Month: December 2012

He Gave All He Had

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

The story is often told of Mary and Joseph making the long journey to Bethlehem for the census. Mary and Joseph are turned away by an innkeeper who proclaims, “There is no room for you in the Inn.” Songs have been written about this, and messages preached. As the Innkeeper turns the couple away, he remembers that he has a stable, and offers for them to stay there. The Innkeeper is blamed for being insensitive to Mary’s condition and not being able to discern that it was the King of Kings that would be born in that stable. However, there is another aspect. He could have sent the family away from his premises all together. But, when he saw Mary’s condition and assessed the situation, he offered the only available space in his inn – a stable. The Innkeeper’s suggested response reminds us that:

God never requires anything more from us, than what we are able to give.

How often have we declined to offer what we had because we didn’t think it was good enough? He can take our little and make it grow just by His touch. One man has said, “Little is much when the Master is in it.” How many times have you failed to give what you had because you did not feel it was enough? Even in areas of financial giving, be reminded that if you can’t do something BIG, why not do something SMALL? If we all would give a LITTLE then a LOT would be accomplished. Don’t do NOTHING just because you can’t do EVERYTHING. And when it comes to you, God only expects you to give what you have. The few talents that you have when yielded to the Lord Jesus can accomplish much. You may feel that you are not rich enough, talented enough, or smart enough to be used of the Lord. Put these feelings aside, surrender yourself to God, and tell the devil, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). In the “Parable of Talents” mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30 everyone was given talents “according to his several ability” (Verse 15). Not all had the same amount of talents but those who used theirs received more. The man who did not use his talent had it taken away from him and given to another. It has been said, “If you don’t use it; you lose it!”

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Found at Church

Let me state my bias up front. I love the church and I am so thankful to be a part of it. Why? I once was lost but was found at church. There I also found faith, fellowship, friendship, family, fruitfulness and a heavenly Father. David confessed one day in the Lord’s house—the church—beats thousands spent as a guest in the house of sin (Psalms 84:10). He could be counted on to be often found at church.

The church is a group of believers, anywhere in the world, that have been called “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). The Bible employs about one hundred metaphors and phrases to portray the “church.” Chief among these is the idea that the church is an ekklesia; the “called out” ones. Other pivotal images depict the church as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3-8; 12-31). The church is a living organism and “grows as God causes it to grow” (Colossians 2:19). Growth is natural, expected, and deliberate. We continue to develop into our future role as the “Bride of Christ” (John 3:29; Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7). We are part of the family (2 Cor. 6:18; John 1:12). There is protection in the church because we are among the flock (Luke 12:32).

The word “church” first appears in Matthew 16:18, “…and on this rock I will build my church” (NIV). The church is called out from the world and called into an assembly (Acts 19:32) for the purpose of fellowship and reaching a lost world. A group of people at any level from local to universal may rightly be called “the church” as demonstrated in the following table:

THE CHURCH

House Church – Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19

Local Church – 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Galatians 1:2

Regional Church – Acts 9:31

Universal Church – Ephesians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 12:28

Remember the church is not a building or even a denomination. We are the church! The church is comprised of every believer starting with the birth of the church in Acts 2, throughout the ages, and still propels itself into the twenty-first century.

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Elements of Church Growth in the Local Church – Part Two

Part One

The church is designed to be a world-wide force for evangelism and impact in society. How can this be done? We cannot have realistic church growth without preaching the message of the Early Church (Acts 2:38). Preaching from our pulpit is Word-centered, anointed, and also relevant and practical to the people.

Consider five elements of church growth based on Acts 2:41-47. In order for the church to grow, each of these principles must be operating in the church and they must be in balance. There is not one that is considered to be more important than another and each are necessary.

4. Ministry

This is expressing our love for others and meeting their needs. If we are not meeting people’s needs then we are not ministering. The church ministers to different types of people (ladies, men, children, youth, prisons, hospitals) with different types of needs. These needs fall into the four categories that make up a man: spiritual, physical, social, and emotional. Our ministry is often enriched through prayer. It has been said, “A prayerful church is a powerful church.” We anticipate God moving in every service; at home and collectively when we all come together. We create the environment through our prayer (bringing down the power of God) and praise (bringing down the presence of God). In Acts they ministered from “house to house.” We need to effectively endeavor to build faith at home. Our combined faith is explosive when we all meet together at church.

5. Evangelism

If we do not try to witness and evangelize, people will not come into the church. We cannot expect people to walk in off the streets but we must go to where the people are. When we make an effort to evangelize we are showing the world we are a reaching body. We are reaching for those outside of our church who are in need with a desire to provide hope and help.

If we are able to have all five elements operating in our church, and give them proper attention, the direct result will be: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).

So, if you are looking for me, I’m not lost, but can be found at church.

Putting it into practice:

  1. Be faithful to church.
  2. Make sure your children are in Sunday school.
  3. Invite someone to church. Do it again. And again!
  4. Have church at home.
  5. Pray for the church. Come early for services and prepare for God to move.
  6. Continually thank God for the church.
  7. Always talk positively about the church. It’s what we want people to be part of.
  8. Faithfully support the church.
  9. Implement and encapsulate the five principles highlighted in this blog.
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Elements of Church Growth in the Local Church – Part One

The church is designed to be a world-wide force for evangelism and impact in society. How can this be done? We cannot have realistic church growth without preaching the message of the Early Church (Acts 2:38). Preaching from our pulpit is Word-centered, anointed, and also relevant and practical to the people.

Consider five elements of church growth based on Acts 2:41-47. In order for the church to grow, each of these principles must be operating in the church and they must be in balance. There is not one that is considered to be more important than another and each are necessary.

1. Fellowship

The first church members were in unity; shared in fellowship and in breaking of bread. This is why it is important for each member to attend church regularly. The church where fellowship is strong is a caring church. Believers demonstrate a genuine concern for each other. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

Not only did the Early Church fellowship with each other but they also had fellowship with their God through prayer. The first church was brought into existence as a result of a prayer meeting and continued to grow as a result of prayer.

Miracles began taking place in Acts 3 when they were on their way to prayer. The prerequisite to a miracle is someone in need. Needs are met at church. God can also move in the churches established and exemplified in our homes.

2. Discipleship

We are called to make disciples; to reproduce ourselves. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

In the Great Commission Jesus Christ placed “discipleship” at the top of the list of things needed to be done. As a church we must never forget about discipling and enabling our members. It is important to attend and participate in the elective series offered for adults and Sunday school offered for all ages. It provides spiritual nutrition for us to grow.

Are we making a difference in our community, culture and country? How can we make a greater impact in a shorter period of time? This can be done through discipleship (training and teaching). The Early Church “ceased not to preach and teach” (Acts 5:42), and therefore “filled Jerusalem with their doctrine” (Acts 5:28).

Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). If we do not teach people what is expected of them from the Bible we are rendering them “Bible Illiterates.” Therefore, we have a strong emphasis on both preaching and teaching in our churches.

3. Worship

Worship and praise are vital to church growth. In sports we realize there is something greater about a game that is played in front of thousands of people compared to a game played in front of a few hundred people. As we gather together at church, there is an atmosphere of celebration. When we begin to celebrate our God and what He has done for us we are expressing our love for God. We enter the church to worship and leave to reach others for Christ. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3).

To Be Continued…

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