Through The Church
(Dave Louden)
After the Lord’s ascension, the church’s focus was the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. They lived in one accord while ministering to the needs of others. This living produced favour with God and men. People were being saved daily and thereby added to the church.
Acts 2:37-47 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many signs and wonders were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
We often think that we are able to manufacture the spectacular. If something (for example, a ministry or audience) is bigger in size or grander in scope many will mistakenly claim that God’s power must be the driving force behind it. However, it would be difficult to top the acts of Christ, given that the comments from the onlookers were “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12)
By dwelling in and working through His many sons, the church, God can be ministering in multiple places at one time. What an effective organism the Lord’s body is. Recall that in his various letters to the church, Paul refers to the many parts of the body and emphasizes that all have their usefulness (for example, see 1 Corinthians 12). It is of upmost importance to discover the way in which His body should work so we may practice that which pleases Him. In doing so, the church will be effective and at the same time realize that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
On Assignment
God has chosen to work through His people, in order to care for and encourage others to be reconciled to Him. As His ambassadors, we are to be regularly sent by Him on assignment in order to bring His comfort and supply to meet practical needs. Such assignments are to be carried out under the headship of the Holy Spirit in the life of each priest. Every believer is a priest (1 Peter 2:9) and is a member of His body. The Head of the body, which is Christ, desires to demonstrate His care for people through His Spirit which indwells all believers. He desires that we respond to His leading and thereby carry out His good work(s) toward a particular person or people.
This working of the Spirit within the body is personal and intimate. It calls for definitive participation and continual self-sacrifice in the life of each believer. Unfortunately, we have relegated the body of Christ into two classes – the clergy and the laity. There is no biblical support for such a class distinction. Sadly, this distinction has served to nullify the function of the body and has relegated the church to the status of an organization run by a select few called the clergy. Yes, there needs to be order in the body but not preference based upon differing roles and spiritual gifts. The compartmentalizing of believers into second string roles has served to nullify the saints. The work of the ones gifted in leadership is to perfect the saints to do the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
To change this thinking within the church requires a deep desire to honour God and His ways. We must leave behind what we so highly value, namely our great ideas and ‘wisdom’. Unfortunately, much of the thinking within the church is mingled with large doses of personal pride and ambition. Many wish to exalt not only Christ but their own ministry as well.
Getting a Handle on It
God wants to empower and direct each believer to people He wishes to care for. This could be in the form of ministering the message of reconciliation to Christ, meeting practical needs, or in comforting and exhorting one another.
In each case, God is to be the source of the provision that each person receives. In practical terms, it follows like this: as we see needs we are not to subdue the compassion of our heart, but are to give to others that which meets their needs. Do not be overly concerned with the perceived inadequacy of your resources. God has said throughout Scripture that He will supply our needs and that He will ensure that we have the capacity for good works.
God will multiply your gift so that the person He sent you to will have their heart warmed and their need met. As well, God will repay you and multiply your gift. He will then send you to another person with your “five loaves and two fishes.” Our contributions may seem like nothing compared to the overall need but simply give what He asks and let Him multiply it.
A Life in the Miraculous
This is the life to which every believer has been miraculously called, for His kingdom’s sake. You will become captivated by God’s work as you richly minister to others. Things that now seem so necessary in your life will fade in the brightness of seeing Him truly use you as He leads you from assignment to assignment. This forms the solid foundation of the abundant life that God has called us to.
How do I Start?
Simply tell the Lord that you want to live His version of the abundant life and that you willingly lay your life aside for His. When your spirit senses an opportunity to serve Him respond by saying “yes” to Him. You may also have to say “no” to the opposing thoughts in your mind. Such contrary thoughts may include, “That money was for me!” or “I want to do something else right now” or “I have a better idea.” Recall that Scripture instructs us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Begin Today
If you are struggling with this high calling, ask the Lord to give you His desire. See your life blossom into uncharted depths and richness. Your church life will blossom and grow much more important to you. Your oneness with God’s heart and your concern for eternal things will open God’s Word to you as perhaps never before. Don’t believe the enemy’s lies! He will attempt to tell you that you will never have any time for yourself or that your needs will not be met. Remember, the Lord’s yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). He has promised that He will supply all of your needs (Philippians 4:19).
Respond
As a situation arises and you sense it touching you, don’t harden your heart. Rather, respond. You will likely have to die to your own natural plans and wishes in order to fulfill what God has placed upon your heart. It is this basic, don’t make it more complicated than it has to be. Simply follow God’s heart and in turn yours will be greatly blessed as He brings you into true kingdom work.
Enter the Battle
Reject fear and thoughts of unworthiness. God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 2:17). We have been accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6) and He has given us all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Enter the battle and receive the crown.
Die to Self
God’s way is truly death to self on so many levels. This was clearly expressed by John the Baptist when he said, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). To do God’s work God’s way requires us to see the need for a greater breaking of our fleshly independence and worldly thinking. We must not simply choose His ways but deeply desire them as well. The path of self-sacrifice is very simple in its fundamentals. The difficult part is placing our ‘Isaac’ on the altar when asked. We need faith like Abraham to believe God. The greatest things He asks us to offer Him will be righteously and lovingly handled by Him for His glory and for our good.
This article is taken from the book, To Hear Well Done, by Dave Louden. For a free copy of the book please contact the Editor of Menbuilders Magazine at
