Quote from Forum Archives on February 7, 1999, 6:04 pm

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder With You In The Trenches
As We fight The Good Fight

TITLE: "Asking Ministry-Changing Questions"

My Dear Friend:

With all the wonderful benefits of the internet, there are some definite
inherent liabilities. Some of them are evident; others are a little more
subtle, and you don't notice them at first glance.

One such liability for me is the enormous number of messages I get, many
of which are totally unsolicited. My letter may be one of those for you.
Even if unsolicited, I do hope it is not unwanted.

Two voluminous areas of mail I receive almost daily regard the general
themes of 1) what is happening in America and around the world, and
2) how all of that pertains to the "last days". There is certainly no
shortage of contemporary "hot buttons" for people to push, especially if
they believe in the eminent return of Jesus Christ ---- which I happen to
believe in.

It's really quite fascinating to see the oscillating back and forth
between one topic and another, depending on what is happening at the
moment ---- Y2K mania and the scope of it's possible affect on us, Iraq
and what role Saddam Hussein plays in the future, Jordan and what will
happen now that they have a new king, the quagmire the United States
government is in, the increase of contagious diseases, genetic
engineering, harvesting of body parts, the soon coming of a new
millennium ---- I could go on and on.

It certainly seems evident that we are indeed living in "perilous times",
as Jesus said.

One of my favorite preaching themes throughout my ministry has been the
Second Coming of Christ. Something very interesting has happened,
however, in recent years. I have found myself developing an aversion to
some of those "hot buttons".

God has convicted me severely that in my earlier and more "energetic"
preaching days I have been guilty of what many preachers have ---- saying
more than the Bible says about His Son's return.

I've sometimes been embarrassed and grieved over how I have, on the one
hand, neglected the subject, and on the other, abused it by letting my
zeal (and pharisaic arrogance, I must confess) lead me to make "ex
cathedra" statements ---- as if I knew as much as (or maybe even more
than) God did about the matter.

Fortunately, in recent years, I have come to adopt a hopefully more
mature approach to the subject ---- though still fervently holding to the
eminent return of my Lord Christ. I remember hearing Dr. Jack Taylor say
a number of years ago something I can identify with ---- I know less
about the Second Coming now than I did twenty years ago when I preached
entire series on the subject.

I remember still the significance I saw, even as a third grader, to
Israel becoming a nation. For years my father had scoured the newspapers
for even the tiniest bit of information on Israel. What little he found
was usually tucked somewhere near the bottom of a back page, and
consisted of two or three sentences. Today nearly every edition of a
major paper has something at least in the first section, if not on the
front page.

A DISTURBING HABIT:

However, there is something that really bothers me about what is going on
in the world ---- and it's not what is going on in the World, but rather,
what ISN'T going on in the heart of the average minister in relationship
to what Is going On in the world.

Up to now, if you happen to be a person who doesn't believe in the
personal bodily return of Jesus Christ to the world to rule it and to
take His children home, what I've said thus far doesn't really have any
relevance. However, read on ---- because the thrust of my letter today
pertains to you as well.

In past years I have said things such as, "Every prophecy that has to be
fulfilled before the return of Christ has already been fulfilled."

I wish I hadn't said that!

While it is true that most things have happened, I believe there are two
things that have not yet happened, but will. Both could begin at any
time and could take place quickly.

In my understanding of Scripture, 1) there must be a great revival in
the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ (and I know there are many who do not
believe that must happen), and, as I think we would all agree, 2) the
Gospel must be preached to every nation ("ethnos" ---- ethnic people
group).

And both of those are unfinished jobs.

It's interesting to wonder whether or not, while the Church shouts about
and cries out for the Return of Christ, we may actually be the ones
hindering that incredible event ---- because generally we're not
experiencing those two things ---- we won't get right with God, and we
won't take the Great Commission seriously. I praise God that there are
indeed evidences that things are changing significantly in both areas.

So ---- I've said all that to say this:

"We Are Asking The Wrong Questions!" ---- and it has become a generally
practiced habit among many.

Instead of focusing so much on world events and asking all those
eschatological questions about Iraq, AIDS, the Clinton scandal, the new
millennium, and Y2K, maybe we should ask some other more practical ones
that really have more to do with the "Last Days" than all these
hypothetical and speculative others.

ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS:

Years ago I was considering a move from a very successful and comfortable
pastorate in a smaller community to a much larger church in St. Louis of
about 700 members, laden with unbelievable opportunity.

While speaking at a week-end Bible conference to candidate before them, I
had lunch with my long-time friend, Ron Fisher. I was going on and on
about all the pro's and con's of remaining where I was and of moving to
St. Louis, just about four miles from where he pastored.

