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HIRED GUNS FOR JESUS #1
SELLING CINNABON AND A SAVIOR
The major battles of the coalition forces had scarcely died down when two additional armies lined up, ready to roll into the newly liberated Iraq. One was the giant armada of entreprenurial business. For years, a tyrant named Hussein had held his citizens in check. They could only move when he said, shop when he said, play when he said, and eat when he said. But now that the presidential palace had been vacated and the infamous Baath Party inquisitors were gone, venture capitalists with their cell phones and lines of credit were eager to make sure that liberated Iraqis would have the opportunity to eat Big Macs, Whoppers, chalupas, fries from Jack in the Box, drinks from Orange Julius, chicken wings from KFC, and pastries from Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Iraq, still a relatively prosperous oil-producing nation despite the years of oppression – so the reasoning went – was going to experience a pent-up burst for all the tasty treats the rest of the world was enjoying on the other side of the Euphrates River. And these franchise operators wanted to be ready. One observer cynically dubbed the brief, hugely successful war the conflict “that made the world safe for Cinnabon.”
So the Coca-Cola convoys were ready to go the minute the all-clear was sounded. But there was a second regiment poised for its own invasion. As you can imagine, the born-again battalions and the 101st airborne missionary militia were ready to move onward, Christian soldiers and march “as to war.” In a nation of 22 million people, and between 95 and 97% of them being Islamic, Christian evangelicals couldn’t help but think of that great hymn: “Far and near the fields are teeming, With the sheaves of ripened grain.” What an opportunity to get in there and preach! And baptize! And start new churches. And swell the numbers on the books. And fill the four-page fundraising letters to donors back home.
Which leads us to ask a straightforward question: Is this appropriate? Our title is very simple: HIRED GUNS FOR JESUS. Is it right to scoot up to the very borders of Iraq, lining up at the fences of Turkey, Iran, the Gulf of Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria . . . and then roll into Baghdad in a kind of evangelism armada? Is this what the Bible tells us to do?
It’s interesting that some of those who plan to enter these new territories with Bibles and hymnals are deciding to be circumspect. Robert Fetherlin, who serves as spokesperson for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, confesses:
“We’re going to be discreet and careful.” Then he adds: “[We’re asking that our] missionaries be referred to as ‘workers associated with a Christian church.’”
It’s true that there are many kind people poised outside the borders of a nation like Iraq, ready to ride in on a jeep and do nothing more spiritually significant than to build a new orphanage or dig a well or pass out boxes of food. But hiding in the trunk of that jeep seems to be the relentless message that Jesus Christ is the one who turns orphans into adopted trophies, Jesus is the well of water that never runs dry, Christ is the living bread that truly satisfies. The hook is always there, the potential for a quid pro quo – a full pantry for a full prayer meeting. A group called International Mission Board sends food to needy places like Baghdad and Kirkuk – but the boxes have stamped on them: John 1:17. What does a curious Iraqi discover when he looks up that Bible verse?
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
What is it that causes Christians to pack up their suitcases and fly over to Kuwait City? Or to Beijing? To Africa – where, even as you hear these word. Every door that opens up, we try to go through it in the name of our Savior.
But you know what? Let’s take visas and passports right out of the equation. Why do the Christians living right there on your street spend their free time trying to finagle their neighbors into coming to their church? We try everything: potluck dinners, daycare centers, prophecy lectures, premarital counseling, 12-step programs, contests, raffles, PR blitzes in the newspaper, brochures mailed to your home or draped over your doorknob. Why is it that Christians are intent on getting everyone they know to “go and do thou likewise” and enter the baptismal font on a Sabbath or Sunday morning?
Well, one reason is very simple. Christians witness and evangelize and missionary-ize and proselytize because the Bible commands it. Here’s the classic verse with the marching orders: Matthew 28:18-20:
“Jesus came to [the disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” “Unto the end of the world” says the King James.
How do we debate that? This isn’t a suggestion or a hint or a timid possibility. Jesus puts it in one word: GO. Get moving. Proceed. Start the engine, put the mission van in gear, let out the clutch and GO.
In the Message paraphrase we find an even higher authority, where Jesus specifically adds the mandate of His own Father.
“God authorized and commanded Me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life.”
So what is in this charter, often called the “Great Commission”? First of all, we’re to simply go. Should missionaries move into Iraq? According to Matthew 28, yes. Jesus said to go. Methods and tactics can be discussed and prayed over, but should the Body of Christ stay home? No. We’re supposed to go.
Then what else? What specifically are the men and women in the Christian faith supposed to do when they get to the faraway village, or to the soaring skyscrapers of that non-Christian culture. We’re supposed to make disciples. In other words, followers. As we are followers of Jesus – trusting Him as our Savior, emulating Him in our lifestyles, worshiping Him in our churches – we’re to help new friends do the same.
Sometimes we think there might be an Internet shortcut here, that we can just post a web site or beam a radio signal into the world of Islam, or buy a half-hour of time on a satellite cable server flickering its images down to the Far East. And we should obviously do those things too, but friend, I can tell you that a radio program has never once, that I know of, baptized a person. It’s always people on the ground, men and women and teenagers on the street corners, who are making disciples and performing baptisms.
Notice too that Jesus tells His friends to teach obedience. That’s why even the benevolent societies and the relief groups like my own denomination’s hugely successful “ADRA” – Adventist Development and Relief Agency” – often take Bibles along with the clinics and the well-digging equipment. The Christian faith is a vital discipline, a lifestyle of abundance, and the missionaries in the church have always felt commissioned to teach converts how to obey the words of our Lord.
Today as we close, let me share just a snapshot explanation as to why Christians share their faith. Kurt Warner, hugely successful quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, is also an unabashed born-again Christian. He’s written a book entitled All Things Possible. He has a faith-based web site called “First Things First.” And every time he gives an interview to the sports reporters, it’s “Jesus” this and “Praise the Lord” that and “All glory goes to God for our touchdowns tonight,” etc. And he witnesses to his fellow football players. He tries to convert the bellhops at the hotel and the flight attendants on the plane. I mean, this man takes very seriously what it says in Matthew 28: “Go and make disciples.”
And in his book, he explains why. Why does he swim against the current and make himself an NFL missionary for the Lord? He likens the Christian church, the walk with Jesus, to a party. Being a pro football player, I imagine he knows something about parties, especially after Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans, where he was voted MVP. But this is the most wonderful party ever: great food, delightful, caring friends, the perfect host. He’s having the best time a person could imagine. And then he asks this question: What kind of a friend would I be, what kind of a team leader, what kind of human being . . . if I didn’t at least go to the front door and holler out to the street: “Hey, everybody! Get in here! This is the most unbelievable party! The best experience! I’ve met the most amazing Person, and He’s hosting this shindig! You’ve gotta come and see!” To Mr. Kurt Warner, #13, sharing his faith and making disciples for his Lord is simply a sanctified partygoer’s desire to invite as many friends as he can to the world’s best fun-and-fellowship event.
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