An Introduction Towards a Theology of Raising Support Part II

One of the shortest books of the Bible is 3rd John. It is a letter from the apostle John to his dear friend, Gaius, who is in a different church. John praises Gaius for supporting missionaries by showing hospitality to them and financially supporting them in their missionary activities.

3 John 5-8
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

John praises Gaius's faithfulness from a good report that some visitors gave at John's church of Gaius's hospitality. These visitors just came from Gaius. John encourages Gaius to continue to show hospitality by sending itinerant missionaries on their way. Sending missionaries on their way in New Testament times meant more than a hearty handshake and a wave goodbye. Colin G. Kruse explains what "sending them on their way" meant in the early church.

The expression 'to send them on their way' translates a form of the verb propempo. This verb functioned as a technical term for missionary support in the early church (cf. Acts 15:3; 20:38; 21:5; Rom 15:24; 1 Cor 16:6, 11; 2 Cor 1:16; Tit 3:13), and this is also its function here. These "brothers" were preachers of the truth as it was heard at the beginning, and so it was appropriate to send them on their way as faithful missionaries 'in a manner worthy of God'. This probably means to send them on their way in a manner befitting those who serve the living God. (The Letters of John, p. 223)

Zane Hodges in the The Bible Knowledge Commentary makes the following observations on verse 8.

But the fact that faithful Christian preachers sought no help from the unsaved meant that Christians were under a special obligation to assist them. By extending the needed help (showing hospitality to such men), Christians such as Gaius could work together for the truth. This last phrase might be better rendered "be fellow workers with the truth" (NASB). The thought is of partnership with what the truth accomplishes in people's hearts and lives. It was a noble objective for Gaius to follow. (p. 913)

I want to make a few observations. First, the apostle John is praising Gaius for not only opening his home for missionaries as they traveled, but also for giving them financial support to help them during their travels and to help them as they ministered. We can conclude that it is not only the local church who supports missionaries through their missionary budget, but individual believers as well. John praises Gaius individually for his support of the missionaries. This support is worthy a responsibility to be taken up for every member of the local church. The giver becomes a fellow worker with the missionary. To use the idiomatic phrase as explained earlier, missionaries and supporters become fellow workers with "The Truth."

Second, this term "fellow worker" is also used several times by Paul as a title of esteem and affection for those who helped him progress the gospel. [1]. The very fact that both Paul and John use this term to honor the people who financially and materially support the missionaries should draw our attention. This honoring by the apostles helps us to realize how important the Bible views missionary support in terms of prayer and material support. It is a effort worthy of praise.

Third, hospitality in the New Testament means more than opening up your house to relatives. Malina,  a New Testament scholar,  writes writes about hospitality,

'might be defined as the process by means of which an outsider's status is changed from stranger to guest.' [2]

Although, in our day and age, we have hotels, inns, B&Bs, and other places where strangers can stay, the command; however, is still in effect to show hospitality when called upon by the Church.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality..

[1] Romans 16:3, 9, 21; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:1, 24

[2] Malina, 'The Received View and What it Cannot Do', p. 181

An Introduction Towards a Theology of Raising Support

I have made eight trips to Haiti and I have raised support every time. Some people prefer to pay for the trip themselves. They don't feel led to raise support because God has blessed them financially. I talked to people who actually refused donations for their trip and subsequently admitted to me it was pride that caused them to refuse the gift. There seems to me confusion within the Church on how to view raising support. This blog is not so much about giving, but how Paul received and viewed the gifts the different churches sent to him.

When we read Philipians, we see that Paul had several purposes in mind when he wrote Philippians, but one of the main purposes was writing a thank you note for the financial support he received from the Philippians. By looking at how Paul received gifts, I hope to clarify how God uses the donations to bless the giver and the recipient in the context of missions.

The first passage demonstrates that Phillipians is not only a letter of encouragement and instruction to the Phillipians, but is also a thank you letter to them for their support of Paul during his imprisonment.

Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

This passage, according to some commentators, refers at least in part to the gift the Philippians sent to Paul.

Peter O'Brien on verse 1:3:
"P. Schubert ... renders the latter: 'I thank God for every (expression) of your remembrance of me'. Accordingly, there is an allusion to the recent money gift as well as to their help on previous occasions.

Paul returns to the topic of their gift later in the epistle. Pay particular attention as to how he views the gift.

Philippians 4:10-20
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

Here are some points to notice in the passage on how Paul views their gift:

• The gift was an indication to Paul of the Philippian church's concern for him. It encouraged Paul.
• Paul did not feel he needed the gift. 
• The gift was an indication of their partnership with Paul in the progress of the Gospel.
• Paul viewed the gift as benefiting the givers. It was pleasing to God and a measure of how God was producing fruit in their lives 
• Although Paul did not feel like he needed the gift, it did help him in his ministry

There is another benefit to receiving support in missions. It glorifies God. Paul teaches in 2nd Corinthians how generosity glorifies God.

2 Corinthians 9:11-15
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

The Corinthians' generosity produces not only prayers for the Corinthians from the recipients of the gift, but produces glory to God because both Corinthians, recipients and others are praising God for His generosity and grace.

God may lead you to pay for a mission trip out of your own funds. However, in my life God has used the process of raising support to bless me in several ways:

• God humbles me. The very act of asking for money is humbling. 
• God encourages me. The very fact that people trust that God will work through me in Haiti encourages me. 
• God uses the gifts from donors as a way to have them partner with me in Haiti missions. In this partnership, my responsibilities are to pray for the donors and keep them informed of the progress of the Gospel in the ministry.
• God uses the act of giving as a way of confirming the fruit of the Spirit in the donor's life. It demonstrates charity and a trust in God in their finances. 
• God glorifies Himself in the process. We praise God through our giving. We praise God in receiving His good gifts in thankfulness. We praise God in our prayers for one another as a result of the act of giving. God is good!

Clinic Building Progress -- October 2017

This is from October, 2017. Dr. Lee and I stood in front of the wall that we stood before in earlier pictures. The Clinic's roof and walls are done. Praise God for his financial support! Thank God for the volunteers! The building is wonderful!

Haiti Motos and the Christian Life

Philippians 3:12-14
"Do not mistake me, I hold the language of hope, not of assurance. I have not yet reached the goal; I am not yet made perfect. But I press forward in the race, eager to grasp the prize, forasmuch as Christ also has grasped me. My brothers, let other men vaunt their security. Such is not my language. I do not consider that I have the prize already in my grasp. This, and this only, is my rule, forgetting the landmarks already passed as straining every nerve and muscle in the onward race, I press forward ever towards the goal, that I may win the prize of my heavenly rest whereunto God has called me in Christ Jesus." (Translated by J. B. Lightfoot).

In my last trip to Haiti I preached on Philippians 3. I chose the passage for two reasons. First, I was studying the passage in depth for the Men's Bible Study and second, I was reflecting on how that passage applies to baptism. Three members from our church were being baptized in Haiti that week and baptism was on my mind for devotions. Obviously, Philippians 3 does not address baptism directly; Paul was writing about circumcision.

Paul needed to address a false teaching about circumcision because there was a group of false teachers at the time pestering the young church by teaching believers that to be really saved one needed to be circumcised. Faith in Christ was good they would say, but circumcision was needed to be fully saved. Paul pointed out in this passage that our assurance of salvation does not rest on our past deeds. In the Christian life we do not rest upon our accomplishments, but what God is doing in our lives in the present. Peter O'Brien makes this clear in his commentary on Philipplians:

But he [Paul] does not recall the things God has achieved through him in order to encourage self-satisfaction or relaxation or effort. He will not allow either the achievements of the past (which God has wrought) or, for that matter, his failures as a Christian to prevent his gaze from being fixed firmly on the finish line. In this sense he forgets as he runs.

