Endtime Workstyle

END-TIME WORKSTYLE

A Reflection on Matthew 24 & 25

These are perilous days abounding with political & natural upheavals around the globe. According to the prediction of Jesus, peoples, tribes & nations will be fighting one another whether for right or might. Natural calamities will escalate in frequency and magnitude.

The camp of the faithful will battle the cloud of deception. Today, it is evident that seducing spirits and sensational teachings are polluting and diluting the purity of the saints. A cross-less Christianity is in vogue. Are we surprised that preaching on prosperity and success has replaced the call to repentance, suffering and sacrifice? According to Ray Stedman in his book, What On Earth Is Happening? “We have become addicted to the endless pursuit of new experiences and new pleasures. We have become a people who know the price of everything but the value of nothing.”

Believers will be bullied even to death. Some statistics reveal that more believers have died in our time than in any other century in history (Stedman p.44). As a result, many who profess Christ will fall away whether by pleasure or pressure. In this regard, there is an urgent need to pray for believers in East Malaysia.

FRIGHT? FLIGHT? Or FIGHT?

How should the people of God live and work in these perilous times?

STAND FIRM (Matthew 24:13)

Ephesians 6:13 says to put on the full armour of God that we may stand, withstand and having done all, still to stand! As our friend, Lyle Anderson liked to say: “Keep the flag flying and the heath clean.” Stay & pray. Don’t stray and play. Let us not be surprised when sudden fiery trials visit us. Be strong to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

TO THE END (Matthew 24:13 & 25:1-13)

How do we persevere to the end? The parable of the10 Virgins points to the oil in their lamps running out. In the Bible, “oil” is often a picture of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 exhorts us to keep on being filled (controlled, led, guided, directed) by the Holy Spirit. We need to keep on replenishing our spiritual resources because we live & work in a marketplace that is hostile to the values and ways of God. The technologies of the Holy Spirit include personal & corporate prayer, fasting, memorization & proclamation of God’s Word, solitude & meditation, group study, fellowship, worship, mercy ministry, evangelism and every possible channel where there is life impartation and spiritual transaction.

KEEP WATCH FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD’S COMING (Matthew 24:42)

The Lord’s return is sure. We are 2000 years closer to this momentous event. This inevitable event must always feature in the scheme of our work and the horizon of our hope. Let us keep the Lord’s Return alive & central in our conversation, praying and planning. It’s amazing that even Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the Minister Mentor of Singapore, practises a meditative chant using the biblical word, “Maranatha” which may be translated “Even so, come Lord”. Read I Cor. 16: 22. Mr Lee revealed this in his latest book that this was on the advice of a Christian friend.

BE READY NOW (Matthew 24:44)

Because there will not be time to get ready when Christ returns or when calamity strikes. On 25^th February, 2011, Pastor Christopher K sent us this text message: “Be prepared for the worst. Each of us must prepare an emergency bag at home with can food, candles, lighters, water, purifying tablets. Keep it where accessible. Who knows when we might need it. Oh, and power bars & candy & toilet rolls. A building may collapse. These will sustain us physically and if need to evacuate…grab it & run. Put your passports in a waterproof bag together with other important documents near this bag & a blanket if needed.”

On 311 (March 11, 2011), an 8.9 super earthquake and accompanying tsunami hit Japan. After the 2004 tsunami, a Christian brother said he had a dream in which he saw another tsunami coming to Penang reaching right up to where Mount Miriam Hospital is. When Jesus returns, or when the next big tragedy happens, are we ready?

BE FAITHFUL & WISE (Matthew 24:45-51)

We are all managers of precious resources – time, strength & energy, opportunities, influence plus our money, wisdom, education and much more. We should not hoard up these priceless possessions. Be a river of blessing. Release the flood gates!

The famous Chinese pastor, Watchman Nee told the story of a Christian farmer who had a nasty neighbour who would not water his own rice fields. Often in the night, he would break their connecting rice bunds to divert water into his own fields that were on the lower level. After much anguish in prayer and counsel from his church elders, the Christian farmer decided to water both their fields. This act of charity shocked the unscrupulous neighbour who subsequently became a follower of Christ.

Make a start somewhere. Dare to give to others especially when it costs you significantly. Reconsider how you are directing your tithes & offerings. Are your gifts to God affecting people, places and situations of genuine need?

FINALLY, SERVING & WORKING AS UNTO THE LORD (Matthew 25:31-46)

Colossians 3:23 states: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” At the Great Judgment of God, caring for the poor and the powerless will receive a special commendation on the basis that such help rendered will be considered as equivalent to serving God the King Himself! Let us not be influenced by the value system of the world into thinking and promoting size, speed, strength, style & sophistication as more important than the small, the slow, the simple, the soft and the silent.

CSR (or corporate social responsibility) Jesus-style may be as simple as a meal for the hungry, a drink for the thirsty, clothing for a stranger, or visiting the sick and those in jail. How about a job or a role for the unemployed, under-employed, the unemployable, those never employed before, or now no longer employed?

Abraham & Irene Gan