Servelloism

There has been a movie clip I’ve been dieing to use as an illustration in a sermon because of the truth it conveys. I had been advised many times not to do to the other humor in the movie. This clip illustrates the process of repentance to us. Billy begins to realize how much it hurts to be excluded, teased and belittled….His revelation of how much it hurts leads him to think of all those people he ’s done the same thing to. It then leads him to make RESTITUION to those whom he offended. There’s not much talk about restitution today but it is a powerful fruit of repentance. Somehow we think there is statute of limitations to our offences…but generally speaking unresolved offences are just that…unresolved. I find it amazing the stories of people who have gone back and apologized to people sometimes years later and the powerful testimonies of healing that took place. Sometimes people think…, “Awe, I’m sure they’ve forgotten about that.” My experience is we would be surprised that in general people don’t forget. Recently, I ran into somebody that I hadn’t seen in years. When I ran into them the conversation was great and we caught up on things that happened in both our lives. The next day the Lord began to convict me to little things that I had done to cause strain between that person and me in the past. I emailed them an apology letter (they don’t live in my area anymore or I would have talked to them personally.) and was amazed at the response. They acknowledged my email and said they were actually thinking of writing me a letter trying to smooth out the past. We were both glad we got this unsaid thing away from the both of us. I’m glad to have the friendship restored to it’s rightful place. Watch this humorous clip of Billy’s encounter with RESTITUTION….

The question is Who are the Danny Mcgraths in our lives and what are we doing about it?

I thought i would continue with the whole Schindlers List theme. I added, in my opinion, what is the most moving scene of the movie. Its at the very end when the reality of what Oscar had done hits him. The video is six minutes but worth watching. When the reality hits oscar he looks around at all the things he thought were so valuable and begins to compare them to what he could have done to save more people. The scene is great becasue it opens up with the vast crowd of people that Oscar had been instrumental in saving. With all the people he saved he wasnt satisfied. Also, he begins to reflect on what more he could have done and realizes that there is so much more he could have done. Friends, I wonder if eternity will not be like this. No matter how many people we were instrumental in reaching, no matter if it’s a thousand or even ten thousand, or a hundred thousand for that matter…when reality hits us of what was at stake i wonder if we wont be like Oscar at the end of this movie. I personally think this clip is a prophetic picture of what even the greatest soul winners will be like.. I could have done more….that weekend service, two more people, maybe even more. That bonus from work, 4 more people. That small group, 1 more person….I wonder if it wont be like this when reality hits us. I’ve been praying that reality would hit me now and i’ve been praying that that reality would hit the entire church.Jesus said in Luke 15 that there is More rejoicing in heaven over 1 sinner who repents than over 99 that have never strayed. Im starting to realize why…

For the next couple of days id like to talk about somethng that i have been thinking a lot about. How much is a soul worth? Talking about weather a church values evangelism is like asking if a church values a weekend service -but the question is do we really value lost peopel? I’ve been struck by a couple of scenes from schindlers list that I want to share with you the next couple of days. Ithink they very much parallel the mission of the church and what we will experience when we stand before God.
Today you see the german general and Oscar Schindler talking about how much a person is worth. Oscar asks it first but the General quickly asks it back…In other words it’s not going to be cheap, its not question of what Im willing to sell them for but how much are you willing to pay. I’ve had running conversations with pastors about this whole topic. In my tradition if i showed up to church for six consecutive weekends and a majority of people were not ACTIVELY participating in worship, we would have special staff mettings, we would call a season of prayer, maybe even fasting… becasue we would want to make sure we weren’t losing that distinctive. Or if for six consecutive weends the Pastor showed up and rambled and didnt make any point in his message we would stop the presses and have serious meetings to find out whats wrong…why because we value being matured in our faith. What about with souls? I polled our congregation last year and i asked a simple question.. if this is the church you got saved in, not counting kids of those who have been attenders of mount zion would you stand to your feet…I would be generous to say 10% of our congregation stood up. This bothers me…not just on a corporate level, it bothers me about myself. Im trying to make changes in my life….Do we really value people in a Luke 15 way? Here are some questions ive asked myself?

Are there any people who are far from God that I pray for regularly?
When was the last time I brought somebody to church?
Is there anybody that I have strategic relationship with that allows me to be a godly influence in that persons life?
Where in my finances does this value show itself?
* HAVe i taken someone out for lunch or coffee on me?
* How about over for dinner?
* What about a special gift for a special occasion that shows we care?
* etc, etc, etc.
I hear a lot of talk about evangelism, and a lot of clever teaching, but i’d like to hear the answers to these quite simple questions. I have read a bunch a books on evangelism in the last year…and a lot of them i have to say i disagree with, because I know from experience with the people i am reaching out to that what these authors are saying doesnt work…they are myths that continue to be propegated. It makes me wonder if they are involved with evanglesim themselves? The question the church has to ask is how much is a soul worth to which we will get a quick reply back how much is it worth to us? Its not an easy question to answer truthfully. I think if the univerasal church were to be truthful we would definately not answer the same way Jesus would.

Well, were back in the swing of things. The reality of the Generation Conference is starting to hit me. In just a few short weeks it will be here. Im excited about what God is going to do in these three days. God’s sovreign hand on this conference has always been a a source of awe from me. From the time we started until now i have to say with all of our palnning and promotion God out does us every time. Recently i had a conversation with someone about the conference and was telling them the of the many miracles that has brought the generation conference to where it is. In telling those stories i feel faith rise in my heart and also excitement in knowing that i have partnered with God for one wild ride. This year we are haveing some of the key people God has raised up to be a voice in his kingdom - Benny Perez who was featured in Charisma magazine this month, a great friend and one of the greatest leaders in America, He has a powerful ministry, Joyce Meyer who is packing out stadiums teaching Gods word in the most practical of ways to thousands of people, Ed Young who pastors a church of 20,000 and is amongst the top leaders the body of Christ is looking to for inspiration and leadership, Stephen Baldwin who was a godless actor turned radical evangelist, and Chris Hill who can bring the house down with his preaching gift. Simply stated it should be amazing. We are really looking forward to it!

Well, after two weeks in Europe and a three day saff retreat i am finally home. I had a great time with the guys from staff as we hung out and wrestled down some complex issues. My next best thing on the calendar is the Generation Conference. Im so looking forward to having all of our old time friends here for a few days to have some fun and experience God together. Its hard to believe it is a little over a month away.

Well I’ve finally been able to get some Free wifi access. We are having a wonderful time in Paris, actually we are in Bayeux right now.
Paris has got to be the best city in the world. The city is great, its clean, the public transportation is good, and there is a ton of stuff to do. Ive been to a few European cities…London, Rome, Belfast, Geneva…..But all of them pale in comparison to Paris.
Giulia is loving it as well. I’ve been takng here to the carousel at the Eiffel tower every nIght and she is loving it.

I don’t know when i’ll get back to blogging.