On Assignment
Throughout a major portion of my personal history I have made it a priority to read biographies of great leaders. Many of them have been mighty prophets, teachers, reformers, great business leaders, and valiant defenders of faith and freedom. I personally have favorites. As I flip through the pages of history, I most recently admire Ronald Reagan and his visionary presidency that enflamed the American dream back into our culture.
I greatly admire the courageous stand of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He preached with power and skill that few men ever approach, he led with wisdom and skill guided by the holy teachings of Scripture, and he achieved phenomenal results without ever raising a gun or a sword — only girded with the weapon of Truth.
I admire Winston Churchill. His fearless fight against evil Nazism leading the world to overthrow the hatred of Hitler. I look back at the distinction of men with conviction like Abraham Lincoln and am amazed at the impact of their life on each of us here today.
I recall the cry for freedom of the founding fathers of our country who cried “Give me liberty, or give me death.” I remember the great men and women of God who through sacrifice of their own interests have carried the light of the gospel to foreign lands, have advanced the fires of revival into complacent countries, and have been used of God to thrust the sickle and reap a mighty harvest of souls.
I admire the untarnished evangelistic work of the evangelist Billy Graham and the thousands of souls he has led to the foot of the cross.
I admire the bold-daring outreach of David Wilkerson into the gangs of New York City. I praise God for the mighty crusades preached by Rinehard Bohnke that have resulted in millions of African souls being bathed in the blood of Christ.
I respect the revolutionary revival brought to England and America by John & Charles Wesley. I look with amazement at the leadership of George Whitfield who preached in the open fields to thousands of who gathered, hungry for a fresh move of God. I admire the leadership, brilliance, and powerful preaching done by Jonathan Edwards as he awakened men to see the terror of a Holy God.
I look at men of God like John Knox, who cried, “Give me revival, or I die,” with respect that words cannot truly capture. I am so grateful for the uncompromising stand for justification by faith alone taken by Martin Luther, who stand reformed all of western culture.
Yet for me to bring you to the man that I most respect, we must look into the pages of Holy Scripture. But the Bible contains the stories of so many great men, how do you choose only one?
But when I read about any of the above I discover that the really great ones realized their assignment came from God. They received a new name and assignment. What is your assignment for this season.
Pastor Mark