Life Spring Church

Thanks, Ricky!

January 28, 2011 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

I was watching a documentary on NFL player Ricky Williams recently. In an interview he said that there is one good man in a thousand. Williams had seemed to notice that there is something wrong with the state of mankind. It truly is a great observation. Simple, but great.

Nobody is perfect right, but think about that for a moment. We’ve got issues that shouldn’t be downplayed. A lot of people don’t want to focus on it because it lowers our self esteem. We don’t like to focus on the negative.

However, may I suggest that we be a little negative in order to understand a huge positive? That positive is Jesus Christ. Did you know that without the negative, there would be no need for what He accomplished 2,000 years ago? It would be absolutely pointless if mankind wasn’t messed up and in need of salvation.

So it is of the utmost importance to ponder the negative in order to receive the positive. Without understanding our state or just simply denying or ignoring our state we run into a huge dilemma. The work of Jesus becomes vague. He may be still be God in our minds, but He just becomes one who comes along beside us in life to help out occasionally when we need it. We don’t receive the fact that Jesus died to save us from a truly corrupted state.

The truth of the Bible, that is glazed over way too often, is that mankind is messed up. Observe the world around you. Be honest with yourself. It isn’t only in our actions, it’s in our thoughts and intentions. That’s sin. That has separated us from God. God hates sin. We sin. That’s the truth. Without Jesus Christ, God is angry with us. That is the truth. He isn’t smiling upon us. He loves us, but that does not change the fact that He will judge us with righteous judgment. You see God cannot associate with sin. He is holy and pure. You must focus on this negative for a moment, because if you ignore this reality then the good news of Jesus Christ will not hit you like a ton of bricks the way it should.

As the song “Amazing Grace” goes, “I once was blind, but now I see.” This has spiritual connotations. Blindness is darkness. Without Christ, we are in a state of darkness, which the Bible associates with sin. Jesus died for sinners! He didn’t come for those who want to ignore their depraved state and just claim that nobody is perfect! It is true that nobody is perfect and that is a huge problem when it comes to a perfect God. Compared to God’s standard it isn’t one in a thousand that are good. The Bible says none are truly good.

That is what makes the love and grace (undeserved favor) of God so amazing! You see, that the one who realizes his or her sinful state will cling to the cross of Jesus Christ with all the faith they can muster because they realize just what they have been saved from. The point of what Jesus accomplished in dying for our sins and defeating death through His resurrection was to bring us back into a relationship with God through faith in Him. That is the whole point! He appeased God’s anger because He took our punishment upon Himself. Simply amazing, but only understood in light of the negative fact that we are messed up. Thanks Ricky for at least acknowledging this one obvious truth. Now you must recieve it through repentant faith in Jesus.

I thank God that He is making all things new through His Son Jesus Christ! His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Begin trusting Him today!

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: Amazing Grace, Christ, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life Spring Church, Ricky Williams, Scott Hescht, Sin

Which Would You Choose?

September 22, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

Imagine the following scenarios. Which one would you choose?

In the first scenario, you get to spend four years living it up in a nice lake house. All expenses are paid. You get four years of total vacation in the sun at your nearest body of water. The only catch is that at the end of the four years you have to spend the rest of your life in prison; no parole. Ouch!

In the second scenario you have to serve four years in military service. Afterward though, you get to spend the rest of your life traveling from vacation spot to vacation spot. All expenses are paid. You will get to spend time in places that you only dreamed of; tropical islands, mountainous regions, culturally rich getaways, you name it!

Which would you choose? Most would say that it is a no brainer. The second choice is the obvious one. Most people in their right mind would not trade in a four year vacation anywhere for a lifetime in prison. However, many would be willing to serve our country for four years for a lifetime of travel. In fact, even though it may be hard work, serving your country may even be something you grow to love; living sacrificially for your nation and those who live in it.

As obvious as the choice may seem, in the choice of life, many choose the first scenario over the second. I know… It’s ridiculous, but that is exactly what happens. People choose to live life on their own little lake house, living it up, instead of in service to God. They waste life away and in the end will spend eternity in the prison of Hell with Satan, his angels and the rest of those who have rebelled against God.

