional life is important to us it will be embedded in our hearts, and we will naturally look for ways to impress them upon our children.   For example, we will read to them stories of missionaries and their life impact upon our world.  Also, we will learn to stress that to truly be missional we are to become relational.  All of this begins in our homes as we rise for the day and go down at night, and everything that takes place in between. 

So, as you sit at home learn to talk to your children about things that really matter for an eternity.  The writer of Deuteronomy says: “As you are walking.”  In our modern day vernacular it might be: “As you drive your vehicle.”  The point is is the same,   we are to look for opportunities to take out the earbuds,  turn off the DVD players,  and then talk about the things that really matter, eternally.  

When we read in Deuteronomy 6 about the idea of symbols and signs it is a constant reminder of what really was important.   What I have found to be true is this:  As something becomes important to you it will naturally be important to your family.

 It really is simple to live a missional life.  To steal back a phrase from Nike and put in a christian context, we have to “Just do it!”  Yet, no one has to tell me:  it is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done or sought to do.

Renew Your Mind

Renew Your Mind
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 + Genesis 25-34

Statement of Truth:

The key to revival is breaking down the strongholds, and the key to breaking down the strongholds is repentance.

Words of Warning:

Bad patterns of thinking could go with you until you are in a box.

Revival Reality: Strongholds stand in the way of revival.

My thoughts are in my mind, my passions are in my heart, and my actions are in my hands.

1. Sin not removed and pain not resolved will always plague your intentions to think differently. 
   

• “Sin Not Removed” 

How to think Differently 

1. Relent over your sin
2. Repent of your sin
3. Remove your sin

Revival Reality:

Sin is at your door and its desire is for you.  We have an enemy who wants the strongholds protected and who wants to take your life and my life down into destruction.

• “Pain  not resolved”

STATEMENT OF TRUTH:

Wrong happens and people sin against us.  If you do not resolve that it will take you down in destruction.

The Stronghold of Our Habits & History

The Stronghold of Our Habits & History 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 + Genesis 26-30

4 Fundamental Concepts 

I.    My battles are not primarily physical.

II.   My weapons are not readily accessible.

III.  My weapons are God given and mighty in power!

IV.  My weapons are formed for destruction!

Revival Reality: 

We cannot blame our  bad behavior on God, or our parents.     Why?  As we will learn today strongholds are

built through my own behavior.

Results of Making My Own Strongholds

I. Strongholds show up when we reap what we have sown.

II. Strongholds blow up through our own decisions.

Statement of Truth:

If you want to see God’s transforming power released in this church you must do business with the stronghold in your life!

A.  Jacob did not have to keep bargaining with God.

B.  Jacob did not have to keep NEGLECTING his family.

Questions for Consideration:

What decisions are you making today?  What habits are you forming today?  What did God convict you of today that you need to lay down at the feet of Jesus?

The Stronghold of Our Family Origin

The Stronghold of Our Family Origin 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 + Genesis 26

4 Fundamental Concepts 

I.    My battles are not primarily physical.

II.   My weapons are not readily accessible.

III.  My weapons are God given and mighty in power!

IV.  {Come Tuesday Night!}

Understanding Family Dysfunction:

1. Generational Sin

Statement of Truth:

There are no consequences for generational sin, but there are inclinations

1. My fathers and grandfathers temptations will visit me.

       II.  Generational Strongholds 

1. Crutches - alcohol, drugs, medications, materialism, gluttony, image, lust
   
2. Conflict Resolution Strongholds

Revival Reality: 

If we are going to think differently we have to think differently

Prayer: “Dear God, I want to follow You and honor You and I want to break the chains of generational sin in my family.  I want to

do all I can to gain victory in my life to make sure my kids don’t struggle. Give me what i need to live for you today”

What is it tonight that you need victory in?

The Stronghold of Our Disposition

The Stronghold of Our Disposition 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 + Genesis 25

4 Fundamental Concepts 

I.    My battles are not primarily physical

II.   My weapons are not readily accessible.

III.  {Come Monday Night!}

IV.  {Come Tuesday Night!}

Keynote: 

Nothing is different until we think differently. 

Definition of Disposition: 

Disposition is a natural mental outlook.  It is your predominant tendency or leaning.  It is your prevailing point of view.  It impacts

every relationship and decision that you make.

6 Dispositional Truths:

1. Everyone is born with a disposition
   
2. My disposition dictates my thinking pattern
   
3. My disposition impacts my living
   
4. My disposition impacts  my relationships
   
5. My disposition impacts my passion
   
6. My disposition impacts all of me

Categories of Personalities

Traditional Model: Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic

1.  Grace givers

2.  Truth Tellers

Think Differently Notes

Think Differently 

2 Corinthians 10:1-5

Theme:   If you want to change your life, you have to wage war on the way you think.   This revival will be a concentrated biblical teaching on thinking differently.   You can use God`s weapons to initiate real change.

NKJ Proverbs 23:7 says:

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Statement of Truth:

Nothing will be different until I think differently.

Revival Reality: It is terrifically difficult to change the way you think. 

4 Fundamental Concepts 

I.    My battles are not primarily physical

II.   {Come Sunday Night!}

III.  {Come Monday Night!}

IV.  {Come Tuesday Night!}

5 Mental Wars

1. Behavioral
   
2. Relational
   
3. Financial
   
4. Ideological
   
5. Moral

Statement of truth:

The war is won or lost in our mind!

