Lausanne World Pulse – Jezebel: Unusual Missionary
By Ferdinand Nweke
The world we are called to reach is in society, in hospitals, classrooms and colleges, markets, etc. The good news is that Jesus already has people in these areas. They simply need to be trained to minister effectively.
2. “Reformat” our minds as to the true nature of our secular jobs. Sola Adebayo, director of The Kingdom Projects, which trains and sends tentmaking missionaries, lists some divine objectives for our secular jobs. Adebayo reminds us that our jobs are not just a means of livelihood but (a) a means of becoming rich for eternity, (b) a divine smokescreen for covert kingdom operations, (c) a divine tool and (d) a platform. God would still feed us if we could not find jobs, so getting something to eat could not be his primary design for planting us in the marketplace. He has strategically located us there as his witnesses. If every believer understood this, the gospel would be inescapable and the unsaved would meet it in offices, schools, shopping malls, on the airwaves, etc.
3. Lose the dichotomy between sacred and spiritual. We are integrated beings, not divided into a holy, spiritual part and an unholy, secular component. We are not redeemed to serve the Lord part-time; we are all full-timers, wholly purchased by the blood of the Lamb. The prophet Daniel was neither a pastor nor a full-time preacher; however, the depth of the prophecies that came out of his walk with God was extraordinary. Although he was thousands of miles from home, his light shone in the marketplace and witnessed for the God of Israel.
4. Take responsibility for the territories where the Lord has planted us. See yourself as the missionary in your office, at school, at your clinic. You are the “pastor”; your co-workers are your “pulpits,” your congregation. God is wanting you to help change their eternal destinies by channeling his love and saving power to them. Our pastors are not responsible for the lost souls around us; we are the agents of the kingdom.
5. Begin to systematically equip Christians to witness for Christ in the marketplace. This massive but untapped missionary force already in place should be trained on effective strategies, including lifestyle and friendship evangelism. If Christians are taught to lose their perception of the workplace as intrinsically evil and begin to see it as their God-given territories for conquest, we could see a massive ingathering of souls into the Kingdom of God.
As the Moravians used to say, “The Lamb that was slain is worthy of the results of his suffering.” As God’s people, let us each take a stand for him in the fields where he has planted us.
Stand up! Stand up! For Jesus Ye soldiers of the cross Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army shall He lead Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Endnotes
1. From Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. 1991. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.
2. From Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. 1996. Biblesoft.
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Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, a medical doctor in Nigeria, coordinates Eternity Ministries, which focuses on maximizing Calvary and living with eternity in view. He has authored several books and songs. |
Comments on this article
God, please raise more men and women who will be challenged to take the nations for Christ and live for nothing else but that. Amen.
samson :: 25 Aug 2007
This is really deep from the heart and God inspired. I pray that God will release ihs touch on the Church to release all the millions they have in the bank account toward the propagation of the gospel as the attention seems to be more on building big cathedrals. It’s not in the building, but in sharing. Peace.
John Oke :: 17 Aug 2007
This understanding practically gives divine meaning, purpose and clear direction to the reason why we are in work in the first place. Personally, it has profited me in my job as we join hands to pray “Thy Kingdom Come,” bless God for the fruits thus far! Dr. Ferdinand has a message for the Church of our age in advancing God’s kingdom.
Abuchi :: 10 Aug 2007
I can identify with some of your comments in this article and that has challenged me to do more in the area of evangelism instead of being selfish. Jesus died for all and that we must declare to everyone we come accross at any giving opportunity.
sunny :: 8 Aug 2007
Quite incisive. A critical message for our generation of believers. I pray the Lord will stir up our mind to the challenge of the Great Commission. We can become missionaries in our neighborhood but need to be delivered from excessive quest for materialism.
Fabian :: 8 Aug 2007
The life of the Christian is in deed one whole life. It cannot be compartmentalised into a seperate secular half and a spiritiual half. God must be fully represented in all we do. For unto him we eat, drink, ……., etc.
Terhile :: 7 Aug 2007
Dr. Ferdinand is a beacon of hope in our generation. His passion for souls made him to abandon medical practice to challenge humanity to live with eternity in view. He has been a great influence in my life and that of many of my friends. I am so delighted that Lausanne World Pulse has given Dr. Ferdinand this platform to bring to the wider community his firebrand message. Many thanks indeed for this publication. I will be forwarding this to friends and family members on my mailing list.
Ishaku :: 6 Aug 2007
This is a wonderful exposition on how the Church can rise up to the challenges of the Great Commission in our times. It is my prayer that the Church would rise to these challenges. “On the day you fight your enemies your people will volunteer” (Psalm 110:3). God bless you Dr. Ferdinand.
Funmi :: 6 Aug 2007