Gathering & Scattering
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13) NIV.
You may call it a program, but it is definitely a work that our Lord Jesus Christ, called us to do. The apostle Paul, lines up his instruction to both the Great Commission (Matthew 28:10-20) and (Acts 1:8).
In what has been called the "Gathering and the Scattering." we find the work of the spiritual leaders of the church to "equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (v.12) What works of service are we as members of the body of Christ to perform? It has to do do with the dual purpose of the Church. 1. Evangelism, and 2. Christian Nurture.
As God's people gather as one in a sanctuary on a Sunday morning, the spiritual leaders, such as pastors, teachers, evangelists etc, have the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that God's people will know it clearly, and strongly, so that when they "scatter" to their various points of contact, they will share it with those who need to hear it, and respond to it. It is also an opportunity for spiritual leaders to help the members of the body of Christ, to be built up in their faith, and knowledge of the Son of God. How can you expect the members of your flock, to grow in Christian maturity, if they know little about the Lord Jesus Himself, and what He can do in their lives, and the lives of others?
Just as there are two main tasks on the farm. 1. Is the Harvest,
2. The care of the livestock. As the church we gather together to be fed, and nourished, so when we scatter, we can be involved in the harvest of souls for the kingdom of God. This is the greatest work the church is called to do! And it will take dedicated, disciplined and determined spiritual leaders to help us get it done! GP
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