SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #132 ---- 7/24/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
(A letter of Encouragement to People in
Vocational and Lay Ministry)
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #132 ---- 7/24/00
TITLE: "The Two Trees" (part 3) -- "Contrasting the Fruit"
My Dear Partner and Friend in Kingdom Service:
Hope you've had a great week, and that you are living in the joy, peace,
and comfort of our God. I pray you are prospering in all things because
your soul is prospering in Him.
To many who wrote concerning my Mother, thank you so much. As an update,
she does indeed have Leukemia. Treatment options were threefold. One
was to do nothing, in which case her life expectancy was a matter of days
to maybe a month at the most. Another was to take traditional
chemotherapy which, at her age, would have generated extremely painful
and uncomfortable side effects, but perhaps only lengthening her life
expectancy as much as a year at most.
The third option, which Mother and Dad chose, was to try a brand new drug
just approved by the FDA in May, which was engineered to seek out only
cancer cells, which have a particular protein attached that healthy cells
do not have, and destroy them only. She had her first of two intravenous
treatments last Friday, and as of Sunday evening, she has had absolutely
no anticipated side effects.
The doctors will check her daily and, following another bone marrow test,
will give a second dosage on or around Friday, August 4. She will remain
hospitalized another 14 days at which time a third bone marrow test will
be administered.
Then we will know what to do next and what the prognosis may be.
In the meantime, please continue praying. I appreciate that so much, and
I know Mother and Dad do, as well.
LETTERS THAT ENCOURAGE ME:
I never cease to be amazed that so often when I struggle the most with a
letter, God sends some special message from a reader. For example . . .
.
#1. From a brother affiliated with a seminary of a major denomination:
"All I can say is WOW! I had to read this in installments because of my
hectic . . . schedule, but this is the best one of your e-mails I have
ever read.
"Your teaching is so full! Thanks for taking the time, and I know it is
time consuming!
"Take care and may God continue to give you insight! Can't wait to read
next week."
#2. A day or so later, this same brother wrote again: "So often we
concentrate on the fall of man through eating the fruit but we forget
there was another tree, the Tree of Life. God knew what would happen and
placed both trees in the garden for our benefit. What a wonderful plan
from a wonderful God. And what a great application to the church today.
May we all stand firm and continue to call His Bride to the Tree of Life.
Thanks again for your diligent service!"
And, again ---- "One more thing. Please never forsake writing in a
'technical' sense because of the laziness of others. We all need to 'weed
through it all' to get to the 'good stuff.' The good stuff without the
background leads us to proof texting, wrong interpretation and incorrect
application...in other words pulpitory (is that a word?) laziness!.
Sounds kind of like a seminarian doesn't it! Great work my friend!"
#3. From another brother: "Keep your heart tender. Don't forget the
agony of the pastorate. Carrying the burdens of the Sheep. Struggling
to get them to walk together when they are at all levels of spiritual
development. Keep it up."
#4. Still another: "Years ago, as you may recall, I had a horrific
Thursday night/early Friday morning of despair and anguish and torment
during which at one point I wrote you and several other friends in
ministry and asked for prayer. The weight had been unbearable.
"The following Sunday's message was on the Two Trees. The conclusion of
the message was probably one of the greatest times [we] had experienced a
touch from the Lord, which lasted well past 2:00 on Sunday afternoon.
"It bothers me when I see the enemy attack, but that is what he sees as
his job to do. It bothers me because I want to believe that someone of
your age and maturity and years of ministry should be able to simply
preach without any attacks; kind of like a General in the military
sitting behind a desk. But my interviews with seasoned vets in ministry
continue to pop that bubble of fantasy.
"Hang in there, you're right, there is a truth that the enemy DEFINITELY
doesn't want us to get. But keep preaching to those of us who will
receive it via 'Shoulder to Shoulder'."
OTHER RESPONSES:
Another brother sent me a packet of material last week from his church in
which he pointed out statements he felt indicated a strong reliance on
the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In reading through the
material, I could easily recognize that to which he was referring, and
understand why he felt that way.
