Stop Looking for Signs
March 16, 2022.
Humans are tentative by nature. I supposed that is the reason we are referred to as being sheep-like in scripture. While there is merit to being thoughtful, Christianity needs simple and bold follower-ship too.
#JesusStory: Mark 8 tells of a time when some Pharisees started arguing with Jesus, and wanted him to give them a sign from heaven. When Jesus heard this, he groaned and said, “Why are you always looking for a sign? I can promise you that you will not be given one.” And with that he turned, walked away, got into a boat, and crossed over to the other side of the lake. Why did Jesus so completely and abruptly leave them in his dust? I think it was because they started off argumentative. They were not looking for a confirmation or an assurance that Jesus was there to open up the Kingdom of God for them, they were defending their leadership, their will, and their authority. Anyone, past or present or future, who is arguing with Jesus isn’t looking to follow the leadership of Jesus. And those people will not be given confirmations or assurances about Jesus’ authority. But, this isn’t just a Pharisee problem; sometimes our self-will arises, doesn’t it? When that happens, we find ourselve’s saying things like: “Lord, if you are really asking me to do this, then give me a sign?” And when we ask this, we usually find a silent heaven. Because our hearts are defending our own will, rather than yielding our life to “following Jesus’ life”. Maybe it is time to stop looking for signs and simply follow Jesus’ ways.
Following Jesus does not mean agreeing to be a Christian; it does mean replicating the things Jesus did in our life situations. Jesus healed people, so we follow Jesus by starting to pray healing over people; Jesus spent time with the poor, so we follow Jesus by spending time with the poor; Jesus confronted evil, so we follow Jesus by confronting evil in prayer when it shows up in our lives or the lives of those around us. But, this is where the rub is – actually engaging in the behaviors of Jesus. We can follow Jesus in theory, but when we are asked to follow the actual behaviors of Jesus like preaching to the poor or square off with evil, our self-rule sometimes rises up. It is then that we become a bit Pharisaical and find ourselves saying: “Jesus, if you really want me to be with the poor, you’re going to have to give me a sign!” You’ll probably hear crickets. Because Jesus already told us, “Follow me!”
#DinnerChurchQuotes: The Greek word for hospitality in the New Testament is philoxenoi, which literally means a love for strangers solely because of their disconnectedness. (David Lim)
#PracticalStuff: This is a great time to sit your team down, read the verses about “taking up our cross and following Jesus”, and discussing what is actually being asked of us around these Jesus Tables. We are called to replicate the works of Jesus, not recite the verses about Jesus. We are not disciples that speak Bible well, we are disciples that do the things Jesus did. There is a difference. Only the latter disciples will be able to advance the Kingdom. What do you think about such a discussion with your team?
Blessings & Boldness,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 100-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
03.17.22
By: Julie
My son and I were just discussing this. I believed we had a clear directive to move forward on something from God and he was nervous. He said he needed a big sign to know it was right and I said God will answer but it may not be the way you expect. That afternoon we were choosing a verse from a book as our theme for the week and the one he picked was “we walk my faith not by sight.” I said, “that was your answer.”
We do need to use our faith! There is often an inner knowing where God is leading you…the mystery is where faith comes in. It does take boldness to follow him!
03.17.22
By: Verlon Fosner
Julie, that verse you included about “walking by faith and not by faith” is so additive to this discussion. Thx
03.17.22
By: Verlon Fosner
Oops: “walking by faith and not by sight”
03.17.22
By: Brad Andres
“They started off argumentitive… Not looking for confirmation or assurance of the Kingdom, instead, looking to preserve their self-will… Anyone arguing with Jesus is not looking to follow the leadership of Jesus.”
This makes sense. We see it in the responses of Zechariah and Mary. Z says, “how will I know…” and provides an excuse why it won’t work. M says, “how can this happen…” and also provides an excuse why it won’t work. Mary is regarded as having faith and Zechariah is regarded as not believing. Z is centered on self-will; M is not.
