Pastor of my dreams - Baptist Bible Tribune

URBANCURRENTPreview of a Postmodern Church PlantCharles Lyons, PastorArmitage Baptist ChurchChicago, IllinoisBy divine direction, Paul was ledto Philippi. “…We’re forbiddenof the Holy Ghost to preach theword in Asia…” “…They assayed to gointo Bithynia; but the Spirit sufferedthem not…” “…Come over into Macedonia…”Philippi is an expression of thefirst century Roman world. There wasno one true God, the source of absolutetruth. There was no grand metanarrativethat makes sense of reality. Philippiis an artist’s rendering of what apostmodern culture will look like. Lukecalls Philippi “the chief city of that partof Macedonia.” This heathen city witha theater that probably seated 50,000people, this city that virtually straddledthe Egnatian Road, was a godlessmetropolis on an interstate. God hasbeen all about penetrating the darknessever since man’s fall. God doesn’tlead away from the fight but into thefight. In preparing His chosen people totake possession of the Promised Land,He told them He would lead them tothe enemy. Jesus set His face towardJerusalem. Paul does not happen tocome to Philippi, God sends him.No ChurchThere was no church in this city. I don’tmean a church of our breed, brand, orstripe. I mean no church. This wasn’tlike planting a church where therewere alreeady several New Testamentcongregations. Like so manyunchurched and under-churched areastoday, this place had a real need.Apparently, the city could notmeet the minimum requirement often Jewish men to constitute a synagogue.The prevailing worldview waspluralistic. Lacking any knowledgebase of divine revelation, relativismruled. Only a group of women gatheredby the river, outside the city dueto Roman prohibition, were to be found.(Oh, those zoning laws!) So, the upshotis this: Paul saw a man saying, “Comeover to Macedonia…” When he gotto Philippi, he found the man was awoman! Lydia, the travelling businesswoman, and her prayer group birthedthe exemplary Philippian church. Lukesays, “The Lord opened Lydia’s heart.”God was drawing these women to Himself.As we look over the stark, barren,spiritual Sahara that is the postmodernlandscape, let’s remember God is workingin advance of our working. In fact,God’s work holds the promise that ourwork will bear fruit.OppositionGod allows relentless resistance to Hisgospel work. Expect it. Paul was neversurprised at opposition. He never let itstop him. The demonized girl followedPaul and Silas around for what Lukecalls “many days.” Paul finally hadenough and commanded the demon outin Jesus’ name. Historically we knowthat God uses opposition to advanceHis purposes and show His glory. Whydo we think something must be wrongor we must be out of God’s will if we geta little opposition? God uses difficultyall the time. Remember, it’s not justabout overcoming opposition; it’s thatGod uses opposition to get the job done.It’s often a set-up for something supernatural.Riled-up businessmen, the crowd,the magistrates, all formed an oppositioncoalition. It’s noteworthy that theywere not necessarily anti-message.They were stirred up because their lifestyleshad been impacted.Supernatural DisplayArrested, beaten, and jailed, the apostleand his partner should have been filledwith doubt and despair. This churchplantingeffort was a bust! Anybodycould see it. But Paul and Silas saw itas an opportunity to demonstrate truetrust, real faith. Their prayers andsongs ring off the stone prison walls.The earthquake changes everything.One moment they are thinking they’reGod has been all aboutpenetrating the darknessever since man’s fall.powerless and stuck; the next they arewinning the jailer to Jesus and holdinga baptismal service. Do you think Lydia,friends, and an ex-soothsayer areshouting and crying at this point? Let’snever forget that God shows up in Histime and in His way.God SavesThat’s right, God saves all who repentand believe. The jailer and his householdare added to the nucleus of believers.From a disenfranchised, out of thecity limits prayer group to shaking upcity hall, God’s gospel changes lives. It isthe power that changes everything. It isHis power that planted churches in firstcentury heathen urban centers. It’s Hispower that continues planting churchesin 21st century postmodern cities.charles.lyons@armitagechurch.orgBaptist Bible Tribune [ February 2009 ] 23