Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Increase is so much more than
just “noise, numbers and nickels,”
but it is something that has everything to do with the nature of God and His
kingdom. What crystallized in my mind
for this year was, “The God Of Increase.” A
biblical theology of increase is so much larger than most realize. I want the word of God to “frame” our lives
and our worlds this year. The increase
of the word of God and disciples is a key feature that flavors
the Book of Acts. The increase of love is commanded over and over
throughout the Epistles. Paul prays for
the increase of revelation for the
Ephesians. The promise of God increasing
strength was prophesied by
Isaiah.
This is all a reasonable
expectation based on the nature of God and His kingdom. We usually only bring it out at
Christmastime, but listen to (Isaiah 9:6,7) :For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon
his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of
the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end...” The Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ is a growing not a failing kingdom.
Many times it may only appear small and insignificant, like a “mustard
seed,” but that distinctive is always
present wherever God and the Gospel is on the loose! One of the reasons that I love the Book of
Acts is you see this feature at work in the life of the early church. Luke’s introduction says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus
began to do and teach...” He is
saying in effect, “My first book, the
Gospel of Luke, is the story of all Jesus began
to do and to teach while on earth in the flesh.
My second book, the Acts of the Apostles, is the account of all that
Jesus continued to do and to teach
by His Spirit through His church.”
The other important aspect is that the Book of Acts is an unfinished narrative. It is the only Bible book without an
end. The reason is that the Holy Spirit
is still working today. Acts
29 is still being written. “The increase
of his government” is still going on in the world today!
The focus on “The God Of Increase” is not a whip that
says, “work harder; come on, snap to it,
more effort!” No, it carries with it
the promise of a divine dimension in any of our labors. This is the exciting part! Consider (1Cor.3:6,7) “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything,
nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” Notice where Paul’s hope and confidence lies:
it is with the God who “gave the
increase.” A true, biblical
understanding of increase will not lead to a selfish agenda that’s all about me
(my needs, my wants, my agenda, my things).
It puts the focus where it needs to be, on God and His power and
kingdom. So there will be no
misunderstanding he continues, “neither
he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” I really like the paraphrase that says, “It’s not the one who plants or the one who
waters tho is at the center of this
process but God, who makes things grow.”
The messengers are never
as important as and should never eclipse the message or the means,
which is Christ Himself. That’s where I
want our focus to be this year!
What activates all of this is
one of the great revolutionary calls of the New Testament. It is found in John the Baptist’s last words which
embody his spiritual philosophy for life and ministry, (Jn.3:30) “HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE.” This is another one of the Bible’s many reversals: to live you’ve got to die, you become strong
out of weakness, you are elevated by humbling yourself, the way up is the way
down etc. If I honestly look at my life
and areas where I struggle (it’s a long list) I usually discover far too much
of me, and far too little of Jesus. “He
must increase, but I must decrease.” I
read about a series of billboards in Dallas, TX that feature some famous and
not-so famous individuals. The caption
on the billboard reads, “I am 2nd,” reminding us
that God should always come first in our lives; and that a life well-lived is
always one surrendered to God and His will.
Sports fans love to proclaim, “We’re
#1," but the child of God rejoices in the truth that “we’re #2!” This means that if we are to see increase in
any area of our lives this year “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
I have a friend who because of
circumstances in his life he has been put in the role of being a “church shopper.” He’s had to visit many different
churches. He remarked that what stood
out to him was how little vision
there is in so many churches. Instead,
it’s all about making people feel good, and above all else, comfortable. His observation has been that there is very
little doctrinal content in what is being preached. Worship is primarily about being entertained,
not a participatory celebration.
Ministry is more of a glorified 12-step program rather than “Christ the
wisdom of God and the power of God.”
Even in places where there are good things going on, it is all kept
within the four walls of the church. I’m
sure this is not the case everywhere and his experience is naturally limited,
but still, life-giving vision is not as prominent a quality as you might
think. Set against all of this is a
statement that I want to grab a hold of moving into 2011. “Though
your beginning was small, your latter end will increase abundantly.” (Job
8:7) Lord, help me to become more like
You, and in this new year may your kingdom “increase” in and through our lives
both individually as Your child, and corporately as part of Your church!
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