Passion for God; Compassion for Souls

Passion for God; Compassion for Souls
Conference Edition
by Doug Stringer
Prayer Point Press January 2001

"Men reach for thrones to build their own kingdoms; Jesus reached for a towel to wash men's feet."

Misconceptions About Unity . . .
Please don't misunderstand my passion for unity. True unity is more than an event or an affiliation, it is a choice, a lifestyle and a mind-set. It means more than having our names on some membership role, for it requires a genuine bonding of our hearts. Daniel Bernard, coordinator of Somebody Cares Tampa Bay says it well; "Two cats can be united by tying their tails together, but they won't be experiencing true unity!"

Nor am I advocating ecumenical unity, which is merely unity for unity's sake. Rather, we need unity with a purpose. To accomplish that purpose - fulfilling the Great Commission - we must first be reconciled to God and each other. Only then can we fulfill our calling as ministers of reconciliation who rescue lives!

When some Christians hear talk of unity, they fear that they will lose their identity and be swallowed up by some big religious bureaucracy. This isn't the objective at all. Instead of creating an authoritarian headquarters, we are simply a network of related ministries that are intent on a common purpose. Rather than losing our identity in the process, we are actually finding our unique calling and role as we relate to other Christians and ministries.

Some of the leaders in our city were initially concerned that we would create unity only by sinking to the "lowest common denominator." The result has been just the opposite: We have rallied around Jesus Christ Himself, and He is our highest common denominator.

These ministers are not just talking about unity, nor just talking about the problems in our city. They are working in practical ways to impact the city at a grassroots level. Unity with a purpose is in action, and we desire to see a great harvest, not only in Houston, but also across this nation and the nations of the world.

We have not created anything new, but have merely identified what God is already doing. Ministers who are already touching lives are linking arms with others who are doing likewise. We recognize that we are not the only network, but desire to identify and then link those who are already reaching out at a grassroots level.

There are many people still to be reached, and together we can make a difference. We must walk in a right relationship with the Lord and with each other so that His light will shine in us and draw people to Him. We must be witnesses who point the way to Christ. he is sending us out for this purpose.

How will our communities be reached? What must we do? We must intercede and then intervene for the multitudes still in the balance of eternity. The only way we will reach our cities is if we have an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father and with each other. Then we will be living witnesses, compelling the lost to come.

"There are preachers who love to preach, then there are preachers who love those to whom they preach." Anonymous

A city will come to Christ as you and I lay down our lives for its people. We must pray for God's wisdom and strategy, but then we must act. People are hungry to see the real Jesus, and Jesus wants to love them through you and me. Too often Christians have placed the responsibility for witnessing on the senior pastor or on the inner-city minister. But God is requiring each Christian to be a living witness.

Our desire and ability to embrace those of different racial groups or backgrounds must begin within the body of Christ. We must undergird our Christian brothers and sisters who are working in the inner city. We must support those ministers of different racial groups and come to understand the cultural issues they face. They have been called to reach communities we may not be able to reach. They need us and we need them. We are called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, to do so we must get past the obstacles that have hindered both our relationships within the church and our effectiveness in reaching the lost.
the unchurched must see that our relationships with the Lord and one another are genuine. How we care for those within the body of Christ tells the world how we will love them. We are seeing breakthroughs among the Christian community in Houston, as Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans, Jews and Asians are serving together. In corporate gatherings and outreaches, we are bridging the gaps that have divided us for so long. For more walls to come down, we must continue to build and maintain these relationships. In so doing, we find that we have much in common, particularly our agreement on our common purpose.

When I envision the type of bride God is preparing for His Son, she is radiant with His character, full of charity, with no division in her heart. She does not quarrel over her rights or set boundaries for her service. She willingly offers herself for the sake of the Bridegroom.

Micah chapter four speaks of the people of God gathering at His holy mountain, and in that passage we see people for all nations - including the lame, the outcast and the afflicted - join together and form a strong nation (Mic. 4:1-7). In verse three we read that the people "shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sward against nation, Neither shall they learn war any more."

This kind of unity will only occur as we focus on the harvest. That is God's primary calling to the church today. In the world we will continue to hear of wars and rumors of wars, but there is group of people who are setting aside their differences. They have a common identity, a common enemy, and a common purpose.

Micah 4: 6-7 speaks of the kinds of people who will make up the harvest: "In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast, and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation." What a beautiful sight that will be! Already the Lord is beginning to gather His people in such a way, taking outcasts and making us into "a strong nation."

