1+1=100. No, that is not bad math – it is the math of the Kingdom of God.
In Mark chapter 4, Jesus told the parable of the Sower. Some seed fell on the path, and they were stolen by Satan. Some fell on rocks, and though the Word was received with joy, with no root they fell away quickly. Some seed fell on thorns, and the worries of life and selfish desires choked out the life, and there was no fruit. The last seed fell on good soil – and a single seed produced 30, 60, or even 100 times what was sown. 1+1=100.
Earlier this week I met with someone who is considering church planting. He asked me how church planting had grown my faith in God, even in the hard times. (He then apologized for asking such a personal question at our first meeting!) I shared how God had broken my pride through church planting, and I now lead much less out of my own power or abilities, and much more out of God’s power in me. I pray more, I give less advice, and I try to listen more (this last one is still a work in progress!). When I preach I am less focused on delivery or content – and more focused on helping people experience God’s Voice in Scripture, and responding to Him. I want to get out of the way of the work that Jesus is trying to do in a person’s heart.
God has also taught me to have a deep commitment to evangelism. Evangelism is the ignored command of Christ. He commanded His followers to join Him as He reaches out to the lost. We are to be His witnesses (those who have seen and experience something). Through church planting, God has opened my eyes to the work that He is doing in people’s hearts – outside the church. The Spirit will not wait for Christians – He is already moving in non-Christian’s hearts. There are those who do not go to church who are praying, serving, caring, and even reading God’s Word. The Spirit is inviting us to join Him and to experience what it means to truly follow Jesus, as witnesses.
God wants us to experience Kingdom math! In order to get Kingdom fruit God may have to break your heart – and create good soil. My heart had to be broken to get rid of the worries and false expectations of success. I had to grow deeper roots and learn how to rely much more on Him. Then His power could work through me. My goal is now to get out of the way for people to experience Jesus directly. My goal is to become closer to Christ, and help others get closer to Him as well. My success is that I am loved as His child, and I will abide and obey. I will follow my Savior King.
1+1=100. You+Jesus=100 fold blessing. There is so much power from truly abiding in Christ, with deep roots, overcoming the worries of life and the deceit of materialism. When God works in our lives there is fruit – love, joy, peace. And that fruit overflows to bless the whole world.
