The Jesus Question

Carter Moss serves as a pastor at the Ocean Beach Campus of Newbreak Church in San Diego, with Lead Pastor Mike Quinn. In our recent OMN Sending Conference, Carter was one of the presenters and related the compelling journey of this church plant. During his presentation, Carter posed a very sobering question to the over 80 who attended, “Would anyone care if your church closed?” What a very important question we all need to ask.
Carter shared how the Ocean Beach community where he serves viewed the church in a very negative light. But since planting the church in Ocean Beach, he testified that the attitude has changed. In fact, the community overwhelmingly applauds the presence of Newbreak Church and many now say, “We don’t know what we would do without Newbreak Church here.” People of all walks of life are making Newbreak their home church. It is an amazing story.
One of Carter’s key practices is to learn to ask, “the Jesus question.” Although Jesus asked numerous questions, this one particular Jesus question has opened doors to the heart of people who otherwise had been resistant and reluctant to the ministry of the church.

Mark 10:51 “What do you want me to do for you?”

Carter suggested rather than telling people what you would do for them or even assuming what they might need, learn to ask, “the Jesus question.” This is the question that Jesus asked a blind man in Jericho. Perhaps, one would think the need was obvious, the man was blind. However, Jesus looked beyond what was seen and saw the deeper need of the soul. This man had been rejected, bullied, abused and devalued all his life. But Jesus valued him and gave him opportunity to express his own need. This opened the door for a connection and resulted in Barnabas having his physical and spiritual eyes opened. It also impacted the community.

Mark 10:51-52 The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

I wonder what could happen if we started asking the Jesus question? I am convinced that we will see eyes opened, doors opened, and communities opened to the powerful and life changing message of Jesus if we simply ask people, community leaders, school principals, first responders and business owners this one question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
I suggest we all start asking and see what happens.