Post by disciple on Jun 1, 2010 13:46:06 GMT -5
CHAPTER 8:
HOW THIS STANDARD WORKS IN A CHURCH
HOW THIS STANDARD WORKS IN A CHURCH
PURPOSE: UNDERSTANDING HOW A LOCAL CONGREGATION OF THE CHURCH IS TO FUNCTION, BASED ON JESUS’ STRATEGY
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOOK OF ACTS AND TODAY’S CHRISTIANITY?
· JESUS? HOLY SPIRIT? NO.
· BIBLE? TECHNOLOGY & TRAVEL? YES, BUT IN OUR ADVANTAGE
· COMMITMENT? NO.
· THE DIFFERENCE IS SOLELY ONE OF STRATEGY. THEIR STRATEGY WAS RIGGED TO SUCCEED, WHILE OURS IS RIGGED TO IMPLODE.
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL MODEL OF CHURCH: BUS DRIVER & PASSENGERS (OTHER EX.S)
WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH? EPH. 4:7-14
LAYMEN AS “FROZEN ASSETS”-IF THE BUILDUP OF FROZEN ICE & SNOW AT THE NORTH POLE WERE MELTED, THE WHOLE WORLD WOULD BE COVERED WITH WATER (HAB. 2:14)
1. 4 GIFTS GIVEN TO ALL (V. 7, MAJOR EMPHASIS):
· APOSTLE-APOSTOLOS, SENT ONES; A GOING & SENDING FELLOWSHIP, NOT JUST A COMING ONE
· PROPHET-PROPHETES, PUBLIC EXPOUNDER; PROCLAIMERS OF TRUTH. THINGS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE PROCLAIMING OF TRUTH: MATURES THE SPEAKER, GLORIFIES GOD, AND PRESENTS THE GOSPEL. WE SPEAK FIRST TO GOD, FOR GOD, AND ABOUT GOD.
· EVANGELIST-EUAGGELIOTES, “GOOD NEWSER;” PROCLAIMERS OF THE GOSPEL’S GOOD NEWS
· PASTOR-TEACHER-POIMEN-DIDASKALOS, SHEPHERD-INSTRUCTOR. TO SHEPHERD, ONE MUST KNOW (IN ORDER)
o WHO HE IS
o WHAT HE HAS
o WHERE HE IS GOING
o HOW TO GET THERE
o WHAT HIS PURPOSE IS TODAY AND EVERY DAY
o HOW TO ACCOMPLISH HIS ASSIGNMENT
2. GOALS FOR GIVING THESE GIFTS (V. 12 AND FOLLOWING)
· ENLIST MEMBERS (NEW BIRTH>NEW LIFE)
· EQUIP MEMBERS: THE DAY YOU WERE SAVED, YOU WERE “CALLED INTO THE MINISTRY!” YOUR PASTOR IS NOT ANY MORE OF A “MINISTER” THAN YOU ARE! “EQUIP” CAN MEAN AT LEAST 8 THINGS:
o PACIFY A CITY TORN BY FACTION
o SET A LIMB THAT HAS BEEN DISLOCATED
o EXERCISE CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BODY
o RESTORE A PERSON TO HIS RIGHT MIND
o RECONCILE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN ESTRANGED
o FULLY FURNISH SOMETHING/SOMEONE FOR A GIVEN PURPOSE
o CORRECTLY ARRANGE THINGS
o PUT SOMEHTING ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS
· EMPLOY MEMBERS: DOES THE SECRETARY OF WAR FIGHT ON THE FRONT LINES, OR DOES HE SERVE TO EQUIP AND EMPLOY THE FOOT SOLDIERS FOR BATTLE? EMPLOYMENT OF THE TROOPS IS A KEY JOB OF A NEW TEASTAMENT SHEPHERD. EACH CHURCH MUST SEE ITS ASSIGNMENT AS THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.
THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS ITS ORIGINAL RECRUITMENT, EQUIPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT TO FUNCTION AS GOD INTENDED, NOT THE REDUCTIONS WE SETTLE FOR.
3. MODELS OF A LOCAL FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS
(PICTURES IN BOOK)
OUR MODEL:
VERY DISCOURAGED LEADERSHIP
LARGELY CARNAL MEMBERSHIP
LARGELY UNEVANGELIZED WORLD
NT MODEL:
MOST EXCITED & FULFILLED LEADERS ON EARTH
EVER-ENLARGING NUMBERS OF SPIRITUAL BELIEVERS
INCREASINGLY EVANGELIZED WORLD
THE PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IS TO EDIFY (BUILD) UNTIL ALL ARE LIKE CHRIST, “UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST.” THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE FOCUS IS TAKEN OFF OF THE CROWD, THE CONVERSIONS, AND THE PROFESSIONAL PASTOR AND PLACED ON ALL THE “PASTORS” BRINGING EVERY AVAILABLE MAN INTO A FULLY RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.