Today Series

I’ve addressed this issue many times and in many ways since I have been doing the Today Series but I feel that I should try one more time to share what has been effective for me and what I see in the Word.

As I indicated yesterday there are many voices in the world that would convince us that they are the voice and leadership of God when, in fact, they are not at all. People speak and the enemy speaks and sometimes the enemy uses people to speak. God has given us safeguards to protect us if we will employ them. It is not important for us to learn the voice of the enemy. It is more important that we learn the voice of our Father, then all else will be revealed for what it is. Continue reading →

Today
Daily Edition
Fundamental Obedience

The discipling of others is one of the most fundamental acts of Christian obedience. It seems to me that the failure to obey this very foundational command of Jesus that we disciple others accounts for much of the failure in other aspects of one’s life.

The command to make disciples is universal to the body of Christ. In other words, there are no exemptions. Any attempt to exclude ourselves from this command of our Lord is based on assumptions or preferences but certainly not on the scripture. It bemuses me somewhat to hear the excuses offered for our failure to report for duty on this very essential part of the plan of God.

Definition. To disciple another is for one to build into others that which has been built into him. In the scripture, by example of both Jesus and Paul, discipling was conducted on a lifestype basis–paraclete discipling. It demanded transparency and honesty–the letting of others into the inner core of one’s being to see what makes him ‘tick.’ The idea is to present to another both the teachings and examples of one who is constantly learning and applying truth to another. It is not a static, bookish situation where information is parroted but rather a dynamic, ever-changing, life-shaping event where a life-style is infused into another.

The command to discipleship is based on the authority of Jesus. Jesus, in His command to the original disciples to be disciples first of all appealed to His authority. Paul defined that authority in Philippians 2:9-11: ‘Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father.”

Lordship implies authority. For one to Lord means that he is master, ruler or potentate. As such he has the last word in everything. Therefore to disobey or to disregard any of His commands is to live in practical and willful disobedience.

The command is universal to the church. Although the command in Matthew 28:18-20 was specifically to the eleven disciples, it was not limited to them. Jesus commanded the disciples, saying: ‘Go ye therefore and teach all nations…teaching them to observe [to do] all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’ In other words, the things Jesus commanded the disciples to do were to be discipled into people from all nations. They were to teach them the things Jesus had taught them (the disciples). This command is very universal–not limited to a select group of people in each generation.

He had a specified message to be built into the new disciples. Jesus was very clear as to what He wanted His disciples to build into others. They were to be taught the things that Jesus had previously commanded them to do. The experience generated from active obedience plus the message itself was to be communicated into the new disciples as a life-style, not as a theological possibility or theory.

The enabling for obedience. The enabling of the plan for world-wide discipling was to come through the presence of Jesus with and in the disciples. In John 20:21, 22 Jesus appeared to the eleven on resurrection day saying: “‘Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit.’” They, at that point, received the Holy Spirit which formed them into the Body of Christ, the church. On the day of Pentecost they received anointing enabling them to actively obey Christ both on a personal and unified level.

The spread of the gospel was systematic. Although following Pentecost the spread of the gospel was dramatically expansive, it still was systematic. People told people. That’s the dynamic of the gospel message. Acts 2:46 shares that they continued ‘daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house.’ They had the experience of group celebration as well as the local and intimate sharing in the homes of those they were discipling.

Go make disciplers. Paul added an additional component to the equation: Paul clearly introduced the concept of making ‘disciplers’ rather than just ‘disciples.’ In 2 Timothy 2:2 he commanded: ‘And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.’ The former are people being trained to train trainers. The latter would be those are perpetual disciplees, never getting beyond that stage.

Things go better when we obey. The promises and provisions of Christ are always to be seen in the light of obedience. Many want the benefits of the cross without walking the way of the cross. For believers, the cross is always before them. They can either choose it or it will be applied. Personally, I chose it a long time ago and I choose it again every day.
Jeff

Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, Co-directors
Jubilee International, Inc.
P. O. Box 3202
Carmel, IN 46082
Copyright November, 1998 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved.

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

I am somewhat concerned about the flood of what I call “hysteria mongering” that is occurring in our nation today. People are frightened enough without it being added to.

In times of crisis, people–including those in the media, public office, as well as you and I–should be especially careful of the kind of information we pass on to others. Sources of information should be carefully checked to see how qualified and legitimate they are. Many indiscriminately pass on information that comes their way without checking their sources to see if, indeed, what they pass on is the truth. It is immaterial if what we pass on is by way of one that we trust. We should go clear back to the source–checking that source–not taking the word of others. If we can’t do that then we should let it stop with us. It is not enough to take me off your mailing list, or others who warn as I do, when we speak of such things. Don’t forward anything that will produce anxiety or fear that you can’t absolutely determine to be the truth and then try to determine its affect on others. Continue reading →

When Naaman, captain of the King of Syria’s host discovered he had leprosy, a little Israelite girl, a servant in his home, suggested he go to Israel to be healed by the prophet in Israel. Taking a wealth of gifts with him and a large entourage of servants, etc. he set out for Israel, going to the King of Israel to make his request. The king of Israel, when confronted, was quite understandably upset with the whole idea saying: “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me” (2 Kings 5:7 KJV)? Continue reading →

Today
Watch Care Programs, the Work of Compassion

“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind” “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:21b, 23).

If one browses through the NT, he will be quick to find that Jesus ministered to all who came to Him regardless of their condition if they were sincere and genuine in their seeking. He ministered to such as Mary Magdalene, the woman caught in adultery, the unjust tax collector, not to speak of the lepers, the blind, the lame, etc.

