Changes, But Where Is Our Focus?

When the Jews rebuilt the Temple, it was not as great as Solomon’s. Some cried out of joy that it was finished. Others cried out of sadness that it wasn’t as great.

Yet did they keep going on about how the older was better? No. Did they make memorials to the old temple, hang pictures of the old temple, and idolize pieces of the old temple? No.

Even though it wasn’t as great, it was used and it was where they worshipped God.

Change is inevitable, for the better or worse. Ministries experience change. Pastors come and go. In all of it, we must keep the proper perspective. Is Christ being preached? Is God’s Kingdom being furthered?

“But this ministry is not like the last one.” Maybe not, but is Christ being preached? Is God’s Kingdom being furthered?

‘But this pastor is not as good in this area as our old pastor.” Maybe not, but is Christ being preached? Is God’s Kingdom being furthered?

Where is our focus? What’s the main thing? Christ preached and God’s Kingdom being furthered.

Telemarketing, Arguing, and Witnessing

I had a phone call this morning from a telemarketer. He wanted me to hire his company to create, maintain, and advertise a webpage for our “business” (our church, but he kept saying business). He started out on a bad foot with me, asserting things about our website that were not true. I had to ask him twice if he’s ever seen our website before he finally said, “no.”

Well, a long story short, his main attempt to get me to hire him was by arguing with me and almost yelling his points at me to “make” me go with their company. I wonder how many really get treated this way and think, “oh, well this person was so belligerent; I guess I should go for their company”? I doubt any.

This got me thinking about our witnessing. Do we tend to try to argue someone into salvation? Should we argue the gospel with them? Did Jesus argue His points with the lost and dying (apart from the “religious leaders”)?

No. Jesus encountered the woman at the well, who had a few different views/beliefs than Him. He simply shared with her the way of eternal life.

As we go, let us not be argumentative to win the lost. Let’s live like Christians should. As we do, folks will notice and ask why we are different. When that happens, let’s share the reason for our hope. Let’s share what Christ did in our lives. Let’s share the Gospel.