The Second Part of the Equation
A Return to Mission: Our First 15
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The Dream, The Vision
I have many times referred to this as “I have a dream” speech.
I have not relayed it to many people, but the Lord has kept this dream burning in my heart for a long time.
Never did it come from my own wisdom but by that beautiful grace of inspiration that God himself gives by His Holy Spirit. What strikes me more and more is how simple this path to victory really is when we reengage with the Great Commission.
Very simple. Very easy.
When we look to His Word for our leading, we find our path, peace, strength, and mission.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:5–6 KJV)
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30 KJV)
All this comes when we come back to His mission and His original intended direction of the commission.
To finding a joy I think the church has been looking for a really long time because again I believe we have been looking in the wrong direction.
But by a simple 15 percent turn, much like the turning of the sun that Hezekiah was offered (Isaiah 38), we have that same opportunity to turn it back on the right path again of finding His joy and finding our mission.
Just a simple 15-degree turn of the heart.
To His way. His mission. His outcome. His results.
This I believe will transform the church by the same magnitude and force as the reformation did.
It all correlates to one of Christ’s most powerful commandments—the Great Commission.
It was one of the last major commandments He issued to his disciples before He ascended to His rightful throne. Not the building of more synagogues (buildings) but a speaking of mission.
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. (Matthew 28:19)
The timing of this verse just before His ascension I think explains just how powerful a statement that Jesus wanted to imprint on our hearts and minds as to its significance. To be concentrated on the mission.
To that of using the Great Commission to redeem people to His kingdom by the biblical standard of going.
The trouble came when we began to redefine that standard of mission.
Check the financials.
But with this dream, by such a simple number, a very easy number actually, I think we can (must) get back to that original definition and scope of what His mission was always meant to be. To go and make disciples of all nations.
To encompass, include, comprehend and envelop all aspects of the Great Commission into our church’s missional agendas again to steer not only our resources but also our hearts to look beyond to carry out that mandate, that mission.
By our first 15 percent, I believe we can carry out that mandate with a dynamic force and overwhelming results with healing and hope to the nations—an eternal hope.
And this is where the dream, the vision, the hope really comes in … by His church coming together in bringing the first 15 percent of all our received (undesignated) donations toward the war effort of the Great Commission.
Just by that simple number, we collectively win a very simple victory.
When we pool in together.
When we believe in the same mission together.
Based upon a truth. Written in His Word as truth.
Our first 15 begins the mission of the Great Commission.
Individually and corporately.
Steering the church back into its proper direction of the Great Commission outside our doors.
The book of Acts church had it all so right—outward looking, outwardly focused.
However, we returned it inwards.
Check the financials.
But by a simple adjustment to how we treat our first 15, I believe we can get back there again.
Back to His Great Commission, and back to the same book of Acts results.
Just on that one initiative alone.
On how we use our first 15.
This is how simple an amount (really a percentage) can propel a revolution.
To a brand new Revolution in World Missions.
To bringing humanity to restoration through His Son, Jesus Christ.
By a missional heart, a missionary focus and force, a given commission.
Individually and corporately.
Our first 15 gets us back on that track.
I know this story oh so well about getting right with the true mission. My life was all about getting to that elusive dream of a million dollars. (I know; think Mike Myers, Austin Powers …)
I know it really sounded that silly and even more so when I looked back now to how I was going against the grain. Against His Word.
All that work. All that worry. All that tiredness.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless a miserable business! (Ecclesiastes 4:7–8)
That was going to be the destiny of my life—a million dollars, a simple, one-bedroom apartment, and then do whatever I wanted.
Sounds like a Bible story somewhere in there, doesn’t it?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (Luke 12:18–19 KJV)
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About the Book
Martin Sim is a devout Christian with a heartfelt desire to help others know the truth of Christ and the importance of His Word.
In an inspirational guide, Sim explores the art of missional giving by returning to one of Christ’s most powerful commandments—the Great Commission. While encouraging believers and church leaders that when we reengage with the dynamic “Book of Acts” model and bring the first 15 percent of our efforts and resources toward the war effort of the Commission, that these actions will allow the church to once again find its joy, purpose, peace, and calling. By utilizing the simple first 15 model, Sim reminds believers that it is well in their ability to change a world to see a kingdom and what they will receive if they follow Christ’s mission and restore themselves to the needs of the poor and needy, the lost, and those without hope. All when we go outside of ourselves.
The Second Part of the Equation shares stories and scripture that show a clear path and demonstrate viable reasons for the church, its leaders, and its followers to return to its original mission.
About the Author
Martin Sim worked in the computer industry for over twenty-five years. Today, he resides on the family farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, with his dog, Libbie. Martin’s hobbies include his daily morning prayer walk, a good coffee, watching the final nine holes of the Masters, and keeping a watch on his Dallas Cowboys.