Jesus' Groups

Thank you for your kind response to my Sunday morning sermon. It was the first time I ever used 140 living breathing human beings as props. I thought it would be like herding cats. Instead, it came off like clock work. Huzzah.

The method Jesus left us for Kingdom work is organizationally simple. He started with Himself—holiness matters most. He then found 3 who would provide accountability and support—He took the three with Him into the death throes of Gethsemane. He poured His life into 12—they were His vanguard into lostness; He gave the Great Commission to them first. He sent the 70 out on mission. This is still a good size for mission and ministry work. It is no coincidence the average USA church runs 70 in attendance. Everybody can know everyone else, and they can band together to get God's work done effectively.

And then there were the multitudes. We need to be together to hear the Word preached, to sing, and and to be inspired. We don't have to be rocket scientists to figure out Jesus' approach to successful Kingdom work. His methods worked then; they will work now too.

Twitter and FB john316marshall

Preparing for Sunday

Saturday has always been for me a day set apart to prepare for the Lord's Day. Even when I was a kid, Mom made sure we all had our Saturday night baths in plenty of time to go to bed early so that we would be well rested and at our best Sunday morning. I never hear stories like that any more.

I'm not a stickler for things like this, but I do appreciate the fact my parents were trying to teach me the need to be at my best on Sunday. That still weighs heavily on me. On Saturday, I cloister myself, work hard on sermons, pray, and go to bed early.

I will see you in the morning. I pray I'll be in the right frame of mind and spirit to be a blessing. Always pray for me on Saturdays. I want to be effective on Sunday morning. I seek to bless you. This can only happen if God works through me to minister to you. I love you.

Twitter & FB john316marshall

Heaven is Sweeter Today

A few weeks ago I met a man who is terminally ill. He's been a hard-driving unbelieving Marine since his Viet Nam days. He met a lady who knew me, and asked him if he would be willing to talk with me about his soul. Surprisingly, he said yes.

After a couple meetings, he received the Lord. The change was immediate and profound. I tried to mentor him. We made it through only one session. He asked if we could talk about death. We walked through I Corinthians 15, word by word, together.

His health became much worse last week. He had to go into ICU. When I entered his room, I saw the paperback Bible I had given him all dog-eared and worn. It was a great testimony to the change in his life.

I left his bedside about 20 minutes ago. He will be going on to see the Lord face to face soon. He says he is ready to go. He is dying at peace with God. It's been a beautiful experience for me. I am reminded; the Gospel works. People are still being radically changed by the good news of Jesus. My friend will be gone before long. Heaven is sweeter today than it was yesterday. Thank you, Jesus.

Twitter and FB john316marshall