In this way the passage does apply to baptism. Baptism is commanded and is highly recommended in our church, but we should not use the fact that we are baptized as an assurance of our salvation. It is God who saves. God wants us to know Him and He wants us to pursue him.

As I was meditating on baptism and the Philippians passage in Haiti, I came up with an illustration from my experiences in Haiti. In an earlier trip, one of the translators, Patrick, gave me a ride on his "Moto", which is a small motorcycle. As we started downhill, he turned off the engine so he could coast downhill to save gas. As I meditated on this, I realized a moto ride could illustrate the Christian life as taught by Paul in this passage. Going up the mountain on a moto is like Paul's vision of the Christian life. In this passage, the Holy Spirit is a running moto. He will take us up the mountain if we rely on Him and keep the bike pointed up hill. If we stop and get off the moto to admire how far we travelled, we are not making progress in your spiritual walk. We may be thankful to God for bringing us so far, but the odds are we are being prideful on how far we have come. Looking back is not progress in knowing God.

Let us dig into the analogy even further. When we turn off the engine to save gas and coast down the hill, we are moving; however, we are no longer going up the hill: we are no longer pursuing Christ. In other words, if we try to get assurance of salvation by obeying rules and performing works on our own power, then we are no longer getting to know Christ better and we are no longer living by grace. We would be then living under the Law. If we do not repent and turn back up hill to pursue Christ, the pull of sin will take us away from God. We may try doing all the things that we used to do in our walk in Christ, but if we do it not to pursue Christ, but rather try to earn our way to heaven or gain favor from our fellow man, we will fail.

Paul writes that in our Christian walk we need to intentionally strain every nerve and muscle in our pursuit of God. There may be ruts and rocks in our path, but we need always to keep pointing the moto up the hill. False teaching may come to distract us, "weight and sin" may slow us (Hebrews 12:1,2), but we need to keep Christ as our goal.

In keeping with our illustration, we need to fuel the engine. We need to do things the Bible says to do to know God: prayer, bible reading, loving others, confession, good works, and obedience to His Word. We also need to maintain the engine. We need to confess our sins on a regular basis to keep the engine clean. We need to stay in fellowship with other believers so we may keep our spiritual life tuned.

The analogy is imperfect and I am only using it to illustrate this passage. In summary, Paul is teaching in Philippians 3 that the active pursuing of God gives us assurance of salvation. Landmarks of our faith are important, but we should not trust in them give us confidence in our relationship with God. It is by God's grace that we stay on the path and God working through us that causes us to grow, but somehow in all this we are responsible to stay focused on God. We are to strain every spiritual nerve and muscle in our pursuit of the knowledge of Christ.

Evangecube Notes and Guide

In Haiti we used a tool for evangelism called the "Evangecube." It is a cube that can open up in different ways to reveal different pictures that explain the Gospel in very direct terms. Some of the verses in the instructions I have already memorized, but there were some verses I do not have memorize. This post is for future reference where I can direct myself or others on how to prepare for a Haiti trip or just share the gospel.

Here's a link on how to use the Evangecube: How to use an Evangecube

I have one caution about this post. This list is more of a meditation on what would be useful in sharing the gospel. It is not necessary to memorize all these verses to use the Evangecube. These verses are definitely not necessary to share the Gospel. I am encouraging people to think about how to share the gospel and what verses they would use. In my personal experience and my personal style in sharing the gospel in Haiti, I think it would be useful for me to have these verses somewhat memorize so I can have people read a Creole bible and read the verses back to me.

Picture 1 (Man in Separated from God).

