Mere Missions

198 • M ere M issions : M oving F orward to M ultiply

platform gave Paul an eternal perspective to look at the things that are unseen; the really real (2 Cor. 4.15-18). Without these planks being anchored firmly together, the platform becomes unstable. Standing on an unstable platform will cause anyone to shrink back, abandon, withdraw, and to give up. When this happens, one becomes a “John Mark.” When the planks of the Apostolic Missions Platform are anchored securely we can endure and move forward when we are assaulted from within and without by our spiritual enemy. This does not guarantee churches and church planting movements will happen. Our responsibility is to align ourselves with these apostolic Pauline missions planks so that we can engage in an aggressive Apostolic Missions Platform . The growth and movement are always the Lords (1 Cor. 3.6-7). The feeling to abandon missions is normal, and for good reasons. Missions is waging war “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6.12). The Church battles against an ancient enemy whose intent is not just to squelch the advancement and expansion of the Kingdom of God but to annihilate the Church and its ambassadors. The enemy comes at us from every front using the various weapons of temptations, trials, pains, struggles, fears, and death. He knows no rules of engagement. He will ruthlessly attack heart, soul, strength, and mind. He will do all he can to put the spirit of cowardice within the bravest of us. But there is no room in the Kingdom of God for cowards (Rev. 21.7-8a). His demonic minions will assault your family and friends. And when you have a slight reprieve from the battle, he will come at you again at an opportune time (Luke 4.13). The “spirit of John Mark” will scream within the Church to abandon the missions mandate. So, what has kept the Church ever pressing forward?