Those who submit to God in repentant faith desire to live a life of service to Him and for others. Therefore they have a heavenly dwelling that awaits them when Christ returns to bring paradise to the earth. Nothing in this life could ever compare! The sacrifice, the suffering and the service that the Christian experiences in this temporary life is well worth the heavenly reward. In fact, followers of Christ even grow to love it.

For more from Scott Hescht, check out Psalm 22 Ministries.

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: Jacob's Well, Life Spring Church, Psalm 22 Ministries, Scott Hescht

I Highly Recommend This Book

September 12, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries 1 Comment

The Twilight saga is a collection of four novels that has been sweeping our nation since the first movie was released a couple of years ago. It is a fictional tale about a teenage girl and her vampire boyfriend. While I’ve had a hard time seeing what the big deal is, millions of people, mainly young girls to middle aged women have been consuming all four books in a matter of months.

My local church, Life Spring, began a venture of our own in January. We are reading through the bestselling novel of all time. It’s the Bible. Though calling it a novel may seem strange to some, it would be wise to view it as such rather than simply as an instruction manual. It gives plenty of instruction to be sure, but the Bible is so much more than that!

The issue we have in the modern Christian world is a unique one. This series of 66 books and letters has been the top seller for some time, but is often quoted more than it is read through systematically. I’d be willing to bet that there have been more Bibles sold in the last few years than actually read from cover to cover. People are more likely to read several books about the Bible than they are to actually read the Bible itself. They are more likely to read daily devotionals regarding various verses from the Bible than to read the through the Bible, understanding those verses in their proper context.

The result is that the learner becomes a slave to the instruction of the teacher. The Christian has no discernment as to whether a teacher, preacher or evangelist speaks the truth or whether their teaching may be distorted (Acts 17:11). It is no wonder that so many are deceived into the latest fad doctrines that have come along.

It will only get worse unless something is done about it. Churches all across our nation are conforming to the ignorance of their congregations. The Bible is treated as irrelevant to our modern culture. However, who has read it in order to make such a bold suggestion? Instead of teaching people to read the Bible for all it is worth, churches have become content to dumb down the message while throwing in a few quotes from the Bible here and there. Hearers are never encouraged and challenged to read the Bible as one would a novel. On the other hand, the latest Christian best sellers are consistently promoted.

If this keeps up, the results will be tragic. What becomes of the next generation of Christians? What will the next generation of Christian leaders look like? The answer is quite clear: ignorant. Will the church wake up before it is too late? We are headed for disaster and deception is its middle name. No one can know the will of God without knowing the Word of God (Psalm 119).

Imagine a person who is always quoting from her favorite C.S. Lewis book, “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. However when asked, to your astonishment she has never read the book. All she knows are a collection of quotes that she randomly found as she flipped through the pages. In fact, as you question further, she can’t even tell you what the book is about. She has a general idea, but it is just what she has gathered reading the back cover and speaking with others about the book.

It sounds strange, but this is exactly what has been done to the Bible. It has become an acronym meaning “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”. It is treated simply as that. People only read the portions that may apply to a current circumstance as one would only read the section of a car manual that had to do with fixing a brake light.

It is cohesive and meant to be read as a unit. When you do, a whole new understanding will be open to the reader. It’s been wisely stated that the Gospel doesn’t begin two thirds through the Bible when Jesus appears on the scene, but rather in Genesis, the very first book. The whole story should be taken in context. It has also been stated that though the Bible should be read for depth (meaning close, prayerful examination and study is always necessary) it should also be read for breadth. That means that it should be read as a whole; that is as a novel.

The Bible is a novel. We should read it as such. It’s not just any novel. It is God’s living Word, but it is none the less a novel. You could even call it a saga or series as it is a collection of 66 wonderful, and dare I say relevant, books. It is a beautiful story of the world’s corruption through sin and God’s plan for redemption. It is exciting, dramatic nonfiction literature at its best!

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: bible, Life Spring Church, Twilight

Has God Forsaken You?

August 12, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

Are you hurting? Are you angry? Does it feel like God has forsaken you? Does it feel like God isn’t even there? Let’s be honest, this world is far from being perfect. Any slight observation of our surroundings and we see evil, violence, pain, suffering, and death. Maybe there is something that is happening in your life right now that is causing this inner turmoil. Is God really there? If He is, does He even care? Is He listening?