On the other hand, I also recognized that what he sensed was not
necessarily true to everyone in his church. Others would think quite
differently. Why? Because the real issue is not immediately observable
to the human eye, ---- because it really has little or nothing to do with
organization, structure, programs, and the like.
Rather, it has to do with the unseen, ---- that which is in the heart.
Never intending to be a preacher, I did my graduate studies in religious
education, with a quadruple major, one of which was in Church
Administration. So, structure is my "thing" in many ways. It would be
years later before I fully understood why God had directed me into
training that seemed impractical, for I found myself traveling many miles
across several states working with a major para-church organization in
helping train pastors in areas of church management.
Wanting to keep things simple, I came up with a Slogan ---- "Make Your
Systems 'Safe'". I had previously realized that the church's need is not
necessarily to toss out the structures and systems and "go back to the
way they did it in the New Testament". Frankly, that is often "escapism"
thinking ---- absurd to think it can be done, and absurd to necessarily
think that it should be done.
A SAFE TREE:
Here's what I concluded made up an organization that was "SAFE".
First, it should be Simple. As simple as possible, as complex as
necessary. The simpler it is, the more transferable it is. The simpler
it is, the easier it is to administer.
Then, it should be Applicable. If your structure doesn't fit the
conditions, then you shouldn't use it ---- or even have it. We have
enough sacred cows we continue to bow down and worship long after they
have served their respective purposes.
Next, it should be Flexible. When your organizational system has
atrophied into lifeless inflexibility, you're a goner until you send it
to the morgue. Any type of plan or structure you use, whether original
or copied, must always be flexible. Otherwise you end up trying to force
people into slots where they don't belong, do things in ways that no
longer work, or maintain something that is no longer needed.
Finally, a good organization should be Expendable. You must always
recognize that it is there for a purpose, but not necessarily on a
permanent basis. You must be willing to get rid of it ---- especially if
the life is now gone. Jesus was clear that, when He is at work, the time
comes when the old dried, cracked, and rigid wine skins will not and
Cannot hold the new wine He desires to pour. There are times, many
times, when the old wine skins must go and new ones must be prepared.
That's a "SAFE" structural system.
However, that's not the "typical" perspective on organization.
First, most churches think the best way to grow and get more people
involved is to have a large structure and a large program and a large
building rather than a simple one.
The bigger the better, even though the bigger and better it may be, the
less efficient and the more wasteful it becomes, expending more and more
on itself just so it can be maintained. Our world is filled today with
churches and para-church ministries that have long lost the vision and
are just keeping busy and coming up with new projects simply to justify
their existence.
Sunday night I talked with one of "Walk Through The Bible's" leading
seminar instructors. He conducts 50 to 60 seminars around the United
States annually. I commented that in may instances 90% or more of the
average church budget is spent on internally focused items, most of which
have little or nothing to do directly with obedience to the Great
Commission. He readily agreed.
Next, many feel, though often unconsciously, that you make people, needs,
and opportunities applicable to the structure, and not the other way
around. If you think this isn't true, take a look at the way your
church's budget might be developed. If it's like many, you'll find your
church setting the budget first, and then, based on how much money you
think you'll have, you decide what you can do.
Then, many churches take their visions and plans and cast them in
concrete by placing them in non amendable documents that force them to do
certain things, be certain things, and have certain things simply because
"the constitution says so". They "deify" things so they become
untouchable without the wrath of the religious hierarchy ---- or some
self appointed "savior of the sacred cow".
I once pastored a very small church with bylaws patterned after its
mother church which had some 800 members. We were running about 40 in
attendance, but had 23 standing committees that "had to be" filled ----
because it was in the bylaws.
I pastored another church that had certain things listed as
"unamendable", which meant that if God ever called the church to a change
of direction or program, they couldn't do it ---- because, even though
God said they should, their constitution said they couldn't.
Finally, once a program or organization has been established in many
churches, it is there for eternity. Why? Because "we've always had it".
