Plenary Session 4
Recap from the previous session. Mentioned the Sexual Revolution and touched on the persecuted church.
Video presentation regarding missionaries, martyrdom and persecution. It was such a slow start between the 1800’s to the 1900’s, but suddenly house churches began and flourished.
Pastor Sara from Iran speaks
Sara began by testifying of the goodness of God in her part of the world. She proclaimed we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death but the Lord will ALWAYS have the final say. Very, very passionate – and who could blame her! The Lord certainly works and does great things, in spite of persecution and pressure from the country’s authorities.
At one point she testified of how she was imprisoned and when the Father appeared and spoke to her, saying, ‘Why are you acting as if I am not alive?’; She was brought to peace and led to worship and was eventually released. When she moved to leave the country, the Father spoke to her further, sharing how she should stay in Iran, because He would be with her there.
The video cuts back to the facilitator, who mentions how, in the Congress, they were all led to pray as one by one, folks would come to the stage representing countries where the church suffers persecution.
As they pray, so we pray… so I pray: Lord, have mercy on Morocco. Afghanistan. India. Eritrea. North Korea. China…
Gosh, I was hit when the representative from China came up. There were so many more, and I certainly was moved. Made me thankful for how ‘easy’ things were here in the Philippines, and made me encouraged, because even if persecution hits the body of Christ in an international level… here we are, speaking compassion and mercy, just as Christ has had compassion and mercy over me, and all of us!
Father, have mercy, SPEAK to Your church; Jesus, SPEAK to Your body all over the world! Thank You for Your lovingkindness, Your mercy and truth which continues to prevail over each and every one of us, do not allow us to stop praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters… Be with us all, Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Transition: There is persecution, but we also should pay due attention to urbanization – something that was not as present in the old and early days of the church.
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 2:1-4
It began, and continued by way of no less than the Holy Spirit!
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.Acts 11:19-21
The Gospel continued to be testified, and clarified, spread through people big and small, gossiping the Gospel!
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.Acts 28:30-31
Julia Garschagen speaks
The Gospel spread so strongly and resolutely even without the help of the Internet. The Ethiopian, the businesswoman Lydia, all of them had a hand in it – and the current speaker calls them ministers in the workplace.
Witnessing in the workplace is woven into the DNA of mission in the early church.
Our first stop is in Jerusalem. The Disciples all had one call, BUT they had different professions and backgrounds… and then, the Holy Spirit falls down upon the Banker, the Zealot, and the Fishermen; It’s the same thing with us – we become Heaven and Earth people, made Temples of the Holy Spirit, no matter what we do, or where we come from.
Our second stop is in Philippi. Paul and Silas are in jail… and unlike the other prisoners the jailer was so used to ‘accommodating’, these Heaven and Earth people began worshipping, and the jailer’s ‘workplace’ suddenly changes – literally! It’s the same thing with us – we bring the transforming presence of God wherever we go, and everywhere we go becomes holy ground; Our workplaces become holy ground, our phone calls and our emails are our worship!
You’re able to live a holy life in the workplace as well. Paul and Silas could have fled the prison as soon as the earthquake opened the gate… but they were able to demonstrate a priestly presence by way of ministering to the jailer.
To be a priestly presence in the workplace has its risks. We could lose our salary, our jobs, or even our freedom – but let’s always remember that we still bring Christ, and everywhere we go becomes holy ground!
Our third stop is in Corinth, where Paul fellowshipped with Aquila and Priscilla. It just so happened that Paul was trained in skills that complemented the couple’s business.
Why were there Greeks also present in the fellowship? The speaker proposes that they were among Paul’s customers who ‘gossiped’ the Gospel to them. His work was part of his ministry, with the Gospel integrated in his life.
Your work is your holy calling. Paul didn’t have any tips regarding this integration, and focused more on preaching the Gospel to his own disciples.
We are all united in one holy calling – to proclaim the Gospel wherever we are, no matter who we are, or where we come from. We won’t reach them with our Sunday Services and programs, more than how we’re able to reach them as we work with them. Lawyers are lawyers to the lawyers, workers are workers to workers. Programs will not reach them – People will.
Does the church recognize the calling? The church is not OUR church – the church exists to train and love the 99% of Christians who serve every day in their own workplaces. Are we able to bring people together, to challenge lawyers to discuss among themselves how Christ can be shared in their workplaces, and how business owners can share Christ in their own establishments?
