Mission field next to your door

Talking about Good News in Vienna

It is quite obvious for us that throughout the Bible God talks to us about mission. We are getting more acquainted with missions’ through the text of the New Testament. But at the same time we understand God’s care for mission from the pages of the Old Testament. I was gladly surprised to find places like that even in the book of Psalms. For example, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Ps.32:8) or “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth?” (Ps.30:9). These quotations make us think about the meaning of our life. What is the sense of being a child of God, nation of God or Christian? We are called to life of mission! It looks like this is direction in which God is transforming His people. “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.” “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (De.4:5-8)

My time in Austria was very productive in studying and outreach. I spent a day in Vienna sharing the Gospel with different people. Mostly I interacted with them by the means of a brochure in English produced by “Focus on the Family”. Some were open and some were not. I managed to distribute 12 brochures on family, crisis pregnancy, abortion and teen’s questions. In the process of conversations I talked to people about salvation in Jesus Christ.

Talking to teens in Vienna

I have also discovered that sometimes God is bringing the mission next to your own door. I prayed for God to provide me a unique opportunity to share the Good News of the Kingdom here in Austria. God is faithful and   he answers indeed when we ask according to His will. When I had time in Baden the Spirit of God led me in a special way to spend some time alone walking on the streets of Baden. I noticed one lady, who spoke some German to herself walking down the street. The first impression suggested that there was something wrong with her or she was trying to find something. I stopped walking and the lady started walking towards me trying to ask something in German. In turn I was trying to communicate with her in English. She was not able to understand much of it which is not a fault on my part. But she mentioned that she can speak Russian, Slovak, Czechs and Georgian. 

            We quickly and gladly broke out the conversation in Russian. It turned out that Klara (lady's name) is from Georgia (Republic of the former USSR), citizen of Slovakia now who is working in Baden, Austria. Her family is back in Slovakia - teenage daughter and husband. It is observed fact that many people from the countries of EU which belonged to so called “Socialism Camp” found a way to make an income in Germany and Austria. But I was really shocked having known the number of such people here. There are about 60,000 people from other countries working only in Austria. This is quite a mission next to your door. These people are struggling in many ways physically and emotionally. They need to be served.

            The conversation with Klara ended up by her receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ and praying sincere and open prayer of repentance at the downtown Baden. I have her contact and pray we will be able to find a Christian fellowship for her in Baden. I pray Christ will transform her life and her family. I would like to thank all who is supporting my time in Austria by means of prayer and in many other ways.

Klara and myself in Baden downtown

In the workshop of the Great Master

Christ in the House of His Parents, John Everett Millais

When you have a desire to create something it means that you have an idea of it already in your mind. It is also important to transfer your ideas to people who are involved in your project. Often it takes time for your people to grasp your ideas or your intentions. I suggest to walk into the Stradivarius workshop. "Stradivarius lowers a piece of wood into a tub with strongly smelling liquid. He is taking time to wait. Having taken it out, he looks at the piece with craving attention. He starts to recognize invisible earlier and clearly seen now very thin lines. His face is getting brighter. With love and care he caresses a damp piece of wood and starts moving to the workshop. Disciples have already gathered. His sons Omobono and Franchesko are among them, with gloomy, still sleepy faces. They speak about something in a low voice. Having heard their father’s wide and heavy strides, they lean over the desk and are trying to look at something very attentively as if they are studying it. Stradivarius enters the room very excited.

-         Here it is - that is what I need. This piece of wood will sing. You need to hear it, listen - it sings.

-          Franchesko, - he has called the elder son, - come here my boy – Do you hear it?

Franchesko with a hesitant look of a disciple approached the father. The grey haired elderly man has put a piece of wood on a shoulder as if he is holding a violin. He started to hit it very carefully with a bow, attentively listening to a sound and looking at son’s face."
   This story tells us that our Master has a plan, a design. You see, sometimes as disciples we have difficulty in understanding our Master. Sometimes we are not attentive enough. Sometimes we are not careful enough. Sometimes we are just board or stubborn. But the Master continues to work with us. He devotes his time because He has a plan. He has a design and wants it to be completed. His intention is to open it for his disciples. He knows how to do it. He also knows what is needed to be explained at first.
  Let us look at Jesus and consider the following two passages from the New Testament. Mtt. 15:21-28; Lk. 9:52-56

 "A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."  "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down."

  In this passage the way Jesus acts is very surprising to the eye of a quick reader of the Bible. How come that Jesus, Who always fed the hungry, healed the sick, showed mercy and care to everyone who asked for it at this point, in this case shows to be absolutely reluctant? Even His disciples reacted, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

  Jesus knew what his disciples needed. Jesus knows what we need also. They needed a lesson and He showed it to them. "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

   How come that this Jesus speaks to the women like that. It is hard to hear these words for our own ears. It was also hard for the disciples’ ears as well. And also, probably very painful for the woman.