I remember hearing of one church that insisted on maintaining its
children's church after a military base shut down and the town quickly
became a retirement community. So, even though they had less than half a
dozen families left with children, and the town was quickly shifting to a
community of "over 50" people, they kept at it.
You see, friend, that's all TOTKOGAE" thinking! (Tree Of The Knowledge
Of Good And Evil). The only way you can have a "SAFE" structure is to
get away from that tree!
But ---- how to you keep it "SAFE"?
By making sure you are living from the Tree of Life rather than from the
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
If you insist on living by the principles of the TOTKOGAE, you may have
good organization, but there will be little results.
Why?
Because there is no life. It's all structures, systems, programs, ----
and, yes, energy, sweat, activity, and even results. But it's all man.
It's just what man can do for God, but primarily void of what God could
have done through men.
If you want life in your church, you don't get it by creating energy,
activity, and fervent heat. You get it by going to the source of life,
the Tree of Life.
If you do that, then your systems, structures, and plans begin to look
and operate differently, and they get different results. When you come
to the Father for divine revelation, you end up with a Living Organism
called the Church, rather than a Lifeless Organization called a program.
THE CAUSE OF SUCH THINKING:
Last week I was sorting through some notes and found what I believe is
perhaps the fundamental flaw that leads us so often to pitch our tents
under the branches of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
You see, there is something incredibly appealing to this tree. I have
lived there many times and sometimes for many years. Living there really
makes sense. It is so reasonable ---- so logical.
And yet ---- so wrong, and so deadly.
Why is that the case?
It is not because of what is In the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and
Evil, but, rather, what is Not there. I believe the thing that makes
this tree so flawed, futile, and fatal, is what is Absent.
Let me develop my comments this way:
There is what I see to be a five-phase process God has instated in
humanity by which we are designed to live. This is as it was intended to
be, and it is manifested beautifully when living from the Tree of Life as
our source.
1. Revelation: Man's spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he was to get
his instruction, sense of values, and directions for all of life through
Divine revelation ---- directly from the Holy Spirit to man's spirit.
God created man to live in intimate fellowship with him, enjoying the
indescribable thrill of conversing with Him through Divine Revelation to
his most inner being, his spirit.
Not content with that alone, however, God also offered to provide . . . .
2. Illumination: Because that Divine truth was to be experienced and
not just known, the Holy Spirit then would take that revelation primarily
through man's conscience yet not seared, his intuition yet not tainted by
the world, and his fellowship with God taking place through worship and
communion, and illuminating man's mind with it, bring it into his
consciousness where it could be practically applied in every facet of
life.
However, in order for such revealed illumination to be used in a
practical manner, it would also require . . . .
3. Knowledge: Now transformed into knowledge which the human mind
could receive and know, God's Truth could be made applicable through the
learning process. Man could know things that would enable him to live
productively and happily.
Knowledge in itself, however, is a dangerous thing in the wrong hands
without . . . .
4. Understanding: Knowledge is one thing. Knowing how it is applied to
life is another ---- it is understanding. Knowledge is to know
something. Understanding is to know "how" and "why". The Bible tells us
that Israel knew the works of God, but Moses new the Ways of God. Israel
knew "what" God did, and Moses new "Why".
But, simply understanding how and why God works, or how and why the world
is the way it is, still won't get you through the challenges ahead.
There must also be . . . . .
5. Wisdom: Gained by experience, wisdom is learning how to apply
knowledge in life's situations. While knowledge is knowing "what", and
understanding is knowing "how" and "why", wisdom lets you know "when" and
"where".
Here's the rub. If Revelation and Illumination are not available, which
they are not at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, then all man
knows is what man knows ---- but not what God knows. Therefore, his
understanding will also be human only, and his wisdom will be human only
---- void of spiritual reality.
Therefore, even though your conclusion may seem reasonable and logical,
and right, it may still be wrong. Why? Because God's ways and man's
ways are totally different. They are different in origin, in motive, in
purpose ---- and in outcome.