In Genesis chapter 37, Jacob gave Joseph an exquisite gift, a coat of many colors.
...we can imagine the beauty of the tunic Jacob gave Joseph.

That coat must have been brilliant in its color and its quality. As its colors were interwoven, a beautiful fabric was displayed.
Likewise, as the body of Christ becomes a united bride, we become a coat of many colors - red, white, brown, black, yellow, woven together. Though we are diverse in ethnicity and culture, through Christ we are being knit together from every background to become a strong nation. Regardless of our racial or ethnic background, we are now part of the culture of Christ.

Joseph's brothers resented him for the favor he had with his father and for the dream he shared with them. They became jealous and sought to destroy Joseph. Likewise, within the body of Christ we must guard against animosity, jealousy, envy or bitterness that would divide us from other brothers and sisters in Christ. These resentments can be against those with a different vision or can spring from jealousy of the way God is blessing another's ministry. We must also recognize and repent of any prejudices against other nationalities.

Unity among the brethren is not an option, but rather our responsibility to the Lord and one another. Taking steps of reconciliation toward our brothers and sisters is essential if we are going to work together to see God's kingdom established. After years of division or misunderstanding, it is a time-consuming process for hearts to be opened so we can embrace each other and work together for the gospel. Nonetheless, we should desire that kind of unity and stay alert to whatever things would prevent it.

The Bible says Satan is the accuser of the brethren. If he uses Christians to accuse or blame other Christians, then we have become unwilling pawns of Satan. We must keep this in mind anytime we are tempted to back bite, murmur or tear down a brother or sister in Christ. Whatever offenses we've held must be released. Some of the unforgiveness harbored may be due to events that happened years ago in a particular denomination or with someone of a particular racial background. We must get past these hindrances if we ever intend to impact our communities.

When we put on Christ, we must also put on the perfect bond of unity - love (Col. 3:14). Jesus displayed His love in dying for us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). He chose willingly to lay His life down for all nations, all peoples, and all cultures. We did not earn or deserve His love, but Christ chose to love us anyway.

With one fishing pole, we each can catch one fish at a time. But with a net we can bring in many fish at once.

The fire of God that ignites flames of revival is the same fire that brings judgment. The difference is the condition of our hearts.

The body of Christ is called to be one holy "nation," abiding in peace and intent on fulfilling its commission to reach the lost. We are called to a unity that transcends all culture, socioeconomic standing, and racial identity. This means not only embracing theories about reconciliation; it means embracing each other.

If we say we love God but do not love our brother, something is wrong. It is one thing to say we love one another, but love is an action.

Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, founder of the Christian Men's Network, says, "We become intimate with the One to whom we pray, the one with whom we pray, and the one for whom we pray."

...individually and corporately, we must seek God for His strategy to reach our communities. We must pray, but pray with a purpose: "God, what would you have us do?"

Prayer is fundamental to our relationship with God, but from that place of prayer we must move to a place of action.

How do we pray for our cities? We first must recognize the biblical roots of cities and why the first city was established.

...we must identify what specific strongholds are keeping the presence of God from permeating a community. Why is this important? Our ultimate goal is to break the strongholds that are keeping people's hearts hardened to the gospel. We must persistently seek God for spiritual breakthroughs, while consistently sowing seed into the soil of souls.

In 1988, during the first Jericho Drive, Pastor Mike Cave of New Life Christian Center in Houston shared a message that is still pertinent today:
The cities of the world are in a time of change, and major cities will sooner or later go through a time of crisis. The changes taking place in cities today will either move them toward more evil, more corruption, and more vileness, or else there is going to be something that intervenes to reverse the trend and move the cities toward godliness. Whoever takes the lead in these major mega-centers of our world is going to affect the course of history.
We cannot run from the problems of the city, because they will follow us. People are drawn to the city with a false hope of security in jobs, in commerce and in all the things they mistakenly assume the city will provide for them. In reality, the spirit of the city is nothing but a web that draws people into its clutches. The church must intercede and cry out to god for mercy.

In America today we have more people praying for revival than ever before. We are crying out to God, claiming the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if we humble ourselves , pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, He will hear from heaven and heal our land. But often we have forgotten the requirement of Isaiah 58 that we reach outward to the needy in addition to reaching upward to God. When we commit ourselves to both the upward and outward thrusts, nothing can stop revival from bursting forth: "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."

