• About

One Year Challenge

~ "Here Am I, Send Me!"

One Year Challenge

Monthly Archives: February 2017

Philip: Church Building Outside the Limelight

28 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Philip the Evangelist wasn’t one of the Twelve. He wasn’t of the same caliber as Paul. He had to call in Peter and John from Jerusalem to lay their hands on new believers in Samaria for the Holy Spirit to come on them.

We see Philip first in Acts 6 not as an evangelist but as one of the Seven chosen to be responsible for distributing food to widows. Don’t get me wrong–it’s no easy job to deal justly between any two clashing cultures trying to live together in the same community. For Philip and the Seven it was Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews. That’s why they had to choose “men full of wisdom and the Spirit.” But it was obviously a lesser role in the church; the apostles themselves said so: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

In Acts 8, Philip does some amazing things in Samaria–even signs and miracles–and preaches to the Ethiopian eunuch who was immediately baptized. Afterwards, we see him traveling to Caesarea, and then he seems to vanish from the Biblical record.

…the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

We don’t read about him again until 13 chapters (and about 20 years) later, when Paul goes to Jerusalem with money for the poor. What happened in these 20 years? What was Philip doing between Acts 8 and 21? We might have expected him to show up when Peter preached to Cornelius’ household in Caesarea, but he didn’t. In Acts 21, we find out that he’d married and had children, and there’s a church in Caesarea.

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

He even sends some disciples to go up with Paul to Jerusalem (21:16). From history, we know the city Caesarea became an important center of early Christianity; its church was a beacon on a hill for many years because Philip gave the most vigorous years of his life to humble ministry out of the limelight.

When I went on a One Year Challenge, I was inspired by Paul and his companions. I loved the idea of having an itinerant lifestyle–going to many different places and interacting with many people while preaching the gospel. What an adventure! How awesome would it be to preach the gospel in places like Athens or Rome!

The truth is, not everyone is called to be like Paul, just like not everyone is called to be single all their life. The early church needed leaders and mature disciples and married couples to stay in the cities Paul preached in, even after he moved on. Who do you think did the hard work of discipling Cornelius and his household after Peter baptized them? It was most likely Philip.

Following the Great Commission might mean picking up your mat and going to a less desirable country or city that no one’s ever heard of. What the mission needs is not more itinerant preachers seeking an adventure, but faithful church builders who are willing to sacrifice their careers and comfortable lifestyles to go on mission and then to stay to build up and help a young church to mature. If we follow in the footsteps of men like Philip, we’ll see churches that are a light to their city for many many generations to come.

Monday Music: Songs from OYC Sites around the World

27 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Music

≈ Leave a comment

This week’s Monday Music comes from Canada! We have a great OYC site in Quebec.

What We’re Reading

26 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Books

≈ Leave a comment

From John Piper’s Brothers, We Are Not Professionals:

Without extended, concentrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers. And when the ministry of the Word declines, faith (Rom. 10:17; Gal 3:2, 5) and holiness (John 17:17) decline. Activity may continue, but life and power and fruitfulness fade away. Therefore whatever opposes prayer opposes the whole work of ministry.

Great Missionary Lives: Cyril and Methodius

25 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

When we think of the lives of great missionaries, we often think of an individual: a wholehearted, zealous believer taking on daunting work. The lives of Cyril and Methodius show us that mission work can be a team effort. Over the course of their lives, they fought to have the Bible and liturgy translated into their native language, Slavic, despite major opposition from their Catholic brethren. Though we would not agree with all their teachings, their lives are still an example of quiet perseverance in the face of opposition.

Read more about them, here.

How to Talk to Your Parents about OYC

24 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Posts

≈ Leave a comment

large_the-biggest-barrier-to-students-going-to-the-mission-field

Your parents may have mixed feelings about you signing up for OYC. Need help? Check out Kim Ransleben’s advice to students as a parent herself on how to talk to your parents about missions. Here are her five main points:

1. Let your parents in on the journey early and often. Your desire to serve overseas shouldn’t be spontaneously announced like you do when you’ve decided to drive to the playoff game or change your hair color.

 2. Do first for them what you want to do for others. If you want your parents to believe that you’ll be faithful stewards out there, give them an idea what that looks like right here.

3. Watch your attitude. Parents have never done well with fits, and the greater the fit, the more they know you definitely don’t need to be given whatever it was that you’ve demanded.

