Uncrucified Christianity
Jesus said that if we wanted to follow him we would have to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him (Mark 8:34). But often we are content to settle for uncrucified Christianity–a kind of Christianity that requires little and caters to us.
Uncrucified Christianity is the source of a lot of pain and frustration in the body. It causes us to see everything that God is doing through the lens of how it benefits us. It paralyzes us in our spiritual growth. It makes us ingrown and not outward focused.
You see uncrucified Christianity all around you.
People who get excited about the prophetic promise of a spectacular ministry but never want to serve.
People who want community but never want to share someone else’s burden.
People who love Jesus but never share the gospel.
People who love Jesus but can’t be bothered to be part of a community of people who challenge them in love.
In short, uncrucified Christianity is a hot mess.
There is an answer, but it’s not fun. We all have to go back to Jesus and acknowledge that Christianity is not about us. Once we received the Kingdom of God, this became about Jesus and the Good News.
Jesus said:
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”
Mark 8:35
Most of Christianity is trying to find their life. But every attempt, no matter how noble looking on the outside, that is not us denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Jesus will inevitably end up with us losing whatever sense of fulfillment we are looking for. Even if we are seeking for it in spiritual environments.
But friends, if we give our lives away for the sake of Jesus and spreading the gospel, we will find more life than we know what to do with. And it will transform everything we do from a selfish expression looking to boost ourselves into a spiritual expression backed by power from heaven.
That means we need to go back to the cross. Lay our pursuits there at its feet. And wait for God to tell us what to do next.
God, save us from uncrucified Christianity.
Sing
A year ago someone came up to me and shared with me that they felt the Lord loved it when I sing to Him.
This wasn’t terribly surprising because one of the ways I consistently have met the Lord in my past is through song. I’m not a terribly good singer. I can’t plan an instrument. I just meet the Lord when I sing from my heart.
So as this year came to a close, it was with a little bit of regret that I realized I hadn’t done more singing to Jesus in my time alone with Him. I even started joking with the kids about how I was going to pick up playing a ukulele. Did I mention I didn’t own a ukulele?
So it was funny to me at Christmas that my wife “just so happened” to get me a ukulele for Christmas. Maybe it’s time I start singing again.
I think one of the things if we move out of showy Christianity into any of the more missional and house church elements of our faith is a temptation to believe that our songs are a show meant to draw others to a meeting. Really our songs are meant to draw us to God.
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
-Ephesians 5:18-19
There is a place where we are so filled with the Spirit that we overcome our inhibitions about how we look and what people think of us and we sing. It is to the Lord (not to men) and it happens in the arena of our hearts.
This next year, I want to find that place again. I hope you’ll join me.
Related:
Photo Credit: Sing for Hope by Caterina Guidoni
Dear Onething Attenders
Dear Onething Attenders
I love you. No, really. I really love you. I was there last year with my 18-year-old, my nine-year-old, and my seven-year-old. This year my 19-year-old is with you by herself, spreading her wings a little bit. So to say that I love you is not a stretch at all.
In fact, I was you. Believer it or not, this old looking guy was at the very first Onething conference in 2001 as a 20-year-old and I was part of every one since until 2006 when my wife and I were having our first baby. I remember the days of traveling to Kansas City, the close relationships that would forge over hours in the car together, the anticipation of what God would do, the early mornings trying to get good seats and the long days meeting God during worship and preaching. I remember all of it.
Several years into going to Onething, I made the transition of moving to KC and joining what is now called IHOPU. I transitioned from going to the conference to living the lifestyle. I loved it. I remember when the realization hit me during my second or third year there that the Onething gathering is probably the closest thing to an apostolic gathering that I had ever been part of. And even though I’m not in KC anymore, it’s kept me coming back. Truth be told, if circumstances allowed, I’d be there again this year.
So with that said, as an old guy to some young folks, let me tell you some things I’ve learned over the years that will help this short window be as meaningful as possible.
Be There
I mean this in the best way possible. Be all in. Be there for what this conference is. Nothing ever made me sadder during my times there when I would see other young people my age hanging out, goofing off, flirting, and just trying to have a good time outside of the conference. You came because something in your heart stirred when you heard about people living radically for God. Don’t miss a minute of your short chance to see that played out.
Believe It
So you’re there in the midst of this huge conference and you’re hearing about a God who loves you more than you ever thought, you’re hearing about what God wants to do in the Earth, and I’m sure you’ve heard how God wants to use you to impact your world. But you know you’re going to have to go back home and live a normal life. Will any of this still be real when you get back? Can I just say that the most important fight you will have over the next week is to embrace everything God has for you and believe that it will still be true? It will still be true when the bands have moved from the stage to the prayer room and you are on your way home. Believe that the things you hear this week are true that they will still be true a month from now when Mike Bickle isn’t declaring them over thousands of people. Build your life around these things. It’s important for the future.
Find Some Old Guys (or Ladies) and Ask How They Did It
You’ll hear this over and over again at this conference. Being radical is not showing up for these three days and worshiping really, really loudly. Being radical is taking the things that you learn here and living them out for the next 30 and 40 years, should the Lord tarry. If that’s true, you’re going to need to find some people who have been doing that longer than you have. Hopefully some of the people who brought you are in that category. But if not, determine not just to buy a t-shirt or a teaching series, but to find someone who has done this and ask them how they did it.
Also, make sure you pay attention when Mike Bickle and Allen Hood are speaking. There will probably be younger people that you can relate to better that will speak at this conference. You could be tempted to think they have nothing to teach you. I’ve seen Mike preach controversial messages and have hundreds of young adults walk out of the room But I’ve watched these guys continue to live the same lifestyle, day in and day out for years. They are steady and fiery. That makes them worth paying extra close attention to. Don’t miss their sessions if you can possibly help it.
Make Time for Jesus
I’m sure at this point you’re thinking, “Seriously? Doesn’t he realize I’m at Onething?” But the fact of the matter is you can get so caught up being in conference mode that you don’t pray or seek the Lord. If the Lord isn’t prompting you to be at a workshop, head to the prayer room. Pray about the things God is speaking to you. Talk to Him. He wants to speak to You. Some of my most powerful times last year were during the times I snuck away to be with Jesus. You won’t regret it.
Okay. I know you’re busy. I’ll leave it at that. I might write again next week to encourage you in what to do after you’re back home. But for now, enjoy what God is doing with you. Keep saying “yes” every time He asks. You will not regret it.
Sincerely
Travis Kolder
Onething Class of ’01
Cluster Map
Pursuing Glory 