Isaiah 28:5-6 speaks of God strengthening His people for the battle that is at the gate. In Scripture a "gate" represents the entryway into a city. Our city's pastors and ministry leaders represent the gatekeepers of the city. Our spiritual leaders are battling for the souls of their flock and of the lost. We must faithfully pray for the leaders in our city, for the heat of battle is intense. As the body of Christ goes beyond mere talk and begins to corporately stand in the gap for souls, we will be met with even more opposition.

God wants the spiritual wall of our city rebuilt, but this will require us to pray with focus and seek His strategies. It means more than devising an elaborate spiritual infrastructure, for the real issue is rebuilding the lives of people shattered by the consequences of sin.
We need eyes of faith to persevere through the opposition of the enemy.

Prayer is not just talking to God, it is listening to His voice. As we develop an intimate relationship with the Lord and with each other, we will receive His corporate instruction. When we receive a strategy to reach our communities, we must then follow through with action. As we collectively join our faith and work with a common purpose, we will impact our communities.

During the long period of peace and prosperity in America, many of us Christians have become apathetic and complacent in our comforts. It is time to ask ourselves the question posed by the late statesman, Leonard Ravenhill: "Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" The Lord wants to stir us from lethargy and raise us up to be a mighty army.

Many of us have prayed, "God whatever it takes, whatever You want, I will do it" - but our lives do not reflect that radical abandonment to God. The children of Israel once approached Jeremiah and said, "Go find out what God wants us to do, and whatever it is, we will do it." Yet when Jeremiah came back and told them what God wanted them to do, they called him a liar! (see Jer. 42.) They spoke the right words with their lips, but their hearts had already decided what they wanted to do. So the question comes back to us today,"Do we have ears to hear and obey what the Lord is saying?"

Jesus did not say, "Take up My cross and follow Me." Rather, He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me." Our lives are the sacrifice we offer to God, our wholehearted obedience to His will. When we hear Him speak, we must die to our own desires. When we obey Him even when we do not want to, we have come to understand total surrender to His will.

When we enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord in our corporate prayer gatherings, let us remember why we are gathered. We will have all eternity to enjoy the Lord's presence, but we must redeem the time for the ones who still do not know Him. Do we hear the Lord's cry as He weeps for people? Will we look beyond our own needs and desires for a cause far beyond any we could ever imagine? Let us pray the price for the sake of souls. Let our prayers echo the prayers of Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, "God break my heart with the things that break Yours."

If we are going to reach this generation, we must do more than just get together for fellowship and for prayer. Yes, prayer is foundational, and fasting helps us die to our flesh. But we must pray with purpose. We must fast, but we must fast with purpose.
Isaiah 58 clarifies the purpose for times of prayer and fasting. We are told that if we "do these things" [do the stuff], our healing will come quickly. We must move from prayer and fasting to the purpose. Praying and fasting will enable us to hear the Lord's voice and be filled with His power, but then we must do the stuff.

"If what we do does not equate into changed lives and lost souls coming to Christ, it stops short of being a true revival."
God's authority and power are poured out when we worship Him. When worship goes up, His glory comes down! But His glory doesn't come down just to give us spiritual goose bumps. There is a clear purpose when His glory comes down: that we would go forth in His authority to fulfill the Great Commission.

Having hearts prepared to serve and sacrifice includes a willingness to receive the needy people He brings our way. Some of these have been very battered by the consequences of sin, and they may not look like the kind of people we want to hang out with. Others will come from racial and ethnic groups that we may have previously harbored prejudice toward. Yet, if we are willing to serve them as unto the Lord, then God promises to give us power and authority to be His witnesses.

Dr. Richard Halverson, the former chaplain of the U.S. Senate, has succinctly summed up the history of the church: "Christianity started in Palestine as a relationship with a person - Jesus. It went to Greece and become a philosophy, went to Rome and became an institution, and went to Europe and became a culture. Then it came to America and became an enterprise." For the church to be restored, it is helpful to see how we have fallen prey to these perversions of the true gospel.

A genuine revival is not a matter of hoopla, or emotionalism, or even spiritual refreshing - it is a matter of transforming individuals and then entire communities.

