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The Sort of Men and Women the Institute Aims to Send Out:
“Those having these characteristics: Thorough consecration; Intense love for souls; A good knowledge of God’s Word, and especially how to use it in leading men to Christ; Willingness to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; The baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
~ Mission Statement of the Moody Institute, March 1, 1892
My Alma Mater recently selected a new president. His name is Dr. Paul Nyquist and he will become the 9th president of the Moody Bible Institute (http://www.moodyministries.net/) since its creation. As long as Moody stays with its mission, God will continue to bless them. The same is true for all Eagle Leaders … as long as we stay with the mission of Jesus Christ, God will continue to bless us! Listen to how Jesus focuses his first Eagle Leadership team as he commissions them …
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease … These twelve [apostles] Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Matthew 10:1-15 (NKJV)
We become like Jesus when …
o We prioritize the mission and let God deal with the unreceptive!
Focus is essential to Biblical success. In fact, often we miss the point of the mission, namely, that if we don’t reach more people they will spend a Christless eternity in Hell. How would our Adversary choose to dilute our focus? By having us spend time with “whoever will not receive nor hear your words.”
Eagle leaders understand the foolishness of such a strategy … attempting to convert the resistant. Jesus not only tells us to avoid this strategy, he also gives us a responsibility when confronted by the resistant: “When you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
Where are you right now? Are you in the city of acceptance or the city of resistance? Once you know where you are, you will know exactly what you are supposed to do: Prioritize the mission!
© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews Eric Michael Bryant who serves as an elder, speaker, and navigator overseeing the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles. This interview explores what makes this church, which is 70-75% are single, average age is 28 years of age, made up of hundreds of people in seven locations, six in the greater Los Angeles area. Discover the transferable concepts that Mosaic uses to reach this younger generation. Listen to this interview for your opportunity to win a free gift courtesy of Eric!
Starting as a volunteer in the parking lot at Mosaic, Eric later worked with students and then helped catalyze new venues across Los Angeles. He also teaches at the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Seminary and is working on his Doctorate of Ministry with Bethel Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Eric is one of the co-authors of The Uprising Experience, a workbook developed for Promise Keepers based on Erwin McManus’ book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and has written several articles for Group and Relevant Leader magazines. His book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, was published with Zondervan in June 2007. Eric lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi in the middle of Los Angeles County.
We are here to tell you today that your Father in Heaven is with you (remember that Jesus’ name Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’)! He wants to make so much more out of our lives than any of us are currently enjoying!
