Andrew: Inside & Insights

I am convinced that the Church should be the most powerful institution or organisation in this world.

Potentially, the Church has phenomenal power and influence at her disposal with as God the CEO.

However, I think today we see that the Church do not seem to command such a position which is rightfully ours.

Instead of the Church influencing the world, the contrary seems more apparent where the world has influenced the Church.

This is sad.

Reclaiming our position

In influencing our world, the Church needs to start by gaining a foothold in every one of these territories- government, education, business, media, arts & entertainment which is commonly known as the marketplace.

The marketplace is the very heart of the nation. And in order to win a nation towards discipling a nation, we need to engage our marketplace.

According to a survey done in the US, it reveals that up to 90% of believers felt that they weren’t trained for their calling in the workplace through their local church. I think it is safe to say that most churches in Singapore do face a similar predicament.

Generally, the Church is operating more like a cruise liner instead of a battleship. And there are a couple of reasons for our lack of influence according to Os Hillman. They are:

• Not engaged in culture
• Evangelism not carried out in mainstream key networks of influence
• Lack of social and economic capital to influence
• Flawed eschatology- “If its only going to get worse, why bother?”

The gospel of the kingdom

Another key reason of our lack of influence with our world is that we preach and live out a gospel of salvation.

A gospel of salvation is incomplete. What we need to preach and live out is the gospel of His Kingdom as salvation is just the first part, but not the end goal of a Christian. Living out the gospel of the kingdom will impact our will, intent and purpose, manifesting a culture and society reflecting Jesus’ nature, values and morals.

As a kingdom is the governing impact of a king’s will over a territory or domain, his influence over a people, and a government led by a king. Therefore, a Christian after being saved needs to continue to live under the sovereign rulership of Jesus in his/her life where he/she is- with friends, or with the family and in the marketplace.

This is where local churches comes in to disciple and equip its members to discovering and fulfill their calling; releasing each one into ministry towards fulfilling the Great Commission.

Consequently, this will produce an extended Church that reaches out and influences the world, and not a nuclear Church where God’s power and influence is confined within the walls of the Church.

Listen to Lance Wallnau as he shares insights on how the Church can (and should) make a relevant impact in our world to touch lives for His redemptive purpose.

It’s a less than 3 minutes clip that would change the way you see the Church.

1. The foundation of ministry is CHARACTER
2. The nature of ministry is SERVICE
3. The motive for ministry is LOVE
4. The measure of ministry is SACRIFICE
5. The authority of ministry is SUBMISSION
6. The purpose of ministry is the GLORY of God
7. The tools of ministry are the WORD of God and PRAYER
8. The privilege of ministry is PERSONAL GROWTH
9. The power of ministry is the HOLY SPIRIT
10. The model of ministry is JESUS CHRIST

Is work simply just work for you?

Do you view your work or job as not-so-spiritual in comparison to church-related activities?

Our work is a ministry

If we think for second that our jobs in the marketplace are insignificant in comparison to what we do in church, then we are horribly wrong.

From Scripture, we can see that God expects us to approach and handle our work in a sacred manner; as an act of worship unto Him. Therefore, sloppy and laziness at work is indefinitely not what God expects His people to be associated with.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Given that we spend an average of 160,000 hours at work in our life-time, this provides us with a large window of opportunity to impact and touch lives around us.

With our work or jobs, this divinely provides us an “entry vehicle” into the marketplace (mission field) to sow and reap the harvest. Therefore, our work is given to us for His purpose- using our gifts/talents to serve Him and others around us.

Shining at work

Personally as I understand this biblical truth and His purpose more, I started to pray more at work. Every morning I ask that the Holy Spirit to empower and use me for His redemptive purpose towards fulfilling His Great Commission.

I see that the onus is on us to shine for Him with our work. And this is not an easy feat as we have a higher standard to reach. As His followers, we not only need to perform our jobs professionally with excellence, but also set an example of living an upright life.

With such a high calling, I am convinced that you and I need to pray more to rely on Him carrying out our roles and responsibilities at work.

These are some of the World’s Most Ethical Companies that are the businesses that respond not with a PR campaign, but with real action as shining examples of complete transparency for the public and significant effort given to fixing the core problem.

Read the full list of companies here>>>

God calls His people who are called by His Name to be the Light of the world; and to shine as His Light is not exactly optional.

However in reality, many of us may have allowed Darkness- the worldly influences and corrupted state of our environment- to overwhelm us to either the point of conformity or to the point of indifference/status quo.

Therefore, Edmund Burke’s statement that “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” does hold alot of truth and explains why the Church is weak (my general opinion).

Light versus darkness

In one of my recent private moments with God, I was gently reminded of the power that light had against darkness. And that darkness is only the result of the absence of light.

When there is total darkness, even the faintest of light will breakthrough and be seen instantenously. Light disperses darkness.

The same cannot be said for darkness. Whether there is a dim or brightest of light, no matter how much more darkness there is surrounding it. Darkness can NEVER disperse light. 

Though darkness looks over-powering and hideous, it actually has no direct affect on light. But it can only overshadow light when light fizzles or fades away.

Being the Light of the world

Likewise as Christians, our “dark” or adverse situation can only defeat us or overwhelm us if we choose to fizzle off or fade away to the background. That’s how we hand over victory or the authority to our enemy.

“… Become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”

Philippians 2:14-16

With understanding of the power light has against darkness, this gives us the confidence that we can only emerge victorious IF we believe in His word and keeping shining by stand our ground.

As Christians, we can take heart that despite being the minority in the world; in our marketplace; in our community or family; our light will stand out even more and shine even brighter.

Positionally, we are fighting a sure-win battle, but we need to have faith and claim our victory.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.

If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV)

Generally, I believe there are many churches around. And it is safe to say that each church has its own distinct characteristic which caters to different groups of people within the Christian community.

For instance, there is the denomination factor such as being a Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc… There is the worship atmosphere factor in whether the church worships in hymns or contemporary music such as Hillsongs.

Let’s not forget that there’s also the preacher factor and that means whether the sermons are engaging or boring. And what about, the people factor-whether if the church is family-oriented, or whether it caters to the elderly, youth or adults and the list goes on.

What really matters to God

Not sure about you, but personally, I think all these factors are not exactly the main concerns of our Lord.

What truly counts on the final analysis is not whether the church performs its religious routine faithfully week in and out or year in or out- regular attendance or doing the “spiritual” things.

I believe that Jesus is more concern whether or not the church is actively living out His purpose as His church; and if His people are obeying His charge in fulfilling the mandate of the Great Commission.

Being the Church in the end times

In my opinion, what ultimately defines the church of Jesus Christ is exhibiting His transformation power and love with the message of His grace of the cross for our sins by our engagement with society and culture around us in our community, city, country and continents.

With all of us living into the end times, there is a serious need of urgency for the Church to be alert and fall into complacency; to be always “operational ready” or face the consequences as described in the parable of the ten virgins.

For this very reason, let us not only be content in merely going to church or doing church. But let us arise and be the Church.

My Doodling:

Yet another disaster struck with as many as 700 innocent people in a ferry killed off the coast of Philippines by huge waves caused by typhoon fengshan. I saw the news report on television and was filled with anguish when footage of families and friends were seen mourning over their loss =(