When Jesus first sent his disciples out he sent them to the house of
Sometimes we get stuck ministering to the church and never get to the second part of the mission. Most of what I hear referred to as ministry consists of teaching those who already know the message, and who probably aren’t even “doing it.” The majority of the ministry of the church should be focused on reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel and then teaching and equipping them. There has been a number of new church congregations started in the last two years in the place I live. I don’t think I’ve seen a new convert in any of them. We are teaching ourselves over and over again with no impact on our cities. We have become so introverted in our ministry to one another that we are ineffective at affecting the people around us.
The purpose of church ministry is so that we can be built up and equipped to be a light to those around us. Jesus said we are to be a light on a hill, but how many people in the world see a light? It is time to move from the Matthew 10 call to the Acts 1:8 call to teach the nations the ways of God. It is time to go to those who have not heard. The invitations have been sent to the friends of the bridegroom, now it is time to send out to the highways. Ask God for a strategy for your city and be willing to be a light set on a hill. Tell people what God has done for you, and then tell them of a Jesus who will act for them as well. Then, ask them if they would like to meet and learn more. Teach them whatever God has taught you.
Leaders are arising who equip the saints for works of ministry, teaching them how to set captives free and disciple nations. They will equip a generation who are skillful at shining the light of Christ. The Church will be a city set on a hill. The Church will be a place where the sick are healed, the poor hear the good news, and the captives are delivered. This Church will see the powers of Satan crumble in their city.
3 comments:
In your statement: They will equip a generation who are skillful at shining the light of Christ.
I have two questions:
1) Why is only a generation that leaders will equip?
2) What are the skills required to shine the light of Christ? What od you mean by being skillful? Do you mean it instrumental?
I so agree. We gotta remember the last command of Jesus before ascending into heaven, Go into all the world and preach the gospel, discipling the nations and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.
Shining the light happens as we reflect who Jesus is to people. This happens as we understand the ways of God and do them. There is an action involved with shining the light, and we can learn to live that life, being skillful with the spiritual gifts. We can learn to teach, preach, prophesy, show mercy.... The reason the leaders will raise up a generation is because it is only possible to raise up one generation. It is then the responsibility of that generation to raise up the next.
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