  The woman does not lose hope, gives the interesting and very wise answer to Jesus. It may look like that Jesus looks at her and smiles before she is ready to give it. As a result she receives what she asked for.

  Disciples should have learned from Jesus’ lesson that Good News is for all people. Even very unimportant and neglected. We should learn this lesson also. Shall we? Another passage in Luke tells us how disciples learned the lesson.

"And sent messengers before his face and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.  And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village. And it came to pass, that as they were going in the way, a certain [man] said to him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (Lk.9:52-57)

  Does it sound similar to us? It seems like we do not understand … at times. We see that Jesus sets forth the goal of his ministry. “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save”.  Today, there are in the world:

• 4100 nationalities practicing Islam and these is 900 million people
• 2700 nationalities profess Buddhism, and these is 536 million people
• 1000 nationalities professing Buddhists have not heard the Gospel
• 32 % of the population on earth did not have a chance to hear the Message of the Good News

When we look at the financial side of the matter across the USA which we have available today:

• 96 % of the finances collected in churches go on their own needs
• 3.5 % - spent on the evangelism to already reached nations
• 0.5 % - spent to the nations without a church

God’s desire is to gather atoned people for His Kingdom. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of this.

“ After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”. (Rev.7:9)

This a picture of what God sees. This is the way God calls us to step in on the Great Commission.

 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ” (Mt.28:19)

  Now we begin to understand what God desires in this world, in His workshop. We understand the design, the plan and purpose of the Great Master. As disciples we need to watch what He does. He has it in  His mind and in His heart.

1) Master has a plan in mind. As Stradivarius has already seen a singing violin so God sees the redemption of many nations through the people of Israel and the church.

"The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran." (Gen.12:1-4)

Jesus sends 70 disciples as if it has a parallel with the number of nations known at that time.

“ After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” (Lk.10:1)

2) Master gets us involved. As Stradivarius got disciples involved in his work, and God gets us to take part in His plan.

 When I do something with my daughter I get her involved into the activity which I have in mind … My daughter learns it in the process of working together.

 We are co-workers with God.  “For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.” (1Co.3:9)

3) Master trusts His work to the disciples. One way or the other there will be a point in life when Master will have to turn some of the responsibilities into the hands of His disciples. He wants to be sure that his business, his skill will not be lost but instead will develop further. The Master thinks about it often. He lives for that. Sometimes He is concearned about His disciples. He is worried about His workshop, His church. He is sad to see sometimes:

· A table without the reclining

· A fig tree without fruits

· Planting without a harvest

· Harvest without workers 

· the sheep which is lost

Are we getting skilled with the Master’s design? It depends on how we know our Master. Let us read one more story.

"Once a stranger has come to a workshop of the Master.

 - He understands something, - the master has thought. - though, it simply can be an  accident … it does not look like that. He was so confident, so sure on the violoncello which he wished to buy. The master was worried and timidly said; - This instrument is not on sale.

It was designed for a quartet with the violin which the master was just finishing.

- I will be very generous with payment. I hope this instrument is the best you have made.

 With a heavy heart the master sold the instrument. He did not like this stranger. Probably he is a collector of any kind, - thought the master. Really, it is better to sell the instrument to a musician for less so that the instrument would play and live. But the collection - dead business.

However,  the money has made the business. The instrument was gone.

 Several months have passed.

Stradivarius worked with enthusiasm and did not recall on the stranger anymore. And he probably he would forget about this meeting and the quartet, if once …

 Somehow, one night Stradivarius could not fall asleep. Turning from one side to another he suddenly remembered that he has forgotten to close a bottle with a varnish in which he has added some chemicals. The varnish could get spoiled.

Having got up, the master went to a workshop. The key, the lock has easily turned, and the master saw the shadow of a stranger. The master has lifted a lamp, and in its light has shown the man who once bought a violoncello.

 - What do you do here Seigneur? - Asked Stradivarius

 The stranger’s name was Domeniko Sakkini. He used to be a cabinetmaker and has acquired the decent capital. But it did not bring him satisfaction. He was not pleased with it. He wanted to be famous. He was vainglorious. He explained that he bought that violoncello to disassemble and to understand the secrets of the master. He assembled it back but it did not sound as original anymore. Therefore he returned to find the secret.

  - There must be a secret, - said Sakkini. That is why I am here.

 - You, you scoundrel, you have spoiled my violoncello - how you dared?

 - No, I did not, you will glue it back together it will sound the same again.

 - It will never sound like it used to be. Stradivarius has taken a pause….

