Ken Adams is a gifted minister who serves as Senior Pastor of the 3000 member Crossroads Church in Newnan, Georgia. He has a passion for discipleship and, as a result, founded Impact Ministries to help his church “be and build Disciples of Jesus Christ”.
In his 2006 book titled Becoming a Plan “A” Christian, he tells the following story.
During my first year of seminary, I heard a professor tell a story that has remained etched in my mind for years and has changed the way I look at life. I remember my professor telling this well-worn preacher’s story that went something like this. When Jesus returned to heaven after His resurrection, the angel Gabriel greeted Him.
As soon as Gabriel saw the Lord, he welcomed Him back to heaven and asked Him how things had gone during His time on earth. Jesus told Gabriel that His time on earth went very well. He told him that while on earth the Father had allowed Him to do many miraculous things and to teach some very incredible truths.
Jesus went on to say the enemy crucified Him, but the Father gave Him the final victory through the power of the resurrection. Gabriel said, “Wow Jesus, it sounds like you had an awesome experience. So now that you are back here, what happens? Is it all over?”
Jesus said, “Oh no, Gabe. While I was on earth, the Father gave me twelve men to disciple. Over the past several years, I have entrusted to them the very things the Father has given Me. They will pass on to the next generation all the things I have given to them.”
Gabriel had a curious look on his face and asked Jesus another question. “Lord, that sounds great. However, what if those twelve men do not pass on what you have given them. Lord, what is plan ‘B’?” Jesus looked at Gabriel with a sense of expectation and said, “Gabriel, I have no other plan. There is no plan ‘B’. If these men don’t pass it on, no one will!”*
How true! God could have chosen any way He desired to reach the world with the message of the gospel. But He chose His followers to do it for Him.
In the sixteenth chapter of Mark’s gospel (verse 15), Jesus told His followers to “go into all the world and preach the gospel…”
In the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew’s gospel (verses19-20), Jesus further said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...”
And there it is: God’s Plan “A”. There is no Plan “B”. We either do what we have been called to do or not. But that is His plan. There is no backup plan. In light of this, Christians everywhere should re-double their efforts to share the love of Jesus with everyone with whom they have opportunity. For nothing less than eternity hangs in the balance!
*SOURCE: http://impactdiscipleship.com/files/PlanA.pdf. Ken’s e-book is available in a pdf format on his web site at: http://impactdiscipleship.com/.
In his 2006 book titled Becoming a Plan “A” Christian, he tells the following story.
During my first year of seminary, I heard a professor tell a story that has remained etched in my mind for years and has changed the way I look at life. I remember my professor telling this well-worn preacher’s story that went something like this. When Jesus returned to heaven after His resurrection, the angel Gabriel greeted Him.
As soon as Gabriel saw the Lord, he welcomed Him back to heaven and asked Him how things had gone during His time on earth. Jesus told Gabriel that His time on earth went very well. He told him that while on earth the Father had allowed Him to do many miraculous things and to teach some very incredible truths.
Jesus went on to say the enemy crucified Him, but the Father gave Him the final victory through the power of the resurrection. Gabriel said, “Wow Jesus, it sounds like you had an awesome experience. So now that you are back here, what happens? Is it all over?”
Jesus said, “Oh no, Gabe. While I was on earth, the Father gave me twelve men to disciple. Over the past several years, I have entrusted to them the very things the Father has given Me. They will pass on to the next generation all the things I have given to them.”
Gabriel had a curious look on his face and asked Jesus another question. “Lord, that sounds great. However, what if those twelve men do not pass on what you have given them. Lord, what is plan ‘B’?” Jesus looked at Gabriel with a sense of expectation and said, “Gabriel, I have no other plan. There is no plan ‘B’. If these men don’t pass it on, no one will!”*
How true! God could have chosen any way He desired to reach the world with the message of the gospel. But He chose His followers to do it for Him.
In the sixteenth chapter of Mark’s gospel (verse 15), Jesus told His followers to “go into all the world and preach the gospel…”
In the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew’s gospel (verses19-20), Jesus further said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...”
And there it is: God’s Plan “A”. There is no Plan “B”. We either do what we have been called to do or not. But that is His plan. There is no backup plan. In light of this, Christians everywhere should re-double their efforts to share the love of Jesus with everyone with whom they have opportunity. For nothing less than eternity hangs in the balance!
*SOURCE: http://impactdiscipleship.com/files/PlanA.pdf. Ken’s e-book is available in a pdf format on his web site at: http://impactdiscipleship.com/.