Jump Start # 1560

2 Corinthians 2:11 “In order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

This week we are taking a look a plans, spiritual plans. In the parable about discipleship, Jesus used the illustration of a man who first sits down and calculates if he has enough money to build a tower. Without that careful planning, the tower project begins, but it will not be finished. Uncompleted. Failed. That’s were many plans go to, the land of unfulfilled. Books never finished reading. College never completed. Ideas that just went of to “never-never” land and there they died. Even our concept of a bucket list involves making plans.

Our passage today is about Satan. He, too, has plans. Paul said we are not ignorant of his schemes. The word “schemes” is also expressed:

• Designs (ESV)
• Methods (Phillips)
• Sly ways (Peterson)

The devil has plans. His plans are to wreck your faith, destroy your marriage and crush the church. He’ll use anyone and anything to accomplish this. He will use people that you know. He will throw discouragement and disappointment at you. He will try to get you angry with God. He will tempt you to walk away from God. The devil isn’t flying by the seat of his pants. He’s smart. He knows what he is doing. The stats show that he is very effective.

The devil has plans. God has plans. It certainly seems strange that so many congregations do not have plans. Maybe it’s time to start thinking that direction. Maybe it’s time to think about what’s the best classes that needs to be taught to these people at this time. Maybe it’s time to think what’s the best method to reach out to the community at this time. Maybe it’s time to consider mentoring future elders. Maybe it’s time to map out a strategy for five or ten years. Maybe it’s time to spend an entire Saturday sharing ideas and possibilities. Maybe it’s time to bring in some folks who are already doing these things and allow them to help us. Maybe it’s time to think about what the future looks like.

Making plans is exciting. Making plans brings in hope and a brighter tomorrow. The church needs people who are planners and thinkers and can see what isn’t but could be. Their voice shouldn’t be stopped just because it has never been done before. Their voice shouldn’t be stopped just because it’s going to cost some money. What doesn’t cost these days? Make sure it’s Biblical. Make sure it’s best for the group there and then map out some different ideas.

Let me share some with you:

I know a place that removed the tract rack. They found that very few people ever read tracts anymore. In it’s place, they put a nice TV monitor and they rotate messages there. It’s very attractive.

I know a place that instead of always teaching 13 weeks classes in a quarter, chose to teach a series of ten week classes and then brought all the classes together in the auditorium for three weeks of special topics.

I know a place that offered a five week class, followed by another five week class.

I know a place that took a couple of months of Wednesday nights and brought in guest preachers and built a theme around what they were going to talk about.

I know a place that changed their Sunday night services to Bible classes, instead of another sermon.

I know a place that used two preachers sitting in chairs instead of standing behind a pulpit and talked in a conversational format on Sunday evening.

I know a place that is working more with Facebook and Twitter to get the message out to people.

I know a place that is finding better ways for folks to use their phones and tablets during worship.

Ideas. Plans. Goals. Thinking about what a visitor sees when he walks into the building. Thinking about what a young family really needs today. Thinking about the best ways to teach Jesus today. Some dismiss these suggestions and ideas. Yet, they offer nothing else. They are content to let things stay as they are. They do not realize that many of the things that they are doing are no longer working. They are unable to let go of some old ideas for better ideas.

There are so many talented people in the kingdom today. Folks that know media communications and are very good at what they do. So often, they are not used. The work moves on very slowly while opportunities are slipping past them because they are not making the most of what is available today.

The devil has plans. God has plans. It’s time for the church to have plans. It’s time to brighten up those dull, dark classrooms. It’s time to find ways to connect better with people. It’s time to find the best ways to get people closer to the Lord.

Roger