The RightNow Conference: Part 2

Among the list of challenging speakers/gut-checkers at this year's RightNow Conference was pastor and author Francis Chan. He spoke to leaders Friday morning about a couple things: seeking out the OBVIOUS message in the Bible and not giving up, but continuing on to fight the good fight.

In first addressing us about looking for the OBVIOUS message that's in the Bible, I realized that often times I'll look for scripture to defend my point of view - we can absolutely twist scripture to reason with our opinions and relay whatever message we want it to. But Francis challenged us just to simply seek out what it OBVIOUSLY says and do it! He painted the picture that we have this narrow road leading to life, a wide road leading to destruction and a pretty good sized road we've made up to just be able to coast and do good sometimes.

He challenged us with the idea of Simon Says vs. Jesus Says - we remember the childhood game of Simon Says. But when Jesus says to do something, how often do we simply study it or memorize it rather than actually doing it! What if we told our co-workers or employees to go do something and they came back saying, "I memorized what you said...I can even say it in the Greek!" Like Alan Danielson said, "we're so far educated over our level of obedience it's disgusting." It was a simple yet bold call to quit scheming and start doing.

Using the text from 1 Peter 4:12-14, he then encouraged leaders to keep pressing on. He shared personal experiences of when he came so close to quitting - literally leaving his church and his ministry because he just couldn't take it anymore. But 1 Peter tells us to not be surprised when we get tired of doing good or when we go through trials, 'as if something strange were happening to you.' In ministry, we should EXPECT suffering, resistance and struggle - not benefits, salary or popularity. Bottom line, Satan is in the business of division and wants us to stop loving the Church and God's people - he wants us to write a book or a blog posting about how stupid the Church can be. But we should be concerned if we don't go through trials - not bashing the Church for it's shortcomings but restoring with love what's gone wrong. As for Jesus, 'passion for God's house burns within me' (John 2).

Verse 14 rocked my world, mentioning that it's when we go through those trails - when things aren't going well - that we'll experience Jesus and His grace and love the most. It says, 'for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.' Francis asked the question, 'who needs a comforter when we're comfortable?' Walk boldly with Christ knowing that in the bad times, He'll reveal Himself the most.

Shine on. Fight on. Stay thirsty my friends.