Our final stop is in Rome. Paul is in prison, yet even in his last moments he proclaims Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
The Gospel continues to be delivered and carried by way of briefcases, calls, taxi rides, plane tickets, and so on. As in the early church, so today – we are sent out to proclaim Christ with all boldness, and without hindrance.
Nations suffering persecution were prayed over… and at this point folks who are in the secular workplace have been prayed over as well.
I recall – by the grace of God, I brought the presence of God in the call centers I used to work in. I brought the presence of God, albeit virtually, in my corporate work-at-home jobs.
To God be all the glory and praise. He is so good.
A video regarding Global city dwellers has been presented. I wasn’t surprised that Tim Keller was featured in it.
A panel follows, featuring workers.
How do you display Christ in the workplace?
A doctor sings songs of faith to suffering children. She ‘invites God to take place in the field of medicine’.
A jeweller displays Biblical stories in her designs. Attention is currency and she takes advantage of 30 second clips featuring the story of the Gospel through their necklaces.
An Officer shares that the Lord uses him as the only one representing Christ in his community. He shows the love of Christ by sharing hope straight to prisoners. Sometimes the prisoners revere him, but he points them to the Supreme Authority.
Do I need a calling for all this?
An AI expert shares – Establish a divine partnership. We’re like a torch bringing the light wherever we go. She also receives and shares visions; she was anointed that way. The divine partnership is maintained with our intentional time with the Father. The patents and ideas came through these moments.
Excellence in work is not about self-actualization. It’s living as God created you for the sake of glorifying Him.
What are the greatest joys and/or challenges of your work?
The doctor shares that the COVID-19 pandemic was a big challenge. She worked with patients in isolation, crying alone, going home from work and going to work. She saw so many people dying, feeling isolated and thinking she didn’t belong in the church. But through all this she was able to establish a small group to encourage each other and to share the word.
The jeweller shares her joy was to gather fellow business people, hosting table discussions asking everyone in attendance regarding their hearts, versus sharing business strategies and all that. Caring for the whole person was her joy.
What is your challenge for everyone in attendance?
The AI Expert shares ‘Divine wisdom is greater than artificial intelligence’. She says – if discipleship is the heartbeat of the church, is the heart beating?
The 1% in the full time ministry should push to be builders and to be coaches. Coaches win when those they train win – how will we know when they win? When the 99% goes to church. To the 99% which wants to be in the market industry, soak in the Word so your torch has light, and your workflow shall come. Be a disciple making disciple. It’s an infinite loop that started with Christ.
The doctor challenges, ‘In any way you feel broken, allow Jesus to use you.’
The jeweller shares, ‘Crystals don’t shine on their own. Their cuts come out with Light.’
The Officer shares, ‘Show the love of God through your connection’.
Breakout meeting with Peter (UK), Ron (USA), Ibrahima (Mali), Corien (Pakistan)
Christian Witness in the Workplace
Those on your table who come from the (non-christian)
workplace:
Can you share either an encouragement or a challenge of witnessing in your workplace?
What could the church do to encourage and support you for your witness in the workplace?
Those who are church leaders or mission leaders:
How could you support Christians in the workplace through your ministry?
People call you a pastor because you were pastoring; We need to understand that it’s not a title. It’s in the small things you do, or in the ways you adjust with other cultures. It’s in your learning… and in your Spirit-given desire to maintain integrity.
It’s in your taking on the emergency of salvation… We can speak it out, and if we are not allowed, we can act it out. It’s small things that give it away. You don’t lie. You’re early. You don’t relish in gossip. You smile. You engage in positive, encouraging small talk. Christ is in the small things, just as much as He is in the huge plans.
One takeaway – The Gospel is applicable in sex and gender, shining through persecution, and portable enough to take even when we have nothing. The Truth of God’s grace, of Christ’s finished work, and of the power of the Holy Spirit is what satisfies us no matter what the world insists gives the most pleasure.
The Truth is what keeps us sane and resolute in financial, physical, mental and other forms of persecution against us. The Truth is present, when we are alone, and when we have nothing.
Continuing to thank God for everything; Thank God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – for the gift, opportunity, challenge and privilege of the Gospel. For the opportunity, not only to communicate, but to live out and enjoy the Truth.
To Him be all the glory and praise, forever and ever. Amen.
Until the next post, God continue to bless us.
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