Bringing life

When General Brian Peddle calls The Salvation Army to ‘confidence in the gospel’ (1), it could also be a call to all believers in the Christian Church. Paul’s credo confirms the power of the gospel:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

However, faith works through many stages.

In the story about the woman who had been sick for twelve years (2), it is easy to see several of these stages. First, we read that ‘she heard about Jesus’. Again Paul confirms that ‘faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ’ (3). Further we learn that ‘she thought’. This is an important stage, because it means that what you hear, needs to be implemented in your life, and the woman thought: “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

However, if it stops there, it just remains a nice and comforting thought. Fortunately, the woman took the next step and acted on her faith, she came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his cloak.

She experienced immediate healing, however once again: if it had stopped there, it would only have been a healing.

Jesus knew this. That is why I think he wanted her to come out publicly. I believe that Jesus knew who had touched his clothes, but he would hear it from the woman’s lips. A very important stage of faith is to confess the faith and that which has happened. Even though trembling, the woman was also ready to take this step and she ‘told the whole truth’. 

‘Confidence in the gospel’ – means to act in accordance with it all the stages mentioned above. It is a matter of salvation; it is a matter of bringing life.

‘Manna’ for today:

The Gospel is bringing life!

-----------------------------------------
(1) A CALL TO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL: As we share the good news of the gospel, we must recognise its power for salvation and transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people can be released from everything that stops them reaching their God-given potential.
(2) Mark 5:25-34
(3) Romans 10:17

Outside the 'box' - a time for everything *

NORSK
The idea of ​​throwing the net on the other side of the boat is illogical. At the same time, the event tells us that the kingdom of God is different and that disciples need to be open and think 'outside the box'.

Religion quickly becomes a 'box'. Jesus came with life and life cannot survive in a box. This can be one of the reasons why the exercise of throwing the net on the 'other side' to see results was an important lesson to learn – particularly if the number ‘153’ also added an extra ‘hint’.

In light of my recent reflections (1), this may be a signal that it is important to think outside the box if we desire to reach all nations with the gospel – there are still many unreached people around us.

I therefore take the liberty of elaborating on this thought:

When Jesus had fed 5000 people, I read that:

Right then, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
Mark 6:45

So they went from Galilee (on the west side of the Sea of Galilee) where they had ministered mainly to Jews. The 'other side', was the region of Decapolis, which was heavily influenced by other nations. It is interesting that they also on ‘the other side’ became witnesses to a ‘bread-miracle’. This time 4000 people were fed, and when the mission was completed, Jesus made the call for return:

he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Mark 8:10

It is assumed that Dalmanutha was close to, or identical with Magdala on the north-western side of the sea. When Jesus fed the 5,000 most likely Jews, 12 baskets were filled with left overs. This indicates that there will be more than enough ‘bread of life’ for the 12 tribes of Israel. When he fed 4000 on the ‘other side’, there were seven baskets with left overs – ‘seven’ is the number of perfection, which is the sum of the number of creation = ‘four’ and the number of God = ‘three’. Which may indicate that there more than enough ‘bread of life’ for all. Perhaps the order of the two bread-miracles is not random? Because the gospel is ‘is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’ (2). 

‘Manna’ for today:

The ‘other side’ is important if I want to reach new people with the gospel

------------------------------------
(1) See 'Statistics with a deeper meaning' and 'Guaranteed space'
(2) Rom 1:16
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.  

Knowing that it applies to all - a step on the journey

NORSK
... and this step will be the last in this reflection series. Easter week confirms that Jesus includes everyone.

Maybe some of the readers were a little bit puzzled when I yesterday wrote that we need the rich. It was not to exclude the poor or anybody else - rather, my intention was to include the rich as well. When I today read the resurrection message once again, it is the women who are entrusted with the marvelous mission to convey that Jesus is risen. The angel said to them:

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:6-7

I have never understood those who dare to challenge God's commissioning of women as messengers of the gospel’s most important confirmation that life has triumphed over death. Therefore, I have to be very clear when I address people in cultures where old gender roles affect women's rights to equal ministry with men inside the church.

But it is not just women and rich that are included in the Easter gospel. When Jesus came to Jerusalem, he went directly to the temple and I read that the children shouted in the sanctuary: “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The scribes were indignant and asked if Jesus heard what they were saying, and Jesus replied:

“Yes, but have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infant you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” (1)
Matt 21:15-16

The children were included, so were the sick, the robber, the roman soldiers who crucified Jesus, Mary and the disciples. All are included! 
However, it is my choice whether or not I want to be included.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am included in the new life. I have made a very good choice!

-----------------------------------------
(1) Psalm 8:2

Accountability in everything received.

NORSK
The core theme in the letters to Timothy, is the stewardship of "The good deposit"- which is the gospel that all who believe have received and accepted.
 
A Danish proverb says:

What you are,
is God's gift to you
What you do with what you are,
is your gift to God!

Ever since I made the final decision to follow Jesus at the age of 14, I have also known that spreading the good news of the gospel, is part of the new life I have received. Paul reminded Timothy about this too:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

When I yesterday quoted Laura Petri’s interpretation of William Booth’s recipe of how to avoid quarrelling about words, the quote included this statement: “Partly, he did not want to have the main emphasis on doctrine, but on life”. This is the emphasis in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. If a worker in God’s kingdom has something to be ashamed of, it becomes difficult to present the word of truth in the right way. Deed and creed must ‘walk’ hand in hand. That does not mean your life has to be perfect, but it must be lived under the grace, and the grace is part of God's gift.