Finally, after enduring all that oscillating back and forth, Ron had
about all he could take. He plunked his cup of coffee down on the table,
leaned forward, pointed his finger in my face, and said, "Bob ---- you
keep asking all the wrong questions! You have only one question you are
qualified to ask ---- 'Lord, do you want me to take this pastorate or
not?'"

I've never forgotten that confrontation with stark reality.

And, I'm here to tell you, my friend, that many of us are so caught up in
the events and conditions of what's happening right now in the world,
that we've been doing the same thing ---- Asking the wrong questions!

It's one thing to be Concerned about these conditions, and even Convicted
by them. But it's a tragic mistake to get Caught up in them, or become
Complacent over them.

Just a week ago a relative called to wish Jo Ann and me a Happy 40th
Wedding Anniversary. After a ten-second congratulations, the next things
out of his mouth were questions about what I thought concerning Clinton,
Congress,
and Y2K.

So much for anniversary!

When we are Caught up by questions pertaining to being Caught Up in the
air, we are Caught up in a trap, my friend, that often side tracks us
from our mission. We're missing the whole point of our existence! ----
and the whole point of what's going on in our world today!

Interestingly, Jesus faced the same issue with His own disciples just
before He ascended. Remember?

Look at Acts 1:6. "Lord ---- is this the time You are restoring the
kingdom to israel?"

We're asking nearly the same thing, my friend! ---- "Lord, is the year
2,000 when You're coming back? I'll bet it is, by golly!"

"Lord, are You now judging America ---- and then it'll be time for the
Tribulation?"

"Lord, is Babylon going to be destroyed again? ---- And we're gonna get
to be the ones to let 'em have it???"

Enough, Already!

Jesus' answer to His disciples back then is the Very Same Answer to His
disciples Today! ---- "It is not for you to know (a kind way of saying
'it's none of your business!') times or epochs ---- which The Father (!)
has fixed by His (!) own authority:

"But ---- But. ---- But! . . . .

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
shall be My witnesses (not Iraq's, not America's, not Israel's) both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of
the earth."

THE RIGHT QUESTIONS:

You remember the story. What an experience with the Lord! Then stunned,
thrilled, and apprehensive, the disciples headed back to Jerusalem.

After a number of days, they met together in what many believe was the
same upper room where Jesus had broken bread with them prior to the
Crucifixion. Many things happened there over the next several days,
concluding with the extraordinary events of Pentecost.

However, in reading Acts 1:12-26 it is apparent they went primarily to
pray ---- to seek the face of God. They knew the experiences they had
had, the message they were to carry, and the future they faced were all
totally beyond them.

They had to pray.

They had to seek the face of God because, first, it had been commanded
that they do so.

Next, they had to pray because it was expected of them. Jesus expected
them to obey Him.

Then, they had to pray because of the significance of the Commission they
had just received and the message they were told to bear.

They had to pray to resolve some issues amongst themselves (See John
13-16).

Then, they had to pray because of the urgency of the situation.

Finally, they had to pray and tarry in order to receive the "Promise of
the Father".

Friend, as you consider the following questions, let me urge you to do
the same thing.

MINISTRY-CHANGING QUESTIONS:

So ---- let's look at what for me have been life-changing and
ministry-changing questions. I hope they will be the same for you, as we
face the challenge of "working while it is yet day". The first question
is . . .

1. "If I had only one opportunity to minister to this group, what would I
do or say?"

When I first became a pastor in 1969, the Holy Spirit formed that
question in my heart the night before I ever preached my first sermon as
a pastor. I suddenly realized God had placed in my hands a precious
treasure ---- a local congregation of people who had enough confidence in
me that they asked me to be their under shepherd.

I realized what I was about to do was no run-of-the-mill assignment. I
had been commissioned to open the Holy Word of God and declare some
things to those people.

It was a solemn and sacred duty I was assuming. If I blew it, what would
be the results?

>From that day to this, I have never forgotten that question. While I
sometimes forgot to heed it, the vast majority of the times I have
preached (between 6,500 and 7,000 times thus far), that question has come
to my mind before I entered the pulpit.

Here's another question that will change your ministry:

2. "If this were the last time I'd ever speak to these people, what
would I want to say?"

The apparent answer would be to tell them about Jesus. However, let's be
a little more specific.

Are there any words from God I have left unsaid? I may not get another
chance. Is there a special song I should have sung, or a special act of
kindness I should have done, or a word of counsel and healing I should
have spoken? What if this is the last time?

Then, how about this: . . .

3. "What is happening in my life or my church that is unexplainable
apart from God?"

Most of us, as are our ministries, are explainable. Even worse, ----
they're pretty predictable. Frankly, just about anybody could do what we
do ---- even an unsaved person. One of the things seldom seen these days
are the "confirming signs that followed" (Mark 16:20).