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 ESV)

Picture 2 (Christ on the Cross)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,(1 Peter 3:18 ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16 ESV)

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 ESV)

Picture 3 (Tomb) The instructions did not have a verse for Jesus being buried in a tomb, but here's one.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:57-60 ESV)

Picture 4 (Risen Christ) Again no verses in the instructions, but here is the verse in the Gospel of Matthew:

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.(Matthew 28:5-6 ESV)

Picture 5 "Cross Bridge"

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6 ESV)

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. (Hebrews 4:2 ESV)

Picture 6 (Heaven and Hell)

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 ESV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)

This verse is not in the instructions, but I think it would be useful in sharing:

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (Acts 16:30-34 ESV)

Assurance of Salvation

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.(John 1:12-13 ESV)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28 ESV)

Picture 7 (Steps for the Followers of Christ)
Love God and all people

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40 ESV)

Study the Bible (God's Word) Daily

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— (1 Peter 2:2 ESV)

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23 ESV)

Pray to God constantly

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

Meet regularly with other Christians

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.(Hebrews 10:25 ESV)

Tell others the good news about Jesus

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15 ESV)

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Haiti Spring 2018 Trip Stories

Introduction
When I share about an upcoming Haiti Medical trip at our team commissionings during Sunday services, I break the talk into two topics: the medical team's mission and the discipleship team's (d-team) mission. From this trip I want tell two stories that exemplify the need for our ministries in Luly and Williamson.

The Medical Story
On the first day clinic, it was a very busy day. We saw scores of patients and around 2:00 p.m., I could finally see the end of the line in the waiting room. A young, pregnant woman with her 3-year-old child came in, sat down and looked frustrated. I asked through a translator what was her frustration. She told me that she woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning and walked 4 hours with her child to the clinic. She then took a number, but had to wait 6 hours to finally get in to see a doctor. I realized because of her frustration that she would not want to talk to a pastor so I called over a medical team member. I stayed around for a while, but I was called away on another case. I checked in on her before she left. There was nothing seriously wrong with the child or her. They assured her, encouraged her, gave her some vitamins and pain reliever, and sent her on her way.

Two things struck me about this case. First, she is a very caring mother who is willing to walk for hours for her baby who just had a slight fever and a runny nose. Second, this clinic serves not only the villages of Luly and Williamson, but communities up in the mountains. This clinic provides crucial care to people who have no medical infrastructure within several miles. Most Haitians don't have cars so even a couple of miles make a big difference.

Discipleship Story
Later in the week, I saw a patient standing in line with large tumors on both sides of his neck underneath his chin. Another d-team member did the triage interview so I didn't have a chance to talk to him. Later that night, our team talked about the case. The doctors told us that his tumors were aggressive but not cancerous. The tumors started growing about 10 years ago. He showed his driver's license from 2004 to the team and there were no tumors on him in the picture. Unfortunately, we didn't have the resources to help him. One doctor told me that even in the United States because of the size and the type of tumors, there was not much that could be done. The patient had visited other doctors and hospitals in Port-Au-Prince and throughout Haiti. He always received the same answer that nothing could be done. Because of the tumors, his wife left him and he had to raise his two children by himself.

It is sad story, but there is a happy ending. The doctor and the d-team members did soul care with this patient. They encouraged him and shared the Gospel with him. A d-team member said when they asked him if he wanted to pray to receive Christ into his heart, the man dropped to his knees unasked and prayed. As a follow-up, they invited him to the men's conference later in the week. He showed up and was introduced to one of the Haitian pastors. He went from having no hope to having eternal hope. His life will be difficult, but we gave him context for his sufferings. One of the reasons for his tumors was that God used his tumors and God will continue to use these tumors to draw this man closer to Christ.

Conclusion
This ministry is very important to this region of Haiti. We provide medical services to patients who would have a difficult time to getting these services anywhere else. This ministry is also important for giving hope. The discipleship team talks about Jesus to these patients. The gospels, especially Matthew and Luke, talk about how the healing ministry of Jesus drew people to hear the Gospel. In same way, the clinic draws people from miles away who don't belong to any church to hear the Gospel. Because of these ministries, God uses us to bring His hope and His joy to the people of Haiti.

Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.