Reflecting on Sunday Night’s Convocation

Thank you to all who participated in the Sunday evening Convocation, Concert of Prayer and Commitment Time on January 30.  In reflecting on the precious time I was reminded of a book I have heard a lot about entitled Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by Dr. David Platt, the pastor of Brook Hills Church in Birmingham, AL.  (I have not yet read the entire book but Rynette and I heard David preach at the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL last summer, and I greatly appreciated his handling of the Scriptures and his passion for the Lord Jesus.) 

The message of David’s book is not new—The Lord Jesus calls His disciples to all-out commitment to Him.  His burden is that many American Christians have absorbed a diluted gospel message and His plea to the church is plain: “I implore you to consider the urgent need before us to forsake the American dream now in favor of radical abandonment to the person and person of Christ.”

By its very nature, biblical discipleship is radical and in a sense it is unfortunate that Pastor Platt had to use the word “radical” to call believers back to obeying Christ’s call on our lives.  May the Holy Spirit move in our churches so that “radical” discipleship is not seen as strange or odd or abnormal.  Rather, may we embrace “radical” obedience to the Lord as normal—and not only normal but joyful!  I say “joyful” because Jesus said it: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”  (John 15:10-11)   

Now let me tie this back to the January 30 Convocation, a time when we focused on what the Lord calls to be about as His people.  There are five “callings” for disciples of which we were reminded and I asked that each of us reflect, seek the Lord and make commitments to Him regarding each one.  May it be that each of us will pursue our joy in Jesus so that “radical” commitment to Him will become more and more “normal”, for the glory of God, the exaltation of Christ’s name, the spread of the gospel, and the love and growth of our church!

Here are the five callings we zeroed in on:

1. You and I are called to be worshippers (Heb. 10:19-25; Rom. 12:1-2).  How are we doing in gathered worship and whole life (24/7) worship?  Suggested commitments: Intentionally draw near to God in worship gatherings; prepare to worship; pray for worship times in our church; offer yourself and everything about your life to Him in worship, daily.
2. You and I are called to be Word of God people (Deut. 32:46-47; Col. 3:16-17).  How are we doing?  Do we know the Word and cherish it?  Growing in it?  Living on it?  What commitments can you make to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word?
3. You and I are called to be “one another” people who love other  (1 John 4:7-12) .  How are we doing?  Are we too busy to be involved meaningfully in the lives of others, believers and non-believers?  Suggested commitments: Join an ABF, LIFE group, or Bible study; get involved on a ministry team;  deliberately move toward people you don’t know at worship services; include someone in your “household of faith”.
4. You and I are called to be witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:6-8).  How are we doing?  Are we intentionally representing and speaking for Christ with lost people?  Are we building bridges into their lives, showing them care and interest?  Possible commitments: Pray for your Romans 10:1 list of five lost people; watch for and take up opportunities to meet and invite new military personnel to our church; take courage; invite at least one person or family to RBBC every two months; get involved in “Three Crosses”, our all-church Resurrection outreach and celebration.
5. You and I are called to be those who pray and wait on the Lord (Isaiah 64:1-4; 40:28-32).  How are we doing?  Do you pray with others?  Spouse?  Family?  Are you regularly praying for our church and with others in our church?  Suggested commitments: Begin praying together with others; ask God to grant healthy desperation (John 15:5); ask God for great big things that only He can do.

A Caution about Sancitifcation

As we take to heart refreshment in obedience to Jesus Christ, let us take care that we not fall into thinking that somehow our salvation is by grace alone through Christ along by faith alone, but our obedience and sanctification are all up to us.  Not true!  Philippians 2:12-13 is so important!  “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

And here is a helpful quote from Dr. Sinclair Ferguson: “…We must never separate the benefits (regeneration, justification, sanctification) from the Benefactor (Jesus Christ).”

So let us keep looking to Jesus, loving Jesus, magnifying Jesus, and following Jesus because He is our salvation and God is at work in us!