Rehab's Lie

My Thoughts on Rahab’s Lie

I was in Sunday School this morning and a question was raised about Rahab's lie.  For many people, the troublesome aspect of the story of Rahab is it she apparently uttered a boldface lie by telling the king of Jericho’s messengers that the Israelite spies had fled when in fact they were hiding in her house. (See Joshua 2:4)

The Bible never tells us that she was censured for it. In fact, she and her family were spared by the Israelites in Joshua chapter 6:25. Twice in the New Testament to Scripture commends her for  glowing faith, see Hebrews Chapter 11: 31 and James 2:25.   The question that we need to ask is how the world could she receive such positive treatment in the face of this lie that she has told?

 Generations of Christian ethics have considered Rahab’s case carefully. In her case, too absolute principles of moral behavior seem to collide. First, there is the principal that it is  wrong to tell a lie. Second,  there is the principal that one must protect human life.

In Rahab’s case, it appears, in order to save the spies lives; she has no alternative but to lie. If she had told the truth and revealed the spies position their lives would have most likely been forfeited and who knows if  Israel would have inherited their inheritance?

Generally speaking there are three positions that many biblical insights have suggested. The first position involves what we call “conflicting absolutes” sometimes this is referred to as “the lesser of two evils.”   Those who hold this position argue that in a fallen world, sometimes two or more absolute principles of moral behavior will conflict absolutely.  This position leaves us with no recourse,  at the end of the day one has to sin.   In such a case the Christian’s obligation is to commit the lesser of the two sins,  and then repent of it.   So for Rahab, the lesser sin was to lie thus sparing the spies life, but she was wrong to lie. She would’ve also been wrong if she told the truth, resulting in the lies exposure and death.

The second position is often labeled, “graded absolutism”.   It is here that many argue there is an ordered hierarchy of absolutes, so that there are some values that have priority over others. In the cases of conflict, where it is impossible to obey both commands, one should act according to the greater good, or for the higher command.  

In doing so one is “exempt” from the lower command. In Rahab’s case the greater good was to save the spies life rather than to tell the truth and us she did not send in telling a lie because she was exempt from it by the higher good of saving lives.     People who hold this position look into Exodus chapter 1:15–21,  and they sight the Hebrew midwives lying to the Pharaoh in order to save the Israelite boy.  

Sometimes they point to Luke 14:26 when Jesus said we should hate our fathers and mothers and wives and children brothers and sisters in order to follow him.  {in that case I think they’ve misunderstood the word hate,  see my recent comments in the sermon that I preached on January 13, 2013.} 

 The Third position speaks of “nonconflicting absolutes.”   Here, in any given situation, seemingly opposed absolute norms do not conflict in reality. In this view, God does not set aside or exempt certain absolutes instead He holds to them absolutely.

In situations where a these may seem to conflict, there is always some “third way” that avoids sin.   They point to passages such as 1 Corinthians 10:13. In that of Rahab’s case, she should not have lied, instead she should have  trusted God to provide for her another way to protect the spies that did not necessitate sinning.

 I think each of these positions take the Bible seriously. Each of these positions attempt to do justice with biblical principles. And still each position possesses some unsatisfactory conclusions.

In the 1^st position it is difficult to conceive of God holding people responsible for sinning when their only choice was to sin.   The first position really complicates the passage in Hebrews chapter 4:15 that tells us Jesus and always was tempted as we were and yet remained sinless.

 Many Christians adopt a Second position, that allows for the idea of God to exempt people from certain sins in certain situations.   This is an attractive viewpoint and it does indeed appear to have some biblical value especially in light of Matthew 23:23.

However, whether sins are sins regardless of any “greater”  or “lesser” value we give to them.  In  my argument they are still sin. Furthermore, God never laid out an order of hierarchy. He never prioritizes sin.  Furthermore, human judgment is not reliable in establishing this system.   How are we to categorize sin?

 The third position is often criticized as naïve.   Especially so,  in the case of Rahab.  Why?  It is because to our human eyes it  appears as if she had no third choice.   It is easy for us with our cool lit lights,  in nice warm and comfortable homes, offices,  or churches to  condemn Rahab for lying.  Keep in mind she was in the heart of very real, stressful, and life-threatening situations.   It is often easy to condemn her unjustly.  {Just as it is easy to often excuse her actions abruptly.}

Personally, I find this to be a very difficult issue. However, I tend to favor the third position.   If you know me then you know I do not tend to be legalistic. I do believe that despite the apparent problems this position best fits the scriptural data as a whole and contains the fewest difficulties.

The ends do not justify the means. In evaluating Rahab, we must render a mixed verdict.   One that must not condemn her life for a momentary lacquer trust in God. Rather,  one must commends her faith both in deed and word.  What this show me is this:  Even in our greatest moments of faith we are still flawed humans imperfect at best!

It is never nor can it be lawful to lie.    Telling a lie is contrary to the nature of God,  and therefore it is never right.  However, given the information I have in Scripture I think I would’ve done the same thing.   Most of us probably would have, yet was it all she could have done?  IS there something in my life that I am missing today as I face my circumstances? 

At the same time Rahab was not devoid of praise and virtue. Although, it is not spotlessly pure her faith is monumental. It was to Rahab’s credit that she trusted God. That is why the New Testament commends her so highly.   Hebrews 11:31 commends her faith. James chapter 2 verse 25  commends her faith.

When you examine the text of James a careful reading shows us that Rahab’s lie  is never commended.   It is her faith that is rightfully upheld as an example to follow. It is her actions in helping the spies that are shown as an example to pattern.  The passage in James is clear:   There are 2 actions commended, giving lodging to the spies and sending them out to a safer route.

It does not mention the lie for her protection.   In my mind it is possible that James very well might have omitted mentioning the deception deliberately to avoid the appearance of condoning it.

 I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this issue you can e-mail them to me at encountergod@me.com.