The combination of living in God's gift to me, and the communication of the gospel with the light God has given me in and through his word, is my gift to God. This is what I and all believers are held accountable for.

'Manna' for today:

Deed and creed ‘walk’ hand in hand

------------------------

Fit for fight and strife?

NORSK
The terminology Paul uses in his letters to Timothy, fits well with the one we use in the Salvation Army. When he urged his disciple to train himself to be godly, it was because of the importance of the promises linked to godliness concerning this present life and the life to come. Godliness is also the foundation for living as a disciple of Jesus in the world:

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labour and strive
1 Tim 4:9-10a

The trustworthy saying Paul writes about, is the word of salvation. He made that clear even in the beginning of the letter (1), and it is a central thought in many of his letters (2). Again he goes to the core of the Gospel. Everything else is subordinate this one truth: Salvation in Jesus is available for all men. That is what the labour and strive is all about, and that is why it is important to be well trained and in good shape as good soldier to please the commanding officer (3).

‘Manna’ for today:

Declared fit for fight?

-------------------------------
(1) 1 Tim 1:15
(2) E.g. Titus 3:4-8 which is a summary of the gospel that has to be communicated as a ‘trustworthy saying’. See also 1 Cor 1:18  and Rom 10:8
(3) 2 Tim 2:3-4

The Gospel in a nutshell

NORSK
After having given instructions regarding prayers for all people, Paul quickly moves on to a short version of the gospel. In several of his letters Paul included what was probably creeds used be the early Christians. Some are longer, like e.g. “The Christ Hymn” in Philippians (1), while the creed he reminds Timothy about, belongs to the short versions:

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
1 Timothy 2:5-6a

This is the truth Paul is set to communicate to all men. Here he introduces the roles he has in relation to the gospel, which I have reflected on before: Herold, apostle and teacher (2), which in a straightforward manner can be summarized as follows:
By the gospel Paul was

• Acknowledged as Herald (3)
• Appointed as Apostle (4)
• Accredited as Teacher (5)

Paul had proclaimed the "nutshell-gospel" together with Timothy before:

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 
2 Cor 1:19-20

Now Paul is challenging Timothy to continue to proclaim the gospel in the same way as Paul: As acknowledged, appointed and accredited. 
I think these are roles for every disciple, but some get it as a special ministry or gift. For example, the role of every Christian is to be a witness. Through testifying, the believer is evangelising, but evangelising is not the same as being an evangelist. Still, all believers are included in the mission of spreading the Gospel through being "Jesus" just where they are.

'Manna' today:

The Gospel: The man Christ Jesus gave himself!

--------------------------------------
* The illustration: "Christmas in a Nutshell" was produced by "The job" - a work-project in the Salvation Army.
(1) Phil 2:5-11
(2) See: ‘The good deposit’ 
(3) See: ‘What did the mentor do with deposit?’ 
(4) See: ‘Interesting links between functions’ 
(5) See: ‘Identity-building’

Identity-building

NORSK
In the Salvation Army, we have lately focused on defining our DNA. I have lectured on the subject in many seminars over the last six-seven years. To reach out with our mission, we need to know who we are. It is about identity-building. 

The most important part of a Salvationist’s DNA, is the identity of being a disciple of Jesus. The Salvation Army part is mainly about the identification with our mission. I find it very interesting that Paul defines the third role he holds as a steward of the gospel, as the role of the “Teacher” (1).

THE MENTOR WAS A TEACHER OF THE GOSPEL
The Teacher-approach is about identity-building. Luke reveals how important this is when he summarises what united the first Christians and built their identity:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42

Yesterday I wrote that the role of the apostle gave authority to the role of the teacher. That is because one, whose aim is to build identity, must know whom he represents and know him. Further he must know that he is sent out. When the idea of representation (commissioning) and sending has become part of the “spine”, the true identity is in place, and the teaching he presents becomes trustworthy because it is seen as a part of the mentor’s life. Therefore, he also becomes an identity-builder.

‘Manna’ for today:

To build identity in others, I need to have it myself!

-------------------------------
(1) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
2 Tim 1:11

Interesting links between functions

NORSK
I continue where I left off yesterday, and look at how the mentor was a faithful steward of the good deposit, which is the gospel that was entrusted to him. Before I turn to second role Paul had in relation to the gospel, it is exciting that herald which was presented first, coincides with the evangelist's role. 

It is interesting because the three roles: evangelist, apostle and teacher (1), are among the five ministry-gifts Paul identifies in Ephesians (2). Their purpose is to hold the body together so that it grows and builds itself up in love (3). The body of Christ is the church, but a church is made up of individuals, and each individual needs the same support function to grow and mature.

THE MENTOR WAS AN APOSTLE OF THE GOSPEL
While the Herold-approach is the representation (commissioning), which means that herald spoke on behalf of an authority, the apostle-approach is the sending out. Apostle means sent out. An Apostle takes the Gospel to new people, new arenas, areas and countries. An eager Bible-student will immediately argue that there is more to the term apostle than this perspective, and I agree. Paul defined the apostle ministry as the core of his calling as a follower of Jesus:

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
1 Corinthians 1:1

Yet, I believe that in relation to the Gospel, the point I have made is the main focus of Paul. However, the apostle ministry can give authority to the third role, is a thought I will elaborate on tomorrow.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am sent out with the Gospel

-------------------------------
(1) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
2 Tim 1:11

(2) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Ephesians 4: 11-12

(3) From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16