"Big Problem–Big Platform"
By Bishop Frank Tunstall
When our Lord came out of the grave bodily, His triumph established a resurrection principle in life. This becomes clear when we put on the gospel bifocals and gaze at both the Lord’s cross and His empty tomb: in Christ, every ending has within it the seeds of a new beginning; a rainbow is in every cloud.
A new year has now dawned on the land of the free and the home of the brave, full of challenges. I think we usually see such problems (in fact, most of our problems), as our enemies. But the resurrection principle teaches that the unscalable mountain in your life can actually be your friend, your greatest opportunity. In God’s economy, the only thing He makes crowns out of is crosses. When you have conquered your toughest cross, you’ll also have your crowning achievement.
Your big platform for ministry tomorrow is probably the huge problem in your life right now, the big threat, the horrendous pain. In fact, God is erecting your next platform today, but it no doubt does not look to you like a stage at all. What you see instead is a huge cliff even the best of mountain climbers cannot scale. But when the Heavenly Carpenter finishes His work, it will be a big platform on which the Holy Spirit can orchestrate a grand performance through your life. That’s the essence of the resurrection principle. The darkest hour always seems to be just before dawn.
With God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
The Jebusites were so convinced their fortress was impregnable they actually taunted David: "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off; you cannot get in here" (2 Samuel 5:6). But David did, with Joab leading the way (1 Chronicles 11:6). That victory gave David a fortress he transformed into his capitol, birthing Jerusalem as the city of David. Because Joab was the first man through the water shaft, he found a new platform too, becoming commander of David’s army. And here we are, three thousand years later: we still look back at that achievement and marvel. Big Problem, Big Platform!
The apostle Peter’s failure at the Lord’s trial was horrendous. He denied his Messiah and used cursing and swearing to prove it. Peter dug a hole so deep one would think he’d never get out of it. But the Lord judged Peter that night by his repentance and not by his sins. Peter climbed his own impossible mountain when he went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). The Lord had prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail, and then led him straight into an unbelievable set of crushing circumstances. Jesus was building a platform, although at the time Peter could not see it. But…
On the Day of Pentecost, WOW! What a sermon. The apostle was a match for the platform; he was ready. Pentecost was such a big event only God could stage it, but the Spirit also had His spokesman. Steeled in the furnace of adversity, Peter stepped on the stage, as right there the Holy Spirit birthed the Lord’s church. Two thousand years later, we’re still quoting what Peter said at 9:00 o’clock that historic morning.
Big Problem, Big Platform!
That huge challenge you're facing right now. Can you see it's there to build a stage on which the Holy Spirit will launch you into a new beginning? And the bigger the challenge, the bigger the platform!
So, even in this dark year of our national history, get up my fellow laborer; embrace the fight! And when you do, your victory will become your stage.
That’s the resurrection principle.
[Editor's comment: This message by Bishop Frank Tunstall came as I was thinking about how to develop the theme God has given me for the New Year of 2011--"Think Possibility."
When I read this message I was convinced that God had confirmed the theme He had given me.
When God gives a vision, He always gives the provision.
I believe that Bishop Tunstall's message will touch your life by reviving your call and mission in life, as well as renewing and re-energizing you for the work ahead. Think about it and think possibility!
Thank you, Bishop Tunstall for this Word from the Lord.]
Posted on
Wed, January 5, 2011
by Hugh Morgan