![]() Part 2- If you can't find a good church-Start one
We have looked at the Mission, the call to be sent out, next is The Ministry, those who you are sent out to. Acts 1:8 (KJV)
It was once explained to me that the succession
of people mentioned in this verse may be clarified in this way: look at
those who this was spoken to who were the people of ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A METHOD-how exactly you want me to carry your ministry out. It is necessary that you begin your ministry in prayer, and bathe it in prayer the whole time. Nothing can happen to change a person's heart from darkness and deadness to light and life unless God does it. These words should haunt you... John 15:4-5 (KJV)
And again,
So to start your ministry, pray:
You don't need a whole room full or a whole tent-full of people to start a ministry. One or 2 people who are really dedicated to getting serious about Christ is where to start. If you really get one serious baby Christian to care for, you will have your hands plenty full just answering questions and praying for guidance and ministering seriously to them. And let's remember the goal...multiplication not necessarily addition. As in this verse: 2 Tim 2:2 (KJV)
See, God takes the long view to measure success.. We like to see large numbers of converts and filled pews. God looks into the heart of a person to see of they are dedicated and committed over the long haul. It has been said that 10% of an average evangelical congregation does 90% of the work. This is the problem of seeking a large number of shallow converts who were not discipled properly. Jesus, the Lord of Glory, spent the bulk of His earthly ministry teaching and training and pouring Himself into 12 men. By our standards, this was either a wasteful use of his brief time and energy, and in terms of numbers He was a failure. But was He really a failure, or was He modelling for us a profound truth about propagating the Gospel: that a small group of dedicated followers can do more in the long haul than a large mass of casual hangers-on? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A MESSAGE- either initial evangelism or discipling existing Christians. Depending on the circumstance of the ministry the Lord leads you into, you will either have to start by leading someone to Christ, or you will have an already-saved person who now needs to grow up in Christ. So the message becomes one either of evangelism or discipleship. It has been my experience that some preachers seem to ignore the need for growing their congregations up in the Lord, and are content to keep "getting them saved" week after week with a salvation message that they have heard hundreds of times already. Once they are saved, they are ready to move onward and upward. Get on with it. So what kinds of things do you need to teach your new disciple ? Who God is, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, what is Their function and everything about them you can. What is salvation? Moving from darkness to light, repenting of sin and keeping a "short account" with God if you happen to sin. One of the most important verses in all of scripture for this: 1 John 1:8-9 (KJV)
This is only the dusting of snow on a very
large iceberg.
1 John 5:10-13 (KJV)
{11} And this is the record, that God hath
given to us eternal life,
I could go on and on.
If you want a good outline of things to
start teaching your new disciple, please refer to my evangelistic presentation
at
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE MOTIVATION- the driving push to get me committed to the work. Again, you need to pray and ask God to warm your stagnant heart, and fill you with His Spirit, and set you on fire to minister to Him. He will answer this prayer. He is waiting to answer it. Are you ready to ask it ? In Christ.....brother bob......<>< ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS
Visit my evangelistic presentation at...
God Bless You.....brother bob.......<>< If you have comments or questions, email
me at ixtheus@execpc.com
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