When the Worst Evangelist Is the Best, Part 2

In Part 1 we considered one man's conclusion that "Jonah was the best evangelist God could have sent to Nineveh."

It is clear that Jonah is portrayed as a terrible evangelist. Think of it. He so detested Nineveh that he directly disobeyed God and ran the other way. He so resisted God's corrective pressure that he said, "Throw me into the sea," rather than repent and obey. He so focused on the coming doom that we have no record that he included the possibility of forgiveness in his message. He so desired Nineveh's destruction that he was angry with God for showing mercy. Who could have been a worse evangelist?

It is also clear that God is portrayed as a contrast to Jonah. While Jonah runs from, God sends to. While Jonah hates, God loves. While Jonah hopes for doom, God hopes for deliverance. God is seen as the one full of compassion toward His creatures. He is ready, willing, and able to save any who call on Him. By the way, this character of God is not only seen in the mercy extended to Nineveh, but also in the lives of the sailors. In the end, God's compassion is also seen when Jonah called on the Lord from the great fish.

Yet a key paradox in the work is how a God who is full of compassion seems bent on using Jonah, the terrible evangelist. Why would God call him, correct him, recall him, recorrect him, and ultimately use him to bring about the greatest revival in history? Can God want and use imperfect servants? Does God allow imperfect servants to remain imperfect?

On Tuesday, we conclude this series by answering those questions and discovering the implications for us.

Works of Jonathan Edwards for Half Price

Looking for some good reading from an historic theologian? Until August 2, The Essential Edwards Collection is 50% off at Westminster Bookstore (click here). These writings, some of the best and most fascinating of Edwards', were compiled and released earlier this year by Edwards scholars Doug Sweeney and Owen Strachan.

There will be a preview copy of one volume, Jonathan Edwards on the Good Life, at the Walnut Ridge Welcome Center this Wednesday and Sunday for you to browse.

When the Worst Evangelist Is the Best, Part 1

It was one of those "wow" moments. The men had gathered at Panera Bread for our weekly review of our ABF teaching. The study had been from Jonah and the coming week would be an overview. I asked what they thought was the punchline of the book. One of the men immediately said, "Jonah was the best evangelist God could have sent to Nineveh."

I never had that thought, so I asked him what he meant. His answer was insightful and something like this: "Apparently the Lord knew that Nineveh needed to be confronted with its sin and coming doom more than it needed a comforting word of hope. Who but a man who hated Nineveh would have preached condemnation with such intensity that it caused an entire city to fear their doom and call to God for mercy? Jonah was the best evangelist God could have sent to Nineveh!"

I was about to correct that conclusion by sharing the main point: God's compassion for doomed people and God's correction to Jonah for being the worst evangelist in history. But I paused to reflect. That reflection went on for several days and led me to wonder if the worst evangelist was indeed the best evangelist God could have sent to Nineveh.

What do you think? Is his conclusion valid? Look for Part 2 of 3 on Friday as we observe God's calling of Jonah.

New Audio Available

Here is Pastor Rich's message from Sunday, July 18, at Walnut Ridge. Click the links to download the MP3 files to your computer.

The Forgiver and the Forgiven - Philemon

Due to Technical Difficulties...

...this email cannot be sent.

As I began the day and the attempt to send a message, I suddenly found myself with a computer that would not connect and work online. I was unable to prepare or send my message.

As I worked to solve this the Lord gave me several reminders:

1) Troubles Happen! How wonderful it would be to live in a world without troubles, where everything works every time! But alas, such is not the case, nor ever will be. How wonderful the reminder of Christ: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Why would I expect a day without troubles?

2) Troubles are often beyond our control and require a greater resource. With the email down, I immediately attempted to correct it. Unfortunately, my attempts revealed my limitation at fixing network problems on computers. What could I do? Nothing but wait for someone greater than myself. This morning Lynette and I were praying and were reminded of the many truths about prayer. In particular we reflected on Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." How reassuring to know we always have one who is able to help in our time of need!

