The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
The death of King Saul, the death of John the Baptist, the death of Lazarus, the death of Christ, the death of Stephen (the first martyr of the early church)- all of these were radical events that literally changed the course of human history forever. Why? – Because death levels the playing field. Recently, a friend of mine passed away in Los Angeles and it had profound impact on all those who knew him. Only 33 years old, he had a wife and three amazing children. Being a disciple, he had recently moved his family to L.A. to try and give them the best chance possible to stay strong spiritually. He gave up a tremendous career, a beautiful house and a very comfortable life to move back to L.A., in his spiritual pursuit. Literally, he did the best he could to give up everything for Jesus. Sadly, after just 6 months- he suddenly passed away one evening while playing basketball, leaving his wife and kids without a husband or father. All were sobered at the memorial service as we remembered his life. He had quite an impact, but was gone forever. Death had humbled us all and most were in tears as we remembered this man’s life.
Interestingly, not one issue was made of many of us who were there that day who have been “disfellowshipped” by the leadership of the L.A. church. Just a few months ago, some of my friends from the newly formed L.A. International Christian Church were escorted out of a wedding by the leaders because they are considered divisive. They have been marked for having started a new church and because of their friendship with Kip McKean. In the spirit of Matthew 10:26-39, my wife and I drove 6 hours to be with other disciples at the memorial service, risking the possibility of being “escorted out”.
No one said a word. Death had truly leveled the playing field as I saw dozens of former members who either currently attend other churches, who had fallen away all together, or had started new fellowships in their area with the dream of being in a church of only totally sold-out disciples. We were all together- humbled by the death of our friend.
In the Phoenix International Christian Church, there is deep conviction that we are united with our brothers in the Portland Movement. Although controversial, we can see the “evidence of the grace of God” Acts 11:23, and so we joyfully join with our family of churches in our quest to make Christ known in every nation of the world. Following is a quote taken from a recent Portland bulletin article that may help some understand our stance and prayerfully continue to build bridges rather than burn them:
“We in the Portland Discipling Movement are calling out a remnant from the ICOC, the mainline Churches of Christ, the conservative Christian Churches as well as those who have “walked away” from the ICOC. God is using this rapidly multiplying remnant to form a new movement of churches, which are distinguished by our sold-out commitment to God and our love for one another though discipling. Each disciple’s love of Christ compels us to collectively dream of evangelizing the world in this generation. These were our original teachings in 1979 which God used to form the Boston Movement, which officially became the ICOC in 1994. Now we are considered divisive, because the present ICOC church leaders no longer fully embrace these teachings. We are not drawing people away from God, but are unapologetically calling everyone to repent of lukewarmness, bitterness and unbelief and return to God as sold-out disciples. Bottom line, the question must be asked to the present leaders of the ICOC, “Who divided from whom?” After this answer, the questioners stated they now understood divisiveness was not always sinful and why those threatened by our new movement wrongfully label us “sinfully divisive.” Yet even then I reiterated, “If disciples feel that they will be closer to God and more fruitful in the old ICOC Churches, then I wish them well and pray they will multiply disciples there. The Portland Discipling Movement leaders are striving ‘to turn the other cheek’ by refusing to draw a line of fellowship. We want there to be a genuine ‘bridge of fellowship’ to visit our congregations to see what God is doing among us. Daily we pray that more individuals and whole congregations will join us.” -Kip McKean-
Here is my challenge to anyone in any fellowship seeking to be true disciples:
First- Examine you heart to see if you are in the faith as Paul directed the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6. This charge was to individuals as well as the whole church, especially the leaders.
Secondly- Examine your fellowship to see if you have fallen into lukewarmness, Revelation 3:15-16 or are simply in a dying church- with a lost first love- that must be called to repentance as in Revelation 2:4-5. Individually and as a congregation we will be held accountable for our obedience or lack of faith. John 4:23-24 plainly says, that we must worship in spirit and truth- these are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. What are you willing to do to be a part of a sold-out movement rather than just settle? As in the story of the pearl of great price Matthew 13:44-46, it will cost you everything and yet is worth more than anything! We have had to be radical in examining every motive, direction, and effort put forth in this fellowship and we have been pruned heavily. I thank God for the men and women around me that are willing to count the cost of building a church that will glorify God in the long run and not just short term. It is costly, and yet the only way to build. In just six short months, we have suffered heartache and failure and yet the church continues to grow! It was exciting to see another man baptized last week as Pete Goodwin was added to our number!
Thirdly and finally, let us live life to the full John 10:10 and truly give up everything, go anywhere and do anything for the sake of the gospel and in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ! Are you willing to die for the sake of the gospel and for your brother John 15:13-17?
Eleven men leading the way and a little over a hundred faithful, a tiny remnant, turned the world upside down in the first century and it can be done again- but how much more of a victory and glory to God if we worked together. I am fully persuaded that if each of us focus on the power of the cross of Christ, letting the death of Jesus level the playing field, that any disciple anywhere in any fellowship can be united heart and soul and we then can forge a movement that will win the world in our generation- together! Otherwise- God will continue to call out a remnant, as He always does, to get His gospel preached to all nations.
He stoops down to make us great,
Matt Sullivan
