"Why couldn't we drive it (the demons) out?"

The disciples often had trouble understanding the work of Christ in this world. In Matthew the disciples struggled with doing the ministry. They tried but with little success. One day Jesus was asked to bring healing to a child. The child was believed to be demon possessed. The disciples were unable to provide the miracle the man desired for his son. Jesus used this time to teach a lesson about faith. He rebuked the disciples and healed the child, commending the man for his faith by healing his son. THE LESSON?

Well it seems that the disciples just did not understand thinks of the Kingdom of God. They were short-sighted. There are many reasons perhaps why the disciples had such a touch time understanding what Jesus taught. We have the benefit of seeing things through a rear-view perspective; having the Bible.

Yet, we too fall short in that we seldom can provide such an impressive act like Jesus demonstrated. It it that we spend so little time with Jesus? With so much medical or psychological knowledge, do we fool ourselves to think that we have the answer?

Perhaps we may never be given the chance to cast out demons like Jesus did but in the ordinary, do we pass up the little opportunities too? You know, the friendly greeting to a stranger, the opportunity to help the hopeless, and the casual opportunity to bless someone you may not even know.

Notice what Jesus said. Verse 20: "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

The faith of a small little mustard seed can move a mighty mountain?

In crisis evangelism, you have the opportunity to bring "a spiritual first-aid" to the frustrated and hopeless. Practicing a little faith for those who are hopeless can be a powerful thing. Showing a little love (in Jesus Name) to those who are in despair can shake the very earth; causing those in the valley to be lifted up to the summit of God's presence.


Matthew 17:14-22

14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." 17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.

The Ministry of ....

Ever wonder what “ministry” is really all about? I have pastored for over twenty years in a variety of local church setting and I am often amazed at how many church ministry applications there are. There are as many philosophies as there are pastors. Pastors use a variety of approaches; from evangelism to discipleship. Each approach uses “ministry” applications. But, what is the ministry?

Jesus demonstrated it through service. The disciples demonstrated it through leadership. The early church demonstrated it through carefully defined theology. Today, we demonstrated ministry through programs. Today, the church of America is fully equipped with every kind of resource and activity. Pastors often act as recruiters in the pulpit rather than conveyor of truth.

Ministry has become a rather complex set of programmatic solutions. Church consultants are needed just to understand how to find the right approach. Purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, worship-art help confuse the meaning of ministry. Day-cares and small groups are created to provide programmatic answers for select demographic groups. Ministry is happening but exactly what is happening remains a mystery.

I question whether there is a strategic pattern to ministry or is it just a random series of programmatic attempts! I am not sure what the answer is but one thing is for sure; the ministry of the local church is not reaching the unchurched neighbor as well as it can.

In Crisis Evangelism, the approach is neither programmatic nor random. It is an attempt to present Christ’s message of love at a time of greatest impact. Crisis Evangelism serves to care for, listen to and pray for those dealing with crisis. It is a ministry of Christ’s presence!

I am reminded of Luke 10 that talks about Jesus sending out the disciples. He instructs them that as they are welcomed in homes to tell people that the Kingdom of God has come near to them. It they are rejected, Jesus says to just move on! It is one of the best illustrations of how ministry can transform hearts through a care-giving effort of love.

The next time you think of ministry, think about this; the impact of the church is best felt by those who need a gentle touch and a kind word. This is not program-driven but rather human and godly intervention. It is by all means a ministry of….God’s presence.