There was once a great king who had a similar conflict. His enemies were constantly pressing, threatening to destroy him. King David loved the Lord and therefore cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.” (Psalm 22:1-2)

But David after crying out to God, acknowledges the following, “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. (Psalm 22:3-5)

After David cries to the Lord of all of the pain and suffering that he was enduring at the hand of his enemies, look at what he says, “For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” (Psalm 22:24)

The fact is that David knew in his heart that though he was going through a time of testing, God had never forsaken him. On the other hand, he had forsaken God. At one time David, whom the Bible refers to being a man after God’s own heart, strayed from the Lord. He stayed behind during a time of war and pursued another man’s wife. Not only that but he had her husband killed and took her as his own. He had forsaken God before, but knew first hand the awesome grace and mercy of God as he cried out in repentance. God heard him then and would surely hear him now. We too have forsaken God by our own sin. Whether you are a murderer like David or have told even the whitest of lies, the Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Our sin has indeed alienated us from God. Is there any hope for us as well?

Hundreds of years later Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, cried out the same words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The truth was that in this case, at least temporarily, God had forsaken Him. This innocent man hung on the cross and bore the sin of the whole world. He took the punishment we deserved as God turned His back on His own Son. For God, being perfect and Holy, cannot look upon sin. It is not in His nature to do so. Jesus cried out the opening words to Psalm 22 not only in distress, but also to remind those who stood by that He is the ultimate fulfillment of Psalm chapter 22. God would not hide His face from Him. He had heard His cry. He had not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one. It was our sin that God despised, not His Son. It had to be dealt with. The only way was through His perfect Son.

God loved you so much that He gave His only begotten Son that if you would trust Him you would not perish but live eternally in Him (John 3:16). God has not forgotten nor forsaken you. In fact if you listen carefully, you can hear Him calling you now. When He placed His Son on that cross He had you on His mind. Not only that, but He raised Jesus from the dead eternally in order that you could experience the same through Him. Through Jesus Christ He is calling the world to Himself. He is calling you to repentance and to place your faith solely in Him. He is asking you to trust Him no matter your circumstances.

He never promised that this life would be easy. However, He did promise that He would never leave us… even when it may feel like He has. Trust Him through the storm. He will lead you through it. His goal is to prepare you for your eternal reward in heaven and not necessarily a temporary reward on this earth.

Life is short. In fact, compared to eternity it is but a grain of sand. It is fleeting. A few hundred years from now, this temporary suffering will all make sense as each of us will spend eternity either with or without God. I hope your choice is with God. He does to. He has not forsaken you! Please trust Him with your life today.

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: Forsaken, God, Life Spring Church, Messages, Scott Hescht

I Know Vince Young

August 1, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

I know Vince Young! You know, the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.

To prove it, I’ll give you a description:

He’s tall, African American and very athletic.
He’s from Houston and attended Madison High School.
He played college football with the University of Texas and led them to a National championship.
Oh yeah, he also runs really fast.

Impressed? Probably not.

Okay, just because I know a lot about Vince Young, does not mean that I know him. He is a celebrity. A lot of people that have never met him know a lot about him. Actually, there are some who may have gotten the chance to shake hands with him or get an autograph at a football game. Does that mean that they know him? Of course not. If I were to ask Vince to hook me up with tickets to the next Titans game, his answer would more than likely be “get lost” because he doesn’t know me.

Now, let’s take a look at some interesting words that Jesus had to say in the book of Matthew:

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Okay, imagine you have suddenly found yourself at death’s door. As you literally meet your maker, you’re basically handed a pink slip to eternal damnation. You exclaim, “Wait, this can’t be! Lord, haven’t I always claimed your name?!? I’m a Christian! I go to church every Sunday! I say the Lord’s prayer all the time!!!”

His answer is, “So you claim to know me because you say that you are a Christian??? If you believe in me, why hasn’t there been a change in your life? Your Bible has been collecting dust, therefore you have no idea what I ask of you. You’ve memorized and recited the Lord’s Prayer numerous times I know, but when was the last time you actually spoke to me? What kind of relationship is this? I never knew you. Depart from me.

Wow! These are harsh words, but the Bible says that there are those who will face this reality during judgment.

