Jesus told is disciples to “Go, make disciples.” And they did! Acts 2:41 tells us that there were 3000 additions to the church. Acts 4:4 says there were about 5000 men who believed. Acts 5:14 says “more and more men and women believed and were added to their numbers.” Acts 6:7 says “The number of disciples... increased rapidly.”
These believers were passionate. They were bold! They were obedient. And the world was changed forever! Christianity experienced remarkable growth - even while being severely persecuted. And, by an edict of Constantine in 313 A.D., Christianity became the State religion of the entire Roman Empire!
But today, many of our churches are not seeing much dynamic growth. Many of our churches are just barely staying alive. America could accurately be described as “post-Christian”. What happened?
What happened is that Satan has dealt the Church 3 nearly fatal blows.
Human Nature
The first blow Satan dealt was to appeal to our human nature; our desire for comfort... protection... convenience... We stopped making disciples because - it’s hard! And, besides, what will people think? We wouldn’t want our friends and neighbors to label us a “Jesus Freak!” So, being led by our human nature, we chose comfort over commitment, protection over personal involvement, convenience over our Lord’s command to “Make Disciples”
“Clergy” vs “Laity”
Secondly, Satan began to overemphasize distinctions of service in order to divide an army of believers. This was perhaps his most severe blow to the Church - dividing it into two groups. The small group became known as “Clergy”, and the large group, “Laity”. The small group eventually became empowered to do things the larger group could not. It was only the Clergy who were entrusted to serve communion, to baptize, to preach the Word of God. Making disciples became an exclusive right of the Clergy.
Once again, this appealed to our human nature. It appealed to the pride and ego of the Clergy to be considered valuable and needed. It appealed to the Laity to be lazy and allow the Clergy to do all the work. And as the years went by, less and less work was getting done. The Church’s ministry crumbled beneath the feet of men clothed in ecclesiastical garb.
The whole concept of “Clergy” and “Laity” is totally foreign to the Word of God. “...Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13), yet they turned the world upside down! What made the Church so successful in its early years was that every disciple was a witness for Christ. Every disciple was committed to making more disciples!
Institutionalism
The third and final blow was to turn the Church into an institution rather than the living Body of Christ. Houses that once hosted the glorious movement of the Spirit of God were replaced with rigid formality and cold cathedrals. Icy rigor mortis set in... It was known as the Dark Ages. And unfortunately, many of us are still living there today - at least so far as obedience to the Great Commission is concerned.
Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) He warns in Revelation, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (Revelation 3:15)
Let’s live by the Spirit - not our human nature. Let’s make disciples - not religious people. Let’s be the Body of Christ.
Go Bless,
Pete
...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9
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2 comments:
I disagree. I'll address your points
Human Nature. It has always been "fashionable" to be a Christian. Americans have a deep distrust in atheists, as proof, consider that NO politician wants to be thought of as an atheist (even tho many are).
But doing the right thing is never easy.
But as a teacher, a leader of God's flock, don't just admonish the flock for not following the "Great Commission", but give them advice on how to carry it out!
Bad: "You lazy people are not preachin' to the heathen!"
Good: "We want to share the love and blessings of Christ with our co-workers and neighbors. As Christians, we want to follow the great commission. You can do it, just invite somebody to church, a church function, or even a church softball game."
“Clergy” vs “Laity” Many people are fearful to step up to plate, worried that they do not know enough about the Bible or doctrine to be an effective minister.
But like the Sunday School song goes, "They will know we are Christians by our love". So onward Christian soldiers, and if you don't think you have enough ammo, get into a training program.
Many churches have "Stephen's Ministers". Check it out!
I attended a Baptist Church once and I was impressed by how the minister challenged the congregation to GET OUT THERE and SAVE SOMEONE!
Institutionalism
Did you know that early Christian worship services were held in peoples homes? Wealthy and poor sat together and worshiped.
It's human nature to take a powerful thing like the word of God and convert it into a cash machine.
Any church that moves you AWAY from God is THE WRONG CHURCH.
I attended a church service with my girlfriend and when asked WHY she wasn't taking communion, she said, "I am divorced, I can't get communion."
I asked, "If you can't get communion, why bother coming to church at all?"
I spent the rest of the time explaining to her that GOD'S LOVE and FORGIVENESS and GRACE is HIS TO GIVE and not for MAN to withhold from anyone. She was thrilled to know that there was a path to God for her.
Some institutions want you to jump thru their hoops on your path to glory. Don't take the detour. Read the roadmap (the Bible). Ask questions and take classes with your Pastor (who is your guide and teacher, and NOT the gatekeeper).
Let the Spirit guide you, but with open eyes and an open heart.
Pete I'll agree you are right on the money on this one.
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