Reaching Out
No Cup Alike
May 20, 2005

“And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure (literally, ratson -delight).” Est 1:7-8 (NKJV, Strong’s Concordance)

Here, in the Book of Esther, we read that the King, who is fabulously wealthy and very generous, has thrown a party for the entire town. Wine is being offered in abundance. It is being served in cups that are all distinct, each one different from the other. Guests are not to be forced to drink but each one is to be allowed to participate according to his desire.

I think this gives us a wonderful picture of what the church (and evangelism) is to be like in our day. God, our fabulously wealthy King, is throwing a party for our city. He is very generous and has wine in abundance. Because He is so wealthy, He is able to serve the wine in golden, one-of-a-kind cups. He wants His guests to participate freely so He refuses to compel anyone to drink but gives each guest the freedom to participate according to his or her desire.

In my analogy, we/our churches (with our particular evangelistic styles) are the cups. We are first refined in the fire until we are beautiful gold, and then we are uniquely shaped to become one-of-a-kind vessels to hold the King’s abundant wine. It is a sign of the King’s wealth that there is no vessel alike. Cookie-cutter, assembly line produced cups would reflect a kingdom of much less wealth. In our city, we have a fabulously wealthy King who is able to offer His wine in many different, unique people, styles and churches.

As I started thinking about this, it caused me to start thinking about the number of churches in our city as a reflection, not merely of division, but of our King’s wealth. He is too wealthy to have His wine served in only one kind of cup. He has far too many facets to display. He understands that each one will be drawn to a different cup and that some are not ready to drink at all.

I think Jesus presents a similar picture by offering the various descriptions of the kingdom of heaven (in Matthew 13). The kingdom of our God is too vast and multi-faceted be summed up by one description (or offered to others in one kind of cup).

Listed below are the Matthew 13 descriptions Jesus gave of the kingdom of heaven with a few suggestions regarding what each one might represent in terms of evangelism. This is a bare minimum list that will hopefully stimulate further thinking in two areas: (1) Consideration of the type of cup has God made me/my church; (2) Appreciation of God’s wealth in our cities.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field…” ( vs 24)
• Dropping in acts of kindness, words of truth at every opportunity; study/consecrated living so that “good” seeds can be sown; patient waiting in hope/watering with prayer.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (vs 31)
• Our lives, our churches growing steadily into refuges for others; not despising small beginnings; seeking, through spiritual disciplines/the forming of relationships, to become a place where “the birds of the air (people) come and nest.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven…” (vs 33)
• Seeping into our society through workplace relationships, becoming involved in various civic or recreational groups in the city; political activism

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…” (vs 44)
• Uncovering/showing off the beauty of Christ through the Word, art/music and prayer experiences - creating study opportunities/sacred spaces for “treasure seekers”; seeing those who do not yet know Christ as precious “treasure” to be sought out - door-to-door/street outreach that connects people with God’s love for them

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls...” (vss 45-46)
• Passionate preaching of the beauty of Christ, the pearl of great price to us; passionate preaching of the love of God for us, the pearl of great price to Him

“Again, the kingdom of God is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea…” (vs 47)
• Deliberate going out, submerging oneself/one’s network of relationships into the sea of a certain sector of society with the intention of gathering people in

I think its interesting to note that Jesus offered these descriptions of the kingdom of heaven in two different settings. He began his teaching from a boat where he sat so he could address a large crowd standing on the shore.

Halfway through, He sent the multitude away, entered a private home and finished up the teaching with the small group of His disciples. (Mt 13:36) Diversity of approach abounded in Jesus’ ministry. There was to be no cookie cutter approach to be copied. What a wealthy King! Each time He offered the “cup of royal wine” to someone, it was a unique offering for that person or that group.

I am excited that we have so many “cups” in our city. I am excited that our God is giving a party for the whole town. I pray that the offering and array of vessels will be increasingly dazzling and irresistible to the ones who have not yet begun to drink.

Lord, continue to refine and shape your people into beautiful, unique vessels for Your royal wine. Make us vessels that will bring the pleasure and delight of knowing You to many people all around us.