God asks for a relationship with us, not just an acknowledgment of who He is. Even demons recognize His existence (James 2:19).

There are those that think that just because they have recited a halfhearted prayer with a preacher, that they are saved. I pray that they will not be rudely awakened when it’s too late. I pray that those reading this are not among the unsaved. If you are, receive Christ today by admitting that you are a sinner, turning from your sins and asking Him come into your life. Begin a true relationship with the Lord if you haven’t already.

For more from Scott Hescht, check out Life Spring Church and Psalm 22 Ministries.

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: Life Spring Church, Matthew 7:21, Scott Hescht

I am Grieved

July 27, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

I have to be honest. Nothing breaks my heart more than to see a lack of love for God. I struggle enough seeing the people of the world reject Him. I struggle even more seeing those that claim to be Christians show such a lack of interest in Him.

Guy Glass, co-pastor of Life Spring church, pointed out that love is demonstrated by action. If that is the case, why do so many who claim to love Him not love His Word? Why is it common place to find “Christian after Christian” confessing that they don’t read the Bible on even a semi-regular basis? I can’t imagine a relationship with my wife where I was not interested in communicating with her. Do people not realize that we communicate to God by prayer but He communicates with us primarily by means of His Word? So why, even when exhorted, do many still show a lack of interest in the Bible? It seems, everybody suddenly has a reading disability when it comes to God’s Word. I’m not trying to be mean. It is an observation that is extremely disheartening. Not only that, but now it seems that churches all across the land are catering to this “disability”. Maybe they are chalking it up to becoming all things to all people, but I don’t think compromise is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote those words. Simply put, it is impossible to know the will of God if we are not in His Word. If you don’t know His Word than you are more than likely out of His will.

A second observation: why is there a lack of interest in church? It is sad to see some churches attempting to be more “entertaining” to keep people in the pews. If people find the Bible boring, then I guess it makes sense that church would need to be more entertaining to suit their interests. Ironically, if one were to read that “boring” piece of Godly literature called the New Testament, they would see that it knows nothing of lone ranger Christians (Hebrews 10:25). The church works as the body of Christ, carrying on the work He did while on earth. Lone Ranger Christians end up fizzling out because it isn’t how God intended a member of His body to function.

Which brings me to my third observation. Nobody wants to take part in the Great Commission. Interestingly, many seasoned Christians don’t even realize what it is (see churches catering to Biblical ignorance above). In other words, nobody wants to take part in the privilege of Jesus Christ’s commission to preach the gospel and make fellow disciples. Unlike some, I do not believe that He was asking all Christians to be street preachers or traveling evangelists. What He does expect is the we share the Good news of Christ with our love, life and lips. This implies a proactive approach toward other souls, both lost and saved. Ask yourself if you really care that people you know may be eternally damned to hell if you don’t show your love by action in sharing and living out the Gospel.

Speaking of hell, I must conclude with an important question. Could there possibly be millions of people fooling themselves? Will there be some who cry out, “Lord, Lord” on judgment day only to find themselves cast into the lake of fire because the Lord will say He never knew them. I encourage you to read the Gospels and find out. Is it worth the investment? Is Jesus worth your time?

I don’t say these things in a self righteous manner. I am quite aware of my own failings. However, these failings bother me as I seek to find my rest in Christ. I sin everyday, but I am not content in it. For the Christian, there is a battle between the new creation God has begun in us and our sinful nature that will not fully perish until we meet Him face to face. Is that inner struggle there with you? Is the Christ in you waging war with the sin of your heart that He died to set you free from?

The question to ask is whether He is even there at all… in your heart that is. If there is no interest in the things mentioned above, I beg you to reconsider the state of your salvation. Think about it. Does it add up? My heart breaks day after day for those who claim to know the Lord but do not love Him. Why? Because, they are ignorant of the very Word that says otherwise. If that is you, repent and let God change your heart. He is more than willing.

