I think it was providential that I came across this short clip of David Platt, a young pastor we have recently discovered with a contagious passion for Christ. This clip is a great follow-up to the last post.
Platt is the real McCoy–he has a profound grasp of truth. This clip is only 9 minutes long–I urge you to listen. Sometimes the simplicity of Scripture just smacks you in the forehead.
Added as an afterthought…
The profoundness of this message to me was the observation that Jesus spent most of his entire ministry with just 12 men–his spiritual children. Discipleship. He was not interested in numbers. He focused on taking the few “His father had given Him” and pouring into their lives so that there would be substance to their walk, not just a profession of faith.
At the end of his ministry, “He only had 150 people to show for it”. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t concerned about seeing the Kingdom advance. I think that was exactly what He was concerned with, but understood that faithful followers were more than those who had “accepted Christ”. Only those with a deep, growing faith, willing to “deny themselves and take up their cross” could follow Him.
He preached a hard gospel; perhaps that’s why so few followed Him. Perhaps that’s why we can boast of numbers but not power to transform. Look at what we’ve done, and how opposite it is of Christ’s method!
His 150 little followers lit a blaze that kept Christianity alive and growing until today. There was substance there that enabled them to
remain faithful through the most tortuous of persecution.
Today, we coddle and bend over backwards to disguise any truth that may turn someone away. We preach comfort and grace but neglect to tell others their desperate need of a Savior because of sin. But our numbers don’t reconcile the mess we’re in.
Wow…got a little carried away–sorry. Just want us to really think!
11 comments
Amen!!!
Over here, smiling and nodding. This is amazing. Just this evening hubby was saying something very similar with regard to the ministry he’s pastoring. Wow. God is so awesome.
We love David! My family got to hear him preach at the Southern Baptist Convention. He is awesome and so geniune. God is really using Him.
Okay then, that about sums it up doesn’t it? Thank you Kelly for being a voice for this truth. It has been our heart for years, but God has not blessed me with ability or grace to express it well.
Loved this quote. . .”Jesus believed people, not programs were God’s method for winning the world to Himself”
God led us to leave our program based ‘mega’ church about seven years ago, and while it was quite scary, (it was all we knew) we have only grown in our convictions that caused us to leave and have become beyond thankful for God’s hand in all of it. We continually see things and false teachings that He delivered us from and continues to protect us from. I don’t miss all the ‘hooey balooey’ for one second.
We tend to get frustrated with the state of the church instead of pray for it, shame on us! It is like watching blind sheep heading for slaughter. I must realize that without the Lord opening our eyes, we would still be in that line of blind sheep!
Off to pray more and judge less!
BTW, I’m amazed this guy was not ushered out and never heard from again. Okay, sorry, not nice. But I have seen ‘trouble makers’ quietly ushered away.
Thank you for this great clip!
Jesus ministry on earth was so ‘simple’…no grand structures, no wowzers, no ooh-la-la. It’s so sad how churches have complicated everything, and in the process have missed the very heart of God.
(Kelly, something my husband and I have talked about lately….debt being wrong….the Bible teaches that debt is a curse, yet churches go into HUGE debt (so much so that it causes bookoos of church splits and arguements) to build a giant sanctuary, fellowship hall, gym, blah, blah, blah….just wandered what your thoughts were on this. Would you agree that this is another thing where the church is missing it/complicating things?)
Charity,
Very much so…I wouldn’t make an across the board statement, but generally speaking, we are really missing the mark and not using biblical wisdom in the area of debt and ministry.
SUCH an interesting note about this pastor–David Platt…his church comprises mostly wealthy, professional members. He downsized his house and his car because he said he couldn’t stand before his congregation with a clear conscience unless he practiced what he preached. He urges his congregation to give a huge portion of their income to in some way take care of others around them.
It’s amazing to see this, and refreshing to see ANYONE who advocates for the care of others walking his talk.
I think I’m going to show this one to my husband! Thanks for posting.
There is actually a part two to this sermon. It would be nice if you could find it so we could hear the entire message.
He mentions something that I have never thought about – that making disciples is what Jesus wants us to do. It’s something that I don’t hear much about.
I heard another good talk today via You Tube called, “Hell’s Best Kept Secret,” which was given by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. Have you heard it? It’s similar to what you have been talking about – how we as a church have “missed the point” of telling others the true gospel of Christ.
Lady Sophia,
There are actually 6 parts to this sermon and I did think about posting a few more…I’m not sure I’ve heard that particular Comfort message, but I’ve heard several of his that I love.
If anyone is interested, David Platt has a whole bunch of great sermons you can listen to at http://www.brookhills.org/media
We’re listening now to “Sin in the Camp”..SOOOOOO good!
thought this was quite interesting! Made me think of something I heard about the Amish, they believe their mission field is their children. To make disciples of our children! Wow, this is not something that, I think, a lot of parents think
….David Platt is my Pastor…so call me biased but…. know this, he does live out what he teaches and he is the best teacher/preacher I have ever heard. I highly recommend any of his sermons. After Sin in the Camp, maybe check out Covenant Community (May 2009???) as it deals a lot with church discipline. It is such a sticky issue that has been abused or nonused in most churches but he handles it so gracefully and biblically. We have been walking through the book of James which has been challenging, exciting, and humbling. The Radical series (Sept 2008) is challenging as well. As a church and as individual families, we have taken on a “radical experiment” and it is changing lives.
rixja