This Summer Maximum Impact Student Ministries has been focusing on what God thinks about the needy, the broken, the poor.  I believe it’s not that we DON’T care about those in need.  The reality is, most of us, do not pause long enough to see past our own noses.  In His word, God, clearly, teaches us that we are to be light in a dark world (Matthew 5:16).  We are to clothe the naked and feed the hungry (Matthew 25)!

Laws are supposed to never be broken.  Except, I would argue, The Law of Reciprocity.  It says we do things, with an expectation, to get something back in return.  In other words, “I’ll scratch your back IF you scratch mine.  But ain’t no way am I going to scratch your back if you aren’t going to scratch mine!”  Yet Jesus not only broke this law.  He absolutely demolished it.  He takes the law of reciprocity and smashes it in to a million pieces!  He says we are to go to those who have absolutely no ability to repay us… and it’s THOSE we are invest in.  The Bible says doing just that, coupled with purity, is pure and faultless “religion” (James 1:27).

June 26-July 2… 31 people from Maximum Impact Student Ministries went to Tacoma Washington to put this very principle in to practice.  Partnering with Network ministries, we all had different tasks to perform, yet our end goal was the same for all.  Our goal?  To look UPON people as Jesus would; not AT them.  When Jesus saw people he had compassion on them… and he responded in love (Matthew 14:14).  If Jesus looked AT them he would have saw sick people and thought, “Yuck!  I really need to stay away!”  If that would have been Jesus’s character he would have been insignificant and we wouldn’t be talking about him today.  As it is, Jesus is the most significant figure in human history.

While on earth, Jesus never did not take a throne.  He never did command an army.   He never got rich and he never asked for any tangible from the government.  Instead, Jesus made himself the least of these, and served those in need… even to the point of death – Yes even death on a cross! (Philippians 2).

Which is exactly why we dedicated our whole summer to finding the need around us.  We have been looking throughout Scripture at what Jesus asks from us.  What we have found has been nothing less than remarkable?  We cannot out give Jesus.  We can not out ‘righteous’ Jesus.  We can not out ‘miracle’ Jesus.  He is special.  He is unique.  He is one of a kind.  There is no one like Him!

Jesus looked UPON people.  We look AT them.  Yet Romans 12:1-2 is clear that we can be transformed by the “RENEWING OF OUR MIND” – Which means we can change!  What if the law of reciprocity became nonexistent in our lives?  Does it mean, at that point, we are living out Jesus’ command to die to ourselves daily?  And if we die to ourselves daily that would surely mean we are putting other people first.  And if we are putting other people first we can safely say life is no longer about us.  And if life is no longer about us, then we can begin to answer the question we began with and we have been asking all summer.

“Where’s the need?”  Well… Look around.  Don’t look at – Look upon.  And break the law, because the law is selfish and Jesus absolutely is not!

“Will mormons be in heaven?”

“Will the great saints of old (Before Jesus) be in heaven?”

“Will Jews go to heaven?”

“If someone is from an Indian tribe, and they never heard of Jesus, and they look to creation and say, “There must be many gods!”  Will they go to heaven?”

“Will dogs be in heaven?”

“Will someone who commits suicide be in heaven?”
One by one we looked at these questions, as well as questions like, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Why is it that we never really hear about turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and caring for the poor with a passion?”

The Bible talks about the Lamb’s Book of Life in Revelation 13:8.  This is the “book” God keeps… a book of names.  I find it interesting this passage doesn’t actually mention whose names will be IN the Lamb’s book of life, but rather the focus is on those whose names are NOT IN the Lamb’s book of life, creating more mystery as to who is actually “in” so to speak.  But it makes it clear, the Lamb’s book is directly tied to, “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”

What we can say, with confidence, is a Lamb was slain and this is His book.  The book He Wrote.  And it’s a book filled with names… the names of those who are “in.”

So… who’s in and who’s out?  When we ask that question it sounds a whole lot like a country club, doesn’t it?  An exclusive group you have to qualify to be a part of.  While that terminology may be fair, I prefer to ask it another way, “How can we know our names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life?”  Seems to me that is the best question we can possibly ask.

At risk of stating the obvious – The Lamb imagery is a clear reference to the Passover Lamb from Exodus.  Put the blood of the Lamb on the doorway and death will pass over… leaving the firstborn male alive.  The blood of the Lamb brings life.  This Lamb, referenced in revelation, died so death may pass right over us.  He knows the names of those who have the blood on the “doorway” of our hearts.