Filed Under: Life Spring Church Tagged With: Christians, Hebrews 10:25, Life Spring Church, Scott Hescht

Giving America a Little Taste of Heaven

July 16, 2010 By Scott Hescht, Psalm 22 Ministries Leave a Comment

One of the things we have to be careful about as Christians is forming an unbiblical perspective based on a reaction against an equally unbiblical viewpoint. One example would be to recognize that it is legalistic, and flies in the face of the gospel, to attempt to achieve salvation by good works. So in order to emphasize that one is saved by God’s grace through faith, a person might throw the baby out with the bath water and disregard the moral code all together. This is what the Apostle Paul dealt with when he reprimanded the Romans by asking “Should we go on sinning that grace may abound?” James expanded on this in his letter to the church by giving a balanced view of good works resulting from salvation.

I believe there is a similar issue. There is a term called the social gospel. It is a world view that focuses on the physical and social aspects of God’s kingdom, and some believe it to be to the detriment of the more important spiritual aspect.

The idea of the social gospel is based upon what is called the cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28 in which God commands mankind, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The cultural mandate is the belief that we are to bring God’s truth to bear upon every area of human society, from arts and literature, to politics, to government, to economics, to the schools, to scientific progress, and so on. There is a theological view called post millennialism that believes that we will succeed in this progress through the power of Christ.

Many have reacted to this worldview with sour taste in their mouths. They recognize that the Gospel consists of spiritual matters and that is the most important thing. Souls are at stake. The social Gospel can feed people all day, they carry on in the corporate world, they can seek to instill Christian values as much as they want, but if the Gospel is not spoken, the world will literally go to hell in a hand basket. The Bible is clear that it will take the return of Jesus Christ to right all of the wrong in this world. We are commissioned to preach the Gospel.

This view is true… to an extent. This is where the problem lies. The social and cultural aspects of the kingdom are thrown out all together. At best they are severely overlooked in order to uphold the Great Commission. This morning I want to focus on Jesus’ words in the greatest sermon ever preached, The Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5:13-16 He states, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

What context does Jesus say this in? Jesus began preaching in chapter 4 by declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. In chapter 5 He begins the Sermon on the Mount by describing what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. They are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers, etc. He is telling this to his disciples. He not only describes the kingdom, but applies it to the very ones He speaks to as He shifts from blessed are those to blessed are you! Why? Because Jesus has brought the Kingdom to them. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ then God’s kingdom has begun to reign in you as well.

Salt

He tells His followers, “You are the salt of the earth…” Salt had many qualities during the time of Christ as it does today. It was used as a preservative. It was used as a flavoring for food. It was also used as a healing agent. Jesus tells His disciples that they are the salt of the earth. They are the healing agents in the world. They are to preserve God’s ways in the world. They are to give the world a little taste of what heaven is like.

However, salt can lose its taste and its effectiveness. The Jews had an abundance of it being near the Dead Sea. They would store salt in the temple to use in the courtyard after a rain just as it is today on slick roadways. Thus it allowed people to walk without slipping or falling. So literally, the salt was trodden under foot. Jesus said that salt that has lost its taste (effectiveness) is only good for such uses.

For Jesus, it was not just a matter of preaching the Gospel, but living it out socially and culturally! When Jesus came He preached the Gospel, but He also healed, he had compassion, he taught and live by good morals, he defended the law of God. This was because the Kingdom was not just something future, no Jesus came to say that the Kingdom was at hand. The transformed lives of His followers attested to it.

Light

He goes on to declare that His disciples “are the light of the world.” He specifically states that good works are what constitutes light. They were not to put those works under a basket. They are to stand out in the way they work within the culture. This is done in order that others may give glory to their Father in heaven.

Competing Directives

The question is how do others see their good works and give Glory to God without the gospel? The answer is that they don’t. The problem is that we make two commissions compete that are meant to work together.

Matthew 5:16 is a key verse to the point I’m trying to make.

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I believe one issue is that we try to make the Great Commission the chief end of our existence. It’s not! God’s glory is! The problem is that when you make the Great Commission the main focus then all of these other ideas begin to compete with it. However, when we understand that God’s glory is the chief end of Mankind’s existence, then everything finds its place; The Great Commandment, The Cultural Mandate; The Great Commission, the call to be holy and sanctified and so forth. Obeying God glorifies Him. He’s called us to love God and love people. Out of that comes a desire to live out the Kingdom life; to be salt and light; to glorify God in all we do because we love Him, we desire to reach others, and because we are new creations being sanctified by the Kingdom of God within us. When our sanctification is lived out it gives opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission! Look at verse 16 again. The desire is that they will give glory to your Father in heaven. The tool used is your good works, but the missing ingredient is the Gospel. Do you see that our works prepare the way for the Gospel?!?