There is no record of Him castigating them for their sin or condition but rather met their needs based on the openness of their faith and the quality of their obedience.

His compassion was expressed in the love He showed for the fallen and the downtrodden. His anger and reprimands were visited on the self-righteousness and the cynical, calling them to repentance and requiring them to demonstrate their credentials of faith by their acts of compassion and their works.

I have never seen a church that did not have a fringe of people who are the “down and outers” associated with it. Many are so socially and morally unacceptable even by today’s standards that no provision is made for them by the average church regardless of their sincerity or desperation.

Too often our help is an arm’s reach kind of thing that in effect is a drawing aside of our robes of self-righteousness so as not to be contaminated by them. While we certainly don’t want to be drawn into or to endorse their sins, at the same time we don’t want to ignore their cries. Such attitudes and precautions are understandable and necessary, however our fears and distaste should not prevent us from demonstrating the compassion of Jesus in their behalf.

There are many churches that make no provision for the fallen, choosing rather to disassociate themselves from them or to pretend they don’t exist. I understand beliefs of separation but at the same time know that there must be some mode of ministry that seeks to uplift and to restore the fallen.

Churches should have a “watch care program” attached to it that the downtrodden and fallen can freely enter into wherein they will receive efficient and effective help. Too often the church looks to professionals and specialty organizations to minister to the needs of the dysfunctional while ignoring or defaulting on the calling and example of Jesus in their behalf.

Our belief in a simple act of repentance being all that is needed by such people is somewhat simplistic and naive. Certainly I have seen those who have been totally set free and healed in a single experience but in the majority of cases it has required much more time and connection to bring the dysfunctional into a state of normalcy.

A “watch care program” is a safety net that draws the downtrodden and the fallen into a spiritual atmosphere of compassion wherein they find acceptance and help instead of rejection and judgment while at the same time requiring moral and spiritual change as fundamental prerequisites for full fellowship in the church.

It requires the availability of people who have compassion for the needs of such a clientele and who have equipped themselves to effectively minister to their needs. Such a ministry does not require mental health professionals although they would be certainly helpful. It requires spirituality, maturity, proficiency in the exercise of spiritual gifts, compassion, and availability.

While not every one should be expected to participate in such a ministry everyone should be cognizant of it and ready to support its existence.

A number of years ago I was the pastor of a church in Houston, TX where we had such a ministry. We ministered to people afflicted by homosexuality, drug addiction, alcoholism, and many other social, emotional, and mental aberrations. We did so with compassion and effectiveness with the full approval of the church body. Soon the word was circulating in the local chapters of AA and DA that if they wanted to be set free from their conditions they should come to Norhill Baptist Church. It was not unusual to have a group of twenty or so in every service from such organizations. Many were permanently freed from their afflictions and entered into the full fellowship of the church or went out to churches of their choice.

It is time that we wake up to the call of Jesus to go into the byways and the highways and bring the misfits of society into a “watch care program” especially designed to meet the needs of such people. While some might require more help than the average church might be able to provide, it is my experience that the greater majority respond quickly and well to the deliverance, healing and restoration services of capable, qualified and compassionate volunteers.

It is time and urgent for the modern church to reach beyond the boundaries of it own pride and self-centeredness to a rapidly expanding society of dysfunctional and desperate people. (It is the intent of Jubilee International to provide “watch care program” training for those people and churches who desire and require it.)
Jeff

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Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors
Jubilee International, Inc.
P. O. Box 3202
Carmel, IN 46082
Copyright October 2000 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved.

“As he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17c).

Friday of last week and on Monday of this week, I shared something of my testimony concerning my illness and the insight I gained as a consequence concerning our true identity versus an “illness identity.” After reading the message, my wife remarked that the principle I had outlined in the message regarding illness would also apply in any area of bondage. Since then I have received letters in which the writers confirmed that the truth I had shared was applicable to other needs in their lives. Continue reading →

Someone said that you will know you are over the target when you get to where the flak is the greatest. I have found that true this past week. To overcome is a never-ending battle. There are times that it seems in spite of our best efforts the enemy is winning, however to concede such a thing is to fail to look to Him Who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Continue reading →

“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is—-And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:24, 31-33).

A number of years ago, I preached a series of meetings at a church in Montevideo, MN. This was the third time I had been there with each of the other two occasions ones of great victory and joy. This time the situation was greatly changed. Division had entered into the body through theological conflict. There was a deadness that had not been there before. As the week progressed, people began to get right with each other through prayer, repentance, and reconciliation. On Saturday night at the close of the service, there was a divine hush that fell on the service. The Holy Spirit was so powerfully present that no dare to speak or move for over five minutes. From that moment unity was restored in the body and the church began to move forward. Continue reading →

Jesus revealed to us the secret of His earthly life–Who the Father was in Him. Although Jesus was fully God, He laid aside the rights and privileges of Godhood and lived as man during His incarnation on the earth. As man He demonstrated to the watching world man as God created man to be.

Jesus ascended into Heaven after His death, burial, and resurrection to be seated at the right hand of the Father. He promised the disciples, before He left, that He would not leave them alone. He said: ‘At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me and I in you’ (John 14:20). On the Day of Pentecost He kept His promise by sending the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Continue reading →

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

Recently, I had a man share with me that he felt that he had no purpose. More than we might realize that typifies what many people feel today. One might be very successful in terms of making a living, raising a family, having significance in the community but still feel as if his life is being wasted–having no purpose. Continue reading →