“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me –  put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8-9

Why is it that we often think about opposite things?  We are constantly bombarded with “bad” news or gossip.  We find it fascinating.  Why?  It seems like the church is living on the outer rim of what is acceptable versus the center of how He wants us to live.  The benefit or the reward is what every person in the world desires:  The peace of God to be with us.

Paul put it to the Philippians (and us) very simply;  Do you want God’s peace in your life?  Think about things like truth, nobleness, purity, + all things that are excellent and admirable and praiseworthy, + whatever you have learned, received, or heard from me or in me, put it into practice, + don’t dwell upon the “bad stuff” and meditate upon the “good stuff” = Peace.

(Because) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Mt 28:18-20 (paraphrase)

Every organization has a purpose.  A reason for being … a reason for existing.  Most healthy organizations have a mission statement that states their core values or “what they are about” or “how they will do business”.  Their business plan strategies revolve around their core values.  These organizations measure their success by how well they executed their strategies and how they supported the mission statement.  Pretty basic stuff.

Church organization, “What are your ‘core values’?”

May I suggest that Mt 28:16-20 ought to be the ‘mission statement’ of the church?  May I suggest that every plan, strategy, or program in the church organization be measured against the Mt 28 (Great Commission) Mission Statement?

Traveling around the country, my observation is that the very things Jesus says we ought to be doing, are the very things we are minimizing in the US church.

Making disciples:  How many leaders are focusing on the making of disciples?  Or, do we focus more on making Christianity look easy with a minimal amount of time commitment?  Do we focus more on the social aspect of being involved in a family?  Or, are we all about mass evangelism and making converts instead of making disciples?  Are we more about our perceptions instead of His truth?

Of all nations:  How many leaders are emphasizing that we need to reach the nations, not just our families, communities, or home country?  The new model seems to be more local driven events and outreaches.  May we never forget our purpose … or reason for existing … or that it’s not a question of either/or; rather, it’s both/all!

Baptizing them in the name … :  How many leaders teach their members that ‘believer baptism’ is the New Testament pattern and the next logical step after accepting Christ?  I believe the actions of believing in Jesus and of being baptized are joined at the hip.  I remember a friend once said, “Water baptism doesn’t save you, but it comes pretty close.”   Jesus gave the command.

Obedience:  How many leaders teach that every decision we need to make in life is found in the Bible.  If not the exact situation, the principle or example is there.  If we teach others to obey His commandments, we will fulfill the Great Commission and any thing we do will support our Mission Statement … our reason for existing.

Does the plan work?  Absolutely, if we work the plan.

Principle Number Four:  ALWAYS be ready to flee or escape the authorities.                               Principle Number Five:   ALWAYS be ready to die for the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, but their plot became known to Saul.  They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.”   Acts 9:23-25

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer.  Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”   Rev 2:10

There are many examples of followers of Christ fleeing the authorities for the furtherance of the kingdom … Saul’s/Paul’s conversion and subsequent preaching the Good News is evident that fleeing the authorities in Damascus and going to Jerusalem was a ‘good thing’ … Joseph being told by an angel of the Lord (in a dream) to flee to Egypt to escape Herod.  Fleeing is not a sign of weakness; but an act of obedience.

Members of the family church of China (unregistered/underground church) are in a similar situation.  When God shows them they are in danger, ALWAYS be ready to flee.  It is God’s hand of protection over their lives.  It increases their faith and allows the church to grow.  In spite what some are teaching today, signs and wonders are still used to increase the church of Jesus Christ. It is nothing short of a miracle when a person is delivered from imprisonment by a living God that cares for the details of their lives.

A Chinese pastor I was speaking with said, “It is not difficult to be faithful.  The difficulty is being faithful unto death.  However, the reward is the crown of life.  Very unusual idea to receive life from death.  So, whenever we have the opportunity to share our testimony of how the Gospel changed our lives,  we ALWAYS tell, even if the result is death.”

The Gospel really is a matter of life and death ….

Principle Number Two:  ALWAYS be ready to learn and memorize more scripture.

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees.”  Psalm 119:10-12

Chinese believers love and respect the Word of God.  They are diligent in their Bible study, both in study groups and individual devotions.  I have heard many Chinese tell me that their feelings or emotions might change from day to day, depending upon the circumstances; but, the Word of the Lord never changes.  I have sat with house church leaders that have been imprisoned for their belief, faith, and declaration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to a person, they have told me their strength came from the Word of God that they had hidden in their hearts.  His promises are true and amen.  Their hope rested in the Spirit inspired words of our Lord.

Western believers don’t experience the same difficulties the Chinese have in learning scripture.  Bibles are difficult to come by.  There is no Christian television or radio.  The societal norm is unbelief, so the Chinese believer is constantly having their faith attacked.  The spoken Word on mini mp3 and mp4 players are an effective method of learning scripture.  The Chinese are able to listen to their players (with ear buds) anywhere, anytime.  As one brother stated, “If I don’t know the promises of our Lord, how will I be able to use His words when I need them.”

How about you or I?  Are we prepared to stand on His Word?  Do we know how to apply the Word of God in our lives?  Do we know enough to make a difference?

Let’s be prepared to make a Kingdom difference.

I love the Chinese.  I admire them and their commitment to the Gospel.  In a sensitive country where the Gospel is illegal to be preached; persecution takes on a whole new perspective.  For example, I had a brother ask me to pray that he would be able to overcome the persecution.  I told him that I would pray that he would have the freedom to share the gospel and that persecution would a thing of the past.  He quickly responded with the following, “Please don’t pray that way.  Persecution is good for the church.  It separates the ‘true’ believer from the ‘weak’ believer.  It makes us stronger in our faith.  The Bible says the overcomer will wear the crown, not the one who was the coward.  Pray we would all be overcomers.  Ask your American friends to pray the same way.”

The following strategy is a big reason of how and why Chinese believers will become overcomers.

The underground church (family church) teaches and practices the following “Five ALWAYS Principles”.

• ALWAYS be ready to testify about your Lord and your God.
• ALWAYS be ready to learn and memorize more scripture.
• ALWAYS be ready to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
• ALWAYS be ready to flee or escape the authorities.
• ALWAYS be ready to die for the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the coming days, I will share how each principle applies to the Chinese culture and how it applies to the western Church.