4. Make sure that the reason you “have not” isn’t because “you’ve asked not”. How did you awaken to God’s heart for the nations?

5. Love your parents well…even if you can’t
follow them. It may be that after all this, your parents still don’t get it, and you still go.

Read the whole thing.

A Question from the OYC Website

23 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

If you have a question for the OYC Guys, go to oneyearchallenge.org. They’d love to hear from you!

Great Images: The Bible’s Authors

22 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Here’s a good graphic explaining the Bible’s various authors and their contribution to the entire work.

See the full size.

What will your story be?

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Posts

≈ Leave a comment

What story do you have for your life? Everyone has one. At some point in our lives we have all envisioned or imagined what our future may be, who we might meet and what we might do. The world has a story for your life too. Its a story that expresses itself in all parts of culture. The philosophy behind all Disney movie plot lines “follow your heart” or old adages like “the world is your oyster” and even “know thyself” all come from this story. It is the story of self-fulfillment.

This story says that our lives ought to be about realizing our gifts, cultivating them and reaching our full potential. It says that the direction of our lives should be determined by our choices and desires. It says that the highest goal in life is to be happy.

Worldly Christianity is tainted with this thinking. Worldly Christians think they can pursue their own dreams as long as they don’t miss a Sunday or a midweek service.

The Bible tells us to think differently than the world. It instructs us to be renewed in our thinking and to no longer follow the pattern of this world. This includes the story of your self-fulfillment.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Jesus taught that this in the story of the prodigal son, in Luke 15. In his parable, the prodigal son is on this path of self-fulfillment. He acquires wealth, travels the world and spends it all. Just like the prodigal son, we may be tempted to use God’s gifts to pursue our own goals and dreams. But what is so intriguing in the end is that the prodigal son is not satisfied! Even though he chases his dreams, in the end he realizes what will satisfy him is being with his Father. Chasing your dreams and your story will ultimately leave you unsatisfied.

Instead of using God to pursue your dream, have you thought about using your life to pursue God’s dream? You may dream for greater accomplishment in your career and your relationships. God dreams that the world be filled with saved souls, singing and worshipping Him. Instead of using your gifts and your life to serve yourself, why not use them to serve God and his Kingdom?

Jesus’s story for our lives is that we may deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. His story is that our lives be used to complete God’s greater story for the world, that the all peoples would be reconciled to him.

Monday Music: Songs from OYC Sites around the World

20 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Music

≈ Leave a comment

This week’s Monday Music comes from the United Kingdom! We have a great OYC site in London.

 

What We’re Reading Today

19 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by OYC in Books

≈ Leave a comment

be-still-my-soul

From Sam Laing’s Be Still, My Soul:

The kingdom has not come to every nation, nor has it come to every person! There are untold millions who have never heard the true message of the Good News and others who have heard but have not yet accepted it. Jesus told us that we should therefore pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers (Matthew 9:37-38)

← Older posts

Links

  • One Year Challenge
  • Disciples Today
  • ICOC Hotnews
  • HOPE Worldwide
  • Grounded

Recent Posts

  • Thursday Links: Resource for Faithful Justice
  • What we’re reading today
  • Music Monday
  • Great Images: Culture Shock and its Benefits
  • Featured Article: Talking Sin to a Culture that doesn’t Believe in it

Recent Comments

OYC on Introducing the OYC Guys
aolschner on Introducing the OYC Guys
OYC on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…
John Eric Love on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…
John Eric Love on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…

Archives

  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015

Categories

  • Books
  • Campus Ministry
  • Church Planting
  • Countries of the World
  • Images
  • Missionary Bios
  • Music
  • News
  • Numbers
  • Posts
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Thursday Links: Resource for Faithful Justice
  • What we’re reading today
  • Music Monday
  • Great Images: Culture Shock and its Benefits
  • Featured Article: Talking Sin to a Culture that doesn’t Believe in it

Recent Comments

OYC on Introducing the OYC Guys
aolschner on Introducing the OYC Guys
OYC on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…
John Eric Love on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…
John Eric Love on The OYC Guys: God Can Use Your…

Archives

  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015

Categories

  • Books
  • Campus Ministry
  • Church Planting
  • Countries of the World
  • Images
  • Missionary Bios
  • Music
  • News
  • Numbers
  • Posts
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel