Barrow, AK 2008: For those who casually say that they’ve been to the Arctic Ocean, they probably need to be sent back (because they missed it). Similarly, many disciples and all non-disciples need to be sent back to what has already been made available. Subsequently, they must make a better account of themselves to God or the “send back” will repeat itself as often as necessary. As for Arianna and Isaiah, they are the Arctic Ocean and it is them!
From Trent Ling:
The substantial efforts undertaken in this ministry of the Word have long been thoughtful, careful, and orderly. Contrary to the self-serving whims of many, we are not haphazard, sloppy, or aimless. As a result, God has built in us a storehouse of spiritual resources now available to ourselves and to the entire world. More and more, we must become men and women of God who send people back to these innumerable and past-provided troughs of spiritual food and drink, rather than re-teaching or re-proclaiming what has already been suitably provided. Undoubtedly, the seasonal mantra of the ministry must become, “Send Them Back,” until we live the mantra automatically with the discipline provided by the Spirit.
Though men are enamored of the prideful and false notion that their own situation, nature, sin, and condition stands unique, God has eternally decreed that, “no temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. Additionally, in the chaos of men scheming to be regarded greatly and esteemed beyond measure, God quells the jovial madness by proclaiming that, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace,” and that, “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40. Leaving zero room for posturing, posing, or puffing, these verses are despised by most. But, we will not re-invent the bible or mangle the real ministry of it. Send them back.
In ministering, we often rightfully provide the safeguard of reminding. Philippians 3:1. However, well beyond that, we provide an orderly and obtainable bevy of spiritual truths always available for the earnest and the interested. Similarly, in drawing up the third gospel, Luke accounts of himself and his endeavor as follows: “Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account…” Luke 1:3. Additionally, we see the painstaking efforts of order revealed in productions like the 65 chapters of 1 & 2 Chronicles. We even see Paul insisting that his Colossian letter be read to the entire church, and then exchanged with the Laodicean letter for more church-wide reading in both churches. Beyond that, since these are letters, they can be read and grasped again and again without distortion, making them even preferable to conversation in substantial ways. The instruction has already been provided and the understanding availably stands by. Send them back.
For us, we have been so amply supplied over the past decade of discharging and stockpiling spiritual salvos. For those supposedly in need, send them back to the hundreds of recorded preached messages. Send them back to the vast and varied website writings. Send them back to the detailed and specific recorded letter teachings. Send them back to their own archived letters outlining their own episodic spiritual plateaus with their own new and/or renewed convictions. Send them back to the salty and life-saving advice account letters shared by many over the years. Send them back to their own living stone account. Send them back to the scribed meeting notes chronicling years of gatherings. Send them back to their own voluminous supplemental notes taken historically in the presence of fellowship, teaching, and sharing settings. These treasure troves must be spent. They cannot be ignored, wasted, or re-built and re-stocked any longer. Send them back.
Of course, in a ministry as open and unassuming as ours, we receive and endure our biblical share of infiltrators, meddlers, and false brothers and sisters. Beyond that, we take the brunt of the expense of those accepted as disciples who sow sparingly and seemingly always “need” more help. Truly, it is Satan’s greatest scheme to waste the time resources of the real working disciples in this ministry. The workers are few. Luke 10:2. We cannot and will not expend them on such wasteful enterprises lacking a spiritual payoff for our great God. Our people are still too gullible. They will teach the obstinate and prideful (in or out of the ministry) what the obstinate and prideful have already been taught and have already ignored, or rejected, or both. Feigning spiritual thirst and hunger, the obstinate and prideful always seem to find their way back before the faces and favors of working disciples. This can no longer be. Send them back.
Should we actually become a disciplined people who “send them back,” God will be elated. We will see the sword of the Spirit go to work. People will either leave, or repent and live! Beyond that, even for the shallow but earnestly seeking, understanding will be gained where it had previously proved elusive. For the Scriptures contemplate a scenario whereby our love can abound “in knowledge and depth of insight.” Philippians 1:9. Following the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1), our people will be able to grow up and join those who’ve previously learned and grown “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. This will never happen if a minimum of a handful of disciples is required to instruct each person who presents with a question, a confusion, or a problem. Send them back.
The hard and loving work has been done already, and the reaping of the benefits of that labor lay available to all. John 4:38. Furthermore, we are not required to answer all questions posed. We could pull a Jesus and ask the questioner, “What is written in the Law and how do you read it?” Luke 10:26. We must serve an orderly God with orderly efforts. We must do people a favor by requiring them to seek God and His Truth. We must never aspire to be anything resembling the Bible answer man, lest anyone trust in us. Send them back.
Send them back, and let them prove themselves. In this way, they can get what they need and become what they must. Only then can ground be broken on the monumental and indispensable work facing what appears to be a dwindling few.
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