Another example of the tension is the man who brings his boy to the disciples to be freed from a demon. While Matthew chooses not to include the discussion details between Jesus and the boy’s father, Mark does in his gospel with the resounding: “I do believe. Help my unbelief!” He was desperately looking for the realization of the kingdom, even though he didn’t see it happen how he thought.
Maybe, when the Lord is calling us to certain actions, we should focus less on how we are responding and more on what God is doing. Our focus turns from us to Him. Perhaps, then, we’ll share in the response of Mary; fueled by faith rather than driven by doubt.
But, if we’ve missed it, we can still come to Jesus, not to argue, but to have Him shape us, to move us from one stage of belief to the next, to help our unbelief. Instead of arguing with other friendly, well-meaning, good-hearted disciples about what Jesus wants to do, may we all find the strength in Jesus to tweak our places of disbelief to belief, that we may experience His resurrection power and grace, as we follow Him further into the actions He is calling us to do.
03.17.22
By: David Dalton
I was reflecting just yesterday on the idea of being doers and not hearers only.
I love the examples you gave Brad. We sometimes justify looking for a sign because we see it in scripture, but we sometimes don’t examine the motivation of our heart. Your examples illustrate the different ways God responds based on our motivation.
Seeking direction is a good thing, asking God for a second opinion is not.
03.21.22
By: Jeremy Veninga
There you go challenging us again 🙂. I love these calls to actions, I was just talking to my wife tonight about how we can go to conferences, hear great sermons and even go to school (even though I believe these to be beneficial) to learn all about what Jesus did but until we become practitioners we will just spin our wheels. There are some things we will never learn until we do and parts of Jesus we will never know until we go.
03.21.22
By: Megan Monterrosa
I know in my own heart the Lord has done a lot of work over the last 8 months to show me where I have not had the inclination or desire to really do what He does regarding the poor and those near us in need. If I am following Jesus, I should be like Him….so God has done lots of work in me to help me have His heart and begin to do what He would do and see how He sees. What an adventure which does require faith. I am learning to navigate working in church world but not allowing myself to stay in my cozy office all day while just down the street, although seeming like a world away, there are broken people who need Jesus. I can’t say I know what the balance looks like yet, but I’m trying.
Even the good things we do as a church to help our community can be removed from actual interaction with people who need Jesus and the ones He spent time with. These are not bad things but they might possibly result in a sense that we’ve done enough or fulfilled the call to lose our life for Jesus when in fact there is really way more. I hope that somewhere in my future I get to lead Christians into being way more missional and learning to do the things Jesus did.
I LOVE the quote about hospitality and love of the stranger.
03.22.22
By: Anthony Johnson
“Following Jesus does not mean agreeing to be a Christian; it does mean replicating the things Jesus did in our life situations.”
We should all feel challenged to do more of what Jesus did. It’s amazing sitting in Christian circles how far we can drift from the mission because of our propensity to be influenced more by our ability to recite verses than actually loving people and putting the practices of Jesus into action.
03.24.22
By: David A. Brakke
There is a balance beam to be walked when we strive to apply the first century instructions and demonstrations of Jesus into our modern lives. Many seem to struggle with understanding what it means to follow Jesus as they consider “following” to be knowledge (intellect) versus knowledge (experienced). Something I have found helpful on this topic are Jesus’ frequently stated words, “you who have ears hear”. It seems that for Jesus true hearing meant action.
04.6.22
By: Angel Porubsky
“Following Jesus does not mean agreeing to be a Christian; it does mean replicating the things Jesus did in our life situations.” What truth in this statement.
The way that He loved, healed, walked, gave and shared is exactly the heart of the Father for our lives. What better way is there to disciple people than to actively show them Jesus, not just teach them about it through our words.
05.18.22
By: daryl miller
I am often criticized by others for not following man-made directives: rumors are spread. divisiveness occurs, Jesus lights the situations. The fruits-of-spirits speak for themselves and illuminate the futility behind the policies in dispute.
Greed, selfishness, fear are shown for what they are without words of condenmation out of my mouth.