Matt Richards
Genesis 15:1-4 Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”
Someone once said, 'if you run the church like a business, you will raise managers; but if you run the church like family, you will raise sons.' (that's daughters too.)
You know when I was a lad, football teams used to train up and develop their own players from youngsters with potential to adults that played professionally.
Today this model is abandoned for just buying the best player; rather than raising players. Hence there is little loyalty.
The church can operate the same. But I believe this model of superstars being bought and brought in is becoming a thing of the past.
I believe like with Abram that God will give us sons and daughters, not servants or managers.
The answer is not out there, but with us.
Oranges are meant to have pips. When you eat an orange in Africa that's not been genetically modified, it's full of pips. Full of potential seed to reproduce. Jaffas are the opposite. Much as we love them, they can't reproduce.
Perhaps for convenience. and comfort, and for a consumerist audience, the church has done the same. Become modified, unproductive, and unfruitful. Looks good, tastes good, but doesn't bring forth children.
But let's be different: let's be a 'discipleship making movement.'
Let's raise sons, let's raise daughters.
In Radical we refuse to be a jaffa church, but will as best we can raise up sons and daughters who then raise up sons and daughters that raise up sons and daughters.
Prayer:
Forgive us for being lazy. Forgive us for not reproducing. Help us this week to give it away and to raise sons and daughters no matter how expensive or inconvenient; for Your Glory in Jesus' name amen.
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