SEW has nothing to do with needle and thread. It’s one of BFA’s acronyms: Spiritual Emphasis Week. During this time, we have chapel every day with a guest speaker and guest worship leaders. At the end of each session, students broke into small groups led by seniors to discuss the talk.
This year, Dr. George Murray (called “Uncle George” by the students) gave the chapel talks. The theme this year was “Simply Jesus.”
Uncle George gave challenging messages
His question for the week was this: “Is Jesus the only way of salvation in the whole world?” Jesus claimed that he was the only way, but how could he support this assertion?
On Monday, Dr. Murray answered, “Because of who Jesus is” (God). On Tuesday, he added, “Because of what Jesus did” (died on the cross for the sins of the world).
In orchestra, we discussed the implications of this claim. At least half the group was uncomfortable with the idea that some people might go to Hell without ever hearing about Jesus. On Tuesday, Dr. Murray told the story of a young woman who had the same concerns – she said “it’s not fair!”
On Tuesday, Dr. Murray’s story had a twist. The same young woman became a Christian and immediately wanted to be a missionary. Her reasoning: “It’s still not fair! God gave us everything we need to be saved and take the Gospel to every nation, and we’re the ones not doing anything about it! It’s not God who’s unfair, it’s us!”
In guitar class, I asked the students if they had ever shared the Gospel with someone. Every single student was able to tell the story of the last time they had shared Christ with a friend. Some stories ended in tragic hopelessness, while others ended in joyful salvation of the friend.
On Wednesday, Dr. Murray addressed many of the questions that arise when confronted with the exclusivity of the Gospel. Such questions included:
- What about people before Christ?
- What about babies?
- What about people with mental deficiencies?
- Isn’t sincerity enough?
- Do non-believers get a second chance after they die?
While he did not answer every question in detail, he did provide a starting point for answers. Above all, the most valuable thing he gave the students was a curiosity that will cause many of them to dig deeper to find out what they truly believe. Their questions and seeking will lead them to find the Answer.
His big question at the end of the session was twofold:
- If you know the Gospel, are you saved?
- If you are saved, what are you doing now and planning to do to reach the lost and unreached?
This question caused some unease in my orchestra students. Some were concerned that they were not doing enough. It is my prayer that as they wrestle with their role and responsibility, that they will understand what they can do in their current context.
Thursday morning, Dr. Murray gave a talk on “Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” Many Christians have the idea the God has a specific will for their lives hidden away somewhere and they have to find it. Dr. Murray discussed Ephesians 5:17 and showed that God’s will is twofold:
- Sanctification of believers (1 Thess. 4:3)
- Evangelization of the entire world (2 Pet. 3:9)
To be in God’s will, believers should consider how their chosen vocation (what you do) and location (where you go) allow them to be aligned with God’s will by giving opportunities to spread the Gospel and grow in faith.
After the session I asked the guitar students what they could do with their current location at BFA in Germany and current vocation as students. They were a bit perplexed since most students at the school are believers and most of them don’t speak enough German or have any kind of connection into the German community.
The orchestra kids thought Thursday’s message was the most helpful. It relieved the pressure they have often felt about seeking an elusive calling on their lives.
Dr. Murray’s message on Friday was an appropriate end to the week; he discussed The Great Commission.
- What He wants us to do: Make disciples
- Where He wants us to go: of all nations
- How He wants us to do it: going, baptizing, teaching
He encouraged us all to follow God’s call on our lives. He made the point that God does not want to be merely included in your plans; rather, He wants you to be included in His plans.
Most of us treat our future plans like a legislature in a parliamentary democracy: We write out our plans and ask for God’s signature of approval at the bottom. God, however, operates in a monarchy: He gives us a blank page with “God’s Plans for My Life” at the top and asks us to sign at the bottom, allowing Him the freedom to write whatever He wants to write on our page.
Fortunately, we know that He is Good. We can trust Him with our lives.
It’s a challenging message. Students and staff alike were provoked to think deeply this week.
