Watch, Pray and Go

Watch, Pray and Go by Dave Wilson with Anne Kjeldgaard and Katie Brown

Anne and Katie are the Coordinators for the mission course called “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”. This is a 15 week course that we offer here at Trinity every other year. Katie is a teacher and Anne will soon be leaving the US to love Muslims in Jesus name.

Matthew 26-28

The conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew is filled with tension and suspense which leads to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and then his glorious resurrection and final instructions to His followers. “God’s Will” is challenged and questioned throughout this entire dramatic conclusion of the book. While interacting with Katie and Anne about this passage, I realized that the mission of God in this world was brought to life through the death of His son. Instead of keeping the job all to Himself, Jesus unleashed His spirit into the lives of His followers to whom He has delegated the work of sharing the hope of everlasting and eternal life.

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked His disciples to ‘watch and pray’. Of course, Jesus knew what was ahead of them, so He encouraged them to be alert to the work of their Father in Heaven. The life that we are called into as Christ followers is not easy, but the comforting thing is that Jesus will always be with us no matter what may happen. And it is okay to question God in the midst of a trial or hardship. Jesus prayed and asked to be released from His fate, but he was resolute to do what the Father wanted. That should be our goal as well when we pray.

Jesus also sent His followers out on a mission. They were to watch for where God was calling them, and then pray and question the Father about the calling - just as Jesus did in the garden. But, His followers are also commissioned to ‘go’. The last recorded words of Christ in this gospel (Matthew 28:18-20) give very specific directions on what to do next. He could have said “go and be good people.” Or “go and do good works.” Or “go and be healthy, wealthy and wise.” But based on His authority, we are to go and make disciples. We are to baptize them and teach them. And not just here at home, but in all nations. This command is for all true believers, no matter if the calling is to go all the way around the world or if you just simply need to get off the couch and tell a friend. 

I’m Trading my SUV for a Pick-up Truck

I’m Trading my SUV for a Pick-up Truck by Dave Wilson with Tim Breon

Tim Breon is a Case Manager in San Bernardino for Inland Temporary Homes, a non-profit that helps low income families with rent and utility payments as well as finding a home to stay. He serves Trinity Church by leading our homeless ministry through the Blessing Center.

Matthew 23-25

Tim has recently made many changes in his life for the glory of God. Previously he was in the real estate business providing mortgage loans, but now he is working with a non-profit that helps low-income families find adequate housing. (I guess we could consider real estate to be a non-profit business these days, but I digress). Along with his volunteer work at the cold-weather shelter, Tim is constantly helping people who struggle with housing. He recently mentioned to me that he may trade in his SUV for a pick-up truck so that he can help haul furniture and appliances for people who are in need. We have seen a major change in Tim over the last couple of years that he has been serving the poor in our area. One of the most significant changes is the fact that he knows the names of these people who are standing on street corners with cardboard signs. And they know his name! Tim’s new friends go by Scarecrow, Caveman and Big Bird. That is a big change for a man who was once accustomed to six figures.

Tim is living out the story in Matthew 25:34-40 where Jesus lets us know that if we are serving and caring for people, then He considers our service as an offering to the Lord. Here our Lord gives us a glimpse of heaven and the final judgment. People are separated by their deeds of love and compassion. Now, we all know that salvation is by grace alone and not by works, but Jesus is making a statement about what he expects us to do as His people. We are to feed the hungry, give drink to those who thirst, welcome strangers into our lives, give clothes to those who have none, visit the sick and love those who are unlovable (prisoners, outlaws…in-laws).

Today, as you go about your daily routine, try to see Jesus in the faces of those around you who are in need of help. What would you do if they actually were Jesus in the flesh?

That Just ain’t Fair!

That Just ain’t Fair! by Dave Wilson with Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson serves as the Chairman of the Mission Core Team here at Trinity Church. By trade, he is an attorney working with civil law in San Bernardino. He is married with 3 children.

Matthew 20-22

This week as I was reading through Matthew in anticipation of writing this blog, I prayed for the Lord to reveal people to join me in this journey who could bring light to the passages that were chosen. I immediately thought of Craig for this segment because I needed help dealing with the topic of fairness. As an attorney, Craig has to play the part of an impartial guide through various human interactions. Fairness is important to people in his profession which is symbolized by Lady Justice who is blindfolded and holding scales to ensure equality.

This first story of laborers in a vineyard is sometimes troubling to people who are fairness-minded. How can one man’s work for the entire day equal another man’s work for only one hour? Another fairness issue comes when Jesus arrives into Jerusalem to crowds who are excited and singing his praise, but we know the rest of the story. This same crowd turns on Him in just a few days to demand His execution. And then there is the dreaded topic of paying taxes. Just last week you either paid the tax man or you filed for an extension. Either way, it just did not seem fair to have to pay so much for so little in return. But in these passages, Jesus takes us one step beyond fairness. In light of eternity, things on earth really don’t seem to matter very much. When compared to His incomparable riches in glory, our paychecks are irrelevant. Taxes are man-made and earth bound, so that is where they should stay.

However, the crowd is worthy of some study and contemplation if we want to deal with this fairness issue. How much are we like the crowd? At one point in time, we are joyful and excited about our faith and what God is doing in our lives. Then at another point in time we turn our backs on Him to pursue our fleshly desires and worldly pursuits. We become more concerned with the temporal kingdom on earth, and ignore the Eternal Kingdom that Jesus came to bring. How fair is that to our Lord who left His home in heaven, suffered on our behalf and then conquered evil and death to bring us into a new life in Him? In all fairness, let’s agree to live our abundant life for him today.