Celebrate 2020

Celebrate 2020

Written by: Larry Elliott

I must confess to not really wanting to write about the year 2020! Enough has been said and resaid about pandemics, politics, violence, death, division on twitter/face book, all the things that we can no longer do and the things that we are now required to do. I will not write about these things!! I hear you rejoicing! 😀

I will write about the gospel. I will write about God’s use of our lives and culture to make himself known among a people that largely have refused to give him a second thought. I will write about access to the gospel in a host of ways that were unavailable in the very recent past. I will write about a story that is so incredible, so compelling, so ancient and yet so contemporary that we must hear what God said to Habakkuk, “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

What is God doing?!?? Can we look at anything right now and say, “This is the hand of God”? I believe we can. I will suggest a few that have blessed me in this current craziness – they are small, quite minor really, in the grand plan of God but perhaps not insignificant.

  1. For a number of years, I have been involved (again in a very minor way) in the ministry of SHARE Int. in Kenya. After 23 years of ministry, the Turkana people have crossed the threshold from being considered an “unreached people group” to being classified as a reached people with the gospel! And this Saturday the ministry baton is being passed to the Turkana people to continue the task. THIS is the hand of God!
  2. Technology has certainly been used in destructive and evil ways. It has also made the gospel more accessible than it has ever been in history. Consider the following:
  • The Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/explore/  7-9 minute videos explaining the content of every book of the Bible and many major themes of the Bible
  • The Chosen, https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen  A modern but biblically sound video series that brings the gospel to life! The first ever multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. I watched it with my grandchildren so we could discuss – amazing!!!
  • What Would You Say? (WWYS), https://whatwouldyousay.org  3-5 minute videos providing concise answers to help us understand and navigate the intersection of faith and culture. Provides a brief nonconfrontational explanation to a host of contemporary questions about the Bible and culture.
  • One for Israel,  https://www.oneforisrael.org/about-us/i-met-messiah-jewish-testimonies-videos/  Testimonies of Jewish people who have placed their faith in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. Whether you have contact with Jewish people or not these videos will so bless your understanding of the scope of God’s eternal plan and promises for His covenant people.
  1. Access to the worship services of Park Hills Church, the preaching ministries of many other great Bible expositors and a plethora of sacred music - every style and taste awaits in these little boxes that have intruded on our lives.
  2. We of all people must celebrate this season. If we say we believe the reason for the season we must embrace this most amazing of all news ever proclaimed among men!!! “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The prophetic silence of 400+ years was broken. Not by a powerful sermon, nor a major military victory, not by wholesale repentance of the nations. No, 400+ years of prophetic silence was broken by the cry of a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. Indeed, this, is reason to celebrate!!!!

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