Scripture
38John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” 39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. Mark 9:38-39
Observation
Who was this rogue disciple going off and performing miracles on his own? He didn’t have the right church logo, he didn’t post the miracle on the right social media page, he didn’t ask John before just going off and praying for someone. The arrogance of such and action! Surely, Jesus will shut this down immediately. Not so fast. Jesus saw right through this and shut down the ministry police with one fell swoop. John and the other disciples had just had an embarrassing incident of not being able to cast the demon out of a boy and they were a part of the entourage. It could be John wanted to shut it down because he was competing instead of collaborating. How quickly the disciples were becoming like the Pharisees who wanted to control the move of God. Jesus wasn’t having it. In fact, Jesus makes it clear that in the eyes of God whether it’s casting out a demon or giving a cup of water, if it’s done in the Name and Spirit of Jesus they will be rewarded. It’s not about performance or any other name but the Name of Jesus. He alone gets the credit!
Application
President Ronald Reagan once said, “Its amazing how much gets accomplished when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” Count von Zinzendorf said, “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.” Zinzendorf sent missionaries around the globe including to the North American Indians. He knew his one job. “I have but one passion—it is He; it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.” Even when Pauls name was mud and rumors were spread and his fellow ministers were stealing his sheep while he was in prison, this was Paul’s response echoing the heart of His Savior:
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? (Put this everywhere on your phone. In context of eternity) The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18
When’s the last time I rejoiced when someone else was successful at my expense? When’s the last time someone left The Father’s House and I rejoiced that they had found a church home where they could grow in Christ. I often say “The name over the door doesn’t matter, the name over our hearts is what matters.” That sounds really good, but I often conflate the agenda of Jon’s kingdom with the agenda of the Jesus Kingdom which moves me into competing instead of collaborating. Then, there are times like this past Sunday when we joined together with five other local ministries to love on the people of North County through our Trunk Or Treat outreach. Pastor Brian Jones of Hills Community sent me this text after the event that really sums up the heart of Jesus:
“Yesterday I was helping my neighbor with some Halloween decorations, and he asked about the trunk or treat. His daughter loaded up with Amy and our kids and went, even though they’re not really church people. He asked me if we were trying to steal parishioners from your church, and I told him, “No, we’re both going after people like you, who don’t go to church. So there’s plenty to go around!” I’m honored to partner with you, and I know there were plenty of lost people who came Sunday night. Now, when they have a low moment and realize they need help, they’ve got some great experiences with churches to go search out!”
Prayer
Lord, I’m reminded of this vision you showed me recently of Heaven. You showed me the countless people in Heaven that we will meet that we had no idea our small act of obedience, our cup of water, would lead to a big move of God in their lives. It was just a cup of coffee, conversation at the school lunch table, helping a neighbor. We never actually led them to You Jesus, but You used someone else to pick up where we left off. Because we didn’t care who got the credit they got Christ! We tell Your Story and You get the glory. Forgive me for the pride and arrogance of thinking this is about me! I pray that on this Halloween night that You would get the glory as Your people shine as lights in the darkness to everyone we meet!
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