 - Well, okay, I will glue it back together it, it will sound as my best violin

 - You have the best violin? -  Surprisingly asked Domeniko

 - Yes,  the master has answered. Do you want it see it? Do you want me to show it to you? It is here and here. He pointed with his finger to his head and to his heart."

To understand our Master and fulfill his design successfully we need to pray to have it in the heart and mind. Let the Lord bless us as we fulfill His desires!

Kharkiv, Round Table "Chruch and Society"

Yevgeniy Molodchy's presentation

      March 26, Living Hope Christian Church  in Kharkov, Ukraine hold the second round table “The church and society”, which brought together representatives of various spheres of Christian activity, not indifferent to the crisis taking place in contemporary society. Well known pastors of the city, Association of Christian doctors, university professors, Christian Democratic Party, leaders of various ministries and missions met to discuss the issues raised by the organizers of the roundtable: "What do we need to change in our attitude to society, to help people come to church? How should we reconcile the Church and society without compromising our faith?"

    Pastor Alexander Vyalov, moderator of the round table named 8 questions which needed to be answered for Christians to realize their mission in the world.

      Vyacheslav Kholansky, organizer of the first round table in Kharkov, introduced the questions which allow leaders to understand the inner life in the church communities.

       The issue of Christian identity was widely discussed at the table. The importance of finding it within the Christian community was introduced by Yevgeniy Molodchy, mission minister of Christian Life Church.
       Director of the Institute of Church & State relationships, Sergei Naidenov said: “Ukraine now has a unique opportunity to carry out God's mission in the world as a country which has received such possibility due to God's providence. This is both responsibility and uniqueness of Ukraine.”

     In this context the dialog was continued discussing two upcoming national events in Ukraine this year. The celebration of the 20-th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and upcoming observance of Peresopnytsia Gospel 450-th anniversary translation. The Gospel used in Ukrainian Parliament during president’s inauguration. These events create a precedent for Christians to be more actively involved in public and social life.

     During the discussion the answers were suggested to overcome the wide-ranging crisis at all levels in society, proposed concrete actions to improve the situation in some areas of church and community interactions. Also there was noted the lack of developing dialog at the horizontal level between the various Christian groups and associations of churches. In order to promote futher dialogue, realizing the responsibility of Christians at all levels of life in community, initiative group started to be formed, aiming at consolidating the efforts of Christians in social and public ministry.

Jesus is the One Who saves

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone but it has never come across to him or her. How did you feel about it? Do not worry you are not alone in this company. Jesus has experienced that as well. He even came to the point when He began asking direct questions.

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”  Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”

Mark 8: 27-38, 9:1

Now disciples are on the ground walking on a nice day to Caesarea Philippi. As they walk they talk. Jesus is using this moment to unveil the mystery about him from His dear friends. He understands that disciples had hard time understanding who He really was during all this time that He was with them. So Jesus is using an intricate question to clear up the sky. ‘Who do men say that I am?’ Disciples do not spend much time finding the answer, - ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets’. Now when Jesus directed the conversation in the right direction He addresses them again, - ‘But who do you say that I am?’. And Peter answered to Him, - ‘You are the Christ’. With this last word pronounced by Peter a minute of silence sets in the conversation. It seems like they even stopped walking. What does that mean to be Christ? What does it require from us to follow Jesus – the Christ? These questions penetrate into the disciples minds. The group walks from of the dusty road to a shadow of some trees and Jesus begins to teach them. What does that mean to be with Christ and to follow Him? At this time Jesus is not looking for words. He speaks openly and as clearly as possible for the disciples to understand.

·        Perspective

Jesus is openly talking about what will happen to Him. He says that He must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Peter rebukes Jesus. He takes Jesus aside and tries to talk him out of it. Jesus points out to the things of God. For God in order to save people Christ needs to die on the cross.

·        Cost

Jesus is talking about the cost of following Him. It will not be easy. Following Jesus is connected with a matter of a big price. The price is the condition of a human soul.  ‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’

·        Benefits

Who stays faithful will be enjoying God’s glory. ‘If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.’ What does it mean to be ashamed? Have you ever been ashamed? Do you want God to be ashamed of you? We are asamed unless we come to Christ and reveal our shame.

Christ saves us from useless efforts, gives us new direction. It will cost you to follow Him but you will not be ashamed, - ‘I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’

Jesus is the One Who comes to help in time

       By this time we have learned that Jesus according to Mark leaves his disciples to wonder at who He is. This place in the Gospel is not an exception. “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened” (Mk.6:45-52).