There is a great need in the Church today, Not for sensationalism, but
for genuine validating evidences that we are for real, we are from God,
and God is actively at work. Whether it's the preaching of the Gospel,
the salvation of the lost, ministry to the homeless, or anything else,
the anointing on our ministry, the significance of the message, and the
character of our lifestyle all need to be totally and thoroughly ----
unexplainable apart from God.

Are yours?

Then, consider this question:

4. "If God were to walk away from my ministry, how much of it could
continue on without a hitch?"

Let me give you an assignment, which, unfortunately, many who read this
will not carry out. I hope you will, however. It will be a good
experience, and it's not all that hard.

1) Take a note pad and write down everything you do during any given
week ---- both in ministry, vocationally, and personally. Don't try to
sort it ---- just write it down. Things like ---- getting up, eating,
brushing teeth, dressing, washing dishes, mowing grass, repairing the
car, printing the church bulletins, preparing a sermon, spending time in
prayer, meeting with a committee, teaching a class or singing a solo,
etc. ---- write it all down.

2) Now ---- imagine in your mind that you see God turning around and
walking out of your ministry ---- and nobody but you knows it has
happened.

3) Finally, count up the number of things you could no longer do
because God was gone.

My friend ---- the vast majority of things I do in ministry as well as in
personal life have little or nothing to do with whether or not God is
present.

What a terrible indictment against the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ,
who said, "Without Me you can do nothing!"

Well ---- consider this question:

5. "What significance does what I am doing have on eternal matters?"

Here is the second half of the assignment.

4) Go through that list again and put a check mark by every item that
relates to eternal issues ---- issues of the soul.

5) Now, count those up and see what you come up with.

I believe this issue is one reason why so many people leave the ministry
or at least throw themselves into a "play the game" survival mode ----
they can't bear the thought that they're spending an overwhelmingly large
portion of their days doing things that may be religious, but that have
no real significance to eternity.

We have really become earth bound, my friend, in the work of the Lord.

Next to last question:

6. "Are my ministry and I geared for survival or for impact?"

It was 1977, and I had been invited by Dr. Bill Bright to attend a
week-long conference on Church Leadership For The Future. There were
about 50 of us there in San Bernardino, California, from some eighteen
or twenty different denominational backgrounds.

Dr. Bright stood to speak on the Impact of the Church on Contemporary
Society. It was then he asked the question ---- "My brothers, how would
you describe your present church; is it geared for survival, or for
impact?"

That question changed my life and my ministry. I am so constrained by
that question that, to many, I border on being obnoxious and absurd.

But, I know of no question that is more needed today. It won't take long
for you to discover in any group of ministers that many of them have
entered the survival mode. They have lost vision, motivation, zeal,
energy ---- yes, even the will to make a difference by impacting their
part of the world.

Years ago society frequently attacked the church. Today it generally
ignores it.

There are hopeful signs, however, because society is again beginning to
take notice of the church. Why? Because many are again trying to impact
society rather than just survive it and endure it until the return of
Christ.

My final question:

7. "When I leave this life, what one thing would I want people to
remember about me?"

The more I think about that question, the more difficult it becomes to
answer ---- I would want them to remember more than just one thing.

I would want them to remember me as a man of prayer, a man of conviction,
a man of the Word, a man of integrity, a man of compassion, a good and
faithful husband, a great dad, ---- a great son.

However, if I have to follow my own instructions, I think it would all
boil down to this:

When I leave this life, I pray that everyone who ever met me or knew me
---- as acquaintance, friend, pastor, or family member ---- would
remember . . . .

Jesus.

Nothing would thrill me more than to hear someone say, "Bob, every time I
see you or think about you, you remind me of Jesus."

HOW ABOUT YOU?

It's time for us to start asking the right questions. If the seven I
listed above are not the right ones for you, perhaps they will at least
prompt you to think of those that are right.

Friend, have you passed the line of Concern and exceeded the discipline
of Conviction and become Caught Up with what's been happening around the
world, or in Washington ---- or in your own life and ministry right where
you live?

Are you asking all those wrong questions?

I have great news for you!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus!

Listen to this: . . .

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life ---- more abundant ---- and free!

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

"Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there.
Over us sin no more hath dominion,
For more than conquerors we are!

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

"His Word shall not fail you ---- He promised!
Believe Him, ---- and all will be well;
Then ---- go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

My friend, . . .

Turn Your eyes upon Jesus ---- then ask yourself those questions ---- and
then turn your eyes upon Him again.

Have a wonderful day ---- a wonderful week! As Dr. Jack Taylor said
years ago, "God is up to something big, and I want to be in on what He's
up to!" How about you?

In Christ's Bond of Love and Grace,

Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright February, 1999. All rights reserved.

If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.

If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.

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{ (O) (O) }
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Hang in there! I'm with you!

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