I imagine the Apostle Paul at the end of his life; his memories of recent years of preaching and suffering are filled to the brim and somehow the corners of his mouth are curling up with an unspeakable joy.
I’m not sure if one can call it “pride” when we describe the satisfaction of churches planted, heresies silenced, hundreds of both Jewish and nonJewish men and women discovering the truth of the resurrected Savior, more than a dozen churches. Paul could not know in these moments that his letters would pass through the fingers of servants and strangers to reach our minds and encourage our souls. And yet, that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit worked in him to do.
In spite of the direct impact of Paul’s legacy, we often overlook his initiative to take on future leaders…his own disciples. Timothy, Silas, Sylvanus, Epaphroditus, Philemon, and others. And while these men saw Paul as a mentor-figure, he saw them as “co-workers”. I imagine the honor these men would cherish – to know that Paul thought of them and treated them as men who shared in the apostolic mission to carry his name to the nations:
…the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9:15-16 (NIV)
Such a mission! To carry his name. His holy, weighty, powerful, majestic, life-giving name. It was on this name…on this person…that Paul claimed all of his churches are built on him. In perhaps one of his more famous metaphors for the church, Paul describes the people of God as a building:
Through God’s loving-favor to me, I laid the stones on which the building was to be built. I did it like one who knew what he was doing. Now another person is building on it. Each person who builds must be careful how he builds on it. 1 Cor 3:9-11 (NLV)
The Greek here is arkitekton – that’s right, the architect. The head-designer AND builder. Paul looked at Christ as the perfect foundation and then chose the best human-materials to build the rest. (Not “best” as in worthy, but best as in the best available resources.)
So, friends, where do we do this? By looking at those whom God has placed around us. We invite one, two, five, (maybe even!) twelve people into our lives to learn and grow with us. And we reject the notion that we have nothing to offer the kingdom. For the ungodly lies seek to thwart our disciple-making work with..
…because of my past,
…because of my sin,
…because I’m too young,
…because I’m too old,
…because my wounds are fresh,
…because I’m not a good teacher. (and on and on…for we will never run out of excuses)
It does not matter if you call yourself a discipler, a teacher, or a mentor. What matters is that you BUILD UP the kingdom with fellow stones. What matters is the obedience to multiply God’s family. What matters is the community that becomes more creative, breathtaking, and dynamic all because we never give up on the mission to live like Christ in this world and invite others into the journey.
In this work of disciple-making, remember that the spiritual gifts were given to all to develop a stronger and healthier Christ-centered community:
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (1 Cor 14:12, emphasis mine)
So let your imaginations fly! Begin to live into Paul’s vision of the beautiful Kingdom of God that takes the best available materials around you — namely, your neighbor — and creates cathedrals out of common stones.
After all, that’s all Paul was. Just another stone willing to be used by God.
Not Just a Corner 