Thought For The Day

Our Mission

“. . .growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Ephesians 4:13b

Just a word of caution, if I may. No one in his right mind (and I hope I still am) is going to argue with those who are speaking about multiple ministries around the world right now, but I do want us (the Church) to be careful. I am certain that the Scriptures are clear that as the Church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century we have a specific task (read: assignment) from the Father that limits our operation while freeing us to be about our business.

The God-given purpose of the Church is to proclaim the Cross of Christ (the power of God to save by grace through faith), and to disciple the converts in their spiritual journey toward maturity (see Ephesians 4:13). As the saints mature (loose their spiritual blindness due to ingestion and digestion of Truth) they are unequivocally involved in multiple ministries which clearly demonstrate the llove of God, and our own llove for members of the “family” and those who have yet to come to faith.

While it is true that standing opposed (an active working of intellect and physicality) to corrupt leadership would be part and parcel of that ministry, it is not, in its truest sense, to be the focus of the Church. Jesus, while living among men, spent little, if any, time opposing the corrupt leadership of Jewish society. He appeared to believe that poverty would always be endemic, disease prevalent, and ignorance common with humanity.

Hear me now! We must be strong in His Spirit (Ephesians 6:10). I have a responsibility as a righteous individual (yoked together with other believers, of course!) to oppose the tyranny of the enemy who establishes corrupt leadership, prolongs poverty, inflicts disease, perpetrates ignorance, and casts the veil of spiritual blindness.

Those things are not, strictly speaking, the focus of the Church. Rather, the Church is to be about the Gospel. We preach Christ crucified, risen, ruling the realm of men’s hearts and that Heavenly kingdom which transcends our understanding. We discipline ourselves so that we might be disciplined by God, coming to a conformity with His image (Romans 8:29).

Out of that operation will come a multitude of wonderful ministries. Jesus sometimes fed the hungry, and healed the sick. It’s clear he opposed ignorance. Poverty (in and of itself alone) didn’t seem to bother Him much. But those actions were not the reason for His coming. He came to give His life a ransom, to spill His perfect blood for our redemption. He came to die!

Let’s be careful (hear me well), that as the Church, we keep our eyes focused on our calling. I must speak the Truth, grow up in Him, and live out His direction in my life. Everything else will flow out of that commitment.

It’s just a word of caution, guys.

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