3) Troubles are generally temporary and quite insignificant. What is quite amazing is how rapidly my trouble was solved. When Sheri Lesh arrived at the office, she quickly solved the problem and I was online again. Although the problem seemed huge, in reality, once the problem was fixed it seemed insignificant. Paul had that perspective regarding all the troubles of life. He wrote, "Our light affliction which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

I trust your day has few troubles. But if it does have some, remember to "call unto Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).

New from Word for the World

This spring, Pastor Rich taught a Bible Institute course on church history. It consists of 12 one-hour sessions surveying the history of the church from the apostolic age through today.

The DVD set and full notes are now available for a purchase price of $50. Please contact Lynette to place your order.

Also in the works...Project Israel. The footage was shot on location in September 2009, and right now we're working hard to turn it into a 10- or 12-session Bible study with DVD and study book. I'll give you more details as they're available.

New Baptist Bulletin Issue Available

The July/August issue of the Baptist Bulletin is now available. Stop by Walnut Ridge to pick up a copy if you don't have one.

Cover Story: "The Genesis Flood" by Paul J. Scharf. Fifty years later, The Genesis Flood continues its tidal wave of change.

New Audio Available

Here are Pastor Rich's messages from Sunday, July 4 and 11, at Walnut Ridge. Click the links to download the MP3 files to your computer.

Give Me Liberty in Christ - Galatians 5:1-12
It Takes Two to Tangle but Three to Reconcile - Philemon
Life in the Pits - Jeremiah

Seven Ways to Simplify Life (and Ministry)

ht: Dave Kraft

1. Turning down opportunities that might be a good use of who I am but not the best use of who I am. Just last week I said no to two people who offered me a great chance to do something.

2. Never saying yes to anything over the phone, but buying time to think and pray about it.

3. Practicing the theology of enough. I have no list of things that fall into the category of "I would be happy if __________."

4. Asking God to deliver me from an unhealthy appetite for acclaim, approval, position, power, and honor that would push me to do more and more for the wrong reasons.

5. Praying to be released from the restless, gnawing greed for more money and more stuff.

6. Daily reminding myself of who I am and who I am not--being content to be me.

7. Carving out sufficient time alone with God for humble contemplation--to give him opportunity to quiet my anxious heart and keep me focused on my "few themes."

It’s not easy living “simply” in a culture that demands more, rewards competition, and admires power and position. But, by God’s grace, I’m going to live in biblical simplicity.

How are YOU doing? Do you need to do some clean-up in your life and ministry? How about a retreat to think through some things and be reminded of who you are in Christ and the "few themes" he wants you to be about?

The Missing Link, Part 3

I hope that you have found profit from reading parts one and two this week. Today, an idea.

The question we now ask is, how might I implement a longer meditation of the Scriptures in my life?

Repetition: Get together with a buddy to read an extended passage of Scripture. Pick a Psalm, or a number of chapters, or a full New Testament epistle. Read it aloud. Then re-read it. And re-read it again. This will give you, as Muller wrote, more understanding than a cursory reading of the passage.

Memorization: Earlier in our curriculum, author Don Whitney outlined a number of benefits to Scripture memory. It supplies spiritual power, strengthens your faith, aids you in witnessing, gives God's counsel, and stimulates meditation. Fusion is working to commit Psalm 1 to memory this month. Pick something and work on it in your group or with a buddy.

Note Card-ization: Do you have somewhere for 3x5 note card? On your desk or clip board at work? On your car's dashboard? A place in your home where you spend time throughout the day? Write just one verse on that note card. It'll be there staring at you all day. Keep reading it. Ask yourself questions about it like, why did the author find it necessary to say this? Does it answer a what, why, or how? What is the main point of the verse? What smaller phrases or descriptions shed light on that point? What implications are there in light of this truth? You'll find that you'll draw out the meaning of the verse very effectively through a long inquiry into it.

Do you have other ideas for implementation? Feel free to post them below.

On Sunday in your ABF group you'll study the what, why, and how of worship. Comments will follow here next week.