So what does this all mean for us?

Live the kingdom life here and now

That you may glorify God
That others may glorify God

Glorify God in all that you do. We are to give this world a little taste of heaven. Not because we think that we will actually bring heaven to earth in its fullness. That will only happen by the return of Christ Jesus! You will not be fully sanctified either until the Lord returns, but does that stop you from seeking sanctification? Of course not! The Kingdom is at hand (or near), because you have heaven inside you. Use it for the sake of the Gospel and to the Glory of God, exhibiting your love for God and your love for people. Let this world know you are a new creation and begin the work of restoration in our culture.

The Right Perspective

You don’t have to separate the two. You don’t have to view your work as simply a means to pay the bills so that you can do what you really are called to do. You are called to be where God put you. If you think that we are all supposed to be preachers or missionaries in the sense that the world defines them today then that is a grave mistake! If Christians throughout history simply looked at their jobs as a means to pay the bills, where would we be now? Do we want to leave law enforcement to the world? Do we want to leave government to the ways of the world? Should only the lost be passionate about medicine or art or agriculture?

Example of Paul’s Congregations

We’ve got to stop having a narrow perspective when it comes to our calling; especially the Great Commission. Everybody is called to proclaim the Gospel and to disciple others, but not everybody is called to go overseas or to be street preachers. Observe the Apostle Paul. He was a missionary. Even more so he was an Apostle. That was his main vocation so to speak so I will say that for Him making tents paid the bills. However, I’m sure he made tents to the Glory of God. But what about the Christians in the churches that Paul established? Did they travel all over the known world preaching in synagogues and on the streets? Did Paul ask them to? No, they were blacksmiths and fishermen and farmers and government officials and whatever jobs people did back then. All Paul ever asked for was their prayers and money to help other churches and the spread of the Gospel. When Paul said to imitate him as he imitated Christ, it was because he expected them to live sanctified lives and to be witnesses of Christ, not to all be what Paul was as a missionary and Apostle. Some are goers and some are senders. The Great Commission was fulfilled corporately as some went to new towns and some went into their own town.

Your Mission Field

Maybe you are called to go overseas and if you are don’t resist the calling of God. My point isn’t to water down the calling of missionaries or evangelists. However, maybe you are called to be a teacher or a videographer or an accounting assistant or auto body shop technician or a grocery store clerk or a stay-at-home mother. That is your mission field. It is also your field in which God ordained you to glorify Him in. So where ever you are, get knee deep. Be salt. Bring healing to a broken workforce. Raise Godly children amidst a world of ungodly parenting. Preserve Godly principles in your lifestyle, in the workplace and in this country. Give people; give America a little taste of heaven! Let your light shine for all to see, or as my dear friend Brian Thetford says, “Let your freak flag fly!” (Jesus freak that is). Make it Crystal clear that you are a Christian and show them how the Kingdom inside of you changes everything. They may desire what you have. They may be appalled. Some people don’t like light because their deeds are evil. Either way God is pleased with you and to Him be the glory! Jesus said there would be persecution and it is in this context that He says, “Don’t let your salt lose its taste! Don’t put your light under a basket because people don’t like it!”

This isn’t a call to grow more apathetic than the church already is. It is a call to be radical where you are. It is a challenge to live out the Christian life. Stand up for what is right as did Martin Luther King. Show people that you can be a business man or woman and you don’t have to lie or cheat or manipulate. You don’t have to play it the world’s way. You are the light of Christ. Samuel Truett Cathy, owner of Chik-fil-A, closes his restaurants every Sunday. People might not like it, but they take notice. He says that his business exists “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” You can use your work to touch others lives and as a tool for the Gospel message. People only notice lights if they are displayed for all the world to see. That light is inside of you. It’s up to you to take it out and set it on a stand. Radically live out the Kingdom life without compromise for the Glory of God. In that you will find your purpose in life.

For more from Scott Hescht, check out Life Spring Church and Psalm 22 Ministries.