It is important to note that, while we don’t have access to this book, and only God knows whose name is in this book, we do have access to another book that clearly teaches us how we can assure OUR name will be in the Lamb’s book.  We can be certain of our own salvation by allowing the blood of the Lamb to cover our sins.  It’s not by holding your mouth a certain way, saying a certain prayer, or wishing all of those who don’t believe what you believe in to hell… I, personally, love the thought that all man everywhere will go to heaven simply if they are a “good” person.  The problem is, it’s just not true.

My prayer for all of my students is that they may “know” Jesus (That word for “know” in greek, literally, means “to have personal knowledge” – or “personal relationship”).  Not like, “Jesus is my home boy!”  Rather, “Jesus the Lamb who willingly laid down His life for me.  He is my Lord and my Savior!”  And it should bring us to a point of change.  When we realize the depth of the sacrifice of Jesus it should change EVERYTHING in our lives.

While we may not know exactly who’s name is in the book and who’s name isn’t in the book, I would argue the Bible teaches us, clearly, who’s in and who’s out (at least in a general perspective).  What I can tell you with a certainty of spirit  is those who make Jesus both Savior and Lord, who have repented and been baptized for the forgiveness of their sin, and have the seal of the Holy Spirit, can be assured their name is in the Lamb’s book of life.

The better question is, “Is my name in the Lamb’s book of Life?”  If you don’t know the answer to that question it’s time to get in to the Word, and read the only book penned by God we DO have access to – The Bible.

While I have patience with the question, “Who’s in?”  The better question might just be, “God, why would you let any of us ‘in’?”  I guess that’s why they call it Grace!

One of the things we do each year is “Street Evangelism”.  We take a day and head off to Seattle, where we meet people, hear their stories, and share Jesus with them.  You never know who you may encounter.  Last summer one of our favorite memories is from a guy names “Animal”, or at least that’s what he told us his name is.  Animal said he’s been in multiple knife fights, gun fights, you name it.  According to him he’s killed people, he’s rich, he’s been in the mob, and he’s can do things nobody else can do.  Oh yeah, and he’s homeless.  Animal was in desperate need for true relationship.  He wanted someone to hear his story, even if it wasn’t true.  He was a bit scary to many of the students.  But one thing is for sure… we all remember Animal.  I, for one, have prayed for him quite a few times since I met him.  I can’t help but ask, “How much of Animal is in all of us?  How much of Animal is in the average person I meet each day.”

The Tacoma Mission Trip has helped teach us at Maximum Impact Student Ministries how to make our faith come to life.  We work during the day, and goof off in the evening.  We, truly, live in community, sharing our things and everyone pitching in to clean up, cook, etc.  We are all part of the Kingdom… and our goal is to shine a light wherever we go.  This fact is not more evident then when we pack up in our bus and head off to love on the people of Tacoma Washington.

The trip is highlighted by a fun day in Seattle.  Pike Places is always a highlight.  Total cost of the trip?  $350.  I CAN’T WAIT.  Join us!

At first glance $350 seems like a lot of money to go on a week-long conference.  But when you take time to look at what you get for the price you begin to realize it’s not only reasonable, but an incredible deal!  The price includes registration, gas, lodging (in the dorms), all meals (on the road, on campus, and dinner out Thursday), and our fun day experience during extended rec time Thursday.

The conference is all about having teens encounter the risen Christ through the Word, Worship, Prayer, and fun!  It is an extremely powerful week.  The thing I enjoy most is getting to know the students, on their level, as they get to know Jesus!  Man it’s such a blast!  I recommend CIY for every student.  A “can’t miss!”

For more information…  http://eaglechristianchurch.com/index.php?page=calendar_detail&id=798

I once talked to a youth guy at a mega church who told me, “I don’t think it’s smart to turn something like worship over to your students.  I mean we are looking for quality and some high school students just can’t produce what we’re looking for.”  My response can best be evidenced in what takes the stage every Wednesday night, but I verbalized it like this, “That’s too bad.  Because I’ve seen the opposite to be true.  When you release students to lead they will blow your minds!”

We are blessed to have extremely talented students in our ministry.  These students can play instruments with the best of them.  As of now we have guitarits, bass guitarists, drummers, key boardists, and we even have a fiddle player… if you’ve never moved before in worship you can’t help but move when these guys lead.  Awesome!

I can honestly say I am extremely blessed to be in a church that values worship and supports my philosophy of allowing teens to lead.  If you’re ever free stop by on a Wednesday night and join us as we approach the throne of God with energy, excitement, and passion!

Oh, by the way, I didn’t mention how cool it is to play with them.  Truth is they are doing such a great job they have been asked to lead worship on Sunday mornings and evenings periodically.  I get to play and sing with them.  And THAT is an absolute pleasure.  Be on the lookout for the high school worship bands in the near future.