A few years ago I was interviewed for a radio program and was asked if I thought God was going to bring judgment or revival to America. I paused for a moment and replied, "Both." God is going to bring revival to His people, and it will either come by choice or by judgment. The line has been drawn, and we must make a choice. The Lord cannot force us to consecrate our lives, but He can surely put pressure on us so we will seek Him. He will do whatever it takes to get our attention! We will either surrender all to Him, birthing a revival, or through our disobedience, He will allow judgment. We will go to our knees either to seek Him by choice or by judgment. We cannot expect to have the Lord's peace and joy if we cling to that which is of this temporal world - things that are destined to perish.

This is not a day to give up on the church, on yourself, or certainly not on the Lord. Instead, it is a day to get on our knees and seek the Lord for His grace. The Lord is raising up people all across the land who want to see a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It will not be limited to any one crusade or meeting, but the Holy Spirit will move through individuals, ministries and churches that are preparing themselves and seeking the Lord.

We as Christians need to repent of pursuing happiness above holiness. God is looking for a people who are hungry for His holiness, His character, and a deeper relationship with Him.

During extended periods of peace and prosperity, the church tends to become selfish, self-self-centered and self-focused. God wants to bless His people, but the blessings are for a purpose: to get the gospel out.

Many Christians across the land are praying for a move of God that will impact thousands of souls. If we really believe God is going to move like that, we have to prepare our hearts now. We must examine our own lives and allow Him to show us the things in us that are displeasing to Him. This is the necessary first step for revival: We must examine ourselves.

Genuine passion for God allows no room for compromise or mediocrity!

The outpouring of God's Spirit is going to require us to change. If we have been doing things the same way for years, it is probably time for a new mind-set, a clean garment, and a change of heart. In Scripture the infilling of the Holy Spirit has been referred to as new wine. If we are going to be able to contain the new wine, we will need new wineskins.

There are those who will resist the change God must bring, saying, "The old is better!" Will this be true of us? Will we hold on to our traditions, our old ways, our old thinking, or will we allow God to do what He must to change us? To have hearts prepared for the new season, we must take off the old wineskins and embrace the new. Let's not be the ones saying, "The old is better."

Taking off old wineskins is at times more difficult than we think, for it can be quite painful. The old wineskin has become comfortable, but we must not allow that comfort to hinder us from moving on with God. We need to face the fact that our old condition is not suitable for the new work God desires to do.

Few Christians realize how much we can hinder God's intention to pour out His Spirit across our community. No one intends to do this, but unless we circumcise our hearts, that is exactly what will happen. We must cast off our old wineskins and deal with the things that have caused division within the body of Christ.

Pride stops a move of God, and leaders are the first ones to be challenged on this issue.

It is crucial for leaders to see beyond their own churches, desiring God to move throughout the city, without jealousy, envy or strife.
Dr. Cole says, "The character of the kingdom emanates from the character of the king." Ministry leaders and pastors are the ones setting the example for the body.

As spiritual leaders we must be the first to humble ourselves and then weep for the countless millions still to know Christ.
something has to die in order for something new to arise. The old has to pass away for things to become new (2 Cor. 5:17).

"Revival that leads to harvest and awakening is always first a revival of holiness and consecration."

God wants to birth a move of His Spirit through us, His church. It's not about denomination, intellect, race or economics - it's only about Jesus. It's about Jesus wanting to love people through us. He wants the Good News to reach all people, and it will take all the church to reach all the lost. Together we are a 'church without walls," infiltrating every area of society with the fragrance of Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).

In the early chapters of Acts, the church was of one spirit, of one mind, and of one heart. Consequently, there was great grace upon them to do miraculous exploits, and there was no lack. To receive God's blessings and the outpouring of His Spirit that we long for, we too must be of one spirit and one heart. Only then will we have the great power and grace to fulfill God's plan.

One of the reasons it will take all of us to reach all of them is that God wants to reach people from every background, racial and economic group. Not only does He want us to reach the down-and-outers, he also wants the up-and-outers to come into the kingdom.

This is a crucial time for the world. We have been commissioned to tell them the truth and offer them the hope that is in Christ. They will not believe us based upon our words alone, but only as they see the sincerity of our actions.

It is sad that the church has most often united in times of poverty and persecution - and that is when revival has most often come.

When we are in times of peace and prosperity we tend to compromise and become divided, concerned mostly with building our own kingdoms.

The body of Christ must quit tearing itself apart, and begin at once to build itself together in preparation for what is ahead.

The body must come together as never before, uniting for the purpose of winning the world to Jesus. We have been called for such a time as this, and must not miss our date with destiny.

"We should not come together in unity for unity's sake. We must come together in unity for His purpose."