It seems to me that the main difference between the Tree of Life and
the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is Divine Revelation and
Illumination. When you camp under the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and
Evil, you can begin only with knowledge, and you're going to live by
human logic and the flawed understanding and wisdom it generates in and
of itself. The outcome will be ultimate death.
The Tree of Life, on the other hand, precedes knowledge with divine
revelation from God and His perspective on the situation. Then, by a
variety of means, He mercifully illumines your spirit to comprehend those
things, and then directs the Holy Spirit to bring that to your conscious
knowledge.
Not to leave the process incomplete, the Holy Spirit, then, guides you in
all truth, gives you understanding ---- and wisdom, for the doing of the
thing.
By which would you rather live your life ---- from what man knows and
thinks, or from what God knows and reveals? Would you rather walk in
Divine revelation, or man's limited comprehension of spiritual things?
The choice of Trees makes the difference. Tragically, much of the Church
has failed to live in the presence of the proper tree, even though born
from it.
THE TRUE SOURCE:
The answer, of course, to this great need in the Church can be summed up
in one word ---- Return!
Return to the Tree of Life in Repentance and Brokenness. That is done
through prayer ---- prevailing prayer, that continues, and continues, and
continues, until . . . . .
Until God's power falls again. Otherwise, we'll never be weaned away
from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We would have never
drunk from the cisterns if we had not moved away from the well. And, we
will never forsake the cisterns unless we get a fresh drink from the
well.
As I contemplated how to close my letter today, God, as He so often does,
placed just the right thing in my hands. (I'm still standing around with
my mouth open most of the time ---- Always Amazed, but Never Surprised.)
Phil Miglioratti, national coordinator of NPPN (National Pastors' Prayer
Network), included the following comment by Hudson Taylor, provided by
Francois Carr of Zambia, the National Coordinator of Prayer Congresses
for South Africa. It says it all. Thanks, Phil for including it in your
NPPN letter #721, and Thanks Francois, for sending it to Phil. (By the
way ---- if you don't get this letter, you should.)
"God Himself is the great source of power. It is His possession. Power
belongs unto God and He manifests it according to His sovereign will,
yet, not in an erratic or arbitrary manner, but according to His declared
purpose
and promises. True, our opponents and hindrances are many and mighty, but
our God, the living God, is almighty.
"God tells us by His prophet Daniel that the people who do know their God
shall be strong and do exploits. It is ordinarily true that knowledge is
power, and this is supremely true in the case of the knowledge of God.
Those
who know their God do not attempt to do exploits, but they actually do
them. We shall search the Scriptures in vain for any command to attempt
to do anything. Gods commands are always "do this." If the command is
from God, our only course is to obey.
"Further, Gods power is available power. We are supernatural people,
born again by a supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power,
sustained on supernatural food, and taught by a supernatural Teacher from
a supernatural Book. We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths
to assured victory. The risen Saviour, before He ascended on high, said:
"All power is given unto Me - go ye therefore." Again, He said to His
disciples, "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit shall come upon
you." Not many days after this, in answer to united and continued
prayer, the Holy Spirit did come upon them, and they were all filled.
Praise God, He remains with us still.
"The power given is not a gift from the Holy Spirit. He Himself is the
power. Today He is as truly available, and as mighty in power, as He was
on the Day of Pentecost. But since the Day before Pentecost, has the
whole Church ever put aside every other work and waited upon God for ten
days, that the power might be manifested? We have given too much
attention to methods, machinery, and resources, and too little to the
source of power."
( Hudson Taylor)
Francois Carr , National Coordinator of Revival Congresses SA
PO Box 27130, Sunnyside, 0132, RSA
FINALLY:
Be blessed, my friend. May your heart ever and only crave the life
giving fruit found exclusively on the Tree of Life, and may your total
being be increasingly repulsed by the deceitful and rotten fruit of the
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That's my prayer for you.
In His Great Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright July, 2000. All rights reserved.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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