     It seems like that at this point Jesus disciples were ready to be tested in a surprising way. It may look like Jesus has a certain plot in mind to give a certain lesson to His disciples. The text says, - ‘Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd’. So, disciples agree to get on the boat and sail unto the other side. Meanwhile Jesus goes up on a mountainside to pray. In the middle on the night disciples experience difficulty in sailing the boat because of the wind. They remember their last experience on the sea very well. But at this time Jesus is not in the boat with them. He has them left all alone. Of course they are not easy to give up guys. They do their best to oar the boat. But the wind is still hard and their strength is quickly weakening. Almost left out of strength they gaze at the strange figure at the dark. They think it is a ghost. They cry in fear to the darkness of the night and the figure seems to turn away to pass by the boat. They look more closely and the stranger talks back to them, - ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’. They recognize Jesus getting into the boat and feel the wind calming down. They were afraid to ask Jesus and it left them more to marvel and be amazed. Who is He who knows when to come? Who is He who actually can come on the water? Who is He who comes in time to help?

The text implies that they were perplexed over the nature of Jesus over a certain period of time. Jesus has spent considerably long time with them and they still were not able to grasp who He was. It was their second time in the boat. There were other divine miracles in the past, like feeding of 5,000. And they still did not understand, - ‘for they had not understood about the loaves’.

Mark gives us one more reason of why disciples were not able to recognize Jesus as He was, - ‘their hearts were hardened’. It seems like all they needed is explanation of the event but more than that they needed the change of their hearts.

    Sometimes, friends, we do not understand what happens in our life. We stay marveled, confused and in fear. Things do not seem to be clear for us at all and we are caught fighting against the wind. And one of the reasons for that to happen is the condition of our heart. It is good time to think about it. How much timely help were there in our lives? Where the help came from? Who was the One who provided it? These are the questions which we all need to answer. How we answer these questions depends on our heart. We need to do something about it and that is why.

•  Because hardened hearts will not allow us to move forward
•  Because hardened hearts will not let us to receive timely help
•  Because hardened hearts will not allow us to recognize Jesus

    But be of good cheer. Jesus says, - ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ Help comes timely to you from Him who can walk to you on the water. He comes first to you so that your heart will not be hardened!

Jesus is the One Who surprises you

Sometimes things in our life change in almost unpredictable way. Let us pick up on the story where we were left last time. Last time we talked about Jesus calming the storm. This is the end of Mark 4. Jesus is in the boat with His disciples. You know, sometimes I am really wondering if Jesus actually knew where He was going with His disciples. Mark 5 continues the story. Jesus with the group arrived at the country of Gadarenes. Their purpose was to find a solitary place where they could be alone. And the southeastern shores of the Sea of Galilee with towering salted cliffs stretched down to the lace with many honeycombed caves seemed to be the best place to be away from crowds. But at this time it was not exactly so.

Text: Mark 5: 1-20

The place was famous for it’s solitarily because of a demon-possessed man who for many years prevented travelers from passing along the road. The text tells us that he harassed them and frightened them. Each time the demoniac was put in chains, however he broke the bonds. He was one of the most feared men of the region. Just picture the situation in your mind. Jesus and disciples get to the shore on their boat beaten up by the night’s storm very, very tired. When they just step on the land they see a naked man running at them. At the click of their mind they could have decided to get back in the boat but the man is running quickly. Such a situation would do well away with the fatigue of the night. The naked man seems to know who Jesus is. Disciples don’t. The man does. ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?’ Jesus helps the man and drives away the unclean spirit. Disciples stay surprised with their mouths wide open.

Having the power over unclean spirit Jesus frees the man. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man and go into the pigs. The demons entered the swine which ran down the steep cliff and into the sea. Some people came from the village to see what happened and found the man in a healthy condition and dressed.  Situation makes everyone marvel and affects people in a different way which is not the way they expected. At their best it makes them marvel.

Sometimes, when we walk with Jesus our own life can take an unusual turn. Therefore do not be surprised too much when something happens that you did not plan beforehand. Be prepared that your normal pace of life will have to be adjusted. How would you react to the marveling surprises of Jesus? What Jesus would be for you at that minute?

The people from the region of Gadara had two choices of a response to Jesus’ miracle: to be excited that Jesus healed the man; or to be deeply disturbed that Jesus destroyed their main source of income.

The people chose to look at what they had lost, not what Jesus had given them. They did not see the valuable healing of a human being, but the loss of some pigs. They focused on the negative and not the positive. They could not understand that God who freed the demon-possessed man could have provided all their needs in a new surprising way. The way which they would not   expected.

Jesus also changed the normal pace of life for the man who is now freed. The healed man wanted to travel with Jesus, but Jesus had other plans for him. Jesus said, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you’. So the healed man departed. He meets His Lord when his own life went out of its usual routine. He was blessed to receive a new change in his life when it was offered to him. Now he obeys His Lord and goes throughout Decapolis proclaiming what Jesus had done to him.

In every situation in our lives we have opportunity to look at the negative or the positive. How shall we respond?